The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet #4446

Shepherds tending flocks in the field! Not in late December I am sure!

My Hi-lite: Luke 1:5  ¶There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Verse 6 means they were both Levites;therefore,if Mary ,Jesus mother, was the daughter of a cousin of Elizabeth she was also a Levite making Mary 1/2 Levite and 1/2 Jew.

(Gem #1) The reason it is documented that both Zecharias and Elizabeth, John's parents,
were descendants of Aaron is to show that they were both of the tribe of Levi,
the tribe from which the "priesthood" came.
 
Why is that important?
Because it is also written that Elizabeth was Mary's cousin,
which means that their mothers were sisters.

Note: Mary's genealogy is given in Luke chapter 3 beginning with her father Heli,
who was of the tribe of Judah as the account shows.
Don't be confused because the genealogy begins with Joseph, Mary's husband.
Even a cursory examination of the scriptures shows that Joseph was the "son-in-law" of Heli,
which is what the phrase "as was supposed" means in the Greek.
Joseph's genealogy is given in Matthew chapter 1.

So what does all this mean? It means that Mary was 1/2 of the tribe of Judah,
the Kingship line, and 1/2 of the tribe of Levi, the Priesthood line.
AND SO, Jesus Christ qualified right down to His very genealogy
as The KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS.
Both the ROD and the SCEPTER belong to Him BY HIS VERY BIRTHRIGHT!

He is our KING and our HIGH PRIEST!
Is the Word of God perfect or what?

Note: Next time someone tells you that Jesus was a Jew,
you can confirm that they are partially correct.

He was also a Levite.
Luke 1:7  And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

Verse 8 Tells us the time of year Zacharias executed his priest office.

The actual DATES for the 24 Courses of the Levitical priests are GIVEN in the Book of I Chronicles, chapter 24:1-19!
How many people do you know who have ever read the Book of Chronicles?
In fact, for those of you who sometimes think that we're a little too "hard"
on the ignorance of Christianity,
especially those who are in charge of leading and teaching Christians,
then perform this little test anytime, anywhere.

Ask a professing Christian what the Course of Abia was that the father of John the Baptist,
Zacharias, was performing in the "Christmas story" account of Luke.

Your answer will be "The Course of What?"
You'll know right then and there that they are believers in the traditions of men
and believe Christ was born on December 25th.

They probably also believe there were 3 Wise Men when there is absolutely no documentation
as to how many there were (except for the song "We Three Kings", the lyrics of which are not scripture).

They also construct Nativity Scenes with the Wise Men in attendance,
when only the shepherds from the field were present.

The wise men entered into Joseph and Mary's house in Nazareth when Jesus was about 2 years old.

The point is, WHERE are the teachers of our people?

Well, if you want to know when Christ was born you'll need the Book of Chronicles.
We are not going to go into detail,
but you will find that John the Baptist was conceived around June 24, 5 B.C.,
and that 6 months later, on December 25th, CHRISTMAS DAY,
Jesus Christ was CONCEIVED.

He was then born on September 29th, 4 B.C.,
on the 1st Day of the Feast of Tabernacles!

Do you know what the Feast of Tabernacles signifies?

God dwelling in the FLESH, an earthly tabernacle, a temporary dwelling!

Is God's Word perfect or what?

9  According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10  And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
11  And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
12  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13  But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14  And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16  And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17  And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord
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.
26  ¶And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27  To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35  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.
36  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.

(Gem #3) Do you recall the account when Mary, who had just conceived,
immediately ran to her cousin Elizabeth and the babe,
John the Baptist, leapt in his mother's womb?

Now you know the answer to the question, "When is a fetus viable?"
There is life at CONCEPTION!

I didn't say that life began at conception,
for those who are familiar with the "world that then was"
know that ALL of us were with our Father before He SENT us here too!


Editors note: We have no problem with celebrating the  Birth of Christ on December 25; just keep in mind it probably occurred on September 29, 4 B.C. which incidentally was the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles.
In plain words the "Word became flesh", i.e. was conceived (see John 1:14) on December 25, 5 B.C. and tabernacled with us starting September 29, 4 B.C.


Note: For a further study and more details on the SENT of John the Baptist
and the BIRTH of Jesus see appendix 179 in the Companion Bible.

There you will find some more gems explained.


Also log unto pamphlet #1010 Course of Abia

37  For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38  And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
 

Luke 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Shepherds tending flocks in the field! Not in late December I am sure!

Date of the Birth of Jesus was sometime near the end of September; not December 25th.

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.


This "American Wisdom Series" pamphlet

is.

Published by:

Rhine Publishing Co.
E-mail address:americanwisdomseries@verizon.net

If you would like to have your essay published
as part of the American Wisdom Series
submit your manuscript to Rhine Publishing Co
at the address above for consideration.

Click Here to Return to "The American Wisdom Series" home page.