What Angels Really Look Like — And Why It Both Comforts and Terrifies Me
What Angels Really Look Like — And Why It Both Comforts and Terrifies Me
Have you ever wondered what angels really look like? Not the soft, glowing beings in white robes with golden hair and feathered wings that grace our Christmas cards and children’s Bibles — but the actual, biblical, awe-inspiring creatures who stand in the presence of God?
I have. Many times.
And to be honest, while a part of me longs deeply to see an angel of the Lord with my own eyes, another part — a much more cautious part — worries I wouldn’t live to tell the tale. There’s something both thrilling and terrifying about such an encounter. After all, in the Bible, people often fell on their faces or were struck with fear when angels appeared.
So why has our image of angels been so softened over time? Is it for our comfort? Or are we being misled?
The Gentle Lie of Pretty Angels
The common image of angels today is gentle, artistic, and highly humanized. We see smiling cherubs in Renaissance paintings, guardian angels cradling babies, or winged women glowing with light. These depictions make us feel safe. They’re comforting. But they’re not quite accurate.
While angels can appear in human form (Hebrews 13:2 reminds us that we might “entertain angels unawares”), the majority of biblical descriptions paint a very different picture — one that is majestic, strange, and often fearsome.
So let’s explore what Scripture actually says.
Biblical Descriptions of Angels
The Bible speaks of different types of angels — some have roles as messengers, others as warriors, and some are beings whose entire existence is to worship God.
1. The Seraphim: Fiery Ones
“Above Him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.”
These beings cry out day and night, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.” (Isaiah 6:3). They are engulfed in fire, and even Isaiah, a prophet of God, cried out “Woe is me!” when he saw them.
2. The Cherubim: Guardians of Glory
“Each had four faces: the face of a cherub, the face of a human being, the face of a lion, and the face of an eagle.” (Ezekiel 10:14)
They also had four wings and “sparkled like topaz.” Their appearance was otherworldly, complex, and overwhelmingly powerful. These are the same beings stationed at the east of Eden to guard the Tree of Life with a flaming sword (Genesis 3:24).
3. The Wheels Within Wheels
“As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature... Their appearance was like sparkling beryl, and all four looked alike... Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.” (Ezekiel 1:15–16)
These “wheels” were covered in eyes and moved in perfect harmony with the cherubim. The symbolism is deep — representing omnipresence, awareness, and the mystery of divine movement.
4. The Angelic Messengers
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in Luke 1:28, his words were gentle, yet still, Mary was “greatly troubled.” The first thing angels often say is “Do not be afraid” — which is very telling.
Even the Roman guards “trembled and became like dead men” when an angel rolled the stone from Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 28:2-4).
Clearly, angels — even when appearing in human form — are far from ordinary.
Why the Change?
So why has our culture reshaped these heavenly beings into something tame and sentimental?
Perhaps it’s because the true nature of angels is too intense for everyday consumption. Their glory reflects the holiness of God, and holiness — real holiness — is something that convicts, humbles, and overwhelms. We prefer our spiritual world digestible, gentle, and non-threatening.
But could it also be that we’ve been misled — not maliciously, but by centuries of art, folklore, and a desire for comfort over truth? When we water down the reality of the spiritual world, we may also dull our sense of reverence.
My Longing — and My Fear
Would I faint like Daniel did in Daniel 10:9? Would I hide my face like Moses did before God?
Honestly, I’m afraid I wouldn’t survive it. Yet... there’s still a longing in my heart. A longing to encounter something real, something holy, something so drenched in God’s presence that it leaves me changed forever.
I believe that longing comes from a place deep inside — a place that knows this world isn’t all there is.
The Spiritual Reality
“He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
Whether or not we see them, angels are real. They are near. They serve God and minister to us, often unseen.
So maybe I won’t see an angel with my physical eyes in this life. Or maybe I will — trembling, speechless, undone.
But either way, I know they exist. And that’s enough to make me both comforted and reverent.
If you liked this article, share your thoughts in the comments: Would you want to see an angel? Or would it be too much? Let’s talk about it.
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