 | PROFETAS DEL DESASTRE |
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domingo, 13 de marzo de 2011
lunes, 7 de febrero de 2011
| | CREEN DESCUBRIR LA TUMBA DE ZACARÍAS EN ISRAEL |
Arqueólogos israelíes dejaron a la vista este miércoles las ruinas de una basílica de la época bizantina descubierta recientemente, en un sitio donde podría estar la tumba del profeta bíblico Zacarías. La iglesia, cuyos mosaicos del suelo están bien conservados, fue descubierta en Hirbet Midras, sitio de una comunidad judía de la era romana, en el centro del país, precisó en un comunicado el departamento israelí de Antigüedades, que inició las excavaciones tras la detención de un grupo de saqueadores que explotaban el sitio.
La nave de la basílica tenía ocho pilares de mármol. Los mosaicos están decorados con motivos florales, de animales, en especial pájaros, y geométricos. Serán recubiertos en los próximos días para su preservación. Bajo el edificio hay una segunda capa de mosaicos de ese periodo y más abajo, una red de grutas donde podría estar la tumba de Zacarías.
“Investigadores que visitaron el sitio consideran que es el lugar de residencia y de la tumba de Zacarías”, según un comunicado de la Autoridad de Antigüedades, que considera que esta hipótesis debe todavía ser verificada. El sitio de Hirbet Madras -conocido desde finales del siglo XIX- albergó a una importante comunidad judía en la época de la revuelta de Bar Kokhba, jefe del último levantamiento judío contra el imperio romano hacia 135 después de Cristo, según arqueólogos israelíes.
Las exacavaciones hicieron posible exhumar un “complejo subetrráneo” y los restos de edificios de esa época, habitaciones e instalaciones para el agua, así como grutas y túneles donde podrían haberse escondido los rebeldes judíos, precisó el comunicado de la Autoridad de Antigüedades. Los arqueólogos encontraron en el lugar monedas judías, lámparas y cerámica de los dos primeros siglos después de Cristo. Conocido por su libro, Zacarías -que no debe confundirse con Zacarías, padre de San Juan Bautista- es el número 11 de los 12 profetas menores de la Biblia y podría haber vivido hacia el año 515 antes de cristo.
Fuente: AFP/entrecristianos.com
miércoles, 26 de enero de 2011
| | ISAÍAS 61:1-11: UNA PROFECÍA QUE JESÚS CUMPLIÓ SÓLO EN PA |
Las noticias de hoy no son del todo alegres o alentadoras, salvo muy raras excepciones. Los periódicos que más se venden hoy son aquellos que anuncian o publican noticias alarmantes y preocupantes, pues éstas abundan más que las buenas. Todos, sin duda, estamos hartos de leer y de oír noticias que son desalentadoras en lo que respecta a lo económico, a lo social, a lo moral, y al medio ambiente. Se habla de que el mundo está superpoblado, y que el hambre pulula en muchos países del “tercer mundo”. También oímos frecuentemente de enfermedades incurables, desnutrición, aumento galopante del desempleo, hogares cada vez más divididos, delincuencia de adolescentes y jóvenes, abortos, inundaciones, terremotos, ríos contaminados, gentes sin hogar, insalubridad, guerras, terrorismo, drogadicción, racismo, homosexualidad y toda suerte de perversiones, cultos satánicos, sectas alienantes, etc.
No obstante, muchas personas aún ignoran que Cristo trajo un anuncio feliz para todas sus criaturas inteligentes del planeta tierra, el cual redundaría en una vida feliz y abundante. Jesús Dijo: “Yo he venido para que tengan vida, y para que la tengan en abundancia”(Juan 10:10). Es decir, Jesús vino para darnos una vida feliz y abundante con su presencia y su buena nueva. El profeta Isaías profetizó la presencia benefactora de Jesús con estas palabras: “El Espíritu de Jehová el Señor está sobre mí, porque me ungió Jehová; me ha enviado a predicar buenas nuevas a los abatidos, a vendar a los quebrantados de corazón, a publicar libertad a los cautivos, a los presos apertura de la cárcel; a proclamar el año de la buena voluntad de Jehová, y el día de venganza de nuestro Dios; a consolar a los enlutados; a ordenar que a los afligidos de Sión se les dé gloria en lugar de ceniza, óleo de gozo en lugar de luto, manto de alegría en lugar de espíritu angustiado; y serán llamados árboles de justicia, plantío de Jehová, para gloria suya. Reedificarán las ruinas antiguas, y levantarán los asolamientos primeros, y restaurarán las ciudades arruinadas, y los escombros de muchas generaciones. Y extranjeros apacentarán vuestras ovejas, y los extraños serán vuestros labradores y vuestros viñadores. Y vosotros seréis llamados sacerdotes de Jehová, ministros de nuestro Dios seréis llamados; comeréis las riquezas de las naciones, y con su gloria seréis sublimes. En lugar de vuestra doble confusión y de vuestra deshonra, os alabarán en sus heredades; por lo cual en sus tierras poseerán doble honra, y tendrán perpetuo gozo. Porque yo Jehová soy amante del derecho, aborrecedor del latrocinio para holocausto; por tanto, afirmaré en verdad su obra, y haré con ellos pacto perpetuo. Y la descendencia de ellos será conocida entre las naciones, y sus renuevos en medio de los pueblos; todos los que los vieren, reconocerán que son linaje bendito de Jehová. En gran manera me gozaré en Jehová, mi alma se alegrará en mi Dios; porque me vistió con vestiduras de salvación, me rodeó de manto de justicia, como a novio me atavió, y como a novia adornada con sus joyas. Porque como la tierra produce su renuevo, y como el huerto hace brotar su semilla, así Jehová el Señor hará brotar justicia y alabanza delante de todas las naciones” (Isaías 61:1-3).
