Is the date of Christ's birth unknown (part 4)

4.                 The day of Christ’s birth

If we are still not convinced of the date of Christ’s birth let us continue by examining the actual date of His birth. On the day Jesus Christ was born we are told that; “there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, "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 clothes, 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 2:8-14).

I therefore beg to ask the question, how could a day which is designated to bring good tidings of great joy to all people be a secret, hidden or be unknown: Except there is a conspiracy or malicious intent to conceal it?

Now the shepherds having witnessed this historic event did not keep it to themselves, for we are told that, “So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 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 2:15-18).

I again beg to ask the question, if the shepherds made widely known the saying which was told concerning this Child and all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told to them by the shepherds, how can this day be unknown except here is a conspiracy to conceal it?

•           The circumcision of Jesus Christ

We can now examine the circumcision of Jesus Christ for it is stated clearly that; “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).

We can also look at His presentation to the Father, for it is written; “Now when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him (Christ) to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord").

So again, if the date of Christ’s birth is unknown how would they know when He was eight days old to circumcise Him and when He was thirty three days old to present Him to the Father?

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

Is the date of Christ's birth unknown? (part three)

1.                  The birth of John Baptiste

Let us continue digging for the truth concerning the date on which Jesus Christ the Son of Man was born. It should be absolutely clear to all that John Baptist was six months older than Jesus Christ and so, if we can find out when John Baptist was born we should have no difficulty knowing when Jesus Christ was born. So the question is do we know when Elizabeth the mother of John Baptist was conceived and gave birth to John Baptist?

The scriptures state clearly that; “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord” (Luke 1:6-9).

We are further told that during Zacharias’ turn to burn incense he was visited by the angel Gabriel who said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:13-17).

The rest of the story we should all be well acquainted with which relates to Zacharias doubting what the Angel said to him which resulted in the angel saying to him; “But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time" (Luke 1:20).

But later,we are told that; “So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days (of service burning incense at the altar) his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people" (Luke 1:23-25).

What is imperative for us to know at this juncture is, when was Zacharias scheduled to perform his priestly service at the altar? Well, according to the scriptures the priestly service was divided into twenty four (24) divisions and Zacharias turn to perform his priestly service was number eight (8) because he descended from the division of Abijah whose division was number eight. (1 Chronicles 24:7-19).

Now since there were 24 divisions and the custom was that the first division starts his tour of duty on the first month of the year obviously, two divisions had to serve every month and since Abijah’s division under which Zacharias served was number eight, this means that Zacharias turn of service was during the last two weeks of the fourth month of the year and as soon as his tour of duty which was at the end of the fourth month was completed he departed to his house mute and unable to speak and after the days of his service we are told that his wife Elizabeth was conceived.

Although the scriptures does not say precisely how long after the days of his service was Elizabeth conceived, but having been away for two weeks and being mute and unable to speak because of doubting what the angel said to Him which was; “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.” And since it was because of doubting what the angel said that the angel said to him; “But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."

I want us to note carefully what the angel said to Zacharias, he said to him; “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son.” Meaning that, what he prayed for has been approved. Therefore, one has to conclude that Elizabeth became conceived during the fifth month of the year, which means that, John Baptist was born during the first month of the following year and since he was six months older than Jesus Christ it means that, Jesus Christ was born during the seventh month of the year.

If you still do not know when Jesus Christ was born, I implore you to stay tuned because I will leave no stone un-turn in order to expose this massive lie and deception which has blinded the eyes of many and causing them to disregard the commandments of God in order to keep the customs and traditions of men, what a travesty! 

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

Is the date of Christ's birth unknown (part two)

1.                  Mary’s conception

Now let us delve into the history of the life of Jesus Christ to see whether the date of His birth is a secret as we have been led to believe, or is it openly revealed in scriptures. The day that Jesus Christ became conceived in His mother’s womb we are told that it was the day the angel Gabriel visited Mary and said to her “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible." Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:30-38).

So again I beg to ask the question, when was the titles “Son of God,” King of Kings; Lord of lords, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace bestowed on Jesus Christ! Was it not from the time of His birth? The truth of the matter is, from the time Mary believed what the angel Gabriel said to her and she replied; “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word" she became conceived and since the angel informed her by saying; “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren,” verifies that John Baptist was six months older than Jesus Christ and so, if we can prove when John Baptist was born we simply have to add six months to that time.

And so, the question we should all be asking ourselves is there a biblical festival that honors Jesus Christ as the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace? And what does it means to have a feast and celebrate it to the Lord? Doesn’t it mean that we are to celebrate or commemorate this particular festival in His honor? And if we are in honor of what!

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

Is the date of Jesus Christ's birth unknown?

