They Are Seeing Angels: What Autistic Seers Are Revealing About the Spirit Realm

These autistic seers (we call them ‘spellers’ since they communicate by spelling words on a letterboard or keyboard) have learned to live with their unique view of the unseen spiritual world.

We cannot easily understand their experience. But spelling has placed their experiences squarely in front of us.

A prominent part of Cody’s description of angels addresses their ministry. As with all such claims, they must be evaluated by what the Bible says about the subject. And of course, angels are prominent in both the Old and New Testaments, and we get a number of details about how they operate. As I will show in this article (and deeper in my book), nothing Cody or other spellers say contradicts any teaching in the Bible. In fact, at times his comments profoundly display some aspect of biblical truth.

Cody and the other spellers say continually that Marissa is a special beneficiary of angelic protection. Why would that be? Marissa’s role heading a special needs ministry helps many children through our church. When Cody was asked why Marissa always has an angel with her, he replied that Marissa protects us (the special needs kids), and so they (the angels) protect her. Part of that explanation went like this:

Marissa (M): How many angels are with me?

Cody (C): One all the time. Sometimes more.

M: What is the most you have seen?

C: A lot.

M: When do I have a lot?

C: When you need extra protection.

M: What about (name of another special needs worker)?

C: Angels are with her sometimes too.

M: Were the angels with me when we first met?

C: Yes, they have always been with you.

M: Do you know how old I was when they started?

C: Always means always.

M: Does Marissa’s angel have a name?

C: He doesn’t tell me.

M: Where is he now?

C: In here listening.

According to Cody, Marissa receives angelic protection because of what she does. Primarily, it is her ministry to children, especially those with special needs. These children are precious in God’s eyes, and Marissa sees that in how she cares for them. We see this truth, for example, when Jesus says:

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 18:10 ESV).

Those who care for children have a special place in the heart of God. The world, however, does not always see children that way. When I was a child, I remember hearing adults say, “Children should be seen and not heard.” It seems that Jesus does not agree with that view. When people brought children to Jesus, the disciples rebuked them. In other words, Jesus’s closest followers said, “Get those kids out of here.” They must have been thinking about all the “serious” business Jesus had to do, like teaching and healing the sick.

As the disciples began turning the children away, Jesus rebuked them and “he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them” (Mark 10:13-16 ESV). To Jesus, there was nothing more important in that moment than receiving those children. And notice that Jesus was “indignant” over this. The Greek word used is a form of aganaktesis, a strong word that means “moved with indignation” (or “much displeased”).

As she ministers to children, Marissa has a special service detail that a president would envy. Another conversation went like this:

Matt (Mt): Would you like your story to be told to a world that doesn’t know Jesus?

Cody (C): I do not know if I’m ready, but someday I do want to tell my story.

Marissa (M): Would you want someone to write a book about your story?

C: Yes—someday.

M: This has been a lot with you, talking in the last year—so it’s a lot to process. It will be in your timing.

C: Marissa—how are you Marissa?

M: Are you asking in general or specifically wondering how I’m feeling about something?

C: (About) the angels?

M: Honestly, I’m processing it. I totally believe you and it feels weird to think there are angels. Are they here right now?

C: Yes.

M: How many?

C: One right now.

M: Can you tell me where it is?

C: The angels are on your left side. M: What do the angels do all day?

C: They guard you so you can do what … (Cody gets nervous here and starts moving around) to do what God wants you to do.

M: Tell me about this right now. What’s going on with your body?

C: I am emotional because I told you—I’m glad I told you about your angel finally.

M: Thank you for telling me.

C: I think you are important to God, Marissa.

On another occasion with a few of us present, Cody said that he usually has an angel guarding himself as well. What about others? Sometimes all of his family have an individual angel guarding them. But some people have special assignments for which they always have an angel. The presence of an angel is calming for our spellers. Cody said a few times, “I always see your angel, Marissa—it is comforting to me.”

But the references to angels “guarding” Marissa suggest there is some reason she needs protection. It turns out that the reason is the presence of demons, who try to attack her and prevent her from engaging in ministry. Cody sees something very distinctive when such battles take place. In one conversation Cody described angels fighting this way: “Yes, they are fighting enemy demons and lighting up the sky.” The presence of angels protecting people is comforting.

We have heard from Cody and others that the angels fight on our behalf and provide encouragement, though they say only what Jesus allows them to speak:

Cody (C): I want to talk about the angels more.

Joe (J): Tell me more.

C: I love the angels. The angels make me feel safe.

Marissa (M): Do the angels talk to you?

C: Yes—they tell me lots of things about people.

M: Can you give me an example?

C: Yes. They told me Marissa is going to be okay.

J: Do they tell you things about (other people)?

C: Jesus is always telling them what they can say.

M: Do you have a thought?

C: Marissa’s angel is allowed to tell me things.

J: What are you allowed to say?

C: Marissa is going to be okay.

M: Are you allowed to tell us more?

C: I am not allowed because you need to trust Jesus, not me.

J: Do the angels say anything about us working on this book?

C: Yes. They are happy.

M: Do they say anything else about it?

C: To keep going.

Let me be clear on one obvious fact first: It is not in any way a divine endorsement of this inadequate effort to tell Cody’s story. There’s no blurb on the cover of my book attributed to angels (though what an endorsement that would be!). In the context of other conversations, Cody says the angels are glad that he (Cody) is getting to tell his story. This book is how he will do that; it is the story of God’s grace in Cody’s life and His love for Cody and so many like him.

Cody believes that God wants to use him to share the Gospel, despite his autism and verbal limits. He has never doubted the fact that the time would come to tell his story. How could he have believed that in the face of all his challenges? The answer is because he has childlike faith. God has told him about his purpose, and he has never doubted it would happen.

What seems to be impossible with humans brings us to the beginning of what God can do. If there is some joy in telling this story, it is that God is being glorified and that His view of His children (and not our view) is better understood. As God tells us in Isaiah 55:8 (ESV), “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

On another spelling occasion, the discussion went this way:

Joe (J): Anything else about the angels?

Cody (C): Yes, I am pleased with the title of the book (Decoding Cody).

J: How do you feel about people getting to know you through the book? How does it make you feel?

C: I feel nervous that they will learn about my weakness and then won’t believe the information about the angels.

I pause here to focus on this last answer. What remarkable humility and understanding is packed in this response. How many Christians are that open and willing to admit their struggles? We so often make excuses for our weaknesses, blaming other people or circumstances. And when we do, it is to make ourselves look better. Cody’s concern over his weaknesses is that others will not believe an important truth about God’s creation. The lack of concern over his own ego—how people will view him for good or bad—may be related to his autism. Remember, those on the autism spectrum tend to be more truthful because, in part, they have difficulty reading social cues. They also tend to be less concerned about what others think of their social status after years of being misunderstood and ignored. Instead, they are more interested in being understood and believed. Their concerns are purer in a way, since their motives are less likely to proceed from ego.

Cody and others want people to know the truth (as they experience it) of God’s ways.

But there is much more Cody and others have to say about angels.