CHRISTMAS BIBLE STUDY: "The Prophecy of the Messiah" Week # 2

Prayer:
Father God, we thank You for given to us a Savior to save us from sin and destruction. Thank You for the gift of life that came through Jesus our Messiah. Thank You, Lord, because we know that it was love that lifted us when nothing else could help; thank You God for giving Your Son when nothing else could help; thank You, Jesus for giving Your life when nothing else could help. It was love! Thank You Jesus, as the Son of God You have blessed us.  Our hope is in You, Lord; our peace is in You, Lord. Our strength is in You, Lord. Our life is in You, Lord. We praise Your holy Name. We honor You, Lord. We worship You, Lord. Lord God, bless us as we enter this New Year. Lord, we depend on You. We trust in You, Lord. Bless us to learn all we can about the Messiah, and then share what we have learned with others. This we pray in Jesus' Name, AMEN.

God is with us:            Immanuel:      Matthew 1:23

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

Printed Text:   (Isaiah 9:6) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Subject:           The Son of God:

Jesus is not God's Son in the sense of a human father and a son. God did not get married and have a son. God did not mate with Mary and, together with her, produce a son. Jesus is God's Son in the sense that He is God made manifest in human form (John 1:1, 14). Jesus is God's Son in that He was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:35 declares, "The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. (So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God).

During His trial before the Jewish leaders, the High Priest demanded of Jesus, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God" (Matthew 26:63). "'Yes, it is as you say,' Jesus replied. 'But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven'" (Matthew 26:64). The Jewish leaders responded by accusing Jesus of blasphemy (Matthew 26:65-66). Later, before Pontius Pilate, "The Jews insisted, 'We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God'" (John 19:7). Why would His claiming to be the Son of God be considered blasphemy and be worthy of a death sentence? The Jewish leaders understood exactly what Jesus meant by the phrase "Son of God." To be the Son of God is to be of the same nature as God. The Son of God is "of God." The claim to be of the same nature as God—to in fact be God—was blasphemy to the Jewish leaders; therefore, they demanded Jesus' death, in keeping with Leviticus 24:15. Hebrews 1:3 expresses this very clearly, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being."
Another example can be found in John 17:12 where Judas is described as the "son of perdition." John 6:7 1 tells us that Judas was the son of Simon. What does John 17:12 mean by describing Judas as the "son of perdition"? The word perdition means "destruction, ruin, waste." Judas was not the literal son of "ruin, destruction, and waste," but those things were the identity of Judas' life. Judas was a manifestation of perdition. In this same way, Jesus is the Son of God. The Son of God is God. Jesus is God made manifest (John 1:1, 14).

 "Who is Jesus Christ?"

Unlike the question "Does God exist?" very few people question whether Jesus Christ existed. It is generally accepted that Jesus was truly a man who walked on the earth in Israel 2000 years ago. The debate begins when the subject of Jesus' full identity is discussed. Almost every major religion teaches that Jesus was a prophet or a good teacher or a godly man. The problem is that the Bible tells us that Jesus was infinitely more than a prophet, a good teacher, or a godly man.

C.S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity writes the following: "I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him [Jesus Christ]: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that option open to us. He did not intend to."
So, who did Jesus claim to be? Who does the Bible say He is? First, let's look at Jesus' words in John 10:30, "I and the Father are one." At first glance, this might not seem to be a claim to be God. However, look at the Jews' reaction to His statement, "We are not stoning you for any of these,' replied the Jews, 'but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God'" (John 10:33). The Jews understood Jesus' statement as a claim to be God. In the following verses, Jesus never corrects the Jews by saying, "I did not claim to be God." That indicates Jesus was truly saying He was God by declaring, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). John 8:58 is another example: "'I tell you the truth,' Jesus answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!'" Again, in response, the Jews took up stones in an attempt to stone Jesus (John 8:59). Jesus' announcing His identity as "I am" is a direct application of the Old Testament name for God (Exodus 3:14). Why would the Jews again want to stone Jesus if He had not said something they believed to be blasphemous, namely, a claim to be God?
John 1:1 says "the Word was God." John 1:14 says "the Word became flesh." This clearly indicates that Jesus is God in the flesh. Thomas the disciple declared to Jesus, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). Jesus does not correct him. The apostle Paul describes Him as, "…our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). The apostle Peter says the same, "…our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1). God the Father is witness of Jesus' full identity as well, "But about the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.'" Old Testament prophecies of Christ announce His deity, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
So, as C.S. Lewis argued, believing Jesus to be only a good teacher is not an option. Jesus clearly and undeniably claimed to be God. If He is not God, then He is a liar, and therefore not a prophet, good teacher, or godly man. In attempts to explain away the words of Jesus, modern "scholars" claim the "true historical Jesus" did not say many of the things the Bible attributes to Him. Who are we to argue with God's Word concerning what Jesus did or did not say? How can a "scholar" two thousand years removed from Jesus have better insight into what Jesus did or did not say than those who lived with, served with, and were taught by Jesus Himself (John 14:26)?
Why is the question over Jesus' true identity so important? Why does it matter whether or not Jesus is God? The most important reason that Jesus has to be God is that if He is not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Only God could pay such an infinite penalty (Romans 5:8;2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus had to be God so that He could pay our debt. Jesus had to be man so He could die. Salvation is available only through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus' deity is why He is the only way of salvation. Jesus' deity is why He proclaimed, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

