January 2019 – Eternity

7 Consider The Journey

BEULAH – bu’-la (be`ulah “married”). Beulah Land relates to a time and place on earth after the tribulation has ended when all born again Jews and Gentiles find themselves in the Kingdom Age, also known as the millennium. It will be a time when Christ, the Messiah, will rule over all of the earth for one thousand years. Beulah Land is also a name symbolically applied to Israel: “Thy land (shall be called) Beulah …. thy land shall be married. …. so shall thy sons marry thee” (Isaiah 62:4). In this figure, frequently used since Hosea, the prophet wishes to express the future prosperity of Israel. The land once desolate shall again be populated. https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/beulah/
During the Kingdom Age, for those whom will have entered with resurrected bodies, or resurrection bodies (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:50-54), there will be no sickness or death.

Beulah Land is also a stop on the way to the eternal state of the New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-2). All born again believers in Christ/Messiah will go from the Kingdom Age into the eternal state; they will expect the following: “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4).

The second video tells of things that will happen immediately after the catching of up of the born again believers in Christ occurs (John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54). This series of articles will discuss the events that lead to, and follow, “the catching up of the true spiritual church.” The “catching up” of the saints (born again believers in Christ) is also known as the rapture (English), harpazo (Greek) and rapio/raptura (Latin).”

The Bible is God’s story of a journey, “from a garden to a city, with a cross in between.” Within the pages of the Bible is a timeline that begins in the garden of Eden, and travels throughout time until it reaches the eternal state of the “New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem;” this blog will focus on key stops along the way.

Much of this Blog focuses on the Jews of the Old Testament, whom are known in Scripture as “God’s Chosen People” (Deuteronomy 14:2), and their waiting for a Messiah who will rule and reign in a coming Messianic governed kingdom. You will see Blog posts telling of the coming of the Jewish Messiah, who was born a Jew, who also died a Jew, was resurrected a Jew, ascended to Heaven as a Jew, and will return to Earth as a Jew who will rule and reign in His Messianic Kingdom. Many articles that you will find posted in this Blog will show God speaking to Jews through Jewish prophets about “future things” that relate to a Messianic King, who will rule and reign on Earth during the thousand-year Kingdom Age, also known as the Millennium (thousand years). Articles in this Blog identify Christ, our Lord and Savior, as being the Messianic King, whom is also known as “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16). At the end of the Messianic Kingdom, “Satan,” whom had been bound for most of the thousand years, emerges and leads an assault against Christ and righteousness. Christ wins this battle (Battle of Gog and Magog, Rev 20:7-9), and Satan loses! At that time, all righteous people, of all time, enter into the eternal state of the New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem, which is at the end of the Journey that began at the Garden of Eden. God the Father and God the Son “are” the Temple (Rev 21:22), “and are” the light (21:23-24). Ezekiel 47:12 pictures the New Jerusalem as the new and perfect “Eden.” Per Rev 22:3,”There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him.” We are told in Scripture that Christ is “God with us,” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), and that He is “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6).

As pleasant as is the picture that is painted above, there is another picture that also needs to be painted. That second picture tells about all of the people whom will not find their eternity in the eternal state of “New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem.” Because of the seriousness of the outcome of both “pictures,” no punches will be held back in these articles. The second picture will show things of this world that may lead a husband and wife to put themselves, and their children, on a road that will not take them to the eternal state where they can spend eternal bliss with God. Instead, the second picture will show such people, whose journey ends at the Great White Throne Judgment. There, they will be cast into “the lake of fire,” which burns forever and ever.” With them, will be Satan, the anti-Christ, the false prophet, and all others who were not born again, whose names were not found written in the book of life (Revelation 20:10-15).

The following information is too serious to not be stated. Parents, this is as real as a heart attack! Some of you may need to take corrective actions now! Consider the things that affect the minds of your children.

Conditions that will exist in the Eternal State of Revelation 21-22, and those that will not exist, are shown in the following verses.

Revelation 21:1-3 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The New Creation

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God.

The following conditions will be present in the Eternal State for the righteous people of all time.

Revelation 21:4 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.

God is active in making the Eternal State perfect.

Revelation 21:5 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”

Unrighteous people will not be present in the Eternal State.

Revelation 21:8 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

8 But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Question: Why are cowards unrighteous? It is because they will not have trusted in Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is also because they will have not been born again, which would have given them a perfect spirit, which would have allowed them to be given a righteous and perfect eternal resurrection body and soul (to complement their perfect spirit).

Consider the born-gain experience, and results.

John 3:3 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

It’s simple. If anyone believes in Christ as Lord and Savior, they have been born again. If they have been born again, they believe in Christ.

John 3:16-18 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

16 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

The new birth puts our spirit into the Spirit of Christ, due to our spirit being a perfect and holy spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

In order for our spirit to be put into the Spirit of “God the Father/God the Son/God the Holy Spirit,” we must have a spirit that is as perfect as the Spirit of “God the Father/God the Son/God the Holy Spirit.”

1 John 1:5 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him.

The perfection of the Eternal State will not allow anything, or anyone, that is not as spiritually pure as God to enter, where only righteousness is present. Only people whom have been made to be righteous, by being born again, will be allowed to enter the Eternal State (Revelation 21:4).

A consistent lifestyle of one, or more, of the following conditions are proof of a person whom has not been born again, and identifies such a person as one whom will not enter the Eternal State.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (Christian Standard Bible)

9 Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, 10 no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.

