Subject: “WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN 2006?”
Scripture: James 4:13-17

1A. The PERSECUTION of believers could become worse than it is now!
cf. Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-19; John 15:18-20; II Timothy 3:12; I Peter 2:19-25; 3:14-17; 4:13-19

2A. The POSSIBILITY of personal loss and death could take place in your life and family! cf. Job 1:20-22; Psalm 116:15; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-23; I Timothy 6:6-19; Revelation 14:13

3A. The PROBABILITY of global disasters, terrorist attacks, and military conflicts, becoming more serious and threatening are likely to occur!
cf. Matthew 24:6-8; Mark 13:7-8; Luke 21:9-11, 25-26

4A. The false PEACE of a coming world leader may be enforced upon the people of Israel! cf. Daniel 9:24-27; I Thessalonians 5:1-3

5A. The PREVALENCE of widespread deception and apostasy will grow at an
alarming rate! cf. Amos 8:11-12; Matthew 7:21-23; 24:4-5,
11, 24; I Timothy 4:1-2; II Timothy 3:5, 13; 4:3-4; II Peter 2:1-3; Jude 17-19

6A. The PREACHING of God’s Word, the Bible, could bring a moral and spiritual awakening and a great harvest of souls!
cf. II Chronicles 7:14; Isaiah 55:6-7; I Timothy 4:13-16; II Timothy 2:15, 23-26; 3:14-17; 4:1-8; Jude 20-25

7A. The PROPHECY of our Lord’s Second Coming may be fulfilled this year!
cf. Matthew 24:42-44; I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians 4:13-18;
Revelation 22:20

WATCH AND BE READY!

THE BIRTH OF MESSIAH – Luke 2:1-14

THE PROPHECY OF THE BIRTH OF MESSIAH
Micah 4:8; 5:2 cf. Matthew 2:4-6

THE PROCLAMATION OF CAESAR AUGUSTUS – Luke 2:1-5 – “that all the world should be taxed”

Augustus ruled from 43 BC to 14 AD. (Octavian – grandnephew of Julius Caesar)

Quirinius was “governing” under the governor Varus of Syria at the time of the census mentioned in the Bible (probably around 7 BC) – 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 – this problem 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. Time between the birth of the Messiah and Herod’s death is necessary since Joseph and Mary with the baby fled to Egypt and did not return until after Herod’s death. Herod the Great died on January 14, 1 BC.

Tertullian said that the birth of Jesus 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 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 about the same thing. The 42nd year of Augustus ran from the autumn of 2 BC to the autumn of 1 BC.

The Messiah was probably 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 (24 courses or divisions). The course of Abijah John the Baptist’s father ( Zacharias) was the 8th course – 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) – birth of Jesus would have been six months later – fall of 2 BC. The interesting fact of this date is that it is Tishri 1 on the Jewish calendar – Rosh HaShanah – the Feast of Trumpets.

THE PRESENCE OF SHEPHERDS WITH THEIR FLOCKS IN THE FIELDS
Luke 2:8 – It is highly unlikely that shepherds would have their flocks in the fields during the winter cold weather. However, several years ago on a trip to Israel in December I saw shepherds with their flocks in the fields. But, it was not very cold that day so maybe this is a true fact upon which we can relay to a certain degree.

THE PRESENTATION BY THE ANGEL TO THE SHEPHERDS
Luke 2:9-12

The DISPLAY of God’s glory – v. 9

The DESCRIPTION of the good tidings – v. 10 – ”great joy…to all people”

The DESIGNATION of the place – vv. 11, 12 – “in the city of David” and “in a manger”

The DETAILS of the baby’s identity – v. 11 – “a Savior, which is Christ the Lord”

THE PRAISE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST – vv. 13-14

The construction of the Greek text is crucial to what is being said:
In the highest (heaven) – “Glory to God”
On earth – “peace, good will toward men”

The last phrase needs to be translated correctly – “among men with whom He is pleased”

“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”

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HANUKKAH!

As most people know, Yeshua (Jesus) is called “the SON of God” in the Bible. Many people ask the question: “If He is the SON of God, then how can He be GOD like many believers say?” Good question.

Muslims say that God has no son, and yet Psalm 2:1-12 clearly teaches otherwise as does Proverbs 30:4.

Angels are called “sons of God” in Job 2:1 in the Old Testament, and believers are called “sons of God” in the New Testament. Israel is called “My son” in Exodus 4:22 and Hosea 11:1. The Messiah is called God’s “son” in Psalm 2:7 and in Daniel 3:19-25 King Nebuchadnezzar refers to a fourth person in the fiery furnace as God’s “angel” and one “like the son of God.”

In Luke 3:38, the genealogy of Mary is traced all the way back to Adam who is called “the son of God.” However, the words “the son” are not in the original Greek text of that verse.

The MEANING of the phrase “SON OF GOD”

It is NOT the word for a child by birth. The Greek word for “a little born one” is “teknos” which is never used of Jesus. It is NOT the word for a child by age. The Greek word “paidia” is never used when we read “the SON of God.” The Greek word for “SON” in the phrase “SON OF GOD” is the Greek word “huios” which means “an heir” – the one who receives the inheritance.

The MANNER in which others referred to the identity of Jesus

Satan himself says in Matthew 4:1-11 – “If Thou be the Son of God” – the “if” clause in Greek literally means “if and it is son” or “since.” The demons say in Matthew 8:28-29 “What have we to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God?” Also, in Mark 3:11, the unclean spirits says “Thou art the Son of God.” In Luke 4:41, the devils says “Thou art the Christ the Son of God.”

