Note: Harry does not endorse the above advertisements from Geocities.


"IDENTIFYING THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM"

In order to properly identify The Star of Bethlehem, one should first determine--what it was not--i.e., that it was not a literal stellar body of any size or description, as commonly so depicted in both pictures and pageants, etc.

Science has long ago determined that any and all stellar bodies are millions of times larger than planet earth! Therefore, to assume that any such stellar body could even approach planet earth, and "lead wise men" to a certain building on planet earth, and "stand over" that specific building — is, to say the least, astronomically impossible! No, "a star", of any magnitude, could not possibly have approached planet earth. Neither could it have "led any wise men anywhere", nor have "stood over" any specific building on planet earth, as so stated in Matt Ch 2. Tradition notwithstanding, we may doctrinally conclude that The Star of Bethlehem was not a literal star!

Now that we have determined what The Star of Bethlehem, "was not", let us now determine "what it was", as follows:

(1). First, let us accept the scriptural fact that nowhere in Holy Writ does it ever say that there were (THREE WISE MEN) coming to visit The Christ Child; but only that those (un-numbered wise men) brought The Christ Child (THREE GIFTS), e.g. Matt 2:11.

(2). Nowhere in Holy Writ does it ever state that the foregoing Magi (or wise men) were "LED FROM" their home in the East "TO" the Christ Child at Bethlehem, as commonly so depicted in picture and pageantry; especially at Christmas time!

(3). In point of scriptural fact, "THE STAR" (FIRST APPEARED) TO THE WISE MEN AT THEIR HOME IN THE EAST, (THEN AND THERE) "ANNOUNCING" THAT THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD (HAD ALREADY OCCURED)--AT BETHLEHEM.

(4) Later on in this study we will discover that The Star did not then and there (LEAD) the wise men to see the Gr Brephos (as a new-born, babe in a manger). Rather, The Star waited approximately two years before (next appearing) to the wise men AT Herod's Palace (in Jerusalem), AND THEN--(leading them from Jerusalem) to The Gr. Pais (i.e., an almost two year old child, in a home); still at Bethlehem, but not in "a manger", near the same location!

Q:
How can we be absolutely sure that The Christ Child was approximately two years old when the wise men came to visit Him (in His home), at Bethlehem?

A:
(1). Because the Holy Spirit (chose) to use the correct Gr word BREPHOS (i.e., to describe Christ Jesus, AS A NEW BORN BABY,IN A MANGER). He also (chose) the correct Gr. word PAIDION to (later on) describe Christ Jesus as "A YOUNG CHILD, IN A HOME" at Matt 2:8-11, when He was (then) visited by The Wise Men for the first time.

(2).Because of Herod's actions "(AFTER) DILIGENTLY ENQUIRING" of The Wise Men, AS TO "(WHERE) CHRIST SHOULD BE BORN", and "(WHAT TIME) THE STAR HAD APPEARED" to the wise men in the East, "ANNOUNCING" Christ's birth at Bethlehem!

On the strength of the foregoing facts, Herod then ordered all male Israelites to be slain--"(FROM TWO YEARS OLD) AND UNDER, ACCORDING TO (THE TIME) HE HAD DILIGENTLY ENQUIRED OF THE WISE MEN". Having learned from the wise men "WHAT TIME" The Star had appeared to them in the East, HEROD (KNEW) THAT THE CHRIST CHILD WOULD (THEN) HAVE BEEN NEARLY TWO YEARS OLD, WHEN THEY CAME TO SEE HIM! Little wonder, then, that Herod chose to slay (all two year olds, downward); i.e., so as to be sure that included The Christ Child. Had Christ Jesus (then) been a new-born baby--there would have been no possible reason for Herod to slay any but the new-born of Israel. The scriptures are silent as to WHY The Wise Men waited nearly two years after the "ANNOUNCED" birth of Christ, to visit Him---as "A CHILD,IN A HOME", rather than to immediately visit Him as--"A NEWLY BORN BABE,IN A MANGER".