But, people can change. They can place their trust in Christ and be born again.

1 Corinthians 6:11 (Christian Standard Bible)

11 And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

The Democrat Party supports and promotes homosexuality and abortion on demand. That party is now supporting legislation which will make it lawful to kill an unborn baby, even during and after the birth of the child. Such legislation recently passed by New York, attempted by Virginia, and under consideration by other states, identify those goals. Nobody having a lifestyle of supporting homosexuality, or abortion on demand, has been born again. Such people do not have the Spirit of God dwelling with their spirit, promoting them to live righteously (John 14:16-17, 16:7-8). In essence, such people will stand in line at the great white throne judgment, and will spend eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10-15).

Parents, “it’s up to you” to teach Godly things to your children (Deuteronomy 6:5-9).

The following video tells of the event (the rapture of the church) that will precede the things that are shown in the opening video of this article.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Consider “the dead in Christ,” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,” and “the dead,” Revelation 20:12.

“The dead in Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16.” For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

The “dead in Christ” are those deceased believers in Christ whom will be resurrected and taken to the Presence of God at the time of the rapture. The living born again believers in Christ will immediately be caught up and taken to God’s Presence in the third heaven .

“The dead.” Revelation 20:12. “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”

“The dead,” are all of those whom have not been born again, and are standing before God at the end of the Millennium, at the great white throne judgment. As opposed to “the dead in Christ,” whom had their sin debt paid by Christ, these whom are “unbelieving and unborn again” must pay their own debt, which comes from the judgment of God at Revelation 20:15.

Should anyone choose to pay their own debt sin?

Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:1

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Romans 10:9
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

John 3:16
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

2 Corinthians 5:21
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Should not everyone call on Christ, in belief, to save them, thereby paying their sin debt?

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Israel 5 – Exodus 3

Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3, NKJV, 740 B.C., written to the southern kingdom of Israel, Judah and Jerusalem).

Prophet, Priest, King: During this study of Israel, we will be exposed to Prophets, whom were Jews that represented God to the Jewish people. We will also be exposed to Priests, whom were Jews that represented the Jewish people to God. The King was God, is still God, and always will be God (Psalm 90:2). In each study, we will look at Prophetic and Historic events in the history of Israel. (In the New Testament, church spiritual leadership is, per Ephesians 4:11, “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers.”)

Prophetic, a view of the end times.

The song and the verse (Isaiah 2:3) look forward to the time of the Kingdom Age, which will be the Millennial reign of Christ. The house of the Lord is the Temple of God, and will not be the tribulation temple, which will not be of God; His Presence will not be there. Instead, it will be the Temple that Ezekiel describes, and will definitely be of God; the Glory of God will be being present in this Millennial Temple (Ezekiel 40:1-43:27). In Isaiah 2:3, Torah (8451) will be taught by *Yahweh* (3068) to Jew and non-Jew believers at the Temple in Jerusalem (See names of *God* below) (See meanings of 8451 and 3068 in https://biblehub.com/lexicon/isaiah/2-3.htm).

Isaiah 2:3 “mountain of the Lord.” Isaiah frequently calls Mt. Zion the “holy mountain” (11:9; 27:13; 56:7; 57:13; 65:11, 25; 66:20); a prophetic picture of Zion in the future messianic kingdom when all people will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the world (MacArthur study note). This is a description of the Millennial Kingdom. God’s government will be established over all the kingdoms of this world. Gentiles (nations) and Jews (peoples) will do the will of God; justice and peace will reign (Ryrie Study Bible).

Historic, a stepping stone to the prophetic.

As you read through this article on the third chapter of Exodus, you will be exposed to gold nuggets of scripture. Read the Holy Words of God, as they are laid before you. Pray. Use great care. Be investigative. Consider context. Here is a sample of that which will follow:

Ezekiel 3:14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’(Exodus 3:14-15, NKJV)

…3:14 I AM WHO I AM. This name for God points to His self-existence and eternality; it denotes “I am the One who is/will be,” (MacArthur study note).

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58, NKJV)

…..8:58 Most assuredly. Here, Jesus declared Himself to be Yahweh, i.e., the Lord of the OT.

(My note: When John 8:58 looks back to Ex 3:14, the proof of the divinity of Christ is made clear.)

…3:15 The fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant teaches the resurrection. Since the covenant was made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and since these Patriarchs had died before having seen the fulfillment of the covenant, a resurrection is needed in order for them to see the fulfillment of the promises that God made to them through the Covenant. (Things To Come, J. Dwight Pentecost, 1958, pg 70)

In this study of God’s chosen people, it is important to know the most commonly used names of God (John 8:32).

In this third chapter of the book of Exodus, we find the following Names that are Names of God. At the bottom of this page you will find a larger listing of the Names of God.

Elohim, God, vs 1, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18:
Yah·weh, Lord, vs 2, 4, 7, 15, 16, 18
Yayah, I AM, vs 14

Text Overview.

Date. The third chapter of Exodus took place in 1447 B.C. (Thompson Chain-Reference Study Bible, 2009, previous editions date back to 1903).

Exodus 3 Outline. 1 Moses keeps Jethro’s flock. 2 God appears to him in a burning bush; 9 and sends him to deliver Israel. 14 The name of God. 15 His message to Israel. (Outline from Nave’s Study Bible, 1978)

Exodus 3 Examination. In this chapter, we will focus our attention on the call of Moses by God, and God’s revelation of Himself.

