Don't be Like Them

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."

Those who waited outside of the temple had no idea what was going on inside. There as no way they could see in because a thick curtain separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. This curtain, known as the "veil," was made of fine linen (a type of righteousness--see Revelation 19:8) and blue, purple and scarlet yarn (significant of royalty). The word "veil" in Hebrew means "a screen, divider or separator that hides."

What was this curtain hiding? Essentially, it was shielding sinful man from a Holy God. As we will see later on in the gospels, when Jesus died, the veil ripped from top to bottom, signifying that sinful man now had access to the immortal life of God. Whoever entered into the Holy of Holies was temporarily entering that presence of the Source of Life.

When Zacharias came out, he had been struck speechless because of his unbelief. It was fitting punishment. Those who don’t believe have nothing to say. The reason I’m not speechless, is simply because I believe God’s Word with all of my heart. I am fully persuaded that there is such a place as Hell, and I have therefore dedicated my life to warning those around me that if they want to keep their lives, they must obey the Gospel.

It was only those who believed that the Titanic was sinking that got into the lifeboats. Had they not believed, they would have stayed on board and gone down with the ship. The atheist says that he believes that he has no beliefs, but he his own mouth betrays him. He has strong convictions (beliefs) that this great ship isn’t going sink. So he stays with his beliefs. Water laps around his neck and he says all is well. Death has him marked, and he refuses to even put up a fight. Don't be like them. God has provided a lifeboat for those who believe, repent and trust the Savior.