1. Rebuilding of the Temple! (Micah 4:1–2) – “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

2. Restoring of Peace in the Middle East! (Micah 4:3–5) – “And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.”

3. Returning of Jews to Their Homeland! (Micah 4:6–7) – “In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.”

4. Resentment of Nations Against Jerusalem! (Micah 4:11–12) – “Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.”

1. Who is the Woman? (Revelation 12:1) – “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.”

Undoubtedly, this woman is a description of Israel. We can derive that conclusion by comparing Genesis 37, where Joseph dreams: “Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.”

Although some suggest the woman is the Virgin Mary, that is very unlikely. Others say she represents the Church, but the better view is that she is symbolic of Israel, for it was out of the nation of Israel—the twelve stars representing Jacob’s children—that the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, was brought forth.

And by the way, Satan hates Israel. Sadly, many today feel the same way. Antisemitism is spreading across our world like wildfire. Yet the Bible is clear: believers are to pray for and support the nation of Israel. Why? Because God has a plan for them, just as He has for the Church.

2. Who is the Child? (Revelation 12:2) – “And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.”

This verse fulfills the prophetic vision of the Old Testament writers: Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was born. Has He been born in you? (Galatians 4:19)

3. Who is the Great Red Dragon? (Revelation 12:3–4) – “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.”

Satan knows his time is short (Rev. 12:12). His plan to destroy the Christ child failed—just as his attempt to corrupt the human bloodline in Genesis 6 failed, and just as his attempt to get Jesus to worship him during the temptation failed. His time is running out. Ultimately, he will meet his final doom in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

Keep looking up—our redemption draws near.

Introduction: “Oh little town of Bethlehem” – This song was written by Phillips Brooks in 1868. Here is some background on him.

1. Jesus was born in Bethlehem! (Luke 2:11) – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Listen to the first stanza:

2. Bethlehem was predicted to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ! (Micah 5:2) – “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

The second stanza goes…

3. The wise men went looking for the Savior and Redeemer of mankind as they followed the star! (Matt 2:1-6) – “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea 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 had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”

The third stanza ….

4. Jesus Christ’s kingdom will extend Beyond Bethlehem! (Luke 1:31,32,33) – “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Listen to the last stanza:

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray,
cast out our sin and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Immanuel!

Please acknowledge that His rule and reign on earth is not yet, although He is sovereignly in control as He allows nations, kings, and leaders to rise and fall: “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.” (Prov. 21:1; Dan. 2:21)

Things will drastically change when the King comes. His kingdom will rule over all the earth. Remember, the Rapture will occur first—the dead in Christ will rise, and the Church will be caught up to meet the Bridegroom (Jesus Christ) in the air.

Then the seven years of tribulation: the Antichrist emerges; the false prophet leads politically, economically, and religiously; the mark of the beast; a pseudo peace plan with Israel; and God’s judgments in the form of seven seals, trumpets, and bowls. All of this will culminate in the battle of Armageddon, when Jesus Christ defeats the Antichrist’s armies and establishes His kingdom on earth.

1. JESUS CHRIST’S BIRTH WAS PROPHESIED! (Isaiah 9:6) – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

PRAISE the LORD! He is more than WONDERFUL! He is the COUNSELLOR of all COUNSELORS.
His MIGHT has no limits.
His REIGN is everlasting.
His JUDGMENTS are inescapable.
His PEACE is unparalleled.

Beyond that:

His NAME is above every name,
His GRACE is sufficient,
His LOVE is satisfying,
His ARM is not shortened,
His EAR is not heavy,
His EYE is penetrating,
His WORD is a strong tower,
His BIRTH is supernatural,
His LIFE is prophetical,
His DEATH is substitutional,
His PREDICTIONS were substantial,
His POWER is amazing,
His TOUCH is transformational,
His FORGIVENESS is sweet,
His PROVISION is timely,
His COMFORT is matchless,
His CREATION is unimaginable,
His SOVEREIGNTY is incomparable,
His GIFTS are unspeakable,
His CALLING is universal,
His WAYS are superior to all human wisdom!

His CROSS is liberating,
His BLOOD is purifying,
His HEAVEN is outstanding,
His PROMISES are unbreakable,
His MIRACLES are irreversible,
His PRESENCE is undeniable,
His GOODNESS is superlative,
His RESURRECTION is irrefutable,
His SECOND COMING is unprecedented,
His GLORY is insurmountable,
And His SALVATION is unchangeable!

Hallelujah!

2. JESUS CHRIST WILL IMPLEMENT HIS EARTHLY KINGDOM! (Isaiah 9:6–7)

Isaiah continues:

“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even forever.”

Isaiah makes it clear that JESUS is in control:

“…and the government shall be upon his shoulder… Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end…”

“HE’S GOT you and me, sister, in HIS HANDS!”

One day soon, JESUS CHRIST will come again and set up His Millennial Kingdom on earth.
He will rule with a rod of iron from Jerusalem.

Isaiah writes that when the KING comes:

Conclusion: Jesus is in CONTROL; therefore, let Him take CONTROL of your life! Is He in control of your life?

Never forget: “HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS!”

1. How did Satan attempt to devour Jesus Christ at the first CHRISTMAS? (Rev. 12:1–5) – “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads… and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.”

2. Why will Satan try to stop Jesus Christ in His SECOND COMING? (Rev. 12:5,17) – “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.”

The word “rule” is ποιμαίνω — to shepherd, to care for, to govern.

Bottom line: Jesus Christ will rule all the nations (ethnos).

Satan knows his time is short: “…for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Rev. 12:12)

Time is running out for the devil!

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17)

If you read this whole chapter, you will discover that the apostle Paul is inspired by the Holy Spirit to write concerning some important principles of giving. For example, the principle of giving cheerfully is mentioned, as well as giving bountifully.

Do you give cheerfully? Are you sowing bountifully? Remember: our God gave His very BEST — Himself!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

There we have it. God’s purpose for coming to this earth was to pay man’s sin debt. By being crucified on a cross — suffering, bleeding, and ultimately dying — sinful man could be reconciled to holy God.

However, just to know this intellectually is not enough to go to heaven. Instead, receiving this GIFT by GRACE alone through FAITH alone in CHRIST alone is what saves.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8–9)

John wrote, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)

You see, the demons believe in JESUS but have never RECEIVED JESUS.

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19) 

In other words, mere acknowledgment of God does not forgive sin. One must turn from sin and trust in the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:22).

1. Take time to SLOW DOWN your busy pace. (Matt. 6:25–34) – “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? ….. O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

2. Be deliberate in building UP your RELATIONSHIPS. (Col. 3:8–14) – “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man… Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

3. Watch OUT for unresolved conflicts. (Heb. 12:14) – “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

4. Stay FOCUSED on our Lord’s will. (Phil. 3:10–14) – “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

5. CREATE an atmosphere of unconditional LOVE. (1 John 3:14) – “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.”

Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

3. Turn on your lights if you want others to WITNESS JESUS by the Power of God! (1 John 1:1–3) – “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

1. JESUS CHRIST’S birth was PROPHESIED! (Isa 9:6) – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

2. JESUS CHRIST will IMPLEMENT HIS earthly KINGDOM! (Isa 9:6–7) – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.”