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Showing posts with label Star of Bethlehem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Star of Bethlehem. Show all posts
Friday, December 21, 2018
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Does the Christian Star of Bethlehem Have Its Roots in Judaism? By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS
Illustrative: A bright star sits in the night sky. (Credit: MarcelClemens/Shutterstock.com)
Does the Christian Star of Bethlehem Have Its Roots in Judaism?
“He counteth the number of the stars; He giveth them all their names.” Psalms 147:4 (The Israel Bible™)
As Christmas approaches, stars, one of the symbols of the Christian holiday, appear. What few people realize is that the star, symbolizing an astronomical appearance described in the New Testament, may have its sources in Jewish eschatological literature – i.e. that describing the Messiah’s arrival.
The Star of Bethlehem is mentioned in the New Testament Book of Matthew where it is described as the appearance of a large and remarkable star. Inspired by the star, “wise men from the East” come to Israel where they ask King Herod, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” They are directed by King Herod to Bethlehem based on a prophecy in Micah.
And you, O Beit Lechem of Efrat, Least among the clans of Yehuda, From you one shall come forth To rule Yisrael for Me— One whose origin is from of old, From ancient times. (Micah 5:1)
It is relevant to note the connection between Bethlehem and the Jewish concept of Messiah from the House of David. Bethlehem is the birthplace of King David and the Prophet Samuel anointed David as king of Israel in Bethlehem. The Hebrew word ‘Moshiach’ (Messiah) literally means ‘the anointed one.’
The Star of Bethlehem has become a central feature of the story of the birth of Jesus and features prominently in the upcoming holiday of Christmas. Some Christian theologians claimed that the star fulfilled a prophecy, known as the Star Prophecy based on a verse in Numbers.
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh; there shall step forth a star out of Yaakov, and a scepter shall rise out of Yisrael, and shall smite through the corners of Moab, and break down all the sons of Seth. (Numbers 24:17)
This Torah verse also plays a central role in the Jewish concept of the Messiah. This verse was interpreted by Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known as Maimonides and by the acronym Rambam who was the foremost Torah authority of the 12th century. In his book, Mishneh Torah, the Rambam brings this verse about a star appearing as proof that the Messiah will come one day. According to the Rambam, the Messiah will come from Jacob, more specifically, from the tribe of Judah.
In addition, the Zohar, the foundational work of Jewish mysticism describes in detail the stars that are prophesied to appear as a precursor to the Messiah.
After 40 days, when the pillar rises from earth to heaven in the eyes of the whole world and the Messiah has appeared, a star will rise up on the east, blazing in all colors, and seven other stars will surround that star. And they will wage war on it. (Zohar, Parshat Balak)
The prophecy of the Star of Jacob was applied to Simon bar Kokhba, leader of the Second Jewish Revolt of 132 CE, whose adopted name meant “Son of a Star” in Aramaic.
David Nekrutman, the executive director for the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC), noted that it is impossible to say whether the Christian Star of Bethlehem has its roots in the Jewish Star of Jacob.
David Nekrutman, the executive director for the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC), noted that it is impossible to say whether the Christian Star of Bethlehem has its roots in the Jewish Star of Jacob.
“The Star of Jacob is undeniably a strong part of Jewish eschatology,” Nekrutman told Breaking Israel News. “Whether or not the verse about the Star of Jacob is the basis for Matthew, one of the more Jewish-oriented sections of the New Testament, is the focus of serious debate in academia.”
Nekrutman noted that classical Jewish sources interpreted the Star of Jacob in two very different ways.
“One approach as explained by the Ibn Ha’Ezra holds that the Biblical verse is a prophecy that relates to the time of King David,” Nekrutman explained. “The other tradition as expressed by Nachmanides holds that the Star of Jacob is a prophecy that is for sometime in the future, a later Messianic period.”
Nekrutman noted that despite the Star of Jacob having its source in the Jewish Messianic narrative, it was not nearly as prominent as its Christian counterpart.
“This might be seen as an attempt by Judaism in the exile to distance or differentiate itself from the more prevalent Christian host culture,” Nekrutman said. “But I think there is a more internal reason the Star of Jacob got deemphasized.”
“The failure of the Bar Kochba revolt – which was considered a political Messiah – had a large impact on the interpretation of the Star of Jacob,” he said. “The failure of the revolt led the sages to deemphasize the eschatology of the Star of Jacob. That led to a preference for the explanation that the Star of Jacob was no longer relevant since it was described as already happening in the time of King David.”
