Contrary to what is commonly believed, the magi did not arrive at the manger on the night of Christ’s birth; rather, they found the young Jesus and His parents living in a house (Matthew 2:11). This could have been nearly two years after Christ’s birth, since Herod–afraid of his own position as King was threatened–tried to have Jesus eliminated by killing all male children under the age of two (Matthew 2:16). It may be that the star first appeared over Bethlehem when the magi were in the East (Persia). From that distance, they would have not been able to distinguish the exact location but would have certainly have known to head west. They went to Israel’s capital city Jerusalem, a likely place to begin their search for the King of the Jews. It seems that the star may have disappeared by the time the magi reached Jerusalem but then reappeared when they began their (much shorter) journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, approximately 6 miles away. This view is supported by the fact that first, the magi had asked King Herod where the King of the Jews was born, which means the star wasn’t guiding them at that time (Matthew 2:2). And second, they rejoiced exceedingly when they saw the star (again) as they began their journey to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:10). After the magi had met Herod, the star went on before them to Bethlehem and stood over the location of Jesus. It seems to have led them to the very house that Jesus was in–not just the city. The magi already knew that Christ was in Bethlehem. This they had learned from Herod, who had learned it from the priests and scribes (Matthew 2:4-5,8). For a normal star, it would be impossible to determine which house is directly beneath it. The star over Christ may have been relatively near the surface of the earth so that the magi could discern the precise location of Christ. Whatever the exact mechanism, the fact that the star led the magi to Christ is evidence that the star was uniquely designed, made by God for a very special purpose. God can use extraordinary means for extraordinary purposes. Certainly the birth of our Lord was deserving of honor in the Heavens. It is fitting that God used a celestial object to announce the birth of Christ since “the heavens declare glory of God”___(Psalms 19:1). Source: Answers in Genesis. Comment: In verse 29 of Matthew was Jesus talking about the 7 year tribulation? Here are some signs listed in the Heavens at His second coming! The rapture has probably already happened before this event and these are the redeemed people that came to Christ during the tribulation period! The sun is darkened and the moon shall lose it’s light and the stars shall fall from Heaven! When the unbelievers shall see Him they shall mourn! The believers shall rejoice! Two different responses with two different outcomes! Then Christ shall gather the elect from the ends of the Heavens! Help us to shine His light into the earth before the opportunity for Salvation closes for men! Merry Christmas! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Tag: signs
A Miracle! Isaiah 7:14
King Ahaz was a wise King! When the Lord told him He would give him a sign he did not want to tempt the Lord! He did not want to put God to a foolish test! Ahaz was really telling God I do not question you! Mortal men do need to be questioned! Jesus will do that at the judgment! Men and women asked Jesus a lot of questions! Are you really the Son of God? Prove it! Come down from the Cross if you are God! The word sign means a miracle in the Hebrew! Jesus virgin birth is a miracle! After Peter witnessed the miracles he told Jesus you are the Christ the Son of the living God! The Lord gave Peter signs! The star over Bethlehem was a miracle! Christ’s resurrection from the dead was a miracle! Salvation is a miracle! Being born again is a miracle! These acts of God are beyond the natural and are supernatural. They are God’s Grace in that God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves! Miracles are the love of God towards men! Faith in God is living from miracle to miracle! It cannot be explained outside of God! Your life is a miracle! If you were not here you could not experience the love of God! No miracles! That is why abortion is so cruel. You kill a miracle! We need life to make choices! Could not wonder and awe about God? Could not see the slender of His creation! Could not experience His Power and Glory! Could not know His peace! Without Him no purpose! Only loneliness and emptiness! No hope! But surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life! Lord give me another miracle today! Not to prove who you are but prove I cannot live without you! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Jesus Return with Signs! Luke 21:25-27
Verse 25: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.” Comment: What are signs? Are they like signs along the road giving us directions? The word translated from the Greek means miracles! Like the star over Bethlehem! Signs are miracles which lead to something out of and beyond themselves! They are miracles which have a ethical and moral purpose! These miracles are not so much for what they are but for what they point too! These miracles indicate the Grace and Power of God in the higher Spiritual world. The word earth used here by Jesus means the part of creation that is man’s domain and the history transacted between God and man. What about perplexity? Is it Washington D.C.? It really means a quandary where there is no way out! So we have miracles, distress of nations and perplexity. Jesus wants us to focus on looking up to Him for the evidence of His signs and wonders! God is really saying through the solar eclipse coming that He is in control of all events and confirms those things to us with his miracles! Jesus is saying I will do the miracles in your life that are needed to sustain you and give you the victory over this fallen world! He wants us to look up not down! Look ahead not back! I conclude with Jesus words in verse 27: “And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Doctrines of Devils! 1 Timothy 4:1-3
