Benny Hinn desperately needs your help
Danny McDowell
To all you faithful Benny Hinn supporters; At this critical time in Brother Hinn's life, it is more important than ever to double-up on your SEED FAITH giving. You see; Brother Hinn is being sued for divorce, and under American DIVORCE LAWS; a wife is entitled to fifty percent of all assets gained in the marriage. Sister Hinn's lawyers will certainly request the maximum allowable by law. Sister Hinn can demand all amounts neccessary to provide for her in the manner to which she has become accustomed. It is reported broadly that Benny flew into a rage, threw his coat at her and declared----"TAKE IT"! That put Benny in a fix----but no worry----Benny can appeal to his SEED FAITH GIVERS to take up the slack. He's gonna need another JET for the ministry. This means that you---dear partners, have the opportunity to take a GIANT LEAP FORWARD as you send your SEED FAITH OFFERING today. Just get out that checkbook or credit card and mail it to Benny Hinn Ministries.
JOKING ASIDE-----ONE BY ONE THESE HERETICS OF THE WORD OF FAITH MOVEMENT ARE GOING TO FALL. THEY MOCK GOD. THEY BEAT GOD'S SHEEP. FREDERICK KC PRICE HAS ALREADY LOST OVER SIXTY PERCENT OF HIS CONGREGATION BECAUSE OF HIS HERESIES. PAUL CROUCH HAS BEEN CAUGHT UP IN A HOMOSEXUAL AFFAIR, and now Benny Hinn is being sued for divorce. ONE BY ONE THEY WILL FALL. Danny McDowell
SEE PASTOR BENNY’S LETTER.
Pastor Benny Hinn says,’’I also want you, my very dear partner, to know that
there was absolutely no immorality involved in my life or in Suzanne’s, ever. We both kept our lives clean and were totally committed to each other for 30 years of marriage’’.
Time will tell how far this is true. Let us keep our eyes and ears open!!!!
SEE FULL LETTER BEFORE IT IS DELETED
PASTOR BENNY HINN: A Personal Message from My Family and Me
http://www.bennyhinn.org/emailletters/pbhletter.cfm?referrer=na_eb022510
Dear Partner,
I come to you with a broken heart. You may have heard by now that my wife, Suzanne, whom I love very much and always will, filed for divorce on February 1. Even though Suzanne has been under great stress, the children and I never expected this to happen.
Divorce was the last thing on my mind and theirs. It was a total shock when her lawyer called me the morning of February 17 to inform me that she had filed16 days before. Suzanne never gave the family even a hint that this was on her mind. Even to this moment, the children and I don’t know why she did it.
Neither did her parents know, until I told them
myself on the 17th. As I said earlier, I love my wife, and I am praying that the Lord Himself will take care of this and bring healing to my precious family.
I also want you, my very dear partner, to know that
there was absolutely no immorality involved in my life or in Suzanne’s, ever. We both kept our lives clean and were totally committed to each other for 30 years of marriage.
My wife has no biblical grounds for what she has done. We both have kept our covenant with God and stayed pure before Him, and I am praying with all my heart that
our precious Lord Jesus will heal my family and protect
His work for His glory.
I want you, as my partner in this ministry, to know that I am going to continue preaching the Gospel and praying for the sick as I have for 36 years. I will not allow anything to slow me down or stop me.
My commitment to my precious Jesus is forever, and nothing will ever change that. I know He will protect
His precious name, and glory and honor will be given to Him forever.
And now I ask you, as my partner whom I love and
appreciate very much, to pray for Suzanne, for our family, and for me, that the Lord will strengthen us and keep us, and that His will be accomplished in our lives always.
My precious children, whom I love very much—Jessica, Natasha, Joshua, and Elesha—and I thank you for all
you have done and continue to do for the glory of our
precious Redeemer and Savior, Jesus, God’s precious Son.
In closing, I want you to know that my children and I are doing well. I am going to pray and do everything as
a dad to make sure that my children and my grandchildren fulfill their destinies in God and bring glory to the name of Jesus all the days of their lives.
Thank you again for your prayers and support...
I love you very much,
Benny Hinn
P.O. BOx 162000, IrvIng, Tx 75016-2000 • www.BennyHInn.Org
CHECK OUT WORD FAITH HERESIES BELOW
THE PERVERSION OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE ATONEMENT
http://www.combineharvesting.com/part_iii.html
THE GOSPEL OF GREED
http://www.combineharvesting.com/part_v_money.htm
AN OVERT ATTACK ON SOUND DOCTRINE
http://www.combineharvesting.com/part_iv_.html
RESEARCH ON THE WORD FAITH "PROSPERITY GOSPEL" MOVEMENT
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Wolves/word_faith_movement.htm
http://www.cephasministry.com/evangelists_2.html
BENNY HINN THE CATHOLIC MYSTIC
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Wolves/benny_hinn-catholic.htm
NEW AGE FAITH IS BEING TAUGHT AS BIBLE FAITH
http://www.combineharvesting.com/new%20age%20faith%20%A0is%20being%20taught%20as%20bible%20faith.htm
GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION HAS BEEN CORRUPTED
http://www.combineharvesting.com/god_s_plan_of_salvation_has_been_corrupted.xml.htm
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Friday, 26 February 2010
Tabernacles---Why Jesus was not born on Christmas
Tabernacles---The Birth of Jesus
Danny McDowell
This Year-----October 3, 2009
To begin with; I would like to say that Christians should NOT celebrate “Hebrew Feasts”. Those celebrations were given SPECIFICALLY to the children of Jacob. Some [as in Passover] were types and foreshadows of things to come. Each year there is a gathering of the IGNORANT [Christians] in Jerusalem, to celebrate the FEAST OF TABENACLES. This is a foolish congregation of THE FOOLISH. They violate the New Testament by attempting to integrate Old Testament Festival Laws into “Christianity”. The writer of Hebrews clearly speaks to this flagrant affront to our Testament in BLOOD.. The ONLY authorized sacraments of the Church are BAPTISM IN WATER, and THE LORDS TABLE! Traditionalizing into the Christian culture; a GRAB-BAG of the TRADITIONS OF MEN-----Easter----Christmas-----Ash Wednesday-----Saints’ Days-----Monthly Communions------ add to this, the American traditions of the “Church”, Veterans’ Day-------July 4-------Mothers’ Day------Fathers’ Day------and most recently---9/11, and the Church has become unrecognizable in light of the New Testament. Let me say once again-----There are only TWO sacraments of the Church. They are BAPTISM shortly after conversion--------and the LORDS’ TABLE at Passover. That’s the way the New Testament Church celebrated their Lord for over TWO HUNDRED YEARS.
Now to the message of “TABERNACLES”; What is the significance of this day to the Church? It is the evening that Christ was born. I no longer engage in debate on this subject. The author of the third Gospel of the New Testament devotes TWO FULL CHAPTERS to the clarity of this fact. He reiterates in Chapter 3 of the book of LUKE, as he declares of Messiah at his baptism-----“and he began to be about THIRTY YEARS OF AGE”! A grade school child can count backwards “three and one half years” [the length of Christ’s ministry], from that Passover that Christ was sacrificed, and land SMACK DAB-----at TABERNACLES! Adding this to the splendid account of Luke chapters ONE and TWO, and the precise point in time of Messiah’s birth becomes UNDENIABLE. It all hinges on one little verse---“and he [Zechariah] was of the ORDER OF ABIJAH” ! The “ORDER OF ABIJAH” serves in the Temple in the EIGHTH WEEK following Passover. It was “IN THOSE DAYS” [that Zacharia finished his priestly duty], that Elizabeth [John’s mother] conceived John. Nine months later----John was born at Passover. Ask any Jew in the world----“when must Elijah come?”, --and the answer will be the same------------“AT PASSOVER”! John [Elijah] was born at Passover! Those who wish to debate this scriptural FACT are simply REBELLIOUS-----and REJECT that information that the Lord has so abundantly provided!
In the SIXTH MONTH of Elizabeth’s pregnancy; a young virgin of the tribe of Judah conceived. Counting nine months forward from the SIXTH MONTH of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, brings us exactly to TABERNACLES! An easier way to account is simply to note that Miriam’s baby would be born SIX MONTHS after John’s birth AT PASSOVER---------which brings us exactly to TABERNACLES!
To add further:-----Christmas is a LIE! All LIES are from H-E-L-L! Get it? If you celebrate a LIE in the Church of Jesus Christ---------YOU ARE A LIAR! Get It ? Not only are you a LIAR, but you are a CO-CONSPIRITOR with H-E-L-L, and it’s PRINCE-------GET IT ? These are harsh words, but true as TRUTH can be.
In our family, and in our fellowship, we recognize the truth about the birth of Jesus. We set aside ONE EVENING PER YEAR, to reflect on that blessed event. The moon is always full on that evening, and gives a luminous testimony of what God has done for mankind, when the “WORD BECAME FLESH AND TABERNACLED AMONG US”.
NO GAUDY TREE------NO CHEAP GIFTS---------NO CROWDED SHOPPING MALLS--------NO DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE-------- NO SANTA--------and NO LYING PREACHERS to spread Satan’s message to the children. Just a full moon, blessed peace, and the confident assurance that God is magnificent ! Danny McDowell
“ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free”
When was Jesus Born?
Best Guess: September 29, 5 B.C.
Want the details? Read more below.
Biblical scholars readily tell us that it was most likely NOT on December 25th, A.D. 0. Why?
When were shepherds in the fields?
Israeli meteorologists tracked December weather patterns for many years and concluded that the climate in Israel has been essentially constant for at least the last 2,000 years. The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible states that, "broadly speaking, weather phenomena and climatic conditions as pictured in the Bible correspond with conditions as observed today" (R.B.Y. Scott, Vol. 3, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1962, p. 625).
