THE MESSIANIC STARS

Our Bible Study for December 22, 2013
Since we will not meet as a class on December 22, I will write out lesson material for you to read and ponder for this week. We will be in class on December 29th.
 

Before the birth of Jesus during the Old Testament time frame, His Star appeared in scripture to point forward to the time when Immanuel (God with us) actually would come to planet earth.

Let's follow the Messianic Stars through the Old Testament scriptures and then see the fulfillment of these events in the New Testament scriptures. Scriptures are from NIV.

Will descend from the tribe of Judah
Genesis 49:10 "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his."
Luke 3:33 "The son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah"

The heir to the throne of David
Isaiah 9:7 "Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his Kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time and forever."
Matthew 1:1 "A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abrahan."

Place of Birth
Micah 5:2 "But you , Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
Matthew 2:1 "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod. "

Time of Birth
Daniel 9:25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the ANNOINTED ONE, the ruler, comes there will be seven "seven" and sixty-two "sevens". It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble"
Luke 2:1-2 "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria"

Born of a Virgin
Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
Matthew 1:18 "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit".

We know that these prophecies speak loud and clear, that Jesus is the Messiah. No person has every written the facts about his or her birth, life, and death many centuries before it happens.  However, the prophecies concerning the birth, life, and death of Christ were written many centuries before these events happened.

Who were the first groups of people to recognize Jesus as the Messiah?
The first was the angelic hosts who proclaimed the Savior's birth with praise. The second group was the humble shepherds who came to worship the Christ child. Then the two aged saints, Simeon and Anna in the temple were not to busy to recognize the child of Mary and Joseph as the one who would bring salvation to all people. Then, some time later, the Wise Men, Magi, from the east came inquiring, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him" Matthew 2:2

Herschel H. Hobbs, in his book, "Illustrated Life of Jesus" on page 31 writes:
"These groups gathered about the Christ Child in His birth hour are not without a broader significance than the event of the moment. For while they were real people in actual experiences, they are suggestive of others of their kind through the succeeding ages. The humble simple folk find in Jesus the answer to their deepest needs. The devout ever gather about Him in worship and praise. Wise men find in Him the answer to the intimate questions of life as they lay the fruits of their labors at His feet, and worldly systems ever oppose Him as they see in Him one who ultimately will bring to naught all of their schemes. But all who come to Him in faith, He is ever God's Son born to be King."

My prayer for you is that you have peace and quality time as you celebrate with your friends and family the birth of Jesus, our Savior and Lord!