‘Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, HE WAS STARTLED AND WAS GRIPPED WITH FEAR.” (Luke 1:11-12) [Now this is what we know concerning Zacharias and Elisabeth: 1. They were both righteous before God; they were sincerely so. 2. They approved themselves to God, and he was graciously pleased to accept them. It is a happy thing when those who are joined to each other in marriage are both joined to the Lord; 3. Their being righteous before God was evidenced by the course and nature of their lifestyle; they showed it, not by just their talk, but by their works; by the way they walked in and the rule they walked by.] “But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. YOUR WIFE ELIZABETH WILL BEAR YOU A SON, and you are to call him John.” (Luke 1:13) [Zechariah the prophet was the last of the Old Testament prophets that had communicated with angels, and Zacharias the priest was the first in the New Testament. Now it was Zacharias’s turn to burn incense morning and evening for that week and as other services were done by other priests. Zechariah was burning the daily incense at the altar of incense, which was in the temple, not in the most holy place.] “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for HE WILL BE GREAT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit EVEN BEFORE HE IS BORN.” (Luke 1:14-15) [This is quite a birth announcement; of course we are talking about John the Baptist, who will be filled with the Holy Spirit before his birth!] “He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–TO MAKE READY A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE LORD.” (Luke 1:16-17) [This was going to be the beginning of a very powerful ministry!] “Zechariah asked the angel, “HOW CAN I BE SURE OF THIS? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (Luke 1:18) [How could this be; because of the circumstances; could God really do this? He is God, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE for Him!] The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I HAVE BEEN SENT TO SPEAK TO YOU AND TO TELL YOU THIS GOOD NEWS. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT BELIEVE MY WORDS, which will come true at their appointed time.” (Luke 1:19-20)
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that I AM GABRIEL. I STAND IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, AND I HAVE BEEN SENT TO SPEAK TO YOU AND TO TELL YOU THIS GOOD NEWS!
-Bill Stockham