The temperature in the area of Bethlehem in December averages around 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) but can drop to well below freezing, especially at night. Describing the weather there, Sara Ruhin, chief of the Israeli weather service, noted in a 1990 press release that the area has three months of frost: December with 29 F. [minus 1.6 C.]; January with 30 F. [minus 1.1 C.] and February with 32 F. [0 C.].
Snow is common for two or three days in Jerusalem and nearby Bethlehem in December and January. These were the winter months of increased precipitation in Christ's time, when the roads became practically unusable and people stayed mostly indoors.
This is important evidence to disprove a December date for Christ's birth. Note that, at the time of Christ's birth, the shepherds tended their flocks in the fields at night. "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields," wrote one Gospel writer, "keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8). A common practice of shepherds was keeping their flocks in the field from April to October, but in the cold and rainy winter months they took their flocks back home and sheltered them.
One commentary admits that, "as these shepherds had not yet brought home their flocks, it is a presumptive argument that October had not yet commenced, and that, consequently, our Lord was not born on the 25th of December, when no flocks were out in the fields; nor could He have been born later than September, as the flocks were still in the fields by night. On this very ground the nativity in December should be given up. The feeding of the flocks by night in the fields is a chronological fact, which casts considerable light upon this disputed point" (Adam Clarke's Commentary, Abingdon Press, Nashville, note on Luke 2:8).
Another study source agrees: "These humble pastoral folk are out in the field at night with their flock—a feature of the story which would argue against the birth [of Christ] occurring on Dec. 25 since the weather would not have permitted it" (The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1971, note on Luke 2:4-7).
The Companion Bible, Appendix 179 says:
Shepherds and their flocks would not be found "abiding" (Gr. agrauleo) in the open fields at night in December (Tebeth), for the paramount reason that there would be no pasturage at that time. It was the custom then (as now) to withdraw the flocks during the month Marchesven (Oct.-Nov.) from the open districts and house them for the winter.
The census described by Luke
Other evidence arguing against a December birth of Jesus is the Roman census recorded by Luke. "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered... So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem..., to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son..." (Luke 2:1-7).
The Roman and Judean rulers knew that taking a census in winter would have been impractical and unpopular. Generally a census would take place after the harvest season, around September or October, when it would not seriously affect the economy, the weather was good and the roads were still dry enough to allow easy travel. According to the normal dates for the census, this would probably be the season of Christ's birth.
One author states that this census "could hardly have been at that season [December 25], however, for such a time would surely not have been chosen by the authorities for a public enrollment, which necessitated the population's traveling from all parts to their natal districts, storms and rain making journeys both unsafe and unpleasant in winter, except in specially favorable years" ("Christmas at Bethlehem," Holy-Days and Holidays, Cunningham Geikie).
Luke's account of the census argues strongly against a December date for Christ's birth. For such an agrarian society, an autumn post-harvest census was much more likely.
The year of Christ's birth
Jesus wasn't born in A.D. 0 either. In 525 Pope John I commissioned the scholar Dionysius Exiguus to establish a feast calendar for the Church.. Dionysius also estimated the year of Christ's birth based upon the founding of the city of Rome. Unfortunately because of insufficient historical data he arrived at a date at least a few years later than the actual event.
The Gospels record Jesus' birth as occurring during the reign of Herod the Great. Herod's death is recorded by Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus, Book 17, Chpt. 8) and occurred in the spring of 4 B.C. (New Testament History, F.F. Bruce, Anchor Books, p.23). Therefore, Christ's birth had to take place at least four years before the traditional date!
Jesus was not born on December 25, A.D. 0. [Actually there is no such year as A.D. 0. Our calendar jumps from 1 B.C. to A.D. 1 with no intervening year of zero.]
The celebration of Christ's birth in the the early church
In the first 200 years of Christian history, no mention is made of the calendar date of Jesus' birth. Not until the year 336 do we find the first mention of a celebration of His birth.
Why this omission? In the case of the Church fathers, the reason is that, during the three centuries after Christ's life on earth, the event considered most worthy of commemoration was the date of His death. In comparison, the date of His birth was considered insignificant. As the Encyclopedia Americana explains, "Christmas... was, according to many authorities, not celebrated in the first centuries of the Christian church, as the Christian usage in general was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons rather than their birth..." (1944 edition, "Christmas").
Speculation on the proper date began in the 3rd and 4th centuries, when the idea of fixing Christ's birthday started. Quite a controversy arose among Church leaders. Some were opposed to such a celebration. Origen (185-254) strongly recommended against such an innovation. "In the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners who make great rejoicings over the day in which they were born into this world" (Catholic Encyclopedia, 1908 edition, Vol. 3, p. 724, "Natal Day").
During this time eight specific dates during six different months were proposed by various groups. December 25, although one of the last dates to be proposed, was the one finally accepted by the leadership of the Western church.
A summary of the debate on the dates of Christ's birth appears in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church: "Though speculation as to the time of year of Christ's birth dates from the early 3rd century, Clement of Alexandria suggesting the 20th of May, the celebration of the anniversary does not appear to have been general till the later 4th century. The earliest mention of the observance on Dec. 25th is in the Philocalian Calendar, representing Roman practice of the year 336. This date was probably chosen to oppose the feast of the Natalis Solis Invicti [nativity of the unconquerable sun] by the celebration of the birth of the 'Sun of Righteousness' and its observance in the West, seems to have spread from Rome" (1983 edition, Oxford University Press, New York, 1983, p. 280, "Christmas").
Around 200, when Clement of Alexandria mentioned the speculations about Christ's birthday, he said nothing about a celebration on that day. He casually reported the various ideas extant at that time: "And there are those who have determined not only the year of our Lord's birth, but also the day..., the 25th day of Pachon... Furthermore, others say that He was born on the 24th or 25th of Pharmuthi" ("The Stromata, or Miscellanies," The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1986, p. 333).
Later, in 243, the official feast calendar of the time, De Pascha Computus, places the date of Christ's birth as March 28. Other dates suggested were April 2 and November 18. Meanwhile, in the East, January 6 was chosen, a date the Greeks had celebrated as the birth of the god Dionysus and the Egyptians as the birth of the god Osiris. Although pagans commonly celebrated the birthdays of their gods, in the Bible a birthday is never celebrated to the true God (who, of course, had no birth or day of origin).
December 25 popularized
In Rome December 25 was made popular by Pope Liberius in 354 and became the rule in the West in 435 when the first "Christ mass" was officiated by Pope Sixtus III. This coincided with the date of a celebration by the Romans to their primary god, the Sun, and to Mithras, a popular Persian sun god supposedly born on the same day. The Roman Catholic writer Mario Righetti candidly admits that, "to facilitate the acceptance of the faith by the pagan masses, the Church of Rome found it convenient to institute the 25th of December as the feast of the birth of Christ to divert them from the pagan feast, celebrated on the same day in honor of the 'Invincible Sun' Mithras, the conqueror of darkness" (Manual of Liturgical History, 1955, Vol. 2, p. 67).
Protestant historian Henry Chadwick sums up the controversy: "Moreover, early in the fourth century there begins in the West (where first and by whom is not known) the celebration of December 25th, the birthday of the Sun-god at the winter solstice, as the date for the nativity of Christ. How easy it was for Christianity and solar religion to become entangled at the popular level is strikingly illustrated by a mid-fifth century sermon of Pope Leo the Great, rebuking his over-cautious flock for paying reverence to the Sun on the steps of St. Peter's before turning their back on it to worship inside the westward-facing basilica" (The Early Church, Penguin Books, London, 1967, p. 126).
The Encyclopedia Americana makes this clear: "In the fifth century, the Western Church ordered it [Christ's birth] to be observed forever on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol [the sun god], as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ's birth existed" (1944 edition, "Christmas").
Is there any evidence from the Bible that will help us fix the date and year of Christ's birth?
Actually from the Bible, we can at least determine the probable season and year of His birth. The most convincing proof of when Jesus was born comes in understanding the evidence that is presented in the book of Luke concerning the birth of John the Baptist.
Luke 1:5-17 says:
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Zechariah was of the division of Abijah (Luke 1:5,8). Back in King David's day, the priests had been separated into 24 turns or divisions. These turns began in the first month of the Jewish calendar (1 Chronicles 27:2), March or April of our modern calendar. According to Talmudic and Qumran sources, the turns rotated every week until they reached the end of the sixth month, when the cycle was repeated again until the end of the year. This would mean that Zechariah's division served at the temple twice a year.
We find in 1 Chronicles 24:10 that Abijah was the eighth division of the priesthood. Thus, Zechariah’s service would be in the tenth week of the Jewish year. Why the tenth week? Because all divisions served during primary feast weeks of the Jewish year. So all of the divisions of the priesthood would serve during Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread (the third week of the year). Likewise, all of the divisions of the priesthood would serve during the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost (the ninth week). Thus, the eighth course of the priesthood would end up serving on the tenth week of the year.
Now we must make an assumption here. Remember we said that Zechariah's division served at the temple twice a year. The Bible does not specify which of the two shifts of service it was. Regardless, nine months after one of the two dates John the Baptist was born. This would place his birth in March or September.
We will assume that Luke is recording Zechariah's first shift of service for the year. We will find that assumption tends to prove true as we discover the dates of John the Baptist's and Jesus' birth. Therefore, the date of Zechariah's service would be the Jewish date of Sivan 12-18 (See the Companion Bible, Appendix 179, Section III).
Picking up the story in Luke 1:23-25:
When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people."
After his service in the temple, Zechariah went home to his wife. Due to the laws of separation (Leviticus 12:5; 15:19,25), two additional weeks have to be counted. Now I don't know about you, but if an angel had told me that I was going to have a special child, I would get to it just as soon as the law allowed. So we will make a second assumption, that Elizabeth conceived a child two weeks after Zechariah's return.
