Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 1:11-12

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw [him], and fear fell upon him." — Luke 1:11-12 (ASV)

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

He was a good man, yet he was troubled at the sight of an angel.

Consciousness of sin, even in an outwardly blameless man, makes us all tremble in the presence of anything heavenly. This bright spirit had come fresh from the courts of God; he was a courtier of the heavenly Temple, and he had come down suddenly with a sweet and cheering message for the earthly priest; but the priest was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

Brothers, we cannot know much of heaven here on earth, because it would cause us trembling; we are not yet fit for all the glories of that upper state.

Good John Berridge wrote:

"And now they range the heavenly plains,
And sing their hymns in melting strains;
And now their souls begin to prove
The heights and depths of Jesus' love.
Ah Lord, with slow steps I creep,
And sometimes sing, and sometimes weep;
Yet strip me of this house of clay,
And I will sing as loud as they."

Yes, and so will we; we will be as much at home as the happy saints, who dwell in light, once we are delivered from this hampering flesh and blood.