Are angels only active in the Old Testament?

on May 25, 2026

Aliens and spaceship at the International UFO Museum and Research Center. Dreamstime/TCA

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: There’s a lot being said about alien sightings. Some are laughing about it while government agencies are exploring whether such a thing is real or fake. Added to this is the longtime pop culture that elevates angel activity in blockbuster movies and bestselling novels. Are angels only active in the Old Testament? – A. A.

A: The word alien is defined in many ways: A foreigner, especially one who isn’t a naturalized citizen of the country where they are living, or in the case of believers, the Bible says that as long as we are here on Earth, we are strangers in a foreign land – our citizenship is ultimately in Heaven (see Philippians 3:20).

But what does the Bible say about angels? “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word” (Psalm 103:20, NKJV). Angels are as vast as God’s creation, and those who believe in God’s Word believe the ministry of angels who crisscross the Old and New Testaments, mentioned directly or indirectly nearly 300 times. Just as angels participated when the morning stars sang together at creation, so will the innumerable hosts of Heaven help bring to pass God’s prophetic declarations throughout time and into eternity.

Perhaps the greatest pronouncement of the angels is proclaimed in the Gospels before the shepherds. An angel said, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe … lying in a manger’” (Luke 2:10-12, NKJV). Suddenly, appearing with the angel was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.

Today, believers are the stewards of the Gospel and have the power to proclaim the greatest news in Heaven and Earth – that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and He came to save lost souls.

=======

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)