A Radically Different Perspective on the "Christmas Story"

The arrival of Jesus on the earth unleashed a spiritual and physical war between heaven and the powers of darkness unlike any other war in all of history.  The nativity scene, so peaceful and pure, is the beginning of an invasion - an invasion of Earth that continues to this day.  A we are soldiers in this war - the church - continuing to fight evil and spiritual darkness through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The Battle Scene

The great epic of the birth of Christ as told by John in a vision in Revelation 12:1-13, 17

"Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.  Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.  His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth." 

 "And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.  She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.  And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.  Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.  

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.  Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.... And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  NKJV

The Prophecy

There is war in heaven and Earth, and Jesus is our savior and victor in this battle.  It was prophesied in the Garden of Eden when the serpent had murdered its inhabitants and caused them to sin. Genesis 3:14-15

So the Lord God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.  And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel."    NKJV

Prophecies continued, which named the place, and the time for the coming of Christ.  In approximately 700 B.C. the prophet Micah specifically named the tiny village of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's Messiah.  Micah 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,  from ancient times.”   NIV

Daniel, in his recounting of the sweeping prophecy given by the angel Gabriel, presents a formula to calculate the time of the Messiah’s presentation as King of the Jews and His subsequent execution.  This was based on an unmistakable event, a decree to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon.  Careful study of this prophecy clearly define the boundaries in history when this event could have taken place – even to the very day. See Daniel 9:24-27

The Psalms (132:10) even indicated that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah.  Isaiah (7:14) prophesied that He would be born of a virgin --  not just of a young woman, that isn’t much of a sign.

The Magi

While the Jewish leadership ignored these prophecies, others were waiting in expectation.  The Magi were from a hereditary priesthood of Persian origin – skilled in the art of oneiromancy (the interpretation of dreams) and deeply influential with high government officials in both the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires.  Esther 1:13 recounts an example where the king of Persia (the title given to a king of Persia was Ahaseurus) was troubled by a dream and called upon the ‘Magi” for an interpretation.

The religion of Persia and the Magi had much in common with Jewish beliefs: a Creator who was author of all good, in turn opposed by a malevolent evil spirit.  Each had a hereditary priesthood, performed sacrifice for atonement of sins, had a concept of clean and unclean animals, and a priesthood was associated with prophecy and insight into the nature of God.  It was not astrology, but oneiromancy that was the key to their power and eventual accession to the kings court.

Daniel was appointed chief of the Magi by Nebuchadrezzar in Babylon.  This position of rank within the royal court in Jeremiah chapter 39 as the Nergal-shar-ezer.  Given the position was hereditary, and Daniel was of Jewish descent, this may have been one of the reasons they tricked the king and caused Daniel to go to the lions. (Daniel 6).  Daniel served the kings of both Babylonian and then the Medo-Persian king Cyrus.  The Magi also survived the changing of leadership, and became powerful enough that they attempted place one of their own, Gaumata, on the throne after the death of Cyrus and the “suicide” of Cambyses.  Darius killed the conspirators and gained the throne, but allowed the Magi to remain in court.

After being conquered by the Greeks, and being subsumed to the Seleucid empire, a revolt by the Parthians in the 3rd century brought the Magi again into political power.  As a constitutional council, called “Megistanes” was formed with the express purpose of electing a king and serving as his advisers.

New Testament History

Since the time of Cyrus, the Jewish people were viewed as allies to the Persians, who later emerged from under the Seleucid empire as the newly independent Parthian empire.  The Parthians were enemies of Rome. In 63 BC Pompey sacked Jerusalem, then attacked outposts of the Parthian empire, but was defeated.  The Parthians counter-attacked into parts of Samaria and Syria.  Roman rule was re-established under Antipater, the father of Herod, but attacks and counter-attacks continued with Mark Antony invading Parthia in 37 BC, and being defeated.  This resulted, with the help of Parthian collaboration, in Jerusalem being temporarily freed.  With the help of Augustus Caesar, Herod was able to secure the title “King of the Jews”, but took three years and help of Roman troops to recapture Jerusalem.