Allowing for this and going forward a normal pregnancy places the birth of John the Baptist at the time of the Passover (Nisan 15)! The Jews always looked for Elijah to return on the day of Passover. Even in modern times there is an empty chair and a table setting for Elijah whenever Passover is celebrated. Little children also go to the door of the home and open it in anticipation of Elijah's coming. The Old Testament prophets had said that God would send Elijah before the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). According to these calculations John the Baptist was born at Passover. Remember the angel's words to Zechariah? The angel said that John the Baptist was to come "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17). Elijah came at Passover!
Continuing in Luke 1:26-36:
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"
The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren.
Luke tells us that Elizabeth was six months pregnant when the angel Gabriel visited Mary. The beginning of Elizabeth's sixth month would have been the celebration of the Jewish feast of Hanukkah, which occurs in December of our modern calendar.
Hanukkah (Chanukkah) is known as the "Feast of the Dedication" (John 10:22) because it is connected with the dedication of the second Jewish temple and the rededication of the temple after the Maccabean revolt. Mary was being dedicated for a purpose of enormous magnitude: God's presence in an earthly temple, i.e. a human body (John 2:18-21).
If Mary did conceive on Hanukkah, John the Baptist would have been born three months later at Passover. And assuming a normal pregnancy of 285 days, Jesus would have been born on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Tishri (September 29 by modern reckoning). This is significant because it is the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). It is a high day, a special Sabbath, a time of great rejoicing.
The Feast of Tabernacles and Jesus
As you have seen, the birth of our Lord can be reasonably shown to have occurred in the autumn of the year on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles is a joyful feast. Jewish believers would build a tabernacle or booth known as a "sukkah" out of green tree branches. They would eat their meals and sleep in this sukkah for eight days.
There are some very interesting connections in Scripture with Jesus and aspects of the Feast of Tabernacles.
John 1:14 says:
And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. [literal translation of the Greek]
Look at what Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi has to say concerning this verse:
To introduce the nature and mission of Christ, John in his Gospel employs the metaphor of the "booth" of the Feast of Tabernacles. He explains that Christ, the Word who was with God in the beginning (John 1:1), manifested Himself in this world in a most tangible way, by pitching His tent in our midst: "And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, as of the only Son from the Father" (John 1:14).
The Greek verb skenoo used by John means "to pitch tent, encamp, tabernacle, dwell in a tent." The allusion is clearly to the Feast of Tabernacles when the people dwelt in temporary booths. In his article "The Feast of Tents: Jesus’ Self-Revelation," published in Worship (1960), David Stanley notes that this passage sets the stage for the later self-revelation of Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7 and 8. Stanley writes: "The most basic clue to the mystery pervading this entire narrative [John 7 and 8] is provided by the symbolic action that gives this feast its name: the ceremonial erection of little bowers, made with branches of trees, in which every Jew was expected to live during the festival. These shelters were commemorative of the forty years’ wandering in the desert when Israel had lived as a nomad in such intimate union with her God. For John this dwelling in tents is a primordial symbol of the Incarnation: ‘Thus the Word became a mortal man: he pitched his tent in the midst of us’ (John 1:14). It is this insight which presides over the composition of John’s narrative which we are considering [John 7-8]. All that happened, all that Jesus said on this occasion has some reference to the Incarnation."
In seeking to describe the Messiah’s first coming to His people, John chose the imagery of the Feast of Booths since the feast celebrates the dwelling of God among His people. This raises an interesting question on whether or not John intended to link the birth of Jesus with the Feast of Tabernacles.
[from: God’s Festivals in Scripture and History Part II: The Fall Festivals, page 241.]
According to the Companion Bible, Appendix 179:
The word tabernacled here receives beautiful significance from the knowledge that "the Lord of Glory" was "found in fashion as a man", and thus tabernacling in human flesh. And in turn it shows in equally beautiful significance that our Lord was born on the first day of the great Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, viz. the 15th of Tisri, corresponding to September 29 (modern reckoning).
The Circumcision of our Lord took place therefore on the eighth day, the last day of the Feast, the "Great Day of the Feast" of John 7.37 ("Tabernacles" had eight days. The Feast of Unleavened Bread had seven days, and Pentecost one. See Lev. 23).
From The Seven Festivals of the Messiah by Eddie Chumney we read this:
As we have stated earlier in this chapter, the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) is called "the season of our joy" and "the feast of the nations." With this in mind, in Luke 2:10 it is written, "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings [basar in Hebrew; otherwise known as the gospel] of great joy [Sukkot is called the 'season of our joy'], which shall be to all people [Sukkot is called 'the feast of the nations']." So, we can see from this that the terminology the angel used to announce the birth of Yeshua (Jesus) were themes and messages associated with the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles).
Light was also a prominent feature of the Feast of Tabernacles. At the end of the first day of the Feast, the Temple was gloriously illuminated. According to the Mishnah (Succah 5:2), gigantic candelabras stood within the Court of the Women in the temple. Each of the four golden candelabras is said to have been about 75 feet tall. Each candelabra had four branches, and at the top of every branch there was a large bowl. Four young men bearing 10 gallon pitchers of oil would climb ladders to fill the four golden bowls on each candelabra. And then the oil in those bowls was ignited. Picture sixteen beautiful blazes leaping toward the sky from these golden lamps. There was not a courtyard in Jerusalem that was not illuminated by this light (Succah 5:3).
According to Alfred Edersheim (Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, chpt. 8):
...the Court of the Women was brilliantly illuminated.... In connection with this we mark, that the term 'light' was specially applied to the Messiah. In a very interesting passage of the Midrash we are told, that, while commonly windows were made wide within and narrow without, it was the opposite in the Temple of Solomon, because the light issuing from the Sanctuary was to lighten that which was without.
This reminds us of the language of devout old Simeon in regard to the Messiah, as 'a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of His people Israel.'
John 1:6-9 says:
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
In these verses John refers to Jesus as "the light"; and as we have also seen, verse 14 says that he "became flesh and tabernacled [literal meaning of the Greek] among us". Since John chapter one is a passage about Jesus' coming, these verses could be references to the Feast of Tabernacles at which time Jesus was born.
Magi from the east
The Scriptures tell us that there were wise men (scholars) who came from the east looking for the birth of the Messiah, saying "we have seen his star in the east". Who were these scholars from the east? Why were they looking for a Jewish Messiah?
Matthew 2:1-6 says:
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" [cited from Micah 5:2]
Babylon was known as "the land to the east." At the time of the birth of Jesus, the largest Jewish population was actually in Babylon, not in Palestine! Nearly five hundred years earlier, the entire nation of Judah had been carried away captive into Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Only a small colony of Jews returned to Palestine after sixty-three years of captivity. The greater number of them remained where they had established homes in the land of Babylon.
The Greek for "wise men" is magoi. Daniel was referred to by this same title (Daniel 4:9). The word is somewhat equivalent to the Jewish term "rabbi." It is possible that the wise men from the east were Jewish rabbis who had been anticipating the coming of the Messiah because of Daniel’s seventy weeks prophecy [Daniel 9:24]. They had spotted a new star in the sky and took it to be a sign of the coming of the Messiah.
At the very least, even if the wise men were not Jewish, they would have been influenced by Daniel's writings. At an earlier time, Daniel had been the Master of the Magians of Babylon (Daniel 2:48; 4:9; 5:11), so anything Daniel wrote would have been important to even Gentile magoi. Parts of the book of Daniel are even written in Aramaic (the international language of the eastern Gentiles), so that it could be read by them.
The star and the Feast of Tabernacles
There is one time of the year when Jews would typically look at the stars. That time was during the Festival of Tabernacles. As we already said, Jewish believers would build a tabernacle or booth known as a "sukkah" out of green tree branches. They would eat their meals and sleep in this sukkah for eight days. It was customary to leave a hole in the roof of the sukkah so that one could look at the stars. If the magoi were Jewish, then Jewish "wise men" celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles would have noticed the appearance of a new star.
Of course, if the magoi were Gentile, it is still likely that a new star would have been noticed by them rather quickly. The Babylonian magoi excelled at astrology. As a matter of fact, the Babylonians are generally credited with the birth of astrology.
The year of Jesus' birth
Jesus was born while Herod the Great was still living (Matthew 2:1). Wise men appeared in Jerusalem asking about "one who has been born king of the Jews?" Of course, this upset Herod, who had been given the title "King of the Jews" by the Roman Senate. Herod talked to the wise men secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared (Matthew 2:7). The wise men then journeyed to Bethlehem and found Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in a house (Matthew 2:11) and they bowed down and worshiped Jesus.
When the wise men did not return to give Herod a report, "Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men. He was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the wise men" (Matthew 2:16).
This tells us that Jesus may have been born two years before the appearance of the wise men and the death of Herod. Herod died the spring of 4 B.C. (according to the Jewish historian, Josephus). Let's assume that the star appeared at Jesus' birth. Let's also assume that Herod was already close to death when the wise men appeared. It was the custom in ancient Israel to count the years of one's age from the date of conception - in other words, when a child is born he is one year old until his first birthday (this is still a practice in some oriental cultures). Therefore, Herod actually killed the children one year old and under according to the way that age is calculated today. This would mean that Jesus had to have been born in 6 B.C. (if Jesus was one year old) or 5 B.C. (if Jesus was under one year and Herod was just being extra careful).
This date for Jesus' birth fits with other Biblical data such as Jesus being "about thirty years old" when He began his ministry (Luke 3:23). From evidence given to us in John 2:20 about the construction of the temple, we know Jesus' ministry began in A.D. 26. Counting forward from 6 B.C. to A.D. 26 (one year has to be subtracted because there is no year zero) would make Jesus 31 years old when he began his ministry -- that is, about thirty years old. Counting forward from 5 B.C. to A.D. 26 would make Jesus 30 years old when he began his ministry. The birth years of 5 or 6 B.C. also fit with the best date for the crucifixion, that is A.D. 30. Personally I opt for the 5 B.C. date, because I assume the wise men would want to come at once and the time for a journey from Babylon to Jerusalem takes only four months.
