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Chapter 1
1-4
. See
EGW comment on Acts 1:1-5
.
5-17. An Answer to Prayer
—Throughout his married life,
Zacharias had prayed for a son. He and his wife were now old,
and as yet their prayer had remained unanswered; but he murmured
not. God had not forgotten. He had his appointed time for answering
this prayer, and when the case seemed hopeless, Zacharias received
his answer....
As Zacharias entered the holy place, and performed the required
service with solemn reverence, another form appeared, standing
between the altar and the table of shewbread. It was Gabriel, the
mighty messenger of God ... [
Luke 1:12-17
quoted].
The answer had come. God had not forgotten the prayer of His
servants. He had written it in His record book, to be answered in
His own good time. Looking at outward appearances, Zacharias and
Elisabeth had buried their hopes; but the Lord had not forgotten. He
knew of the long years of disappointment, and when His own name
could best be glorified, their son was born. How tender, how kind,
how full of love and compassion, is the great heart of infinite love.
God gave Zacharias as a son no ordinary person, but one who should
hold a high place in His work, and from whom the light from heaven
should shine in clear, distinct rays (
Manuscript 27, 1898
).
17
. See
EGW comment on Matthew 11:14
.
22. Shining With Reflected Light
—When Zacharias came out
of the temple, his countenance was shining with the light which the
heavenly angel had reflected upon him. But he could not speak to
the people. He made signs to them that an angel had appeared to him
in the temple, and because of his unbelief he was deprived of the
power of speech, until the prediction of the angel should be fulfilled
(
The Spirit of Prophecy 2:45
).
31-35
. See
EGW comment on John 1:1-3, 14
.
35 (see
EGW comment on John 1:1-3, 14
). The Son of God in
a New Sense
—Christ brought men and women power to overcome.
106