News Letter 5859-015
The 7th Year of the 4th Sabbatical Cycle
The 28th year of the 120th Jubilee Cycle
The 29th day of the 3rd month 5859 years after the creation of Adam
The 4thĀ Sabbatical Cycle after theĀ 119th Jubilee Cycle
The Sabbatical Cycle of Sword, Famines, and Pestilence
May 20, 2023
Shabbat Shalom to the Royal Family of Yehovah,
Shalom Brethren, just a quick update as I am in a hurry to start a meeting before I catch two trains and a plane to Manila this afternoon.
We had a meeting yesterday which was very disappointing to see just how closed some people are. And to be told by them that God does not know when He is coming back.
At the very same time, Yehovah was already opening another door in Manila. Aike had caught an earlier flight back to Manila from Davos. As he went through the airport he literally bumped into Bishop Romea who had asked me to speak in Cebu last September to 3000 people. After I spoke there Bishop Romeo told me we had to get together so I could show him these Jubilee teaching more which he did not understand. And we had not time then to go into detail. Just too many people.
Aike tells him I am on my way back to Manila the next day and the Bishop wants to meet with us. He just met with former president Duterte that week along with the Chamber of Commerce. The Bishop can open many doors.
So while Randy, Gary, Cola and I saw one door being closed, in Hong Kong, we also learned the next day Yehovah was opening another one.
Cola and Gary are well on their way to completing the Chinese translation of It Was A Riddle Not A Command. The same book we left with Pastor Dennis who told us no man can know the day or to the hour.
So we’ll see if he has a change of heart later on. Gary will touch base with him in a couple of weeks.
It has been great to get to know Gary and Cola. They do indeed have a great heart to help the Chinese come to know Torah. Cola even said the name of God in Chinese is Yehowah. Not Yahweh. Ā Hmmm how did that happen.
So we look forward to helping them spread this work in what ever way we can.
We are in the process of switching from one account to another based on our own web site. James has been working away on this for the past couple months and we are now about to begin the process of switching things over one step at a time. It could take a month to complete and there will be some hiccups along the way. I ask that you bear with us as we work out the bugs. IN fact as I go to post this we had a major setback, which has caused James to have to redo a number of things. Do keep him in your prayers.
This means that once we make the switch there will be automatic emails that go out. This is meant to go to new people who sign up for the Newsletter in order to introduce them to all our products. Yes, this means you will also get them even though you got them before on the old system. Sorry. Please bear with us and pray we can make it all work so that as more people join us, they can learn where to start.
Many of the things you take for granted involve a great deal of work on James’s and my part to make them work seamlessly. Hours and hours of teaching videos to learn how to do these things. All of this is on top of our normal editing and writing of the book. We have also produced a new power point for our tour of the Philippines. And I hope we can record it at some point and share it with all of you.
Again I am asking for your patience as we work through this changeover during the next month which I will be doing while on tour.
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We just got back on this week and we look forward to stirring things up once again.
The Shmita Year of 2023
We are now starting our 4th month of the Sabbatical year. How does it feel? Excited? You are now 1/4 way through the Sabbatical year. Ā You are allowed to eat some of the food you have stored away. LOL. I know looking at it each day wondering if it was enough still plays on your mind. So eat some of it and let the Sabbatical year be a blessing to you and your family.
Brethren find a way to obey. Stop finding excuses why you can’t do this or that.
If you just discovered this was the Shmita year, then stock up now for the remainder of the year. Don’t plant or harvest this year. Obey Yehovah.
The Shmita Year of 2023
Aviv 1 on February 21/22, 2023 began the 7th Year of Rest. You can prove this by understanding that 2 King 19:29 spoke about a 49th and 50th-year land rest. Knowing this was 701 and 700 BC, you can then count by 7 or 49 and land on every Sabbatical year or every Jubilee in history. All of our proofās line up with this understanding.
We want to encourage you to watch and share this video of our teaching at GLC about the Sabbatical Year.
In this Sabbatical year, you are:
- Not to Plant
- Not to Harvest
- Stock up on Food in the 6th year
- Forgive Debts
- Read the Torah Out Loud on the 1st day of Sukkot.
These are the basic rules that you are to keep in order to be blessed by Yehovah. As of this writing, it is not too late to stock up for the year.
There are 365 days in the year. Letās just say there are 400 days, in case there is an Adar Bet next year. You can buy 400 Cans of Soup to have one meal of soup each day during the year. One can of soup costs about $2, so for $800 you have a yearās supply of soup. But if you are not going to eat soup every day then take out half and buy canned beans, vegetables and fruits.
You can do this. Do not say you canāt do this. Find the will to find a way to get this done. Find excuses as to why you will obey. We are coming into the 5th curse over the next 7 years. That curse is famine and it will be so bad that people will eat their own children. So stock up on food now so you can obey Yehovah. And extra food will be a welcome blessing later.
Brethren, this is not that hard to do. What it takes is the willpower to do it: that and a little planning. You can buy meat throughout the year. It is not a ban on meat. You can also eat anything that grows of itself during the year. But do not plan on living off of those things that come from the ground. It they fail then you have no food. Stock up now, and if something grows, they are a bonus, but they are also free game for the neighbours and the animals. So they might eat it before you do. Plan ahead and stock up now. You still have time to get it done.
I received this email this week and want to share it and answer it with you all.
Message: Hello Joseph
I was wondering ā are we allowed to still buy āold stockā from the store up to 22 Feb 2023? Most products have Production dates and Sell by dates on them. I am staying away from fresh vegetables and fruit but if I can see on a canned item or on frozen vegetables that the Production date in well outside of the beginning of the Shmita year, I am allowed to buy it?
As you might know, we (South Africa) are sometimes without power for up to 8 hours, sometimes more, a day. I therefore did not invest in an extra freezer or fridge for we are expecting the collapse of the grid any day and all those frozen things will have to be thrown away. I have stocked up for the Shmita year, but still have this impression on my spirit that I have to keep doing it for as long as I can ā especially canned goods.
Personally I do not see why I canāt, because it is old stock. Nowhere do I read in the Torah that you are not allowed to buy the old stock in the Shmita year (provided of course that you can find a Production date on the can/container that is well outside the beginning of our Shmita year. But, my understanding of it may be wrong, so I would really appreciate your input.
Shalom
Melanie
South Africa
As I always do here is my standard answer as to what you are to do during the Sabbatical year.
- Not to Plant
- Not to Harvest
- Stock up on Food in the 6th year
- Forgive Debts
- Read the Torah Out Loud on the 1st day of Sukkot.
Each person is different. Each person has a different culture they live in. Some do not have electric power. Some are called and discover this information and the sabbatical year has already begun. Yehovah has called each of us from the walk we are in. Different races, different problems. But He HAS called you to begin NOW to obey. So, start to obey from that point on with all your might and all your ability. But Start!!!
Joe Dumond Rules
In answer to Melanie, these are now what I do. They are not written in Torah. This would come under Joe Dumond rules, which must be changed when found to be out of alignment with Yehovahās Laws. Each of you will develop you own rules for you and your family. I might not agree with them but so long as we are all keeping the 5 rules of the Shmita year then do not judge others who are trying to obey. Let Yehovah judge them. Let Yehovah bless them according to what they do right and what they do wrong. But do not let us go around attacking each other, and especially those who are trying.
I have stocked up my food for the upcoming year. Here in Ontario, Canada, I will use Shavuot as another one of my benchmarks. I will explain in a moment.
Here in Ontario, I will continue to buy and eat apples that were grown in Ontario up until about Shavuot 2023. This means any apples marked as product of Ontario would have been grown and harvested in 2022. New Apples will not be available from Ontario until some time in the summer of 2023. So my cut off date will be Shavuot 2023. Potatoes grown here in Canada either from Ontario or Prince Edward Island, the main place potatoes are grown in Canada will not come on the market until about August. Again, I can use last years stocks up until my cut off date of Shavuot 2023.
Here in Ontario, our lettuce and most fresh fruit and vegetables comes from around the world and take about 7 days to go from being picked to the store. So for me, as of Passover 2023, I will not be eating any fresh greens from the stores. I will eat only what I have already bought before that date which is now passed. Most canned fruits and vegetables are from last years harvest. So canned goods I will continue to stock up on. I believe I will finish this the week after the Days of Unleavened Bread. I know there is no yeast in them, but I have had many problems to resolve with my wife about storing food here in the apartment, which is forcing me to be very precise in all I do.
Now if I am going to use Shavuot as my cut off date for those things grown here in Ontario, then next year when the Sabbatical Year ends at Aviv in 2024, then I also will continue to not eat those things grown in Ontario, until they come into season here locally. For example, I will wait until August before eating Apples again. I will wait until August before I eat new potatoes.
After Aviv 1 in 2024, when fresh strawberries begin to arrive on the store shelves in Ontario I will wait until around the 1st of the second month before I eat them. I am doing this because the shelve life is about a week or two. So if I wait until the 1st of the 2nd month, then those fresh products will have been harvested in 2024 after Aviv, when we can then again harvest. In the past I have waited and to set the date at Shavuot.
Here is an example from the Bible you need to understand and once you do then can decide what to do for yourself. It is upon this understanding that I set the date for myself of Shavuot.
Lev 25:20Ā And if you shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? Behold, we shall not sow nor gather in our increase!
Lev 25:21Ā Then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years.
Lev 25:22Ā And you shall sow the eighth year, and eat of old fruit until the ninth year; until its fruits come in, you shall eat the old fruit.
The Barley was sown around Sukkot in the fall. It is harvested after Passover. In a Sabbatical year you could not harvest the barley in the Sabbatical Year. You would not be able to plant in the Sabbatical year in the fall. This then meant you would not have a barley crop the year after the Sabbatical year at Passover. This is now the 8th year. In the fall around Sukkkot in the 8th year, you could plant but would not be able to harvest until Passover in the 9th year.
What ever the crop or food you are desiring to plant or harvest, in what ever part of the world you you live in, you must plant and harvest according to the Sabbatical Year rules from Aviv to Aviv.
So each person must figure out when Strawberries are planted and harvested according to this understanding. When Potatoes are planted according to this understanding. Our society does not obey Yehovah. So each of us must read the labels and decide if this is kosher or not. To this day, I do not drink any wine harvested in the year 2016 or 2009 both Sabbatical years I have kept.
We all must obey. Do the best you can and pray Yehovah helps you to understand and to be able to obey.
If you want to use aquaponics or soilless planting then you must decide if this is kosher or not. I am not going to come up with an entire Targum or set of Tamudic doās and donāts. Read the rules or read Lev 25 and then you decide. You are called to be a King and Priest in the Kingdom of Yehovah. As a King and Preist you must uphold the Law of Yehovah and enforce it. As a King or Priest in the Kingdom, is what you are going to do, upholding those laws? Is what you are going to do pleasing to Yehovah? You must decide. I am not your judge.
Php 2:12Ā Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, cultivate your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13Ā For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Php 2:14Ā Do all things without murmurings and disputings,
Php 2:15Ā so that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. Among these you shine as lights in the world,
Php 2:16Ā holding forth the Word of Life, so that I may rejoice with you in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain nor labored in vain.
Some are asking how to do you travel? When you go to someones home what do you do? YOU can assume that those people are obeying Yehovah and you eat. Or you can pull out your own food from your purse and eat it in front of them. Again I am not your judge. You must decide what to do.
Joshua crossed the Jordan in the 50th year. Ā He did not plant anything the year before or this year. And yet he ate everything they captured from the cities of the Caananites. They did not obey Yehovah. Joshua ate their food.
There is not commandment telling you you cannot eat. I have given you Joe Dumond rules above. They are not Yehovah’s rules. You must decide what you are going to do.
Noah's Ark, Egypt Nuweiba Beach, Mount Sinai in Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Noah’s Ark, Egypt Nuweiba Beach, Mount Sinai in Saudi Arabia and Israel.
I have received a reply from Andrew Jones about doing a tour of Noahs Ark, Egypt, and Mount Sinai.
OK here are the prices and the grand total at the bottom:
Tour end / Your groupĀ crosses over into JordanĀ – September 15
Ancient Egypt exodus tour:
September 6: Exodus route across the Sinai Peninsula. Morning lecture on the shores of the Great Bitter Lake. Then drive across the Sinai Peninsula to the Gulf of Aqaba stopping at St. Catherine’s briefly to see the traditional fake Mount Sinai. Arrive by evening in Nuweiba at the real crossing.
The 10 Days of Awe
We have made significant progress in The 10 Days of Awe Book. I am now working on the last Chapter.
Click the link below to sign up so we can notify you the day we make this next book public.
https://sightedmoon.org/pre-order-optin1672771369322
THE SABBATH 101
The New Moon
Ā After sunset on this Shabbat the moon could be sighted in Israel. As with all new moon reports, we need two witnesses to confirm that it was sighted. Once it is sighted, it will begin the 4th month of our Sabbatical year.Ā
So this is the perfect time for everyone to go and sight the moon for themselves. Practice looking for it. Torah is only learned and understood by you doing it. You cannot read Torah and think you understand. No, you cannot. You must go out and look for the new moon, you must do it. This is the only way for you to understand and gain the wisdom that is to be gained by doing it.
This week we want to discuss the wisdom you will gain from looking for the crescent moon. Once you get that wisdom, then you will understand how to prove which calendar to follow and why all the others are false. You will also then know and understand when the Messiah is going to come. You will no longer be guessing. You will know.
But you must go out and look for the new crescent moon to get that wisdom and understanding that only comes from doing. Take your family and have a contest to see who can discover it first. Because one moment as you look, it is not there and then all of a sudden, there it is where it was not a moment ago.
The New Moon
The New Moon
The fourth New Moon meeting for 5859 will occur after Shabbat this week.Ā Sundown times are starting to get late, so we will start the New Moon meeting at 8:30pm CST, it may turn into a keep the Shabbat meeting open until the New Moon meeting, we will see.
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The moon sighting on the 17th would have been spectacular with Jupiter in the picture but SaskatchewanĀ is under heavy smoke cover right now.Ā Maybe it is visible from your location. Take a picture if you can.
See you at the meeting, don’t forget your shofar!
TORAH PORTIONS
Torah Portions
We read through the entire Torah along with the Prophets and the New Testament, once over the course of 3 1/2 years. Or according to the Sabbatical Cycle which means we read it all twice over a 7 year period. This allows us to cover more in-depth rather than being rushed to cover as much as is covered on an annual basis. We allow all to comment and take part in the discussions.
Septennial Torah Portion
If you go to Torah Portion at our archived section, you can then go to the 7th year which is the 7th year of the Sabbatical Cycle, the one we are in now, as we state at the top of every News Letter. There you can scroll down to the proper date, and see that this Shabbat we could very well be midrashing about:
Numbers 26
Amos 6-9
Lamentations 4-5
1 Corinthians 6
If you missed last weekās exciting discoveries as we studied that section you can go and watch past Shabbats on our media section.
Spokesman Club Manual
At our most recent leadership meeting we discussed how it was going in relationship to letting others speak at sightedmoon.com on Shabbat.
We had a wide range of discussions on it. On the whole, meetings are now too long, is the one complaint I am hearing. We still want to do the midrash and the Torah studies.
Some only want to come and have me teach. This puts a lot of pressure on me to prepare a sermon each and every week. My goal here at sightedmoon.com is to teach people the torah and how the Jubilee Cycles along with the Holy days teach you the plan of salvation. Another goal I have is to have people capable of teaching these things to others.
In order to do the second goal we must have a place for people to practice and fail at giving teachings. This is also why we allow and encourage midrashes. So people know how to argue in love about the many and various false teachings they are going to be presented. Iron sharpening Iron.
I have asked Shane Diltz to help me by looking after this aspect of sightedmoon.com. He organizes the speakers and makes sure their subject is kosher.
Many years ago while I was attending the WWCG, they had this program to teach you how to speak. After our meeting I went out and found it on line. I want to encourage you all to go through it and do each step in the speaking program. Practice on your spouse or on your dog or cat. But practice before you come to give your presentation to us. Practice.
Your goal is to teach us the subject on your heart and to do so in 15 Minutes 20 Minutes TOPS. Going forward we will shut you down after so many minutes. We may give you a one minute warning. But we will shut you down. We want you to learn how to pack your presentation in small but powerful punches. We want you to learn. And we are going to allow you to do so at sightedmoon.com.
Please do look over the manual. Prepare your subject according to one of the learning courses and practice. We look forward to your presentation and growth.
Many of the fonts do not transfer over well, so I will give you the link to the manual and you can read it on the original site. https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getacmanuals&InfoID=1397922400&page=&return=bklets
SABBATH MEETINGS
Sabbath Meetings
There are many people in need of fellowship and who are sitting at home on the Sabbath with no one to talk to or debate with. I want to encourage all of you to join us on Shabbat, and to invite others to come and join us as well. If the time is not convenient then you can listen to the teaching and the midrash after on our YouTube channel.
What are we doing and why do we teach this way?
We are going to discuss both sides of an issue and then let you choose. It is the work of the Ruach (Spirit) to direct and to teach you.
The medieval commentator Rashi wrote that the Hebrew word for wrestle (avek) implies that Jacob was ātiedā, for the same word is used to describe knotted fringes in a Jewish prayer shawl, the tzitzityot. Rashi says, āthus is the manner of two people who struggle to overthrow each other, that one embraces the other and knots him with his armsā.
