The Messages of The Angels
By-Evangelist Gary Huckaby D.D.
"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense." Luke 1:11
The Message To Zacharias
Beginning at verse thirteen through verse twenty, we have the first message from an angel. This message was concerning the
forerunner of the Christ. His name was to be John, or as he was later known, John the Baptist. The angel’s message was delivered to Zacharias, John’s father. Let’s look at the scripture account of this message to Zacharias.
Luke 1:13-20. "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the Children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to shew thee glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed because thou believeth not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season."
The Message To Mary
From verse twenty-eight through verse thirty-eight, we have the second message delivered by the angel Gabriel to the mother to be of Jesus. Unlike the first message given to Zacarias by Gabriel, this meeting is listed as being in the sixth month. (verse 26.) According to verse 36, this message was given six months after the first, that was given to Zacarias. This would make the forerunner John six months older than Jesus.
This message to Mary is called, "The Annunciation." Let’s read the message that the angel gives Mary.
Luke 1:28-38,"And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of Salutation this should be.And the angel said unto her, Fear Not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her,the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
The Message To Joseph
The third message which was delivered by an angel is found in the book of Matthew. This message was the one given to the adoptive father of Jesus, Joseph.
Matthew 1:20-25; But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not, to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done,that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shalt bring fortha son, and thou shalt call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as theangel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her first born son; and he called his name JESUS.
This third angelic message was delivered by an angel known only as "the angel of the Lord." Another translation is "an angel of the Lord." It makes good sense that Joseph would be told of the reason his espoused wife to be, was pregnant! And how she became that way. Joseph probably would have accepted no other explanation, nor answer from anyone else but God, Himself.
The Message To The Shepherds
In this forth and final message given by an angel, we now come to those who would be witness to the baby Jesus. Why God chose the lowly shepherds, and not kings is in His perfect plan. Maybe it was because, Jesus who the great shepherd, or may be they were the only ones who would believe the words of the angels. No matter the reason God chose the shepherds,
They were the ones to receive the last message from an angel, concerning the birth of Jesus.
Luke 2:9-14; "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be
to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the heavenly host parsing God, and saying. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men."
There is no other event in history or in the Bible had so many angels messages given concerning it. Each message was delivered to a different individual with the exception of the shepherds. Each person who received the angels message were already a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. No unbeliever was contacted by an angel.Each person acted upon the message that had been given them.
Do you know Christ as your Saviour today? If not, please ask Him into your heart and life today! Do it now!
