4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 To be enrolled with Mary, his espoused (married) wife, who was about to become a mother. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her delivery, 7 And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.
During this process of separating the wheat from the chaff the believers need to separate themselves to the House of God (Bethlehem). During the tribulation there will be no room for believers in the Inn.
8 And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. 11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! 12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find [[c]after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. 13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven ([d]a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [[e]men of goodwill, of His favor].
Sometimes we get too focused on the Antichrist and the mark of the beast and you won’t be able to buy or sell without it. On the other side we have a heavenly host of angels that appear to shepherds. Think of these shepherds as being like the midwives when
Pharaoh wanted to kill Egyptian male babies. So let’s not hyperventilate on what the enemy is going to do, God is great, He is omnipotent and He is omniscient. Trust in Him.
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing ([f]saying) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. 16 So they went with haste and [[g]by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child, 18 And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them 19 But Mary was keeping [h]within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondered them in her heart.
Many Christians focus on how great it would be to be those raptured before the tribulation. But look at this story, those who are here on Earth during the tribulation can still have a great testimony of the Glory of God, their experience is also the word of God.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when [the Baby] was to be circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the time for their purification [the mother’s purification and the Baby’s dedication] came according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord— 23 As it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every [firstborn] male that opens the womb shall be set apart and dedicated and called holy to the Lord— 24 And [they came also] to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. (This indicates they were in extreme poverty). 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout [cautiously and carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. So why is this man who was righteous and devout and watching for the Lord still here?
If you remember during the tribulation there will be two witnesses, two olive trees full of oil, two lampstands.
26 And it had been divinely revealed (communicated) to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 27 And prompted by the [Holy] Spirit, he came into the temple [[j]enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the little child Jesus to do for Him what was customary according to the Law, 28 [Simeon] took Him up in his arms and praised and thanked God and said, 29 And now, Lord, You are releasing Your servant to depart (leave this
world) in peace, according to Your word.
During the Tribulation the goal is not to preserve your life but rather to make a testimony for the Lord. If that results in your death that is fine, that is mercy. Remember these two witnesses are killed in the midst of the tribulation.
30 For with my [own] eyes I have seen Your Salvation, 31 Which You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples, 32 A Light for [k]revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was before unknown] and [to bring] praise and honor and glory to Your people Israel. This is interesting, He is a light to the Gentiles and praise, honor and glory to Israel.
These are the two groups of God’s people still left during the tribulation. 33 And His [legal] father and [His] mother were marveling at what was said about Him.
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against—35 And a sword will pierce through your own soul also—that the secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts may be brought out and disclosed.
Again, look at this prophecy, very appropriate for those who are there in the tribulation. Jesus is destined for the fall of many, not just the rising. All those who have sold themselves to do evil will fall. During the tribulation He will be a sign that is spoken against. This “sword” that the Red horse of the apocalypse has and which is prophesied in the Old Testament is going to pierce the hearts of the believers as well. In the end the secret thoughts and purposes of the heart will be brought out. Simeon had a secret and it was just brought out, Jesus being the incarnated God had a secret, not all secrets of the heart are evil. There is a joke about some Christians being “secret agents”. Whatever you are on the inside will be revealed at this time.
36 And there was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband seven years from her maidenhood, 37 And as a widow even for eighty-four years. She did not go out from the temple [l]enclosure, but was worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And she too came up at that same hour, and she returned thanks to God and talked of [Jesus] to all who were looking for the redemption (deliverance) of Jerusalem.
Here is the second witness.
39 And when they had done everything according to the Law of the Lord, they went back into Galilee to their own town, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.
Hold it, something is missing! Are we going to just skip over the family going to Egypt? How about the children killed? The account of
Rachel weeping is only in Matthew. Again, the thought is that Matthew refers to the Jews who are saved at the end of the age, Mark refers to those who are saved in the midst of the tribulation, and Luke to those who are saved at the beginning of the tribulation. It is the Jews who are “called out of Egypt” after Hitler who sought their life is dead.
41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year to the Passover Feast. The faith that was in the grandmother and mother was also in Him. 42 And when He was twelve years [old], they went up, as was their custom. 43 And when the Feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this, 44 But, supposing Him to be in the caravan, they traveled on a day’s journey; and [then] they sought Him [diligently, looking up and down for Him] among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. 45 And when they failed to find Him, they went back to Jerusalem, looking for Him [up and down] all the way. 46 After three days they found Him [came upon Him] in the [m][court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His intelligence and understanding and His replies.
There is an interesting correlation with John. Everyone in John’s community kept their eye on him, apparently everyone in Jesus community, even all the way to Jerusalem, kept their eye on Him.
