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To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Thursday, October 24, 2024

The date of Christ is intertwined with the Feast of Tabernacles

· Jesus Christ Himself

Jesus Christ Himself confirmed to Pilate that His kingship began from His birth because when Jesus was brought before Pilate, he called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?"

Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18:33-37).

So why does the majority of professing believers refuse or are unable to associate the birth of Jesus Christ with the Jewish feast of Tabernacles?

· The birth of Jesus Christ is intertwined with the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles

Since Jesus Christ was inaugurated as King from birth and it was for this cause that He was born and came into the world and there is a feast which has been specifically ordained by God to honor the King of kings and Lord of hosts why are we who profess to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of Man not observing this festival?

For this is what the prophet Zechariah wrote saying; “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.’

“And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.’

“This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. In that day "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 14:16-21).

Remember that, Jesus Christ the Beloved Son of God by whom all things whether in heaven or on earth visible or invisible were created, divested Himself of His glory and became the Son of Man is the same yesterday, today and forever. Therefore, if the feast of Tabernacles was instituted and ordained to be observed in the past and will be observed in the future why is it not being observed today by the majority who professed to be believers in Jesus Christ as the Beloved Son of God?

We should also question ourselves and ask why is there an eighth day associated with the Feast of Tabernacles? This eighth day commemorates the circumcision of Jesus Christ, the day on which HE received the name which is above all other names and inducted Gentiles who at that time were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world one together with the Jews.

This Eighth Day or the Last Great Day also foreshadows eternity when the Jesus Christ will hand over everything back to the Father after His millennial reign on earth.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Is the birth date of Jesus Christ unknown (cont..)?

· Wise men from the East

The wise men from the East confirmed that the Kingship of Jesus Christ began from birth for it is written; ; “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" (Matthew 2:1-2).

The wise men even demonstrated their belief by honoring and worshiping Jesus Christ as King, because 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 (to honor Him as King), frankincense (to worship and honor Him as God), and myrrh (to honor him as man)” (Matthew 2:11).

· The Ministry of Jesus Christ

The bible stated in no uncertain terms that, “Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli” (Luke 3:23).

So the logical question is, when did Jesus Christ begin His Ministry? The scriptures confirm that, “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." For even His brothers did not believe in Him” (John 7:1-5).

And Jesus’ reply to His brothers was; “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come." When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee (John 7:6-9).

But later we are told that; “But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, "Where is He?" And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good"; others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives the people" (John 7:10-12).

It is also stated that, “Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, "How does this Man know letters, having never studied?" And on the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:14-15; 37-38).

This confirms therefore that the ministry of Jesus Christ officially began during the Feast of Tabernacles at the age of thirty (30) years old and lasted for three and half (3 1/2) years which concluded at His death on the 14^th, day of the first month of the year indicating that on the 15^th day of the seventh month would have been His 34^th birthday.

So what is so complicated in that for those who profess to be in the light are unable to understand?

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Monday, October 21, 2024

Is the date of Jesus Christ's birth unknown?

So definitely, the date of Christ’s birth and everything concerning Him which was for the glory of all peoples as foretold by the angel were not kept as a secret or hidden from anyone and eight days later there was another remarkable event which again was a day of great joy for all people.

· The circumcision of Jesus Christ

Now eight days after Jesus Christ was born the scriptures confirmed it by saying; “And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21).

With regards to the name given to the child eight days after His birth we are told; “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

On the eighth day not only did Jesus receive the name which is above every other name but on that day He also made Gentiles co-heirs of the commonwealth of Israel together with the Jews and made them one, as it is written; “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh --- who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands ---that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13).

I therefore beg to ask the question how can these two remarkable days, the date of Christ’s birth and the date of His circumcision which were intended for great joy for all people be hidden or unknown to those they intended to serve?

Stat tuned

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Friday, October 18, 2024

When was the Word became flesh?

Please note carefully that what the zeal of God was prophesied to perform was that; “the increase of His (Christ’s) government and peace there will be no end upon the throne of David and over His (Christ’s) kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever”. Meaning that, the kingship of Jesus Christ began from the time of His birth. So the question is when is that precise time this prophecy was fulfilled?

