GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL

THE ANGEL OF SALVATION AND TRUTH

Archangel Gabriel

Pisan, Gilded Wood 14th Century

National Gallery, Washington, D.C.

abriel the Archangel, whose name means, “who is the strength (or might) of God,” appears four times in scripture also is of Chaldean origin. Gabriel was probably unknown to Jews prior to the 5th century before the Common Era because that was when the Book of the Prophet Daniel was written. Gabriel is described twice in the Book of Daniel. First he explains the vision of the horned ram (Dan: 8) which foretold the destruction of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great in 324b.c.e. Gabriel appears most profoundly in chapter nine to communicate to Daniel “ The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks.” “Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city: to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.”

Throughout the centuries, Christians have used this prophecy as another declaration foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ. The belief states that Christ will only be born after the Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks was completed. Some in the evangelical movement have turned this around to become the second coming. Both Jews and Christians see Gabriel as the angel of judgment and sits on the left hand of God.

Islam assigns Gabriel the role as the angel who dictated the Koran to Muhammad. They see Gabriel as the angel of truth. Christianity and Judaism have an arcane tradition of portraying Gabriel as a woman. This tradition is not acceptable to Muslims and any reference to gender would seem reduce Archangels’ Godly powers. As stated at the beginning of the article, angels embody the spiritual essence of both male and female.

Turkish Koran 16th Century

California Polytechnical Institute

Library

Gabriel appears twice in the New Testament, first to declare to Zechariah (Luke 1:19-23) the precursor to Mary’s birth of Jesus, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’ Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary to announce to Mary she carries the son of God.”

The Annunciation to Mary

 by the Archangel Gabriel

Bottecelli

The second appearance is to Mary. (Luke 1:26-35) “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.”

Gabriel’s first appearance in Church liturgy comes in the Litany of the Saints, which is oldest recorded litany in the Church about 270c.e. Here are Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions surrounding Gabriel.

Principal Roles for the Archangel Gabriel

• Gabriel is the Might of God. Tradition has it that both Michael and Gabriel had armies of angels to defend Heaven.
• The Angel of Judgment (Sounds the Trumpet on the day of Judgment)¹⁰
• Patron for ordained and lay clergy, radio and television broadcasters, communications workers, diplomats, messengers, philatelists, Portugal, post offices, postal workers.
• The Angel who dictated the Koran to Muhammad (Islam)
• The Angel of Truth (Islam)

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