Earlier we asked the question: On this Christmas, we want to ask the question: WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST? DOES THIS HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANCE IN OUR SALVATION? Couldnt it be any other type of men, some foolish ones maybe? We will look at this as we anticipate this Christmas period season. What are your thought? Manuia and be Blessed Thank you for the response by some whose post would be too long to post.However, the question we would like to look at is why did God reveal the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ only to these wise men? We read, Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, 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 demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. We see throughout scripture that those that are chosen by God, His elect are taught of God. [John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.] They themselves are ordinary men in themselves [1 Corinthians 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: ] but once they are chosen of God, they are taught the wisdom of God: [1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:] so that they would know the deep things of God, the knowledge of salvation so they would go out and fulfill the commandment too go ye [ Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.] Therefore, if they are to go out and teach men the Gospel, they need to know the subject matter, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ: We read; Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. They would be given the wisdom of God to fulfill their calling of teaching the first principles of the oracles of God : [ Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.] so that God will use what they teach to draw His people to salvation through Christ: [ John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ] and so on until all of the elect have come to Christ: [Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. ] when all the elect are gathered: [Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ]then the end of the world.. This is a picture of why we think that God has chosen these wise men as a picture of those that are shown His Star Lets look at the Greek word translated as wise men and it is the word: [3097 μάγος magos mag’-os ] translated as [ AV-wise man 4, sorcerer 2; and used 6 times in the NT.]. Notice that it is also used translated 4 times as wise men and 2 times as sorcerer . Now read the encounter that even though they were false prophets.....well read the encounter for yourself; Acts 13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. 6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer , a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. 13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. It is very interesting how important it is to be taught by God through the Holy Ghost as we witness the gospel as we see the Apostles Paul and John teaching and as a result converted these false prophets. The first whose name is Barjesus ( name means = son of Jesus) is converted and Elymas ( name means = wise man ) who initially resisted the message butb was blinded for a season and needing one to lead him as in leading one to the Lord. Notice something that even though these two false prophets were unknowingly spreading lies prior to their encounter with the Apostles, yet they are chosen of God because they were converted by the message of the Gospel. One other point as indicated by Matthew 2:verse 1: ...there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, What can we learn from the fact that these wise men were from the east? Genesis 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. Notice that the Cherubims were places at east of the garden of Eden so that Adam who is banished by God would not return that way. It probably speaks that if we are to return to the garden of Eden, (picture of salvation in heaven) that we would return to the east. We also read; Genesis 29:1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. Jacob whose name was changed to Israel is the father of all of the twelve tribes of the Jews from his twelve sons is from the east as if to indicate that the people of God are from the east where the sun also rises. and another; Psalms 48:7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah. The ships of Tarshish refer to those that bring the Gospel with an east wind that accomplishes salvation for His elect. Psalms 78:24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. 25 Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full. 26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. 27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: 28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations. 29 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; vs.26 speak of the east wind as part of the provisions by God for His people in the wilderness as a picture of salvation He provides for the elect as they work out their way to God through the Gospel. and finally; Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. and from the east will the Son of man return in His second coming as we all join up with Him, all those whom He has chosen to salvation. In conclusion, we can see that nothing happen in this life and the next without God plan. Everything that result in salvation or not is written in His Holy Inspired, Inerrant Tried and True Word, the Bible. Unfortunately for those who are not his, are kept in the dark. Only those of whom are the wise ones will be taught the mystery of the kingdom of God as amiably demonstrated by the two sorcerers, who initially were against God, but later on were converted. Notice something interesting, Barjesus and Elymas were wise men, [3097 μάγος magos mag’-os ] but the translators translated those words as socerers. Why? Because the world see them as socerers but God sees then as His chosen ones, His elect. One lesson we learn in this particular lesson, not to trust the English Translation we use entirely but check with the Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT) to see what God is teaching us AT ALL TIMES. So we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, may the message of Christmas bring us reassurance that Gods will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Questions & Comments welcomed.) Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. May God give us eyes to see and the ears to hear. o se auauna.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 00:53:38 +0000
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