Our intellectual wrestling has been replaced by a different kind of struggle. We are Wrestling with Yehovah as we grapple with His Word. It is an intimate act, symbolizing a relationship in which Yehovah and I and you are bound together. My wrestling is a struggle to discover what Yehovah expects of us, and we are ātiedā to the One who assists us in that struggle.
Today, many say Israel means āChampion of Godā, or better ā the āWrestler of Godā.
Our Torah sessions each Shabbat teaches you and encourages you to constantly challenge, question, argue against, as well as view alternative views and explanations of the Word. In other words, we are to āwrestle with the Wordā to get to the truth. Jews worldwide believe that you need to wrestle with the Word and constantly challenge Dogma, Theology, and views or else you will never get to the Truth.
We are not like most churches where āThe preacher talks and everyone listens.ā We encourage everyone to participate, to question and to contribute what they know on the subject being discussed. We want you to be a champion wrestler of the Word of Yehovah. We want you to wear the title of Israel, knowing that you not only know but are capable of explaining why you know the Torah to be true with logic and facts.
We have a few rules though. Let others talk and listen. There is no discussion about UFOās Nephilim, Vaccines or conspiracy-type subjects. We have people from around the world with different world views. Not everyone cares who is the President of any particular country. Treat each other with respect as Fellow wrestlers of the word. Some of our subjects are hard to understand and require you to be mature and if you do not know, then listen to gain knowledge and understanding and hopefully wisdom. The very things you are commanded to ask Yehovah for and He gives to those who ask.
Jas 1:5Ā Ā But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him.
We hope you can invite those who want to keep Torah to come and join us by hitting the link below. It is almost like a Torah teaching fellowship talk show with people from around the world taking part and sharing their insights and understandings.
We start off with some music and then some prayers and itās as though you were sitting around the kitchen back in Newfoundland having a cup of coffee and all of us enjoying each otherās company. I hope you will grace us with your company someday.
Sabbath services begin at 12:30 PM EDT where we will be doing prayers songs and teaching from this hour.
Shabbat Services will begin at about 1:15 pm Eastern.
On the Holy Day, Shavuot, we will be having two meetings. One at 10 AM Eastern and the afternoon will be 2 PM Eastern. Look forward to seeing you all there.
We look forward to you joining our family and getting to know us as we get to know you.
Joseph Dumond is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Joseph Dumondās Personal Meeting Room
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 350 585 5877
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Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 350 585 5877
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IN The Mail This Week
I AM MISS P.Ā I VERY MUCH WANT TO ORDER ALL OF JOSEPH’S BOOKS.Ā PLEASE TELL ME IN WHICH ORDER TO BUY THEM AND THE COST THRU WHO?Ā HE IS INSPIRATIONAL AND AMAZING.Ā PLEASE LET ME KNOW SOON.Ā THANK YOU
Shalom Prophet Joseph
We have begun to finally send out the books to all those who support this work. Anyone who supports this work on a monthly or even a one time donation will have access to all, yes all our books in e-book or audio format. It is our way of saying thank you.
If you want to read all our books and have access to any that we produce in the future then become a supporter of this work.
Dear Joseph Dumond,
I trust this email finds you well.Ā Thank you for the eBooks you have so graciously given.Ā I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.Ā The audio book, It was a riddle not a command, was really good.Ā Lots of insight and history and enlightenment to chew on.Ā I listened to it on the go, which was really helpful, as my days do not allow me much free time to pick up a book for long stretches at a time. I know that the donation we were able to give does not even come close to the value of your material you have forwarded to me.Ā Once again, a thousand times thank you.Ā
A friend of mine, Marnita Steyn, introduced us to Sighted Moon a few months back.Ā We were greatly hurt by a Torah ministry we joined after coming out of the mainstream church a few years back, so we are very wary to trust and learn from other ministries.Ā As a result, I cautiously approached your site to take a look at what you are about!! Ā We started watching some of your teachings on YouTube, and I must say.ā¦.Ā We are enjoying it very much.Ā Thank you that you are YHWH Elohimās vessel unto value and for all your sacrifice so that we may learn and grow in the Way of our Creator.Ā I am looking forward to reading all your books.Ā Your kindness and generosity are truly a breath of fresh air.Ā Thank you so much.
May YAH bless you and guard you.
Much love and shalom in Yeshua Messiah.
Angela Olivier
Shalom brother
Yom Teruah, a Day & Hour No One Knows
Yom Teruah a Day & Hour No One Knows
I am sharing this article early which is one we normally share closer to Yom Teruah. The purpose of it is to help you understand why you look for the Crescent moon. But there is more, much more that this day is going to reveal to those who studying their Torah and not diving into some rabbit trail.
Mat 24:36Ā Ā But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not the angels of Heaven, but only My Father.
That annual reminder of āThat Day and Hourā is now at hand. The Feast of Trumpets, The Feast of Yom Teruah, the Feast of Shouting is soon approaching. No one could predict this day, no one could know for sure when it will come.
No one could know when the woman was to give birth to the child. Yeshuaās birth day will soon be here. And with celebrations we greet this day.
This day has a double meaning in it. One we need to take to heart. It is the beginning of the 10 Days of Awe. It is also a battle cry. The word in Lev 23 forĀ a memorial of summons is also written as a blowing of Trumpets. It is the word H8643.
Lev 23:24Ā Ā Speak to the sons of Israel saying: In the seventh month, in the firstĀ dayĀ of the month, you shall have a sabbath, a memorial summons, a holy convocation.Ā 25Ā Ā You shall do no work of labor but you shall offer a fire offering to Jehovah.
H8643 Ā teru??a?hĀ ter-oo-awā
FromĀ H7321;Ā clamor, that is,Ā acclamationĀ of joy or aĀ battleĀ cry; especiallyĀ clangorĀ of trumpets, as anĀ alarum: āĀ alarm, blow (-ing) (of, the) (trumpets), joy, jubile, loud noise, rejoicing, shout (-ing), (high, joyful) sound (-ing).
Far too many think of only Jesusās return and do not consider the warning of this BATTLE CRY!
We are to be watching for this time.
Luk 12:35Ā Let your loins be girded about, andĀ yourĀ lights burning.Ā 36Ā And you yourselves be like men who wait for their lord, whenever he shall return from the wedding, so that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.Ā 37Ā BlessedĀ areĀ those servants whom the lord will find watching whenĀ heĀ comes. Truly I say to you that he shall gird himself and make them recline; and coming up he will serve them.Ā 38Ā And if he comes in the second watch, or comes in the third watch, and findĀ itĀ so, blessed are those servants.Ā 39Ā And know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be dug through.Ā 40Ā Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man comes at an hour when you think not.
Will the moon be seen on the 29th or the 30th? When does the Holy Day of Trumpets begin? We have all had to be as watchmen looking for this event to come to us. No one can know until witnesses have seen or not seen the moon on the 29th day of the 6th month.
Rev 16:15Ā Ā Behold, I am coming as a thief. BlessedĀ isĀ theĀ oneĀ who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.
Rev 3:1Ā Ā And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things. I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.Ā 2Ā Ā Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found your works being fulfilled before God.Ā 3Ā Ā Remember then how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.Ā 4Ā Ā You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. And they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.Ā 5Ā Ā The one who overcomes, this one will be clothed in white clothing. And I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.Ā 6Ā Ā He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
We each repent, we each individually return to Yehovah and begin to keep His torah, His commandments that our ancestors agreed to at Mount Sinai. Then we who are grafted in, now agree to from that day forward. We do this so that our name may be found in the book of life which is closed at the end of these 10 Days of Awe on the Day of Atonement when the end of the fighting against Satan ceases. This is the battle cry.
Many Of those steeped in Christian lies and false teaching bring those same lies and false teaching with them when they begin to learn the truths of the Torah. One of those lies is that you cannot know the day or the hour. And with that they dismiss all end time prophecies. They do not know the scriptures and assume they do.
Mat 22:29Ā Jesus answered and said to them, You err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.
The Apostles were not to know these things because they were 2000 years before the 7th Millennium was to begin with all the end time prophecies that were to happen just before that time. But not so with you.
Act 1:6Ā Ā Then, indeed, these coming together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, do You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?Ā 7Ā Ā And He said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own authority.
But Paul tells us that even though we may not know the day, we will know the season. You will know that day āAccuratelyā. How is that possible? Only because they not only knew and kept the Feast days, they also understood the meaning of each Feast day as it pertains to the plan of salvation.
1Th 5:1Ā But of the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you.Ā 2Ā For you yourselves know accurately that the day ofĀ theĀ Lord comes like a thief in the night.Ā 3Ā For when they shall say, Peace and safety! Then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman with child. And they shall not escape.Ā 4Ā But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you like a thief.Ā 5Ā You are all the sons of light and the sons of the day. We are not of the night, or of darkness.Ā 6Ā Therefore let us not sleep as the restĀ do, but let us watch and be calm.Ā 7Ā For those sleeping sleep in the night, and those being drunken are drunken in the night.Ā 8Ā But let us, who are of the day, be calm, having put onĀ theĀ breastplate of faith and love andĀ theĀ hope of salvationĀ forĀ a helmet.Ā 9Ā For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,Ā 10Ā who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him.Ā 11Ā Therefore comfort one another, and edify one another, even as you also do.Ā 12Ā And, brothers, we beseech you to know those who labor among you, and are over you inĀ theĀ Lord, and who admonish you,Ā 13Ā and to esteem them very highly in love for their workās sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
Brethren, the Feast day of the Day and Hour no one can know has now arrived. May Yehovah bless you as you watch and warn others of the coming war that this day warns us is coming. We explain these things in our videos. Share them and talk about them to all you meet this Holy Day season.
The Birth Day of Yehshua & the Feast of Yom Teruah
THE BIRTH DAY OF YEHSHUA & THE FEAST OF YOM TERUAH
On the 1st day of the Seventh monthĀ (Tishrei) the Torah commands us to observe the holy day of Yom Teruah which means āDay of Shoutingā (Lev 23:23-25; Nu 29:1-6). Yom Teruah is a day of rest on which work is forbidden. One of the unique things about Yom Teruah is that the Torah does not say what the purpose of this holy day is. The Torah gives at least one reason for all the other holy days and two reasons for some. The Feast of Matzot (Unleavened Bread) commemorates the Exodus from Egypt but it is also a celebration of the beginning of the barley harvest (Exodus 23:15; Lev 23:4ā14). The Feast of Shavuot (Weeks) is a celebration of the wheat harvest (Ex 23:16; 34:22). Yom Ha-Kippurim is a national day of atonement as described in great detail in Leviticus 16. Finally the Feast of Sukkot (Booths) commemorates the wandering of the Israelites in the desert but it is also a celebration of the ingathering of agricultural produce (Ex 23:16). In contrast to all these Torah festivals, Yom Teruah has no clear purpose other than that we are commanded to rest on this day.
The name of Yom Teruah may provide a clue as to its purpose. Teruah literally means to make a loud noise. This word can describe the noise made by a trumpet but it also describes the noise made by a large gathering of people shouting in unison (Nu 10:5ā6). For example:
āAnd it shall come to pass when the ramās horn makes a long blast, when you hear the sound of the shofar, the entire nation will shout a great shout, and the wall of the city shall fall in its place, and the people shall go up as one man against it.ā (Joshua 6:5)Many times I am asked if it is okay to celebrate a birthday. So many people want nothing to do with the day a person was born. They associate it with an evil or pagan thing. But is that correct?
Yom Teruah, the day of Shouting, is about the day the Messiah was born and it is the announcement that He has arrived. Stop and ask yourself if Yehovah would really send the Messiah on just any old day? The answer is no. As you just read, many of the Holy Days have one or more meaningful events take place on them.
Yom Teruah is the day the Messiah was born and it is also the day upon which He will come at the end of the 7th Millennium just before the 8th one begins. We have taught on this before. If you want proof as to how I know Yehshua was born on this day then you can read the following articles:
- Newsletter 5842-019Ā Ā The Return of Yeshua
- Newsletter 5842-022Ā Ā Ā Conjunction or Sighted Which?
Each year we all shy away from the story of the Messianic birth because it is surrounded by the Christmas story on December 25. I noticed I have never taught on this story and it was mainly for that reason. Yom Teruah is the birth of Yehshua and this year I wanted to go over those verses that lead up to that very important time when the angels were blowing their shofars to announce it. The Day of Blowing. Hmmm.
At the same time this will answer the question about birthdays. Always ask yourself, what does Yehovah say about this?
Let us go through the entire story of the birth of the Messiah and understand. I will point out those things along the way that you should be made aware of.Luk 1:1Ā Since many took in hand to draw up an account concerning the matters which have been borne out among us,Ā 2Ā even as those who fromĀ theĀ beginning delivered to us, becoming eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word,Ā 3Ā it seemed good to me also, following all things accurately from the very first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus,Ā 4Ā so that you might know the certainty of those things in which you have been instructed.Ā 5Ā In the days of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, ofĀ theĀ course of Abijah. And his wifeĀ wasĀ of the daughters of Aaron, and her nameĀ wasĀ Elizabeth.
The course of Abijah. Many use this to teach about the birth of the Messiah. Lets look at it briefly.
The Course of Abija
Posted onĀ November 2, 2012
How many of you have heard of the course of Abija?Ā Did you know it is one of the only ways to date the birth of Jesus in the Bible?Ā 95% of Americans will celebrate the birth of Christ this year, so I thought some might be interested in the Biblical case for the timing of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Most are familiar with story of the birth of Christ from Luke 2.Ā But it is Luke 1 that provides the means by which the timing of the birth of Jesus can be determined.Ā In Luke 1 we have the story of Zacharias, the priest, and his wife, Elisabeth.Ā Zacharias and Elisabeth were well on in years and without children.Ā As it is told in Luke 1, Zacharias was performing his duty in the temple when theĀ angel appeared and told him they would have a son and to call his name John.Ā Needless to say Zacharias was somewhat incredulous, considering their age.Ā As proof of his message the angel told Zacharias he would be unable to speak until the dayĀ the message was fulfilled.
The passage goes on to say that Elisabeth conceived after Zachariasā service ended.Ā Then 6 months later Mary, the mother of Jesus, conceived.Ā Zacharias performed his priestly service during the course of Abijah which fell during the latter part of the 4thmonth.Ā From this it is a simple matter to determine the general time of the birth of Jesus.Ā The chart below gives the priestly courses in relation to the conception of Elisabeth and Mary.
Luke 1:35-37Ā Ā 35Ā And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.Ā Ā 36Ā And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.Ā Ā 37Ā For with God nothing shall be impossible.
What most people never think of is Adar Bet.Ā Adar Bet is the 13 month in the Calendar. In other words a leap year.Ā Is it possible to have a leap year in these courses of the Priestly duties? Yes, it is. Was the year Yehshua born a leap year?Ā You cannot use the current Hebrew calendar for this calculation as it had not yet been instituted which only occurred in the 12th century C.E. We have no real way to be certain if a leap year had occurred or not. But letās just look at the chart above. Yehshua was born at the end of the ninth month, not the beginning of it and not after 8 1/2 months on Sukkot. He was born after 9 complete months. When Adar Bet is added after the month of Adar then the birth of Yehshua comes at the end of the ninth month, on the first day of the 10th month of Maryās pregnancy. This is the first of TishriĀ or Yom Teruah.
ChildbirthĀ usually occursĀ about 38 weeks after conception; in women who have a menstrual cycle length of four weeks, this is approximately 40 weeks from the start of the last normal menstrual period (LNMP)
If you count the weeks from the very week Mary should have gotten pregnant you will see that by the end of the month of Tishri would only be 36 weeks. Yet she gives birth after 38 weeks. Now let us add one Adar Bet or a leap month. But there is one more thing everyone is missing. Elizabeth was in her 6th month. It was still the 6th month not the start of the 7th, as the chart is showing you and most people then begin to count from.
You have 4 weeks in that 6th month to work from. Mary is told this news during the 6th month. After this news she departs in haste to go and see Elizabeth and by the time she gets there Mary isĀ pregnant. All of this happens during the 6th month. So was it the first week or the 2nd week or third week? You are about to prove it for yourself.
Now, let us count the weeks from the beginning of the 6th month of Elizabethās pregnancy.Tevet the 10th month 4 weeks
Shivat the 11th month 8 weeks
Adar 1 the 12th month 12 weeks
Adar 2 the 13th Month 16 weeks
Nisan the 1st month 20 weeks
Iyar the 2nd month 24 weeks
Sivan the 3rd month 28Ā weeks
Tammuz the 4th month 32Ā weeks
Av the 5th month 36Ā weeks
Elul the 6th month 40Ā weeks
We can then assume that the 6th month was half over and that Mary conceived in the middle of the sixth month. 38Ā weeks later takes you to the end of the month of Elul and the birth of Yehshua on the 1st of Tishri,Ā The Feast of Trumpets. Just as we quoted our source above said it would 38 weeks after conception.
Now we know for sure Yehshua was not born on December 25. And we also now know He was not born at Sukkot.6Ā And they were both righteous before God, walking blameless in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.7Ā And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren. And both were advanced in their days.Ā 8Ā And it happened in his serving in the order of his course, before God,Ā 9Ā according to the custom of the priests, it was his lot to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.Ā 10Ā And all the multitude of the people were praying outside at the time of incense.Ā 11Ā And an angelĀ of theĀ Lord appeared to him as he was standing onĀ theĀ right of the altar of incense.Ā 12Ā And seeingĀ this, Zacharias was troubled, and fear fell on him.Ā 13Ā But the angel said to him, Do not fear, Zacharias. For your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.Ā 14Ā And you shall have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth.Ā 15Ā For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall neither drink wine nor strong drink. And he shall be filled withĀ theĀ Holy Spirit, even from his motherās womb.
