“The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.'” — Luke 1:19
Invisible Friends
Athletes need self-discipline to stay in top physical condition for optimal performance. On the other hand, they need some down time to escape from the daily grind. As toddlers develop imagination by playing with their toys, dolls or stuffed animals, adults escape to the virtual world of video games, television, movies, phones and computers. Others enjoy daydreaming as they spend time outdoors hiking, swimming or fishing.
In the Bible, we read about an invisible, spiritual world which is better than anything we produce with our imagination. Though angels are usually not seen, these shiny, smart and strong creatures are just as real as trees and flowers. At some point, God created the angels and most of them are loyal workers for God who help people. Some angels have six wings and fly quickly throughout outer space, Heaven and all over the earth.
The angels do not age like people. Gabriel is mentioned in the Old Testament and the New Testament. God told Gabriel to explain to Daniel visions about the future. “And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, ‘Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.’ As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. ‘Son of man,’ he said to me, ‘understand that the vision concerns the time of the end'” (Daniel 8:16-17).
Also, Gabriel appeared to Zacharias to announce the birth of John the Baptist. “The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news'” (Luke 1:19). Then Mary saw Gabriel: “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you are to call him Jesus'” (Luke 1:30-31).
Whether or not you can vividly imagine this spiritual world, know that these angels are fighting on your behalf.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
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