Zacharias and Elizabeth: Remembered by God

Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth bear the distinction of being among the very few people the Bible describes as righteous.

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah's division named Zacharias. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in God's sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. (Luke 1:5-7)

They respected and honored God by following His word, but despite their faithfulness, the couple had no children which brought with it sadness and stigma in their society. They were both from priestly families and Elizabeth's children would have been direct descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses. 

Zacharias was part of the priestly division of Abijah, which had been established by King David nearly 1,000 years earlier. The Levitical priests were divided into 24 groups which would take turns serving at the temple in Jerusalem, usually for 2 weeks at a time and the division of Abijah was the 8^th group in the rotation. The priests would come to Jerusalem to serve when their group came up in the rotation and they might also come to help with certain festivals. The rest of the time, they lived with their families and ministered to the local communities. 

Because of the extraordinary events that were about to be set in motion, people have tried to pinpoint just when Zacharias' division was on duty in order to determine when certain events occurred, such as the conception and subsequent births of John the Baptist and Jesus. This is difficult however, because the Hebrews used a lunar-solar calendar which was not based on a 365 day year like our modern calendar. Some years had 353, 354 or 355 days in them. Some years had 10 extra days and periodically they would observe a type of leap year which had an entire extra month and consisted of 385 days. Consequently, there is no way to simply look at a calendar and know with precision what month or weeks the division of Abijah would have been on duty serving in Jerusalem. But the text gives us a very strong hint as to when this event occurred. 

When his division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. An angle of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zacharias saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. There will be joy and delight for you and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel  to the Lord their God. And he will go before him in the Spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people. 

The description provided by the Bible strongly indicates that the angel appeared to Zacharias during the time of a festival when the multitude would be gathered at the temple and that this particular festival was Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, happening near the end of September, give or take a few weeks. Zacharias was a faithful priest, serving God by burning incense in the temple, in the Holy Place. On the left there was a lampstand with 7 lamps, representing the Holy Spirit of God. To the right, there was a table with the Bread of the Presence. On it were set out bread and wine, representing communion and fellowship with God. At the head of the room was the altar of incense. Behind this altar was the veil, a curtain that divided the room, beyond the veil, in the 1st temple, there had once been the Ark of the Covenant, representing the very presence of God, but in this rebuilt temple, it was no longer there. 

Once a year, the high priest would have gone behind the curtain into the most Holy Place to meet with God, but the high priests at that time were Sadducees who did not believe in angels, miracles or an afterlife. They were purely political and used the priesthood for personal gain. They were not qualified or approved to enter God’s Presence. God did not send a messenger to one of them. He sent it to a humble and faithful priest. On Yom Kippur, a priest would tie a rope around the waist of the high priest as he entered the Holy of Holies so that he could pull the body out just in case God struck him dead. To prevent this from happening, the smoke of the incense would be allowed to pass through the curtain before him, providing a covering until the high priest could sprinkle blood over the Ark of the Covenant (or the area where it had been) as a covering for his sin. 

Whether it was Yom Kippur, or just a normal evening sacrifice, as Zacharias was standing outside the curtain to the Holy of Holies burning the incense, the multitude of the people were gathered outside, praying. At this moment, after 400 years of silence, God answered their prayers--both those of the nation of Israel and those of the humble priest and his aging wife. The faithful believers among the Jews had been praying for a deliverer. Zacharias and Elizabeth had been praying for a child of their own. God sent His messenger, the angel Gabriel, to answer by delivering some good news. Suddenly, the Holy messenger appeared, standing in the smoke on the right side of the altar of incense to tell Zacharias, whose name means "remembered by God," that his wife Elizabeth would conceive a child. God had indeed remembered them. Their son would fulfill the prophecy that Elijah would return to prepare the people's hearts for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. While he was still in the womb, his son John would have the spirit and power of Elijah, which is the Holy Spirit. The symbolism of Gabriel's appearance in the smoke is significant. The fragrant smoke rising from the altar represented the prayers of the people rising up before God. The angel delivered an answer to their prayers. God still hears our prayers today, and they are like a pleasing and good smelling aroma to Him. 

In the same way that John was to go ahead of Jesus to prepare the people's hearts, those of us who are Christians know that Jesus is coming again and we have that same Spirit within us so that we can tell people about Jesus and encourage them to prepare their hearts for His return. The curtain, or veil, that separated the Holy of Holies was torn in two, from top to bottom, when Jesus died on the cross. There is no more separation between us and God. Jesus’ own blood provides a covering for us so that we can enter God’s Presence unafraid. 