Exodus 3 New American Standard Bible (NKJV)

1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

2-8 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ex+3%3A2-8&version=NKJV

9-13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ex+3%3A9-13&version=NKJV

14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’

16-22 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ex+3%3A16-22&version=NKJV

See the following note from the NKJV study notes.

3:1 Horeb, another name for Mt. Sinai, means “Desolate Place.” Yet because of God’s appearance on the mountain (here and in chs. 19; 20), this desolate place would become holy, the mountain of God (see 4:27). Usually this site is identified as Jebel el-Musa, a mountain in the southern Sinai Peninsula.

See the following note from the New Spirit-Filled Life Bible..

3:5 Take your sandals off: In the East, removing one’s shoes (sandals) is a form of respect. Holy ground: The ground becomes holy because of God’s visitation.

See the following notes from the Ryrie Study Bible.

3:1 “Horeb” was another name for “Mount Sinai” (cf Deut 5:2).Traditionally located in the SW part of the Sinai Peninsula; it is a 7,363 foot peak.
3:2 “The angel of the Lord” was the Lord Himself (cf 4). “the bush was burning with fire.” Moses saw a bush actually burning, but not consumed. See Gen 16:9. “angel of the Lord,” (a theophany, a self-manifestation of God.)
3:8 This deliverance was first promised to Abraham (Gen 13:15). The milk came mostly from sheep ad goats.
3:11 Five times Moses tried to excuse himself from God’s call (see also v 13, 4:1, 10, 13). God assured Moses that He would be present during the deliverance, and that He would be present during the deliverance, and that the nation would one day worship God at that very mountain (vs 12).
3:14 I AM WHO I AM. The inner meaning of “Yahweh,” – “I am the One who is”- emphasizes God’s dynamic and active self existence.
3:15 The Lord (Heb., Yahweh) was not pronounced in later years by pious Jews for fear of violating 20:7. Instead, they substituted the word Adonai (Lord) whenever Yahweh occurred. The use of large and small capital letters (Lord) in the Bible text indicates that the Hebrew word is Yahweh.
3:18 “three days journey.” A considerable distance was necessary to avoid Egyptian interference.
3:22 “ask of her neighbor.” To make partial compensation for their years of slavery and to fulfill the prophecy of Gen 15:14. The gold and silver were used later in constructing the Tabernacle (35:5, 22).

Ongoing, supportive.

A video view of the land in the study of Exodus is provided in the following video and discussion.

The below video series on “the real Mount Sinai” may add food for thought to Exodus 3:1.

As we go through this wilderness study of Israel, we will use a video tape series of discussions that show the terrain, and other natural land marks, that affected the travel of the children of Israel (Israel=Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham). The six part study is called, “The Real Mount Sinai.”

Dr Bryant G. Wood, B.S., M.S., M.A., Ph.D. is the leader of the series of videos, The Real Mount Sinai.” I think that you will come away from this video series, having gained a lot of good food for thought. You will notice that this video series does not necessarily align up with each article, but will add content that will be valuable to this overall series of articles that we are studying. Check the bio on Dr. Wood: https://creation.com/dr-bryant-g-wood

[Acts 7:36-40] He [Moses] led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness [of Midian/Saudi Arabia] forty years.

See Israel 4 for Parts 1, 2, 3.
https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/2019/01/19/israel-4-the-preparation-of-moses-a-peek-into-the-end-times/

Exodus of Moses at Red Sea – The Real Mount Sinai :: Part 4 of 6

In this study of God’s chosen people, it is important to know some of the most commonly used names of God (John 8:32). Unless otherwise indicated, the following Names of God come from Bible Hub, Strong’s Lexicon. https://biblehub.com/

“Elohim,” God (Genesis 1:1). “Yahweh” (YHWH), Lord: “Lord God,” (Gen 2:4). “Lord,” (Gen 4:1). “El Shaddai,” God Almighty (Gen 35:11). “El,” God, mighty one, hero (Gen 46:3). “Adonai,” Lord (Exodus 34:23). “Immanuel,” God with us, a Name of Christ (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). “Theos,” God the creator and owner of all things (Matt 1:23). “Kurios, Lord, Master (Matt 1:24). “Yehoshua,” the LORD is salvation (Matt 1:25). “Yayah,” “I AM 1961.” (Gen 3:14) “Yayah.”I AM WHO I AM” The inner meaning of Yahweh -“I am the One who is” – emphasizes God’s dynamic and active self-existence( Ryrie Study Bible). 1961 (11a) the God who made the covenant was the God who kept the covenant. (11b) Ex 3:14 is more than a simple statement of identity,”I am that I am;” (11c) it is a declaration of divine control of all things. John 8:58, 14:6, eimi.1510 (https://biblehub.com/greek/1510.htm).

There is no such name as Jehovah that is used for the Name of God. There is no such name as Jesus that is used for the name of Christ, our Lord and Savior. Neither Hebrew, nor Greek, has the letter “J” in their alphabets. No one at the time of Christ addressed our Lord as, “Jesus.” No person’s name, which may be “Bob,” needs to have “Bob” translated into another language to have it properly understood. The same is in the case of Yeshua or Yehoshua. Consider the following information.

Notice, from Matthew 1:25, “Jesus” is not the translated form of the Hebrew. “2424 Iēsoús – Jesus, the transliteration of the Hebrew term, 3091 /Lṓt (“Yehoshua”/Jehoshua, contracted to “Joshua”) which means “Yahweh saves” (or “Yahweh is salvation”).” A transliteration is not a translation.

