Angels Appearing in Dreams in the Bible

Angels have many roles, their duties include being God’s messengers, Holy warriors, praising and worshipping God, watching history unfold, and being Guardian Angels – protecting and directing people on God’s behalf. The Bible acknowledges the existence of angels and records visits by them to people. According to the Bible, angels appeared to people in various ways of manifesting when they came to us. One of them is through dreams. 

In this article, we will start at the Bible, explore the angel dream meaning, and delve into various interpretations and symbols associated with these angels in our dreams.

Biblical accounts of angels appearing in dreams

There are about a dozen dreams about angels appearing in the Bible. The most famous are Jacob’s dream of the ladder and Joseph’s dreams.

Jacob’s Ladder: 

And he began to dream, and, look! there was a ladder stationed upon the earth and its top reaching up to the heavens; and, look! there were God’s angels ascending and descending on it.

– Genesis 28:12 

The dream’s significance was to remind Jacob he had received God’s graces and encourage him to fulfill the destiny of his people.

To Joseph: (Mt 1:20):

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

To Joseph a 2nd Time: (Mt 2:13)

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 

The first dream came so that Joseph could fully understand what his role would be if he took Mary as his wife. The second dream was to make sure he understood that he needed to take his new family and flee to Egypt to protect Jesus’s life. This suggests that angels appear in dreams as foretellers of the future and as warnings.

To Joseph a 3rd Time: (Mt 2:19–20)

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

To Joseph a 4th Time (Mt 2:22)

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee

Do angels still come to people in dreams today?

Yes! Just like Bible accounts, angels would come to people while they were dreaming. Perhaps God chose this approach because we are more relaxed and receptive to his presence when we are asleep. While most people have never experienced an angelic visitation, it is much more common than most people think. I have spoken to hundreds of people who have recounted experiences that I believe to be true. 

How to recognize angels in dreams

So, now that we’ve established that angels can appear in our dreams, what does it look like in practice? How do we know they are angels? Here are some forms of angels:

Angels can appear as themselves

In the Bible, the dreamer knew that it was an angel when they were in the dream. It is easy to recognize them when this happens! 

One thing to keep in mind is that sometimes angels appear as scary figures (refer to Why Are Biblically Accurate Angels Scary), which are much different from what we see as beautiful women or babies with feathered wings. They are usually thought of as biblically accurate angels.

If you have just come across the Bible angel and are new to what angels look like, You might find it helpful to read the following articles: Pictures of Angels According to the Bible

Angels can appear as people we know

I truly believe that one of the reasons the Lord allows angels to appear in dreams as ordinary human beings is because if we see the cherubim, seraphim, or thrones, our mental, physical, and spiritual reactions would be so overwhelming that we would not be able to handle it.

As a result, sometimes angels disguise themselves in dreams as someone we know well. Usually, they choose someone who plays an important role in our lives, such as a family member or friend. If a wise man you respect and admire appears in your dream, it could be an angel hiding in plain sight.

Angels can appear as unknown helpers

Angels can also appear as companions in dreams. They can be unknown people, who usually help us or send us messages.

Here is an example of an Unknown helper in my life:

I dreamt that I was in a place where I felt uncomfortable and terrified. The dream was monochromatic. A very tall man walked beside me and said, ‘I think we should get out of here now.’ I lit up and flew!

This gloomy place represents a negative mental environment. When I woke up, I realized that the tall man I was with was an angel! It was encouraging to know that he was with me to protect me – and to help me rise above it.

What does it mean when you dream about seeing angels?

It depends on the contents of the dream. Angel dreams come in many forms, each with its unique symbolism. Here are some of the most common angel dreams and their potential meanings:

Visits from angels

Comfort and reassurance: This type of dream usually occurs during challenging times and can provide comfort and reassurance.

Divine messages: The presence of angels can be interpreted as the receipt of a divine message or guidance, perhaps related to an important life decision.

Receiving messages from angels

Personal Guidance: If an angel is speaking to you in your dream, it may be offering guidance or advice on a personal matter.

Warnings: Sometimes these messages may be a warning about potential challenges ahead or a reminder to stay on your current path.

Angelic guidance

Life Direction: Being led by angels in your dream symbolizes that you are seeking or receiving guidance on your life’s journey.

Spiritual Journey: This may also represent a spiritual or emotional journey where angels are guiding you toward personal growth or enlightenment.

Angels saving or being saved by angels

Needing help: Such a dream may reflect your subconscious recognition that you need help or rescue in some area of your life.

Feeling protected: Alternatively, it may symbolize a sense of security and protection, knowing that someone or something is watching over you.

Flying with the angels

Freedom And Liberation: This dream usually symbolizes freedom, whether it is emotional freedom from burdens, a new life, a new career, or a new way of life.

Conclusion

In biblical terms, angles that appear in dreams are rich in symbolism and meaning. They are often seen as a bridge between God and man, providing guidance, revelation, and reassurance. Whether you view angelic dreams as a symbol of guidance, a message from the divine, or a reflection of your inner state, these dreams can provide valuable insight into your spiritual and emotional life.