Is the date of Christ’s birth unknown”

The popular teaching with regards to the date of Christ’s birth is that, “no one knows the exact date of Christ's birth.” People even go as far as saying that, if Jesus Christ wanted us to celebrate His birth we would have known just as we know of the date of His death and so we are to celebrate His death and not His birth. Now to those who felt it necessary to celebrate His birth have substituted the pagan festival of Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

But let us be candid with ourselves is it true that the date of Jesus’ birth is unknown? Well let me say from the outset that, if the date of Christ's birth is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose mind the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

If the date of Christ's birth is unknown as most deceivers are saying it is because they have not accepted Him as who He is, for as it is written; “Now some of them from Jerusalem said, "Is this not He whom they seek to kill?  Look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? , we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from." Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, "You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me" (John 7:25-29).

With this being said let us have a chronological examination of the life of Jesus Christ and see whether His date of birth is a secret or unknown as being promulgated or, is it clearly documented and preserved for all to see, so let us examine and inspect the history concerning the life of Jesus Christ

1.                  The prophecy of the prophet Isaiah

The prophet Isaiah prophesied concerning the birth of Jesus Christ saying; “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 and 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).

Before preceding any further please note carefully that, all the things the prophet Isaiah prophesied concerning this Child became effective from the date of His birth and continues from that time forward even forever. Therefore, everything in this prophecy related to Jesus Christ stem from the day He was born and will last forever.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

Are we ascribing to the Lord the glory due to His name?

Are we ascribing to the Lord the glory due to His name?

In this critical time in which we live it is imperative that we all who profess to be believers in Jesus Christ assure ourselves whether we are ascribing to the Lord the glory due to His name because the Lord in no uncertain terms said; “But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

We have also been forewarned saying; “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:21-23).

We have also been duly admonished saying; “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:22-23).

Then Jesus lamented on our sad state of affairs by quoting the prophet Isaiah and said; “this people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men --- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition” (Mark 7:6-9).

Having been reminded of the above-mentioned scriptures I beg to ask the question, are we all who are calling Jesus Lord, Lord are ascribing to Him the honor and glory that are due to His name? And if we are certain that we do, the humble question is, how?

The one and only way one ascribes to the Lord the glory due to His name is by observing His Sabbaths (plural), for thus says the Lord; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).

And the rationale for this is simply because the Sabbaths give honor and glory to God for what He did for humanity on that particular day and so we have been duly admonished saying; “The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts” (Leviticus 23:2. 4).

Please note carefully that these festivals are described as the Lord’s festivals which were given to the Jews who in turn had to teach them to other nations. They were commanded not to add to the word nor take away from it. They were commanded to be careful to observe them; for this is their wisdom and their understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'

Moses said to them again; "For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? (Deuteronomy 4:6-8).

The Lord’s Sabbaths are what ascribe to the Lord Honor and Glory and they are as follows:

·         The seventh day Sabbath as the Creator

·         Passover / days of Unleavened Bread as our Redeemer and Savior

·         Feast of first-fruits as our resurrection and the life

·         Pentecost as our Helper, Guide, Teacher, Healer, Provider

·         Feast of trumpets as our Conqueror, Deliverer

·         Day of Atonement as our sin bearer and High Priest

·         Feast of Tabernacles as our King of kings and Lord of lords

·         Eighth Day as our circumcision and Eternal God

This is how we ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name by appearing before Him on these days and bring Him the food for His offerings as an expression of our gratitude, thanksgiving and love for what He did for humanity on that particular day. The question is, are we ascribing to the Lord the glory due to His name? Or are we rejecting the commandments of the Lord to keep our own customs and traditions of men.

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 To be continued, please stay tuned

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

No excuse

No excuse

I would like to pose this question to everyone who profess to be believers in Jesus Christ; Is there a logical, sensible, specific reason why the festivals of the Lord are not being commemorated when the Lord Himself who is the same yesterday, today and forever spoke to Moses saying; “These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times” (Leviticus 23:4).

Regardless of what reasons one may come up with, I would like us to first and foremost consider the Lord’s festivals as our yearly holidays such as, discovery day, independence, emancipation day etc. a day which is observed to commemorate and perpetuate a specific event which transpired in the lives and history of man.

This year’s celebration of emancipation day and the plans for the future expansion and development of this event should serve as a catalyst to all who profess to be believers in Jesus Christ to consider why the festivals of the Lord should be commemorated as we have been duly admonished saying; “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

When one considers and takes into account the rationale and objective for commemorating such events and occasions it is evident that the rationale for observing and celebrating these events and activities is an expression of gratitude and thanksgiving to those by whom the occasion came to fruition and as a perpetuation for future generations.