There are several definitions of Yeshua that can be found in Hebrew and Aramaic biblical text, taken from the Hebrew verb, yasha, that means “to deliver, save, or rescue,” and also stated as “Yehoshua.” Pronunciation of “Yeshua,” in Hebrew, can be read this way: “Yod,” “Shin,” “Vav,” “Ayin.” In Aramaic, the term, “Yeshu,” was transliterated from the Hebrew term of Yeshua, pronounced as “Yeh-shoo,” and missing the “a.” Greek translations have “Yeshua” listed as Yesous, among first century Greeks, of which the name, Jesus, is derived. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/yeshua-deliverer-savior.html

Most English versions translate YHWH as “LORD” (in all caps). In general, if the English word is LORD (all capital letters), then the Hebrew word translated is YHWH; and, if the English is Lord (using lower case letters), whether referring to God or someone else, it is translating Adonai. https://www.gotquestions.org/meaning-of-Adonai.html

See the following article on “I AM.” https://www.gotquestions.org/I-AM.html

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The Twinkling Of An Eye

“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52 New American Standard Bible)

The opening video of this post is very illustrative, and true, of the things that will take place on earth, after the catching up of the saints occurs, and a seven year time of tribulation begins (John 14:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The video shows things on earth that will take place after all of the born again believers in Christ, whom are known as “the church,” are suddenly removed from the earth. Confusion, chaos and violence will be rampant, and will lead to a time in world history that will be like that of none prior. For those, whom dwell upon the earth (earth dwellers, Revelation 3:10), the judgments of God will be poured out in the form of: an ungodly conqueror, conflict on earth, worldwide scarcity and famine, widespread death, martyrdom, cosmic disturbances, and other judgments of God that will lead to the second coming of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon.

Those “whom dwell on the earth,” did not accept Christ as their Lord and Savior prior to the catching up of the church; in essence, “they were not born again.” Small children, infants, and other people not having the mental capacity to make a decision to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, will be made to be born again by God. There will be those whom are are left behind, that will accept Christ. But, there will be earth dwellers whom will continue to defy God, even as they see His judgments being poured out on the earth (Rev 3:10, 6:10, 8:13, 11:10, 13:8, 13:14, 17:8). The primary reason for the tribulation, as described in these opening two paragraphs, is for a time when God will judge sin, and will draw unbelieving Jews to accept Christ as their Messiah. The second half of the seven-year tribulation period is described by Christ in the following verse:

Matthew 24:21 (NASB)

“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.”

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Israel 4 – The Preparation Of Moses – A Peek Into The End Times – Exodus 2

Kadosh Ata Joshua Aaron Messianic Praise and Worship – Kadosh Ata – “You Are Holy”

Deuteronomy 14:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB) – Israel, a chosen people; chosen to bring a Holy and Righteous Messiah into the world; and chosen to be holy and righteous and to have a special place of prominence during the end times Kingdom Age.

“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

In this study of God’s chosen people, it is important to know some of the most commonly used names of God (John 8:32).

In this second chapter of the book of Exodus, we find the following Names that are Names of God.

vs 23, 24, 25: elohim: God, god: Original Word: אֱלהִים: Part of Speech: Noun Masculine: Transliteration: elohim: Phonetic Spelling: (el-o-heem’): Definition: God, god: Word Origin:pl. of eloah: plural in number (God in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

Text Overview. In our last article (Israel 3 – The Oppression Of God’s Chosen People – Exodus 1), we read where God told the Jews that He would take them out of Egypt (Genesis 46:13). In this second chapter of Exodus, we see God putting His plan into action of delivering the Jews from the oppressive Egyptians.

Exodus 2 Outline. 1-2, Moses is born, 3 and placed in an ark among the flags of the river. 5 He is found, and brought up by Pharaoh’s daughter. 11 He slays an Egyptian. 13 He reproves a Hebrew. 15 He flees into Midian. 21 Marries Zipporah. 22 Gershom is born. 23 God respects the Israelites’ cry. (Outline from Nave’s Study Bible, 1978)

Date. The second chapter of Exodus encompasses a time period of 1527 B.C. through 1447 B.C. (Thompson Chain-Reference Study Bible, 2009, previous editions date back to 1903).

Exodus 2 Examination. In this chapter, we will focus our attention on Moses, “the Jew whom will be used by God to lead the Jewish nation of Israel out of Egypt.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ex+2&version=NET

Exodus 2:1-10 New English Translation (NET Bible) The Birth of the Deliverer

1 A man from the household of Levi married a woman who was a descendant of Levi. 2 The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a healthy child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she was no longer able to hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him and sealed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and set it among the reeds along the edge of the Nile. 4 His sister stationed herself at a distance to find out what would happen to him.

5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself by the Nile, while her attendants were walking alongside the river, and she saw the basket among the reeds. She sent one of her attendants, took it, 6 opened it, and saw the child—a boy, crying!—and she felt compassion for him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get a nursing woman for you from the Hebrews, so that she may nurse the child for you?” 8 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes, do so.” So the young girl went and got the child’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.

10 When the child grew older she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “Because I drew him from the water.”

Exodus 2:11-22 New English Translation (NET Bible) The Presumption of the Deliverer

11 In those days, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and observed their hard labor, and he saw an Egyptian man attacking a Hebrew man, one of his own people. 12 He looked this way and that and saw that no one was there, and then he attacked the Egyptian and concealed the body in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, there were two Hebrew men fighting. So he said to the one who was in the wrong, “Why are you attacking your fellow Hebrew?”

