The first chapter of Luke gives us a good read on the birth of John the Baptist and his connection with the birth of Jesus. The accounts of the conception and birth of John the Baptist is more akin to the story of Isaac than any other. Zacharias and Elisabeth are old, beyond normal childbearing age and barren, as was Abraham and Sarah. An angel of the Lord visits Zacharias and tells him his prayers were heard and that his wife shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call him John (vs 13). This is almost the same wording as when the angel visited Abraham in Genesis 17:16, "And I will bless her, and give thee a son of her...". In vs 19, the angel tells Abraham to name him Isaac.

I do not see any hint that this is a miraculous Holy Spirit conception as was the case with Jesus. His father was Zacharias and his wife did bear him a son. In verses 28 - 35, the angel which visits Mary tells a much different account. In vs 31, the angel says thou shalt conceive in they womb and you shall call him Jesus. The babies name, titles and kingdom are stated in verses 32-33. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest and Lord. He shall be given the throne of David and rule over the house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom shall be no end. In vs 35, "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." (No such things were said of John or any previous prophet. John was simply filled with the Holy Ghost).

In verse 15, the angel gives Zacharias some specific directions for raising John and says he will be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. This could be any time during the 9 months of pregnancy, but it appears to happen during the 6th month when Mary comes to visit Elisabeth. In vs 41, "...when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost." I would think it was at this point John was also filled.

That John the Baptist is at the wedding of the bride is clearly seen in St. John 3: 29. Here John the apostle is quoting the words of John the Baptist. "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stand and hear him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy is therefore fulfilled." John the Baptist is an OT saint because he died before Jesus. He was one of the OT saints resurrected in Matthew 15: 51-52. They were seen in Jerusalem by many. They did not return to the grave, but ascended with Jesus. They were the cloud in Acts 1:9. Their role at the wedding is not the bride, but the groom's bridal party. That John the Baptist might be best man is speculation on my part and not particularly important to us at this point in time. I will say that the best man is rarely chosen based on greatness, but is chosen based on friendship (love). The bride is chosen on the same basis.

A few words about the Godhead, the angelic kingdom, men and beasts: God is clear that these classes do not intermix. There are no in between types. Each has its own order. Sex between the classes, cloning, genetic modification etc. was strictly forbidden. This was a major sin of the fallen angels which bred with women causing crossbreeds that God had to destroy. The only exception to this was the visit of the Holy Ghost on Mary which brought about the birth of Jesus. What makes this right is this was the work of God who is the Creator.

The holy angels have different positions, some higher and some lower. Their capabilities are so matched and seemingly tailored to their functions, but all angels are higher than any man and lower than God. Mortal men also have different positions and capabilities, but they are all men. You can be filled with the Holy Ghost, receive of His power and do miraculous things, but you are still a man. Once men are resurrected and made immortal, they are equal to the angels and are the children of God (Luke 20:36). It is clear that these men will have different positions, some higher and some lower, just as do the angels....based on rewards.

The Godhead is three: the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God. There are no subdivisions of this Spirit. Some men might receive more and some less, but it is the same Spirit. The Spirit which fell on various OT prophets from Elijah, Elisha, Samson, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Daniel etc. to John the Baptist was the Holy Ghost. It is the same Holy Ghost which was poured out on the disciples at Pentecost. It is the same Holy Ghost which will be poured out on the left behind tribulation saints. I think when Elisha asked Elijah that he might receive double of his Spirit, Elisha was speaking to the amount of Spirit which Elijah had. He knew well the Spirit was the Holy Ghost.

I am with you concerning the scripture that all men are appointed once to die. Like you, I think that points to Enoch being the other witness which returns with Elijah for they will die at the hands of the Second Beast. That will take care of the requirement to die. They definitely return in mortal bodies, but with some serious Holy Ghost powers. Moses definitely died according to scripture and the Lord buried him. Moses was seen at the transfiguration with Elijah, but it would be speculation that this means he will return with Elijah. These were two that Peter and John would have recognized more so than Enoch. These were famous to all the children of Jacob and therefore barred testimony to Peter and John concerning the deity of Jesus.

