Bible Questions Answered:
Why were shepherds so afraid of angels, because they are spirits?
Andre/ Moscow, Russia
Bible Text:
Luke 2:8-14 KJV
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone* round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
*Shone-Greek-Perilampo (Per-ee-lam-po): To illuminate all around-shine forth.
(Abingdon/Strong-Biblical Concordance)
Bible Answer:
For four hundred years, there had been nothing but silence from prophet or priest, it seemed as though God was silent, and then, the Shepherds, out in the dark fields at night, became extremely afraid because angels from God appeared over them in dazzling light. The revelation was both totally unexpected and overwhelming.
As has been stated before, the brilliant Star of Bethlehem, was none other than a mighty angel sent from God.
Revelation 9:1 KJV
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
Yes, Angels may appear, because of their Shechinah glory, as brilliant stars from heaven.
This was a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy...
Isaiah 9:2 KJV
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
(A twofold fulfillment: The angelic Great Light seen by the shepherds/ The Great Light, spiritually given by Christ.)
Religious leaders of the day were not living, looking, or searching the scriptures, for the coming of the Messiah, so Christ's coming was not revealed to them, and because it was revealed to lowly, outcast shepherds, the religious leaders of the day, would never have anything to do with it!
The Saviour, would be known for His humility so His coming was announced first to the lowly, shepherds of Bethlehem.
The Shepherds, were afraid, not only because of blinding angelic light, they had become fearful also because, not only were they viewing a heavenly spectacle, but the angel was addressing them personally!
And they became afraid, because not only one angel had appeared to them, but a “multitude,” of angels
Luke 2:13,14 KJV
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
What a visitation!
Luke 2:15-20 KJV
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Have you met this humble and loving Saviour?
