The Archangel Gabriel “God is my strength”

The Archangel Gabriel Angels  Attendants at God’s Throne  Divine Agents Governing the World  Messengers  Personal Guardians

The Archangel Gabriel Angelic Hierarchy – Nine Choirs of Angels  Seraphim – Attendants before God’s Throne  Cherubim – Praise God’s glory  Thrones – Living symbols of God’s justice and authority  Dominions – Regulate the duties of the lower angels  Virtues – Govern all nature and heavenly bodies  Powers – Warrior angels defending the Cosmos  Principalities – Guardians of the realm of earth  Archangels – Chief angels who interact with humans  Angels – Messengers of God

The Archangel Gabriel Angels in the Bible  “Angel” is mentioned over 300 times in the Bible!  Only three named angels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael  Only Michael called an “archangel” (Jude 1:9)  Gabriel officially appears twice:  Daniel 8-9 – interpreting visions of prophet Daniel  Luke 1 – appears to Zechariah and Mary

Daniel 8 8:15 While I, Daniel, sought the meaning of the vision I had seen, a manlike figure stood before me, 16 and on the Ulai I heard a human voice that cried out, "Gabriel, explain the vision to this man." 17 When he came near where I was standing, I fell prostrate in terror. But he said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the end time." 18 As he spoke to me, I fell forward in a faint; he touched me and made me stand up. 19 "I will show you," he said, "what is to happen later in the period of wrath; for at the appointed time, there will be an end.

Daniel 9 9:20 I was still occupied with my prayer, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, presenting my petition to the LORD, my God, on behalf of his holy mountain-- 21 I was still occupied with this prayer, when Gabriel, the one whom I had seen before in vision, came to me in rapid flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.22 He instructed me in these words: "Daniel, I have now come to give you understanding. 23 When you began your petition, an answer was given which I have come to announce, because you are beloved. Therefore, mark the answer and understand the vision.

The Archangel Gabriel appears to Zechariah (Luke 1:5-25)  “Do not be afraid, Zechariah.”  “I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God.”  “I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.”

Luke 1:10-20  10 Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering,11 the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. 12 Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,15 for he will be great in the sight of (the) Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mother's womb,16 and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord."18 Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." 19 And the angel said to him in reply, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. 20 But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time."

The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)  "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”  "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

The Archangel Gabriel Why an angel and why Gabriel?  God announces events through angels.  An angel tempted Eve and led her to Fall; an angel announces to Mary the redemption of that Fall.  Archangels are highest of angels who minister to the human race.  “Gabriel” can also mean “man of God” and he announces the God- man.  Gabriel announces war between Christ and Lucifer.

Gabriel’s horn announcing the Return of the Lord  As Gabriel announced the Lord’s first coming, so he will announce the Lord’s second coming.  Revelation 10:1-11: “Strong angel”  Milton’s Paradise Lost  Twilight Zone

Revelation 10:1-10  1 Then I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven wrapped in a cloud, with a halo around his head; his face was like the sun and his feet were like pillars of fire. 2 In his hand he held a small scroll that had been opened. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and then he cried out in a loud voice as a lion roars. When he cried out, the seven thunders raised their voices, too. 4 When the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to write it down; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have spoken, but do not write it down." 5 Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by the one who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them, "There shall be no more delay. 7 At the time when you hear the seventh angel blow his trumpet, the mysterious plan of God shall be fulfilled, as he promised to his servants the prophets." 8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." 9 So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. He said to me, "Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey." 10 I took the small scroll from the angel's hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.

The Archangel Gabriel Announcing the Good News  Patron Saint of…  Messengers  Those in broadcasting and communications  Postal workers  Announcing the Good News of Jesus Christ