When was Jesus born? Nothing is absolutely certain, because we are dealing with implications and assumptions, but a good guess from the Scriptures and history is September 29, 5 B.C. The moral of the story is, if it's in the Bible, you can take it to the bank. If it's not in the Bible,-- and December 25th is not,-- then you're taking your chances.
Sources of Information for this Article:
• The Biblical Festivals: God's Appointed Times from Hebraic Roots of Christianity by Eddie Chumney.
• The Gospel of Luke by William Hendriksen, Baker Book House.
• When was Jesus born? by Christian Renewal Ministries International.
• New Testament History by F.F. Bruce, Anchor Books.
• When Was Jesus Christ Born? by Mario Seiglie, The Good News, United Church of God, 1997.
• Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah by Alfred Edersheim, 1890.
• The Companion Bible, Published by Kregel Publications.
• God’s Festivals in Scripture and History, Part 2 by Samuele Bacchiocchi, PhD.
Available from: Biblical Perspectives
4990 Appian Way
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
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The purpose of this article is NOT to suggest that we change the day of Christmas or the year of our calendars! It is to give added meaning and insight to our Lord's birth, particularly from a Jewish perspective. But shouldn't we celebrate Jesus' birthday on the correct day? If it really mattered to Jesus when we celebrate His birth, then He would have made the exact day crystal clear with absolute certainty. What we celebrate is far more important than the day we celebrate it one. For example, in the United States we celebrate Presidents Day in February, but this doesn't mean that all the presidents were born in February.
The essential fact is that God did enflesh Himself in time and space (1 John 4:2). He was born from a woman on a specific day in a specific year, walked among us, died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into heaven. This is what we celebrate at Christmas: God was (and is) with us
BORN IN DECEMBER ?
"In Pagan Rome, December 25th was celebrated as the birthday of Mithras, a prophet of the sun worshipers. Perhaps these Roman holidays had their influence in the selection of December 25th as Christ's birthday. Justification for the choice was given by St. Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople at the end of the fourth century. In a discourse he said, 'On this day also the Birthday of Christ was lately fixed at Rome in order that while the heathen were busy with their profane ceremonies, the Christians might perform their sacred rites undisturbed. They call this (December 25th), the Birthday of the Invincible One (Mithras); but who is so invincible as the Lord? They call it the Birthday of the Solar Disk, but Christ is the Sun of Righteousness.' About 336 AD, the Church of Rome definitely fixed the 25th day of December as the birthday of the Lord. Since the fifth century most of the Christian world has celebrated that day as Christ's Birthday."
So it has nothing to do with when Christ really was born. Therefore, it's not true.
"Gradually, as certain pagan customs of holiday celebrations were assimilated into the Christmas festival, the activities took on gaiety and often frivolity.....In time there was reaction to the more frivolous until in certain countries, England for example, the observance of festivals was entirely prohibited."
When the United States was settled, the celebration of Christmas was an illegal activity. I don't believe that it was just because of the frivolity that was involved. I believe that, as a result of the reformation, many people realized that the source was pagan and Roman Catholic, and thought, "We've left Roman Catholicism in protest and we are not going to bring their practices with us, such as Christmas and Easter and things of that nature."
"CAROLS AND CAROLING. Some carols, evidently of pagan origin, were adopted by Christians and given new words. Many of the carols were danced as well as sung which kept them from being approved by the church for centuries. The word carol was associated with dancing until the 14th century. It is said that St. Francis and his brethren sang simple carols at the first presentation of a life-sized representation of the Nativity scene."
In the nativity scene, what do you find? Don't you find three wise men, and you find them in a manger with the babe and sometimes the shepherds, too, I guess. Is that true? Where do we find the accounts of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ? In what books? Luke and Matthew. Mark and John don't have any record of that part of Christ's life. Luke and Matthew. But when you compare those two accounts, it's obvious that the shepherds were told, by the angels, of the birth of Christ, when he was at Bethlehem, at the time that he was born. And they found him where? In a manger. In contrast, by the time the wise men came, some time had lapsed. And when they found the Lord Jesus Christ, they found him where? In a house.
How many wise men were there? Nobody knows. Why do people assume there were three? Because they brought three types of gifts, which in no way would indicate that there were just three men. It could have been a hundred men for that matter. It could have been 25. It could have been three. But there is no reason to believe that it was three men. I don't think that three men normally made it a practice to travel in that country, in that way together, especially carrying gold, frankincense and myrrh. They had as much trouble with robbers and that kind of people as we do, in fact, maybe more.
"THE CRECHE. To inspire greater religious feeling, and help in the interpretation of the story of the birth of Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi conceived the idea of building a life-sized representation of the Nativity scene. The Pope gave him permission to do so, and in 1223 he built a full-sized stable next to his church in Graecia, a village near Assisi, in Italy. In it he created the Nativity scene with living people and animals. The people who came were much impressed. From this beginning the idea spread all over Europe. The creche was used in homes as well as in the churches and through the ages it has been built in all forms, large and small from the crudest to the most elaborate."
"THE THREE WISE MEN. The Three Wise men (also referred to as the Three Kings and as the Magi) are always a part of the Nativity scene. The story of their visit to the Christ Child is told in St. Matthew, and they are in themselves familiar symbols of Christmas. According to medieval legend, they were Melchoir, King of Arabia, who brought a gift of gold; Gaspar, King of Tarsus, who brought myrrh; and Balthasar, King of Ethiopia, who brought frankincense."
That is according to legend, not the word of God.
"Some authorities believe that gift giving at this time of the year was a carryover from the pagans. The Romans gave presents during the celebrations of Saturnalia and of Kalends.
"CHARITY. Our present day custom of providing for the less fortunate at Christmas is undoubtedly an outgrowth of an old legend. This legend says that every Christmas Eve, the Christ Child wanders all over the world asking for food, shelter, and help."
Again, is that true?
"One of the possible origins of the idea that Santa Claus descends the chimney to bring gifts has already been given." One story was of this Roman Catholic who became St. Nicholas. The story was that Nicholas heard of a man with three daughters and the father didn't have enough money to make a dowry for them so he was going to sell them. And so Nicholas dropped three gold bags at three different times down a chimney so that they could each have a dowry. And so they thought this story may be one possible origin. The other story (there are at least two others) associates this custom with the early German Goddess Hertha, goddess of domesticity. "She was believed to descend the chimney through the smoke and guide the tellers of fortunes. At one time the Germans baked cakes in the form of a slipper which was supposed to be that of Hertha; these were filled with gifts for the children. In later times, it was the custom to clean the chimney at the beginning of the New Year so that good luck could enter the household. It is quite likely children were told that if they were good, Santa Claus would come down the chimney and bring them gifts.
"CHRISTMAS TREE. Of all Christmas symbols none is more familiar than the Christmas tree. The decorating of the Christmas tree is one of the most beloved Christmas customs and prevails wherever trees are available in either living or artificial form. From earliest times the ancients held nature in great reverence."
What does the scripture say about that? In Romans 1 we read, that they "worshipped and served the creature more than the creator."
"All things had their gods, among them water, the meadows, and the trees. Evergreen, therefore was not only for decorative purposes but because it was possible to thus bring a part of nature indoors. For the feast of Bacchus in Roman times trees were decorated with trinkets. Among the trinkets were masks of Bacchus. Those trees toward which the wind turned the masks were supposed to be endowed with great fertility. In the celebration of the pagan Yule season, the ancient sun-worshiping Teutons are said to have decorated fir trees, for they likened the sun to the spreading and blossoming of a great tree. Some tell us that our own Christmas tree decoration is symbolic of this celestial sun tree of the ancient pagans; the lights represent the lightning, the decorations the sun, the moon, and the stars, while the little animals hung in the branches represent the sacrifice of animals made to the sun god.
"THE MISTLETOE. Mistletoe was often hung over the entrances to homes of the pagans in Scandinavian countries to keep out evil spirits. An old Scandinavian myth tells of the seemingly invulnerable god, Balder, who was struck down by a dart made of mistletoe, and it was decreed that the plant must never again be used as a weapon. Frigga, who was the Goddess of love, henceforth, gave a kiss to anyone who passed under the mistletoe. The Druids who were members of a pagan religious order in ancient Gaul, Briton and Ireland held the mistletoe in such reverence that if enemies met under it in the forest, a truce was declared for the day. Later, among Christians, it came to symbolize the healing power of Christ.
"THE YULE LOG. The Druids' custom was to light fires during the Yule season to burn out the sins and evils of the past year.
"BELLS. For centuries bells of churches of every land have pealed forth the glad tidings of the birth of Jesus. In medieval times, the bells tolled for an hour before midnight on Christmas Eve, and then on the hour their voices changed to a joyous ringing. The tolling was to warn the powers of Darkness of the approaching of the birth of the Savior. It was believed 'the Devil died when Christ was born.'"
I wish that were true. But sad to say, it's not true. The devil is alive and well today.
"And in England, the tolling was known as 'Tolling the Devil's knell.' As a result, bells have become a part of our Christmas decorations, mostly in imitation form. They are also prominent in Christmas card designs."
, I think we need to back off and just look at it and say, "Well, is it true?" How much of the Christmas story is true? Again, just to go back and reflect a little bit on the three wise men. If you go to Matthew chapter 2 you will find that there were wise men, and you will find that they brought gifts. They didn't come to the manger. And it's interesting. Let's look at Matthew chapter 2. It's an interesting thing that while the shepherds were told of peace on earth, good will towards men, it's also true that for those mothers of Israel who had children two years old and younger—males two years old and younger— that was a sad day. Let's start with verse 1:
Matthew 2:1-7. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him in Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared."
What was he (Herod) trying to establish? At least he is trying to establish the age of the child.
Matthew 2:8-11 "And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed, and lo the star, which they saw in the east, went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house (not into the stable but into the house) they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
How many of them were there? We don't know. To imply that there were three doesn't seem to be reasonable and logical.
Matthew 2:12-14. "And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child, and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt."
It's interesting how many times that the words "young child" are used here.
Matthew 2:15-16. "And was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently enquire of the wise men."
There is no doubt, this wasn't a happy day for them. And they would reflect back at that period of time and it wouldn't be with joy and rejoicing. I think we generally forget that. But the important thing was that it was “two years old” and under, and I am sure he spanned more time than was necessary. In other words, let's say, based on his calculations, that the child was possibly a year old. By going two years, he picked up that much extra tolerance, and going down to all of them under, he figured he could sweep it clean—two years old and under.
So again, it is not an accurate representation of the biblical account. Obviously, Santa Claus is a lie. And again, when you think of the next most prominent celebration, it's very similar because its origin is the same. That celebration, in the so-called Christian religion, is the celebration of Easter, allegedly celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What about Easter? Most of the activities that are surrounding that celebration are also from pagan origin, far predating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. And then we cap it by telling kids that rabbits lay eggs.
WHY? It's ridiculous! But that's what we tell them! And so we take something that did happen—the Lord Jesus Christ did suffer and did die and was raised the third day for our justification. That's true! Then we mix with it a lot of things that have their roots in paganism and idolatry that far predate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, to say nothing of his resurrection. Again, mixing a lie with truth. And then we add the little dimension of the Easter bunny and the Easter eggs laid by rabbits, and then we present that to children.
You think the god of this world is so blind, so stupid, that he didn't know what he was doing when he did that? No, I believe the opposite. He knew exactly what he was doing. And anytime you take something that is true and pure and holy and you mix that with a lie, something that is not true, you do not bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Because truth came by him. He came to bear witness to the truth. He was the truth. And therefore, to try to serve him, to please him, we must say and do what is true. Religion today (sectarian, denominational religion) takes truth and mixes it with a lie, which they say is to promote truth. All they do is discredit the truth.
And that's why we as Christians, as we come to realize what is truth, need to hate that kind of sin, that kind of mixture. One of the things that God did not want, never has wanted for his people, was mixture. When you go back into the old scriptures, as well as into the writing of the apostle Paul, separation of truth from error is what God wanted. Over and over again, and in many ways, he taught that. The nation Israel was not to sow its fields with diverse kinds of seeds. Why? God wanted distinction. They were not to wear clothes of diverse kinds of material. God wanted separation and distinction. They [Israel] weren't to inter-marry with the nations of other lands. Why? God didn't want the descendants of Jacob to be corrupted with heathen practices. God didn't want his people Israel to take on the practices that were authored by the Devil, the worship of pagan deities.
It's exactly what God didn't want. And that is exactly what the devil has been able to do, with nominal Christianity today. To mix truth with error. And it makes both a lie. It makes it a dirty, vile thing.
Turn to Ephesians 4:25:
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor; for we are members one of another."
Put away lying! Speak truth. Look at Colossians chapter 3. We as Christians have no basis, no rhyme nor reason, that could possibly justify participating in anything with the magnitude of dishonesty in it that the celebration of Christmas and Easter have.
Colossians 3:9-10. "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:"
There is no doubt that at this time of year, there is much beautiful music written. The thought of giving to the poor certainly would appeal to anyone. The joyful times of families together, good food (too much food in many cases), times to visit and times for mothers and wives to prepare and cook and look forward to having all the family together in the family atmosphere and all that. Certainly none could speak against those things. But when they are mixed with a lie about really The most important One that ever moved on this earth, the Lord Jesus Christ, then you and I need to find another time to have those activities. Certainly times of the family being together don't have to depend on everybody in the world doing the same thing at the same time. We can have those times among our own families—times for wives and mothers and daughters and daughters-in-law to get together and cook, to have time of fellowship and maybe even eating too much. Those times don't have to be the times that the world dictates. The god of this world, the devil, dictates, as he has created through the Roman Catholic; a mixture of paganism and idolatry and mixed it up in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ—to say nothing of mixing it with the mass, the resurrection and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. There is no place for those who know Jesus Christ as their personal savior and who want to please Him to have any part in that. And yet, the vast majority of people in the world are like robots, lock- stepping down the road at this time of the year to celebrate Christ's birthday.
UNKNOWN AUTHOR
WHY TABERNACLES 3
We see in Luke chapter three, that Jesus is baptized in the River Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. Luke also points out that it is ANOTHER important day in the life of Messiah--------let’s take a look.
Luke 3:22-24
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
KJV
Luke tells us that Jesus became ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OLD at his baptism in Jordan. Scholars all over the world agree that the ministry of Jesus on earth was THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS LONG, beginning at his baptism in Jordan, and concluding at his crucifixion at Passover------THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS LATER. It is a child’s effort to understand that if you count backward THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS from the crucifixion [the ministry of Christ], you come exactly to TABERNACLES ! Luke tells us that Jesus BEGAN TO BE ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OLD on that very day. Allow me to remind you that we are AGENTS OF TRUTH-------because Jesus has said “the day will come AND NOW IS, that they who worship the Father shall worship him in spirit AND IN TRUTH. What is THE TRUTH about the birth of Jesus, and why should we celebrate a lie?
Shall we participate in the abundance of lies that have crept into the Church? Luke tells us that “NO OTHER THING IS CELEBRATED IN ALL THE CHURCHES” of the first century than that which he [Luke] has reported. Does the passage of TIME transform a LIE into the TRUTH? Does century after century of the celebration of “CHRISTMAS” somehow validate this ancient farce? It does not. Shall the Lord NOT BE PLEASED if you forsake a lie? Will he be disappointed in you if you proclaim THE TRUTH about the birth of his Son? I think not regarding BOTH of these questions.
Danny McDowell
Danny McDowell
This Year-----October 3, 2009
To begin with; I would like to say that Christians should NOT celebrate “Hebrew Feasts”. Those celebrations were given SPECIFICALLY to the children of Jacob. Some [as in Passover] were types and foreshadows of things to come. Each year there is a gathering of the IGNORANT [Christians] in Jerusalem, to celebrate the FEAST OF TABENACLES. This is a foolish congregation of THE FOOLISH. They violate the New Testament by attempting to integrate Old Testament Festival Laws into “Christianity”. The writer of Hebrews clearly speaks to this flagrant affront to our Testament in BLOOD.. The ONLY authorized sacraments of the Church are BAPTISM IN WATER, and THE LORDS TABLE! Traditionalizing into the Christian culture; a GRAB-BAG of the TRADITIONS OF MEN-----Easter----Christmas-----Ash Wednesday-----Saints’ Days-----Monthly Communions------ add to this, the American traditions of the “Church”, Veterans’ Day-------July 4-------Mothers’ Day------Fathers’ Day------and most recently---9/11, and the Church has become unrecognizable in light of the New Testament. Let me say once again-----There are only TWO sacraments of the Church. They are BAPTISM shortly after conversion--------and the LORDS’ TABLE at Passover. That’s the way the New Testament Church celebrated their Lord for over TWO HUNDRED YEARS.
Now to the message of “TABERNACLES”; What is the significance of this day to the Church? It is the evening that Christ was born. I no longer engage in debate on this subject. The author of the third Gospel of the New Testament devotes TWO FULL CHAPTERS to the clarity of this fact. He reiterates in Chapter 3 of the book of LUKE, as he declares of Messiah at his baptism-----“and he began to be about THIRTY YEARS OF AGE”! A grade school child can count backwards “three and one half years” [the length of Christ’s ministry], from that Passover that Christ was sacrificed, and land SMACK DAB-----at TABERNACLES! Adding this to the splendid account of Luke chapters ONE and TWO, and the precise point in time of Messiah’s birth becomes UNDENIABLE. It all hinges on one little verse---“and he [Zechariah] was of the ORDER OF ABIJAH” ! The “ORDER OF ABIJAH” serves in the Temple in the EIGHTH WEEK following Passover. It was “IN THOSE DAYS” [that Zacharia finished his priestly duty], that Elizabeth [John’s mother] conceived John. Nine months later----John was born at Passover. Ask any Jew in the world----“when must Elijah come?”, --and the answer will be the same------------“AT PASSOVER”! John [Elijah] was born at Passover! Those who wish to debate this scriptural FACT are simply REBELLIOUS-----and REJECT that information that the Lord has so abundantly provided!
In the SIXTH MONTH of Elizabeth’s pregnancy; a young virgin of the tribe of Judah conceived. Counting nine months forward from the SIXTH MONTH of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, brings us exactly to TABERNACLES! An easier way to account is simply to note that Miriam’s baby would be born SIX MONTHS after John’s birth AT PASSOVER---------which brings us exactly to TABERNACLES!
To add further:-----Christmas is a LIE! All LIES are from H-E-L-L! Get it? If you celebrate a LIE in the Church of Jesus Christ---------YOU ARE A LIAR! Get It ? Not only are you a LIAR, but you are a CO-CONSPIRITOR with H-E-L-L, and it’s PRINCE-------GET IT ? These are harsh words, but true as TRUTH can be.
In our family, and in our fellowship, we recognize the truth about the birth of Jesus. We set aside ONE EVENING PER YEAR, to reflect on that blessed event. The moon is always full on that evening, and gives a luminous testimony of what God has done for mankind, when the “WORD BECAME FLESH AND TABERNACLED AMONG US”.
NO GAUDY TREE------NO CHEAP GIFTS---------NO CROWDED SHOPPING MALLS--------NO DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE-------- NO SANTA--------and NO LYING PREACHERS to spread Satan’s message to the children. Just a full moon, blessed peace, and the confident assurance that God is magnificent ! Danny McDowell
“ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free”
When was Jesus Born?
Best Guess: September 29, 5 B.C.
Want the details? Read more below.
Biblical scholars readily tell us that it was most likely NOT on December 25th, A.D. 0. Why?
When were shepherds in the fields?
Israeli meteorologists tracked December weather patterns for many years and concluded that the climate in Israel has been essentially constant for at least the last 2,000 years. The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible states that, "broadly speaking, weather phenomena and climatic conditions as pictured in the Bible correspond with conditions as observed today" (R.B.Y. Scott, Vol. 3, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1962, p. 625).
