Or perhaps were these “Wise Men” those who had been converted through the ministry of Daniel?

1. The Wise Men followed the STAR! (Matt 2:1-3) – “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.”

2. The Wise Men followed the SCRIPTURES! (Num 24:17; Matt 2:1-3) – “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.”

The Scriptures follow Jesus (John 5:39). Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

3. The Wise Men followed the SOVEREIGN! (Matt 2:12) – “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”

Regardless of the background of these Persians (Wise Men), they obeyed the SOVEREIGN will of God by not falling into Herod’s trap.

How Is Christ Formed in Us?

1. Daniel’s Prophecy of 490 Years Futuristic (Dan 9:24-27)
   {Fulfilled already: the 69 weeks or 483 years}; Jews returned and rebuilt the temple 49 years later (7 weeks); Messiah was cut off—crucified (62 weeks later) 434 years after that. Add both of those periods, and you get 483 years of already fulfilled Bible prophecy. That means there are 7 more years left in order for this prophecy to be completely fulfilled {the total 490 years}. By the way, those seven years will be known as the tribulation period described in Dan chapter 9. This is absolutely amazing, to say the least!
2. Triumphal Entry (Zech 9:9; Luke 19)
   Jesus Christ is prophesied as riding on the back of a donkey as He enters Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. This was mentioned 500 years before it was fulfilled.
3. Bethlehem’s Star (Matt 2:1; Num 24:17)
   The Star of Bethlehem guided the Wise Men—who still SEEK JESUS!
4. The Virgin Birth (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:21-23)
   These references describe the birth of Jesus Christ by a virgin, prophesied approximately 700 years before being fulfilled. According to the Angel, Jesus came to save us from our sins.
5. Names of Jesus (Isa 9:6)
   Here are the names of Jesus, the Son, given along with His earthly, priestly, and prophetic roles.

II. Jesus Christ – The Bridegroom’s Return for His Bride!

1. John 14:1-3 – Jesus, the Bridegroom, will return for His bride, the Church, after preparing a place in His Father’s house.
2. 1 Thess 4:13-18 – Paul describes the rapture of the Church.
3. 1 Cor 15:54-58 – This chapter deals with the resurrection of Jesus Christ along with His return in the rapture.
4. Titus 2:13 – Looking for that Blessed Hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.
5. 1 John 3:1-3 – Here, John tells us that when Jesus comes again, we will see Him and be like Him.

III. Jesus Christ’s Second Coming!

1. Matt 24:36-44
2. Luke 21:24-28
3. Rev 19:11-16
4. Zech 14:1-4

IV. Jesus Christ’s Millennial Reign

1. Isa 9:7
2. Isa 11
3. Isa 65

V. Jesus Christ and the New Heaven with the New Jerusalem

1. Rev 21
2. Rev 22

1. The Prince of Peace – Isa 9:6
2. Immanuel – Isa 7:14
3. Suffering Servant – Isa 53
4. The Glory of God – Ezekiel 40-48
5. The Coming King (Dan 7:13-16)
6. Our Hope (Joel 1, 2, 3)
7. Ruler of Israel (Micah 4, 5)
8. Righteous Branch (Zech 6, 12, 14)
9. King of Glory (Psa 24)
10. Son of Man and Son of God (Luke’s gospel and John’s gospel)
11. Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father (Isa 9:6)

If you go back to chapter four of this minor prophetic book, you’ll discover several outstanding prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled, such as:

• Returning of the Jews to their homeland
• Restoring of the Temple
• Reuniting of nations coming against Jerusalem

From a practical illustration, people today are choosing the “god” that is convenient with their lifestyle. Similarly, there is a popular TV show where people select a house to buy. It is called House Hunters—they usually choose between three homes.

It appears that today there are some “God hunters” choosing between gods.

1. 1. A God who loves
   2. A God who will take us to heaven
   3. A God to take care of me
   4. A God who does what I say do!?
   5. A God who will go along with my plans!?

In the “Fulness of Time”—Christ was born. His will is to be formed in you (Gal 4:4). Are you cooperating?

With an attempt to usurp authority over God, to defile the bloodline of the human race, and to substitute the kingdoms of this world for the sinless Savior, all of Satan’s futile attempts failed.

By the way of interest, President of Russia, Putin, ordered a giant 16,000mph doomsday nuke called ‘Satan II’ to be made ready for war in his latest deranged nuclear sabre-rattling. Russia has branded this killing weapon as “unstoppable.” The Great Red Dragon thinks he’s unstoppable as well.

Also, Satan will try to kill the Jesus in you…to stop others from coming to the Christ of CHRISTmas. He is a:

• Joy killer
• Peace killer
• Love killer
• Patience killer
• Self-control killer
• Bible killer (“Hath God said?”)

Speaking of the strategy of the Great Red Dragon, did you know the following? A report showed that nearly 70% of enforcement actions executed by the Biden administration’s Education Department targeted faith-based and career schools.

The report from APP said further that “at least 12 Christian colleges have been the target of excessive penalties or banned from receiving federal student aid; by comparison, no Ivy League school has been the recipient of punitive action by the Office of Enforcement.”

3. The King of Kings was born to overthrow the Great Red Dragon! (Rev 12:5) – “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.”

Jesus will rule and reign in His sovereignty. Then and only then will there be PEACE on the earth. After the Rapture—EVACUATION, the TRIBULATION, and the REVELATION of His second coming will come the RESTORATION of His Kingdom, where He rules with a Rod of Iron.

• Returning
• Releasing
• Reclaiming
• Restoring
• Rededicating

Do you feel loved? Unconditionally loved? Have you been forgiven? Do you feel forgiven without trying to earn it? Perhaps this is what is so glorious about our God:

1. God Promises a Savior Who Will Bring Forgiveness! (Isaiah 7:14) – “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

2. God Keeps His Promises in Sending His Son to Forgive Our Sins! (Matthew 1:21-23) – “…Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Conclusion: Since the Bible is a great “love story” about a God who loves and forgives, it only makes logical sense to receive this perfect gift of forgiveness.

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese