Expert: Thurman C. Petty, Jr. - 6/16/2009

Question
Hi Mr. Petty,
I have a truthful experience to share with you and I want your input and thoughts about this experience.

My friend, ruth one morning was getting ready for work and she was bending over cleaning her tub in her bathroom when she felt someone watching her, she said it was an eery feeling and she looked up and saw a man standing behind her, she couldn't speak or move, she just looked up at a man. He was wearing a long white robe and he had long hair. he looked young and his hair was a light brown blondish color. he had a very small face with no beard and was really tall. He didn't say anything and there was no light and she wasn't asleep. It was a normal day and here was this man standing there and when she turned her head to try to move when she looked back he was gone.
So tell me, what do you think being a pastor, was it an angel or something, who did she see? Thanks.

Answer
Dear Lilly,

Thank you for your question about an angel visit.

This is an interesting experience that Ruth had. I can see why it startled her—to have a man suddenly appear behind her as she worked on the tub.

Was this an angel? It’s hard to tell with the description you have given. But we can see, in a general sense, how angels appeared in Bible, and the reasons for their visits.

The word “angel” means “messenger.” It is used in the Bible of celestial beings, of humans who bring a message from God, and at times it is used of God Himself (Ex. 3:1-6).

Angels often appeared as ordinary people. Read: Genesis 18. In fact, one of the three was actually the Lord—Jesus. The other two went to Sodom and destroyed it, after rescuing Lot and his family. Also read Judges 13:2-22

Sometimes angels appear as heavenly beings. Read: Daniel 9:21, 22 (You’ll notice that Daniel called him a “man”, though he knew who the angel was and from whence he had come.) Also read the description of the angel that talked with the shepherds in Bethlehem: Luke 2:8-14

The word “angel,” as I’ve already pointed out means “messenger.” So when angels appear to people—whether as a person, a celestial being, or God Himself—they always have a message for them. Only once in Scripture, that I can remember, did angels appear without giving a message in words, and that was when Elisha showed his servant the angels in chariots of fire circling the city to protect them from their enemies (2 Kings 6:15-17).

Always, besides the one exception, angels have a message. Did the “angel” who visited Ruth give her a message? From your description, “no.” Then I would be hesitant to say that it was an angel from God.

You’ll remember that Satan has angels too (evil, of course) Rev. 12:7-9 (“stars” is a symbol used in Scripture to describe angels). So Satan drew with him in his rebellion against God, 1/3rd of the angels of heaven. So there are millions—perhaps billions—of evil angels, who have the power to appear in whatever form they choose.

You and Ruth have to decide this for yourselves. But I recommend that you spend time daily reading the Bible and in prayer to God, to bring you into a close relationship with Him. That way He can protect you from evil angels and assure you of His blessing.

Thanks again for your question.

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
pettypress@gmail.com

Check out my website www.PettyPress.com where I’ve posted the complete text of 18 of my books, 40 Bible study guides and much more.