Gabriel sent from God but sent to help with the interpretation of the dream for Daniel, however most scholars would agree the vision is still a mystery to many and not clearly seen to all, not even the Biblical scholars of today. There different interpretations of the time line or time frame of when the Messiah would appear and the Messiah appearing about 490 years before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70/90 AD as we know it Biblically. What does the numbers really mean, was it coded. Captivity was only sixty nine years, payment for sin complete in 69 years and then the return and rebuilding of Jerusalem and there be troublesome times. Scholars believe the time frame is wide spread into 490 years. A time frame of captivity, rebuilding and the change in governments from Persia and then Roman Rule, before the call on Zachariah life in Luke 1 announcing the birth of the forerunner of the Messiah.

We know God gave a exact date of 485 years when Israel would come out of Egypt, but when Israel came out of the land of Persia though war was still occuring and people even tried to prevent the rebuilding of the temple and wall, the king at that time was in favor of the rebuilidng, and so the progress went on. If we looked at seventy weeks and 7 being God's number then it would determinded by God the length of exile and 3 meaning the time of completion would be 3 score, Score meaning twenty years. But what we find is the numbers do not line up exactly as prescribed otherwise. We find scholars in limbo the meaning of it all. However there is something we do know the Messiah coming was announced in exile and would be announced under the exile of Roman government to a Priest name Zachariah including the birth of the forerunner by the same angel Gabriel that spoke to Daniel. How old was Gabriel. No one knows but his life is eternal number to it.

Eternal stranger that came in form of a man/angel spoke in two different time periods, sent by God the Father. God choose announcer of one time period to come again, a sign of the reality of the message of the Messiah. Something not proveable by man taken on faith that his words were true and faithful from God. Yet even more so mystery still hidden to when the Messiah would come other then the fact that several things must occur before the Messiah came. The destruction of the temple, the rebuilding of the temple and the exile of Jewish people sin debt paid. Destruction of temple first, sin debt paid and then the rebuilding along with another power to rise up.

Gabriel spoke to Daniel more then once, if we look back a chapter the prophesy concerning the fall of assyrians was clear and Persia would arise. Gabriel a spiritual messenger from God to aid Daniel in the interpretation of the dream he had. Remember Daniel was interpreter of dreams for Nebuchadnezzar, but these dreams from God to Daniel were a mystery to him. Daniel struggled with what God showed him. Just because God gives you a gift, does not mean you not going to need an interpretator yourself. Often what God reveals we can not fully grasp until it happens before us. I do not doubt Zachariah on denial yesterday in his heart was not only disbelief but not being able to grasp what was happening to him. His idea of faith suddenly changed with visitation from an angel.

When Christ appears and we whisked up to meet him if we are a believer, how many of us still be in a little shock because of the expected becomes a reality. How many news reporters have interviewed people who had love ones stricten with Cov-19 only to know they just lost their love one so quick, unexpected death so to speak. Not unusual in one regard but this is a pandemic, not auto wreck, or some emergency surgery, it happened at an alarming rate. The shock alone is enough to set fear in the hearts of those not even touched yet by the pandemic.

There is a point we must take percaustions still to protect those we love and even ourselves. Yet the Messiah coming was hope. The destruction of illness is just that destruction. We rather have a birthday gift or surprise of a life time that fills us all with joy and jubilation. Gabriel was bring hope at Daniel time to share with his people and hope to Zachariah, but the impossibility was the hard one to believe. Yet Elizabeth would conceive an bare a son name John the Baptist. John the Baptist baptizing the people of the area not just into the kingdom of heaven was coming, but from his own birth the reality of the coming Messiah. Imagine the gossip as Elizabeth appeared to the town folk now pregnant with child after six months of isolation. Her tummy pronouncing the impossible happening.

The unexpected joy of a birth that catches us reading the Christmas story once more, how would we feel. Is there hope. Is there faith once more in the little town and surrounding areas where Zachariah and his wife lived. Point is the message of hope of joy coming was so Daniel to could encourage the people of the coming Messiah the hope to their world. The hope would come when they would see these things take place in their world. They had to be patience and wait. They had to carry the story of hope to the next generation.

God used a messenger of hope to Israel at the time of Zachariah to confirm the hope spoken of in Daniel to not only priesthood but those where Zachariah lived and surrounding towns and villages. With the proof of John the Baptist the reality of a virgin birth more acceptable. The proof like Abraham and Sarah to the nation of Israel of the coming hope.

Dear Heavenly Father help us to carry the hope of this prophecy and the knowledge it came to pass, to help us grasp the reality of Christ coming and the hope we have in Jesus. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Acts 1:4-11 KJV
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.