Matthew Chapter 2 - A Visit from the Wise Men

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.

The visit from the wise men from the east (probably Babylon) was a picture of the Gentile world looking, waiting, and expecting a light to come from God that would show them the way to salvation. This was prophesied by Isaiah in chapters 42, 49 & 60 -- God marked Jesus' birth in the stars, and the wise men followed what they saw all the way to Jerusalem. I believe they were looking for the Messiah, God's anointed King of the Jews, who fulfilled Daniel's prophecies.

Sadly, Jerusalem was ignorant, complacent, and less than enthusiastic at the notion of an anointed king being born in their midst. From the very beginning of Jesus' life, we see the religious Jews desiring to kill him, and believing Israel, those with circumcised hearts, receiving Him with great joy. The same is true today.

We also see that King Herod was Satan's instrument to kill and destroy countless innocent babies. Much heartache has come to natural Israel for rejecting their Messiah. But the good news is that they can turn and receive Him at any time. As the Apostle Paul explains in Romans 11, they can be easily grafted back into God's olive tree, which represents Jesus Christ!

This wonderful gift is available to anyone who will receive it by faith!

Matthew Chapter 1 - Jesus, the Jewish Messiah

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1

Join us for a study of the book of Matthew, written to a Jewish audience about a Jewish Messiah, Jesus, who fulfilled many of the Jewish prophecies in the Bible.

It's a wonderful book, but it is filled with warnings from the Lord, particularly to the religious leadership of that day who refused to believe. By rejecting the modern dispensationalist/futurist view regarding the End Times, we get a much clearer and more insightful understanding of Jesus' teachings. The more scriptural and historical view is that much of the End Times prophecies were fulfilled in 70 AD when God destroyed the temple and the city of Jerusalem through the means of the Roman army.

Keep an open mind as you read and study and you will be blessed!

Note: Further research shows that the blood of an infant is NOT determined solely by the father, but be both parents, from the baby's bone marrow. Regardless, Jesus is from the seed of God and not from sinful man.

The Gospel of Matthew by way of Daniel 9

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Daniel 9:24

The Gospel of Matthew is a book written to the Jewish people about a Jewish Messiah, Jesus, who fulfilled many Jewish prophecies.

There are some scriptures in Matthew that are confusing, particularly in the area of Jesus' revelation of End Times. This is because most of us have been taught the Dispensationalist or futurist view that there is a coming evil antichrist, a Great tribulation, that God will reveal Himself to Israel after all the Gentiles come into the church, and basically that the church is an afterthought--that Israel is His favorite, the apple of His eye, His chosen people. This teaching never sat right with me when I dug into the Word. The scriptures do not support this view.

After a year-long study of eschatology, mainly the Book of Daniel, I came to the realization that much of Biblical End Times scriptures referred to the events that happened to Israel and Jerusalem in 70 AD. On the day of Passover, exactly 40 years after the crucifixion, the Roman armies destroyed the temple and the city, as documented by the famous historian, Josephus. This is what is called the Preterist position, which was the predominant view held by the church fathers for years until the mid 1800s when the futurist view came into vogue.

As we study Matthew, we will look at the Word based on the supposition that the events of 70 AD fulfilled much of the End Times scriptures presented by Jesus. He was warning the rulers of that evil generation that rejecting Him would bring about terrible consequences. Judgment was coming and it came in 70 AD.

Here are some links to explore:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBlpbzWM5lI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc-6yN9I2MM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbTmTEVk8WE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GzcypwV9Kk
http://www.preteristarchive.com/StudyArchive/s/significance-of-ad70.html

Colossians 3-4: Godly Submission

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Colossians 3:18-19.

Submission to spiritual authority is important in the body of Christ, especially in the area of marriage. Why? Because marriage is a picture of the bride/wife of Christ being one with Him, being part of His body. How can two or more walk together unless they agree? Can you imagine your arm or leg deciding to rebel and not want to function with the rest of your body? Yes, some of us have seen that and it creates great chaos. There is wonderful harmony when all the parts of our body work in harmony with our head/mind.

This is true for marriage, the church, parent/child, employer/employee, and even master/servant situation (although the Bible does NOT condone indentured servitude!) The point is that everything should be done to the Glory of God!

Colossians is a wonderful book filled with spiritual treasure for those willing to dig it out!

Colossians 3 continued - Put on Love!

And above all these things put on charity [love], which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:14-15

As a new creation IN Christ Jesus, we have the ability to forgive people who have hurt us and to love them unconditionally, even when they don't deserve it. Even when they are the most unlovable people in the world! This is something the flesh cannot do, but the Heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit, can do as He works through us. It is a miracle!

We also began a discussion of human relationships, particularly between a Christian husband and wife. Wives are to submit to their own husbands while husbands are to love their wives and not despise them. This is a controversial issue, but one that is easy and pain-free if done in accordance with the Spirit.

This is a two part video, so make sure you tune into part 2 for more discussion on submission!

Colossians 3 - Put Off the Old Man!

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Colossians 3:8-10.

Now that we have become new creations IN Christ Jesus and are considered to be righteous children of God, we have the unique ability, authority, and power to mortify or deaden the fleshly desires of this mortal body. 

Before we were born again IN HIM, this would have been impossible, since we were natural men who could only rely on our will power - which is always short-lived, as every dieter knows! But when we go through the new birth, we attain the ability to put those things away, to figuratively kill them, to take control of our earthly bodies and not let them control us. We do this by keeping our thoughts on things above, where Christ Jesus dwells, and not on things below, the things that are here on earth.

We need to reject any teaching that tells us we are still pathetic sinners with no ability to control our raging hormones, earthly desires, and emotions. All of that is a lie from the enemy working through well-meaning men. We must remember that IN Christ Jesus we have authority and power over all of that. It may take some time for manifestation to come, but if we stand firm, contiuing in the faith, listening to the father and following the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will see results!

The Holy Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth, and the heavenly father will help us and show us what we need to do to overcome. He's a good God!

Colossians 2 continued - Made Alive with Christ!

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Colossians 2:12-13.

Now that we are considered to have died with Christ, to have been buried with Him, and then raised up with Him in new life, why should we follow man-made rules and regulations regarding what we should eat and drink and when we should worship? If all of our sins have been forgiven and put away and we have been considered to have died to this world, why then are some of us trying to follow the rules of this world?

These are interesting questions that the Apostle Paul asked the church at Colossae. They are questions that we need to ask ourselves. We need to adjust our thinking and believing and line it up with God's Word by opening up the Scriptures and studying them for ourselves. We are to set our minds on spiritual things from above concerning Christ Jesus and not the things of this earth.

This takes practice, but it bears much fruit. The Holy Spirit will help us by giving us comfort and guidance.

We serve an awesome God!