Look at what Yehshua said about John:
Mat 11:7And as they departed, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? Ā 8But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in softĀ clothing? Behold, they who wear softĀ clothingĀ are in kingsā houses. Ā 9But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, andĀ oneĀ more excellent than a prophet. Ā 10For this isĀ the oneĀ of whom it is written, āBehold, I send My messenger before Your face, who shall prepare Your way before You.ā Ā 11Truly I say to you, AmongĀ thoseĀ who have been born of women there has not risen a greater one than John the Baptist. But the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. Ā 12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of Heaven is taken by violence, and the violent take it by force. Ā 13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. Ā 14And if you will receiveĀ it, this is Elijah who is to come.Ā 15He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Luke1:16Ā And he shall turn many of the sons of Israel toĀ theĀ Lord their God.Ā 17Ā And he shall go before Him inĀ theĀ spirit and power of Elijah, to turnĀ theĀ hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient toĀ theĀ wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared forĀ theĀ Lord.Ā 18Ā And Zacharias said to the angel, By what shall I know this? For I am old, and my wife is advanced in her days.Ā 19Ā And answering, the angel said to him, I am Gabriel, who stands before God. And I am sent to speak to you and to show you these glad tidings.Ā 20Ā And behold, you shall be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed, because you did not believe my words which shall be fulfilled in their time.Compare the doubt of Zacharias to the words of Mary when the angel greeted her. A stark contrast and a warning for us.
21Ā And the people waited for Zacharias and marveled that he stayed so long in the temple.Ā 22Ā And when he came out, he could not speak to them. And they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he was making signs to them, and remained speechless.Ā 23Ā And as soon as the days of his service were accomplished, he departed to his own house.Ā 24Ā And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived and hid herself five months, saying,Ā 25Ā So the Lord has dealt with me in the days in which He looked onĀ me, to take away my reproach among men.
Notice that Zacharias did not know Elizabeth until āafterā he had completed his time at the temple. And then in the next verse it says āINā the sixth month.
26Ā And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
This name Nazareth is
G3478Ā ????????, ????????Ā NazarethĀ Nazaret
nad-zar-ethā,nad-zar-etā
Of uncertain derivation;Ā NazarethĀ orĀ Nazaret, a place in Palestine: ā Nazareth.On our last tour of Israel with Avi ben Mordechai we stopped at the city of Gamala. I hope to have up the video teaching I recorded of this city. If so, you can see it here. But here is the evidence of Gamala. Yehshua was a netser or in other words, a BRANCH See the notes on Mathew 2:23 below. He was not from Nazareth.
Evidence Found at Gamala
āAnd seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:āāMatthew 5:1
The numerous mentions of mountains and their proximity to the Sea of Galilee, in the gospels, should raise a red flag as Nazareth is more than twenty miles from the Sea and situated on a flat plateau and Capernaum is at sea level, but with no mountains. However, the Sea is actually visible from Gamala or Gamla, which is seven miles northeast of the east bank, and unlike Nazareth actually existed during the time of Christ and had its own Temple, This city, which was excavated during the 1970ās and 80s, was the home of Judas of Galilee, and would too closely tie the Jesus of Christianity with the Jewish rebels. It is also the main region inhabited by the original Nazorean sect.
āHerod, upon his return to Syria, finding himself unable to reach the robbers themselves, invaded Trachon and slew many of their relations there, in retaliation for which they still more harassed and pillaged his territory (āAntiquitiesā xvi. 91). In the end, Herod threw 2000 Idumzeans into Trachonitis (i6. 2), and placed a Babylonian Jew named Zamaris, a leader of mercenaries, in command of the surrounding districts. Zamaris built fortresses, and a village called Bathyra, and protected the Jews coming up from Babylon to attend the feasts in Jerusalem against the Trachonite robbers. The consequence was that, till the end of Herodās reign, the country around Trachonitis enjoyed tranquillityāāJosephus, āAntiquitiesā xvii. 2 1-2.
Bathyra was the academy built on the deserted estate of John Hyrcanus. Herod promised five hundred Babylonians tax-free status forever if they built a military academy there to protect his border. On their own they established a religious academy with such teachers as Hillel (110 BCE-10CE) and his grandson Gamaliel I. From topographic descriptions of the camel humps used to identify both Bathyra and Gamala, one can conclude that they are synonymous.The city of Gamala on the Golan derived its name from gamal (Hebrew for camel), since it was situated on a hill shaped like a camels hump. The Hasmonean ruler Alexander Yannaeus founded the city in the first century BCE and it continued to be inhabited by Jews, as attested to by Josephus Flavius (Antiquities of the Jews 13:394). Josephus, a Jew, was Commander of Galilee during the Jewish Revolt against Rome and in 66 CE fortified Gamala as his main stronghold on the Golan. He gives a very detailed topographical description of the city and describes the Roman siege under the command of Vespasian which led to its conquest in 67 CE. The Romans attempted to take the city by means of a siege ramp, but were turned back by the defenders; only on the second attempt did they succeed in penetrating the fortifications and conquering the city. Thousands of inhabitants were slaughtered, while others chose to jump to their deaths from the top of the cliff (Josephus, The Jewish War IV, 1-83). Gamala has not been rebuilt since.
The following is the history leading up to the birth of Yehshua. It was a very tough area to grow up in as Herod sought to kill off the line of people who descended from the Davidic line. I have edited the dates of this article to match those of the birth of Yehshua.
Gamla, the Home of the Jewish Resistance Movement
WhereĀ Prince Matthan ben EliezarĀ livedĀ we haveĀ no direct evidence to date, but theĀ genealogy and history suggestsĀ that hisĀ family may have livedĀ in theĀ hilltop fortress of Gamla.Ā Ā Matthanās first born son, Jacob, became theĀ PatriarchĀ of theĀ Jerusalem Patriarchate.Ā Ā HeĀ lived in JerusalemĀ as theĀ firstĀ of theĀ AbiuditeĀ Davidian Lineage PrincesĀ toĀ achieve such predominanceĀ inĀ Jewish governanceĀ since theĀ daysĀ of theĀ Persian Governor NehemiahĀ andĀ his descendants,Ā who alsoĀ servedĀ asĀ Persian Governors of Judea. They were all heirsĀ ofĀ Governor ZerubabbelĀ by hisĀ 1stĀ Babylonian wife, Amytis.Secular history does attestĀ that theĀ second oldest sonĀ ofĀ Matthan ben Eliezar,Ā Hezekiah the ZealotĀ lived inĀ later yearsĀ near theĀ western shoresĀ ofĀ Lake KinneretĀ (Sea of Galilee)Ā at theĀ city of SepphorisĀ while hisĀ younger brother Judas of GamalaĀ kept his identityĀ with hisĀ native city of Gamla,Ā on theĀ eastern side of Galilean Sea.Ā The evidence suggestsĀ thatĀ Jacob, Hezekiah, andĀ JudasĀ grew upĀ in theĀ regionĀ of theĀ city of Gamla.
The city of GamlaĀ in theĀ foothillsĀ of theĀ Golan Ridge gets its nameĀ from theĀ Hebrew word, gamal,Ā which meansĀ camel. There on a ridgeĀ thatĀ looked likeĀ a camelās rump, theĀ Hasmonean king, Alexander JannaeusĀ founded theĀ city,Ā whoseĀ historical roots goĀ all theĀ way backĀ to theĀ Early Bronze AgeĀ andĀ later conqueredĀ byĀ Joshua and the Israelites.Ā GamlaĀ wasĀ annexedĀ into theĀ Hasmonean State inĀ 81 BCE.
As late asĀ 66 CE, it was theĀ Jewish Commander of Galilee, Flavius Josephus, who alsoĀ fortified the city of GamalaĀ inĀ anticipationĀ of theĀ arrivalĀ of theĀ Roman legions ofĀ General VespasianĀ (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews XIII, 394).Ā Ā LocatedĀ on aĀ basaltic rocky ridge completely surroundedĀ byĀ deep ravinesĀ and gorges, aĀ shallow saddle separated the cityĀ from theĀ rest of the ridge.Ā ThisĀ provided the cityĀ with great strategicĀ andĀ defensive positions. At theĀ top of the hillĀ theĀ ridge become very narrowĀ and pointedĀ with aĀ deep slopeĀ on theĀ northern faceĀ and aĀ more graduated slopeĀ where theĀ city was built on the south. To the eastĀ was theĀ entranceĀ to theĀ city andĀ fronted by a massive square basalt stone fortification wall.Ā Ā Ā It hadĀ multiple square towers on the sideĀ while aĀ circular citadel tower was builtĀ on the crest.
After a siegeĀ andĀ two attemptsĀ withĀ rampart siege engines, theĀ Roman forces penetratedĀ theĀ fortressĀ on theĀ eastern fortification wallsĀ with aĀ five meter wide breachĀ depictedĀ evidenceĀ ofĀ significant fightingĀ withĀ arrowheadsĀ andĀ numerous ballistic balls.Ā As the fighting progressedĀ into theĀ city,Ā theĀ soldiers and citizens retreatedĀ to theĀ citadelĀ on theĀ top of the cliff.Over four thousand Jewish fightersĀ wereĀ killed in battleĀ while overĀ five thousand were killed fleeingĀ towards theĀ cliffsĀ and to theirĀ death.OnlyĀ until theĀ 70āsĀ was theĀ city of Gamala archeologically rediscoveredĀ andĀ identified.In the year ofĀ 23 BCE,Ā theĀ sisterĀ andĀ twin brothers of JosephĀ wereĀ secretly removedĀ to theĀ homeĀ of theirĀ uncle,Ā Hezekiah the ZealotĀ up inĀ GalileeĀ so they could be outside theĀ reachĀ ofĀ King Herodās grasp, when theirĀ fatherĀ andĀ Hezekiahās brother,Ā Patriarch of Jerusalem, Jacob ben MatthanĀ wasĀ executedĀ onĀ charges of sedition againstĀ theĀ royal throneĀ ofĀ King Herod.Ā ItĀ also appearsĀ that theĀ three daughters,Ā Hannah, Elizabeth, andĀ Joanne,Ā born toĀ theĀ reigningĀ High Priest of Israel, Yeshua IIIĀ were alsoĀ secretedĀ to theĀ same regionĀ in theĀ same year.
It was duringĀ thatĀ year, thatĀ King HerodĀ in aĀ fit of amorous passion rearrangedĀ theĀ political and religious Jewish hierarchyĀ byĀ executingĀ theĀ leading officerĀ of theĀ Jerusalem PatriarchateĀ andĀ deposingĀ andĀ probably executingĀ theĀ High PriestĀ inĀ orderĀ thatĀ he could appointĀ aĀ newĀ High Priest, Simon V Boethus, so thatĀ he could marryĀ hisĀ daughter,Ā Miriamne II.
TheĀ evidence is still not clearĀ whetherĀ Hezekiah the Zealot, aĀ nameĀ that he may haveĀ earned in later years, wasĀ livingĀ in theĀ fortress city ofĀ GamlaĀ inĀ 23 BCE,Ā forĀ where weĀ findĀ Hezekiah the Zealot, nowĀ involvedĀ in theĀ Jewish Resistance MovementĀ aroundĀ 6 BCE, involvedĀ inĀ setting upĀ theĀ Theocratic State of GalileeĀ at theĀ city ofĀ SepphorisĀ on theĀ western coast of Galilee.Ā Ā It appearsĀ theĀ younger son,Ā Judas of Gamala,Ā stayed closerĀ toĀ the home frontĀ andĀ earned the nameĀ ofĀ its identity.In the centerĀ of theĀ cityĀ was anĀ impressive rectangular shapedĀ synagogue orientedĀ in theĀ directedĀ ofĀ Jerusalem to the southwest.Ā TheĀ central pillared synagogueĀ hadĀ several rows of stone-built benchesĀ along theĀ walls. In the courtyardĀ wereĀ wide stepsĀ thatĀ led downĀ to theĀ mikvah ritual bathsĀ ofĀ purification. The city, locatedĀ on theĀ sides of the mountainĀ wasĀ terraced with stepped alleys, and in theĀ western partĀ of theĀ city were residencesĀ withĀ large rooms suggesting owners of distinction,Ā wealth, andĀ prominence.Ā The numerous oil presses suggestedĀ anĀ agrarian economyĀ that wasĀ supportedĀ by itsĀ olive oil industry.
Within the fire and conflagrationĀ of theĀ collapsing walls, theĀ city for nineteen hundred years was preserved.Ā Within the ruinsĀ wereĀ found unique coinsĀ that wereĀ minted at GamlaĀ during theĀ Jewish Revolt.Ā On theĀ observeĀ wasĀ writtenĀ the words,Ā ligeulat, meaning āfor the redemption ofāĀ and onĀ the reverse,Ā Yerushalayim HakedoshaĀ meaningĀ āHoly Jerusalemā.Ā This highlightsĀ theĀ strong ties betweenĀ theĀ Citadel at GamlaĀ and theĀ city of JerusalemĀ and theĀ firm beliefĀ of theĀ citizens at GamalaĀ thatĀ their defenseĀ was also aĀ defense to save Jerusalem. The intense Zionistic fervorĀ wasĀ preservedĀ toĀ its last days.
After the revoltĀ andĀ executionĀ ofĀ Simon V of Perea, theĀ lastĀ of theĀ all-JewishĀ TobaiditeĀ Davidian princes,Ā theĀ next Davidian princeĀ toĀ rise in opposition to RomeĀ was theĀ brotherĀ ofĀ Patriarch Jacob ben Matthan;Ā Hezekiah the ZealotĀ inĀ 4 BCE.Ā Ā Jacob, apparently theĀ oldest,Ā was theĀ Patriarch of JerusalemĀ between theĀ years ofĀ 32 to 23 BCE.Ā Ā He was killed, according toĀ David Hughes, onĀ charges of seditionĀ against theĀ Herodian stateĀ theĀ same yearĀ thatĀ Yeshua III (Jesus III) the high priestĀ wasĀ removedĀ from theĀ officeĀ of theĀ high priestĀ with theĀ same charges.
It wasĀ in theĀ year ofĀ 23 BCE, theĀ childrenĀ ofĀ Patriarch JacobĀ wereĀ secreted out of JerusalemĀ andĀ taken to GamalaĀ to beĀ raisedĀ in theĀ home of their uncle, theĀ brother ofĀ Jacob,Ā Hezekiah the Zealot.Ā TheĀ childrenĀ ofĀ Jacob the PatriarchĀ were;Ā Princess Miriam (12 years old),Ā Prince Joseph (6 years old),Ā and theĀ ātwinsā Ptolas and Clopas (3 years old).
TheirĀ mother,Ā Cleopatra of Jerusalem, now aĀ widow, wasĀ taken underĀ theĀ ordersĀ ofĀ King HerodĀ andĀ given to beĀ theĀ wifeĀ of theĀ newĀ High Priest, Simon IV Boethus.Ā Ā This young Egyptian Princess,Ā Cleopatra of Jerusalem,Ā appearedĀ to be aĀ pawn of political expediencyĀ forĀ King Herod.
ThereĀ in theĀ homeĀ ofĀ Hezekiah (Hizkiah or Ezekias),Ā theĀ four childrenĀ ofĀ Patriarch Jacob: Miriam,Ā Joseph, Ptolas,Ā andĀ ClopasĀ wereĀ raisedĀ withĀ Hezekiahās three sons: Judas, Menahem,Ā andĀ Jacob.Ā Truly lovers of Israel, theĀ foster familyĀ ofĀ Prince Joseph, wereĀ classical Zionists,Ā ones who dearly lovedĀ theirĀ āpromised landāĀ andĀ firmly believedĀ in theĀ Providential CovenantĀ of theĀ PromiseĀ thatĀ āThis Land is Our Landā.Ā Ā Yet,Ā within theĀ heartĀ ofĀ Uncle HezekiahĀ was aĀ burning acheĀ thatĀ it was not partĀ ofĀ Godās covenantĀ thatĀ they were destinedĀ to beĀ slaves and pawnsĀ under theĀ tyrannical rule of King Herod.All the childrenĀ wereĀ grown up, andĀ adults of their own, in theĀ yearĀ thatĀ King Herod diedĀ in theĀ fall of 1 BCE.Ā Ā Prince Joseph, aĀ āCarpenterāĀ orĀ āMaster GuildsmanāĀ byĀ trade, who wasĀ capable of doingĀ anyĀ form of construction,Ā wasĀ financially strugglingĀ under theĀ heavy handĀ ofĀ King Herod, asĀ he soughtĀ toĀ eliminateĀ inĀ pogroms of terrorĀ anyĀ Davidian princeĀ thatĀ lived withinĀ hisĀ kingdom.
