They were amazed over Zechariah’s delay, wondering what could have happened inside the sanctuary. Meanwhile, the crowds outside kept expecting him to come out. But now, since you did not believe my words, you will be stricken silent and unable to speak until the day my words have been fulfilled at their appointed time and a child is born to you. He has sent me to announce to you this good news. What sign can you give me to prove this will happen?” Zechariah asked the angel, “How do you expect me to believe this? I’m an old man and my wife is too old to give me a child. And he will prepare a united people who are ready for the Lord’s appearing.” He will be instrumental in turning the hearts of the fathers in tenderness back to their children and the hearts of the disobedient back to the wisdom of their righteous fathers.

He will go before the Lord as a forerunner, with the same power and anointing as Elijah the prophet. And he will persuade many in Israel to convert and turn back to the Lord their God. He will drink no wine or strong drink, but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even while still in his mother’s womb. Many will rejoice because of him, and he will be one of the great ones in the sight of God.

His birth will bring you much joy and gladness. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son and you are to name him John. For I have come to tell you that your prayer for a child has been answered. But the angel reassured him, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God is showing grace to you. Zechariah was startled and overwhelmed with fear. All at once an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing just to the right of the altar of incense. A large crowd of worshipers had gathered to pray outside the temple at the hour when incense was being offered.

He was chosen by the casting of lots (according to the custom of the priesthood) so the honor fell upon Zechariah to enter the Holy Place and burn incense before the Lord. One day, Zechariah’s priestly order was on duty and he was serving as priest. But they were childless since Elizabeth was barren, and now they both were quite old. They were both righteous before God, living virtuously and following the commandments of the Lord blamelessly. His wife, Elizabeth, was also from a family of priests, and was a descendant of Aaron. During the reign of King Herod the Great of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah who served in the temple as part of the priestly order of Abijah.

Download free reign of the old ones