Media moguls and marketing geniuses have discovered angels. Angels are everywhere! Angel sightings and angel sayings have ignited a spiritual and commercial craze—but just who or what are angels?

Have you noticed? Angel encounters always seem positive. Whether in the movies, on television, in countless books and magazine articles, or as described by one who has seen, angels are always depicted as "good," beneficent and protective. But is this true? What are we to make of hundreds, even thousands of purported alien abductions or confrontations worldwide, leaving frightened victims with lingering physical and psychological pain? Could these be "angelic" encounters as well?

According to virtually every holy book in existence, supernatural beings, good and evil, have played an active role in the affairs of men. For millennia people have feared and worshipped apparitions. In the Bible, angels have appeared as shining beings, or at other times, dressed as men. They have acted as guides to travelers and opened prison doors. Heavenly angels have restrained calamities and prolonged the tranquility of multitudes. Human eyes have looked upon them; human ears have listened to their appeals; human lips have opposed their suggestions and ridiculed their counsels; human hands have met them with insult and abuse.

But in the Bible, evil or wicked angels have played a large role in human history as well. They have defeated righteous purposes, greatly retarded the work of God and caused untold suffering. According to the Bible, evil angels often pose as angels of light and good will, even working miracles! If this is true, then how can one know if they have encountered a "lying spirit" or a "heavenly sentinel"?

Apparently angels are here and not so elusive as in the past. The purpose of this brief publication is to emphasize the Scripture record concerning angels, good and evil. By lifting the curtain on the supernatural, we believe the reader will be better prepared to determine which "natives are friendly."

—THE PUBLISHERS