The Skeptic and the Turnpike

The word "angel" comes from the Greek word angelos, which means messenger. Angels carry messages between heaven and earth. Angels also protect, bring hope and comfort, and influence everyday life.

Angels were specially created by God at the beginning of time and praise him continuously. They are grouped into nine choirs: angels, archangels, principalities, powers, dominations, virtues, thrones, cherubim and seraphim. Angels are not human, and humans do not become angels when they die.

All over the world and throughout history people have agreed that guardian angels exist, but not everyone agrees on who they guard. Jesus referred to children’s guardian angels in the Gospel of Matthew. Guardian angels encourage us to do the right thing. They pray with us and for us. They protect us in danger. Guardian angels reveal the will of God to us and help us on our path to heaven.

Angels guard the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and protect Daniel from the lions. An angel stays Abraham’s hand when he is about to sacrifice his son Isaac. Angels climb Jacob’s ladder at Bethel. An angel tells Mary she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus, and angels announce the birth of Christ to shepherds in the field on Christmas. On the first Easter, an angel robed in white descended from heaven to roll away the stone at Jesus’ tomb.

Angels on Earth is a bimonthly magazine from Guideposts presenting true stories about heavenly angels and humans who have played angelic roles in daily life. Since 1995, we have been sharing first-person accounts showing angels at work in everyday lives of people all over the world. Our angels come in many guises, from helpful animals to mysterious coincidences. Angels can come as glorious beings with wings—or simply in a dream or a chance encounter, on a breeze, or in a strain of music. One thing we know about angels: They always surprise us.