Christmas Message: The True Timing of the Birth of the LORD by Pastor David Picos, of The Lion and Lamb Ministry.

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Here is our Christmas Message to all of you. The True Timing of the Birth of the LORD.

First let's turn to and read Micah 4:8 , and then Micah 5:2 , here's what it says "And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem" Now, 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" Now turn to Matthew 2:4-6 and let's read what the Magi said to Herod. Here's what it says "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 Micah, 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."

To Read The Birth of the LORD Jesus Christ. Go to Luke 2:1-14

Let's now turn our focus to THE PROCLAMATION OF CAESAR AUGUSTUS - Luke 2:1-5 – "that all the world should be taxed"

Augustus ruled from 43 BC to 14 AD. Augustus is Octavian, grandnephew of Julius Caesar. Now, Quirinius was "governing" under the governor Varus of Syria at the time of the census mentioned in the Bible, probably around 7 BC as seen in Luke 2:2
 
Josephus refers to a census in 6 AD when Quirinius was the governor, Egyptian records state that a census was done by Rome every 14 years, and took several years to accomplish.

Herod the Great was alive at the birth of the Messiah. The problem of the timing of Herod the Great's death is related to a remark by Flavius Josephus. Josephus recorded an eclipse on March 13, 4BC which he said was "shortly before Herod died." However, the actual date of the eclipse was December 29, 1 BC. And then time between the birth of the Messiah and Herod's death is necessary since Joseph and Mary with the baby Jesus Christ fled to Egypt and did not return until after Herod's death, due to the massacre of the children at Herod's orders. Herod the Great died on January 14, 1 BC.

Tertullian said that the birth of Jesus Christ was 41 years after Augustus began his rule, and died 15 years after the birth. The death of Augustus was August 19, 14 AD. Tertullian also said that Jesus Christ was born 28 years after the death of Cleopatra who died in 30 BC.

Irenaeus ALSO said that Jesus was born in the 41st year of the reign of Augustus. Eusebius says the same thing. The 42nd year of Augustus ran from the autumn of 2 BC to the autumn of 1 BC.

The LORD Jesus Christ, The Messiah, was most likely born on September 29, 2 BC.

When the temple was destroyed by Titus on August 5, 70 AD, the first course of priests had just taken office, there are 24 courses or divisions for the Jewish Priests. The course of Abijah, John the Baptist's father, Zacharias, was the 8th course. SO, tracing back, Zacharias would have ended his duties on July 13, 3 BC. The birth of John the Baptist would be 280 days later, April 19-20, 2BC, which was Passover that year, The birth of Jesus would have been six months later, in the fall of 2 BC. The VERY INTERESTING fact of this date is that it is Tishri 1 on the Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashanah, The Feast of Trumpets. Here's the breakdown...

At this time we find THE SHEPHERDS WITH THEIR FLOCKS IN THE FIELDS-as we read in Luke 2:8 . It is highly unlikely that shepherds would have their flocks in the fields during the cold winter weather.

Then we have the:
The PRESENTATION BY THE ANGEL TO THE SHEPHERDS, we read this in Luke 2:9-12 .
The DISPLAY of God's glory – Luke 2:9
The DESCRIPTION of the good tidings – Luke 2:10 - "great joy...to all people",
The DESIGNATION of the place – Luke 2:11-12 - "in the city of David" and "in a manger",
The DETAILS of the baby's identity – Luke 2:11 - "a Savior, which is Christ the Lord", and then
THE PRAISE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST – Luke 2:13-14 - HERE, The construction of the Greek text is crucial to what is being said: In the highest (heaven) – "Glory to God"...then...On earth – "peace, good will (toward men)" This last phrase needs to be translated correctly - "among men with whom He is pleased"

The "PEACE" IS RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING:
1. It refers to the Messiah Himself - Isaiah 9:6 - "the Prince of PEACE"
2. It refers to the Messiah's death - Colossians 1:20 - "having made PEACE through the blood of His cross"
3. It refers to the PEACE we have with God when we become believers in the Person and work of the Messiah - Romans 5:1 - "Therefore being justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our LORD Jesus Christ"
4. It refers to the PEACE which believers have when we pray with thanksgiving and leave matters in the hands of the LORD - Philippians 4:6-7 - "the PEACE of God"
5. It refers to the PEACE of Messiah's kingdom - Isaiah 9:7 - "Of the increase of His government and PEACE there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom"
Praise the LORD!

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 . BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ,

The Lion and Lamb Ministry
Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20 )

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