Zacharias and Elizabeth were righteous before God. This does not mean that they were perfect and sinless, but it does mean that they honored God, had faith in Him and carefully followed the law to atone for their sins. It is ironic to me that Zacharias immediately sinned by doubting the words of the angel. 

"How can I know this? Zacharias asked the angel?" "For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years."  The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."

God showed grace and continued with His plans despite the priests doubt, though Zacharias would remain silent throughout the pregnancy, opening his mouth only when he truly believed and prophesying over his newborn son. The birth of John would be a miraculous one, born to a barren and aging couple. 

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zacharias, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them and remained speechless. When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for 5 months. She said, "The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people." 

The crowd standing outside, waiting with bated breath to find out what happened lends credence to the idea that this was Yom Kippur. Elizabeth showed great faith and rejoiced that God had given her this child, she felt grateful that He had chosen her. After Zacharias returned home from his priestly duties, Elizabeth became pregnant, likely in October. She kept herself hidden for 5 months. In the 6th month, likely March, Gabriel was sent by God to deliver another message to a young woman who would conceive and give birth in December....

Mary and Joseph: Angels and Visits with Country Cousins

The Historical, Biblical Jesus vs. The Mormon Jesus

 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different Gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough……….for such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ…  -2 Corinthians 11:4, 13

My great-grandmother and great-grandfather were Mormons. They were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. When he passed away, she was so overwhelmed with loneliness that she moved out to Salt Lake City and was re-married to another man from the LDS church. He mistreated her horribly. For escaping her abuser and divorcing him, she received an official letter from LDS headquarters disfellowshipping her and telling her she would never enter the celestial kingdom, the Mormon version of heaven. Whatever gospel they were preaching could evidently be withheld or denied. Whatever salvation they were offering could be lost or taken away. Christians believe in the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.

My grandfather received a similar letter. He accepted Jesus as his Savior at an old-fashioned Methodist tent revival and in his words, was converted. He became a Christian, converting from Mormonism to Christianity and was basically excommunicated from their organization. Modern Christian denominations do not traditionally excommunicate people for simply transferring church membership. Christians celebrate and rejoice when someone comes to faith in Christ. Even heaven rejoices: There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)

I share these stories to illustrate the point that there are dramatic and irreconcilable differences between Mormonism and Christianity. For example: Christians worship Jesus. We pray to Him and through Him. Mormons do not worship or pray to their Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus is co-eternal with the Father. He has always existed and all things in the universe were created through Him. Mormons believe that Jesus is a created being, the offspring of their heavenly father and an un-named heavenly mother. They believe he existed as a spirit child named Jehovah before coming to earth as Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus’ earthly, physical body was conceived by Mary, a true virgin, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Mormons believe that their heavenly father, an immortal, had sex with Mary and got her pregnant with Jesus. Christians know that Jesus was single. Mormons believe that he was married to the sisters Mary and Martha.  Christians believe that Jesus is, was and always will be God. Mormons believe that he earned the intelligence and the right to become a god in his spirit life before he came to earth.

 

Christians believe the Bible is the Holy, Inspired, Inerrant Word of God. Mormons believe it is a flawed book which is overruled by the “superior” Book of Mormon. This allows them the “license” to alter Biblical teachings so severely that the Jesus they teach and the Gospel they preach are completely different and contradictory to the Historical Jesus and the Biblical Gospel. Paul warned that people would preach "another" Jesus. Here is a helpful chart to illustrate some of the differences:

Since 325 A.D., all Christians agree upon certain basic beliefs as articulated in the Nicene Creed. All Protestants, Catholics, Baptists and Orthodox Christians agree on these basic tenants of the Christian faith. To disagree with this creed is Heresy. In 381, a section was added to the creed at Constantinople. Other than 3 words which the Eastern Orthodox church had a problem with, all of Christendom agrees on the basic doctrines articulated within this creed.  Mormons teach directly against so many points of the creed that it seems as if someone went point for point contradicting Nicaea just to see if he could get away with it. Let’s examine the shocking differences in belief by comparing the teachings of the Christian church with those of the LDS church.

 

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen. 

Mormons believe there are many gods. They believe people can ascend and become gods and one day have spirit children and create their own planet to rule over if they reach the highest levels of their religion. This sort of arrogance is just like the sin that Satan committed. Isaiah 14:13-15 informs us that he said to himself “I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the god’s assembly in the remotest parts of the North. I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you will be brought down to Sheol into the deepest regions of the Pit. This Mormon belief is a sin against God, leading people to destruction.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.