Background Scripture:          1 John 5:20

"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

Scriptures References:  John 3:16; Luke 2:11; Matthew 14:33, 26:63, 27:43, 54; Mark 15:39; 1 John 5:10; Revelation 2:18.
Questions:
1).        To you, who is the Son of God?                               
2).        What did the High Priest demand of Jesus?
3).        What was the reason the Jews wanted to kill Jesus?
4).        What was blasphemy according to the Jewish leaders?
5).        Just as Judas was a manifestation of perdition, Jesus was a manifestation of Who?       6).        To you, who is Jesus Christ?
7).        We must confess that Jesus is who?
8).        Explain John 10:30.
9).        What did the Jews call Jesus?           
10).      Why did the Jews tried to stone Jesus?
11).      What did John 1:1 and John 1:14 say?
12).      What did the Old Testament prophets announced?
13).      What do modern scholars claim about Jesus?
14).      Why is the question over Jesus' identity so important?
15).      Explain this week's background scripture.

Application Question:            Share how you can say "God is with me" personally.

Who Prophesied This?           Week # 2        
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
Please share a short Review:
Reading Assignment:             Week # 2         Isaiah 9-17 Monday through Sunday
Sharing:          Christmas Song          Week # 2        What child is this?
What child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The babe, the son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and donkeys are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Nails, spears shall pierce him through, the cross he bore for me, for you. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, the Babe, the Son of Mary.
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise a song on high, The virgin sings her lullaby Joy, joy for Christ is born, The babe, the Son of Mary.
This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The babe, the son of Mary.

CHRISTMAS BIBLE STUDY: "The Prophecy of the Messiah" Week # 1

Please share a short Review:

The birth of Jesus is a biblical prophecy that was prophesied and fulfilled by God, because God inspired men to prophecy, and knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. We know that no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy about the Messiah, our Savior in Luke 24:46-47. Two different types of exegesis exist. The first is called Rational and the second is called Revealed. The revealed type states that God's Spirit is the inspiration behind the writers of the Bible. The words within the pages of Scripture are written under God's divine inspiration and they convey his perfect will for mankind. Biblical hermeneutics is the science of properly interpreting the various types of literature found in the Bible. For example, a psalm should often be interpreted differently from a prophecy. A proverb should be understood and applied differently from a law. This is the purpose of biblical hermeneutics—to help us to know how to interpret, understand, and apply the Bible. Our main scripture came from Matthew 1:23, while our printed text came from Isaiah 9:6, which is the whole of who this child was, is, and forever shall be. Some prophesiesin the Bible are conditional, with either the conditions implicitly assumed or explicitly stated.  Some prophetic passages are depicted as direct statements from God, while other statements are expressed as the privileged perspective of the biblical author considered to be a prophet. Bottom line, John 1:14 says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." This week's study was concerning the prophecy of Jesus coming.Prophecy foretold of a Savior that would die to save us from sins. Prophecy shows the reliability of the scriptures, which do not come from men but are sent by God. Prophecy is a way for God to communicate to His people. Prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit to the church. Prophecy helps move the work of God, and prophecy that does not enhance the understanding of God's love is worthless. This is the whole truth! "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."  Immanuel is God is with us. Immanuel consists of two Hebrew words: im (the preposition with coupled with the plural us, yielding immanu), and 'el (God). Immanu +'el="God with us." Perhaps more than any other word in the Bible, Immanuel represents the essence of both the Christian and the Christmas message: God has invaded the domain of man and dwelt among us. Glory Hallelujah to God in the highest! AMEN. Peace on earth and good will toward all mankind.

