The Star

 

 

It shown brightly over the heavens to announce the arrival of the promised babe that grew up, only to die for the sins of the world.

But what was this star and who did it lead to the Christ Child. 

Let's take a look.at this wonderful star that God had created and see what it means:

What was it?

The star of Bethlehem is associated with the birth of Christ and the visit of the magi (wise men) as recorded in Matthew 2:1–12. The text implies the star of Bethlehem appeared only to the magi in the East (most likely the area of Persia, or modern-day Iran). There is no biblical record of anyone else observing the star of Bethlehem.

The magi in the East saw something in the heavens—the star of Bethlehem—that alerted them to the fact that the Jewish Messiah was born. The magi do not call the star of Bethlehem by that name; in Matthew 2:2 they refer to it as being “his star,” since it was a sign to them that a king was born. The star prompted the magi to travel to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. This would be the logical place to start looking for the birth of the King of the Jews for someone who did not know of Micah’s prophecy about Bethlehem.

In Jerusalem, the magi visited King Herod and were told that the new king they were looking for would be born in Bethlehem, not in Jerusalem (Matthew 2:5). The wise men left Herod’s palace, and the star of Bethlehem appeared to them once again. In fact, the star “went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed” (verses 9–10). The star of Bethlehem, apparently mobile, led the magi to the precise place where they could find Jesus.

Modern portrayals of the Christmas nativity scene usually show the wise men visiting Jesus on the night of His birth. That is likely not what truly occurred. King Herod discovered from the magi the “exact time” the star of Bethlehem had first appeared to them (Matthew 2:7), and he later ordered all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem to be killed (verse 16). Herod obviously thought the star of Bethlehem had first appeared when Christ was born; if he was right, then Jesus could have been up to two years old when the star of Bethlehem later guided the magi through the streets of Bethlehem. The Greek word translated “young child” in Matthew 2:9 can mean anything from a newborn infant to a toddler.

So, the magi may have first observed the star of Bethlehem the night of Jesus’ birth, or they may have first seen it up to two years beforehand. Either way, they found Jesus still in Bethlehem when they arrived. Joseph and Mary almost surely stayed in Bethlehem until Mary could travel again. In fact, they probably stayed there for the 40 days necessary to complete Mary’s purification. From Bethlehem, they could easily make the five-mile trip to Jerusalem for the sacrifice for Mary’s purification (Luke 2:22). The fact that the magi came to a “house” (Matthew 2:11) rather than the stable makes sense because Joseph naturally would have moved his family to a more protected place as soon as possible—the morning after Jesus was born, in all probability.

After seeing the star of Bethlehem, the magi traveled to Jerusalem to look for the Messiah. The question arises, how would Persian magi know about the Jewish Messiah? Undoubtedly, they would have been exposed to the writings of the Jewish prophet Daniel, who had been the chief of the court seers in Persia. Daniel 9:24–27 is a prophecy that gives a timeline for the birth of the Messiah. Also, they may have been aware of the words of the pagan prophet Balaam (who was from the town of Pethor on the Euphrates River near Persia) in Numbers 24:17. Balaam’s prophecy specifically mentions “a star” and “a scepter” rising out of Jacob.

What exactly was the star of Bethlehem? The Greek word translated “star” in the text is the word aster, which is the normal word for a star or celestial body. The word is used 24 times in the New Testament, and most of the time it refers to a celestial body. It can be used to denote angels, as in Revelation 12:4, where aster seems to refer to the fallen angels who followed Satan’s rebellion. Basic rules of biblical interpretation state that we should take the normal sense of a word unless there is compelling evidence to suggest otherwise. In that case, the star of Bethlehem should be considered an actual heavenly body. Many Bible scholars suggest a natural explanation for the star of Bethlehem, their theories ranging from a supernova to a comet to an alignment of planets. Something in the heavens provided a brighter-than-normal light in the sky.

However, there is evidence to suggest that the star of Bethlehem was not a natural stellar phenomenon, but something unexplained by science. First, the fact that the star of Bethlehem seemed to appear only to the magi indicates that this was no ordinary star. Also, celestial bodies normally move from east to west due to the earth’s rotation, yet the star of Bethlehem led the magi from Jerusalem south to Bethlehem. Not only that, but it led them directly to the place where Joseph and Mary were staying, stopping overhead. There is no natural stellar phenomenon that can do that.

