I have heard and seen some posts of prophets claiming they captured angels on camera while in church. How true and biblical is this claim? Does it mean we can easily see angels just like that, even to the point of capturing them on camera?
I had never really investigated this claim before but in doing a Google Search I discovered many links with various claims of angels being seen on camera and they are supported by actual pictures. I have always been skeptical when it comes to pictures of UFOs, apparitions of the Virgin Mary, and also of angels. Some of these can be explained away logically, others SEEM to be real but could be fabricated photographs meant to deceive the gullible, and then there’s the possibility that some are real. If they are real, they could be the work of the Devil, for “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2nd Corinthians 11:14) in order to deceive humanity. Of course, if they are real, it COULD BE A REAL ANGEL but then one must ask, “Why would they allow themselves to be seen on a camera?” Another question that came to mind when visiting websites with these pictures by self-proclaimed “prophets” is, “What is the purpose of the ‘prophet’ in publishing these online?” I found, in some cases, that they were using these “visitations by angels” to gain a huge following of people who are awed by the photographs. It is not my intention (in this short answer) to expose these prophets, but in examining many of their “doctrines” that they teach I found them to be in opposition to the scriptures. In those cases, it is highly unlikely that an “angel of God” would support and condone their ministry by visiting them and allowing a cameral to photograph them. One such “prophet” who uses such photographs is a multi-millionaire with mansions around the world and four private jets, whose lifestyle contradicts that of the One (Jesus Christ) that he is supposedly serving and seeking to emulate.
I think it would be good to consider a few Biblical examples of the appearances of angels and why they appeared to mankind. Before we do, it is important to know that “angels are spirit beings.” We see this in Hebrews 1:14, “Are they not all ministering SPIRITS sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.” Being “spirits,” they do NOT have a “physical form.” So, in order to appear to men, they must take on a “human form” or some “other form” that can be seen. Two of the most well-known appearances of angels in the Bible is when two angels appeared as men, first to Abraham (Genesis 18:1-22) and then to Lot (Genesis 19:1-11). In both cases they had a definite purpose, which was to warn them of the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah and how God was going to destroy the cities because of their sins. If you study all the passages in Scripture where angels took on a human form and appeared to men and women, it was always with the purpose of delivering to them a “message from God” (see Mark 16:1-8 where an angel appeared as a “young man” to inform faithful women that the Lord had risen from the dead). There are other times that angels appeared in another form (see Genesis 32:1-2; Matthew 2:13), but it was always for a definite purpose that was apparent to those who saw them.
But whatever appearance they assumed, in most cases those who saw them were afraid (see Daniel 8:15-17 and Matthew 28:2-4). When appearing to believers they would tell them “Do not be afraid” (Matthew 28:10). At times men would “fall down to worship the angel” as John the apostle did (see Revelation 22:7). Yet the heavenly messenger refused his worship and humbly said, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. WORSHIP GOD.” This teaches us clearly and emphatically that angels would never appear to men TO BE WORSHIPPED, yet in some of the reported sightings of angels THEY ARE BEING WORSHIPPED! If this was a “real appearance of an angel” he would refuse to be worshipped and would no doubt rebuke those who did worship him and tell them to WORSHIP GOD. The Apostle Paul warned people of this very thing in Colossians 2:18, “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in FALSE HUMILITY AND WORSHIP OF ANGELS, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” (473.1) (DO)