Question about Hebrews 13:2? Christians please check this out! Multiple Questions...?

Question

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." (NAS)

-- Do you think angels would do this sort of thing in present times?

-- Have you ever experienced what you thought could be one of these instances?

-- Lastly (and most importantly), what would be the point of angels coming into our presence as strangers???

Thanks for your input.

Answer 1

Here are some interesting facts about 7 heavenly activities of angels: they worship God, they observe the people of God, they inquire about the prophetical plan of God, they perform the will of God, they witness the wrath of God, they rejoice in God's work of creation and they rejoice in God's work of redemption. Here are 27 facts about angels: they are mentioned 273 times in 34 biblical books, they were all created by God, they all report directly to God, they were present at the creation of the world, they announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds, they do not marry, they were created to live forever, their purpose is to glorify God, some angels help human beings, some angels harm human beings (demons), they are spirit beings, they are invisible beings, they are innumerable, they possess intelligence, they possess will, they display joy, they display desire, they are stronger than men, they are more intelligent than men, they are more swifter than men, they are not omnipresent, they are not omniscient, they are not omnipotent, some are cherubim, some are seraphim, the majority remained true to God and they will join all believers in the heavenly Jerusalem. (I didn't put the biblical references down due to time constraints). I believe that they have been in my life due to coincidences that have occurred and that I have a Guardian Angel.

Answer 2

Hebrews 13:2 One incentive the author uses to encourage love and hospitality is that some have entertained angels unawares. For example, Abraham (Gen 18: 1-3) and Lot (Gen. 19: 1,2) were unaware that their guests were angels at the time they received them. Care must be taken so as not to read too much into this statement. The verse says that "some have entertained" (aorist tense). The use of the present tense, meaning that some do entertain angels, would provide grounds for expecting this still to happen. But such is not the teaching. We should, nonetheless, show hospitality to the needy, for it will benefit us as well as them when it is done as to the Lord (cf. Matt. 25: 35-40).

Answer 3

I have had instances where I know angels are involved in my life. I can't say that I had an experience where I knowingly entertained angels. I think angels coming in our presence as strangers is to find out how we treat poor defenseless people. God really cares for them. As in Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

This refers to true fasting, when you want to seek the Lord. Also I do think angels would do this in present day.

Answer 4

You cannot interpret literally. The teaching was to show hopitality. That what counts.
Many expresions are symbolism to a better understanding. Angels are manifestation of God´s will and love for us.
Have you ever received help from a complete strange? I have.
Can be anyone, a friend, that protect you or say something when you needed, or prevent you from some danger. Just watch and see.

Answer 5

I believe there are angels among us.
One Christmas morning after opening gifts my husband and I decided to take a drive. Standing on the side of the road was a homeless man with a sign that said "I am hungry." We stopped and gave him money. I said "Merry Christmas", he looked me in the eyes and said "Merry Christmas". His eyes were clear and blue and I have always felt I might have been in the presence of an angel. Why was he there? Possibly to see who would stop and help a homeless man on Christmas morning.

Answer 6

Yes, definitely.

Yes, I've experienced what may possibly be that sort of situation, but of course I won't know for sure until the Final Judgement when all is revealed to us.

Possibly to test us to see if we really are welcoming strangers, and to see if we are actually doers of the Word rather than just hearers of it (James 1:22)

Answer 7

Yes, I do think that angels come into our presense all the time. It's very cool. Once, early one evening, in the pouring rain, a young black man dressed rather shabbily wearing a red hoodie, jeans and tennies, stood at my door with an older white woman, dressed in business clothes, with a scarf and an umbrella, asking if I'd like to buy a cookbook. Being the broke single working mother that I am, I kindly declined and asked if they'd like to come in and warm themselves. They didn't take me up on my offer, but before they left, I pulled out a spare red umbrella out of my closet by the front door and gave it to the young black man. I told him to keep it - as I had more for me and my kids. He was ever so greatful and they both thanked me profusely. After they left, but only a few minutes later, I opened the door to see if they had ventured over to my neighbors' homes on the court. I couldn't see them. But what I did see was my red umbrella neatly folded, still dry, leaning up against the side of my home by the front door. I even walked a little farther out in the rain to offer the umbrella again to him because I really wanted him to use it. I saw nothing. I have many more stories like that one, which has just been blessing after blessing to me in my life. I believe angels come to see us, to test us for God. "For what you do for the least of these, so you also do unto me". Always be as Christlike as you possibly can to everyone.

katiefish <><

Answer 8

Yes I believe angels do this now.
Yes, I have experienced what I believe to be angels.
Angels coming in our presence as strangers would serve as a test by God, to see what we would do if someone needed us, if we would obey God, and help them.

Jesus said "If someone asks for your coat, give them your cloak also."

Answer 9

1.yes angels and others do this all the time

2. many times

3. to see how you treat them. Example, if a homeless person came up to you and asked you for a meal or a few bucks what would you do?


I love this verse and always treat people as tho they were angels in disguise, because as the verse says you do not know who you are entertaining.

Answer 10

I think this reference to Angels comes from this passage of the Bible.

Genesis 18:1 And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on--since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes." 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

While God could certainly send Angels to someone's house to see what type of hospitality they would receive it seems very unlikely that He would do so. In the passage above it was a rather unique occurrence in the Bible as all of the other passages where angels met with men they were either recognized as THE Angel of the Lord or as other Angels just as later on in this case it became apparent to Abraham that they were not acutally men.

On your last point I could only guess about why evil angels might come into our presence disguised as people and not the elect and holy Angels of the God.