CHRISTMAS BIBLE STUDY: "The Prophecy of the Messiah" Week # 1

Application Question:            What really touched your spirit concerning prophecy?

 

The prophecy of Jesus' birth always touched my heart. Every step of this story is foretold by God through one of the prophets, whether major or minor. God saw to it that Jesus arrival would be known by His people. He didn't keep us in the dark, but brought the Light to us as a shining star. Biblical prophecy is amazing!

 

 

Who Prophesied This?           Week # 1        

"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." (Micah 5:2)

 

This prophecy came through Micah a minor prophet before the captivity in the Old Testament.

CHRISTMAS BIBLE STUDY: "The Prophecy of the Messiah" Week # 1

Answers to Questions:

1).        The interpretation of Immanuel is what?

(God is with us)

2).        What books record the most prophecies of the Messiah?

(Ezekiel, Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation)

 

3).        What is Biblical prophecy?

Biblical prophecy comprises the passages of the Bible that claim to be communications from God to humans through prophets.

 

4).        Look up the definition of (exegesis and hermeneutics).

Copy and paste in different post

 

5).        Have all the messianic prophecies been fulfilled?

Not yet, He still have to return for the Church, for the reigning with His saints, and then for the judgment.

 

 6).       Explain Isaiah 46:9-10

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

 

"Remember the former things." This is what David did. This is what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego did. We too have to remember. However, our focus, our spiritual insight, is greatly built and reinforced through obedience to His counsel in the present and by seeing from one's own experience that His will and purpose truly do stand. Once that occurs, we can see God!

 

7).        Explain 2 Peter 1:19-21

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: ²⁰ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. ²¹ For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

The prophetic word (Scripture) in other words is more complete, more permanent, and more authoritative than the experiences of anyone, even the experience of the Transfiguration, as grand as that must have been. The Word of God is a more reliable verification of the teachings about the Person, atonement, and second coming of Christ than even the genuine first hand experiences of the apostles themselves! How privileged we are today to have the full revelation of God in His holy word. Oh, how we should seek with all our heart to love His law and meditate on it all the day long (Ps 119:97). Remember that it is filled with God's precious and magnificent promises!

 

8).        Explain Hosea 12:10

I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

 

Hosea was saying that God revealed to him that He (God) had constantly used prophets to speak to His people. He gave prophets visions to reveal His will to His people, but does anyone hear?

 

9).        Explain Amos 3:7

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

 

God has always revealed Himself to His people. He has reveal even secret things to His prophets for the sake of known Him as their God.

 

10).      Explain Romans 12:6-7

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; ⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Paul is enumerating some of the "different gifts" of the Holy Spirit and to describe how the gifts should be practiced:Prophecy - A "prophet", in the Bible, is anyone speaking with Divine authority and under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit, whether they are speaking concerning the past, present or future ("prophets" do not necessarily predict the future). The gift of prophecy is important. Paul, when enumerating spiritual gifts in another place, ranks the office of prophet second only to apostle: "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers" (I Cor. 12:28). Here, Paul says that a prophet should use his gift "in proportion to his faith".

 

11).      Explain I Corinthians 12:10

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

 

Christian work requires divine capacity. People can study for medicine as a profession, but ministry is not a profession in that sense. Pastors need to study for the ministry but no amount of study will give them capacity to do Christian ministry – they need gifting from the Holy Spirit. No matter what amount of success a minister may have, he can take no credit for it. God provides the capacity, the ability, and the enablement through the Holy Spirit. The moment we ascribe success to ourselves, we have a problem. God does not share His glory with anyone.

 

12).      Explain Revelation 22:19

 

¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

 

No one is to add to or take away from God's word  (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Jeremiah 26:2). This warning concerns those who would deliberately tamper with the actual written words of this book. They are the ones who could not be saved and thus will not enjoy the blessings set forth for the redeemed.