Let us please note carefully and ascertain the fact that, the theme or the main focus of the prophet Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus Christ is that of Kingship whose kingdom would be established from the date of His birth and would continue forever, So let us continue examining the scriptures to prove exactly when the King of kings became flesh and dwelt among men.

· The Shepherds watching over their flock

There is absolutely no ambiguity that the Kingship of Jesus Christ began from the time of His birth and that day has not been hidden from man because, on the day of Christ’s birth an angel said to the shepherds who were watching their flock; "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:" Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:10-14).

Again, as one can clearly see the date of Christ’s birth has never been a secret and it is a day designated to be one of good tidings and great joy for all people. What is even more remarkable is that after the shepherds witnessed a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:" Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" And later saw the child Jesus as foretold by the angel they did not keep what they saw and heard silent or secret,

In fact, we are told that, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (Luke 2:17-18).

Stay tuned

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

When was the Word made flesh?

When the Word was made flesh and dwelt among men?

The question as to the exact date that the Beloved Son of God took on flesh and dwelt among men has been a topic of mass confusion among believers. Some claim that no one knows the date of Christ’s birth while others have substituted the pagan festival of Christmas on the 25^th of December to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, but do the scriptures in any way confirm the exact date of Christ’s birth? Let us take this opportunity to see exactly what the scriptures say concerning the date of Christ’s birth.

We have been clearly and duly instructed in the scriptures stating that, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that were made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5).

The question is, are we still in darkness and unable to comprehend the light which is shining in the dark? We are further told that; “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

So the multi-million dollar question is when was the Word made flesh and dwelt among men? Is this particular date unknown to man! Is it a secret and unknown? Let us thoroughly examine a few passages of scriptures in the bible to see whether or not a specific date is assigned to commemorate and celebrate the date of Christ’s birth.

· The prophecy of the prophet Isiah

The prophet Isiah in prophesying the birth of Jesus Christ wrote; “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Please note carefully that what the zeal of God was prophesied to perform was that; “the increase of His (Christ’s) government and peace there will be no end upon the throne of David and over His (Christ’s) kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever”. Meaning that, the kingship of Jesus Christ began from the time of His birth. So the question is, when is that precise time this prophecy was fulfilled?

To those who may be interested to know, tomorrow the 17th, October 2024 will commemorate the date of Christ's birth which is on the 15th Day of the seventh month of the year according to the Jewish calendar.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Monday, October 14, 2024

Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of man (cont.)

We have been duly instructed saying; "Everyone that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and may receive eternal life. As it is written; “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).

This Eternal life is Jesus Christ Himself Who is the foundation on which one may build his/her spiritual house, and the source by which one comes to know the one and only true God, and Jesus Christ whom God has sent and of course He is the only Mediator between God and Man.

Believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of Man is the way, the truth, and the life by which one comes to the Father, and the golden opportunity for one to choose the best indestructible material to build his/her spiritual house. This level of belief however will not guarantee everlasting life.

It is everyone’s individual responsibility to be careful on how he /she builds on this foundation, for no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Therefore if any one builds on this foundation using gold, silver, or precious stones, his work which will be tested by fire will survive and he/she will receive a reward. But if anyone builds on this foundation with wood, hay or straw, his work will be burnt up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, only as one escaping through the flames.

God will give to each person according to what he/she has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, But for those who are self-seeking and who rejects the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

Therefore, believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of Man entails believing that Jesus Christ experienced life just like every human being, tempted just as we are being tempted, overcame just as we are to overcome, conquered sin in the flesh, thus setting us an example that we should follow His steps and therefore, he who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Now if we truly believe that Jesus Christ the Beloved Son of God took on flesh then a very important question is, when did the Word the beloved Son of God took on flesh and dwelt among men?

Stay tuned

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Lucius Joseph

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Believe that the Beloved Son of God became the Son of Man

2. BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF MAN

The second way we can prove our belief in Jesus Christ is to believe that the same Beloved Son God Who created everything by Himself and for Himself, divested Himself of His glory and became the Son of man, possessing the same human nature as other human beings.

It is stated that, “For it was fitting for Him, for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” The reason for doing this we are told is; “For inasmuch as the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage” (Hebrews 2:10,14-15).