But to return to the point in question; i.e., the true identity of The Star of Bethlehem; let us consider the following:

(1). In scriptural metaphor, and scriptural symbolism, "A STAR" is often used to refer to BOTH GOOD, AND EVIL, ANGELIC BEINGS.

In 2 Pet 1:19, Christ Jesus is called "THE DAY STAR".
In Rev 22:16,Jesus is called "THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR".
In Num 24:17, in prophesying of the birth of Christ Jesus at Bethlehem, it is said of Jesus, "I SHALL SEE HIM, BUT NOT NOW: I SHALL BEHOLD HIM,BUT NOT NIGH. THERE SHALL COME (A STAR) OUT OF JACOB, AND A SCEPTER SHALL RISE OUT OF ISRAEL".

Now, note the following related verses:

In Jude vs 13, fallen angelic beings are called "WANDERING STARS".
In Rev 9:1-11,The Destroying Angelic Being Appollyon is called "A STAR".
In Acts 7:43, it speaks of "THE STAR OF YOUR (pagan) GOD".
In Gen 37:9 "Joseph's resurrected eleven brothers, are called "STARS".

At this time, it would be well to note that actors, actresses, and exceptional sports figures; as well as a host of other "exalted performers"; are commonly referred to as "STARS".

Which leads us to the following "doctrinal conclusions":

(1). The Star of Bethlehem could not possibly have been a literal star.

(2). In the foregoing verses Christ Jesus is called "A STAR".

(3). As "THE ANGEL OF HIS PRESENCE", Christ APPEARED to the wise men in the East. AND BEING OMNIPRESENT, HE "VERBALLY ANNOUNCED" HIS (ALREADY) ACCOMPLISHED INCARNATE BIRTH--AT BETHLEHEM!

(4). As the same "ANGEL OF HIS PRESENCE", Christ Jesus also appeared to "THE SHEPHERDS WATCHING THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT", at Luke 1:9, and announced His birth in the manger of Matt Ch 1.

(5). Almost two years later, as this same "ANGEL OF HIS PRESENCE", Christ appeared to the newly arrived wise men--AS THE GUIDING STAR OF BETHLEHEM--and (led) them to His (house) in Bethlehem, e.g. Matt 2:9-11. Arriving there, (He) "stood over" the (house), wherein Christ Jesus (then) lived, thereby leading them to it.

(6). Thus, it is not a question of (WHAT) The Star of Bethlehem was. But rather (WHO) it was. It was indeed Christ, "THE STAR, WHICH WOULD ARISE OUT OF JACOB", appearing as--"THE ANGEL OF HIS PRESENCE"! Being "IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US", Christ was, is, and ever will be, OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT, (AND OMNIPRESENT). He could, and did, appear to "ANNOUNCE" His Own (then occurring) Incarnated Birth, at Bethlehem.

One final convincing note. In Matt 2:2 it states, "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"--Not "A STAR", but "HIS STAR"; i.e., (THE ANGELIC FORM OF HIS PRESENCE).

It was THAT "Star of Bethlehem" that (VERBALLY ANNOUNCED) His (just occurred) Birth to The Wise Men (in the east); and "TO THE SHEPHERDS,WATCHING THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT"; on the hills at Jerusalem---simultaneously!

Or, as prophesied also in Ex 32:34, "THEREFORE NOW GO, LEAD THE PEOPLE UNTO THE PLACE OF WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN THEE: BEHOLD,(MINE ANGEL SHALL GO BEFORE THEE--)".

Wellington


Harry's Web Site: http://www.cybertrails.com/rdivbible/

Harry's Rightly Divided Bible: The Rightly Divided Bible

The invitation is open to call, write, E-mail, or visit--anytime.

Yours, In Christ's One Body

biblew@cybertrails.com

NEW ADDRESS!
Harry T Wellington
405 S Brassie Dr
Payson, AZ 85541
Ph 1-928-474-0398 (Please note: Some callers may have to use the *82 prefix; some may not, for some strange reason.)

CLICK HERE to learn more about Harry Wellington

Return to Index of Harry Wellington's Writings


You are visitor number to view this page