At the time of Jesus’ birth, Herod was old, Augustus Caesar was old, and the king of Parthia, Phraates IV was old and unpopular.  The time was ripe for rebellion and new leadership.  Many Jews continued to live in the regions of the old Babylonian, Persian and Parthian empires.  Now in Jerusalem, there is a sudden appearance of ancestral allies of the Jews, armed with cavalry, led by Magi, who are the “king makers” of a rival empire, asking the paranoid and ill Herod “where is the one who was ‘born’ king of the Jews?”.  Political intrigue was at its highest pitch.

The Arrival

God begins His "assault on the beachhead" against the forces of evil.

Matthew 2:1-12 "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”  When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.  So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:  

[Micah 5:2] ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” 

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”  When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.  

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way… NKJV

Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the male children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. HCSB

Ironically, the Magi, having found the Messiah and bestowed their gifts, were then warned in a dream (a most acceptable form of communication to the Magi) departed in such a way as to avoid Herod.

The Traditions of the "Wise Men"

In the 3rd century, Tertullian called the Magi “kings”, possibly in reference to these passages:

Psalm 68: 29  Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, Kings will bring presents to You.  NKJV

Psalm 72:10-11  May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Let all kings bow down to him, all nations serve him  NKJV

A 6th century chronicle called Exerpia Latina Garbari names the three Magi as Balthasar, Melchior, and Gasper; each representing a region of Asia, Africa and Europe.  This was elaborated in a 14th century Armenian tradition as being the Kings of Arabia, Persia, and India.

Current Eastern Orthodox tradition is that there were 12 Magi (and Christmas is observed on January 6th).  Roman Catholic tradition is that there were 3 Magi (and they visited Jesus on Epiphany on January 6th).

We know the “wise men” were not women.  Otherwise they would have:

• asked directions
• arrived on time
• helped deliver the baby
• cleaned the stable
• made a hot dish
• brought practical gifts
• and there would now be peace on Earth….

What Happened to the Magi?

Were the Magi faithful believers?

Their knowledge was imperfect, but they acted with great faith.  What a great example they set for us – undertaking an arduous, dangerous journey on the thinnest shreds of evidence.  They worshipped the baby Jesus for who He was, the King of the Jews.  They offered Him the gifts of kingship (gold), priesthood (frankincense) and death (myrrh).  They understood the significance of these events and what the birth of Jesus represented.  God spoke to the Magi in a dream for their preservation, and kept the story in Matthew’s gospel account for all the world to know. This author predicts these magi will be present in heaven.

The Star of Bethlehem

The “Star of Bethlehem” clearly has scriptural significance because of the reaction of Herod’s scribes, who were directed to look into the books of the Prophets.  That strongly implies the Magi knew of the prophecies of Daniel, Micah, and Isaiah.

Isaiah 60:1-3  Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you.  For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the Lord will shine over you, and His glory will appear over you.  Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance.  NKJV

Theories to explain the star

1 – an unidentified comet
2 – a supernova in the Crab Nebula
3 – planetary convergence  
4 – direct miracle from God  

The purpose of the star is clearly noted: to authenticate and publicize the Messiah incarnate.  Likely the “sign” was noted by the Magi months in advance, giving them time to plan a large scale expedition across several hundred miles of hostile territory.  It is possible the sign was visible in Bethlehem with the shepherds, but there is no indication the shepherds saw a star.  Some time (months) later, Herod murdered children up to two years old, not knowing how much time had elapsed, but knowing when the Magi had visited, thus we can safely assume it was not visible to those 'not looking for it'.

When Did All of These Things Happen?

We know for sure it wasn't December 25th 1 A.D.  

Shepherds do not camp out in open fields with their sheep in Judea after October.  And Herod died January 14th 1 B.C., fully 23 months before the “established” date for Christ's birth.  Based on reckonings from the rule of Augustus Caesar, Tertullian (born 160 AD) states that Jesus was born in the 41st year of his rule.  That places Jesus’ birth at 2 B.C.  Irenaeus (born about 100 AD) also substantiates the 2 B.C. birth year.

