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Experiencing Angels
Pastor Brian Chilton
“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.* 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation, 3rd ed. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007), Heb 13:1–3.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that at any time we may be “entertaining angels.” The Bible speaks a lot about these heavenly messengers. The Hebrew word “ma’lak” and the Greek equivalent “angelos” both mean the same…”messenger.” We see in Scripture three classifications of angels: archangels, cherubim, and the seraphim. The Bible only tells us about two archangels: Michael, the warrior angel, and Gabriel, the announcing angel. The pseudipigraphical book 1 Enoch tells us of seven archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Remiel, and Saraqael. The Bible lists the cherubim as being strange looking creatures who guard the throne of God (Ezekiel 10 and see Revelation). Seraphim are “fiery angels” who give God praise. They are mentioned in Isaiah 6. I do not think the “fire” is literal, but descriptive of the brilliance of their aura.
I certainly believe in angels because I have experienced them on three different occasions. All three occasions were during times of great distress in my life or in the life of another. For the remainder of this brief article, I wish to describe those three encounters.
First Encounter: At a Hospital
My first encounter occurred at a hospital. I was visiting a woman who had a life-threatening disease. She was a godly, Christian woman who was ready for whatever was before her. As we talked, a brilliant light appeared at the foot of her bed. It stayed there for a moment. After we noticed it, the light darted towards the wall where it disappeared. Being skeptically inclined, I looked for anything that could possibly have caused a reflection, but there was nothing that would. The blinds to her hospital window were pulled down and closed. If any light could have been reflected, it would not have been as bright as it was. The light would not have been a large orb, but rather a sliver of light. Also, it would not have been at the foot of her bed. The light would have been reflected on the wall. In addition, her room was not facing a highway. So, nothing would have reflected that brilliant of a light in the first place. Could something have been in the hallway to cause such a light? No. Nothing or no one was in the hallway near her room at the time. A few nurses were down the hallway, but no one was present at her room.
Something else struck me as I replay this event in my mind. Reflections of light were coming from the source of light from the foot of her bed. Light was reflected from the source on the walls, ceiling, her bed, and even on her television. The best thing I could compare this to was the light that emanated from the recent meteorite explosion over Russia. For me, this could only have been the presence of an angelic being.
Second Encounter: At Home
The second encounter that I have had with angels was the most spectacular and meaningful to me. The occurrence happened in the hallway posted in the picture above. This recent picture was taken at about the same time of day that the event took place about a year prior. The only light that you see in the picture is from the light above the hallway. When the appearance took place, that light was not even on. I had to turn the light on so that you could see the hallway more clearly because it is normally dark in the hallway.
My son was about to have surgery. It was not major surgery. But for a parent, any surgery is major when it is their child that is having the surgery. I was greatly concerned about the surgery. Anxiety gripped me as I worried about parting with him as he had to undergo the knife. A couple of days before the surgery took place, I was talking to my wife about the surgery. She was in the other room. I was looking into my son’s room where the sunlight was beaming through his window. I noticed something out of the corner of my right eye. I looked to my right and there stood before me a being of light. It looked human but was completely beaming with light. I did a double-take. The second time I looked directly at his face. He was originally facing the direction of my son’s room. But, as I noticed him, he turned his head and looked directly at me and smiled. After he smiled, he was gone.
Again, I looked around for every possible logical explanation for the light. No one was driving down the street of our rural neighborhood until after the event took place. Even if someone had, light would have reflected on the walls or off the pictures on the wall and would not have taken a human form. Also, I had a feeling of peace and awe after witnessing the being. I felt calmer after the experience.
Third Encounter: At Church
The third and final encounter (at least up until this point) occurred on Super Bowl Sunday of 2011. We were having a soup dinner while watching the Super Bowl in the church fellowship building that evening. I was sitting with Cindy Smith and her fiance. Suddenly, we all three noticed a light that was similar to the first encounter I had at the hospital. This time, the being was over the head of one of the parents (also a member of the church) and traveled through the fireplace. It first appeared in the middle of the room (not reflecting from anything). What was interesting about this occasion was that it took place at night. I looked to see if any car lights were shining in the fellowship building. None. Also, later that evening a light reflected from a car into the building. The reflected light did not act anything like the angelic light that we had previously witnessed.
Conclusion:
At no time did any of the angelic beings say anything to us. But on every occasion, I was filled with a sense of peace and wonder. I take from three things from these experiences. First, I know that angels are real. Angels are not myths nor are they imaginary. They are very real and appear right when we need them the most. Two, angels remind us of the faith, hope, and love that we can have in God. In these dark days in which we live, we need the faith, hope, and love that only God can bring. Third and finally, I, in a small essence, am reminded of what lies ahead of this life. If angels display that kind of love and light, can you imagine the love and light that emanates from God? This is what we will experience if we have Christ in our lives.
I realize that some will read this and will remain skeptical. I understand. I am skeptical by nature, too. Some will outright reject the events that I have documented because their worldview will not allow them to accept these true events. God allowed these things to happen for a reason. Hopefully, you will consider the fact that angels are real. We are not alone and do not have to go the course without help. For God is with us and has sent His angels to help us in times of need.
May God bless you and keep you. Remember, the truth shall set you free.
Pastor Brian Chilton
