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Behind the Folklore - Its A Terrible Life

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Its A Terrible Life

Zachariah/Zechariah
In the Bible, Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist, and a relative by marriage of Jesus.

The Gospel of Luke states that while Zechariah ministered at the golden altar of incense, an angel of God announced to him that his wife would give birth to a son, whom he was to name John, and that this son would be the forerunner of the long-expected Messiah (Luke 1:12-17). Citing their advanced age, Zechariah asked with disbelief for a sign whereby he would know the truth of this prophecy. In reply, the angel identified himself as the Archangel Gabriel, sent especially by God to make this announcement, and added that because of Zechariah's doubt he would be struck dumb and not able to speak until the day that these things happen. Consequently, when Zechariah went out to the waiting worshippers in the temple's outer courts, he was unable to pronounce the customary blessing (Luke 1:18-22).
On his return home Elizabeth duly conceived. During Elizabeth's pregnancy, her cousin Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and -- though still a virgin -- became pregnant with Jesus. Mary then travelled to visit her cousin Elizabeth to share the good news of Mary's expected child and discovered that her much older cousin was also expecting the birth of a son (Luke 1:23-45).
Eight days after Elizabeth gave birth, when their son was to be circumcised according to Jewish tradition, their family members and neighbours assumed that he was to be named after his father, as was the custom. Elizabeth, however, insisted that his name was to be John; so the family then questioned her husband. As soon as Zechariah had written on a writing tablet: His name is John, he regained the power of speech, and praised God with a prophecy known as the Benedictus (Luke 1:57-79). The child grew up and became strong in spirit, but remained in the desert of Judaea until he assumed the ministry that was to earn him the name John the Baptist (or Baptizer) (Luke 1:80, 3:2-3, Matthew 3:1).

According to the Qur'an, Zakariya is the guardian of Mary, the Mother of Isa. The Qur'an states:
Remember when the woman of Imran said, 'My Lord, I have vowed to Thee what is in my womb to be dedicated to Thy service. So do Thou accept it of me; verily Thou alone art All-Hearing, All-Knowing.'
But when she was delivered of it, she said, 'My Lord, I am delivered of a female', - and Allah knew best of what she was delivered and the male she desired to have was not like the female she was delivered of - 'and I have named her Mary, and I commit her and her offspring to Thy protection from Satan, the rejected.
So her Lord accepted her with gracious acceptance and caused her to grow an excellent growth and made Zakariya her guardian. Whenever Zakariya visited her in the chamber, he found with her provisions. He said, 'O Mary whence hast thou this?' She replied, 'It is from Allah'. Surely, Allah gives to whomsoever He pleases without measure.



OTHER REFERENCES
Ian: I mean, thank God we got Harry Potter here to save us from the Apocalypse.
Referencing the title character in author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

Dean Smith & Sam Wesson
Referring to Smith & Wesson the largest manufacturer of handguns in the United States.

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