 

13).      What are we told to do according to I John 4:1

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

 

14).      What do Revelation 1:3 say?

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."

 

15).      Prophecy that does not enhance the understanding of God's Word is what?

That prophecy is worthless!

CHRISTMAS BIBLE STUDY: "The Prophecy of the Messiah" Week # 1

Scriptures References:

 

I Corinthians 13:8

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

 

2 Peter 1:19-21

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: ²⁰ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. ²¹ For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

Revelation 22:19

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

 
Reading Assignment:             Week # 1         Isaiah 1-8        Monday through Sunday

I finish reading this week's assignment!

CHRISTMAS BIBLE STUDY: "The Prophecy of the Messiah" Week #1

Biblical Prophecy:

The spiritual gift of prophecy is listed among the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and Romans 12:6. The Greek word translated "prophesying" or "prophecy" in both passages properly means to "speak forth" or declare the divine will, to interpret the purposes of God, or to make known in any way the truth of God which is designed to influence people. Many people misunderstand the gift of prophecy to be the ability to predict the future. While knowing something about the future may sometimes have been an aspect of the gift of prophecy, it was primarily a gift of proclamation ("forth-telling"), not prediction ("fore-telling").

A pastor/preacher who declares the Bible can be considered a "prophesier" in that he is speaking forth the counsel of God. With the completion of the New Testament canon, prophesying changed from declaring new revelation to declaring the completed revelation God has already given. Jude 3 speaks of "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (emphasis added). In other words, the faith to which we hold has been settled forever, and it does not need the addition or refinement that comes from extra-biblical revelations.

Also, note the transition from prophet to teacher in 2 Peter 2:1: "There were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you" (emphasis added). Peter indicates that the Old Testament age had prophets, whereas the church will have teachers. The spiritual gift of prophecy, in the sense of receiving new revelations from God to be proclaimed to others, ceased with the completion of the Bible. During the time that prophecy was a revelatory gift, it was to be used for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of men (1 Corinthians 14:3). The modern gift of prophecy, which is really more akin to teaching, still declares the truth of God. What has changed is that the truth of God today has already been fully revealed in His Word, while, in the early church, it had not yet been fully revealed.

Christians are to be very wary of those who claim to have a "new" message from God. It is one thing to say, "I had an interesting dream last night." However, it is quite another matter to say, "God gave me a dream last night, and you must obey it." No utterance of man should be considered equal to or above the written Word. We must hold to the Word that God has already given and commit ourselves to sola scriptura—Scripture alone.

 

Exegesis:

In a theological sense, the word Exegesis is used to denote an approach to interpreting Bible passages utilizing critical analysis. It is the thorough investigation of Biblical text, within their various contexts, to discover their original meaning. The word itself comes from a Greek word delineating 'to lead out of.' It is the opposite of Eisegesis, which is to 'read into' a particular text. In its modern usage, Exegesis is a critical interpretation of text, whether or not it comes from the Scriptures.

Exegesis that is correctly conducted uses several tools in order to arrive at what the writer is trying to convey to the reader. It additionally includes comprehending and analyzing both the literary and cultural context of Biblical verses and then using them to compare with verses elsewhere in Scripture to determine what God is saying. Exegesis, in short, is to dig out from a passage what it inherently is stating. Eisegesis, on the other hand, is the approach of interpreting passages by reading into them a particular belief that is not at all evident or clear.

Two different types of exegesis exist. The first is called Rational and the second is called Revealed. The revealed type states that God's Spirit is the inspiration behind the writers of the Bible. The words within the pages of Scripture are written under God's divine inspiration and they convey his perfect will for mankind. Rational states the authors of the books of the Bible were using their own creative minds (without any influence from God) to compose their writings.

Taken together, the two types of Exegesis state that some can study God's word believing he himself was the inspiration behind it while others study the Scriptures from the point of view that it is just a mere collection of made up stories, myths, tall tales, etc.

21. Because prophecy was not brought at any time by human will, but the holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2Peter 1:21)

 

Hermeneutics:

Biblical hermeneutics is perhaps summarized best by 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Biblical hermeneutics is the science of properly interpreting the various types of literature found in the Bible. For example, a psalm should often be interpreted differently from a prophecy. A proverb should be understood and applied differently from a law. This is the purpose of biblical hermeneutics—to help us to know how to interpret, understand, and apply the Bible.