14 The man replied, “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Are you planning to kill me like you killed that Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, thinking, “Surely what I did has become known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard about this event, he sought to kill Moses. So Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he settled by a certain well.

16 Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and began to draw water and fill the troughs in order to water their father’s flock. 17 When some shepherds came and drove them away, Moses came up and defended them and then watered their flock. 18 So when they came home to their father Reuel, he asked, “Why have you come home so early today?” 19 They said, “An Egyptian man rescued us from the shepherds, and he actually drew water for us and watered the flock!” 20 He said to his daughters, “So where is he? Why in the world did you leave the man? Call him, so that he may eat a meal with us.”

21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. 22 When she bore a son, Moses named him Gershom, for he said, “I have become a resident foreigner in a foreign land.”

Exodus 2:23-25 New English Translation (NET Bible) The Call of the Deliverer

23 During that long period of time the king of Egypt died, and the Israelites groaned because of the slave labor. They cried out, and their desperate cry because of their slave labor went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning, God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, 25 God saw the Israelites, and God understood….

Comments (Outline from Scofield Reference Notes).

In Exodus Chapter 2, we see Moses as a type of Christ, as a Deliverer of his people.
(Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18; 2 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:10.)

We also see Moses, as being: (1) “A divinely chosen deliverer” (Exodus 3:7-10; Acts 7:25; John 3:16).
(2) “Rejected by Israel he turns to the Gentiles” (Exodus 2:11-15; Acts 7:25; Acts 18:5; Acts 18:6; Acts 28:17-28). (3) “During his rejection he gains a Gentile bride” (Exodus 2:16-21; Matthew 12:14-21; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:30-32). (4) “Afterward he again appears as Israel’s deliverer, and is accepted” (Exodus 4:29-31; Romans 11:14-26; Acts 15:14-17). (5) “Officially, Moses typifies Christ as Prophet” (Acts 3:22; Acts 3:23. Advocate; Exodus 32:31-35; 1 John 2:1; 1 John 2:2 Intercessor; Exodus 17:1-6; Hebrews 7:25 and Leader, or King; Deuteronomy 33:4; Deuteronomy 33:5; Isaiah 55:4; Hebrews 2:10 while, in relation to the house of God, he is in contrast with Christ. Moses was faithful as a servant over another’s house; Christ as a Son over His own house Hebrews 3:5; Hebrews 3:6).

In Chapter 2 of Exodus, we see God’s preparation of Moses to be the Jew, whom would lead his fellow Jews out of Egyptian oppression and slavery (vs 1-22). We also see God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob being reaffirmed (vs 23-25). Let’s look at God’s Words of promise to each of those men, through whom the covenant of God, for a land and a promise will be fulfilled.

Consider the comment that is seen in the MacArthur Study Bible. 2:24 remembered His covenant. The unilateral covenant God made with Abraham (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:1–21; 17:1–22) and confirmed with Isaac (Gen. 26:2–5) and with Jacob (Gen. 28:10–15; 35:9–15) specifically promised a geographically recognizable territory to the descendants of Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob.

It is through God’s covenant promises with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that those of the world which bless Israel will also be blessed. Let’s consider the conversations that God had with each of these patriarchs.

Abraham.

Genesis 12:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT) The Call of Abram

12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Comment: vs 1. Even though Abram was still living in Haran (Gen 11:31), God gave him the call to go a land, which is known as Canaan. The call was stated again in Acts 7:2-3. vs 2. Abraham will be made into a great nation through the Hebrews/Jews/Israel. There were more than 2,000,000 Jews at the time of their exodus from Egypt. vs 3. The blessings of God, through Abraham, will include Jews and Gentiles. This promise was repeated in Galatians 3:8.

Genesis 15:18-21 New Living Translation (NLT)

18 So the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River— 19 the land now occupied by the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.”

Comment: During the Kingdom age, the boundaries of the land that God gave to Israel will extend from the Nile river (which is mainly modern Egypt and Sudan) to the Euphrates (modern-day Iraq). The boundaries will be much greater than those which we see on maps today, from north to south and from east to west, per the following link.

Link: https://www.chosenpeople.com/site/the-biblical-boundaries-israel/ To ensure that there is no doubt about the land’s boundaries, Scripture also indicates the different groups of people that occupy it: “…the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.” We know that these peoples lived in what is today Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, part of Asian Turkey, and of course all of Israel, including Gaza and the West Bank. This fact adds another dimension to the promise: the Lord is giving to Abram’s descendants land that is currently occupied by other nations!

Genesis 17:7-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

7 “I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”

Comment: vs 7. There is no doubt that this covenant to with Abraham is a relationship between God, Abraham and Israel, and that it will be everlasting. vs 8 The land is being deeded by divine right to Abraham and his descendants as “an everlasting possession,” and is repeated in Acts 7:5.

Isaac and Jacob. The covenant that God made with Abraham was confirmed with Isaac (Gen. 26:2–5), and with Jacob (Gen. 28:10–15; 35:9–15). Please check out the following links for those scriptures.

Isaac
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+26%3A2%E2%80%935&version=NLT

Jacob
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+28%3A10%E2%80%9315%3B+35%3A9%E2%80%9315&version=NLT

Consider the covenant that God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in relation to the promise of the land. Consider today’s political discussions on whether Israel is an occupying force, and not the rightful owner of the land in which it resides.