By the yearĀ of 1Ā BCE,Ā Prince JosephāsĀ adopted Son,Ā Yehoshua (Jesus),Ā who wasĀ conceivedĀ by hisĀ betrothed bride,Ā Princess MiriamĀ underĀ miraculous circumstancesĀ wasĀ two years old.Ā Ā Ā SuddenlyĀ theĀ villageĀ ofĀ Bethlehem āEphrataāĀ wasĀ under siegeĀ in aĀ commando massacre raidĀ early in 1 BCE, after aĀ group ofĀ Magi from the EastĀ cameĀ into theĀ city of Jerusalem, looking for theĀ royal childĀ who wasĀ destinedĀ to be theĀ āking of the Jewsā.Ā TheĀ royal familyĀ ofĀ Prince JosephĀ andĀ Princess MiriamĀ wereĀ not to be found, for in anĀ act of divine providence,Ā JosephĀ wasĀ warned to escapeĀ to theĀ land of Egypt.By 1 BCE,Ā theĀ older sisterĀ ofĀ Prince Joseph,Ā Princess Miriam(also), now at theĀ age of thirty one, wasĀ marriedĀ toĀ Prince Theudas, who wasĀ famousĀ to be theĀ last of the anti-PrincesĀ and theĀ oldest sonĀ of theĀ anti-king Athronges.Ā He wasĀ theĀ last dynastic PatriarchĀ of theĀ PelatiahiteĀ LineageĀ thatĀ once descendedĀ from theĀ officially approved Jewish lineagesĀ of theĀ oldest sonĀ ofĀ Governor ZerubabbelĀ and hisĀ 3rdĀ Jewish wife,Ā EsthraāsĀ second son,Ā Prince Pelatiah.Ā TheyĀ alsoĀ hadĀ been outcastsĀ inĀ Jewish societyĀ forĀ PelatiahĀ hadĀ married a āforeignā bride.
Prince TheudasĀ wasĀ different. He was aĀ man of peaceĀ andĀ later becameĀ aĀ rabbi (teacher) and leaderĀ in theĀ Jesus messianic movementĀ called theĀ Nazarenes. HistoryĀ wouldĀ later revealĀ thatĀ TheudasĀ was a part of theĀ chosen āSeventyāĀ andĀ laterĀ as aĀ āprophetā of renownĀ thatĀ JosephusĀ called aĀ āwizardāĀ orĀ āmiracle workerā, a nameĀ that wasĀ alsoĀ called hisĀ nephew,Ā Yehoshua HaMaschiach (Jesus the Messiah).
You can read the rest of this excellent account at the link above.
Luke 1:27Ā to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, ofĀ theĀ house of David. And the virginās nameĀ wasĀ Mary.Ā 28Ā And the angel came in to her and said, Hail,Ā oneĀ receiving grace, the LordĀ isĀ with you. BlessedĀ areĀ you among women.Ā 29Ā And when she sawĀ him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what kind of greeting this might be.Ā 30Ā And the angel said to her, Do not fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God.Ā 31Ā And behold! You shall conceive inĀ yourĀ womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS.
G2424 Ā ???????? Ā Ā Ie?sous Ā Ā ee-ay-sooceā
Of Hebrew origin [H3091];Ā JesusĀ (that is,Ā Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites: ā Jesus.
H3091 Ā ??????Ā Ā ???????? Ā Ā yeho?shu?a?Ā yeho?shu?a? Ā Ā yeh-ho-shooā-ah,Ā yeh-ho-shooā-ahĀ
FromĀ H3068Ā andĀ H3467;Ā Jehovah-saved;Ā JehoshuaĀ (that is, Joshua), the Jewish leader: ā Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. CompareĀ H1954,Ā H3442.
H3068 Ā Ā ???? Ā Ā Ā yeho?va?h Ā Ā Ā yeh-ho-vawāĀ
FromĀ H1961; (the)Ā selfĀ ExistentĀ or eternal;Ā Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: ā Jehovah, the Lord. CompareĀ H3050,Ā H3069.
H3467 Ā Ā ???? Ā Ā ya?sha? Ā Ā Ā yaw-shahā
A primitive root; properly toĀ beĀ open,Ā wideĀ orĀ free, that is, (by implication) toĀ beĀ safe; causatively toĀ freeĀ orĀ succor: āĀ Ā X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.
H1954 Ā Ā Ā ????? Ā Ā Ā ho?she?a? Ā Ā Ā ho-shayā-ah
FromĀ H3467;Ā deliverer;Ā Hoshea, the name of five Israelites: ā Hosea, Hoshea, Oshea.
H3442 Ā Ā Ā ?????? Ā Ā Ā ye?shu?a? Ā Ā Ā yah-shooā-ah
ForĀ H3091;Ā heĀ willĀ save;Ā Jeshua, the name of two Israelites, also of a place in Palestine: ā Jeshua.His name was to be called Yeshua or Yehoshua. He was not called Jesus.
32Ā He shall be great and shall be called the Son ofĀ theĀ Highest. And the Lord God shall give Him the throne of His father David.Ā 33Ā And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.Ā 34Ā Then Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I do not know a man?Ā 35Ā And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come on you, andĀ theĀ power ofĀ theĀ Highest shall overshadow you. Therefore also that HolyĀ OneĀ which will be born of you shall be called Son of God.
Let us now read Isaiah and Revelation which describe this event that is written in the stars. The constellation Virgo explains this same prophecy.
Isa 7:14Ā So, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel.
Rev 12:1Ā And there appeared a great sign in the heavens, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head,Ā 2Ā and havingĀ a babeĀ in womb, she cries, being in travail, having been distressed to bear.Ā 3Ā And another sign was seen in the heavens. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads!Ā 4Ā And his tail drew the thirdĀ partĀ of the stars of heaven, and cast them onto the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman being about to bear, so that when she bears he might devour her child.Ā 5Ā And she bore a son, a male, who is going to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God andĀ toĀ His throne.
H6005 Ā Ā Ā ???????? Ā Ā Ā ?imma?nu?āe?l Ā Ā im-maw-noo-aleā
FromĀ H5973Ā andĀ H410Ā with suffix pronoun inserted;Ā withĀ usĀ (is)Ā God;Ā Immanuel, a name of Isaiahās son: ā Immanuel.He shall be called Yah with us. God with us. Yehovah, Yah Saves.
36Ā And behold, your cousin Elizabeth also conceived a son in her old age. And thisĀ isĀ the sixth month with her whoĀ wasĀ called barren.Ā 37Ā For with God nothing shall be impossible.Ā 38Ā And Mary said, Behold the servant ofĀ theĀ Lord. Let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her.Ā 39Ā And Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah.Ā 40Ā AndĀ sheĀ entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.Ā 41Ā And it happened as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,Ā 42Ā and cried out with a loud voice and said, BlessedĀ areĀ you among women, and blessedĀ isĀ the fruit of your womb.Ā 43Ā And from whereĀ isĀ this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?Ā 44Ā For lo, as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.Ā 45Ā And blessedĀ isĀ she who believes, for there shall be a perfecting of those things which were told her fromĀ theĀ Lord.Ā 46Ā And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord,Ā 47Ā and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.Ā 48Ā For He looked on the humiliation of His slave woman. For, behold, from now on all generations shall count me blessed.Ā 49Ā For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holyĀ isĀ His name.Ā 50Ā And His mercyĀ isĀ on those who fear Him from generation to generation.Ā 51Ā He has worked power with His arm, He has scattered the proud inĀ theĀ imagination of their heart.Ā 52Ā He has put down rulers fromĀ theirĀ seats and exalted the lowly,Ā 53Ā He has filledĀ theĀ hungry with good things, and He has sent awayĀ theĀ rich empty.Ā 54Ā He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance ofĀ HisĀ mercy,Ā 55Ā as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.Ā 56Ā And Mary stayed with her about three months, and returned to her own house.Ā 57Ā And the time was fulfilled to ElizabethĀ forĀ her to bear. And she bore a son.Ā 58Ā And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard howĀ theĀ Lord had magnified His mercy with her, and they rejoiced with her.Ā 59Ā And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and were calling it Zacharias, after his fatherās name.Ā 60Ā And his mother answered and said, No, but he shall be called John.Ā 61Ā And they said to her, There is none of your kindred that is called by this name.Ā 62Ā And they made signs to his father as to how he would have him called.Ā 63Ā And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all marveled.Ā 64Ā And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongueĀ loosened. And he spoke and praised God.Ā 65Ā And fear came on all who lived all around them. And all these things were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.Ā 66Ā And all those who heard laidĀ themĀ up in their hearts, saying, What kind of child shall this be! And the hand ofĀ theĀ Lord was with him.Ā 67Ā And his father Zacharias was filled withĀ theĀ Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,Ā 68Ā BlessedĀ is theĀ Lord, the God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His peopleĀ 69Ā and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,Ā 70Ā as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from eternity;Ā 71Ā that we should be saved from our enemies and fromĀ theĀ hand of all who hate us,Ā 72Ā to perform the mercyĀ promisedĀ to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant,Ā 73Ā Ā theĀ oath which He swore to our father Abraham,Ā 74Ā that He would grant to us,Ā that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fearĀ 75Ā in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.Ā 76Ā And you, child, will be called the prophet ofĀ theĀ Highest, for you shall go beforeĀ theĀ face ofĀ theĀ Lord to prepare His ways,Ā 77Ā to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins,Ā 78Ā throughĀ theĀ tender mercy of our God; by whichĀ theĀ Dayspring from on high has visited us,Ā 79Ā to give light to those who sit in darkness andĀ inĀ the shadow of death, to guide our feet intoĀ theĀ way of peace.Ā 80Ā And the child grew and became strong in spirit and was in the deserts untilĀ theĀ day of his showing to Israel.
Luk 2:1Ā Ā And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.Ā 2Ā Ā (This taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)Ā 3Ā Ā And all went to be registered, each toĀ hisĀ own city.Ā 4Ā Ā And Joseph also went up from Galilee to be taxed (out ofĀ theĀ city of Nazareth, into Judea, toĀ theĀ city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was ofĀ theĀ house and family line of David).Ā 5Ā Ā And he took Mary his betrothed wife, being with child.Ā 6Ā Ā And while they were there, the daysĀ forĀ her deliverance were fulfilled.Ā 7Ā Ā And she brought forth her son, the First-born, and wrapped Him, and laid Him in a mangerā because there was no room for them in the inn.Ā 8Ā Ā And in the same country there were shepherds living in the field, keeping watch over their flockĀ byĀ night.
After Sukkot the weather changes and is rainy and cold. No one is out in the fields at this time. But they are still out there up until Sukkot. The Feast of Trumpets takes place 15 days before Sukkot.
9Ā Ā And lo, the angel ofĀ theĀ Lord came on them, andĀ theĀ glory ofĀ theĀ Lord shone around them. And they were grievously afraid.Ā 10Ā Ā And the angel said to them, Do not fear. For behold, I give to you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.Ā 11Ā Ā For to you is born today, inĀ theĀ city of David, a Savior, who is ChristĀ theĀ Lord.Ā 12Ā Ā And thisĀ isĀ a sign to you. You will find the babe wrapped, lying in a manger.Ā 13Ā Ā And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude ofĀ theĀ heavenly host, praising God and saying,Ā 14Ā Ā Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The Feast of Shouting. Here it is and no one sees it. The announcement of the Arrival of the Messiah. The Feast of Shouting.
15Ā Ā And it happened as the angels departed from them into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Indeed, let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has happened, which the Lord made known to us.Ā 16Ā Ā And hurrying they came and sought out both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.Ā 17Ā Ā And seeing, they publicly told about the word spoken to them concerning this Child.Ā 18Ā Ā And all those who heard marveled about the things spoken to them by the shepherds.Ā 19Ā Ā But Mary kept all these sayings, meditating in her heart.Ā 20Ā Ā And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as was spoken to them.Ā 21Ā Ā And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, His name was called JESUS,Ā the nameĀ called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
All males are to be circumcised on the 8th day after theyāre birth. But do people actually read what it says here? If they did then they would not be arguing that Jesus was born at Sukkot and circumcised on the 8th day of the Feast. Read what is said in Leviticus.
Lev 12:2Ā Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, If a woman has conceived seed and has borne a male, then she shall be unclean seven days; as on the days of her menstrual impurity she shall be unclean.Ā 3Ā And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.Ā 4Ā And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying thirty-three days. She shall touch no holy thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are fulfilled.
This word sanctuary is the Temple, and Mary would not have been allowed up there in her impurity. So it was not until 40 days (7 + 33) after the birth of Yehshua that they brought him up to the Temple, as we read in verse 22. From the time of his birth until 40 days later they stayed in Bethlehem.H4720 Ā Ā ??????Ā Ā ?????? Ā Ā Ā miqda?shĀ miqqeda?sh Ā Ā Ā mik-dawshā,Ā mik-ked-awshāFromĀ H6942; aĀ consecratedĀ thing or place, especially aĀ palace,Ā sanctuaryĀ (whether of Jehovah or of idols) orĀ asylum: āĀ chapel, hallowed part, holy place, sanctuary.Ā22Ā Ā And when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to presentĀ HimĀ to the LordĀ 23Ā Ā (as it is written inĀ theĀ Law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord)Ā 24Ā Ā and to offer a sacrifice according to that said in the Law ofĀ theĀ Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.Ā 25Ā Ā And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose nameĀ wasĀ Simeon. And this manĀ wasĀ just and devout, waiting forĀ theĀ Consolation of Israel. AndĀ theĀ Holy Spirit was on him.Ā 26Ā Ā And it happened to him, being instructed by the Holy Spirit, he was not to see death before he would seeĀ theĀ Christ ofĀ theĀ Lord.Ā 27Ā Ā And he came by the Spirit into the temple. AndĀ asĀ the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do according to the custom of the Law concerning Him,Ā 28Ā Ā even he received Him in his arms and blessed God, and said,Ā 29Ā Ā Lord, now You will let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word.Ā 30Ā Ā For my eyes have seen Your SalvationĀ 31Ā Ā which You have prepared beforeĀ theĀ face of all the peoples,Ā 32Ā Ā a light for revelationĀ to theĀ nations, and the glory of Your people Israel.Ā 33Ā Ā And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken by him.Ā 34Ā Ā And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this One is set forĀ theĀ fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken againstĀ 35Ā Ā (yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also), so thatĀ theĀ thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.Ā 36Ā Ā And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, ofĀ theĀ tribe of Asher. She was advanced in many days, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity.Ā 37Ā Ā And sheĀ wasĀ a widowĀ ofĀ eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, serving God with fastings and prayers night and day.Ā 38Ā Ā And she coming in at that instant gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those in Jerusalem eagerly expecting redemption.Ā 39Ā Ā And when they had finished all things according toĀ theĀ Law ofĀ theĀ Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.Ā 40Ā Ā And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was on Him.Ā 41Ā Ā And His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.Ā 42Ā Ā And when He was twelve yearsĀ old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast.Ā 43Ā Ā And fulfilling the days, as they returned, the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know.Ā 44Ā Ā But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a dayās journey. And they looked for Him among the kinsfolk and acquaintances.Ā 45Ā Ā And when they did not find Him, they turned back to Jerusalem, seeking Him.Ā 46Ā Ā And it happened that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them.Ā 47Ā Ā And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.Ā 48Ā Ā And seeing Him, they were amazed. And His mother said to Him, Child, why have you done so to us? Behold, your father and I have looked for you, greatly distressed.Ā 49Ā Ā And He said to them, Why did you look for Me? Do you not know that I must be about My FatherāsĀ business?Ā 50Ā Ā And they did not understand the word which He spoke to them.Ā 51Ā Ā And He went with them and came to Nazareth, and He was subject to them. But His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.Ā 52Ā Ā And Jesus increasedĀ inĀ wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.What ever happened to Yeshua after the age of 12?
Jesus in Glastonbury
It is more than coincidence that the raid on Sepphoris occurred at around the time that coincides with the start of the missing years of Jesus in the gospels. Jesus is supposed to have landed in England according to the Jesus in Cornwall tradition. The House of God in the great Monastery of Glastonbury, called the Secret of the Lord, is recorded in the Doomsday Book (1088 C.E.). Traditionally, the twelve Hides of Land of the Church of Glastonbury, descend from an original grant given Joseph of Arimathaea, by King Arviragus (10 C.E.-74 C.E.), in the XXXI year after the Passion of Christ.In a letter to Pope Gregory, St. Augustine states that there was a churchĀ āconstructed by no human art, but divinely contructed (or by the hands of Christ Himself), for the salvation of His people.āĀ The historian, Gildas, says JesusāĀ āLight and preceptsā were āaffordedā¦to this island during the ā¦last year of the reign of Tiberius. Tiberius retired to Caprae in A.D. 27. William of Malmesbury includes in his writings the contents of a letter given by King Ina to Glastonbury, 700 AD.āĀ (Tiberius officially reigned till 37 CE)Ā āTo the ancient church, situate in the place called Glastonbury (which Church the Great High Priest and Chiefest Minister formerly through His own ministry, and that of angelsā¦..āThis confirms Gildasā statement that Jesus had a ministry at Glastonbury. The historical records called the Doomsday Surveys, also bear witness to Jesusā presence in Glastonbury. These surveys state that Glastonbury contained 12 hides (160 acre parcels) of land thatĀ āhave never paid tax.āĀ This was because the King Arviragus gave these parcels to Joseph of Arimathea when he arrived in England in 37 AD. Do the math 37-31=6 CE not 30 CE. The little we know about Judas of Galilee comes from the Pharisaic Jewish historian Josephus who worked for the Roman Emperor and was totally opposed to Judas and the Zealots. However, it seems likely that the crucifixion of Christ mentioned in the Cornwall tradition is that of Judas and not of Jesus. Jesus was known as Melchizedek among the Essene or the Archangel Michael incarnate as Michael Zadok, Zadok referring to the Zadok family of the Zadokite priesthood. So, Sadduc must have been Jesus. Since Cunobeline rose to power in Britain c 9 CE, then Jesus must have migrated to Britain after 6 and prior to 9 CE.