Ahora bien, nótese que el profeta Isaías predice varias cosas interesantes que Jesús cumpliría no sólo en su primera venida como hombre mortal, sino también en su segunda venida en gloria como hombre inmortal. Así pues hay una primera parte ya cumplida, y una Segunda parte que está aún pendiente por cumplirse. Es muy fácil descubrir qué parte de esta profecía cumplió Jesús en su primera venida y qué parte aún no. Y para saberlo sólo basta con leer en qué en parte Jesús se detuvo en la lectura de esta profecía en la sinagoga, y que Jesús subrayó que vino a cumplir. Dice la Biblia así: “Vino (Jesús) a Nazaret donde se había criado; y en el día de reposo entró en la sinagoga, conforme a su costumbre, y se levantó a leer. Y se le dio el libro del profeta Isaías; y habiendo abierto el libro, halló el lugar donde estaba escrito: “El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí, por cuanto me ha ungido para dar buenas nuevas a los pobres; me ha enviado o a sanar a los quebrantados de corazón; a pregonar libertad a los cautivos, y vista a los ciegos; a poner en libertad a los oprimidos; a predicar el año agradable del Señor. Y ENROLLANDO EL LIBRO, LO DIO AL MINISTRO, Y SE SENTÓ” (Lucas 4:16-19).
Tome nota, amigo lector, que Cristo abrió el libro del profeta Isaías Capítulo 61 en la misma sinagoga Judía. Y ya sabemos que Isaías fue un profeta de Dios que vivió muchos siglos antes que Jesús naciera de María virgen. Ahora bien, El capítulo 61 del profeta Isaías habla de la venida del Mesías o del Cristo, y por tanto, era crucial para Jesucristo leerlo, pues hacía clara referencia de él mismo y de su misión en la tierra. Ahora bien, nótese que el capítulo 61 de Isaías tiene 11 versículos, y no obstante Jesús, al leer ese capítulo 61 en la sinagoga judía, sólo lee el versículo 1 y la mitad del 2. El versículo 2 en su segunda mitad, y los versículos 3 al 11 él no los leyó, y sólo se limitó a enrollar el libro y dárselo al ministro, para luego tomar su asiento. La pregunta surge inmediatamente: ¿Por qué Cristo no leyó todo el capítulo 61 de Isaías, y sus 11 versículos, si hacían referencia a él y a su obra en la tierra?--- ¡Usted necesita comprenderlo claramente!
UNA PROFECÍA CUMPLIDA Y POR CUMPLIRSE:
Todo el capítulo 61 de Isaías habla sobre Cristo y su obra en la tierra. Sin embargo este capítulo nos habla de una obra mesiánica que sería realizada dos fases o etapas separadas por un periodo largo de tiempo. Una primera parte (versos 1 y la mitad del 2) que se cumplió con la primera venida de Cristo, y una segunda parte (verso 2, en su segunda mitad, hasta el verso 11) que se cumplirá con la segunda venida de Cristo en gloria con todos sus santos ángeles.
Veamos qué es lo que Cristo cumplió en su primera venida, y luego lo que cumplirá en su segunda venida:
Lo Cumplido en su Primera Venida:
a.- “Me ha enviado a predicar buenas nuevas a los abatidos” (Isaías 61:1).
Sí, Jesús fue enviado hace dos milenios para predicar buenas nuevas a los abatidos. Esto concuerda con lo dicho por Jesús mismo en Lucas 4:43: “Pero él (Jesús) les dijo: Es necesario que también a otras ciudades anuncie el evangelio (buenas nuevas) del reino de Dios; porque para esto he sido enviado”. De modo que Cristo vino al mundo para predicar el evangelio (“buenas nuevas”) del Reino de Dios a los abatidos, a fin de darles esperanza y salvación eternas. Por eso, los eruditos en Biblia concuerdan que el tema central del mensaje de Cristo es el evangelio del reino de Dios. Este reino de Dios era un anuncio de liberación de los abatidos. Recordemos que Jesús sostuvo que todo aquel que creyera en su evangelio sería redimido, salvado y liberado. Dice en Marcos 16:15,16 lo siguiente: “Id por todo el mundo y predicad el evangelio a toda criatura, el que creyere y fuere bautizado, será salvo; mas el que no creyere, será condenado”.
Si amigo lector, Jesús vino con un mensaje salvador el cual se llama: “El evangelio del reino de Dios”. Sin embargo, este evangelio singular o único ha sido pasado por alto por la mayoría de los llamados cristianos, y es ignorado totalmente por los mismos “cristianos”, pues el diablo ha obscurecido las mentes de los hombres, aún de los que se dicen ser ministros de Jesús.