“Fifty percent of women aged 15-44 cohabited outside of marriage between 2006-2010. The number was 43 percent in 2002 and 34 percent in 1995. Source: Casey Cooper, PhD., Demographics, National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, MD. April 4, 2013. Comment: Paul wrote this letter to Timothy about 2000 years ago! Paul warned us that a time would come when some would depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils! So what would one of these signs be? Verse three says forbidding to marry! That is living together outside the sanctity of marriage. Paul said this would be one of the signs of the latter times! The statistics show that the Bible does forecast history! The other statistics this life style produces is out of wedlock births, abortion and mother’s on welfare! When a culture abandons the faith something else takes it’s place! Satan’s war on women is alive and well. Everyone will follow someone! Either God or Satan! By choice and default! The good news is that Christ’s return is soon when we add all the signs together in our Bible! Faith in Christ can save anyone to the point of death! After death your choice is locked in forever! Math and science will always confirm the scriptures! History will endorse and prove the scriptures! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Olivet Discourse! Matthew 24:3-14
Jesus disciple’s just before His passion asked Him an important question? What will be the signs of your second coming and the end of the world? I will never forget the man I saw walking in Times Square carrying a sign that said the world is coming to an end! When I got laid off and the steel plant closed back in the 1970’s I thought the world was coming to an end! When Lockheed laid me off with 15000 other people at the plant back in the 1980’s I thought my world was coming to an end! When I got medically separated from the military back in the 1990’s I thought my world was coming to an end! Actually the word “end” in the Greek means the end of an age and the beginning of a new age! Jesus second coming will be the beginning of a new age called the millennium! Jesus said the first sign of the end of the age will be many false Christ’s shall rise up! I will never forget while in India back in the 1980’s of a famous Pastor/Evangelist there who one day in front of thousands of people told them that he was the Christ? His book sales dropped like a rock! Then Jesus talked about wars! Declared and undeclared! Insurrections and seditions! Every generation has not been spared war! However Jesus said do not be troubled with wars for the end is not yet! Then there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in diverse places! Jesus said all these things are the beginning of sorrows! Tell me more! The word sorrow here means like a woman with the pains of child birth! Then Jesus goes on to say that they will deliver you up and kill you and be hated of the nations for my name! Is it any wonder some believers will head for the exits? Since the rise of Islam thousands of Jews and Christians have been slaughtered! Remember that the end of the age will be concluded with the 7 year tribulation period! The Anti-Christ and the False Prophet will run the world for 7 years! Destruction like never seen before on earth will come then! The one world political leader and the one world religious leader will co-rule! The Church has been raptured at this point! The Anti-Christ will rule from Jerusalem and the False Prophet from Rome! A Jew and a Muslim will share power! The Anti-Christ will also be gay! He will have no natural affection for women! Now you understand the gay agenda! Now you understand the push for globalism and the war on Nationalism! No borders? Globalism! Sanctuary cities? Globalism! EU? Globalism! UN? Globalism! Democratic party? Globalism! War on cops? Globalism! No voter ID? Globalism! Trump won on Nationalism and how long can the USA fight the globalists? The British left the EU? Nationalism! During the tribulation period many will come to Christ including many Jews! Jesus went on to say iniquity or lawlessness will grow! Record number of policemen killed in America over past two years! Some believers will grow cold! Care and compassion will cool off! Hearts will be frozen in their own self-interest! Jesus said if we endure to the end we will be saved! Shall be saved means the immediate deliverance to Salvation through Christ! Endure means to sustain a load of miseries, adversities, persecutions, provocations with faith and patience! So what event concludes the end of this age and the beginning of the new age? Jesus said the Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; then shall the end come! Did you ever notice that some people who are not interested in Christ’s return including some in the church are not interested in Evangelism of the lost? Some make claims to His name but never invest time and money to reach the lost? No tithes or offerings? Will attend church only if convenient? They will jump around to church after church careful not to leave evidence they are in love with the world! If you want Jesus to return soon then go to work in His harvest fields! The seeds are time and money! Cheap grace is to receive the benefits of the Kingdom and yet invest nothing to seed the fields for a harvest? Plant a harvest not a drought! If you are not really interested in Jesus second coming then you will continue in your sin! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Democrats against Republicans! Luke 21:10