So, if the normal usage of the word star doesn’t fit the context, what does? The star of Bethlehem in Matthew 2:1–12 was likely an angel or a manifestation of the Shekinah Glory. The Shekinah, which literally means “dwelling of God,” was the visible presence of the Lord. Prior to this, the most notable appearance of the Shekinah was the pillar of cloud that led the Israelites by day and the pillar of fire that led them by night (Exodus 13:21). The Shekinah can obviously lead people to specific locations, and it was seen later in connection with Christ’s ministry (e.g., Matthew 17:5; Acts 1:9). Either an angel or the Shekinah would fit the evidence. It shouldn’t surprise us that God would use a miraculous sign to signal the advent of His Son into the world. Those with eyes to see joyfully beheld His glory.

(credit: gotquestions.org}

The Star of Bethlehem, a sign from God to announce the arrival of the long-awaited Christ Child who would grow up to die for the sins of the world, was truly a miracle. But can we think that God would do anything less than a miracle to do this? I think not. The life of our Savior was a miracle. His birth to a virgin, his ministry, his death, burial and resurrection. They are all miracles. 

There is a lot to this story that will never end. For from the start of God's creation of the world long-ago to the finish when the new heavens and the new earth is accomplished, all creation are miracles. And all believers will take part in that glorious finish. that will one day come for us. 

But in the meantime:

There is no greater gift to us than the miracle of Jesus, in whom the star announced his arrival!

Thanks for coming by, Friends!

God bless you and yours!!!!

What was with Jesus' Swaddling Clothes?

 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:12

We read this passage in Luke and sometimes look past the fact that when Jesus was born, he was like so many other babies that he indeed was wrapped in swaddling clothes. As the Son of the Most High God, Jesus needed comfort just like all humanity. 

But what do we know about swaddling clothes and their purpose, and are they still used today in modern times? 

For the answer to those questions, I went to my ole faithful site that explains that for us. Take note of the theories about what they could have meant to Jesus as he was clothed in them:

Swaddling clothes are cloths and bands used in the practice of swaddling, or essentially “wrapping” an infant tightly in cloth. The idea behind swaddling is that it helps the baby transition from the womb (a very snug place) to the outside world. Swaddling clothes are still used today, but with some modifications. In general, swaddling has been proved to help infants sleep better, to prevent them from scratching themselves, and to reduce the risk of SIDS. In ancient times, like today, a swaddled infant was safe if wrapped and watched properly. Many cultures still practice swaddling today.

The biblical passage that refers to swaddling clothes is Luke 2: “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7, ESV). We can assume from the fact that she swaddled the baby Jesus that Mary was an attentive and loving mother. The angel who spoke to the shepherds on the hillside mentions swaddling clothes as part of the sign to the shepherds that they had found the Messiah (Luke 2:12).

There are some interesting theories about Luke’s detail of Jesus’ swaddling clothes. Some have postulated that the swaddling clothes were a foreshadowing—a prophetic reference—of Jesus’ burial cloths. The Greek word sparganoo is the root word used in the phrase “swaddling clothes,” and it means “to clothe in strips of cloth.” But this word sparganoo is never used in the New Testament to refer to burial cloth. In the descriptions in the Gospels of Jesus’ burial, we see variations on the phrase “wrapped in linen cloth,” and different Greek words are used for the binding. The swaddling clothes could prefigure Jesus’ burial (the Magis’ gift of myrrh in Matthew 2:11 is a clearer bit of foreshadowing), but the link can’t be proved linguistically.

When the Son of God came into our world, He was entrusted to responsible, loving parents who sought to meet His every need. Baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes according to the custom of the day, an action that showed the tender care and affection of His mother.

(credit: gotquestions.org)

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They pointed to Mary, his mother who had seen at her young age, that this was important in caring for her new baby boy. 

Swaddling clothes is mentioned also to the shepherds when the angel announced to them that their Savior was born and they would find him wrapped in them lying in a manger. 

Overall, maybe we don't think much about swaddling clothes as we celebrate his birth during this time every year. But evidently it was an important enough to be told in his story. 

And maybe that is why it is there for us. 

What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by. God bless!

Get The Heck Out.....

 

Who needs to get out and what do they need to get out of?

It used to be that when we celebrated Christmas, Jesus was the center of our homes.

People used to greet with others something like, " Merry Christmas."

The Nativity were put up in town squares.

And then it happened.

Christmas in the home was no longer important as to its real reason in why we celebrate it.

