This star is not an astronomical object! The star appeared at the moment of Jesus birth. It was visible to the wise men of Babylon. If they saw the star over Israel, it would indicate it was not astronomical because stars do not rise in the west! They rise in the east. If it rose in the east it was very special because star gazers like these wise men would not have difficulty recognizing the planet Venus! Traditional images show the wise men traveling over the desert following a star. However Matthew 2 does not say they followed a star to Israel. In fact, it would appear, from their reaction, that the star newly reappeared in Matthew 2:9. How could a star go before the wise men? Bethlehem is to the south of Jerusalem! Stars do not move south. They move west. Stars do not settle over houses. The Greek word for star (Aster), implies something strewn! What could it be? What could it be that moves easily from west to east appearing as strewn light? A pillar of fire would be a good example! Remember the Shechinah Glory of light that moved with the Tabernacle representing the presence of God? This light could have been interpreted as a star! It is believed the wise men reached Bethlehem about 2 years after Jesus birth. That is why Herod ordered the murder of the children 2 years and younger! Source: CreationToday.org Comment: Point here is you cannot explain this star or light naturally! It was supernatural. Very seldom does God oppose his creation! Only to deliver his people! He turned the sun and time back for Joshua to win the battle! He opened the Red Sea for Moses and drowned the pursuing army with the same sea! Mary bore Jesus yet being a virgin! Jesus raised the dead and has promised to raise those who believe and trust him! Jesus himself was raised from the dead! Peter at midnight was delivered from the prison! Do I believe in miracles! Absolutely! Jesus delivered me off my death bed some 45 years ago! Is it a stretch to believe God at his word? It is a stretch not to! God who created all this can change anything or everything at his will! He transformed me from sin to righteousness with his atoning blood! Was it a star? All things are possible with God! He can create anyone he wants to! He can create anything he wants to at anytime at any place! He came to Bethlehem so he could prepare a place for you in Heaven! Why not follow Jesus to Heaven! He will return one day soon to earth with his church! If you wait until then to follow him it will be too late! Wise men still seek him! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Tag: greek
Vanity Fair! Revelation 2:13
Jesus said Antipas is my faithful martyr! Antipas was the Bishop of the church at Pergamos during the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian. The Apostle John ordained Antipas as Bishop of the church at Pergamos. Antipas was burned inside an idol which was a bull shaped copper structure. His crime was casting out demons worshipped by the local population! Some of the hero’s of the Faith are listed in Hebrews Chapter eleven! Stephen was a faithful martyr listed in the Book of Acts! Antipas was most likely a Greek who converted to Christianity. Antipas is the shortened name of Antipater. Remember that was the name of one of Alexander the Great successful Generals. (397-319 B.C.). Remember Herod the Great was known by this name! Jesus will avenge the blood of the Saints! Why did Jesus call Pergamum Satan’s Seat? Even Ephesus with all of its advantages with the Great Temple and bustling port, could not match the importance of the once royal seat of the Attalids! Situated on a scenic acropolis Pergamum was embellished with the largest number of Greek and Roman Temples in the whole of Asia Minor! Examples are Zeus, Athena, Apollo, Demetia, Dionysis and Aphrodite. On another site was housed the largest Aesclepium of the Empire. Its library of two hundred thousand volumes rivaled the renowned library in Alexandria! The eminent Doctor Galen was among her favorite sons! Roman Emperors came to seek healing at the famous Aesclelpium! Aesclepium was honored as the god of healing in the classical world. When the cult of “Dominus et Deus”, was initiated at Pergamum, the great Basilica was erected, adding to the rostrum of numerous idol Temples! The visitor today Bergama (Turkish name of the present day city), will see the immense structure at the edge of the bustling center. Basilica became the monument of vice and cruelty! Every citizen was forced to burn a few grains of incense here and worship the Emperor of Deus. Then they would proceed to their preferred practice a common syncetistic act which never lacked its double-faced devotees! For anyone who refused to submit to this profane practice death was imminent! Where as the Temple of Zeus was referred by the early Christians as the “Seat of Satan”, the appellation was later transferred to this center where some Christians felt compelled to pay obeisance! Source: Thomas Cosmades Comment: Remember God’s church was established in the midst of all this evil! The venerable Polycarp followed Antipas in martyrdom! Christ and his Cross was raised up over “Satan’s Seat”, to defeat Satan the eternal enemy of man! This battle rages on today between the One True God and the millions of the gods of men! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
He That Overcometh! Revelation 2:11