Pero recuerde que sólo hay un evangelio en la Biblia (Gálatas 1:6-9), y ése es el correctamente llamado: “El evangelio del Reino de Dios”. El “reino de Dios” es, pues, el evangelio o buenas noticias de Jesucristo para los abatidos de la tierra. Él predicó siempre el reino de Dios desde el inicio (Marcos 1:1,14,15) y el final de su ministerio (Hechos 1:3).
Usted no encontrará que Cristo prometiera una estadía eterna de los justos en el cielo, sino la entrada a algo que él llamó: El Reino de Dios. A Nicodemo, un fariseo de renombre, Jesús le dijo que podría ver y entrar al reino de Dios si “nacía de nuevo” (Juan 3:3,5). Entonces el reino de Dios es algo que se puede ver y entrar si se nace de nuevo, espiritualmente hablando. En todo caso, el prerrequisito fundamental para ver y entrar al reino era (...y es) CREER en Cristo y en su Reino, por la fe.
b). “A vendar a los quebrantados de corazón” (Isaías 61:1):
Muchos hombres están afligidos en su corazón por la pérdida dprofecias, profetas, JESUS, YESHUA HA MASHIAJ, judios, historia del pueblo de Israel, e un amigo, un hijo, una esposa, una madre, un hermano, etc. Otros están afligidos por enfermedades, por el hambre, por la desesperanza, por las injusticias, por las guerras, y cosas como éstas. Entonces Jesús aparece en el mundo para curar las heridas de los hombres, dándoles esperanza y sanidad para sus vidas. Jesús vino a salvar a los hombres de su situación caída, de su conciencia sucia, de sus frustraciones, de sus enfermedades, de sus pecados más negros, y les da una salida concreta a todos sus males. Él les prometió una vida presente de gozo y esperanza, y una futura existencia eterna de la era venidera mucho más gloriosa y preciosa aún (Juan 10:10, Romanos 8:18).
El mensaje del reino de Dios vino a ser bien recibido por los pobres sufrientes que tenían el corazón quebrantado por las tristezas y frustraciones de la vida, es decir, los pobres en espíritu que reconocían su necesidad espiritual, esto es, todos los hambrientos de Dios.
c).- A Pregonar libertad a los cautivos, a los presos apertura de la cárcel” (Isa. 61:1).
Aquí Jesús se refiere más que nada a los presos en sus pecados y delitos. Sí, muchos hombres están presos en SUS PECADOS, y son como esclavos de sus vicios. Estos se encuentran con las ataduras diabólicas que los convierten en prisioneros de sus pecados. Jesús habló de que los pecadores son esclavos o presos de sus vicios carnales, de los cuales no se pueden liberar por sí mismos. Por eso Jesús dijo: “Si el Hijo os libertare, seréis verdaderamente libres” (Juan 8:36). Y, ¿cómo se logra esto? Cuatro versículos antes (32) Jesús dice que “la verdad os hará libres”. Sí, Jesús vino descubrir la realidad del pecado, y de cómo éste opera. También enseñó a cómo evitarlo eficazmente al descubrir y neutralizar las tácticas satánicas.
Pero también Jesús enseñó que debemos visitar a los presos y los maltratados a fin de darles esperanza con el mensaje del evangelio. San Pablo es enfático cuando dice: “Acordaos de los presos, como si estuvieseis presos juntamente con ellos; y de los maltratados...” (Hebreos 13:3). Y es que el evangelio o mensaje de Cristo hace libre al hombre, aunque esté detrás de las rejas. Hay libertad y paz cuando se obtiene el perdón de Dios por los delitos o pecados cometidos contra Él.
d). “A proclamar el año de la buena voluntad de Jehová” (Isaías 61:2ª):
La primera venida de Cristo trajo la proclama de la salvación de Dios a favor de los pecadores. Su venida traía nuevas ilusiones de un mundo mejor para judíos y gentiles por igual, si aceptaban la verdad personificada en Cristo y su evangelio del reino. Con la venida de Cristo, y el inicio de su ministerio, él abrió el camino que conduce al reino venidero, y preparó a los elegidos para participar de esa era maravillosa de justicia en la tierra. Su venida sirvió para definitivamente condenar al diablo, y a su reino de maldad. Su misión fue “trasladar” a los pecadores, del reino tenebroso del diablo, a la luz del reino de Dios por la fe (Colosenses 1:13,14).
Definitivamente con la venida de Cristo se iniciaba el proceso de redención del hombre, sin importar raza, sexo, educación, nacionalidad, o religión. Jesús vino a salvar a todos los hombres, aunque también es verdad que pocos lograrían ganarla. Jesús exigía la renunciación de los hombres a las cosas temporales para seguirlo a él y a su causa redentora. La iglesia, compuesta por los salvos de todas las naciones, tiene la obligación y el mandato de seguir proclamando ese mismo mensaje de la buena nueva del reino a todas las naciones (Mt. 24:14). Los salvados deben ahora salvar a otros con el mensaje de Cristo, o sea, a través del anuncio del evangelio del reino de Dios (Mateo 24:14; Marcos 16:15,16).