The most important law of biblical hermeneutics is that the Bible should be interpreted literally. Literal Bible interpretation means we understand the Bible in its normal/plain meaning. The Bible says what it means and means what it says. Many make the mistake of trying to read between the lines and come up with meanings for Scriptures that are not truly in the text. Yes, of course, there are some spiritual truths behind the plain meanings of Scripture. That does not mean that every Scripture has a hidden spiritual truth, or that it should be our goal to find all such spiritual truths. Biblical hermeneutics keeps us faithful to the intended meaning of Scripture and away from allegorizing and symbolizing Bible verses and passages that should be understood literally.

A second crucial law of biblical hermeneutics is that a verse or passage must be interpreted historically, grammatically, and contextually. Historical interpretation refers to understanding the culture, background, and situation which prompted the text. Grammatical interpretation is recognizing the rules of grammar and nuances of the Hebrew and Greek languages and applying those principles to the understanding of a passage. Contextual interpretation involves always taking the surrounding context of a verse/passage into consideration when trying to determine the meaning.

Some mistakenly view biblical hermeneutics as limiting our ability to learn new truths from God's Word or stifling the Holy Spirit's ability to reveal to us the meaning of God's Word. This is not the case. The goal of biblical hermeneutics is to point us to the correct interpretation which the Holy Spirit has already inspired into the text. The purpose of biblical hermeneutics is to protect us from improperly applying a Scripture to a particular situation. Biblical hermeneutics points us to the true meaning and application of Scripture. Hebrews 4:12 declares, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Biblical hermeneutics is keeping the sword sharp! 

CHRISTMAS BIBLE STUDY: "The Prophecy of the Messiah" Week # 1

God is with us:            Immanuel:      Matthew 1:23

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

 

Printed Text:   (Isaiah 9:6) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

CHRISTMAS BIBLE STUDY: "The Prophecy of the Messiah"

Week # 1

Prayer:

Father God, we give You glory, honor, and we praise You for all You did through Your Son Jesus, and we ask for Your help in learning of You and our Savior, and to live with hope, and be filled with joy and peace this holiday season as we study on the birth of Your precious child Jesus. Bless each one of us with knowledge, understanding and wisdom of our Savior's birth this season, and bless us to know that Jesus is the reason for the season. Thank You Holy Spirit for all Your help as we study, and as we live a life to please our Father in Heaven. Please fill us with that joy and peace in the power of the Holy Spirit that (Ro 15:13) speak of, in Jesus name, amen.  Bless each member of this community with joy and peace this holiday season, bless their families,  provide their needs to be meet, protect them as they travel to visit family and friends during this holiday season. Bring family together and closer to one another this season. We appreciate You, Lord Jesus Christ, because You made away for God to be with us. Thank You that the joy of knowing our Lord is with us, He is our strength, and we shall live by this all year long. We pray this prayer in Jesus' precious name; Amen.

 

God is with us:            Immanuel:      Matthew 1:23

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

Printed Text:   (Isaiah 9:6) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

 

Subject:           Bible Prophecy:

Bible prophecy or biblical prophecy comprises the passages of the Bible that claim to be communications from God to humans through prophets.  The Biblical prophets are usually considered by Jews and Christians to have received revelations from God, subsequently recording them in the relevant writings.  Such passages are widely distributed throughout the Bible, but those most often cited appear in Ezekiel, Daniel, Matthew 24, Matthew 25, and Revelation. Some prophesies in the Bible are conditional, with either the conditions implicitly assumed or explicitly stated.  Some prophetic passages are depicted as direct statements from God, while other statements are expressed as the privileged perspective of the biblical author considered to be a prophet.  Believers in biblical prophecy engage in exegesis and hermeneutics of scriptures which they believe contain descriptions of  global politics, natural disasters, the future of the nation of Israel, the coming of a Messiah and a Messianic Kingdom — as well as the ultimate destiny of humankind.   Hebrew Bible prophets often warn the Israelites to repent of their sins and idolatries, with the threat of punishment or reward. Blessings and ruinations are attributed to the deity. According to believers in Bible prophecy, many of these prophecies are viewed as having been fulfilled within later passages.

