We make a big mistake if we think there are no angels around just because we don’t see them. And don’t forget God is always around too!
Let’s make one last observation before leaving Bethel. Jacob saw the Lord seated in heaven. Rising up to heaven was a ladder. Then we read, “and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (v 12). In previous studies, we thought about The Angel of the Lord and how this often points to the Son of God Himself in His pre-incarnate appearances on earth. This is clearly true if the Angel accepts worship, takes the names of deity, or promises things that only God can do. But angels, like those spoken about here, are a special creation of God. They are spirit beings, although they often appear as men. They are not a race, as we humans are; each is a special creation of God. They do not bear children—in spite of the false notion that cherubs are baby angels. As Jesus explained, angels “neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Mt 22:30). It would seem that one-third of these awe-inspiring creatures sided with the angel Lucifer in rebellion against God and were cast out of heaven (see Rev 12:3-9). But two-thirds remain loyal to the Lord. What are they doing? To this question, the writer to the Hebrews explains: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” In other words, until God’s people are saved entirely out of this sinful world, angels are standing by as elite, superhuman guardians of God’s people. Notice the important order in our key verse. “The angels of God were ascending and descending…” If they were ascending before they were descending, that infers they were already beside Jacob on earth, taking his needs heavenward, and returning with God’s gracious responses. You may not see them, Christian, but they are there, ready for action!