From the biblical reference to John the Baptist's birth, we know John's father, Zecharias, served in the temple and saw the angel the week of July 13th, 3 B.C.  If John was conceived shortly thereafter, he was probably born in April 2 B.C.  If he was born on April 19th 2 B.C., this was on the Feast of Passover.

Since Jesus was five months younger than John, that would likely place Jesus' birth around September, 2 B.C.  If Jesus were born on a feast day (very likely), this would have been the 29th of September 2 B.C.  This is also the 1st of Tishri, which is the Feast of Trumpets, signifying the beginning of the Jewish new year.  Since Christ's death was on Passover, April 6, 32 AD (the 14th of Nisan), and His resurrection on the Feast of First Fruits (the 17th of Nisan), and His Ascension was on the Feast of Pentecost, it seems reasonable God had arranged Christ’s birthday to also fall on a key prophetic date on the calendar.

Why Was a “Virgin Birth” Necessary?

A virgin birth was absolutely necessary, but not for all the reasons you may think... 

In the line of Judah, a corrupt king (Jeconiah) was dethroned by God through the invasion of the Babylonians.  God had placed a curse on his descendants that none would ever be kings through that lineage.  You have to really work hard to make God this angry....

Jeremiah 22-24-30 “As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off.  I will hand you over to those who seek your life, those you fear—to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to the Babylonians.  I will hurl you and the mother who gave you birth into another country, where neither of you was born, and there you both will die.  You will never come back to the land you long to return to.”  

Is this man Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) a despised, broken pot, an object no one wants? Why will he and his children be hurled out, cast into a land they do not know?  O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says:

“Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah.”

How could Jesus assume the throne of David if God also said no descendant of the line of kings of Judah would ever be on the throne? Does this contradict the promise made by the angel Gabriel to Mary?

Luke 1:32-33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” HCSB

Matthew’s genealogy includes Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) in verse 11, noting the time of the Babylonian exile, and concludes with Joseph.

But Mary’s genealogy is different.  From David, Luke turns to Nathan, a brother of Solomon, down to Mary, who is the actual “blood kin” of Jesus.  This bypasses the entire blood curse of Jeconiah.  In Jewish law, legal inheritance passed through the mother if there were no brothers, and the woman had married within her tribe.  In this case, Mary was of the tribe of Judah.  The technical details matter.

Epilogue

So the invasion has begun – the final chapter in the defeat of Satan would be only 33 years later, at Calvary.  God Incarnate, humbly appearing in a drool-stained feeding trough, who is the very Creator of matter and time, helpless and confined a baby's body -- started His triumphant march across the globe in a poor, insignificant corner of the vast Roman empire.  He has come here to destroy the kingdoms, powers, principalities and authorities of this Earth, and claim His inheritance and bring in His everlasting Kingdom!

_____________________

Scripture citations are from:  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) © 2009 Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville TN or New King James Version®. (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

What Is Atonement?

Most American’s today believe that the way to heaven is by simply dying. Few pursue knowledge of the theological concept of atonement, because they are convinced they do not need it. What is the atonement, and why do you need it?

The Current Situation

There are some universal truths out there, even if philosophers and sages deny them:

Sin is universal

This doesn’t even require belief in God to accept. The mark of “original sin” is everywhere and begins with our denial of the Creator’s authority over our lives.

Psalm 14:1-3 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.  The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.  All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Man is inherently sinful and without excuse

Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD….

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Romans 2:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

God cannot stand sin

Isaiah 59:1-3 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.  For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things…. (9) So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.

As a result of sin, mankind is positionally opposed to God in at least three ways:

We are enemies of God

Philippians 3:18-19 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

We are in bondage to sin (we are debtors)

Galatians 4:3 So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.

We are condemned (we are set to receive God’s wrath)

Romans 2:18-19 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

And in conclusion, man is incapable of correcting this situation

Romans 8:7-8 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

How Then Is Our Salvation Gained?