Hasta este punto se trataba la primera venida de nuestro Señor al mundo, vale decir, el de preparar a sus elegidos (su iglesia) para que reinen con él en su reino o gobierno milenario en la tierra (Apocalipsis 2:26,27; 3:21;20:4,5). Su mensaje fue siempre el reino de Dios. Esta proclamación es la meta de la carrera cristiana la cual Jesús selló o certificó con su propio sacrificio vicario y su resurrección gloriosa de entre los muertos (Hechos 14:22; 2 Pedro 1:5-11; Santiago 2:5; Mateo 25:31,34).
La Segunda Parte de la Misión de Cristo Aún no Cumplida sino hasta su Retorno: (Isaías 61:2-11)
La segunda parte de la profecía se proyecta hacia el futuro, cuando Jesús vuelva a esta tierra por segunda vez en persona. Los versículos 2 al 11 nos dan detalles interesantes de lo que ocurrirá cuando el Señor Jesucristo vuelva nuevamente a la tierra y reine en Israel:
1.- El día de la venganza de Dios.
2.- A consolar a los enlutados.
3.- Gloria y gozo a los afligidos de Sión.
4.- Se reedificarán las ruinas antiguas.
5.- Se restaurarán las ciudades arruinadas.
6.- Extranjeros apacentarán los rebaños.
7.- Los Judíos comerán las riquezas de las naciones.
8.- Dios hará pacto perpetuo con su pueblo.
9.- Pueblos reconocerán que Israel es escogido.
10.-Israel será prominente sobre las demás naciones.
Aquí tenemos unas profecías concernientes al pueblo Hebreo, o también llamado: el pueblo escogido de Dios. Jesús vendrá para vengar la incredulidad de los hombres impíos, es decir, vendrá a castigar a aquellos que no quisieron saber nada de él y de su Padre, y descuidaron una salvación tan grande. Además, cuando Jesús regrese nuevamente a este mundo, las naciones querrán borrar del mapa a la nación Judía asentada en la tierra santa. Multitud de naciones árabes y de otros países se pondrán de acuerdo para combatir contra el pueblo elegido de Dios, y entonces, cuando menos se lo esperen, serán castigados con la gloriosa venida del Señor.
Por fin los judíos no serán más amenazados por sus enemigos y vecinos, y los enlutados, aquellos que perdieron a sus hijos en batalla, por el terrorismo y por el holocausto, serán consolados. Los afligidos de Sión tendrán gloria y gozo de verdad, al verse finalmente liberados completamente de sus enemigos y por tener a su rey poderoso entre ellos.
Para ese entonces las ruinas antiguas que ahora existen en Israel, y aquellas que se produzcan por causa de los ataques enemigos sobre la tierra santa, serán reedificadas. Ahora serán los extranjeros los que se encargarán de sembrar las tierras y a apacentar los rebaños judíos. Las naciones gentiles estarán al servicio de Israel, e Israel será de bendición para ellas. El mundo reconocerá que Israel es una nación de Dios, elegida y preciosa. Además, con el reino de Cristo desde Jerusalén, los hombres recibirán las leyes de Dios, y ellos tendrán que andar rectamente, de lo contrario les sobrevendrán las calamidades de Dios (Leer Zacarías 14).
Por fin los judíos vivirán seguros y en paz, porque Cristo y su iglesia tomarán el control del mundo desde Jerusalén. En ese tiempo las armas de guerra serán destruidas, y los ejércitos dejarán de existir. Habrá un desarme mundial nunca antes visto.
Una Ignorancia Generalizada:
Es triste contemplar cómo el mundo se opone a Israel y a sus legítimos derechos sobre la tierra prometida. Existe una animadversión tremenda hacia los judíos en todas partes del mundo, incluso dentro del mundo llamado “cristiano”. Por muchísimos siglos los católicos han alimentado el odio hacia los judíos, y han pasado por alto las Escrituras bíblicas que afirman tajantemente que este pueblo milenario es y seguirá siendo el pueblo elegido de Dios (Romanos 9:4;11:1,2). También los más de los cristianos se han olvidado que Jesús mismo dijo que la salvación viene de los judíos (Juan 4:22), afirmación ésta que resultaría absurda si en verdad este pueblo fue desechado para siempre por Dios.
Los que se dicen Cristianos ignoran que el retorno de los judíos en su tierra, el 12 de Mayo de 1948, se produjo como respuesta a una promesa explícita de Dios a Abraham, en el sentido que su descendencia heredaría la “tierra prometida” (Génesis 13:15; 15:18). Por cierto que esa descendencia se refería primeramente a Cristo, a los judíos cristianos de todas las épocas, y finalmente a los no judíos cristianos, hechos “judíos espirituales” por la fe en Cristo (Gálatas 3:16,29).