A video view of the land in the study of Exodus is provided in the following videos and discussion.

[Acts 7:36-40] He [Moses] led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness [of Midian/Saudi Arabia] forty years.

Exodus of Moses at Red Sea – The Real Mount Sinai :: Part 5 of 6

Exodus of Moses at Red Sea – The Real Mount Sinai :: Part 4 of 6

Exodus of Moses at Red Sea – The Real Mount Sinai :: Part 3 of 6

Exodus of Moses at Red Sea – The Real Mount Sinai: Part 2 of 6

Exodus of Moses at Red Sea – The Real Mount Sinai: Part 1 of 6

In regard to the reasons for the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, We must not forget the oppressive actions of the Egyptians against the Jews.

Think! Think! Think! It is important to remember that the Egyptians threw newborn Jewish baby boys into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22). Consider that which may have been waiting to consume those innocent babies. Of course, in today’s political world, “that’s no big deal!”

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Israel 3 – The Oppression Of God’s Chosen People – Exodus 1

Sarah Liberman – Fire of Your Spirit – Published on Apr 16, 2015 – Filmed in the Tabernacle in Israel, Messianic worship artist Sarah Liberman sings of the power of the blood. From the album “I am Before You”. Available on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-a or purchase at http://www.sarahliberman.com.

Deuteronomy 14:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB) – Israel, a chosen people.

“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

Text Overview. Joseph, a son of Jacob/Israel, whom had been sold into slavery by his brothers, was taken to Egypt, approximately in 1897 B.C. (Genesis 37). While in Egypt, Joseph experienced favor and adversity (Gen 39). Joseph was made Prime Minister of Egypt and saved Egypt, and surrounding countries, from famine (Gen 41). Jacob was told by God to not be fearful to go into Egypt; that God would make Israel into a great nation while in Egypt; that He would go with Israel into Egypt and that He would take Israel out. Jacob followed God’s direction and went into Egypt, with the result of about seventy Hebrews/Jews (Gen 14:13) becoming residents of Egypt (Gen 46). Jacob died (Gen 49). Joseph died in 1804 B.C. (Gen 50). This first chapter of Exodus forms a prologue to the book. It describes how God blessed the Israelites, to the point where they become a threat to the Egyptians. Oppression followed. (Dates in this overview come from the Ryrie Study Bible. Statistics show that the population of Israel grew to more than 2,000,000 at the time of the exodus, Ryrie note, Ex 1:7).

God chose Israel to bring a Holy and Righteous Messiah into the world, with Christ being the Holy and Righteous Messiah. Israel was also chosen to be a holy and righteous people, to have a special place of prominence in the end times, during the Kingdom Age, which is also known as the Millennial Reign of Christ. The millennium will be a time in the future when Christ will rule and reign during that time of one thousand years. Righteousness will cover the world; sin will be non-existent during that time when Satan is bound (Revelation 20:2). These, and other things that relate to Israel “in” the end times, will be discussed in this study of Israel. I think that a lot of valuable information will be gathered in this study that will show Israel to be the legitimate title-deed holder of its covenant and sovereign land that continues to come under constant verbal and physical attack during current times.

Consider some of the most commonly used names of God, as they are seen in this study.

“Elohim,” God (Gen 1:1). “Yahweh” (YHWH), Lord: “Lord God,” (Gen 2:4). “Lord,” (Gen 4:1). “El Shaddai,” God Almighty (Gen 35:11). “El,” God, mighty one, hero (Gen 46:3). There is no such name as Jehovah that is used for the Name of God. Whenever other Names of God appear in our study, they will be explained.

Exodus 1 Introduction. The following chapter divisions will show: vs 1. The children of Israel multiply after Joseph’s death. vs 8. The more they are oppressed by a new King, the more they multiply. vs 15. The King orders “immediate birth murders” of Jewish baby boys, which would occur only seconds after than the millions of late-term abortions of babies that occur in our world today. The midwives fear God and save the male children alive. vs 22. With the immediate delivery murders of Jewish baby boys being thwarted by the midwives, Pharaoh commands the male children to be thrown into the Nile river.

Exodus 1 Examination.

Consider the oppression of the Jews at the hands of the Egyptians.

Harshness of labor. Slavery. Murder of newborn baby boys.

The murder of baby boys of Israel was an attack on God’s chosen people, as was ordered by the King of Egypt, and is shown in Exodus 1:15-22, occurring at about 1546-1525 B.C. A similar occurrence was repeated in an attempt by King Herod in his order to kill all male children in Bethlehem from the age of two years, and younger, in Matthew 2:16, approximately 4-5 B.C. Moses was born in the year 1526 B.C. Aaron was born in the year 1529 B.C. The time frame of Exodus Chapter 1 is approximately 1662-1527 B.C. In Exodus 1:15-19, “Hebrew” women are “Jewish” women (Genesis 14:13). The attacks of Satan on Israel, as shown in Exodus 1, and Matthew 2, were attempts by Satan to prevent God’s Savior/Messiah/Christ (God with us, Isaiah 7:14, 9:6) from coming into our world.

Exodus 1 New King James Version (NKJV) Israel’s Suffering in Egypt

1 Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; 4 Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5 All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already). 6 And Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation. 7 But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; 10 come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. 13 So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.

15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; 16 and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?”

19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.”

20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.

