3 Bible Tips: Gabriel
Only three angels are mentioned by name in the Bible: Gabriel, Michael and Lucifer (who became Satan). What does the Bible tell us about Gabriel?
1. God used Gabriel to explain end-time prophecies to Daniel.
"And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, 'Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.' So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, 'Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end'" (Daniel 8:16-17; see also Daniel 9:20-22).
2. God sent Gabriel to tell Zacharias that he would have a son, John the Baptist.
"And the angel answered and said to him, 'I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings'" (Luke 1:19).
3. God sent Gabriel to tell Mary she would be the mother of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
"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. The virgin's name was Mary…
"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'" (Luke 1:26-27, 30-32).
For more about Gabriel's messages, see "Profiles of Faith—Joseph and Mary: A Faithful Couple."