It was necessary that Jesus Christ should become flesh because as God alone He could not have died to save mankind since the wages of sin is death: He therefore, had to be made like His brethren in every aspect, in order to experience life like any human being and also, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people.

For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Jesus condemned sin in the flesh by not succumbing to sin, and becoming a perfect sacrifice for sin.

As the Son of man, Jesus was tempted in all points as we are being tempted, but did not sin, and because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. It is said that, “In the days of His flesh, He offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him Who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.

And although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, and was designated by God to be High Priest in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 4:15; 2:18; 5:7-10).

Believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of Man therefore, entails believing that as a man Jesus Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow His steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on His lips, when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten; instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Believe that Jesus is the beloved Son of God (cont.,)

Now, it is the same Jesus the Beloved Son of God Who delivered the children of Israel from Egypt and gave Moses His laws and statutes and reminded him saying; “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates: For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11).

We know with all certainty that it is Jesus Christ Who created all things, because we have received the following instructions saying; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1-3).

Then later we are told that, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Therefore, it is Jesus Christ the Lord God of the Old Testament who created and established the Sabbath in commemoration of the His creation, reminded Moses to keep it holy, and reminded the Pharisees that "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28-29).

Therefore, the way one expresses and demonstrates his/her belief in Jesus Christ as the Beloved Son of God, is by following the proclamation given by one of the three angels to all those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people saying; "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water" (Revelation 14:6-7).

The way the Creator ordained that every nation, tribe, tongue and people to worship Him, is by observing His Sabbaths. For thus says the Lord; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30).

The Sabbath therefore is a perpetual sign between God and His people, a time which is holy both to the Lord and for His people, for thus says the Lord, “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.”

Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed " (Exodus 31:13-17).

Here we see clearly that the rationale or the objective for observing the weekly seventh day Sabbath is to commemorate the creation of the world and to express our gratitude and thanksgiving to God for His creation. And so we have been admonished saying; “ If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken" (Isaiah 58:13-14).

The Sabbaths is a sign to prove that the Lord is our God and the one who sanctifies His people. For thus says the Lord; “Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them: And, “I am the LORD your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God” (Ezekiel 20:12, 19-20).

The Sabbaths as a perpetual covenant is for both Jews and Gentiles since they are admonished to glorify God together with His people. For we have been admonished saying; “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name." And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!" (Romans 15:7-11).

Remember also that, there remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Now to confirm the fact that the Sabbaths were ordained for all, this is what the Lord says; "For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD, "So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the LORD” (Isaiah 66:22-23).

Therefore, if we truly claim to believe in Jesus Christ as the Beloved Son of God, we should first and foremost demonstrate this belief by observing His Sabbaths and give Him the glory and the honor that is due to Him as the LORD the Creator who created the heavens, the earth, the seas and all that are therein.

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Believe that Jesus Christ is the Beloved Son of God

1. BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE BELOVED SON OF GOD

The first important thing concerning Jesus Christ one ought to believe is that Jesus Christ is the Beloved Son of God, Who proceeded and came forth from the Father, and that the Father Himself loves us because we have loved Jesus Christ and have believed that He came from God.

Jesus said, “I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. In His prayer to the Father He said, “And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the foundation of the world” (John 16:28; 17:5).

To believe that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God is to believe that He is the Word of God, Who was in the beginning with God, and that all things were created by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. It is to believe that, He is the express image of the invisible God, and in Him all thing in heaven and earth were created, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominion or principalities or authorities; all things were created through Him and for Him, and that He is before all things and in Him all things exists and so it is in Him we lie, in Him we move and in Him we all have our existence.

Therefore, to believe in Jesus Christ as the Beloved Son of God is to believe that He is the One who from the beginning gave the following instructions:-

· "Let there be light"; and there was light.

· "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and Let it divide the waters from the waters."

· "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself on the earth."

· "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth."

· "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens."

· "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."

· "Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind";

· "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

· "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.

· "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.

· “Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food";

I made mention of all these simply to impress on our minds who exactly are we dealing with, when we referring to Jesus Christ, and professing to believe in Him.

Now at the end of it all we are told; “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made” (Genesis 2:1-3).

To be continued