The temperature in the area of Bethlehem in December averages around 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) but can drop to well below freezing, especially at night. Describing the weather there, Sara Ruhin, chief of the Israeli weather service, noted in a 1990 press release that the area has three months of frost: December with 29 F. [minus 1.6 C.]; January with 30 F. [minus 1.1 C.] and February with 32 F. [0 C.].
Snow is common for two or three days in Jerusalem and nearby Bethlehem in December and January. These were the winter months of increased precipitation in Christ's time, when the roads became practically unusable and people stayed mostly indoors.
This is important evidence to disprove a December date for Christ's birth. Note that, at the time of Christ's birth, the shepherds tended their flocks in the fields at night. "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields," wrote one Gospel writer, "keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8). A common practice of shepherds was keeping their flocks in the field from April to October, but in the cold and rainy winter months they took their flocks back home and sheltered them.
One commentary admits that, "as these shepherds had not yet brought home their flocks, it is a presumptive argument that October had not yet commenced, and that, consequently, our Lord was not born on the 25th of December, when no flocks were out in the fields; nor could He have been born later than September, as the flocks were still in the fields by night. On this very ground the nativity in December should be given up. The feeding of the flocks by night in the fields is a chronological fact, which casts considerable light upon this disputed point" (Adam Clarke's Commentary, Abingdon Press, Nashville, note on Luke 2:8).
Another study source agrees: "These humble pastoral folk are out in the field at night with their flock—a feature of the story which would argue against the birth [of Christ] occurring on Dec. 25 since the weather would not have permitted it" (The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary, Abingdon Press, Nashville, 1971, note on Luke 2:4-7).
The Companion Bible, Appendix 179 says:
Shepherds and their flocks would not be found "abiding" (Gr. agrauleo) in the open fields at night in December (Tebeth), for the paramount reason that there would be no pasturage at that time. It was the custom then (as now) to withdraw the flocks during the month Marchesven (Oct.-Nov.) from the open districts and house them for the winter.
The census described by Luke
Other evidence arguing against a December birth of Jesus is the Roman census recorded by Luke. "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered... So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem..., to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son..." (Luke 2:1-7).
The Roman and Judean rulers knew that taking a census in winter would have been impractical and unpopular. Generally a census would take place after the harvest season, around September or October, when it would not seriously affect the economy, the weather was good and the roads were still dry enough to allow easy travel. According to the normal dates for the census, this would probably be the season of Christ's birth.
One author states that this census "could hardly have been at that season [December 25], however, for such a time would surely not have been chosen by the authorities for a public enrollment, which necessitated the population's traveling from all parts to their natal districts, storms and rain making journeys both unsafe and unpleasant in winter, except in specially favorable years" ("Christmas at Bethlehem," Holy-Days and Holidays, Cunningham Geikie).
Luke's account of the census argues strongly against a December date for Christ's birth. For such an agrarian society, an autumn post-harvest census was much more likely.
The year of Christ's birth
Jesus wasn't born in A.D. 0 either. In 525 Pope John I commissioned the scholar Dionysius Exiguus to establish a feast calendar for the Church.. Dionysius also estimated the year of Christ's birth based upon the founding of the city of Rome. Unfortunately because of insufficient historical data he arrived at a date at least a few years later than the actual event.
The Gospels record Jesus' birth as occurring during the reign of Herod the Great. Herod's death is recorded by Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus, Book 17, Chpt. 8) and occurred in the spring of 4 B.C. (New Testament History, F.F. Bruce, Anchor Books, p.23). Therefore, Christ's birth had to take place at least four years before the traditional date!
Jesus was not born on December 25, A.D. 0. [Actually there is no such year as A.D. 0. Our calendar jumps from 1 B.C. to A.D. 1 with no intervening year of zero.]
The celebration of Christ's birth in the the early church
In the first 200 years of Christian history, no mention is made of the calendar date of Jesus' birth. Not until the year 336 do we find the first mention of a celebration of His birth.
Why this omission? In the case of the Church fathers, the reason is that, during the three centuries after Christ's life on earth, the event considered most worthy of commemoration was the date of His death. In comparison, the date of His birth was considered insignificant. As the Encyclopedia Americana explains, "Christmas... was, according to many authorities, not celebrated in the first centuries of the Christian church, as the Christian usage in general was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons rather than their birth..." (1944 edition, "Christmas").
Speculation on the proper date began in the 3rd and 4th centuries, when the idea of fixing Christ's birthday started. Quite a controversy arose among Church leaders. Some were opposed to such a celebration. Origen (185-254) strongly recommended against such an innovation. "In the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners who make great rejoicings over the day in which they were born into this world" (Catholic Encyclopedia, 1908 edition, Vol. 3, p. 724, "Natal Day").
During this time eight specific dates during six different months were proposed by various groups. December 25, although one of the last dates to be proposed, was the one finally accepted by the leadership of the Western church.
A summary of the debate on the dates of Christ's birth appears in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church: "Though speculation as to the time of year of Christ's birth dates from the early 3rd century, Clement of Alexandria suggesting the 20th of May, the celebration of the anniversary does not appear to have been general till the later 4th century. The earliest mention of the observance on Dec. 25th is in the Philocalian Calendar, representing Roman practice of the year 336. This date was probably chosen to oppose the feast of the Natalis Solis Invicti [nativity of the unconquerable sun] by the celebration of the birth of the 'Sun of Righteousness' and its observance in the West, seems to have spread from Rome" (1983 edition, Oxford University Press, New York, 1983, p. 280, "Christmas").
Around 200, when Clement of Alexandria mentioned the speculations about Christ's birthday, he said nothing about a celebration on that day. He casually reported the various ideas extant at that time: "And there are those who have determined not only the year of our Lord's birth, but also the day..., the 25th day of Pachon... Furthermore, others say that He was born on the 24th or 25th of Pharmuthi" ("The Stromata, or Miscellanies," The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1986, p. 333).
Later, in 243, the official feast calendar of the time, De Pascha Computus, places the date of Christ's birth as March 28. Other dates suggested were April 2 and November 18. Meanwhile, in the East, January 6 was chosen, a date the Greeks had celebrated as the birth of the god Dionysus and the Egyptians as the birth of the god Osiris. Although pagans commonly celebrated the birthdays of their gods, in the Bible a birthday is never celebrated to the true God (who, of course, had no birth or day of origin).
December 25 popularized
In Rome December 25 was made popular by Pope Liberius in 354 and became the rule in the West in 435 when the first "Christ mass" was officiated by Pope Sixtus III. This coincided with the date of a celebration by the Romans to their primary god, the Sun, and to Mithras, a popular Persian sun god supposedly born on the same day. The Roman Catholic writer Mario Righetti candidly admits that, "to facilitate the acceptance of the faith by the pagan masses, the Church of Rome found it convenient to institute the 25th of December as the feast of the birth of Christ to divert them from the pagan feast, celebrated on the same day in honor of the 'Invincible Sun' Mithras, the conqueror of darkness" (Manual of Liturgical History, 1955, Vol. 2, p. 67).
Protestant historian Henry Chadwick sums up the controversy: "Moreover, early in the fourth century there begins in the West (where first and by whom is not known) the celebration of December 25th, the birthday of the Sun-god at the winter solstice, as the date for the nativity of Christ. How easy it was for Christianity and solar religion to become entangled at the popular level is strikingly illustrated by a mid-fifth century sermon of Pope Leo the Great, rebuking his over-cautious flock for paying reverence to the Sun on the steps of St. Peter's before turning their back on it to worship inside the westward-facing basilica" (The Early Church, Penguin Books, London, 1967, p. 126).
The Encyclopedia Americana makes this clear: "In the fifth century, the Western Church ordered it [Christ's birth] to be observed forever on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol [the sun god], as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ's birth existed" (1944 edition, "Christmas").
Is there any evidence from the Bible that will help us fix the date and year of Christ's birth?
Actually from the Bible, we can at least determine the probable season and year of His birth. The most convincing proof of when Jesus was born comes in understanding the evidence that is presented in the book of Luke concerning the birth of John the Baptist.
Luke 1:5-17 says:
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Zechariah was of the division of Abijah (Luke 1:5,8). Back in King David's day, the priests had been separated into 24 turns or divisions. These turns began in the first month of the Jewish calendar (1 Chronicles 27:2), March or April of our modern calendar. According to Talmudic and Qumran sources, the turns rotated every week until they reached the end of the sixth month, when the cycle was repeated again until the end of the year. This would mean that Zechariah's division served at the temple twice a year.
We find in 1 Chronicles 24:10 that Abijah was the eighth division of the priesthood. Thus, Zechariah’s service would be in the tenth week of the Jewish year. Why the tenth week? Because all divisions served during primary feast weeks of the Jewish year. So all of the divisions of the priesthood would serve during Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread (the third week of the year). Likewise, all of the divisions of the priesthood would serve during the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost (the ninth week). Thus, the eighth course of the priesthood would end up serving on the tenth week of the year.
Now we must make an assumption here. Remember we said that Zechariah's division served at the temple twice a year. The Bible does not specify which of the two shifts of service it was. Regardless, nine months after one of the two dates John the Baptist was born. This would place his birth in March or September.
We will assume that Luke is recording Zechariah's first shift of service for the year. We will find that assumption tends to prove true as we discover the dates of John the Baptist's and Jesus' birth. Therefore, the date of Zechariah's service would be the Jewish date of Sivan 12-18 (See the Companion Bible, Appendix 179, Section III).
Picking up the story in Luke 1:23-25:
When his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people."
After his service in the temple, Zechariah went home to his wife. Due to the laws of separation (Leviticus 12:5; 15:19,25), two additional weeks have to be counted. Now I don't know about you, but if an angel had told me that I was going to have a special child, I would get to it just as soon as the law allowed. So we will make a second assumption, that Elizabeth conceived a child two weeks after Zechariah's return.
