Pride can Destroy a Generation.

Do Not Fear, I am the Messenger Gabriel with a Message from God for You

 

Our Bible Study at Open Door Church on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, continues of interest in the incense burned during the worship at the temple.  From my notes I present an edited message.

Pride can destroy a generation.  I Chronicles chapter 24:1,2 Now these were the divisions of the sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.  But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.

The two sons of Aaron who died because they used strange fire that displeased God and they were struck dead.  If they had lived their offspring may have been in the line of Christ.

There was a division  and order of the Priests, and in turn they served at the temple with various duties.  Their entire generation was destroyed because of their rebellion and sin against God's ways.

Luke chapter one, happened at the altar of incense where Zacharias the Priest had his two weeks of service.  The priests were chosen by lot to serve, and each priest had a work to do.  Once in a lifetime they were allowed to enter into the Holy of Holies for 2 weeks. 

 

An angel appeared to Zacharias with a message that his barren wife Elizabeth would conceive and bare a son and the child was to be named John.  The child shall be full of the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb.  He shall be great in the sight of the Lord and many will turn to the Lord God.

It is interesting that this occurred at the altar of incense

Zacharias questioned the Angel’s message, because both he and his wife were old.  Because he did not believe the angel, he was struck mute.  The people wondered why he was so long in the holy of holies.  When he came out, they realized he must have seen a vision.

Zacharias returned home, and the Lord took away Elizabeth’s reproach and she became pregnant as the angel had said.  (This was also prophesied in the Old Testament.)

The same angel “Gabriel” appeared to Mary with the good news about her being chosen to bare the Savior of the World.  Mary being a virgin wondered how this could be.

Luke 1:35-38 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.  For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Mary decided to visit her cousin and as she arrived at Elizabeth’s home and called out, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy in the womb, and was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:57 - - Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.  And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.  And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.  And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.  And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all.

And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, and praised God.