A second prophetic theme is the coming of a Messiah: Christians believe that these Messianic prophecies are fulfilled by Christ Jesus, while followers of Rabbinic Judaism still await the arrival of the Jewish Messiah and other signs of Jewish eschatology. Most Christians believe many messianic prophecies will be fulfilled with the Second Coming of Christ, though some Christians believe that all Messianic prophecies have already been fulfilled. Rabbinic Judaism does not separate the original coming of the Messiah and the advent of the Messianic Age.

What is Prophecy?

Unlike any other, only God knows the future. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 46:9-10, NKJV. "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,'" Prophecy shows the reliability of the scriptures, which do not come from men but are sent by God. It's in the Bible, 2 Peter 1:19-21, ESV. "And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." Prophecy foretold of a Savior that would die to save us from sins. It's in the Bible, Luke 24:46-47. NKJV. "He told them, 'This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.'" Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah, our Savior. It's in the Bible, Luke 24:44, NKJV. "Then He said to them, 'These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.'" Prophecy is a way for God to communicate to His people. It's in the Bible, Hosea 12:10, NKJV. "I have also spoken by the prophets, and have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets." God has revealed His plans to the prophets. It's in the Bible, Amos 3:7, NKJV. "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets" God's plans are always for our good. It's in the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11, NIV. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

Prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit to the church. It's in the Bible, Romans 12:6-7, NKJV. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if Prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching" Prophecy helps move the work of God. It's in the Bibie, Ezra 6:14, NKJV. "So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.  And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia." The gift of prophecy is to build up the church and unify it. It's in the Bible, Ephesians 4:11-13, NKJV. "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;" The Holy Spirit distributes individual gifts to members of the church. It's in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 12:9-11, NKJV. "to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

Be sure to test prophets. It's in the Bible, 1 John 4:1, NKJV. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." Prophets must speak according to the Bible. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 8:20, NKJV. "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Prophets are not usually popular. It's in the Bible, Matthew 5:11-12, NKJV. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Prophecy speaks what is right, not what is popular. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 30:10, NKJV. "Who say to the seers, 'Do not see,' And to the prophets, 'Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.'"

We are to test prophecies, not ignore them. It's in the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, NKJV. "do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good." Beware of prophets who do not keep the laws of God. It's in the Bible, Matthew 7:22-23, NKJV. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" We can expect prophet in the last days of earth's history. It's in the Bible, Joel 2:28, NKJV. "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions." Prophecy has important information about the last days. It's in the Bible, Revelation 1:3, NKJV. "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." Prophecy that does not enhance the understanding of God's love is worthless. It's in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:2, NKJV. "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."

 

Background Scripture:          I Corinthians 12:10

"To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:"

Scriptures References: I Corinthians 13:8; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 22:19

Questions:

1).        The interpretation of Immanuel is what?

2).        What books record the most prophecies of the Messiah?  

3).        What is Biblical prophecy?

4).        Look up the definition of (exegesis and hermeneutics).

5).        Have all the messianic prophecies been fulfilled?

6).        Explain Isaiah 46:9-10

7).        Explain 2 Peter 1:19-21

8).        Explain Hosea 12:10

9).        Explain Amos 3:7

10).      Explain Romans 12:6-7

11).      Explain I Corinthians 12:10

12).      Explain Revelation 22:19

13).      What are we told to do according to I John 4:1

14).      What do Revelation 1:3 say?

15).      Prophecy that does not enhance the understanding of God's Word is what?

 

Application Question:            What really touched your spirit concerning prophecy?

Who Prophesied This?           Week # 1        

"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." (Micah 5:2)

 

Please share a short Review:

Reading Assignment:             Week # 1         Isaiah 1-8        Monday through Sunday

Sharing:          Christmas Songs        Week # 1         O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above your deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light, The hopes and fears of all the years, Are met in thee tonight.

O morning stars, together Proclaim thy holy birth And praises sing to God, the King, And peace to men on earth. For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love.

How silently, how silently, The wondrous Gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him still, The dear Christ enters in.

Where children pure and happy, Pray to the blessed child. Where misery cries out to thee, Son of the mother mild; Where charity stand watching, And faith holds hope wide the door, The dark night wakes, The glory breaks, And Christmas once more.