Comment: Jesus repeated this over and over again to the church! He that overcometh I will give the crown of life! He that overcometh will escape the second death! What does the word really mean? Let us go to the Greek root word. The word is “Nikao”. The word means to subdue and conquer! To have success in victory! The Greek root word also has a root word! It is the word “Niki”. You got it! It is the athletic foot wear company named Nike! It means conquest! If you are in the body of Christ and believe you will never have a fight with the devil in this life you are in denial! You are in “La La” Land! This life in your generation just as in all preceding generations is a battle between good and evil! You can try to ignore it but it will not go away! You can wish it away? You can try to isolate it away? You can try to spend it away? However you have to join a team and play! Your team can win but you must fight the good fight of faith and face your enemy! Jesus has given you the tools to overcome! To win the victory! His Word! His Spirit! His power! His love! We conquer in Christ’s name! Satan was conquered on the Cross! However in his stupidity he thinks he can still win! He will try to take as many down as he can in defeat! This week a young man went on a mission trip to a remote island where a remote tribe lived! He was martyred! Others will follow to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth! This missionary gave his all to take the Gospel into all the world! If I live my life sheltered, protected, financially secure, and die of old age in this condition I have wasted my life for nothing! The church of Jesus Christ is a conquering army! It is an offensive army! We have real sacrifices and we take some casualties in this war against evil! But we win and will eat of the Tree of Life forever! Remember you are using the blood of a martyr to conquer! The blood of God shed on a Cross for you! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Message to Churches! Revelation 1:5
Greek Translation: And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful one worthy to be believed keeping his promises a witness having knowledge of everything. The first born of the whole creation being before and after all things. The first born for the spiritual dead. He is the Prince or chief ruler of the Kings of the people in the earth as part of man’s dominion in creation. Unto him that first showed his love toward men. And washed us from the sin that kept us from our true purpose of life in his own blood. His blood the life of all flesh.
Case Against Socialism Isaiah 62:8
The Lord has sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for your enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for which thy has labored. Comment: I know what the socialists will say! Well Jesus said to love your enemies! Right? Let us look at the Greek word “Agape”. This Greek word is not found in Classical Greek but is only used in revealed religion! Here is the key to this word used for our English word love! This word when used is not doing what the person loved desires but what the one who loves deems as needed by the one loved! This is central to understanding what Jesus meant! Jesus love is not based on what we want but on what we need! If people wanted Salvation then the whole world would be saved and we could close up our churches and go home! Most people are not in love with God but with the world and themselves! Ever try to sell someone what they don’t want? Like selling a comb to a bald man! However I was blind but now I see! So the Jesus standard of love is to give people what they need not what they want! Socialism is all about people getting what they want! Free stuff! Do not have to work for it let someone else do the work! Theft! Why did God invent work? Work is a sacrifice! God’s whole Kingdom is built on a sacrificial system! Work is a sacrifice! Jesus sacrificed himself on a Cross for us! God worked 6 days in creation and rested on the 7th day! Should he expect less from us? God has made provision for those who cannot work! Work is the only vehicle that brings out our gifts God has given us! We love our enemies by sharing Christ with them! It is tough because most do not want him! They trust the world and themselves rather than God! James and Hamsa Sasse, GodWhoisGod.com
Read! Hear! Speak! Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he possessing the character of God expressed as a believer in Christ who is well spoken of and is fully satisfied regardless of the circumstances. God’s Kingdom is in your heart. These blessings come when you read and hear the word of this prophecy. The prophecy of telling God’s word where His grace and empowerment are to be exercised in the church. You are to keep those things which are written therein: For the time or season of opportunity is given for these events to take place. Comment: The word Blessed used here could not be better expressed than in the life of the Apostle John! Regardless of circumstances! A lot of 21st Century preaching today says you are blessed only if your circumstances of money, wealth and health reflect it! John was boiled in a pot of oil! When that did not kill him the Roman Emperor had John exiled to a slave labor camp on the remote Greek island of Patmos working in a stone quarry! The 21st Century Christian would have trouble understanding his blessings? Lord if you just help me win the lottery I will serve you! The word Blessed has nothing to do with your external circumstances but everything to do with your internal condition! Your soul. It is all about Christ living and dwelling in you! His presence comes through reading his word and hearing his word and then speaking His word to others! Evangelism! The word time used in this scripture passage is not the word chronology and does not mean a succession of time! The Greek word for time, used here, Strongs #2540, means a season of opportunity for events to take place. You might call it grace! Your season and my season of opportunity will only come by once in your life! Use your opportunity today and the rest of your life to read, hear and speak His Word! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
John 3:16 Word Study “Son”