Mormons believe that their heavenly father had many sons. They believe there are many savior gods in the universe. They do not believe Jesus has always existed, they believe he was created. They do not believe that he has always been God, they believe he earned the right to become a god.

Christians believe that Jesus of one essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit. We believe that He is God’s one and only Son and that the entire universe was created through Him. John wrote these things about Jesus. From John 1:1-4: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through Him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. John 3:16 declares: For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.

Mormons believe that their heavenly Father had sexual intercourse with Mary to create Jesus’ physical body. They believe he was the offspring of an immortal having sex with a human, what the Greeks would have called a demi-god. Christians believe that Mary was a true virgin who became pregnant through the Holy Spirit without sex. When the angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus, Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Christians believe Jesus was truly human. Hebrews 2:17 teaches us Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

Mormons do not worship or pray to Jesus, only to their heavenly father. Christians worship the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Wise Men bowed down and worshipped Jesus as a baby. After His resurrection the disciples encountered Jesus, Matthew 28:17 tells us: When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. Mormons believe the Bible is a book that contains errors. Christians believe that the prophets spoke the very words of God and the Bible is the word of God without any mixture of error. All scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness. -2 Timothy 3:16

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Christians believe in a new heaven and a new earth. Mormons believe in something entirely different.

The Mormon Church is so far outside of the boundaries of Orthodox Christianity, that they can only be considered a cult, or a different religion entirely. They try to emphasize similarity, but what discerning Christians must pay attention to is the stark contrasts in belief. Mormons masquerade as Christians in order to attract more members, gain more influence and make more money. One of their recent Presidents has tried to move away from using the word Mormon to describe them and even instructed churches to drop the last part of their name, referring to themselves simply as The Church of Jesus Christ and dropping the rest of the name of Latter Day Saints. They are highly skilled in the art of doublespeak, using Biblical terms and speaking Christianese words, but meaning something entirely different and thinking of different meanings in their heart when they say them. Some like to say that Mormons use the same words as Christians, they just use a different dictionary. They are skillful in the art of deception. 

THE MORMON PLAN OF "SALVATION"

Mormon “salvation” is a merit-based system of works. Mormon “salvation,” is about earning and attaining various stages of achievement in the afterlife through works and trying to become a god.  Here is an example of their plan of salvation.

Here is a more detailed elaboration about what they believe:

THE BIBLICAL, CHRISTIAN PLAN OF SALVATION

Christian's believe that salvation is by grace, through faith in Christ alone. God's plan for bringing salvation to mankind is simple. It is the cross of Christ.

Romans 10:9 declares: If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. This verse emphasizes the importance of making a verbal confession in front of others, of making Jesus the Lord of our life and of believing in His atoning sacrifice and resurrection. 

Acts 2:38 proclaims: Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Repenting, or turning away from sin is a key element of the Gospel. This verse also points to the regeneration that comes through the Holy Spirit. 

In John 3:3 Jesus told Nicodemus Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. To be regenerated or born again means to be washed clean, forgiven of sins and made new when Jesus comes to live in our hearts through His Spirit. 

Romans 10:13 promises: Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Anyone can be saved who will respond to God’s call, but to call upon the name of the Lord, Epikaleomai Onoma Kurios,  means to cry out to God in desperation, asking to be called His child and humbly asking to be saved. 

Ephesians 3:16 records Paul’s prayer that He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. This is why Christians ask Jesus to come into our hearts and receive believer’s baptism as a public witness to the decision we have made. Christians are all promised the same reward--eternal life with God in heaven as part of His family. 

I encourage you to make the decision to follow Jesus., following the instructions of Acts 22:16 which exhorts you to: Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name 

CONCLUSION

As we have seen, Mormons and Christians have radical differences in Christology, our beliefs about the nature, person and work of Jesus Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints blatantly contradicts numerous doctrines of the Nicene Creed,  the statement of common belief held by all Christians. The LDS church holds dramatically different views of salvation and heaven than that of the Christian Church. The Mormon religion teaches a different Jesus and preaches a different Gospel than the Christian religion, just as Paul warned us about. Christianity and Mormonism have irreconcilable differences. The Mormon church is not a Christian denomination. It is, in fact, a cult. The “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” is not a branch of Christianity. It is an entirely different religion that directly contradicts the most essential elements of the historical Christian faith.