Jesus said two of the signs of His second coming would be; “Nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.” Comment: So what is the difference between a nation and a kingdom? When you look the Greek words up it becomes clear! The word nation means the non-Jewish nations warring against each other! The word kingdom is very different! It means a dominion or realm of people living in a territory under political leadership. So this would describe an internal fight between a peoples within a nation. It would describe a civil war! Like Syria or American civil war over slavery. Is America heading for another civil war? We hope and pray not but the good news is that Jesus predictions of His second coming is really about the bad news bring the good news! Look up for your redemption draweth nigh! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Signs of Jesus Second Coming! Matthew 24:9-10
Verse 9 “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and kill you and you shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” A report yesterday said 90 thousand Christian’s were killed in 2016! These numbers are beginning to equal or exceed the early church persecutions! Is Jesus screening out the fakes before His return? That is those still standing? In the next verse 10 as a consequence many shall leave the Faith! Today in America i can skip Sunday services and cheat on my tithes and no one will know except God! However if i have to choose Christ or my life this is a very different test! Most will serve Christ if the benefits are good such as an income tax deduction and a favorable view from friends and family. What Jesus said would come before His second coming is here and also coming to America! We need to make up our minds today what we would do when this comes so we can be prepared! Like today you will either confess or deny Jesus! If we practice today to confess Him then it will be much harder to deny Him in the future! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Jesus Second Coming! Matthew 24:36
Be careful about naming dates! I want to list the dates in our church history that were set by some respected people in the Body of Christ! I will list the dates and some names behind these dates you may recognize? Here are the A.D. dates: 500, 793, 1000, 1260, 1370, 1504, 1524, 1526, 1533, 1673, 1694, 1700, 1757, 1795, 1814, 1829, 1836 (John Wesley), 1840, 1844, 1847, 1861, 1863, 1864, 1874, 1901, 1914 (Jehovah Witnesses, 1915, 1917-1930, 1935, 1930-1939, 1943, 1972, 1975 (Herbert Armstrong), 1982 (Benjamin Creme), 1988 (Edgar Whisenant, Harold Camp), 1994-2009 (Jerry Falwell), 2000 (Ed Dobson, Timothy Dwight IV, Edgar Cayce, Isaac Newton, James Harnuston), 2011 (Harold Camping, Ronald Weinland), 2012 (Jack Van Impe), 2015 (Mark Blitz), We would all like Jesus to return during our lifetime! Do not let desire get the best of you! We have to stay with the scriptures for a balanced Faith! At one time the Apostle Peter with emotion cut a guy’s ear off! Passion is important but must be balanced with the Word of God! To know the scriptures is our best offence and defense! The scriptures declare Jesus is coming back again but the date even He does not know but in the Father’s plan! We cannot be greater than God! Jesus did give us some signs of his second coming! We will look at these in our Blog posts for 2017. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
The Lawless One! 2 Thessalonians 2:3
Have you noticed over the past 8 years that lawlessness has increased in America? If have not then your head is stuck in the sand somewhere? Remember Obama proclaimed America is not a Christian nation? What does all this mean? Just as the wise men were looking for Christ’s first coming so we as wise men are looking for His second coming! One of the signs of Christ’s return according to Paul is the promotion of lawlessness! I want to translate this verse three from the Greek back to the English. “Do not be moved out from the (truth) and be cheated! The day shall come towards you when defection from the (truth) and wicked men who error from the (truth) who is also an illegitimate son in whose destruction shall come through corruption.” Did you notice the word truth appearing throughout this verse? What or who is the truth? Jesus Christ is the truth! So as in America or any other culture when truth or Jesus Christ is suppressed then lawlessness increases! In fact they are inversely proportional to each other! As one decreases the other increases! As one increases the other decreases! The bad news brings the good news! So the signs of Christ’s second coming presented to us by our Bible are all around us! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Signs of Abandoning God? Gays and Lesbians!
Romans 1:18, 24-32. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Wherefore God also gave them up uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another ; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity and whispers. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents. Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affections, implacable, and unmerciful. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.