There are those who died for a short spell, a few hours up to four days and were resurrected back to mortal life. Their death did lot last that long a time and they were not resurrected to immortal. They then died at their appointed times and stayed that way. Where their spirits went during this death time is not stated. Of the girl who was dead just a few hours, Jesus said she was not dead, but sleepeth. Of Lazarus, Jesus definitely said that he was dead. Martha volunteered he stunk. I assume his spirit went into Paradise, but it is not mentioned. These exceptions appear to be for the sole purpose of testifying to the power of Jesus and of His deity. Elijah raised one from the dead. It was for demonstration of the power of God. The power that allowed both Jesus and Elijah to raise people from the dead was the Holy Ghost. Moses is different from these in that he has been dead nearly 4000 years. Obviously his spirit is with God for he was seen at the transfiguration.

About John the Baptist losing his faith. All those who have descended from Adam are men and nothing but, except Jesus. The thing which gave the prophets, judges and others as David, Solomon etc. power, understanding, wisdom, strength, character etc. was the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Elijah and Enoch were no different, nor was John the Baptist.

I recommend a serious study of the short book of Hebrews for every Christian. God tells us He brings trials and afflictions on His children. Chapter 12 tells us God chastises and scourges everyone He loves. How we handle it is what separates us. If we endure the discipline, then God treats us as sons, but if we be without (reject) this discipline, God treats us as bastards. Vs 10-11 tells us this discipline is for our profit, for it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

What I am saying here is all men to include the super stars of the Bible have gone through this. In many cases scripture speaks few details of individuals, primarily concentrating on the highlights of great things. But for others it opens up with the details of their trials and afflictions. We can see these in detail with David, a man God said was after His own heart. He had some grievous sins and had some long periods of fear and doubt, bordering on a lack of faith. This can also be seen in Moses, the only man God ever spoke to face to face. We can also see this in Elijah who was isolated for a long period by God. Each of these men had periods of fear and doubt bordering on a lack of faith. Each stumbled at some point, but they recovered. None ever turned from the faith. They endured and held fast their faith to the end. Even Jesus was severely tested. Fear bordering on doubt is seen in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yet, He did not turn from His faith.

To turn from faith is to fall into unbelief. God says this is evil If one falls away into unbelief after having been enlightened and partaken of the Holy Ghost, it is impossible to be renewed again unto God (Heb 6:4-6). To have fears and doubts is human and may show some lack of faith, but it is not falling from faith into unbelief. Neither is backsliding into sin. These things God will correct with chastisement, i.e. discipline. We have to but accept the discipline, endure and work our way through it. Paul calls this working out our salvation.

I think John the Baptist no different. From the womb he was anointed with the Holy Ghost. But, he was a man and suffered the same trials, afflictions and chastening as do all of us. The Spirit of God told John from the womb that Jesus was the Son of the most high God. John understood more than most, but the believing Jewish community was expecting Jesus to rise up and become king. John may have been expecting this as well after Jesus started His ministry. Remember, John, unlike the disciples, was not around Jesus every day. He heard about the miracles, but generally did not witness them. He had his own ministry. He saw Jesus operating as a ordinary man, except for the teachings and accounts of miracles. He saw the

Scribes and Pharisees as well as the political leaders reject, laugh and mock Jesus. This was not likely what John was expecting. So when John was in prison facing death, it is natural that he may have had a few fears and maybe doubt. But he did not fall away, else he would have gone to Herod, repented of his teachings and thrown himself at his mercy.

The last thing I would say to the above is the Holy Spirit is always with you, but He is not always present in power. Sometimes He wanes. Maybe this is for testing or building our character. Jesus tells us the Spirit is like the wind. We can feel it and see the leaves blow, but we know not from where it comes or where it goes. It is with you strongly at times and then it seems to disappear, even in long stretches. It is at these times when a man's fears and doubts creep in. For those whom the Bible gives the details of their life, you see this every time.

There is only one character in scripture that appears as a man, yet is described as God. That is Melchisedek. He is first found in Genesis 14:18-20. He is identified as King of Salem (Jerusalem) and blesses Abraham after he returns from saving Lot. Further he is identified as the priest of the most high God. Abraham gave him a tithe of the spoils.

In the first 7 chapters of Hebrews, Paul is describing the new priesthood of Jesus Christ which is replacing the Levitical Priesthood. This change was necessary because of a change in the law. Paul says Jesus is a great high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. In chapter 7, this is said of Melchisadec: He is King of Salem, which is King of Peace. He is King of righteousness and priest of the most high God, the one who met Abraham and blessed him. Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Now this man is different, just like the accounts of the conception of Mary. Melchisedec can be none other than Jesus Christ himself as God, the creator of the world, the Alpha and Omega who put on flesh and came into the world as man.