A sign for Zacharias

▸ ± Lu 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on [me], to take away my reproach among men.

This was not a curse! Too many try to divine meaning from this in order to teach that we should not test or tempt God. That is not what is happening.

Gabriel גבריאל - 'pursue כ the revelation in the flesh and spirit בר is God in the flesh and spirit יאל. Gabriel represents the Word. His purpose is to make known the mystery (Da 8:16)

He gives the same sign to Zacharias as the sign that is being fulfilled. He cannot speak until John. There is no word until John.