22 So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”

Exodus 1 Comments

1:1-5 The Israelites lived in Egypt 430 years (Exodus 12:40).

1:6-7 From the death of Joseph to the rise of the new king was more than 200 years (NASB Study Bible).

1:9 This is the first time that the children of Israel are called a people (NKJV Study Bible).

1:12 The Israelite’s affliction is likened to being in a furnace. Deuteronomy 4:20 (Ryrie Study Bible).

1:19 The Pharaoh had resorted to male infanticide (Ryrie Study Bible).

1:22 The Pharaoh ordered every born baby boy to be cast into the Nile River after the failure of his order for the midwives to kill the new-born baby boys. The waters of the Nile River were turned into blood at the time of the exodus of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 7:20). Later God would kill a lot of “grown up boys,” that is Egyptian soldiers, by drowning them in the Red Sea as they pursued fleeing Israel (Exodus 15:4).

The following comments on the above forms of oppression is provided by MacArthur study notes.

1:10, 11 join our enemies…set taskmasters over them. Israel was assessed both as a threat to national security and as an economic asset—slavery would, therefore, control the danger and maximize their usefulness.

1:14 hard bondage—in mortar, in brick. Archeologists have uncovered reliefs and paintings confirming the Egyptian practice of imposing forced labor on prisoners and slaves. These paintings also show foremen and guards watching construction work while scribes registered data on tablets.

1:15–17 the midwives feared God. These brave, older women reverenced their God and thus obeyed Him and not man. They obviously understood that children were a gift from God and that murder was wrong. The two midwives mentioned by name were probably the leading representatives of their profession, for it is unlikely that such a burgeoning population had only two midwives to deal with all the births.

1:15, 16 The failure of rigorous bondage to suppress population growth necessitated that different measures be taken; hence, the royal order to the Hebrew midwives to murder male infants at birth.

1:19, 20 Rather than trying to argue for a justifiable lie on the part of midwives seeking to protect God’s people, take it as a statement of what was true: God was directly involved in this affair of birth and national growth. That’s the key to understanding why no decree of Pharaoh would work out as he intended it, and why Hebrew women were so healthy and gave birth with ease.

1:22 The failure of the extermination program demanded of the midwives finally caused Pharaoh to demand that all his subjects get involved in murdering newborn boys.

A video view of the land in the study of Exodus is provided in the following videos and discussion.

The Real Mount Sinai: Part 1 was also shown in Israel 1 – A Pagan Breeds A Nation

Exodus of Moses at Red Sea – The Real Mount Sinai: Part 2 of 6 – Shown in Israel 3

Exodus of Moses at Red Sea – The Real Mount Sinai: Part 1 of 6 – Shown in Israel 1

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Epiphany – “Did They All Show Up At The Same Time?”

Were shepherds “and” Maji present at the manger? Let’s check it out.

We Three Kings Of Orient Are – A traditional song that shows shepherds and Maji in the manger scene, together, on the night of the birth of Christ. Clarity will be brought to this grouping in this article. As you read the article you will notice that repetition is used, with the reason being reenforcement of facts.

The Wise Men Seek Jesus – In this video we see the Maji during their trip, probably from somewhere in Persia or Babylon, to the “house” of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. The distance between the cities of Baghdad and Bethlehem is 684 miles; the travel time is debatable, but “two years” must fit into the equation (Matthew 2:16). Upon reaching the “house,” (Matthew 2:11) the Maji see the Holy Family, with the Christ “child,” probably being two years old (Matthew 2:16). The video ends with the Holy family on their way to Egypt for the protection of the Christ child. As I watched the video, a sense of Holiness came over me.

Epiphany – The Appearing Of The Christ Child To The Maji; “They All Didn’t Show Up At The Same Time.”

The revealing of Christ to the Gentiles, in the persons of the Maji at Bethlehem; also called twelfth night. Observed on January 6th. Webster New World Dictionary Of The American Language College Edition, Copyright 1964 and 1953 to 1964.

The twelve days of Christmas in the song are the twelve days between the birth of Christ (Christmas, December 25) and the coming of the Magi (Epiphany, January 6, 2019). Precisely, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” start with Christmas Day and ends with the eve of Epiphany on January 5th. The Sunday nearest to 6 Jan can be celebrated as Epiphany Sunday, or the first Sunday after Epiphany (The Baptism of the Lord).

For frequently asked questions about the 12 Days of Christmas, please click onto the following link. http://www.12days.com/faq.htm

Epiphany Scripture. Matthew 2:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Scripture tells of the birth of Christ, the infant, with the shepherds being present. (Luke 2: 1-20). Scripture also tells of Christ, the young child, with wise men being present (Matthew 2:1-12). So, we see that, “they all didn’t show up at the same time.” Scripture also tells us that the Christ will be “God with us.” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25), and will be “Mighty God.,” (Isaiah 9:6). The story of the Epiphany may be new to some believers but, nevertheless, it is good for all who know Jesus as Lord and Savior to be aware of the information. The account of Luke is celebrated as Christmas, on December 25th of each year. The account of Matthew is celebrated as Epiphany, twelve days later, with January 6th being Epiphany this year (2019), sometimes being known as “the Epiphany.”

Isaiah 7:14 New King James Version (NKJV) The Immanuel Prophecy

14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:1-6 New King James Version (NKJV) The Government of the Promised Son

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Matthew 1:18-25 New King James Version (NKJV) Christ Born of Mary

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Matthew 2:1-12 New King James Version (NKJV) Wise Men from the East

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Matthew 2:13-15 New King James Version (NKJV) – The Flight into Egypt

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Consider. The wise men may have traveled for a period of two years (Matthew 2:16).

