Mishmash of Facts and Fiction

The world usually depicts angels as beautiful, gentle, soft-spoken females in long flowing white dresses. Over time the world's portrayal of angels has drifted from the Biblical view and become much too feminine in character and appearance.

In the Bible, every time an angel appears in human form on earth, he is male. Two of God's angels are called by name: Michael and Gabriel. Both are masculine names. Gabriel is the angel who appeared to Mary to tell her that she was chosen by God to carry the Christ child.

"The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man

whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David.

And the virgin's name was Mary."

Luke 1:26-27

Angels in the Bible are portrayed as strong and powerful: It took only one angel to roll aside the huge stone that blocked the tomb Jesus laid in.

"For an angel of the Lord came down from Heaven,

 rolled aside the stone, and sat on it."

Matthew 82:2

Usually a man's or woman's first reaction to being approached by an angel is that of fright. The angel typically has to calm people's initial fears by saying, "Fear not."

"The angel said to the women,

 'Do not be afraid,

for I know that you are looking for

Jesus, who was crucified.'"

Matthew 28:5

"But the angel said to them,

'Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for al the people.'"

Luke 2:10

Angels are messengers sent by God, so they speak in loud, clear, authoritative voices, not timid, soft, delicate, sweet-sounding voices.

When God gave John, the disciple, a vision of Heaven, John saw a multitude of angels. He heard them speak in loud voices giving glory to God their Father.

"Then I looked,

and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne,

the living creatures, and the elders;

and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand,

and thousands of thousands,

saying with a loud voice:

'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

to receive power and riches and wisdom,

And strength and honour and glory and blessing!'"

Revelations 5:11-12

The world's portrayal of angels is almost completely opposite the Biblical view of angels. This worldly image of angels is viewed today as acceptable truth, even by Christians. But it is contrary to God's Word.

If Christians don't study the Word of God and change their way of thinking to align with what the Bible says, their perceived truths will become a mixture of God's truths and the world's truths. Their minds will become a mishmash of facts and fiction.