In all likelihood the warrior king was now dead and the flesh atonement (the Jewish Christ) had sought refuge in Britain, never to be seen again in the land of Moses. Once again the Essene community must have sunk into a deep depression. However, by now the Zealot movement, which dreamed of a thousand year Jewish Empire, had moved front and center.
You can read more about the missing years of Yehshua at thisĀ link,Ā and this one onĀ Joseph of Arimathea. Here are some more details about exactly who Yehshua was descended from.
THE FAMILY TREE OF JESUS
Ancient tradition says that Ann, the mother of the Virgin Mary was of Cornish origin, [i.e. She was British]. It is not generally known but there is a family tree of Jesus from the time of Adam, in the Heraldās Office at the English College of Arms. From that document we glean the information that Ann, mother of the Virgin Mary, was married three times. Her first husband was Joachim by whom she had the Virgin Mary, her second husband was Cleophas and her third Salome. ā [See JOHN 19:25]. It would seem Ann liked the name āMaryā for in addition to the Virgin Mary she named the daughters by her two other husbands āMaryā also.
ANN JOACHIM (FIRST HUSBAND) CLEOPHAS (SECOND HUSBAND) SALOME (THIRD HUSBAND) VIRGIN MARY MARY ALPHAEUS MARY ZEBEDEE JESUS JAMES ā SIMON ā JUDE JOHN THE DIVINE JOSEPH BARSABA ST. JAMES Mary Salome, mother of disciples James and John [Zebedee] was also a second cousin to the Virgin Mary. Andrew and John were friends of the family through John the Baptist. The father of John the Baptist was Zacharias who was assassinated between the temple and the altar for proclaiming the virgin birth. Ann had a sister by the name of Bianca who was the mother of St. Joseph. Thus St Joseph, the Virgin Maryās husband, was also her first cousin. That is an important fact in the development of this inquiry because it would indicate that Joseph of Arimathea was a uncle of both Mary and Joseph.
BIANCA (AUNT OF THE VIRGIN MARY) JOSEPH (HUSBAND OF MARY) ELIZABETH JESUS JOHN THE BAPTIST This view is confirmed in the HarL MSS. which is held in the British Museum. It will come as a surprise to many to realise that far from being confined to Palestine, the Holy Family seem, through the Virgin Maryās uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, to have intermarried into British royalty and to have left Palestine to live in Britain. Some have assumed that the Virgin Maryās exile in Britain was brought about by a forced exodus from the Holy Land but there is evidence that both Jesus and Joseph of Arimathea had planned for a life in Britain for the family from the time Jesus was quite young. It would seem that the forced exodus after the resurrection of Jesus was a preempting of an already carefully laid plan.
A RELATIVE OF THE VIRGIN MARY MARRIES INTO THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY
Confirmation that Penardin, grand-daughter of Joseph of Arimathea, married King Lear of Britain is to be found in a manuscript which is held at Jesus College, in England. From the chart below we can see the contemporary nature of events.
JOSEPH OF ARlMATHEA (UNCLE OF THE VIRGIN MARY AND JOSEPH) ANNA PENARDIN [MARRIED BRITISH KING LEAR) BRAN [BRITISH KING) CARACTACUS [BRITISH KING] GLADYS [BRITISH PRINCESS] WHO MARRIED ROMAN NOBLEMAN RUFāUS PUDENS AND CHANGED HER NAME TO CLAUDIA AND BECAME HOST TO THE APOSTLE PAUL. And Paul says in ROMANS 16:3, āSatute Rufus,chosen in the Lordā and his mother and mineā. If this is the same Rufus, then Paul and Rufus were half-brothers. Remember that Paul was a Roman citizen also, but not by race; Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin, even if he was a Roman by citizenship. The Roman connection of Paul is ignored by the traditional Churches, but we can see the importance. Going into this further, we find that the Apostle Paul was a half-brother of the Roman Rufus Pudens, and a brother-in-law of the British Princess Claudia. When the Apostle Paul presented the Gospel in Britain, he had friends in high places. There are many historical records that present Britain as being the first kingdom to receive the Gospel. Paul had other relatives in the ministry; some were apostles.
ROMANS 16:7Ā āSalute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.ā
ROMANS 16:21Ā āTimotheus my work fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.ā
It is interesting to note that King Arthur and ALL the knights of the Round Table claimed descent from Joseph of Arimathea. The above genealogies are important because they give an altogether different perspective of the interrelationship of the nations at the time of Jesus. Then, as now, it would seem that the rich, influential and famous knew each other and had far more in common than we would at first think. Note the following British connections.
A grand-daughter of Joseph of Arimathea, cousin of the Virgin Mary, married a member of the BRITISH Royal Family.
A member of the BRITISH Royal Family married a Roman commander.
An Apostle of Jesus is entertained by a BRITISH Princess in Rome.
A member of the BRITISH Royal Family is the first Bishop of Rome ā [Not the first Pope].
This places the British in the centre of things. Israel in Britain starts with some of the tribe of Dan travelling there soon after the Exodus. We find the Prophet Jeremiah took the royal daughters of Zedekiah, the last Israelite king in Palestine, to Egypt and thence to Ireland [See JEREMIAH 41:10]. The Royal House of Judah thus continued in Britain. History throws a different perspective on the world at that time; a different perspective than we have been led to believe. History is HIS story.Many people read John and his account of who Yehshua was and it goes right over their heads. The word was Yehovah and in verse 14 that Word, Yehovah became flesh. Yehshua said if you have seen me you have seen the Father. This is because they are one and the same person.
Joh 1:1Ā In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Ā 2Ā Ā He was inĀ theĀ beginning with God.Ā 3Ā Ā All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even oneĀ thingĀ came into being that has come into being.Ā 4Ā Ā In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.Ā 5Ā Ā And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.Ā 6Ā Ā There was a man sent from God; his nameĀ wasĀ John.Ā 7Ā Ā This one came as a witness, to bear witness concerning the Light, so that all might believe through him.Ā 8Ā Ā He was not that Light, butĀ was sentĀ to bear witness of that Light.Ā 9Ā Ā He was the true Light;Ā HeĀ enlightens every man coming into the world.Ā 10Ā Ā He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and the world did not know Him.Ā 11Ā Ā He came toĀ HisĀ own, andĀ HisĀ own received Him not.Ā 12Ā Ā But as many as received Him, He gave to them authority to become the children of God, to those who believe on His name,Ā 13Ā Ā who were born, not of bloods, nor ofĀ theĀ will ofĀ theĀ flesh, nor ofĀ theĀ will of man, butĀ were bornĀ of God.Ā 14Ā Ā And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten ofĀ theĀ Father, full of grace and of truth.Ā 15Ā Ā John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, This wasĀ HeĀ of whom I spoke: He who comes after me has been before me, for He was preceding me.Ā 16Ā Ā And out of His fullness we all have received, and grace for grace.Ā 17Ā Ā For the Law came through Moses,Ā butĀ grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
When we say the Shema what are we doing? Saying there is one God, not two and not three. Just one. You can read our article on this subjectĀ at this link.
Deu 6:4Ā Hear, O, Israel. Jehovah our GodĀ isĀ one Jehovah.
Isa 43:11Ā Ā I,Ā evenĀ I,Ā amĀ the LORD; and beside meĀ there isĀ no savior.These are strong words and tough to get over after a lifetime of being told something else. Yehovah is the one we hung on the tree and killed and who rose from the dead three days and three nights later. Yehovah! It is where we get the name Yeh-Shua from. Yehovah Saves!!
Now let us read this birthday of Yehshua-Yehovah on the Feast of Trumpets from Matthew.Mat 1:18Ā Ā Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way (for His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph) before they came together, she was found to be with child byĀ theĀ Holy Spirit.Ā 19Ā Ā But Joseph, her husbandĀ to be, being just, and not willing to make her a public example, he purposed to put her away secretly.Ā 20Ā Ā And as he thought upon these things, behold, the angel ofĀ theĀ Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take to you MaryĀ asĀ your wife. For that in her is fathered ofĀ theĀ Holy Spirit.Ā 21Ā Ā And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.Ā 22Ā Ā Now all this happened so that might be fulfilled thatĀ which wasĀ spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying,Ā 23Ā Ā āBehold, the virgin shall conceive inĀ herĀ womb, and will bear a son. And they will call His name Emmanuel,ā which being interpreted is, God with us.Ā 24Ā Ā And Joseph, being roused from sleep, did as the angel ofĀ theĀ Lord commanded him and took his wife, Ā 25Ā Ā and did not know her until she bore her son, the First-born. And he called His name JESUS.
Mat 2:1Ā Ā Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea inĀ theĀ days of Herod the king, behold, wise men came fromĀ theĀ east to Jerusalem,Who were these wise men that came from the east? They were from the mighty Parthian Empire. This Parthian Empire were the descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. They were Israelites. Not Jews, but Israelites, and they kept track of who the proper pedigrees were that could inherit the throne of David. This is why I showed you the family tree of Yehshua. It tied into the Royal Families of England.
You already have a great deal of reading to do on this subject of Messiahās birth. But there is so much more to understand. When these Parthian Magi came over it almost caused a major war between them and Rome. I have writtenĀ about it in this article. It starts about half way down the page. What the hey, I am going to re-post it here for you anyway.
This week I want to share with you a part of the bookĀ ParthiaĀ by Steven Collins. He is also a reader of this News Letter and I am so grateful he has allowed me to copy his article here for you to read about the birth of Yahshua. As Harvey Kirk used to say āNow You know the rest of the Story.ā
The four book set that Steven Collins has written about the Lost tribes of Israel is an invaluable collection to have. If you do not know who Israel is in the end times then you will not and cannot know who the prophecies of the bible are talking about. It is impossible!Each and every person must have these books which can be purchased atĀ http://www.bibleblessings.net/index.htmlĀ I do not make any money off these sales. I tell you to buy these books for your understanding of where Israel went and where they now are. When you know this then you will understand why the Roman Empire was attacking certain nations throughout history. It was the Beast Power attacking Israel. Just by knowing this you will then know who is going to attack whom in the very near future.
Also, Mr. Collins has some things in this article which I state differently in the articleĀ Conjunction or Sighted, which?Ā which talks about the star at the birth of Yahshua and the year of his birth. Study both opinions and you decide. You can learn more from his site at http://www.stevenmcollins.com/EXCERPT from the book, PARTHIA, by Steven M. Collins, Chapter 3, Pages 123-151
HIS CHILDHOOD YEARS (BIRTH TO AGE 12)
Much has been written about the life of Jesus Christ, the historical person whose name is attached to the many different denominations of Christianity that exist today. In fact, so much has been written that one might wonder whether anything truly new could be written about this one life. As the reader will see, new facts about the life of Jesus Christ can be ascertained by combining the accounts of the Bible with secular historical accounts and traditions about the time in which He lived. This chapter is not intended to be a complete history of the life of Jesus Christ. It will cover those aspects of His life and times which have not been generally known.
The prior chapter dealing with the Parthian Empire discussed historical events shaping the world into which Jesus Christ was born. When some surprising information about His life is added to the history contained in the previous chapter, it can be seen that Jesus Christ actually played a role in the great power politics which occurred between the empires of Parthia and Rome. The Bible hints that He could have played a much larger role in the political affairs of that era if He had chosen to do so.
Did Jesus Really Live?
There is no doubt that the person, Jesus Christ, actually lived in Palestine at the beginning of the first century A. D. While some skeptics doubt this fact, this chapter will begin by offering firm evidence that Jesus Christ was a real, historical person.
Josephus, a Jewish historian of the first century A. D., regarded the life of Jesus Christ as an established fact. In Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus wrote: āthere was about this time, Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for He was a doer of wonderful works, ā a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was Christ; and when Pilate [Pontius Pilate, Roman Procurator of Judea], at the suggestion of the principle men among us, had condemned him to the crossā¦He appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.ā1
In this account, written shortly after Christ died, Josephus not only gave us a powerful witness that Jesus Christ truly lived, but also provided an independent corroboration of many of the biblically-discussed events of His life. Josephus refers to him as āa wise man,ā and wonders whether He was more than a mere man because of the āwonderful worksā He did. That a non-Christian, Jewish historian of the apostolic era writes of the miracles of Jesus as actual facts offers contemporary support to the Bibleās accounts about them. Josephus agrees with the testamental writings that Jesus was sentenced to be crucified by Pontius Pilate at the behest of the Jewish Sanhedrin, āthe principle men among us.ā Josephus also acknowledged that Jesus Christ fulfilled many prophecies of the Hebrew prophets about the Messiah, and even refers to His resurrection as an historical fact!
Josephusā reference to Jesus as āthe Christā acknowledges that Jesus was the Messiah, āthe anointed.ā Since a non-Christian source so close to the actual time of Christ has confirmed these facts of His life, the musings of modern skeptics questioning Christās existence are without merit. Josephus could speak with eyewitnesses of Jesusā life; modern skeptics are almost two millennia removed from the events, and their writings are merely speculative. Jesus Christ did live, and the writings of Josephus substantiate the Bibleās claims of His performance of supernatural deeds as well as His being raised from the dead.
Roman secular sources agree with Josephus. Celsus, an anti-Christian writer of the Roman Empire in the second century A.D., wrote: āIt was by magic that He [Jesus] was able to do the miracles which He appeared to have done.ā2 Here a Roman opponent of Christianity grudgingly acknowledges the reality of Christās āmiracles,ā which he labels as āmagic.ā However, Quadratus, writing in approximately 117-134 A.D., āurged people to believe in Jesus because the effect of His miracles continued up to the present ā people had been cured and raised from the dead, and āsome of themā¦have survived even to our own day.āā3 Tacitus, the famous Roman historian, writing about the Christians just decades after the death of Christ, stated:
āNero fabricated scapegoats ā and punishedā¦the notoriously depraved Christians (as they were popularly called). Their originator, Christ, had been executed in Tiberiusā reign by the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate.ā4
Tacitusā comment about Christ appears as a mere aside in an overall account of events in the reign of Nero. It is particularly compelling evidence that Jesus Christ really did live! Tacitus was no fan of Christ or Christianity, and he had no āaxe to grind.ā His account that āChristā was a real person crucified by Pontius Pilate is highly credible as Tacitus refers to it as an official act of Pontius Pilate within His overall accounting of Romeās activities.
Clearly, Roman accounts confirm that Jesus Christ lived, and that He was executed in Judea during the administration of Pontius Pilate. Even His detractors acknowledged that He performed supernatural deeds. Whatever your views about Jesus Christ, we begin with the fact that He, indeed, lived and died when the Bible states that He lived and died, that He performed marvelous deeds, and that He made a major impression on the civilization of His day.
Let us now review the historical setting into which Jesus Christ was born. The Roman and Parthian Empires were both powerful, well-established āsuperpowerā rivals at the time Jesus was born. Rome ruled the Mediterranean region, and Parthia ruled Asian lands from modern Syria to the Indus River. Palestine was located within the Roman Empire, but was close to the Euphrates River constituting the Parthian border.
Five decades before the birth of Jesus, Rome and Parthia fought several battles with one being fought near Antioch of Syria (very close to Palestine).5 In about 40 B.C., the Parthians launched a major assault which drove the Romans out of Asia! For three years, 40-37 B.C., Palestine was within the Parthian Empire and was ruled by a Jewish vassal king of the Parthians named Antigonus. At that time King Herod, the Roman king of Judea, fled from the Parthians in fear of his life. While the Parthian-sponsored rule of Antigonus was brief, it was apparently popular with the Jews. When the Parthians withdrew across the Euphrates, Antigonus, with Jewish support, attempted to maintain himself as king of the Jews, but was defeated by Herod. Mark Antony, the Roman leader famous for his dalliance with Cleopatra, ordered Antigonus beheaded, and Josephus records that this was done to compel the Jews to accept the hated Herod as their king.6 Mark Antony afterward led a massive invasion of Parthia in 37-36 B.C., but his army was utterly defeated by the Parthians.7To help modern readers gain a frame of reference for these ancient events, these Roman-Parthian wars were more recent events for the people at the time Jesus was born than World War II and the Korean War are to modern readers. Parthian rule over Palestine was, therefore, vividly remembered by many in Jewish society as being preferable to Roman rule.
Parthiaās victory over Mark Antony led to a long period of peace between Rome and Parthia, with the Euphrates River serving as the border between their two vast empires. This prolonged period of peaceful relations lasted from 36 B.C. until 58 A.D.,8 including not only all of Jesus Christās life, but also the early period of the Apostolic Church as well. Rawlinson records that it was an established Roman policy not to provoke a Parthian war during that period of time so long as both empires agreed to coexist on separate banks of the Euphrates River. Rawlinson comments on this peaceful interlude as follows:
āIt is a well-known fact that Augustus left it as a principle of policy to his successors that the Roman Empire had reached its proper limits, and could not with advantage be extended further. This principle, followed with the utmost strictness by Tiberius, was accepted as a rule by all the earlier Caesarsā¦ā9
As long as the Caesars wanted peace with Parthia, Roman officials along Parthiaās border, such as King Herod and Pontius Pilate, knew they risked their positions and lives if they entangled Rome in an unwanted war with Parthia.
Without this period of Parthian-Roman detente, it would have been impossible for some of the events of Jesus Christās life to have occurred, as we shall see. The first such event was the coming of the Magi, or āWise Menā to pay homage to Jesus. We read of this event in Matthew 2:1-12, which becomes more important when considered in the overall context of Roman-Parthian relations.
Parthiaās Magi Visit Jesus (and Frighten Jerusalem)
As discussed in the previous chapter, the Magi were powerful members of the Parthian bicameral body that elected Parthian monarchs and wielded great influence within the empire. One assembly was composed of members of the royal family (the Arsacids), and the other consisted of the priests (the āMagiā) and influential Parthians of non-royal blood (the āWise Menā). The Magi and Wise Men were jointly known as the Megistanes.10
Matthew 2:1 states that āwise men from the eastā came to worship Jesus. The term āWise Men,ā which appears in Matthew 2:1, is not a generic description of these visitors, but was the proper title of Parthian Megistanes. The Greek word translated āwise menā is āmagian,ā literally meaning āPersian astronomer or priest,ā11 from which we derive the word āMagi.ā Parthia governed Persia at the time of Christ, so the āWise Menā cited in the Bible were Parthian nobles and/or priests. While traditional Christian accounts of this episode celebrate the coming of āthe three wise men,ā the Bible does not limit the number of visiting Magi-Wise Men to three men. Indeed, biblical events and the realities of that time argue for a much larger contingent of Parthian Magi.
Since we saw in previous chapters that the Parthians were descended from the ten tribes of Israel and that their priests were likely descended from the tribe of Levi, it is likely that this delegation of Magi consisted of leading members of the ten tribes of Israel. Because there were numerous Jews of the tribe of Judah in Parthiaās empire, they may have been represented as well. Consequently, the delegation of Magi could easily have consisted of at least ten or twelve men representing the various tribes of Israel.
Also, the Bible confirms that the Magi did not visit the young Jesus in the manger at Bethlehem, as most nativity scenes depict, but rather visited Jesus in a house somewhat after His birth. Matthew 2:11 states that this visit of the Magi took place in a house (not at the manger) when Jesus was old enough to be called āa young child.ā Lukeās version of Christās birth (Luke 2:8-40) mentions the shepherdsā arrival at the manger, but makes no mention of any Magi visiting Christ while He was āin the manger.ā
Matthew 2:8 adds that Herod sent the Magi āto Bethlehemā after conferring with the Jewish hierarchy about the prophesied location of the Messiahās birth. They cited Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would originate in Bethlehem, and they were likely familiar with Daniel 9:25-26 which predicted that the arrival of the Messiah was due at that time. Herod privately met with the Parthian delegation, and enquired when āthe starā which they followed had first appeared. He apparently learned that this period of time was almost two years because he killed all male children in Bethlehem under two years of age in an attempt to kill the Messiah, whom he regarded as a competitor for his position as king of the Jews.
Although the Bible tells us that āthe starā appeared to the Wise Men almost two years prior to His birth, this offers inexact information in determining how old Jesus was when the Wise Men came to him. The Wise Men were prominent people in Parthia when āthe starā appeared, and they had to make a very time-consuming journey to reach Judea. It took time to prepare the costly gifts to present to the Messiah, set their affairs in order for a long absence, organize and equip a caravan, obtain an armed escort for protection and make the slow, lengthy journey to Judea in a caravan of pack animals. Since the āstarāsā appearance was not necessarily timed to coincide exactly with the time Jesus was born, He may have been a few months (or up to two years) old at the time of the Magiās arrival.
Consider also that Matthew 2:1-3 states:āNow when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea 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. When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.ā (KJV)
The arrival of the Magiās caravan in Jerusalem was a very public affair because āall Jerusalemā was ātroubledā by their arrival. What was it about the Magiās caravan that scared the Roman leaders and the whole city of Jerusalem? The Magi, a delegation of high Parthian officials, came to Jerusalem in a caravan loaded with costly treasures and escorted by a strong force of armed Parthian soldiers! Since the Magi were high officials of the Parthian government, they would routinely travel with a substantial escort of Parthian soldiers to guarantee their protection. Since they were traveling with many costly treasures to present to the newborn Messiah, their escort may have been unusually large.
The Magiās caravan would have included large numbers of servants, animal-handlers, cooks, etc. for such a long journey. These people alone would have constituted many hundreds of people! Given the fact that many high Parthian officials and very expensive treasures were in the caravan, there may have been many thousands of Parthian soldiers escorting the caravan! This is not an overstatement.
Josephus records that treasure caravans bringing expensive offerings to Jerusalem from Jews living in Parthian territory did so with āmany ten thousand menā as escorts.12Ā In ancient times, traveling with expensive items was dangerous. There was danger not only from brigands, but also from local satraps who might use their armies to conquer a treasure train passing through their territories. If Jewish commoners from Parthia were allowed to travel to Jerusalem with the equivalent of several infantry divisions as escorts, would an important delegation of Parthiaās ruling class and a treasure train of gifts have been accompanied by any fewer armed escorts? If the Parthian column had included āmany ten thousandsā of soldiers, it would have justified the widespread fear in Jerusalem caused by their arrival. In the previous chapter, we learned that ancient Chinese historical accounts recorded that the Parthians sent 20,000 cavalry just to escort a Chinese ambassador into Parthian territory.
Plutarch records that Surenas ā a Parthian military commander and, no doubt, a member of the Megistanes ā traveled on routine business in a caravan of cavalry, servants, and attendants the size of āa baggage train of 1,000 camelsā¦at least ten thousand men.ā13 If one Parthian leader traveled with so large a caravan on routine business within Parthia, how large was the caravan of the Magi ā a whole delegation of Parthian nobles carrying great treasures to worship a ānew-born king?ā It was large enough to frighten the whole city of Jerusalem!
The Wise Men coming to Jesus were not bringing just a few samples of gold and other precious things that they carried in their personal saddlebags. They were coming to worship a royal-born child, so they likely had a whole train of pack animals loaded with āgold, frankincense and myrrh!āTheir caravan was so huge that it was a ācause celebreā in Jerusalem. The whole city was in an uproar over their arrival, and that argues for a very visible and impressive Parthian caravan arriving in Jerusalem. The sheer size of the caravan, its treasures and its escorts awed King Herod and the whole city to the point they were all ātroubled.ā This indicates that the Parthian caravan had so many armed escorts that many feared it was an invasion force coming to besiege Jerusalem and start a new Roman-Parthian war. However, their reason ā coming to visit a royal-born Messiah ā could have electrified a city of Jews who intensely wanted the Messiah to come and free them from Roman rule! The Jewish hierarchy understood the Parthians were looking for the Messiah as they quickly looked for Messianic prophecies to locate the city of His birth.
After their consultations with Herod and high Jewish officials, the Parthian delegation traveled to Bethlehem to worship Jesus and present their gifts to him. By this time, Matthew 2:11 states Jesus and Mary were living in āa house,ā so they were no longer staying at the manger. The Magiās journey to Bethlehem would have been closely followed by Herodās spies.
Joseph was then warned by an angel to flee quickly into Egypt (Matthew 2:13) to avoid Herodās impending slaughter of Bethlehemās young male children. Since Herodās edict applied only to Bethlehem, there would have been no need for Joseph, Mary and Jesus to flee unless they were still in Bethlehem. Since Joseph and Mary actually lived in Galilee (Luke 2:4), the fact that they were in a house in Bethlehem indicates that this must have been weeks after Jesusā birth while Mary was regaining the strength to make an overland trip back to Nazareth. Their flight to Egypt took them completely out of Herodās area of jurisdiction.
Herod made the mistake of assuming the Messiah would be born to a family native to the Bethlehem area. Since Luke 2:39 states that Joseph, Mary and Jesus returned to Galilee not long after Jesus was born, it seems apparent that the stay of Joseph, Mary and Jesus in Egypt was very brief. Historical sources disagree on the year of King Herodās death, but there is persuasive evidence that Herod died soon after giving his cruel order to murder the boy babies of Bethlehem. Matthew 2:14-19 states that Jesus and His parents returned from Egypt as soon as Herod was dead, and the account implies their stay in Egypt was brief.
This author acknowledges that there are differing scholarly and historical viewpoints concerning the year of Jesus Christās birth. While many people assume that Jesus Christ was born in a theoretical āyear zero,ā scholarly options for the year of Jesusā birth focus on the time frame of 5 B.C. to 2 B.C.
It is significant that Jesusā parents were faithful to Godās law requiring circumcision on the eight day (Leviticus 12:2-3), and to Jewish custom by making an offering to God at the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate their firstborn male child. (Luke 2:21-24) This is an important observation as it shows Jesus was raised by a Jewish family that devoutly obeyed Godās laws.
When the Parthian column arrived at Jerusalem, the Parthian Magi came directly to King Herod, quite open about their reasons for being in Roman-occupied Palestine. They informed Herod that they had come to worship āHe that is born king of the Jews.ā
It is a tribute to the power of Caesarās policy that the Roman-Parthian peace be maintained that war did not result from this statement, for Herod could easily have taken it as an insult. He could have flown into a rage, and yelled āHow dare you ask to see another āking of the Jewsā besides me; I am king of the Jews!ā That Herod swallowed his gargantuan pride, and meekly answered the Parthians is quite noteworthy. This is a tribute not only to Caesarās policy to maintain the peace, but also to recognition that a sizeable Parthian army had come to Jerusalem as escorts of the Magi. Herodās meek response to the highly provocative question of the Parthian officials does imply that he was intimidated by the many Parthian soldiers who accompanied the Magi.Because the whole city was ātroubledā by the Parthiansā arrival, the presence of so many Parthian soldiers surely sparked rumors in Jerusalem that a new Parthian-Roman war was imminent. Herod may even have suspected that the Parthiansā question was designed to provoke an incident, which would lead to an outbreak of hostilities and his removal from the throne. Herod and all Jerusalem was surprised, but relieved to learn that the Parthian Magi and soldiers had arrived with peaceful intent. Herod may have been expecting to hear an ultimatum for the surrender of Jerusalem to Parthia when the Magi were ushered into his presence.
Some observations must be made about the āstarā which led the Magi to Jesus. Some have proposed that this star was a comet or a celestial phenomenon although the biblical accounts indicate that this was not the case. The biblically-described āstarā moved, leading the Magi over a long east-to-west route from Parthia to Judea, and Matthew 2:9 states that it finally āstood over where the young child was.ā Simple logic confirms that no comet or celestial phenomenon in the sky could possibly pinpoint a single city, much less āstand overā an individual child on the earthās surface! Nevertheless, that is what the biblical āstarā did.
The Bible periodically uses the word āstarā to represent angels (Job 38:7, Revelation 1:20), and there is good reason to believe that the āstarā which led the Parthian nobles to a specific child in a specific house in Judea was an angel of God. Nothing else makes sense. Only an angel, a spirit being, could literally āstand overā the baby Jesus to designate one specific child to the Parthian nobles.
Also, nothing in the biblical account indicates that this āstarā was visible to anyone other than the Magi-Wise Men! Matthew 2:2 states that the Magi saw āthe star,ā but the context argues no one else ever saw it. Verse 7 relates that Herod asked the Magi when āthe starā appeared to them, indicating no one in Judea was aware of any such āstar.ā If a striking celestial object had appeared in the sky, Herod and his astrologers would already have known the exact date and hour on which it had appeared.
After leading the Parthians to Judea, the āstarā disappeared, forcing the Parthians to ask Herod for directions. After the Magi left Herod, the āstarā again appeared to them, led them directly to Bethlehem (Luke 2:9), and finally āstood overā one specific child, Jesus. Verse 10 states the Magi rejoiced that the āstarā had again appeared to show them where to go! Obviously, a āstarā which appeared, disappeared and reappeared for the Magi (but which was apparently not seen by any other humans) had to be an angel. Supporting this fact is that Luke 2:8-15 records that the birth of Jesus was announced to shepherds by angels speaking to them out of a heavenly light which accompanied their appearance. God also used an angel to warn Joseph to flee to Egypt. Since God used angels to direct the movements of persons in the events surrounding Christās birth, it would have been completely consistent for God to also send an angel to guide the Magiās movements.
Having found Jesus, the Magi worshipped him, offering costly gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense. They were then warned by God in a dream (Matthew 2:12) not to return to Herod, resulting in the prompt exit of the Magi and their many escorts from Judea. When Herod realized that he had been fooled, he wrathfully killed all the young male children of Bethlehem in a vain effort to kill the Messiah. However, there is no indication that Herod made any attempt to overtake or punish the Magi. As high Parthian nobles, they had ādiplomatic immunity,ā and Herod dared not anger Caesar by provoking the Parthians. Also, Herodās garrison troops could have been vastly outnumbered by the size of the Magiās military escorts.
There is another important aspect of this remarkable episode. While it is not surprising that Jewish leaders during Herodās reign were sufficiently familiar with the prophetic writings to pinpoint for Herod exactly where the Messiah would be born, it is surprising that God was working so closely with members of the Parthian ruling class! This makes no biblical sense unless: (A) the Parthians were descended from the ten tribes of Israel and (B) the Magi (Parthian priests) included some Levites. During His ministry Jesus Christ asserted that He had not been sent to the gentiles, but only to the ālost sheep of the house of Israel.ā Matthew 15:24-28 shows the reluctance of Jesus to assist a gentile.
Throughout the Old Testament God worked almost exclusively with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. It was not until after the death of Christ that gentiles were given equal access to the God of Israel. The fact that God was working intimately with the Parthian nobility ā sending them angelic messages, giving them divine messages in dreams ā confirms that the Parthians had to be descended from the ten tribes of Israel which had migrated into Asia.
The fact that some of the Parthian ruling classes were apparently worshippers of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is most revealing. God obviously considered these Parthians to be ārighteousā men under the terms of His laws or He would not have been dealing with them so personally. That educated Parthians were ready to visit and worship the Messiah at the time of Christās birth indicates they were also familiar with the prophecies of the Old Testament. Who but transplanted Israelites would have been looking for the Messiah at that time?
Although we are jumping ahead in the narrative, consider the events of Acts 2:9 which states Parthians were among those who made pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks, known to Christians as Pentecost Sunday. Verse 9 also mentions āMedes, Elamites, and dwellers in Mesopotamiaā as being present at this feast, and all these regions were provinces of the Parthian Empire. We know that portions of the ten tribes had been relocated to āthe cities of the Medes,ā so the presence of devout visitors from Media most likely designates people from the ten tribes of Israel who still lived in Media. Interestingly, verse 9 also mentions ādwellersā¦in Asiaā were present. The word āAsiaā has clouded origins, but the Encyclopedia Britannica states, āIt is probable that it [āAsiaā] has an Assyrian or Hebrew root, and was used firstā¦with a specific or restricted local application, a more extended signification having eventually been given itā¦ā14
As briefly mentioned in chapter two, one of the Scythian tribes was called the āAsiiā (or āAsianiā).15 Since the āAsianiā were one of the Scythian tribes bearing the name of Isaac, the Sacae or Saka, the Bibleās reference to āAsiansā attending the Feast of Weeks could indicate that Scythians were also present in Jerusalem at that time. This further indicates that the Parthians and Scythians were the displaced members of the ālost ten tribes of Israel.ā The non-Israelite populations of Asia had no cultural interest in the worship of the God of Israel; only the ten tribes of Israel would retain such a custom.
It was not unusual for large pilgrimages originating in Parthia to travel to Jerusalem to worship the God of Israel. Josephusā statement that caravans from Parthia arrived in Jerusalem under the protection of āmany ten thousand menā16 was noted earlier. These must have been magnificent treasure trains to have warranted the protection of a sizeable army. Such huge protection of a sizeable army. Such huge āofferingsā going to Jerusalem from Parthia indicates that significant numbers of people within the Parthian Empire worshipped the God of Israel. This meant that, at the time of Jesus and Herod, there was a great deal of travel and trade between the Parthian Empire and the Roman province of Judea. It also shows that there was a strong sense of community between Judea and many regions of the Parthian Empire. If a caravan of Parthian commoners could be escorted by āmany ten thousand men,ā how many escorts would accompany a caravan of Parthiaās nobility?
The Parthian nobility did not ātravel light.ā Plutarch records that Surenas, a high Parthian noble, had an entourage of ten thousand men when he traveled āon his own affairsā on routine business. Just one Parthian noble was accompanied by such a huge and imposing caravan when he traveled on routine business! Think how much larger would have been the caravan of a group of perhaps ten or twelve Parthian nobles, the Magi, travelling, not on routine business within Parthia, but through dangerous terrain with rich treasures and into Roman territory! Parthians believed in large numbers of armed escorts for VIPs. When an ambassador came to Parthia from China, an escort of 20,000 armed Parthian cavalrymen greeted him!18Now you can understand why the whole city of Jerusalem was frightened when the Parthian Magi arrived to look for the young child of royal birth. They were accompanied by a gigantic caravan from Parthia moving toward Jerusalem. This column was escorted by many thousands of Parthiaās military cavalry. Many in Jerusalem feared the Parthians had come to start a war and besiege the city.
The Royal Lineages of Jesus Christ
In an earlier chapter it was shown that the Magi were loyal to one dynasty, the Arsacids, whose members continuously ruled Parthia. It was shown that many rulers of Parthian and Saka kingdoms had names incorporating the word āPharesā (PH-R-S). This indicates that the Arsacids were descended from the seed of David, who was the first king of the Phares family. (Matthew 1:2-6) The kings of Judah of the Phares dynasty are listed in I Chronicles 3:9-17, but verses 18-24 reveals that the royal lineage continued to flourish after Judahās captivity. Indeed, Davidās dynasty was given high status in the Babylonian Empire. (II Kings 25:27-30) This post-exilic elevation of the Davidic dynasty in Asia likely led to their serving as vassal kings over captive Israelites under Babylonian and Persian masters. Their later elevation to the throne of Parthia fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah 33:17 that Davidās descendants would always rule over the descendants of the ten tribes of Israel. This may explain the unshakable loyalty of the Parthians to the Arsacids. With the Parthians being Israelites, and the Arsacids being descended from King David, the Arsacids were the only dynasty in Asia that was racially, historically and culturally related to the Parthian people.
Since Matthew 1:3-17 tells us that Jesus Christ was a descendant of Phares and King David, Jesus was a distant relative of the Parthian ruling dynasty, which also descended from Phares and David. The bloodline relationship of Jesus to the Parthian Arsacids serves as a further explanation for the homage paid to Jesus by the Parthian nobility. It was customary for the Parthian Magi and Wise Men to keep track of male Arsacids in foreign nations. In some cases they sent to foreign nations, Scythia and Rome, to summon male relatives of the Arsacids to come to Parthia to serve as king. As mentioned in the previous chapter, some Parthian rulers killed every male relative they could find in an effort to eliminate potential rivals to their throne. This compelled the Magi to look for distant individuals who had the same bloodline as the Arsacids, the lineage of Phares and King David. At the time of the birth of Jesus, the recent Parthian emperor, Phraates IV, who reigned 37-2 B.C., had killed many male relatives, including his own father and almost thirty brothers.19 Male Arsacids at the time of Jesusā birth were in very short supply.
When the Magi were led by God to pay homage to the young Jesus, they doubtless learned that Joseph, Mary and Jesus were all related to the Parthian dynasty! Indeed, they may already have known that Jesus was an Arsacid, related to Parthiaās kings. When the Magi came to Herod, they said:Ā āWhere is He that is born king of the Jews?ā (Matthew 2:2, KJV)This statement confirms that the Magi arriving in Jerusalem already knew that Jesus was āroyal-born,ā and it implies that they knew He was related to Parthiaās kings. If they did not know that fact prior to their arrival, they learned it during their visit with Joseph, Mary and the young Jesus. Indeed, because Phraates IV, the emperor of Parthia, had killed so many of his male relatives, the Magi were surely to find surviving males of the Davidic bloodline.
Consider some important information. When the Babylonians conquered Judah, they brought King Jehoiachin of Judah and many of his royal family to Babylon. (II Kings 24:15) After languishing in prison for years, King Jehoiachin was exalted into the position of a favored vassal king in the Babylonian empire. I Chronicles 3:17 reveals that Jeconiah had many sons and grandsons, who very likely also became vassal kings in Asia after Jehoichin died. One of Jeconiahās sons was āSalathielā (I Chronicles 3:17), who lived in Asia, not Judea. Salathiel, later spelled āShealtiel,ā20 was the father of Zerubbabel. (Ezra 3:2) Matthew 1:12 and Luke 3:27 confirm this as well.
Zerubbabelās name includes the root word ābabel,ā indicating he was born in Babylon. Zerubbabel was one of the leaders of the group of Jews who left Asia and returned to Jerusalem during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah under the auspices of Persian kings. Zerubbabel had a prominent role in the rebuilding of a Jewish presence in Jerusalem and Judea, and he is mentioned frequently in the books of Ezra and Haggai and once in the book of Nehemiah. Joseph, the human āfatherā of Jesus Christ was a descendant of Zerubbabel. (Matthew 1:12-16) So Jesus Christ was born into a very prominent and famous family in Judea, one known to be descended from the Kings of Judah. Since His royal progenitors formerly lived in Asia and had included vassal kings of the Babylonians, the Parthian Magi may have been very well aware that they were coming to visit a family of Arsacids! Babylon was then ruled by Parthia, so its records were available to the Magi. Because Phraates IV had killed so many males of the royal Parthian dynasty at that time, the Magi were compelled to look outside Parthiaās borders for male Arsacids who were eligible for the throne of Parthia.
Now consider this: Because Jesus was eligible for the throne of Parthia, so was His human father āJoseph.ā Christian mythology tends to personify Joseph as an obscure, poor ācarpenterā struggling āto make ends meet.ā But the possibility exists that he was, in fact, well-to-do. The account in Mark 6:3, for instance, indicates that Jesus himself was a ācarpenter,ā but in that day someone in the building trades business was often more of a ābuilding contractor,ā involving all aspects of construction. This could possibly have been a very responsible position.
The concept of Joseph and Mary being āpoorā partly comes from the āmanger sceneā of them staying in a lowly manger when Jesus was born. However, they did not stay there for lack of financial resources. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they tried to stay in a lodging house, but everything was ābooked solidā in the city. (Luke 2:7) As soon as the crowds thinned out, they promptly relocated to a rented āhouseā in Jerusalem. (Matthew 2:11) Also, it takes financial resources to travel. When God warned Joseph to flee to Egypt quickly, he obviously had the financial resources on hand to afford a hastily arranged, indefinite stay in a foreign nation. (Matthew 2:13-15) Either Joseph was not a āpoor carpenter,ā or these funds came from the gifts of the Magi at Jesusā birth.
Jesus was descended from the kings of Judah through both His father and mother! While Matthew 1 gives Josephās descent from Judahās dynastic line, Luke 3:23-33 gives Maryās descent from king David. Both Joseph and Mary were direct descendants of King David, the kings of Judah, related to the Davidic kings in Asia and had Salathiel and Zerubbabel as common ancestors. However, Joseph and Maryās immediate ancestors were descended from two different sons of Zerubbabel. (Matthew 1:13-16, Luke 3:23-27) Some confusion exists on this point, as it is easy to not grasp that Luke 3ās account gives Maryās lineage. Henry Halley explains this point as follows:
āThe commonly accepted view is that Matthew gives Josephās line, showing Jesus to be the Legal Heir to the Promises given Abraham and David; and that Luke gives Maryās line, showing Jesusā blood descent, āSon of David according to the fleshā (Romans 1:3). Maryās genealogy, in accord with Jewish usage, was in her husbandās name. Joseph was the āson of Heliā (Luke 3:23), that is, āson-in-lawā of Heli. Jacob was Josephās father (Matthew 1:16).ā21
Jesus was a āblue-bloodedā son of parents descended from royalty. This remarkable relationship meant both Joseph and Jesus were distant relatives of Parthiaās kings. Because Parthia could offer the kingship to any relative of the Parthian king line, not just the oldest son or closest relative of the previous king, both Joseph and Jesus Christ were potential claimants to the throne of the Parthian Empire! While the Bible does record Jesusā royal lineage of the seed of David, it does not specifically mention His relationship to Parthiaās dynasty. However, as we shall see later in this chapter, the Bible implies that this relationship existed.
Since the Magi who worshipped Jesus were members of the body which selected the kings of Parthia and kept track of male Arsacids, they must been ecstatic to find living descendants of King David. The Magi no doubt discussed the possibility that this child Jesus, born under such unusual circumstances, might one day take the throne of Parthia. While the Bible is silent on their future contacts, this delegation of Parthian Magi likely would have stayed in contact with Jesus in future years and monitored the events of His life. If the Parthians had a Messianic understanding, Jesus would have been seen as an acceptable ruler because He was a son of David.
Did the Magi Almost Cause a Roman-Parthian War?
Let us consider that the visit of the Magi to Jesus may have been a factor in a political crisis that almost led to a new Roman-Parthian war. Recall that from 40-37 B.C., Parthia had ruled Palestine and Syria before the Romans drove them back across the Euphrates River. That war ushered in a long period of Parthian-Roman dĆ©tente which included the entire lifetime of Jesus Christ. However, a great Parthian-Roman war was barely averted in 1 A.D. when a āsummit conferenceā was held between the Parthian emperor, Phraataces, and Caius Caesar, the grandson of Augustus Caesar on an island in the Euphrates River (i.e. neutral territory). Roman sources recorded that:
āThe armies of the two chiefs were drawn up on the opposite banks of the river [the Euphrates], facing one another; and the chiefs themselves, accompanied by an equal number of attendants, proceeded to deliberate in the sight of both hosts.ā
This āsummit conferenceā averted war, but how could the Magiās visit have had a role in this crisis?
The Bibleās account of the Magi visiting Jesus ceases when the Magi left Judea and returned to Parthia, leaving the impression that the issue was concluded. However, if we consider the geopolitical realities of that time, there is no way that the Magiās exit from Judea ended the matter.
Matthew 2:3 records that Herod and āall Jerusalemā were troubled by the arrival of the Magi. Jerusalem was a commercial city at the nexus of major trade routes, and it commonly received caravans of thousands of people. Three tired Magi arriving from the east would not have made a ripple in the cityās calm. For that matter, caravans from Parthian territory could arrive in Jerusalem with many thousands of armed escorts, and such events did not trouble the city. However, the arrival of Parthian Magi ā Parthiaās nobles and priests ā in Jerusalem escorted by a large army of Parthian soldiers was unprecedented and unrepeated in the history of the city of Jerusalem. This occurred at a time when Parthia and Rome had a peace treaty, and no major Roman or Parthian military forces had crossed the Euphrates River in over three decades. The arrival of a large Parthian military force in Jerusalem escorting high Parthian officials was militarily provocative and could justifiably be seen by King Herod and the Romans as a treaty violation.When Parthia had occupied Palestine, it had crowned its own vassal king, Antigonus, as ruler of Judea. When the Magi, Parthiaās official king-makers, came to Jerusalem looking for āa new king of the Jews,ā it must have sounded to Herod and the Romans that the Parthians were trying to reassert their claim to Judea and dethrone Herod. Their speaking directly to Herod, who was Romeās āking of the Jews,ā about wanting to find a ānew king of the Jewsā could be seen by the Romans as very close to a declaration of war, given the regionās history. The fact that King Herod ābit his tongueā and made no rash statement to the Magi and treated them with deference argues that the Parthians must have had an intimidating number of troops at Jerusalem to compel Herod to be so uncharacteristically meek. Since a major Roman-Parthian treaty had been in effect for over three decades, Rome felt unthreatened in the region, and would, consequently, have had only a small garrison in Jerusalem.
Caesarās decree that no Parthian war be provoked also put Herod in an awkward position. While the Magi and Parthians were in Judea with no harmful intent, there is no way the Romans could be sure this āvisitā was benign in nature. After the Parthians left, Herod āblew his stackā (Matthew 2:16) and vented his pent-up rage by murdering all male children in Bethlehem under age two. Official reports surely had to be filed with Augustus Caesar in Rome about this highly unusual event.
Herod was justifiably fearful of Parthian intentions in the area. Hadnāt they come to anoint a replacement for him as āking of the Jews?ā Hadnāt they also deceived him by leaving the area without his knowledge? Herodās murderous act in Bethlehem would also have inflamed Jewish residents, and rumors of revolt against the hated Romans would have intensified. Faced with a possible Parthian invasion and/or a Jewish revolt, Herod needed more Roman soldiers in the region. In his reports to Caesar, Herod surely cast himself in a favorable light, warning Caesar that the Parthians had crossed the Euphrates, made a military reconnaissance to Jerusalem to spy out the cityās weakness and were openly talking about crowning a ānew king of the Jews.ā Because the Parthiansā arrival in Jerusalem had scared the whole city, news of this extraordinary event would have spread quickly along the trade routes. Roman honor had been slighted, and Rome usually responded to such an insult.
However, the Romans could not respond immediately. Rome had been sapped by the costly civil wars between Brutus and Octavian and also Octavian against Mark Antony and Cleopatra. These wars were fought in the eastern half of the Roman Empire, so Romeās military forces in the east had been depleted and disorganized. Augustus Caesar could not be entirely sure whom to trust with an army, lest another civil war break out in the east. Herod the Great was a firm ally of Augustus, but Herod was soon to die, leaving Augustus with no close ally in the East to whom he could entrust an army. Also, Rome and Parthia were facing a possible conflict in Armenia over succession to the throne of Armenia. In both Armenia and Judea, the issue was whether Rome or Parthia would choose the kings of those nations. Also, Rome had to finance, train and equip an army to fight the Parthians. Romeās armies under Crassus and Mark Antony had been āclobberedā by the Parthians, so Rome would need extra time to assemble an army to challenge Parthia. Romeās leadership crisis is described by George Rawlinson as follows:
āAugustus [formerly āOctavianā], from the time that he heard of the Armenian troubles, and of the support given them by Parthia, seems never to have wavered in his determination to vindicate the claims of Romeā¦[but] hesitated as to the person whose services he should employā¦He would have been glad to employ Tiberius; but that morose prince had deserted him andā¦was living in self-chosen retirement. Caius, the eldest of his grandsons, was, in B.C. 2, only 18 years of ageā¦the extreme youth of the prince caused him to hesitateā¦and the consequence was that Caius did not start for the East until late in B.C. 1.ā23
In other words, Romeās political situation compelled a delay in responding to Parthiaās real provocation in Judea and apparent provocation in Armenia. The situation was further muddled by the death of Phraates IV, Parthiaās emperor when the Magi visited Jerusalem.24 Since Phraates IV and Herod the Great had died by the time Romeās army was ready, all the major principals had a fresh viewpoint by the time Rome and Parthia had their āsummit conferenceā at the Euphrates River in 1 A.D.
Although historical accounts mention only the Armenian dispute, it is significant that the Parthian and Roman armies did not confront each other in Armenia. Their confrontation was along the Euphrates River, which had been crossed by the Parthian armed column led by the Magi. Everyone in the region breathed a huge sigh of relief when war was averted. As we shall soon see, if a war had been fought ending the Parthian-Roman detente, much of Jesus Christās ministry in Judea could not have occurred.
If the armed Parthian column led by the Magi provoked the Roman-Parthian confrontation in 1 A.D. during which war was averted, a date of 2 B.C. for Christās birth is more logical. If He had been born in 4 B.C., there would be too great a gap between that year and the Roman response in 1 A.D. However, a gap from 2 B.C. to 1 A.D. would be understandable given the political realities of that time.
The Bible says little else concerning the early years of Jesus Christ. Luke 2:40 states that Jesus āwaxed strong,ā and was filled with wisdom and favored by God. Luke 2:41-50 tells us that Jesus, at age twelve, amazed the teachers in the Temple with His wisdom. This passage confirms that Jesus was being raised by His parents according to the Laws of God, as His family annually attended the Passover in Jerusalem, the location of the Temple. Jesus would have been seen by others as a devout, brilliant son of a prominent Jewish family.
ENDNOTES:
1. Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, XVIII, III, 3
2.Wilken, The Christians as the Romans Saw Them, p. 98
3.Ibid, pp. 99-100 (citing Eusebius, The History of the Church, 4.3.2)
4.Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome, Part II, āThe Burning of Rome,ā circa XV.42-47
5.Rawlinson, The Sixth Great Oriental Monarchy, pp. 178-181
6.Josephus, Antiquities, XV, I, 2
7.Rawlinson, The Sixth Great Oriental Monarchy, pp. 199-205
8. Ibid, The Sixth Great Oriental Monarchy, p. 216
9. Ibid, p. 210
10.Ibid, p. 85
11.Youngās Analytical Concordance to the Bible, see word āWise,ā subhead 8, p. 1060
12.Josephus, Antiquities, XVIII, IX, 1
13.Plutarch, Crassus, 21
14.Encyclopaedia Britannica, Heading entitled āAsia,ā Vol. 2, p. 512
15.Rawlinson, The Sixth Great Oriental Monarchy, p. 118
16.Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, XVIII, IX, 1
17.Plutarch, Crassus, 21
18.website:Ā Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Ā see links: āGeography,ā āParthian Stations,ā and āParallel Passages from the Chinese Annalsā (citing Friedrich Hirthās China and the Roman Orient)
19.Rawlinson, George, The Sixth Great Oriental Monarchy, pp. 195-198, 215
20.Youngās Analytical Concordance to the Bible, see āSalathiel, Shealtiel,ā p. 831
21.Halley, Henry, Halleyās Bible Handbook, see āMatthew,ā p. 415
22.Rawlinson, The Sixth Great Oriental Monarchy, pp. 218-219
23.Rawlinson, The Sixth Great Oriental Monarchy, pp. 213-214Mat 2:2Ā Ā saying, Where is HeĀ who isĀ born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.Ā 3Ā Ā But when Herod the king heard theseĀ things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.Ā 4Ā Ā And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.Ā 5Ā Ā And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea. For so it is written by the prophet,Ā 6Ā Ā āAnd you, Bethlehem,Ā inĀ the land of Judah, are not the least among the governors of Judah. For out of you shall come a Governor who shall rule My people Israel.āĀ 7Ā Ā Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, inquired of them exactly what time the star appeared.Ā 8Ā Ā And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child. And when you have foundĀ him, bring me word again so that I may come and worship him also.Ā 9Ā Ā When they had heard the king, they departed. And lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them until it came and stood over where the child was.Ā 10Ā Ā And seeing the star, they rejoicedĀ withĀ exceedingly great joy.Ā 11Ā Ā And coming into the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother. And they fell down and worshiped Him. And opening their treasures, they presented gifts to Him, gold and frankincense and myrrh.Ā 12Ā Ā And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.Ā 13Ā Ā And when they had departed, behold, the angel ofĀ theĀ Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and His mother and flee into Egypt. And be there until I bring you word, for Herod is about to seek the child to destroy Him.Ā 14Ā Ā And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt.Ā 15Ā Ā And he was there until the death of Herod; so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the LORD through the prophet, āOut of Egypt I have called My Son.ā
Herod dies in 1 B.C., as we have shown you in the article aboveĀ Conjunction or Sighted Which?Ā Note this attack on the children was done two years after the birth of Yehshua. The wise men did not come at his birth but two years afterwards.