Allowing for this and going forward a normal pregnancy places the birth of John the Baptist at the time of the Passover (Nisan 15)! The Jews always looked for Elijah to return on the day of Passover. Even in modern times there is an empty chair and a table setting for Elijah whenever Passover is celebrated. Little children also go to the door of the home and open it in anticipation of Elijah's coming. The Old Testament prophets had said that God would send Elijah before the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). According to these calculations John the Baptist was born at Passover. Remember the angel's words to Zechariah? The angel said that John the Baptist was to come "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17). Elijah came at Passover!
Continuing in Luke 1:26-36:
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"
The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren.
Luke tells us that Elizabeth was six months pregnant when the angel Gabriel visited Mary. The beginning of Elizabeth's sixth month would have been the celebration of the Jewish feast of Hanukkah, which occurs in December of our modern calendar.
Hanukkah (Chanukkah) is known as the "Feast of the Dedication" (John 10:22) because it is connected with the dedication of the second Jewish temple and the rededication of the temple after the Maccabean revolt. Mary was being dedicated for a purpose of enormous magnitude: God's presence in an earthly temple, i.e. a human body (John 2:18-21).
If Mary did conceive on Hanukkah, John the Baptist would have been born three months later at Passover. And assuming a normal pregnancy of 285 days, Jesus would have been born on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Tishri (September 29 by modern reckoning). This is significant because it is the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). It is a high day, a special Sabbath, a time of great rejoicing.
The Feast of Tabernacles and Jesus
As you have seen, the birth of our Lord can be reasonably shown to have occurred in the autumn of the year on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles is a joyful feast. Jewish believers would build a tabernacle or booth known as a "sukkah" out of green tree branches. They would eat their meals and sleep in this sukkah for eight days.
There are some very interesting connections in Scripture with Jesus and aspects of the Feast of Tabernacles.
John 1:14 says:
And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. [literal translation of the Greek]
Look at what Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi has to say concerning this verse:
To introduce the nature and mission of Christ, John in his Gospel employs the metaphor of the "booth" of the Feast of Tabernacles. He explains that Christ, the Word who was with God in the beginning (John 1:1), manifested Himself in this world in a most tangible way, by pitching His tent in our midst: "And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, as of the only Son from the Father" (John 1:14).
The Greek verb skenoo used by John means "to pitch tent, encamp, tabernacle, dwell in a tent." The allusion is clearly to the Feast of Tabernacles when the people dwelt in temporary booths. In his article "The Feast of Tents: Jesus’ Self-Revelation," published in Worship (1960), David Stanley notes that this passage sets the stage for the later self-revelation of Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7 and 8. Stanley writes: "The most basic clue to the mystery pervading this entire narrative [John 7 and 8] is provided by the symbolic action that gives this feast its name: the ceremonial erection of little bowers, made with branches of trees, in which every Jew was expected to live during the festival. These shelters were commemorative of the forty years’ wandering in the desert when Israel had lived as a nomad in such intimate union with her God. For John this dwelling in tents is a primordial symbol of the Incarnation: ‘Thus the Word became a mortal man: he pitched his tent in the midst of us’ (John 1:14). It is this insight which presides over the composition of John’s narrative which we are considering [John 7-8]. All that happened, all that Jesus said on this occasion has some reference to the Incarnation."
In seeking to describe the Messiah’s first coming to His people, John chose the imagery of the Feast of Booths since the feast celebrates the dwelling of God among His people. This raises an interesting question on whether or not John intended to link the birth of Jesus with the Feast of Tabernacles.
[from: God’s Festivals in Scripture and History Part II: The Fall Festivals, page 241.]
According to the Companion Bible, Appendix 179:
The word tabernacled here receives beautiful significance from the knowledge that "the Lord of Glory" was "found in fashion as a man", and thus tabernacling in human flesh. And in turn it shows in equally beautiful significance that our Lord was born on the first day of the great Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, viz. the 15th of Tisri, corresponding to September 29 (modern reckoning).
The Circumcision of our Lord took place therefore on the eighth day, the last day of the Feast, the "Great Day of the Feast" of John 7.37 ("Tabernacles" had eight days. The Feast of Unleavened Bread had seven days, and Pentecost one. See Lev. 23).
From The Seven Festivals of the Messiah by Eddie Chumney we read this:
As we have stated earlier in this chapter, the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) is called "the season of our joy" and "the feast of the nations." With this in mind, in Luke 2:10 it is written, "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings [basar in Hebrew; otherwise known as the gospel] of great joy [Sukkot is called the 'season of our joy'], which shall be to all people [Sukkot is called 'the feast of the nations']." So, we can see from this that the terminology the angel used to announce the birth of Yeshua (Jesus) were themes and messages associated with the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles).
Light was also a prominent feature of the Feast of Tabernacles. At the end of the first day of the Feast, the Temple was gloriously illuminated. According to the Mishnah (Succah 5:2), gigantic candelabras stood within the Court of the Women in the temple. Each of the four golden candelabras is said to have been about 75 feet tall. Each candelabra had four branches, and at the top of every branch there was a large bowl. Four young men bearing 10 gallon pitchers of oil would climb ladders to fill the four golden bowls on each candelabra. And then the oil in those bowls was ignited. Picture sixteen beautiful blazes leaping toward the sky from these golden lamps. There was not a courtyard in Jerusalem that was not illuminated by this light (Succah 5:3).
According to Alfred Edersheim (Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, chpt. 8):
...the Court of the Women was brilliantly illuminated.... In connection with this we mark, that the term 'light' was specially applied to the Messiah. In a very interesting passage of the Midrash we are told, that, while commonly windows were made wide within and narrow without, it was the opposite in the Temple of Solomon, because the light issuing from the Sanctuary was to lighten that which was without.
This reminds us of the language of devout old Simeon in regard to the Messiah, as 'a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of His people Israel.'
John 1:6-9 says:
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
In these verses John refers to Jesus as "the light"; and as we have also seen, verse 14 says that he "became flesh and tabernacled [literal meaning of the Greek] among us". Since John chapter one is a passage about Jesus' coming, these verses could be references to the Feast of Tabernacles at which time Jesus was born.
Magi from the east
The Scriptures tell us that there were wise men (scholars) who came from the east looking for the birth of the Messiah, saying "we have seen his star in the east". Who were these scholars from the east? Why were they looking for a Jewish Messiah?
Matthew 2:1-6 says:
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" [cited from Micah 5:2]
Babylon was known as "the land to the east." At the time of the birth of Jesus, the largest Jewish population was actually in Babylon, not in Palestine! Nearly five hundred years earlier, the entire nation of Judah had been carried away captive into Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Only a small colony of Jews returned to Palestine after sixty-three years of captivity. The greater number of them remained where they had established homes in the land of Babylon.
The Greek for "wise men" is magoi. Daniel was referred to by this same title (Daniel 4:9). The word is somewhat equivalent to the Jewish term "rabbi." It is possible that the wise men from the east were Jewish rabbis who had been anticipating the coming of the Messiah because of Daniel’s seventy weeks prophecy [Daniel 9:24]. They had spotted a new star in the sky and took it to be a sign of the coming of the Messiah.
At the very least, even if the wise men were not Jewish, they would have been influenced by Daniel's writings. At an earlier time, Daniel had been the Master of the Magians of Babylon (Daniel 2:48; 4:9; 5:11), so anything Daniel wrote would have been important to even Gentile magoi. Parts of the book of Daniel are even written in Aramaic (the international language of the eastern Gentiles), so that it could be read by them.
The star and the Feast of Tabernacles
There is one time of the year when Jews would typically look at the stars. That time was during the Festival of Tabernacles. As we already said, Jewish believers would build a tabernacle or booth known as a "sukkah" out of green tree branches. They would eat their meals and sleep in this sukkah for eight days. It was customary to leave a hole in the roof of the sukkah so that one could look at the stars. If the magoi were Jewish, then Jewish "wise men" celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles would have noticed the appearance of a new star.
Of course, if the magoi were Gentile, it is still likely that a new star would have been noticed by them rather quickly. The Babylonian magoi excelled at astrology. As a matter of fact, the Babylonians are generally credited with the birth of astrology.
The year of Jesus' birth
Jesus was born while Herod the Great was still living (Matthew 2:1). Wise men appeared in Jerusalem asking about "one who has been born king of the Jews?" Of course, this upset Herod, who had been given the title "King of the Jews" by the Roman Senate. Herod talked to the wise men secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared (Matthew 2:7). The wise men then journeyed to Bethlehem and found Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in a house (Matthew 2:11) and they bowed down and worshiped Jesus.
When the wise men did not return to give Herod a report, "Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the wise men. He was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the wise men" (Matthew 2:16).
This tells us that Jesus may have been born two years before the appearance of the wise men and the death of Herod. Herod died the spring of 4 B.C. (according to the Jewish historian, Josephus). Let's assume that the star appeared at Jesus' birth. Let's also assume that Herod was already close to death when the wise men appeared. It was the custom in ancient Israel to count the years of one's age from the date of conception - in other words, when a child is born he is one year old until his first birthday (this is still a practice in some oriental cultures). Therefore, Herod actually killed the children one year old and under according to the way that age is calculated today. This would mean that Jesus had to have been born in 6 B.C. (if Jesus was one year old) or 5 B.C. (if Jesus was under one year and Herod was just being extra careful).
This date for Jesus' birth fits with other Biblical data such as Jesus being "about thirty years old" when He began his ministry (Luke 3:23). From evidence given to us in John 2:20 about the construction of the temple, we know Jesus' ministry began in A.D. 26. Counting forward from 6 B.C. to A.D. 26 (one year has to be subtracted because there is no year zero) would make Jesus 31 years old when he began his ministry -- that is, about thirty years old. Counting forward from 5 B.C. to A.D. 26 would make Jesus 30 years old when he began his ministry. The birth years of 5 or 6 B.C. also fit with the best date for the crucifixion, that is A.D. 30. Personally I opt for the 5 B.C. date, because I assume the wise men would want to come at once and the time for a journey from Babylon to Jerusalem takes only four months.