“The Star of Jacob is interpreted according to where you are in Jewish history. Nachmanides lived in one of the lowest periods of Jewish history. He was seeing the Star of Jacob as part of a much brighter future. The Star of Jacob was going to be fulfilled.”
Nekrutman explained that just as historical influences led to deemphasizing the end-of-days explanation of the Star of Jacob, the current state of the Jewish people may lead towards a renewed emphasis on the end-of-days prophetic understanding.
“Now that we are in the Land of Israel and we have a Jewish state, the Star of Jacob can now be seen more in the light of Jewish eschatology and its relevance for the future Messiah of the Jews,” Nekrutman concluded.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
You Can't Handle the TRUTH about REV 12 Sign & Star of Bethlehem | "Nothing Happened" on Sep 23, 2017 - Steve Cioccolanti & Discover Ministries
You Can't Handle the TRUTH
about REV 12 Sign & Star of Bethlehem
"Nothing Happened"
on Sep 23, 2017
Steve Cioccolanti & Discover Ministries
This is a Parody about NOTHING HAPPENED after Biblical end time signs. Mockers have waited till the 24th September to make snarky remarks we all anticipated: "NOTHING HAPPENED". Pastor Steve has been waiting to mock the mockers!
Watch this parody of "Nothing Happened". It illustrates how smart people continually misunderstand signs since Bible times. This is a DRAMATIZATION. If your funny bone is not working, this is not for you.
Pastor Steve Cioccolanti agrees "nothing has happened," except for the worst natural disaster in US history, and the first hydrogen bomb testing by rogue regime North Korea, and Iran testing more advanced missiles that will likely be used in the Ezekiel 38 war.
Nothing has taken away from the glorious sign of Revelation 12. It cannot be the sign of the "end of the world" because it is only chapter 12, and there are 22 chapters in the Book of Revelation! Mockers imagine "the end of the world" but Pastor Steve never talked about the world ending on that date. Rather the Bible teaches us to watch and pray as we observe birth pangs preluding the Tribulation and Jesus' Return. Will you join the MOCKERS or the WATCHERS?
4 MORE JUDGMENTS are coming upon AMERICA according to Christian prophecies. The purpose of these SIGNS is for the Church to wake up & repent now!
Don't lay up treasures on earth, lay up treasures in Heaven by supporting the eternal Gospel:
http://www.discover.org.au/GIVE
From the Gospel of Matthew:
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Why the Great American Total Solar Eclipse is cause for pause? - Krista Smith
Let me begin by saying, I am not suggesting the total eclipse is going to cause anything in particular. However, there are undeniable (call them) coincidences that do in fact lineup with prophecy and Biblical events. That being said, I believe it means "something" and only time will tell what that is. There have been many people scoffing at any mention of these types of possibilities because there have been numerous predictions of peril and doom that have not occurred. But, God's Word is Truth. He will keep His promises and He does have a way of doing things in His perfect timing. In my opinion, I don't think anything will happen on this day but I do think it is a warning of things to come.
- While eclipses are not that uncommon, total solar eclipses only occur about every year and a half and often occur over the ocean rather than land. Don't let anyone fool you into thinking this eclipse is nothing out of the ordinary. Day will be turned to night all across the middle United States. It's been 99 years since a total solar eclipse crossed the entire United States and having another total solar eclipse cross the entire United States again, forming an 'X', just a few years later is perhaps unprecedented.
- It is interesting that the next solar eclipse in 2024 is 7 years later and the Bible says we will have a 7 year tribulation period.
- It is called the great American eclipse because, this is the first total solar eclipse that's only visible in the U.S. and no other country. It will be the first total eclipse visible only in the USA since the country was founded in 1776.
- The temperature of the sun is 5778 (look it up on google -click here) - The final Hebrew month is Elul and it begins on exactly August 21st. Elul is the final month of the Hebrew year they are currently in which is 5777 which is our 2017 and is their year of completion. The next Hebrew calendar year is 5778, the same number as the temperature of the sun, and begins after the month of Elul.
"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?... At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other... Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved...."