16Ā Ā Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was greatly enraged. And he sent and killed all the boys in Bethlehem, and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had carefully inquired of the wise men.
Mat 2:17Ā Ā Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,Ā 18Ā Ā āA voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and weeping and great mourning, Rachel weepingĀ forĀ her children, and would not be comforted, because they areĀ not.āĀ 19Ā Ā But Herod having expired, behold, an angel ofĀ theĀ Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,Ā 20Ā Ā saying, Arise, and take the child and His mother. And go intoĀ theĀ land of Israel. For the ones who sought the childās life are dead.Ā 21Ā Ā And he arose and took the child and His mother and came intoĀ theĀ land of Israel.Ā 22Ā Ā But when he heard that Archelaus reigned in Judea in his father Herodās place, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee.Ā 23Ā Ā And he came and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, āHe shall be called a Nazarene.ā
Matthew 2:23,Ā āAnd he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, āHe shall be called a Nazarene.āFirst we need to look at the verseĀ and notice that Matthew does not say āthat it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah or Jeremiah, etc.ā This tells us it is not a direct quote, but he tells us it comes from the prophets, plural. Therefore we know that this is a theme or common knowledge that they recorded. Lets look at what this means. Matthew in chapter 1:23 is quoting from Isaiah 7:14. In Chapter 4:15-16 he is quoting from Isaiah 9:1-2. Isaiah 7, 8 , 9, 10 and 11 are messianic prophecies. In 2:23 he is quoting from Isaiah 11:1,Ā āThere shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.ā
What is the Hebrew word for branch in Isaiah 11:1? It is netzer. This is clearly a messianic prophecy that tells us Messiah will be a branch that bears fruit and will come from the stem ā or stump of Jesse. Matthew tells us that the Messiah will be called a netzer and he will have lowly origins coming from the stem/stump of Jesse. He tells us Yeshua dwelt in Natzeret (Nazareth) and was called a Natzerene (Nazarene). It is a prophetic play on words from a concept found in the other prophets where this figure was called a branch. Jeremiah 23:5, 33:15, Ezekiel 19:14 and Zechariah 6:12. Different words were used but they all meant ābranchā.
This was important for three reasons; First, the play on words, netzer/natzereth. Second, the prophetsā use of the term branch for a redeemer figure. Third, the emphasizing of the lowly origins of the stem/stump. Nazareth was not a spectacular place to be from. John 1:46,Ā āAnd Nathanael said to him, `Can anything good come out of Nazareth?ā¦āĀ Matthew was not ignorant, he was not creating Scripture that was not there. He was pointing out the fulfillment of Scripture that many were familiar with. He was explaining that Yeshua was the branch/netzer they were waiting for.
We also know that the Jews of Yeshuaās time interpreted Isaiah 11 as Messianic. Targum on verse 1 and 6 in the Talmud (Jer. Berach. 5 a and Sanh. 93 b); and in a number of passages in the Midrashim. Verse 1 in Bereshith R. 85 on Gen. 38:18, where also Psa 110:2 is quoted, and in Ber. R. 99, ed. Warsh., p, 178 b. In Yalkut (vol. i. p. 247 d, near the top), it is described how God had shown Moses all the spirits of the rulers and prophets in Israel, from that time forward to the Resurrection. It is said that all these had one knowledge and one spirit, but that the Messiah had one spirit which was equal to all the others put together, according to Isaiah 11:1.Let us now finish this birthday of Yehshua which we should be celebrating and shouting about. When He comes back from being in England and around the world we read of the start of HIs ministry.
Luk 3:1Ā Ā And inĀ theĀ fifteenth year of the government of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea andĀ theĀ Trachonitus country, and Lysanias the tetrarch of AbileneāĀ 2Ā Ā Annas and Caiaphas being the high priestsā the Word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.Ā 3Ā Ā And he came into all the country around Jordan, proclaiming the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,Ā 4Ā Ā as it is written inĀ theĀ book of the Words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, āTheĀ voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way ofĀ theĀ Lord, make His paths straight.Ā 5Ā Ā Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be straight, and the rough waysĀ shall beĀ made smooth.Ā 6Ā Ā And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.Ā 7Ā Ā Then he said to the crowd that came forth to be baptized by him, O generation of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Ā 8Ā Ā Therefore bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say within yourselves, We have Abraham forĀ ourĀ father. For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.Ā 9Ā Ā And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.Ā 10Ā Ā And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?Ā 11Ā Ā He answered and said to them, He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. And he who has food, let him do likewise.Ā 12Ā Ā And tax-collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, Teacher, what shall we do?Ā 13Ā Ā And he said to them, Continue to do no more than that commanded to you.Ā 14Ā Ā And the soldiers also asked of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said to them, Do not forcibly extort anyone, nor accuseĀ anyĀ falsely. And be content with your wages.Ā 15Ā Ā And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts concerning John, lest perhaps he was the Christ,Ā 16Ā Ā John answered all, saying, I indeed baptize you with water, but He who is mightier than I comes, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to loose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire,Ā 17Ā Ā whose fanĀ isĀ in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor and will gather the wheat into His storehouse. But He will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.Ā 18Ā Ā And then indeed exhorting many things, he proclaimed the gospel to the people.Ā 19Ā Ā But Herod the tetrarch (being reproved by him on account of Herodias, his brother Philipās wife, and for allĀ theĀ evils which Herod had done)Ā 20Ā Ā added still this above all, that he even shut John up in prison.Ā 21Ā Ā And it happened in the baptizing of all the people, Jesus also being baptized, and praying, and the heaven was opened.Ā 22Ā Ā And the Holy Spirit came down in a bodily shape, like a dove on Him. And a voice came from Heaven, which said, You are My Son, the Beloved; I am delighted in You.Ā 23Ā Ā And Jesus Himself was beginning to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) son of Joseph,Ā son ofĀ of Heli,
Here are ten prophecies from the Old Testament, fulfilled in the coming of Jesus:
1. Jesus will come from the line of Abraham.Ā Prophecy:Ā Genesis 12:3. Fulfilled:Ā Matthew 1:1.
2. Jesusā mother will be a virgin.Ā Prophecy:Ā Isaiah 7:14. Fulfilled:Matthew 1:18ā23.
3. Jesus will be a descendent of Isaac and Jacob.Ā Prophecy:Ā Genesis 17:19Ā andĀ Numbers 24:17. Fulfilled:Ā Matthew 1:2.
4. Jesus will be born in the town Bethlehem.Ā Prophecy:Ā Micah 5:2. Fulfilled:Ā Luke 2:1ā7.
5. Jesus will be called out of Egypt.Ā Prophecy:Ā Hosea 11:1. Fulfilled:Matthew 2:13ā15.
6. Jesus will be a member of the tribe of Judah.Ā Prophecy:Ā Genesis 49:10. Fulfilled:Ā Luke 3:33.Ā
7. Jesus will enter the temple. This is important because the temple was destroyed in A.D. 70 and was never rebuilt.Ā Prophecy:Ā Malachi 3:1. Fulfilled:Ā Luke 2:25ā27.
8. Jesus will be from the lineage of King David.Ā Prophecy:Ā Jeremiah 23:5. Fulfilled:Ā Matthew 1:6.
9. Jesusā birth will be accompanied with great suffering and sorrow.Prophecy:Ā Jeremiah 31:15. Fulfilled:Ā Matthew 2:16.
10. Jesus will live a perfect life, die by crucifixion, resurrect from death, ascend into heaven, and sit at the right hand of God.Prophecies:Ā Psalm 22:16;Ā Psalm 16:10;Ā Isaiah 53:10ā11;Ā Psalm 68:18;Ā Psalm 110:1. Fulfilled:Ā 1 Peter 2:21ā22;Ā Luke 23:33;Ā Acts 2:25ā32;Ā Acts 1:9;Ā Hebrews 1:3.So to answer the question we began this with: Should we celebrate birthdays? Yes, we do this every year on the Feast of Trumpets in honor of the Messiah.
Yom Teruah Surprise
Yom Teruah Surprise
We have now shared with you two articles. One about why you need to look for the crescent moon and another about the birth of Yehshua.
I am now, as many of you know, working on the book The 10 Days of Awe and I am being blown away by the discoveries this book is making for me. But travelling in the Philippines is going to slow me down from getting this final chapter done, although I am going to present it here to the brethren, should time prevail, for the very first time.
Have you connected the things we have already presented about Yom Teruah, the looking of the moon and the coming of the Messiah to these last days? If you’re going to still say No Man Can Know the Day or the Hour, then please order It Was A Riddle Not A Command from Amazon and read it.
Let me share one more thing with you.
Mat 25:1Ā Ā Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2Ā Ā And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3Ā Ā The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them.
Mat 25:4Ā Ā But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5Ā Ā While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6Ā Ā And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him.
Mat 25:7Ā Ā Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8Ā Ā And the foolish said to the wise, Give us someof your oil, for our lamps have gone out.
Mat 25:9Ā Ā But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there be not enough for us and you. But rather go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10Ā Ā And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came. And they who were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11Ā Ā Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12Ā Ā But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.
Mat 25:13Ā Ā Therefore watch, for you do not know either the day or the hour in which the Son of Man comes.
We have explained how the 10 Days of Awe must fit into the last days of this 120th Jubilee Cycle. And as you can see, we are already in 2023. In order to match the saying in Luke as it was in the days of Noah and as it was in the days of Lot, the final 10 days of Judgment must begin in 2024, otherwise, Lukes’s description has no relevance.
Each year in the fall, we go through the 10 Days of repentance, which involve the blowing of the shofar blast each day and the final Tekiah Gedolah is played at the end of the Day of Atonement as the sun sets, signifying that all those who names would be found in the book of life have been found.
The other thing you should now understand just from looking for the crescent moon is that the five foolish virgins are going out to buy oil on the Feast of Yom Teruah. If they knew the Messiah in the slightest, they would have known not to do that. This is why He says I never knew you because they never kept the Sabbaths or Holy Days or spent time in His word.
So we are now just eight months away from the start of Aviv in 2024. What is about to happen? Read the parable. Go, look for the moon, and gain the wisdom to figure it out. Should I give you all my oil? Or should I do as the parable says and sell you the book when it gets done?
Messianics and Christians alike are all asleep. No one is looking for any signs. What does the High Preist do on the Feast of Trumpets? Why is he called the thief in the night? The Thief in the Night or High Priest comes in during the night to check on the priests on duty that evening to make sure they have burned up the afternoon offerings and that the fires are still burning. If they are asleep, He puts a red hot coal on their robes, which catches fire, and the priest must rip his burning clothes off and run home naked.
The High Preist is going to shame many who are not watching. We are told as much in Revelation.
Rev 2:10Ā Ā Do not at all fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the Devil will cast some of you into prison, so that you may be tried. And you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Rev 3:2Ā Ā Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found your works being fulfilled before God.
Rev 3:3Ā Ā Remember then how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
Rev 3:14Ā Ā And to the angel of the church of the Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God, says these things:
Rev 3:15Ā Ā I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot.
Rev 3:16Ā Ā So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Rev 3:17Ā Ā Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
Rev 3:18Ā Ā I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see.
Which one are you? What do you study? Facebook, scrolling endless memes. Are you deep into conspiracy teachings? The anti-vaccines, the Chem trails, the Bill Gates and George Soros things to wipe out mankind? What do you study? Is it anything other than the Torah? So why should I waste the pearls of my research on those who dive deep into why no one should wear a mask? These things are nothing but hot air, vapours in the wind. They do not teach you about Yehovah, nor how to be part of the plan of salvation. The oil you need is all about Torah and Yehovah, the very things you skim over and do not delve into. I keep warning you that your babblings about these things are empty. But like a dog to its own vomit, you keep going back for more.
Tell me again why I should share my oil with you.
A cry is about to be made in the months in front of you. Months not years, but months. The Paranymph is about to shout! The Shofar BLAST is about to be sounded! Are you ready to go out to meet our Groom? Do you have enough oil to go through the darkness of the night to meet Him? Do you know where to go to find the door? Do you know where to go to find the oil?
The people here in the Philippines are starving to learn the things we are teaching. They are grabbing their political leaders and telling them to come and listen to what I am saying. On the buses, Jeepneys and even on every seat in the airplane, they are giving you scriptures to think about. How about those in your country? Do they hunger for these truths? Do you? Are your public vehicles covered in scripture verses? Have you talked with your political leaders about the Torah lately? Here this month we will be talking to many in the Philippines Government about the coming drought and water shortage and showing them where this is found in the bible. How amazing that I can say that with all assurances. But not back in our Western countries.
Here is the link to sign up for the book when it is released. Will you even bother to sign up for it? Do these truths matter to you? We will soon see?
https://sightedmoon.org/pre-order-optin1672771369322
dear joe,
i wanted to share our insight with you regarding phase of the moon during yom teruah. We are not out to belittle or
quarrel with you and other sighted mooners. we feel that there should be some consideration given to our points below if you are able.
scripture in book of JOEL 2 says the moon WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT AND SUN WILL BE BLACK LIKE A SACKCLOTH when
yeshua returns. How can there be a crescent moon to be spotted when he comes? JOEL 2 would make sense then because
the attention and spotlight would instead gravitate towards yeshua and NOT A CRESCENT MOON. Another possibility would be that a black conjunction moon actually begins a lunar month and not a crescent moon. IN EVERY ACCOUNT IN SCRIPTURES OF YESHUA’S COMING, THE MOON IS ALWAYS NOT GIVING ITS LIGHT….ie: BLACK.
I crescent moon is the symbol of Islam, this is my interpretation of this. I’m not meaning to bring discord to anyone, I’m from England and I can tell you for sure this country , ireland and most of Europe has an every increasing population of people who follow Islam which is the crescent moon. I am no expert so if someone could please correct me if I am wrong as I am hear to learn. Thank you.
Shalom Joe.
As the real end of mankind rebellious nature near, many will develop dull minds to graph the truth more than before. I therefore wish you abundant spiritual blessings. This week’s newsletter is so profound that way leave many awed. Me also.
I must agreed with you Yehshua comes on the day of shouting. Not as many assume is on keceh.
Actually in Psams 81 says:-
Blow the trumpet at the new moon, ‘(AND)’*At the full moon, on our feast-day.
*emphasis mine
There are 2 feasts mentioned here according to the scriptures but bangalled into one.
Trumpets and Sukkots.
Shabat Shalum Joseph I love reading your post but I have a bone to pick with you. In this letter you state that the name jesus is false but you continue to using that name. That’s Hypocrisy.
It is agreed that if one is knowlegable to be cognizant of the Hebrew Names of the Almighty Most High Creator, YAHUSHUA, as well as the Name of our Leader, Teacher, and High Priest > > Yahushua, then those Hebrew Names should be incorporated into the believer’s language vocabulary, for it is improper to substitute those Names, which should be Honored. HE says, “Do not forget ME, as your fathers did.” The NAME became ineffable during Captivity and Bondage that was permitted by Elohim because of disobedience. The Hebrew rulers, in an attempt to gain favour with their captors, permitted the people to substitute the NAME for the names of pagan and heathenistic deities, such names that pay tribute to demonic entities. The people (HIS people) as believers in the Almighty & His Son are instructed to not even utter words that identify the deities of pagan or heathenistic or unlearned people, because demonic entities attempt to gain entry to people who pronounce or utter or mention such names. The Psalms are chock-full of instances of citation that extol the Honourable Name of Both of Them >> Zekaryah 14:9 prophesies that the Counsel of Peace shall be between Them Both. Even if we were to look to the Rules of Language, we would learn that it is not proper to substitute the Proper Nouns. We correctly pronounce and spell the Proper Nouns by their native nomenclature . . . we say Leonardo da Vinc’e rather than the anglicized ‘Leonard of Venice >> it is Giuseppe Verde, not Joseph Green. “An enemy hath done this.” That is, an adversary has sought to hinder the ability of His believers to pray most effectively by calling on the Name of the Father and the Name of the Son. By the Power of Let, and knowledge of Etymology—let us exemplify that which the Teacher has taught us believers . . . I am is not a name, although it is acknowledged that IAAM does appear to be a Trade Name
I am curious, who is Grandpa Joseph F Dumond? your picture does not look you to be a Granpa, plz enlighten me. š
The Bible says, āEven the Elect (Godās chosen ones) may become deceived.ā
Christians around the world are now living in a time of great anticipation and expectation of Jesus.
There is a general agreement among experts that the best time for the Antichrist to arrive is when most people are expecting Jesus.
This is because, during times of great anticipation and expectation, people will be more open to deception.
The Antichrist will be able to take advantage of the peopleās hope. People who have been longing for a saviour will be easily led astray.
Many bible prophecies predict that the arrival of the Antichrist will be accompanied by signs and wonders, which will further deceive the masses.
People will be drawn to him because of his charisma and his ability to perform “miracles.”
Will those who are well grounded in there faith, and follow the instructions of God be better able to avoid deception?
The Bible says, āEven the Elect (Godās chosen ones) may become deceived.ā
@ Nathan, brother I need to correct your statement. Matthew 24:23 states the following:
23āThen if anyone says to you, āLook, here is the Christ!ā or āThere!ā do not believe it. 24For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25See, I have told you beforehand.
Please note “if possible.” Because if the elect can be deceived who is left to be the bride? Nobody. There will indeed be strong deception, and we are warned to not be deceived. Shalom