Last week I received my contributor copies of a new book Heavenly Company edited by Cecil Murphy and Twila Belk and published by Guideposts. The book is filled with accounts of people who believe they have “entertained angels” as the Scriptures teach.
I haven’t read all the entries, but it is amazing how differently each author viewed what they believed to be their encounter with heavenly creatures.
One author writes how her daughter—left alone for hours in a park while her parents drove off unaware they’d left the child—described being pushed on a swing by a nice man in sparkly clothing.
My account relives the time I visited New York City and got lost trying to access the subway. A black woman and her son appeared out of nowhere at an isolated station and rescued my companions and me from a dark and foreboding environment. Though most of the details of my trip to New York City have faded with time, I’ve never forgotten her.
The Bible speaks of encounters with angels. In Matthew 18:10 (NKJV) Jesus tells us to watch out for children and not treat them with disdain. “Take heed that you do not despise of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”
In Hebrews 13:2 (NKJV) we are told to entertain strangers. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
Hebrews 1:13,14 (NKJV) tells us (vs.13) angels are not equal with Jesus—who sits at the right hand of God—but are instead ambassadors sent.“Are they not ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those will inherit salvation?”
Pick up a copy for yourself and see what you think of these encounters. The book is available in bookstores everywhere.