Matthew 2:16 New King James Version (NKJV) – Massacre of the Innocents

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

Consider. Three Maji show up in Bethlehem, looking for a “new King, a King of the Jews.” Herod, the King, feeling “a bit insecure,” gets concerned; he doesn’t want any competition. So, he decides to eliminate all possible opposition to his throne by killing all male babies that were two years old, and younger; so, the Christ Child must have been two years old when the Maji arrived in Bethlehem. These “wise men” were not present at the same time as when the shepherds of Luke 2 were led to the manger, where they (shepherds) saw Mary, Joseph, and “the infant Jesus.” The star (Matthew 2:2) led the Maji to Bethlehem. There, they saw Mary, Joseph, and “Christ.” We know from Scripture that Christ”is” the Light Of The World (John 1:9).

Consider. The wise men followed a star that led them to the Christ child (John 1:9: “That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”).

Consider. After the wise men “came to Jesus,” they departed…another way.” (Matthew 2:12).

Question. After you were led to Christ, did you return…”another way?”

Christ was first made known to the Jews. Then, he was made known to the Gentiles. There are differences of opinion as to when those things happened. But, please! Don’t carry this battle of ideas out into the world of unbelievers; they have more serious things to think about, such as coming to belief in Christ as their Lord and Savior (John 3:18: ““He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”)

Consider the following information that has been written on Epiphany.

http://www.cute-calendar.com/event/epiphany/19352.html

Epiphany 2019

January 6, 2019 in the World

Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. It falls on January 6 or, in many countries, on the Sunday that falls between January 2 and January 8. Since the Julian Calendar, which is followed by some Eastern Churches, is at present 13 days behind the Gregorian Calendar and the revised Julian Calendar, 6 January in that calendar corresponds at present to 19 January in what is the official civil calendar in most countries.

On this feast, Western Christians commemorate principally the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus, i.e., his manifestation to the Gentiles. Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. It is also called Theophany, especially by Eastern Christians. In both traditions, the essence of the feast is the same: the manifestation of Christ to the world (whether as an infant or in the Jordan), and the Mystery of the Incarnation.

In Christian tradition, the Magi, also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men, (Three) Kings, or Kings from the East, are a group of distinguished foreigners who are said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity and in celebrations of Christmas. Magi is a term derived from Greek meaning a priest of Zoroaster. (From: Wikipedia, License: CCA-SA)

Background

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/epiphany

Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian feasts. It has been celebrated since the end of the second century, before the Christmas holiday was established. It is commonly known as Twelfth Night, Twelfth Day, or the Feast of Epiphany. It means “manifestation” or “showing forth”. It is also called Theophany (“manifestation of God”), especially by Eastern Christians. Epiphany also refers to the church season that follows the day.

The Epiphany commemorates the first two occasions on which Jesus’ divinity, according to Christian belief, was manifested: when the three kings visited infant Jesus in Bethlehem, and when John the Baptist baptized him in the River Jordan. The Roman Catholic and Protestant churches emphasize the visit of the Magi when they celebrate the Epiphany. The Eastern Orthodox churches focus on Jesus’ baptism.

My thought on the meaning of Epiphany. It is “the appearing” of the Christ Child to the Maji, who were Gentiles. The initial appearing of Christ, “the infant,” was to the Shepherds, who were Jews. The Maji found the Christ Child in a house. The Shepherds found “Christ, the infant,” in a cave. There was approximately two years time passage from when the Shepherds saw “Christ, the infant,” until when the Maji saw, “Christ, the child.”

My thoughts on the opening video. The video is very good. The story that is laid out in it shows a good chronology of events that led up to the arrival of the wise men at the “house” where Jesus and Mary (Matthew 2:11) were mentioned in scripture (Consider all of the people who may have traveled with the wise men). I think that the video clearly shows, as it relates to the Shepherds and Maji, “they all didn’t show up at the same time.” In no scripture are the shepherds and Maji present at the same time. Neither the shepherds, nor the Maji, knew where to go to find Christ; they were led by God’s Holy Spirit, in every aspect of their journeys. In today’s world, neither do we know the way to Christ, nor that we are even, “supposed to go.” We are led by the Spirit of God, in every aspect of our Journey. (John 1:9; John 6:44). Without the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we wouldn’t know that we need Christ (1 Cor 1:18; 1 Cor 2:14). Without the work of the Holy Spirit, we will not spend eternity with Christ (John 3:3; John 3:8).

Consider the definition of Epiphany, per the Merriam Webster Dictionary.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiphany

Definition of epiphany
plural epiphanies
1
capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ
2
: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being
3
a (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure
b : a revealing scene or moment

“We Three Kings”, also known as “We Three Kings of Orient Are” or “The Quest of the Magi”, is a Christmas carol written by Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr., who wrote both the lyrics and the music as part of a Christmas pageant for the General Theological Seminary in New York City. It is suggested to have been written in 1857 but did not appear in print until his Carols, Hymns and Song in 1863. Hopkins composed the song in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he was a pastor at Christ Episcopal Church (which still stands at the corner of Fourth and Mulberry Streets).

The upper video of the travel of the Maji was so informative, that I am also providing this second video of the same. Notice the added details.

The Visit of the Magi

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