Someone didn't like someone saying, "Merry Christmas" and wanted greetings to change to something like, "Happy Holidays." And others joined their bandwagon.

Nativity Scenes that were put up in the town squares were objected to and many were no longer put up. Some Nativities have actually been torn down.

And you know what?

Instead of just changing individual celebrations, these people got out and wanted everyone to change their celebrations, so they made it known that they wanted things to change. They didn't want to see anything about Jesus in anyone's celebrations.

Of course, we know where the ousting of Jesus' birth came from.

Satan had been trying from the beginning of time to destroy all that had to do with Him.

And planting this idea within the minds of people in our celebrations has had a huge effect.

If those people want to leave Jesus out of their own celebrations, that is their right.

But I say, "Get the heck out of my celebrations." Because Christmas isn't Christmas without including our Savior, Jesus Christ.

What say You?

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. I truly do hope you have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas this year. 

Even though it's just a little early. 

Where Do We Go Looking For The Truth?

 If we read the book of Revelation in the Bible, I imagine it is confusing to some people. They may believe other gospels instead of the truth that is in God's Word. Or may not believe anything at all. 

  But we as believers can take comfort in the fact that those things that are yet to come will be just that. 

Oh, some might say, sure it can. Look at this verse and tell me what comfort that it gives...

15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15

Yet, look at verse 14 of that chapter.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 

Putting them together, we can rejoice that no longer will the devil and his minions will be able to bother us or Intersphere with our lives. For they will be cast into the lake of fire but all who are believers of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, will have no part in part of the lake of fire. 

In fact, this verse in chapter 21 of Revelation says this:

4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (vs 4)

Have you been crying lately? Has there been sorrow in your life? What about pain? 

You are not alone. All the world suffers in some way. I myself have faced these things in my life and especially in the last two years. And so, I look forward to when I will no longer experience them and God Himself will wipe all tears from my eyes.

Yes, that day will be glorious for those that know Christ and whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Is that you? I prayerfully hope so. For I cannot not imagine spending eternity in the lake of fire which burns forever, and where God's enemies are. (chapter 20:10)

But the good news is as believers, we don't have to imagine that. Because praise God, we won't be there!

Thanks for coming today, friends. Have a blessed day.

Know the Difference Part Two

The Second Coming of Christ

The second coming of Jesus Christ is the hope of believers that God is in control of all things and is faithful to the promises and prophecies in His Word. In His first coming, Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem, just as prophesied. Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies of the Messiah during His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. However, there are some prophecies regarding the Messiah that Jesus has not yet fulfilled. The second coming of Christ will be the return of Christ to fulfill these remaining prophecies. In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering, Servant. In His second coming, Jesus will be the conquering King. In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances. In His second coming, Jesus will arrive with the armies of heaven at His side. 

The Old Testament prophets did not make clearly this distinction between the two comings. This can be seen in Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7 and Zechariah 14:4. As a result of the prophecies seeming to speak of two individuals, many Jewish scholars believed there would be both a suffering Messiah and a conquering Messiah. What they failed to understand is that there is only one Messiah and He would fulfill both roles. Jesus fulfilled the role of the suffering servant (Isaiah chapter 53) in His first coming. Jesus will fulfill the role of Israel’s deliverer and King in His second coming. Zechariah 12:10 and Revelation 1:7, describing the second coming, look back to Jesus being pierced. Israel, and the whole world, will mourn for not having accepted the Messiah the first time He came.

After Jesus ascended into heaven, the angels declared to the apostles, “‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:11). Zechariah 14:4 identifies the location of the second coming as the Mount of Olives. Matthew 24:30 declares, “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” Titus 2:13 describes the second coming as a “glorious appearing.”

The second coming is spoken of in greatest detail n Revelation 19:11-16, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”   (credit: gotquestions.org)

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As Christians, we know that these events are going to happen no matter when or how. God doesn't give us a definite date. 

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Mathew 24:36

And as we know, there have been many false prophets and teachers that have ignored that passage and predicted a date and hour when Jesus will come back, only to be proven wrong when it didn't happen. 

Those predictions cause people to believe them and when proven false, it has caused many to turn away from Christ. Because they had believed a lie instead of finding the truth for themselves through the scripture, and from Jesus Himself.

Despite all of this, His coming again will happen. And Friends we are living in the end times when Jesus told us to look up for our redemption is nigh.  Luke 21:28. 