This is exactly the rationale and objective for observing the Lord’s festivals, it is to express one’s gratitude and thanksgiving to God for what He did for humanity on these specific days and perpetuating it for future generations: For example:

1. The seventh day Sabbath, a day to express one’s gratitude for His creation, for 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.” In addition to that we are asked to; “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” And the reason is to commemorate the creation of the world.
2. Passover: This day is to commemorate and express one’s gratitude to the Lord for paying the price of sin in our stead.
3. Seven Days of Unleavened Bread: Seven denotes completion and this event is to express one’s gratitude to the Lord for delivering us from sin and to be observed as a commemoration and perpetuation for future generations.
4. Feast of first-fruits: This is the Sunday which falls during the seven days of Unleavened Bread, on this day one expresses his/her gratitude to the Lord for giving us a new life in the spirit, the day He presented Himself to the Father after His resurrection from the dead.
5. Feast of Pentecost: Fifty days after the feast of first fruits, a day to commemorate and express one’s gratitude for the arrival of the Holy Spirit who is our Helper, Teacher, Guide etc.
6. Feast of Trumpets: The rationale for this festival is precisely as the Lord stated; “a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.” A time to sound the alarm and warn the nations of impending danger and also of the upcoming festivals.
7. Day of Atonement: This day commemorates Jesús Christ as our faithful and merciful High Priest who makes intercessions and atonement for our sins.
8. The Feast of Tabernacles: This festival commemorates the arrival of the King of kings and Lord of lords, the day the Word became flesh and tabernacle among us and we beheld His glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. This festival also foreshadows the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth.
9. The Eighth Day: This day commemorates the circumcision of our Lord and Savior, the day the Father highly exalted Him and gave 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.” It also commemorates the circumcision of the Gentiles by which they became joint citizens of the commonwealth of Israel. This day also foreshadows eternity.

I therefore beg to ask the question, why are these festivals not being celebrated even by those who professed to be believers in Jesus Christ? Are they not worth commemorating and perpetuated like our national holidays, anniversaries etc.? God has overlooked these times of ignorance and now commands all men everywhere to repent.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

 

The manifold wisdom of God

The manifold wisdom of God

The manifold wisdom of God which is, the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; is now the responsibility of the church to make known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, the eternal purpose which God the Father accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Unfortunately, the majority of believers have not grasped and understood the profoundness, the magnitude and the rationale of this fellowship of the mystery which the Father accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. For example, most professing believers do not comprehend the phraseology which states; “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.”  

They do not know how often it should be taken when the Lord Himself spoke to Moses and said to him; “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Numbers 28:2).

There is therefore, a prescribed, ordained time for which we are to offer to the Lord the food for His offerings. Remember, the reformation did not do away with the ordinance it simply replaced the copy and the shadow with the reality, so instead of animal sacrifices with their food and drinks we now have the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the form of the bread and wine.

The other misunderstood factor concerning the fellowship of the mystery which the Father accomplished in Jesus Christ our Lord is the phraseology; “you proclaim or commemorate the Lord's death till He comes.”  The question is how do we proclaim or commemorate the Lord’s death until He comes?

To proclaim or commemorate the Lord’s death is a call to remembrance the purpose, the rationale and the reason for Christ’s death which is first and foremost to destroy the works of the devil which is sin and death as we have been duly admonished saying; “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1John 3:8).

Therefore, whenever we partake of the fellowship of the mystery which the Father accomplished in Jesus Christ we are destroying the works of the devil by having our sins forgiven and guaranteeing our eternal life Just as Jesus Christ plainly said; “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Please note carefully that it is while we have fellowship with one another at the appointed time ordained by the Lord Himself to offer to Him the food for His offerings that we get cleansed from our sins. As alluded to by the apostle John who wrote; “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1John 1:7).

Again note carefully that the word is “cleanses” something that is current and not cleansed as in the past. This also coincides with the statement made by the apostle Paul when he wrote; “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion (fellowship) of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion (fellowship) of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (1Corinthians 10:14-17).

The apostle had to chastise the church in Corinth due to the manner in which they partook of the fellowship offering, he said to them; “For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you” (1Corinthians 11:18-22).

But after chastising them for the manner in which they partook of the Lord’s Supper he then instructed them saying; “Therefore, my brethren, when you come together (as a church) to eat(the Lord’s supper) wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come” (1Corinthians 11:33-34).

And the possibility of coming together for judgment is as the result of not discerning the Lord’s body, by eating and drinking of the body and blood of Jesus Christ in an unworthy manner and it is for this reason many of us are weak, sick and some have died. God has overlooked this time of ignorance and now commands all men everywhere to repent. I implore you, let us not receive the grace of God in vain.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph