The Birth of John The Baptist Foretold

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zachariah saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zachariah: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” Luke 1:11-13

This is probably one of the greatest prophecy's foretold, next to prophecy of Jesus, that is. The birth of John "The Baptist" was told to Zacherias, His Father while he was going about His preistly duty's in the temple. “According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.” The priesthood remained in a certain family, called of God to tend to the affairs of the temple. Zachariah was of a priestly family and his job was to burn incense twice a day in the temple. “His lot … burn incense”: was a high honor (Exodus 30:7-8; 2 Chron. 29:11). Because of the large number of priests, most would never be chosen for such a duty, and no one was permitted to serve in this capacity twice. Zachariah no doubt regarded this as the supreme moment in a lifetime of priestly service. The incense was kept burning perpetually, just in front of the veil that divided the holy place from the most holy place. The lone priest would offer the incense every morning and every evening, while the rest of the priests and worshipers stood outside the holy place in prayer. The book of Exodus tells us that the smoke of incense burned twice a day in the temple which is symbolic of the prayers of the saints. This was a sweet smelling savor before the Lord. Special perfume was to be burned. And it must be burned in the morning and in the evening, this was Zachariah’s job. This altar was before the Lord.

Enter Gabriel, The Messenger of God!

We see in this angel (ministering spirit), a messenger from God to Zachariah. Zachariah and his wife have undoubtedly been praying to have a child and unbeknownst to them God has heard their prayer. When Zachariah saw the Angel standing on the right side of the altar of incense, he was afraid, which I understand. I know for a fact, that fear would have gripped me and held me in an unbreakable embrace. “Fear”: is the normal response – and an appropriate one (12:5), when someone is confronted by a divine visitation or a mighty work of God (Judges 6:22; 13:22; Mark 16:5). Luke seems especially to take note of this; he often reports fear in the presence of God and His works. Sometimes when the high priest went into the Holy of Holies with sin in his life, God would strike him dead (250 volts of the Holy Spirit). I am sure that is what flashed in Zachariah’s head when he saw this angel.  Probably terror would be closer to what he felt. “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zachariah: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” “Thy prayer”: Probably a prayer for children to be in his home. “John”: Jehovah has shown grace. The message of God to His own has always been “fear not”. This angel immediately reassures Zachariah that good and not bad has come to him from God. God has heard his prayer. He will have the son that he has longed for. The angel tells him that he is not to name him in the tradition of his people by the father’s name, but is to name him John. PRAISE God! Please Join of on Messianic Information as we study The Gospel of Luke!