ANOHI.S KI.
KCT ANI)
KVII.
natural vision granted to man, angels have actually appeared to natural sight.
Sometimes they were recognized as angels (Daniel 8:15-17; Matthew 28:1-7), and
sometimes their identity was temporarily or completely withheld (Numbers 22:23,
31; Judges 6:11-12, 21-22; Hebrews 13:2).
1. Forms of appearance. It is surprising that angels appear as often as they
do in the history of scriptural record. They appear in the pleasure and purpose
of God to man in his need. When they do appear, there are several points of
description we may note.
When angels appear on earth to men, they generally appear in the form of
men. This human appearance may be so realistic that they arc mistaken for mere
men. Abraham welcomed three 'men' in the plains of Mamrc (Genesis 18:1-8). He
witnessed them walk, talk, and sit as men. He invited them to eat as men, and they
did; but they were angels (19:1). Two of these angels journeyed on to Lot in
Sodom, where he invited them to stay for physical refreshment. Their physical
realism is underscored by the desire of the wicked population of Sodom to misuse
them sexually (Genesis 19:1-8).
They generally appear as males. Mark refers to a 'young man" in the empty
sepulchre of Jesus (Mark 16:5). Luke records the sight of 'two men ... in dazzling
apparel' (Luke 24:4). The only exception may be in Zechariah 5:9, where angels
may be represented as women, but the interpretation is not sure. But the rule is so
apparent, that if we read of men supcrnaturally appearing to speak or act for God,
as the 'two men in white clothing' of Acts 1:10, we may immediately presume that
they arc angels.
Some angels have a youthful appearance, as witnessed by the two Marys who
came to the empty tomb of Christ (Mark 16:5). Angels may appear in any number
of forms, from one (Luke 1:26-29), two (John 20:12; Acts 1:10), three (Genesis
18:1-2), to a multitude (Luke 2:13).
Sometimes a vision on earth may picture an angel in the form of an unusual
man. An angel that appeared to Daniel had the general semblance of a man, but his
supernatural splendor obviously differentiated him from a man. This manlike
creature had arms and legs resembling polished metal and precious stones; his face
was like lightning, and his eyes as (laming torches (Daniel 10:5-6). The
manifestation of the vision was selectively limited to
natural vision granted to man, angels have actually appeared to natural sight.
Sometimes they were recognized as angels (Daniel 8:15-17; Matthew 28:1-7), and
sometimes their identity was temporarily or completely withheld (Numbers 22:23,
31; Judges 6:11-12, 21-22; Hebrews 13:2).
1. Forms of appearance. It is surprising that angels appear as often as they do in
the history of scriptural record. They appear in the pleasure and purpose of
God to man in his need. When they do appear, there are several points of
description we may note.
ANOHI.S KI.KCT ANI)
KVII.
When angels appear on earth to men, they generally appear in the form of
men. This human appearance may be so realistic that they arc mistaken for mere
men. Abraham welcomed three 'men' in the plains of Mamrc (Genesis 18:1-8). He
witnessed them walk, talk, and sit as men. He invited them to eat as men, and they
did; but they were angels (19:1). Two of these angels journeyed on to Lot in
Sodom, where he invited them to stay for physical refreshment. Their physical
realism is underscored by the desire of the wicked population of Sodom to misuse
them sexually (Genesis 19:1-8).
They generally appear as males. Mark refers to a 'young man" in the empty
sepulchre of Jesus (Mark 16:5). Luke records the sight of 'two men ... in dazzling
apparel' (Luke 24:4). The only exception may be in Zechariah 5:9, where angels
may be represented as women, but the interpretation is not sure. But the rule is so
apparent, that if we read of men supcrnaturally appearing to speak or act for God,
as the 'two men in white clothing' of Acts 1:10, we may immediately presume that
they arc angels.
Some angels have a youthful appearance, as witnessed by the two Marys who
came to the empty tomb of Christ (Mark 16:5). Angels may appear in any number
of forms, from one (Luke 1:26-29), two (John 20:12; Acts 1:10), three (Genesis
18:1-2), to a multitude (Luke 2:13).
Sometimes a vision on earth may picture an angel in the form of an unusual
man. An angel that appeared to Daniel had the general semblance of a man, but his
supernatural splendor obviously differentiated him from a man. This manlike
creature had arms and legs resembling polished metal and precious stones; his face
was like lightning, and his eyes as (laming torches (Daniel 10:5-6). The
manifestation of the vision was selectively limited to
