While angels operate in dimensions inaccessible to mortals, they hold a particular  fascination for us as creatures of the earth.  As God’s messengers, however, their mission often requires interaction with human beings as documented in Scripture. Here are three such encounters.

Gabriel’s appearance in the first chapter of Luke’s gospel was not his first in the terrestrial setting, but rather the climax in a series of personal encounters spanning half a millennium. The theme of Gabriel’s revelation reinforced impeccable consistency.

He had a message revealing a future event that would not only change Mary’s life, but dramatically alter the course of earth’s history.

LUKE 1:26, 31-33
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.

Imagine not just the surprising nature of Gabriel’s spontaneous appearance, but the startling message.

Daniel’s Close Encounters Revealed the Prophesied Timeline For Messiah
Daniel’s first close encounter with Gabriel around 551 B.C. was the direct response to the prophet’s prayer to God for wisdom. He had asked God for understanding concerning a vision that revealed the future emergence of four Gentile world empires (Dan. 8).

Sometime later, Gabriel made another appearance detailing the familiar calendar of 70 weeks of years consummating God’s plan for Israel that would culminate in the coming of Messiah.

With pinpoint accuracy authenticating that he was indeed a divine messenger sent directly from God, the angel Gabriel outlined a specific time-line predicting Messiah’s presentation to Israel, which was fulfilled with His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Dan. 9:20-27; cf. Mt. 21:1-9).

Zacharias’ Close Encounter Revealed the Prophesied Messenger
More than five centuries after his appearances to Daniel, the temple priest Zacharias had a close encounter with Gabriel. As Zacharias offered incense in the Holy Place, Gabriel suddenly appeared to the right side of the altar. Reassuring a startled and terror-stricken Zacharias, Gabriel self-identified as a high-ranking angel, “who stands in the presence of God” (Lk. 1:11-19).

Consistent with his previous messages to Daniel, Gabriel further revealed a vital component in God’s Messianic program. Zacharias was informed that he and his wife Elizabeth would be blessed with a son in their advanced age. More importantly, Gabriel emphasized their son would,

. . . go before Him [Messiah] in the spirit and power of Elijah . . . to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Lk. 1:17).

Jesus Christ Himself later confirmed the fulfillment of Gabriel’s prophecy in the person of John the Baptist (Mt. 11:7-14; 17:10-13).

Mary’s Close Encounter Revealed the Prophesied Son Would Rule From David’s Throne
Six months later, a young virgin named Mary living in the town of Nazareth had a close encounter with Gabriel. There were no screams of terror, no panicked attempts to escape and little to suggest a frightening experience in the biblical record.

In light of the sudden presence of an angel in close proximity to her, Mary’s uneasiness focuses more on the intent of his greeting: “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women” (Lk. 1:28).

Detail: The Annunciation_William Waterhouse_4X6

As in his encounters with Daniel, Gabriel appeared as a man. His message to Mary is also consistent with and inseparably linked to the prophecies he revealed to Daniel and Zacharias.

In declaring that Mary would be Messiah’s human mother, Gabriel explained:

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end (Lk. 1:32-33).

Gabriel’s prophecy was confirmed on the night of Jesus’ birth when the sky suddenly burst into light and an angel accompanied by the vast heavenly host proclaimed, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk. 2:11).

The eye-witness testimony of Daniel, Zacharias and Mary—three people who personally experienced life-changing angelic close encounters with Gabriel—are history. Gabriel’s messages were unprecedented and confirmed the progression of God’s Messianic plan. Based on what is written of yet to be fulfilled Messianic prophecy in Scripture, we can be assured that Gabriel’s role is not yet finished!

IMAGES:
1) The Annunciation, (c. 1914). (Image used for illustrative purposes) (Photo credit: By John William Waterhouse (1849-1917)/[PD- US, PD-Art]/Wikimedia/Enhancement, MKM Portfolios)
2) Annunciation. (Two images of the same subject used for illustrative purposes) (Photo credit: Pixabay/Enhancement, MKM Portfolios)

Copyright © 2016 Charles E. McCracken, devotional comments only. Repost/Reprint with permission from the author. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Charles E. McCracken is an international Bible teacher, long-time friend of Israel and advocate for the Jewish people. Rev. McCracken authentically communicates biblical truth making his presentations relevant for those seeking to understand the significance of Israel and the church in Bible prophecy. He staunchly supports the nation of Israel and the Jewish people’s right to exist and live in peace.

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