"For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man...Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." - Matthew 24: 3-44
- It's been noted that the United States is the wealthiest, most powerful, and most influential Gentile nation. It is also the world's ethnic melting pot and hosts a proto-world government in the form of the United Nations. In Jewish tradition, Lunar eclipses (blood moons) are omens for Israel whereas solar eclipses are omens for the Gentiles. The 4 Blood Moons in 2014-15 were the first in 2000 years that a Tetrad of four Blood Moons occurred all on Jewish feast days and in a Shemitah Year! An unprecedented event. It is quite possible that in 2014-15 the Blood Moons were the Omens for Israel and now in 2017 the Solar Eclipses are the Omens for the Gentiles.
- The 7 year Tribulation is also known as the Day of the LORD when God enters into judgment with the Gentile nations. The fact that two total solar eclipses, spaced seven years apart, cross the entirety of the contiguous United States, and form an 'x' over the chief Gentile nation on earth should give you pause.
- The eclipse on August 21st is also exactly 40 days from Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) which is on September 29th. "40" represents a period of testing in the Bible as can been seen in the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness and the 40 days Jesus was tested in the wilderness. This 40 day period leading up to Yom Kippur is more than random. In fact, this period of time beginning on August 21st is called the Season of Teshuvah, which in the Jewish faith is a time to get right with God before judgment falls on the Day of Atonement.
- On June 30, 2015, what was dubbed as the Star of Bethlehem reappeared for the 1st time in 2000 years. (Google: Bethlehem Star 2015) This star appeared 2000 years ago to announce the birth of the King. Interesting timing that it has shown up again in 2015. What if it is again a sign to announce the coming of the King?
Well, if you already struggle with Bible prophecy this one is really going to blow your mind. I know it sounds crazy but it is a prophecy of the Great Sign according to Revelations 12. Hang in there, and keep reading, the scripture may be unfolding in our solar system in just a few weeks.
Here is the verse, "Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth..... She gave birth to a son...."
- There are many who currently believe the eclipse is intimately connected to an upcoming September 23rd astronomical alignment involving the constellations Virgo and Leo, along with Mercury, Mars, Venus and Jupiter. On that date (9/23/17), Jupiter will exit the lower part of Virgo (the virgin) in a way that would fulfill the “man child” of Revelation 12 being birthed by the woman. Regulus and the other stars of Leo—along with the other three visible planets—comprise the “crown of twelve stars” that Revelation 12:1 says will be upon the travailing woman’s head. You’ve got this epic solar eclipse over America and it’s happening right at Regulus, in Leo the Lion—the constellation. There are twelve constellations. It could happen anywhere, but it’s happening in the constellation of the king, with all of this coming together it just doesn't seem totally off base that it could mean the return of the king! - It's in the Bible as a Great Sign in the Last Days. I believe it is a possibility worth pondering, especially coupled with everything else going on. According to researchers this is the 1st time the solar system will be in exactly this alignment in over 7000 years. There were 9 close matches from 6000 BC to 4000 AD in over these 10,000 years none of the 9 matches that were close met everyone of the requirements of the scripture.
The uniqueness and precision of the September alignment is its greatest strength. It's not enough that the moon and sun are near Virgo once a year. It's not enough that Jupiter passes through Virgo's womb every 11 or 12 years. Every condition in Revelation 12:1-2 has to be met and that's what's unique about the alignment on September 23rd.The woman must be clothed with the sun.The woman must have the moon under her feet. She must have a crown of exactly twelve stars. She must be pregnant and give birth. Pregnancies only happen in wombs and they last 37 to 44 weeks, on Sept 23rd it will have been 42 weeks. It's not enough for Jupiter to just pass through Virgo or retrograde nearby. It needs to stay in her womb in a way that pictures a pregnancy.
From 2015 to Now:
- The Tetrads falling on 4 Feast Days of the Lord in a Shemitah year in 2014/15, an unprecedented event.
- The Bethlehem Star in 2015 which has not been out in over 2000 years.
- The upcoming Total Solar Eclipse crossing the US and that coupled with the fact that it will not be visible by any other countries. That has never happened.
- There will be another Total Eclipse going diagonally across the other side of the US just 7 years later in 2024, making an X across our country, the first one on 8/21/17 is also not visible to any other countries. Interesting that the Bible talks about a 7 year tribulation period in the Last Days.
- The upcoming solar alignment on Sept 23rd, sounding like it lines up with a description of a Great sign in the heavens from revelation 12.
It's just too much for me to put my head in the sand. Just thought I would share this with you, in case you find it as interesting as I do. If you don't no worries, it's just information.
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea....When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
- Luke 21:25-28
"...in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of[a] vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) ...They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith.
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3: 1-17
Source: ReadyandWatching
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