Bethlehem from Shepherd's Field
(December 25, 2009) In the Book of Isaiah God declared, “9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.” (Isaiah 46:9-10) Throughout the Bible God laid out His plans for the human race. Two thousand years ago He initiated the fulfillment of this plan by sending His Son to earth in the form of a divinely human child in Bethlehem. God stated through His prophet Micah that the Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem, “2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) Micah uttered this prophecy more than 700 years before God fulfilled it through the birth of His Son Jesus Christ in the town of Bethlehem. God used the most politically and militarily powerful man on earth at the time, the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar, to fulfill this prophecy, “1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:1-7)
The next stage in God’s plan was that He would redeem humankind from its sins by sending His Messiah to die a sacrificial death for it, “10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:10-11) God spoke this prophecy through Isaiah 700 years before the world crucified Jesus because of its sinfulness.
The final stage in God’s plan calls for the return of the triumphant Messiah to judge and rule over the earth. There are many prophecies that speak of His return. Just as God fulfilled all the prophecies concerning the coming of the suffering Messiah, you may be assured that Jesus will return to fulfill all the prophecies of the victorious Messiah, “19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (II Peter 1:19-21)
May you have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