Son (Hulos) Strongs #5207. This word in the Greek is specifically reserved for the Son of God and has no other application! There are other Greek words used for son. An example is for adopted sons and daughters. Hulos specifically refers to the male offspring of legitimate parents! We as believers have a likeness to God’s character but we are not the Son of God! The word son used here refers to Jesus special relationship to the Father! Jesus is never referred to in scripture as a child of God! Only the Son of God! Think about this! Jesus was the Son of God before he came to earth! Jesus Sonship did not start at Bethlehem! Believer’s show maturity by acting as the Sons of God! John 1:12. However this word sons is a different Greek word! Teknon (Strongs#5043). Son (Hulos) stresses the dignity and character of the relationship of the Son to the Father but Teknon sons, communicates the fact of a natural birth. Jesus had a Supernatural birth where we are the product of a natural birth! You can see why a Hebrew-Greek study Bible will help us with interpretations of scriptures! Remember Jesus said we must be born again! The word born (Strongs #1080), means God devine nature imparted to us! But when? The word again (Strongs #509), means from the beginning referring back to the Garden of Eden before the fall of man! Here is a side note for you. Every time the son of man is used in the New Testament the word is not translated from the Greek to English! Why? Matthew 8:20, 16:13, 20:28, Luke 22:69, Hebrews 2:6-9
John 3:16 Word Study “Only Begotten”
Greek Word Strongs #3439 The Greek root word used here is metamorphose! Yes! A worm turning into a butterfly! However in the incarnation the butterfly becomes a worm! Becomes a human! Well the butterfly was always the butterfly! God becomes man but still God! Only begotten means only Son of his mother. Jesus had brothers and sisters but they were from a different father! Jesus was unique only from one race! Salvation has come through the Jews! Father God said this is my beloved Son! Jesus was not born eternally of the Father but as to his humanity here on earth at his incarnation! The Trinity pre-existed creation and the cause of it for the Trinity always has been and forever will be! At Salvation our outward form changes because of a inward transformation! Jesus said we must be born again! The miracle of God in our life changes our condition! It is an invisible process with outward demonstrations of the change! Character is changed! From earthly to Godly character! Remember the Transfiguration? Jesus, Moses and Elijah transformed from earthly to Supernatural! One day we will have a new heaven and a new earth! The word “new”, in the Greek means qualitatively new! A new quality! That is what happens to us at salvation! It will happen at the Rapture of the Church and our eternity spent with Christ! If you can believe your eyes when you see a worm turn into a butterfly here on earth is it too hard for you to believe God’s only Son Jesus Christ was born out of heaven into earth? James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
John 3:16 Word Study “Loved”
Loved Strongs #25 Agape (Greek). This love is from the direction of the will finding joy through this choice! Love is a choice! Judgment is also a choice! Our judgment is based upon the rejection of God’s choice to save us! The word ‘Agape” is not a word found in classical Greek. It expresses God’s love towards man! Sometimes the word “charity” is used. This word expresses compassion! Compassion means to suffer with! God’s love is a sacrificial love! There are three other Greek words used for love but they are lower level’s of love! This love is a gift and is not given to us by what we desire but by what is needed for us to save us! It is a love we do not deserve! It is God’s willful choice for man! To love God we must show his love that is expressed to us! Without his love we cannot love him and others! It is the love we do not think we need that is the only love we need! We must chose to receive his love! If you chose to receive God’s love, Jesus Christ on the Cross for you then you have a new ability that is divine to share his love with others! The angel’s also have a choice! They are created beings just like we are! Lucifer decided one day in heaven not to receive and show love! He rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven! Even in heaven you will still have a choice about “Agape”! If you make heaven then as now here on earth you still will have a choice! Love demands a choice! When you do your Bible study remember every time you see the English word “love”, the Greek root word may not be “Agape” but another Greek word in the New Testament! It helps in our understanding if we know which word is being used for love! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
John 3:16 Word Study “God”
God (Theos) Strongs #2316. This word was taken from Greek culture. Remember the Greek culture were nature worshippers! Idol worshippers! They worshipped creation! The gods of the sun, moon and stars! Their divine worship also included other deities! Much like the Aztecs and Hindu’s do! At Mecca the Muslim’s had 360 Idol’s! One for each day! They took what they thought was their best idol and named him Allah! The Greek word used here for “God”, is singular and masculine! That is correct God has a gender! The word Theos means the true God as opposed to false gods! False gods are man made gods! The famous Greek poet and musician Orpheus called the ancient Greek gods demons! How do you become a demon? It is a choice! Like Lucifer (The Fallen Angel), if you make yourself god and reject the true God you have as a created being worship yourself a created being and you become a demon! Atheism is self worship! You make yourself God by declaring there is no God! Charles Darwin was an atheist and based Evolution on the belief there is no God! The angels (Lucifer, Michael and Gabriel), are created beings so we must not worship them! Lucifer who became Satan in his rebellion was cast out of heaven! Elohim is a Hebrew word for God. It is also singular and masculine! It translates the God of gods! The God of Israel! God is set apart from creation though actively involved in creation! He is the cause for everything and the Trinity pre-existed creation and always was, is and forever will be! So in the Trinity do we have three gods? No! One God with three distinct purposes and functions! Hopefully this word study will help us as we examine each translated word in the context of John 3:16 James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com