
Story by Gary Seven
Among the heavenly host, angels hold an esteemed position. These divine entities, radiant with ineffable splendour, are keenly etched in the faith and imaginations of many. They are considered the messengers of God, beings of pure spirit who serve as divine intermediaries. Tangible encounters with these celestial beings are often recounted with a sense of wonderment and joy.
THREE EMBLEMATIC BIBLICAL ANGELS
MICHAEL: THE DIVINE WARRIOR
Considered one of the most eminent archangels, Michael is depicted as a formidable warrior in the divine battle against darkness. As narrated in Revelation 12:7, “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon…”. His character resonates with resilience, courage, and unwavering faith in the sanctity of good over evil.
GABRIEL: THE MESSENGER
Known as God’s messenger, Gabriel plays a crucial role in the annunciation of significant events. In the Gospel of Luke, Gabriel is entrusted with the task of announcing the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and Jesus’s birth to Mary. His presence signifies divine revelation and tidings of joy.
RAPHAEL: THE HEALING HAND OF GOD
Raphael, whose name means ‘God has healed’, is revered as the angel of healing. In the Book of Tobit, Raphael aids Tobit in restoring his sight, symbolising divine healing and grace.
THREE CONTEMPORARY TALES OF ANGELIC INTERVENTION
THE GUARDIAN ANGEL ON HIGHWAY 70
On a highway intersection, a mortal accident left a man severely injured and trapped inside his car. When a passing minister prayed at the wrecked vehicle for the man’s life, a figure appeared out of the cluster of bystanders. Unseen by others, this figure glowed under the mid-morning sun as he guided the minister in his prayer. Miraculously, the trapped man’s vital signs stabilised. The figure then melted back into the crowd unseen but left the awestruck minister to ponder if he had just been in the presence of an angel.
ANGEL IN THE NIGHT
Homeless and cold in the unforgiving bite of the winter wind, a woman found shelter in a dimly lit alleyway. When all hope seemed to be dwindling, she noticed a figure approach, wrapped in warmth and carrying a basket filled with food and blankets. The figure didn’t utter a word but left the bounty beside the grateful woman and disappeared as mysteriously as they had appeared. Filled with overwhelming gratitude, the woma was left wondering if this benefactor was a serendipitous kind soul, or perhaps, an angel in disguise.
THE ANGEL IN THE HOSPITAL WARD
Amidst the sterile buzz of the hospital ward, a patient, gripped by intense pain and encroaching despair, called out for comfort. Much to her surprise, a nurse she had never seen before came to her side. The nurse held her hand, prayed by her bedside, and comforted her throughout the agony-filled night. In the morning, the nurse was nowhere to be seen, and no one had any recollection of her. The patient, now comforted and filled with hope, could not help but believe that she had been indeed visited by an angel.
Reflective of divine interventions and ethereal appearances, these stories tantalise the hinterlands of our perception and belief. Whether chronicled in ancient scripture or recounted in modern lore, the presence of angels serves as a radiant reminder of an unseen world that quietly tangos with our terrestrial existence. They symbolise comfort, healing, divine messages, and often, a beacon