Ahora que la tierra de la promesa se encuentra en manos judías (aunque aún faltan recuperar ciertos territorios que comprendían la antigua tierra de la promesa), y habiendo sido Jerusalén reconquistada por los Hebreos en Junio de 1967, sólo queda esperar por la venida de Cristo para que cumpla las promesas de Isaías 61:2b-11). Cuando eso ocurra, Israel será de bendición para los pueblos de la tierra. Esto significará que habrá un solo gobierno mundial liderado por Jesucristo, el Rey de los reyes, y el Señor de los señores.
| | EL MESÍAS DE HANDEL: SUBTITULADO EN ESPAÑOL |
Esta hermosa pieza musical se las dedico a todos los príncipes del reino de Cristo, a todos aquellos que esperan y buscan el reino sobre todas las cosas, y lo anuncian al mundo con fervor.
domingo, 12 de diciembre de 2010
Jack Van Impe Ministries International Newsletter December 13, 2010 (Prophecy portal on the web at www.jvim.com) For information on Viewing past issues, or unsubscribing to this newsletter see the bottom of this newsletter
Get the latest important news each day on our DAILY NEWS UPDATE--365 days a year! A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE The Deity of Christ The thought of an eternal God being born may seem to be a contradiction of terms, but when one studies the God-man, the Lord Jesus Christ, insurmountable evidence supporting this truth manifests itself upon the pages of Holy Writ. The teachings of Christ's deity must be an accepted truth if one is to enter the eternal home of the redeemed. John, in his first epistle, makes this dogmatic assertion: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us) (1 John 1:1,2). There is no doubt that the One John saw, heard, and touched was that Eternal Life which was with the Father. In chapter 2, verse 22, of this same epistle, John goes on to say, Who is a liar but he that denieth...the Father and the Son. When one denies that Christ is the eternal One who came to earth clothed in human flesh, this skeptic or doubter immediately is classified as a liar and an antichrist. Since no liar or antichrist may enter the presence of God in that condition, it is abundantly clear that the one who denies the eternity of Christ is lost. In 1 John 4 another warning is presented. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. How does one recognize the false prophets? Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist (verses 1-3). Since spirits refers to teachers or preachers, the apostle is saying that preachers denying the doctrine of God coming in the flesh are preachers or teachers possessed by the spirit of Antichrist. God wrote it. I only quote it, but I believe it. Then John states in chapter 5, verse 1, Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Messiah, translated Christus or Christ means "the Sent One". Since He was sent from the Father, the conclusive proof is that He already existed. If He preexisted His mission to earth, He did not begin in Bethlehem's manger. The teaching of the Holy Bible is that He eternally existed as God, the second member of the Trinity, and came to earth to be clothed with a body containing blood so that He might die for sinners. Is He really God? Did He really exist before His birth upon earth? What does the Holy Spirit state in the Word of God? Christ’s deity in the Old Testament Isaiah 9:6 states, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder. This prophet speaks about Christ's incarnation and humanity in the phrase a child is born and about His eternity and deity in the other phrase a son is given.in and carnis, meaning "flesh" or "in the flesh". Thus, at this incarnation or coming in the flesh, He was the child born. However, as the son given. He always existed-uncreated and unborn. Incarnation comes from the Latin words Micah 5:2 states, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. This again points to the uncreated, eternal Son of God. Psalm 45:6: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. This great Old Testament scripture, addressed to God, is about the Lord Jesus Christ. Who said so? The greatest authority in heaven and earth-Jehovah, the Father. Prove it? I will! In Hebrews 1:8 we find Jehovah God of the Old Testament speaking: Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Isn't this fantastic? The Father calls Christ "God" for ever and ever. Followers of Jehovah would be wise to listen to His voice and give Christ the glory due His holy name. God had His Son with Him from all eternity past. Christ was present when the human race was created. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were involved in Genesis 1:26 when God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. The pronouns us and ourWho hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? The Son is present in the Old Testament scriptures hundreds of years before His human birth occurs in the New Testament. Rational, logical contemplation makes one realize that He preexisted as God, the Son. speak of a plurality or trinity of personages. This same Christ was present when the earth was formed and set into motion. Proverbs 30:4: Christ's deity in the New Testament (The Trinity) The title of "God" is given to our Saviour on numerous occasions. Matthew 1:23 declares, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. In the first chapter of John, Christ is called "the Word." Verse 14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. The only member of the Trinity who became flesh was Christ. Since the term Word is synonymous with Christ, as has just been proven, let's put the term Christ in place of Word in John 1:1-3 and see the results. In the beginning was , and was with God, and was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by ; and without was not any thing made that was made. John 1:10 states, He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Now we have just heard from the Author of this book, the Holy Spirit, who said that Christ was from the beginning, that He was God, and that He created the world. Yes, Christ shared this creative ministry with the Father and Holy Spirit. This is so because all three members of the one Godhead always existed. To prove that the Holy Spirit was also present at the time of creation, one need only study Genesis 1:1,2. In the beginning God [this is the plural noun Elohim, meaning "more than one"] created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. The combining of John 1:10 and Genesis 1:1,2 proves conclusively that the entire Trinity was present at the creation of the world. Some scoff at the teaching of a Trinity. They say, "The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, so there can't be such a doctrine." Well, the word Bible is not found in the Bible either, but I guarantee that there is such a book-and the teaching of the Trinity is found repeatedly throughout God's Word. Man has given the title "Trinity" to the doctrine because the meaning of the word is "three." Since there are three- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-"Trinity" is a properly designated theological term. Let's continue our search of the scriptures concerning the deity of Christ. The Philippian jailor cried out in Acts 16:30, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Paul and Silas replied, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house (verse 31). The entire family made a commitment to this Christ and verse 34 finds them rejoicing. Why? Because they believed in God with all their house. Here is unequivocal proof that Christ is God. Compare the two verses again. Acts 16:31: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Verse 34 says he believed in God- the Christ of verse 31. Again we see the truth in Romans 9:5 which states, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. First Timothy 3:16 declares, Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, and Hebrews 1:8 says, But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever. This is Jehovah God telling the world that His Son is God. Never mind the book peddlers who run from door to door with their teaching of Christ being an inferior God, a little created God. Some even call Him Michael, the archangel. Jehovah knows everything for He is omniscient and all-wise, and He calls Jesus "God." I say with Paul in Romans 3:4, Let God be true, but every man a liar. Christ’s Deity through a comparison of Old and New Testament texts Perhaps the most interesting and exciting proof of Christ's deity is discovered when one compares the statements of God in the Old Testament with His revealed truth in the New. For example, in Isaiah 42:8, God states, I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Since Jehovah will not give His glory to another but is willing to share it with Christ, it is only logically deductible to say that they must be one and coequal. The sharing of this glory takes place when God's people lay their crowns at the feet of the Saviour in Revelation 4:11, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created Again the King of glory is Jehovah in Psalm 24:10. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. The noun LORD in this text is the Hebrew word Jehovah, the name of the Father. However, when one examines 1 Corinthians 2:8, he discovers that the Lord of glory was crucified. Thus Christ is also called the Lord of glory. Will you Bible manipulators tell me how there can be two Lords of glory, coequal, if there is no Trinity? Once again Isaiah 9:6 calls the child born and the son given, The mighty God, The everlasting Father. If these are titles of the Son, how many mighty Gods and everlasting Fathers are there? The answer is one because of the unity and oneness of the Trinity. Jesus said, I and my Father are one (John 10:30). Psalm 10:16 says, The LORD is King for ever and ever. Again we have problems if there is no Trinity because we now have two kings. When one studies Revelation 19:11,16, he finds that Christ, the King of kings, comes to set up His kingdom upon this earth. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True. Verse 16: And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. This constant reiteration of identical names and titles for both Father and Son can mean only one thing to honest, searching hearts. It is that Christ is God, coequal with the Father and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 32:39 states, There is no god and yet 1 Timothy 3:16 tells us that God was made manifest in the flesh. The only solution is the doctrine of the Triune God which the saints of all ages have proclaimed. The only groups in the annals of history that ever fought this precious truth were rebel-rousing heretics. Mr. Scoffer, you who would make Christ but a mere man, what will you do with Jonah 2:9? Salvation is of the LORD. Or Isaiah 43:11 which says, I, even I, am the LORD ; and beside me there is no saviour. If there is no other Saviour but Jehovah, and Christ is called "the Saviour" scores of times in the Bible, then He and the Father must be one or there are two Saviours. Christ is the God who left the bosom of the Father to die on Calvary's cross. There He shed the pure sinless blood that coursed through His veins so that sinners might be eternally saved. The Bible teaches that He is the only Saviour. Acts 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Since both Jehovah and Christ are called "Saviour," let's believe that the Trinity alone presents the answer. Christ was incarnated, not created There are those who teach that the Father always existed and that Christ was created. Perish the thought! Christ always existed and was not created. Isaiah 43:10 states, Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. In simple English, no God was created before or after Jehovah. They coexisted as a Trinity eternally. Thus Christ was from all eternity or He wasn't. Either He always existed or He didn't. Since no God was created before or after Jehovah, we take Micah 5:2 for what it says about the One who was to come to earth and experience a human birth. He was from of old, from everlasting. Thus, His human birth was not His creation. Rather, as we discussed earlier in this chapter, the word incarnation comes from the Latin words incarnis, meaning "in the flesh." and An eternal God having a birth is not contradictory. In eternity He was God. To become a man, a birth had to occur. None of us can become another species without the miracle of a birth. God had to become incarnated (become flesh) so that He could shed the pure, sinless blood that flowed in His veins. The miracle of the Holy Spirit's insemination of the virgin Mary's ova and womb with the body and blood of God the Son made this shedding of blood possible. This was a necessity because the blood of animals could not take away sin, only cover the sinner's transgression. Hebrews 10:4 states, For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. So verse 5 has Christ saying, A body hast thou prepared me. God lived in that body, went to the cross in that body, shed the blood in that body to take away the sins that had only been covered, died in that body, arose three days later in that same body, ascended to heaven in that body, and will throughout eternity live in that body in which He had the birth. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). There it is. The eternal God left heaven to be born into human flesh because a body could contain sinless blood through a virgin birth. That blood was shed for sins and can wash you from every stain and taint of this world's defilement when you put your trust in the God in whom the Philippian jailor trusted, the Lord Jesus Christ. Do it today. FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE Where Would I Be? We are in my favorite time of the year. As we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas my mind goes back to all those wonderful times I had together with my family. We had a wonderful tradition in our home for Christmas. We would never open our gifts until my Father read the entire Christmas story. He always emphasized that the birth of the Savior is what Christmas is truly about, not the opening of gifts, not even enjoying Mother’s wonderful dinner, but the awe inspiring fact that God became Flesh to dwell among us. What a blessing it was to be reared in a home that taught the truths of God’s love and the joy of celebrating the birth of Christ as a family. We recognize the contrast this is to what the world celebrates today. The emphasis in our society is shopping, decorating, and rushing around so much to the point that we hardly have time to enjoyChristmas. It seems like the stores put up their Christmas sale displays earlier and earlier each year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of them come up with a "Back to School Christmas Sale" in the month of August. Christmas has become a time when people often go out on a limb financially, and even get into debt in order to provide gifts for friends and loved ones. There is nothing wrong with wanting to give someone a gift. There is a special joy and blessing in sharing as long as we put the right value on it. A gift under the tree should always remind us of the gift from Heaven - the tree also should remind us ultimately of why Jesus came to be our Savior. And of course this reminds us of Calvary’s tree. Every gift that we buy; every gift that we open, and every gift that we look at under the tree should remind us of the greatest gift of all - a gift that was laid in the manger and wrapped in the simplest way - in swaddling clothes; which brings us to the Christmas story. 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 2:7). As I read of our Lord’s birth in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, I cannot help but wonder two things. Where would I have been and what would I have done if I had been on the earth at that time. Would I have reacted the same way to this ancient scenario as some people reacted? First of all where would I have been and how would I have responded if I had been the innkeeper? We all know that as a result of the decree of Caesar Augustus every person was required to go to the town of his or her birth to register and pay taxes. This is why the innkeeper had a problem. Yes, the inn was filled to capacity and therefore no room was available for Joseph and Mary. I’m sure that if he had an extra room he would have said "Oh yes, you are going to have a baby, you are going to soon bring forth a child and so I need to give you the best room in my inn". But because of the overflow of people there was no room in the inn. If I had been the innkeeper would I have been sitting behind the desk saying "I don’t have room for you, but I’ll put you in the stable"? Or would I have come out from behind that desk with compassion and understanding and found a warm and comfortable place for Mary to have her precious baby? Every time I read this passage I think of the story of the young boy who was born with Down Syndrome who had a part in his church’s Christmas pageant. This young boy loved the Lord and was so proud to be playing the part of the innkeeper. He went around the house practicing his lines: "There’s no room at the inn - you will have to stay in the stable." The night of the pageant came and there he was, dressed in costume and standing before the audience. The two children came in who were playing the parts of Joseph and Mary; said their lines and waited for the response from the innkeeper. He looked nervous, but then took a deep breath and said his line just as he had practiced it - "There’s no room at the inn - you’ll have to stay in the stable." As Mary and Joseph started to exit the stage to move on to the next scene, a pained look came across his face and suddenly he cried out: "No, wait, wait, you can have MY room!" Oh, to have such a loving heart as that precious child exhibited. What a joy that would have been for me if I had been able to say as the innkeeper, please come and stay in my room; enjoy my humble dwelling and let me help you through this special time as you are ready to give birth. Would I have just remained behind that desk and said to my co-workers ‘Take them into the stable and they can have the straw out there on which to lay the baby’. It brings tears to my eyes to think that this is where God knew and divinely planned for His Son to be born. The Gospel is story in inclusive of every class of people; the lowly as well as the middle and upper class of society. I would probably say that the innkeeper would be considered, in that era of time, as the middle class of his society. Had I been in the Middle class of that day would I have been humble enough to say "I will go into the stable, you stay in my room" where would I have been if God had given me this choice to make. What a great opportunity to show my love and compassion for the parents and for the Savior of the world. Let’s take a look at another class of people - the lowly shepherds. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:8-10) Being a shepherd during the time of Christ was not a 9 - 5 job. The shepherds would spend every hour of every day with their sheep, leading them, protecting them from predators and thieves, and tending their wounds. If I had been a chosen shepherd that heard the voice of an angel would I have received the message? Or would I have said "Oh no, oh my goodness, this is just a dream, I can’t accept this. This is too much to absorb, who am I? I’m just a poor little shepherd out here I can’t be expected to actually have seen an angel and have the glory of the Lord around me and hear the angel announce "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" I find it hard to imagine what they thought. But where would I have been? Would I have said "I’m going to leave the sheep and I’m going to follow the greatest announcement that has ever been given to the world and that is that Christ the Lord has been born. Traditionally, the sheep that were raised in the fields near Bethlehem were used for the Temple sacrifices to cover the sins of the people. How beautiful and how perfect is it that God called these shepherds, who were very familiar with the requirements for a sacrificial lamb, to be the first ones to see, outside of Mary and Joseph, the "...Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" I pray that I would have done exactly what these lowly shepherds did. That I would have not only listened to the announcement but I would have heard and reacted positively "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." I can almost hear God saying: Well, you may have trouble believing in the message from one angel, so I’ll show you the Heavenly Host. If there had been any shadow of a doubt in their minds, there could be no question that this was something tremendously out of the ordinary. Think of it, the shepherds could have been frightened beyond all description, but the minute they heard the host praising God and saying Glory to God, the shepherds said "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem..." I can’t imagine the tremendous shaking in their hearts as they thought "here is God’s Son being born. Let’s go now to see heavens greatest gift to the world." Once we get a message from Heaven, our response should be "let’s go now." When Jesus gave the great commission our response should be "let’s go now." I am so grateful that God not only gave the Middle Class (the innkeeper) the opportunity to come forth and be blessed, but He also gave the humble lowly shepherds the same opportunity. Once again let’s consider a third class of people. The wealthy upper class - yes the lofty wise men who responded to another heavenly sign and came to worship Jesus. 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, 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 (Matthew 2:1,2) Nothing much is known about these wise men, or Magi, other than they were from the Orient. Historically the Magi were scholars, with a great knowledge of science, agriculture, mathematics, and history. These Magi saw a spectacular star appear in the sky, such as they had never seen before, and they took it to be an indication of an extraordinary person being born in the land of Judea. If I had been a scholar, a wealthy wise man, and I saw a star suddenly appear before me, would I have followed it? It would have been very easy for them to say: "If an important King was born that warrants such a sign, I’m sure that we will hear of it soon in our own country and then we can go and pay homage to him." But they did not wait, they set out to find this King, and to worship Him. It was not easy as they traveled the dusty, hot long trail on their camels. Yes it necessitated going through the desert and all of this simply because of a star giving the announcement of Christ’s birth. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they began asking: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" The original Greek here emphasizes a continual action, suggesting that they went up to every person they saw and asked this question. Because they as foreigners knew of this monumental birth, they assumed that everyone in Judea, and especially in Jerusalem would have been aware of this also. Can you imagine the shock they felt when no one seemed to know about that to which they were referring? I believe that they must have begun to question all that they had seen and heard up to this point. Here they were after having traveled a long distance because of a star that they had seen while in their homeland. They must have been terribly confused as to where they should go. Despite what is traditionally taught, the Bible here indicates that the star did not appear to them and lead them during their travels. The passage here tells us that they did not see the star again until after they had met with Herod. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (Matthew 2:9,10) The joy that they felt when they saw the star once again was almost indescribable. The original text piles up superlative upon superlative to emphasize the extent of exhilaration they felt. The star not only reappeared, but it led them directly to the home where Jesus was. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11) When they got to the house of Mary and Joseph, they did something that they longed to do, they bowed down and worshipped Jesus. Then they presented their gifts to Him, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. The Bible does not tell us what was done with these gifts, but it is very likely that Joseph used them to finance their trip they had made to Egypt and help to support the family while they were there. We know the reason for their journey to Egypt as found in Matthew 2:13-15. Now, I must put myself in the Magi’s place. Where would I have been while in the atmosphere of my homeland? Could I be thinking "I don’t need the desert, I don’t need to get on that camel and go to who knows where and would I have tried to rationalize the signs away? After all there could be many meanings to that star, how do I know for certain that this is really something special. It could just be an unusual confluence of stars in the sky, and it doesn’t have any special meaning. Thank the Lord they said that this is significant, this is important, we have to go and find out about the true meaning of this special sign. They went, they asked the right questions until they got the true answer they needed to find Christ Jesus the Savior of the world. Would I have been that persistent? As the innkeeper would I have stayed behind the counter and told Mary her she could go into the stable to have her child amongst the animals? Instead I trust that I would have been quickly on my feet to help her. I pray that I would have been one of the shepherds quickly on my feet to say "let us go now" as the angels have instructed us. And if I had been a wealthy Magi I trust that I would have used that wisdom to follow the star and keep asking the right question until I found the way to worship Jesus. What would I have done if I lived back then? Whether I was wealthy, middle class, or poor, where would I be? I trust that I would have made the right choice. Today I have the joy of making the right choice! I have chosen to open my heart and life to Jesus the Lord and ask Him to dwell there. Truly one can only be complete if He is in the heart! As we celebrate this glorious season we need to keep our eyes on what is truly important. This is so beautifully illustrated in the painting by Rembrandt The Adoration of the Shepherds where all of the light was made to fall on the baby in the manger. Every one and everything else was only in the shadows. Let us focus on Him, now and always. CHANGED LIVES-one at a time Hi: As a viewer of your program for a while now, I want to thank you for your weekly TV show - - and the uncompromising Bible-based truth that you give us week after week..... St. Paul must be especially proud of your accurate quotes of his beautiful words...... One only has to look at today's headlines to see how prophecy is being fulfilled and you are both at the cutting edge of getting the Word of God out to the world. L. J. M. Hi Jack and Rexella. You are an inspiration to me in your weekly newsletters and your TV programs. You make me realize how important it is to follow God and His Word. I have been backslidden but am doing the best I can to turn my life around. You are a blessing and will truly be blessed, as I'm sure, you already are. Thank you for helping spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in a true blue way. You both are in my prayers. I hope you will pray for me also, to be ready for Christ's return, along with my family. Thank you. C. S. 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