Archangel Gabriel

2/28/24 

After Michael, Gabriel is the next angel mentioned in scripture.  His name means "God is my strength".  I have also read his name to mean “Mighty One of God.”  “Gabriel would probably easily win the award for ‘Most Admired Angel.’ He always seems to be bringing important news, and usually quite good news.”  Jeremiah, David. Angels: Who They Are and How They Help--What the Bible Reveals.

Gabriel is first mentioned in the Book of Daniel and helped Daniel in his mission on earth.  Later on, Gabriel appears to Zachariah and the Blessed Virgin Mary, delivering the greatest message ever that God meant to Incarnate and send His Son to us.”  What Are the 9 Orders of Angels? Beliefnet.com.

The first time we read of Gabriel in the Bible is in Daniel 8:15-17, when Gabriel was dispatched to interpret Daniel’s vision.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he is to ask God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. James 1:5. Daniel sought to understand, and a heavenly messenger was sent to him.

Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.  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 8:15-17.

We see Gabriel sent again to Daniel in chapter 10:12-14.  Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.  But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:11-14.

Notice the angel says God has heard Daniel’s prayers and answered immediately but someone stood against him from receiving the answer.  The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood Gabriel (who was sent with the answer) and Michael had to be deployed to defend in the battle. 

“Daniel’s conversation with the angel reveals to us the important fact that there is an “invisible war” going on in the heavenlies between the forces of evil and the forces of God. For three weeks, Daniel had been praying for wisdom to understand the visions he had already seen, but the answer to that prayer was delayed.

Why would the Lord not immediately answer the petitions of His beloved prophet? Because “the prince of the kingdom of Persia”—an evil angel—had attacked the angel bearing the answer, probably Gabriel. This evil angel was assigned to see to it that the king of Persia did what Satan wanted him to do. Michael, the Archangel assigned to minister to Israel assisted Gabriel and together they won the battle.

This certainly lifts prayer out of the level of a humdrum religious exercise and shows it to be one of our strongest and most important spiritual weapons.” Excerpt from: Be Resolute Daniel, Warren W. Wiersbe.

So, we see that the enemy can send interference to delay our answers to prayer.  More reason to put on the armor of God every morning and evening.  “God is not a respecter of persons. He sent an angel for Daniel’s word.  The angel said, God heard you the first day, but Satan hindered the angel, who had to receive help, until the battle was won.  God is listening to our prayers and will send an angel, for our words as well, if we hold on and believe that God will answer.  The enemy does not want us to receive the word of God.”  Wanda Rust.

In addition, the touch of Gabriel can impart physical and emotional strength.  Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.  And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not!  Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”  So, when he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”  Daniel 10:18-19. 

We next read of Gabriel’s visitation to Zacharias to announce John the Baptist's birth (Luke 1:11-20).  More on that interesting encounter at a later date.  Then again to Mary, the mother of our Savior.  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.  Luke 1:26-27.

In Gabriel, we truly see the work of an Archangel sent to communicate important messages from God to the benefit of mankind.  Gabriel also conveys and imparts strength to whom he is sent.  And, we can learn how (being true to his name) to keep God as our strength.  The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:19.

God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. 2 Samuel 22:33.