So it’s even worse than I thought, I believed the Pharisees did not pay attention to the prophets but rather focused on the Law. But apparently, after reading Matthew 2, it appears that they knew the words of the prophets too.
Scriptures says, “King Herod called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of the religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” And they said, “In Bethlehem in Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote: “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you and who will be shepherd for my people Israel.” They quoted the word of God that was spoken out of Micah’s mouth which can be found in Micah chapter 5, verse 2. You would think that just the question of the Coming King would spark a wondering in these men, but it didn’t. They simply went about their business of keeping tradition and customs while reading the Word of God. Again, it’s so strange to me that the wise men from the east stood ready to worship the Baby King, but the religious men, who knew the Word of God, had no idea that their Savior had been born. Sadly I believe we see the same mentality today. Priests and teachers quoting scripture but not paying attention to the signs and the times of the day. I wonder, “Does anyone realize that the Day of the Lord is coming and the labor pains have already begun?” Scripture says, “Then Herod called for a private meeting with the Wiseman and learned from them the time when the star first appeared. The he told them to go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child.” Then he asked them to come back and tell him when they find the baby so that he could go and worship him. Ha! This reminds me of the government we see today. A promise to bring unity and peace but a hidden mission to kill and replace. And then there’s the church - who have been nudged to prepare their lamps for the return of Christ, but they go about their days, in merriment and feasts, for prosperity has been promised to exist in this place. “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:1-13 What I see happening in America, and across the world, is people who have forgotten that the Lord is going to return. The watching and the waiting has been replaced with all kinds of distractions- like gnawing and gnashing of teeth. Lord help us! According to Luke chapter 2, other than the wise men, the only other visitors that baby Jesus had, were shepherds and angels. And this I find absolutely beautiful! Shepherds - yes shepherds - who were minding their business and guarding their flocks, had an angel of the Lord appear to them! The angel assured them that the Messiah had been born in the town of Bethlehem. Then suddenly, the armies of heaven appeared to them and they saw the angels praising God, saying “Glory to God in the highest heaven; peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels returned to the unseen realm, the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see the beautiful thing that had happened. And there with the wise men, and Joseph and Mary and Jesus, they worshipped him! So this morning, as I sit with Holy Spirit, this is what I have learned from my time with Him. No sign under Heaven will go unnoticed to those who believe and who trust. The common man will have an opportunity to see the second coming of our Christ. We must keep our lamps burning with the oil of the Holy Spirit. Religion is full of falsehood. Its a name given by man to define a belief system about the act of worship - which could honestly be so many things because anything other than our Creator is an idol. Herod represents a king of a worldly system governed by its own beliefs and its own thoughts. He had military power to kill thousands of innocent children because he was led by his sinful spots. The religious priests and teachers lacked intimacy. They had all the rights words and customs, but they never paid attention to the signs of God at all. I have learned that 80% of what we communicate is said through nonverbal language. A person could say they are fine, but their tone and inflection could communicate a very different thing. Noticing and observation is the beginning of awareness. Jesus said, “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’t you know how to interpret the present time?” Perhaps it’s because we are a generation that does not know how to pay attention? Perhaps we think everything is about us? I tell you this, no one knows the day or the hour, but the signs are clear. The Lord is preparing to establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. The Day of the Lord is near.
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