The Rapture is going to happen. Christ is going to come again. We must keep watching and looking for the Him. He is going to come for His church. No not any particular denomination, but believers that have truly been born again because of His blood that was shed for the sins of the world and have not rejected Him.

Are you watching for Him?  Am I?

Are you ready? Am I?

Our redemption is nigh. And if we are not watching, or getting ready for Him, what then? If we miss Him, we will end up in a place we do not want to be. We must except Him first as our Lord and Savior in order to be ready. And then we can truly watch for His coming. 

Thanks for stopping by Friends. I will probably not be posting tomorrow but should be back on Thursday and so Have a blessed day with those you love!

Know the Difference Part One

 With war still raging in the middle east, many are talking about end time events. Much about the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ is being discussed. The questions are, 1. what are they and 2 are they the same event.

The answer to question no 2 is that no they are not the same. So then what will happen during these events and how do they affect us?

I am not a bible scholar, but I believe the Bible to be God's Word and I trust those that teach from scripture. And so, this week, I will give biblical answers to these questions from those people that are teaching the truth, to help us understand Biblical prophecy.

One of the biggest misconceptions about prophecy is the difference between the Second Coming and the Rapture. The two events are often confused, but they are two different events on God’s prophecy timeline. Let’s break down the two events, then discuss the difference between the two.

What is the rapture?

The term “rapture” doesn’t appear in the appear. The word derives from a Latin phrase meaning “a transport, carrying off, or a snatching away.” The idea of the rapture of the church is discussed in scripture. The church’s rapture is when God takes believers from the earth, so His judgment can be poured over the world during the tribulation period. Its description comes in 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 and 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18.

God will revive His dead believers, give them heavenly bodies and remove them from the earth. He’ll also take His living believers, who will also receive glorified bodies. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says that the Lord will ascend from heaven with a loud command, the trumpet call of God, and the archangel’s voice. The dead will rise first, then the living, and everyone left will come together in the clouds to meet the Lord and be with Him forever. The rapture will instantly transform our bodies to fit us for eternity. 1 John 3:2 reminds us that when Jesus appears, we will be like Him, seeing Him as He is.

The Old Testament doesn’t teach the rapture doctrine, so Paul describes it as a mystery now revealed in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. He says that we won’t sleep but be changed in the twinkling of an eye. The trumpet will sound, the dead will rise, and we’ll be changed. The rapture is God’s way of protecting His people from the tribulation, the seven years of judgment that will pour over the earth. Some argue that the tribulation period will start before the rapture. However, the Bible says that those who believe in Jesus won’t face condemnation. At the end of the seven years, Jesus returns for His second coming. (credit: beliefnet.com)

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This describes what the Rapture is. So, then the next question is What is the Second Coming? Perhaps you know the answer. But many, and especially those that have not been born again, may not know. So we will check that out for tomorrows post. 

Thanks for coming by Friends. May God grant you the peace that only comes from God in these troubled times.

Israel, Hamass and The United States.......?

What does Israel and its war with Hamass have to do with us that live in the United States, if anything? 

Good question, of course. And many people do not know the nswer. But consider the following:

It is true that The US is not mentioned in the Bible as having anything to do with that war. But the US has been one of Israel's greatest allies in the past and the present. And we see what God has to say about Israel and its friends and enemies in the following scripture:

“And I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”  Genesis 12:3

As we see, way back in the 12th chapter of Genesis, God gave both blessing and curse to those two types of people and no doubt countries as well. If we bless them, He will bless us. But if we curse them, He will curse us. 

The US has been a blessing to Israel for many years. But it will probably not be when after the Rapture, the anti-Christ will rise up and teach even more hate and more war against anyone that dares agree or helps Israel. Nations will continue to bend its knee to Isael's enemies, and if the US does the same during that time, this nation will face the wrath of God. Only those people that have not gone up in the Rapture, but will be saved after that event happens, and turns to God, will have any hope of finally get to call heaven their home and go to be with Jesus.

Thanks for stopping by friends. I know that these are sobering times. I pray that you are diligent about what all these things mean that we see going on. Many people believe we are living in the end times. I read a devotion by some one that said that when the disciples asked Jesus what signs they would see to know His coming, they didn't know that all these years later we are still looking for Him. 

Are you looking for Him? Are you hoping for Him? If not, then one day your time will tun out and it will be too later. For more biblical answers to questions you might have on end times events, I suggest you check out gotquestions.org. You will find great information there that spells it out so that you can know what is going to happen during the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ.

God bless you and yours!