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The Testimony of Believers
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Lesson Two: by turtle
I really felt like taking Thanksgiving off, but you know in truth thanksgiving is a day of celebration of the harvest to God. What
better time to finish discussing chapter one of Luke, and the prophesy spoken to Mary by Gabriel. The end of the chapter ends
with praise and how fitting for it to end in praise to God for the promise of the Messiah and the blessing God had given Israel.
Yet to get there we first have to look to see what Gabrielle told Mary. Remember this is testimony of the believer and Mary
definitely believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Let us first begin with the prophesy given in Isaiah concerning the virgin birth.
Isaiah 7:14-15 KJV
(14) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name
Immanuel.
(15) Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
The prophesy in Jeremiah speaks of a woman encompassing a man. Meaning she will give birth to a child and raise and nurture
this child. This warning came to the virgins of Israel to be prepared.
Jeremiah 31:22 KJV
(22) How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman
shall compass a man.
God sent the prophets to the men of old but would send a angel of light to Mary who name was Gabriel. Gabriel spoke to both
Zacharias and Mary. Gabriel is said to be arch angel of God. However Gabriel also spoke to Daniel hundreds of years before
Christ birth.
Though the word man is used here in this verse it is thought that Christ himself was speaking to Gabriel, but I might go further
and say the word of God came forth to Gabriel to explain the matter to Daniel. Yet Gabriel would speak to Daniel on two
occasions they both spoke prophesy of events to come and concerning the Messiah.
Daniel 8:16 KJV
(16) And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the
vision.
This next verse speaks of Gabriel having the ability to fly so many believe Gabriel is angel of the Lord. He speaks of the time
period in which the Messiah would appear. Basically Gabriel job was to tell of the messiah coming as God instructed.
Daniel 9:21-27 KJV
(21) Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused
to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
(22) And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
(23) At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly
beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
(24) Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of
sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy,
and to anoint the most Holy.
(25) Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the
Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in
troublous times.
(26) And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall
come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations
are determined.
(27) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and
the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that
determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Let us get back to Luke and see what Gabriel spoke to Mary saying. What was Mary reaction and what did she do?
Luke 1:26-34 KJV
(26) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
(27) To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
(28) And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among
women.
(29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
(30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
(31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
(32) 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:
(33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
(34) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
To be approached by angel of God and told you would have a child, was not the only thing that startled Mary, but the salutation
itself startled Mary into wondering why did this angel called me blessed among woman. It was as if God was speaking to Mary
himself, for not only did the answer come but he told Mary she would have a child of the Highest, meaning a Son of Lord God.
God would give his Son a throne of her father David, a throne without end.
Mary knew not a man and wonder how can this be? And with that the angel spoke again and told her she would conceive by the
power of the Highest who would over shadow her when the Holy Ghost came upon her. Right here one see two parts of the
Trinity. One sees God spirit as well as God’s power. Power coming by the way of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:35 KJV
(35) 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.
The word power taken from the greek word dunamis meaning. force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power
(usually by implication a miracle itself): - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power,
strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work. Definition provide by Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary.
Force or miracle working power of God would cause Mary to become pregnant, not by natural form of conception. This is hard
thing for many people to grasp. After all man was formed from the dust of the ground. Yet God would create this babe from
nothing but His own power. The same way He created the heavens and the earth by speaking the word. The word became flesh.
John 1:13-14 KJV
(13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
(14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father,) full of grace and truth.
God did not leave Mary without proof of the miracle that was to take place but the angel of the Lord continue to minister to
Mary and tell her about her cousin Elizabeth being with child. This would encourage Mary to go see her cousin to see if all the
angel said was true.
Luke 1:36-38 KJV
(36) And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who
was called barren.
(37) For with God nothing shall be impossible.
(38) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Mary upon hearing accept it as truth and said let it be according to his word and the angel departed. Each of Mary questions
were answered by the angel. Each question was not only answered but God would give Mary Two more sign through angel’s
prophesy concern the birth of Jesus. The child name would be Jesus meaning Jehovah is Salvation. Jehovah is the name of the
Lord and is often seen in the form of Lord God in the Old Testament. Jehovah Elohiym would be phrase for Lord God. Jehovah
is the Jewish national name for God. Christ was God salvation plan.
Mary did not just take the angel word for these events but went to see Elizabeth to see if she was pregnant. What occurred there
was a mini revival. Elizabeth spoke the blessing of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary would know in heart that the
prophesy was true given by the angel, for not only did Mary hear, but Elizabeth only knew by the power of God that Mary was
the mother of her Lord.
Luke 1:39-56 KJV
(39) And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
(40) And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
(41) And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was
filled with the Holy Ghost:
(42) And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
(43) And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
(44) For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
(45) And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
(46) And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
(47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
(48) For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
(49) For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
(50) And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
(51) He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
(52) He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
(53) He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
(54) He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
(55) As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
(56) And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Mary would stay for a short time period before going back home and eventually with Joseph to Jerusalem.
Meanwhile Elizabeth after Mary departure would have a child and His father would name him John and upon naming him John
Zacharias was able to speak and began to magnify God. Because of these events the people in the village became fearful and
wonder what the meaning of the child birth meant and news would travel far and wide. No doubt this is why John would be
raised in the wilderness. However scripture does not say.
Luke 1:57-80 KJV
(57) Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
(58) And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
(59) And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the
name of his father.
(60) And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
(61) And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
(62) And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
(63) And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
(64) And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
(65) And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country
of Judaea.
(66) And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the
Lord was with him.
(67) And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
(68) Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
(69) And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
(70) As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
(71) That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
(72) To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
(73) The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
(74) That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
(75) In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
(76) And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
(77) To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
(78) Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
(79) To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
(80) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
When one hears these testimony of Zacharias, Mary, and Elizabeth it can leave a since of awe and maybe even a little
bewilderment, but taken on fact that God has the power to do miraculous things no doubt God did exactly what He declared
through his servant the angel Gabriel. No one can change the facts of the testimony, those are by God’s word alone to be truth,
but many deceivers will come and try and steal these stories and change them. Beware that not all believe the truth of these
stories. I decided not to go into any detail about Zacharias praise but it be a good idea for you scholars to study to see what
Zacharias praise was concerning the birth of His own Son as well as the coming Messiah. Let us be truly thankful this
Thanksgiving for our Messiah Jesus Christ.
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