The disciples in Matthew 14:22-33 says “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God.” The Jewish High Priest says at the trial of Jesus in Matthew 26:63-65: “I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” The crowds that passed by his cross when He died are quoted in Matthew 27:39-40 as saying, “If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” The chief priests, scribes, and elders said in Matthew 27:41-43: “He said, I am the Son of God.” The centurion on His cross said in Matthew 27:54: “Truly this was the Son of God.” John the Baptist in John 1:34 said of Him: “I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God.” Nathanael, one of the disciples, said in John 1:49: “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel.” Martha said in John 11:27: “I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God.” Simon Peter said in Matthew 16:16: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And the brilliant scholar and rabbi, Saul of Tarsus, preached about the Messiah in various synagogues and said that “He is the Son of God.”

The MESSAGE which we must understand and believe!

It was a PROCLAMATION by the angel Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1:26-35 – “that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” This message of His true identity involves the POWER to raise the dead. John 5:25 says: “the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live.” Jesus Himself said in John 11:4 concerning the sickness of his friend Lazarus: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”

This message is the PREREQUISITE that is necessary in order to avoid eternal condemnation. John 3:18 states: “he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only-begottne Son of God.” It is also the PRIORITY in order for a person to have eternal life! John 20:31 says: “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His Name.” I John 5:11-13 adds: “that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God.”

This message is also the PURPOSE for being baptized in water. In Acts 8:34-38 we read the Ethiopian eunuch saying to Philip: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

This message tells of the High PRIEST Who will help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 says: “Jesus the Son of God.” He is the PERSON Who destroyed the works of the devil. I John 3:8 – “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

This message speaks of the PROFESSION that guarantees our relationship to God and victory over the world. I John 4:15 says: “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” And, I John 5:5 adds: “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

This message about Jesus being the SON of GOD is the PROOF of the true God! I john 5:20 states clearly: “the Son of God is come…this is the true God; and eternal life.” Hebrews 1:8 quotes the Father speaking about His Son: “But unto the Son, He saith, Thy throne, O GOD, is for ever and ever.”

You may not (at this point) believe the Bible’s teachings about the phrase “the SON of GOD” but make no mistake about it – your eternal destiny is dependent upon what you believe and trust concerning the SON OF GOD!

“Preterism” is a term that comes from Latin and simply means “past.” In religious circles today, the term refers to the belief that all the prophecies of Yeshua (Jesus) in Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21, were fulfilled in 70 AD. Many who hold this particular viewpoint also believe that the entire book of Revelation in the New Testament was written before 70 AD about events that have already taken place in history.

Preterists believe that the promise of our Lord’s Second Coming began to be fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Some believe that the prophecies mentioned above were fulfilled in the Second Century AD at the time of the Second Jewish Revolt against the Roman Empire at the time of Emperor Hadrian. Some preterists hold that the prophecies were fulfilled during the first three centuries AD as God wages war on the enemies of the Church (which they argue include Israel and Rome!) resulting in the “Christianization” of the Roman Empire under Constantine.

In the view of many preterists, the Lord returned “spiritually” at the times referred to above, and will return again physically in the future.

Preterists usually believe what is today popularly called “Replacement Theology.” They believe that the Church has replaced Israel and is now the recipient of all of God’s promises and covenants to Israel. They use the term the “people of God” and make no real distinction between believing Israel and the believing Church.

In the literature and books of preterists, you will find the following definitions of prophetic terms and subjects:

THE GREAT TRIBULATION – They believe this took place at the fall of Israel and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. They believe that it will not be repeated and that this term is NOT referring to any future event.

THE LAST DAYS – Preterists believe that this is a Biblical expression for the period of time between Christ’s first coming and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. In other words, they believe the term refers to the last days of Israel.

THE RAPTURE – They believe that this event refers to the catching up of living saints to meet the Lord in the air, and then will immediately return to the earth with Him. In other words the Rapture and the Revelation (Second Coming to the earth) are one and the same event.

THE BEAST OF REVELATION – They believe that it is a symbol of Nero (some hold this view) or of the Roman Empire in general.

THE FALSE PROPHET – They believe that this refers to the leadership of what they call as “apostate Israel” who they say rejected Jesus Christ and worshipped the “Beast” or the Roman Empire.

THE GREAT HARLOT – They believe that this is reference to Jerusalem which fell into apostasy, persecuted the prophets, and cease to be the City of God.

THE MILLENNIUM – Preterists (most of them) say that this refers to the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ which He established at His first coming. They say it refers to the period of time between His first and second comings. They believe that the Millennium is going on now with Christians reigning as kings on earth.

ISRAEL – They believe that ethnic Israel was excommunicated for its apostasy and will never again by God’s Kingdom. They say that the Bible does not tell of any future plan for Israel as a special nation.

THE NEW JERUSALEM – Most preterists believe that this is the Church, both now and forever!

ARMAGEDDON – Preterists believe that it is simply a symbol of defeat and desolation. They teach that there never was, nor will be, a literal “Battle of Armageddon” and that there is no such place.

These viewpoints are merely a sampling of what one finds in the literature of those committed to “Replacement Theology.” Our beliefs about prophecy are totally different! We believe that there are specific future events that will take place on this planet, and that GOD HAS NEVER FORSAKEN ISRAEL, and that He will fulfill all of His promises and covenants to her.

If you would like more information, be sure to order the booklet mentioned on the front page of this web site – “REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY/”