God explains what His plan from Eternity Past has always been.

1 John 4:9-10 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Romans 3:21-25 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.

What is an Atonement? (covering) It is the same word used in Genesis 6:14 (kophar), for “pitch”. In Christ’s death several transactions take place to gain our salvation, to perform a redemption, a reconciliation and a justification.
 
Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Our current relationship to God without a Savior:

As a criminal, man stands before the judge (Father), under wrath, with Christ our Justification
As a debtor, man stands as a debtor to the Father, and Christ is our Redeemer
As an enemy of God the Father stands as the aggrieved party, and Christ is our Reconciliation.

Christ saves us from:

• Wrath – we committed a crime, and God the Father is the Righteous Judge, who will punish breaches of the law. If Christ were only human, He would also be under the Father’s judgement, and His payment for our trespass would not be acceptable.

1 Thessalonians 1: 10…Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Christ is the expiation – that removes the sin away from us – He is Substituted for us to receive our rightful punishment.  The Father receives propitiation – Christ receives the full punishment on our behalf, and God’s righteousness is not harmed, and the sentence is fulfilled. Therefore, God is no longer “wrathful” toward us – He is propitiated; His wrath is placated.  We are justified – the perfection of Christ is imputed to us and in exchange, He takes on our corruption.

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…

• Bondage – we can never repay the debt of breaking the Law. Only a perfect payment will ‘redeem’ us from bondage.  Who receives the “ransom”?  Who must be repaid?

Christ is the ransom – a payment that cancels our debt – “tetelestai”.  The Father receives payment – The Father cancels our debt and we are set free.  We are redeemed – set free of our bondage but now owned by the Son.

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…

Titus 2:13-14 …while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good….

• Estrangement – we have breached our relationship to God the Father, who is the aggrieved party. Therefore since we cannot reach out to God, we need a mediator.

Christ is the mediator –  The Father receives us into His presence again.  We are reconciled – no longer separated from the only source of eternal life.

Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are cal.led may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins…

Why Christ’s Divinity Matters…

Only if Christ is truly divine can His word be trusted, and only if He is eternal can his promises be assured for us. Those who question the deity of Christ, don’t understand that the basis of their salvation is His promise, His sacrifice, and His Lordship.

If you don’t “need” Christ’s Atonement, then it doesn’t matter. If you do need Christ’s atonement, then only if He were truly God do you have any hope of salvation.

Why Jesus is God (and must be)

1. Only God can redeem us

Christ is divine on the basis of His authority and eternal self-existence

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

If Christ were simply a created being, His payment would not be acceptable. Why? How can someone be repaid for something by something they made? If Christ is “created”, His sacrifice is simply another of the Father’s creation, and not a payment. Payment for our redemption must come from a party outside of creation.

2. Only God can justify us

You are required to profess Christ’s divinity to receive salvation

Romans 10:9-10 …if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Why would we be asked to lie about this? If Jesus were not perfect, we could not be saved because the punishment Christ endured would have been deserved, and there would be no righteousness to impute to us. We would still be under God’s wrath. We are commanded to call upon Jesus as our Savior, and it is only His works that save us!

3. Only Christ as an equal with God can be our Mediator

Colossians 1:19-20 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

If Jesus were only a created being, he would have no standing with the Father to mediate between us, and therefore would be powerless to reconcile us for eternity. However Jesus declared He was the only way to the Father. If Jesus is not “the way” then He is not the “truth” or the “life” either, and we are hosed

4. Christ is the Judge, with Authority over all things

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Whether we acknowledge Him now as Lord or not, we will some day….

Romans 14:9-12 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.  You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.  It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’”

 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

So the question is, did God make a mistake? Did He send a savior who is unable to redeem us, justify us, or reconcile us? 

Anything less than God Himself, coming in the form of a man, bearing all our temptations, showing us how to live and to love the One who sent Him would be an inadequate atonement. Thanks be to God His ways are perfect and without error!

Romans 11:33-35 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”  “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?”  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.