When was Jesus born? Nothing is absolutely certain, because we are dealing with implications and assumptions, but a good guess from the Scriptures and history is September 29, 5 B.C. The moral of the story is, if it's in the Bible, you can take it to the bank. If it's not in the Bible,-- and December 25th is not,-- then you're taking your chances.
Sources of Information for this Article:
• The Biblical Festivals: God's Appointed Times from Hebraic Roots of Christianity by Eddie Chumney.
• The Gospel of Luke by William Hendriksen, Baker Book House.
• When was Jesus born? by Christian Renewal Ministries International.
• New Testament History by F.F. Bruce, Anchor Books.
• When Was Jesus Christ Born? by Mario Seiglie, The Good News, United Church of God, 1997.
• Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah by Alfred Edersheim, 1890.
• The Companion Bible, Published by Kregel Publications.
• God’s Festivals in Scripture and History, Part 2 by Samuele Bacchiocchi, PhD.
Available from: Biblical Perspectives
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The purpose of this article is NOT to suggest that we change the day of Christmas or the year of our calendars! It is to give added meaning and insight to our Lord's birth, particularly from a Jewish perspective. But shouldn't we celebrate Jesus' birthday on the correct day? If it really mattered to Jesus when we celebrate His birth, then He would have made the exact day crystal clear with absolute certainty. What we celebrate is far more important than the day we celebrate it one. For example, in the United States we celebrate Presidents Day in February, but this doesn't mean that all the presidents were born in February.
The essential fact is that God did enflesh Himself in time and space (1 John 4:2). He was born from a woman on a specific day in a specific year, walked among us, died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into heaven. This is what we celebrate at Christmas: God was (and is) with us
BORN IN DECEMBER ?
"In Pagan Rome, December 25th was celebrated as the birthday of Mithras, a prophet of the sun worshipers. Perhaps these Roman holidays had their influence in the selection of December 25th as Christ's birthday. Justification for the choice was given by St. Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople at the end of the fourth century. In a discourse he said, 'On this day also the Birthday of Christ was lately fixed at Rome in order that while the heathen were busy with their profane ceremonies, the Christians might perform their sacred rites undisturbed. They call this (December 25th), the Birthday of the Invincible One (Mithras); but who is so invincible as the Lord? They call it the Birthday of the Solar Disk, but Christ is the Sun of Righteousness.' About 336 AD, the Church of Rome definitely fixed the 25th day of December as the birthday of the Lord. Since the fifth century most of the Christian world has celebrated that day as Christ's Birthday."
So it has nothing to do with when Christ really was born. Therefore, it's not true.
"Gradually, as certain pagan customs of holiday celebrations were assimilated into the Christmas festival, the activities took on gaiety and often frivolity.....In time there was reaction to the more frivolous until in certain countries, England for example, the observance of festivals was entirely prohibited."
When the United States was settled, the celebration of Christmas was an illegal activity. I don't believe that it was just because of the frivolity that was involved. I believe that, as a result of the reformation, many people realized that the source was pagan and Roman Catholic, and thought, "We've left Roman Catholicism in protest and we are not going to bring their practices with us, such as Christmas and Easter and things of that nature."
"CAROLS AND CAROLING. Some carols, evidently of pagan origin, were adopted by Christians and given new words. Many of the carols were danced as well as sung which kept them from being approved by the church for centuries. The word carol was associated with dancing until the 14th century. It is said that St. Francis and his brethren sang simple carols at the first presentation of a life-sized representation of the Nativity scene."
In the nativity scene, what do you find? Don't you find three wise men, and you find them in a manger with the babe and sometimes the shepherds, too, I guess. Is that true? Where do we find the accounts of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ? In what books? Luke and Matthew. Mark and John don't have any record of that part of Christ's life. Luke and Matthew. But when you compare those two accounts, it's obvious that the shepherds were told, by the angels, of the birth of Christ, when he was at Bethlehem, at the time that he was born. And they found him where? In a manger. In contrast, by the time the wise men came, some time had lapsed. And when they found the Lord Jesus Christ, they found him where? In a house.
How many wise men were there? Nobody knows. Why do people assume there were three? Because they brought three types of gifts, which in no way would indicate that there were just three men. It could have been a hundred men for that matter. It could have been 25. It could have been three. But there is no reason to believe that it was three men. I don't think that three men normally made it a practice to travel in that country, in that way together, especially carrying gold, frankincense and myrrh. They had as much trouble with robbers and that kind of people as we do, in fact, maybe more.
"THE CRECHE. To inspire greater religious feeling, and help in the interpretation of the story of the birth of Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi conceived the idea of building a life-sized representation of the Nativity scene. The Pope gave him permission to do so, and in 1223 he built a full-sized stable next to his church in Graecia, a village near Assisi, in Italy. In it he created the Nativity scene with living people and animals. The people who came were much impressed. From this beginning the idea spread all over Europe. The creche was used in homes as well as in the churches and through the ages it has been built in all forms, large and small from the crudest to the most elaborate."
"THE THREE WISE MEN. The Three Wise men (also referred to as the Three Kings and as the Magi) are always a part of the Nativity scene. The story of their visit to the Christ Child is told in St. Matthew, and they are in themselves familiar symbols of Christmas. According to medieval legend, they were Melchoir, King of Arabia, who brought a gift of gold; Gaspar, King of Tarsus, who brought myrrh; and Balthasar, King of Ethiopia, who brought frankincense."
That is according to legend, not the word of God.
"Some authorities believe that gift giving at this time of the year was a carryover from the pagans. The Romans gave presents during the celebrations of Saturnalia and of Kalends.
"CHARITY. Our present day custom of providing for the less fortunate at Christmas is undoubtedly an outgrowth of an old legend. This legend says that every Christmas Eve, the Christ Child wanders all over the world asking for food, shelter, and help."
Again, is that true?
"One of the possible origins of the idea that Santa Claus descends the chimney to bring gifts has already been given." One story was of this Roman Catholic who became St. Nicholas. The story was that Nicholas heard of a man with three daughters and the father didn't have enough money to make a dowry for them so he was going to sell them. And so Nicholas dropped three gold bags at three different times down a chimney so that they could each have a dowry. And so they thought this story may be one possible origin. The other story (there are at least two others) associates this custom with the early German Goddess Hertha, goddess of domesticity. "She was believed to descend the chimney through the smoke and guide the tellers of fortunes. At one time the Germans baked cakes in the form of a slipper which was supposed to be that of Hertha; these were filled with gifts for the children. In later times, it was the custom to clean the chimney at the beginning of the New Year so that good luck could enter the household. It is quite likely children were told that if they were good, Santa Claus would come down the chimney and bring them gifts.
"CHRISTMAS TREE. Of all Christmas symbols none is more familiar than the Christmas tree. The decorating of the Christmas tree is one of the most beloved Christmas customs and prevails wherever trees are available in either living or artificial form. From earliest times the ancients held nature in great reverence."
What does the scripture say about that? In Romans 1 we read, that they "worshipped and served the creature more than the creator."
"All things had their gods, among them water, the meadows, and the trees. Evergreen, therefore was not only for decorative purposes but because it was possible to thus bring a part of nature indoors. For the feast of Bacchus in Roman times trees were decorated with trinkets. Among the trinkets were masks of Bacchus. Those trees toward which the wind turned the masks were supposed to be endowed with great fertility. In the celebration of the pagan Yule season, the ancient sun-worshiping Teutons are said to have decorated fir trees, for they likened the sun to the spreading and blossoming of a great tree. Some tell us that our own Christmas tree decoration is symbolic of this celestial sun tree of the ancient pagans; the lights represent the lightning, the decorations the sun, the moon, and the stars, while the little animals hung in the branches represent the sacrifice of animals made to the sun god.
"THE MISTLETOE. Mistletoe was often hung over the entrances to homes of the pagans in Scandinavian countries to keep out evil spirits. An old Scandinavian myth tells of the seemingly invulnerable god, Balder, who was struck down by a dart made of mistletoe, and it was decreed that the plant must never again be used as a weapon. Frigga, who was the Goddess of love, henceforth, gave a kiss to anyone who passed under the mistletoe. The Druids who were members of a pagan religious order in ancient Gaul, Briton and Ireland held the mistletoe in such reverence that if enemies met under it in the forest, a truce was declared for the day. Later, among Christians, it came to symbolize the healing power of Christ.
"THE YULE LOG. The Druids' custom was to light fires during the Yule season to burn out the sins and evils of the past year.
"BELLS. For centuries bells of churches of every land have pealed forth the glad tidings of the birth of Jesus. In medieval times, the bells tolled for an hour before midnight on Christmas Eve, and then on the hour their voices changed to a joyous ringing. The tolling was to warn the powers of Darkness of the approaching of the birth of the Savior. It was believed 'the Devil died when Christ was born.'"
I wish that were true. But sad to say, it's not true. The devil is alive and well today.
"And in England, the tolling was known as 'Tolling the Devil's knell.' As a result, bells have become a part of our Christmas decorations, mostly in imitation form. They are also prominent in Christmas card designs."
, I think we need to back off and just look at it and say, "Well, is it true?" How much of the Christmas story is true? Again, just to go back and reflect a little bit on the three wise men. If you go to Matthew chapter 2 you will find that there were wise men, and you will find that they brought gifts. They didn't come to the manger. And it's interesting. Let's look at Matthew chapter 2. It's an interesting thing that while the shepherds were told of peace on earth, good will towards men, it's also true that for those mothers of Israel who had children two years old and younger—males two years old and younger— that was a sad day. Let's start with verse 1:
Matthew 2:1-7. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him in Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared."
What was he (Herod) trying to establish? At least he is trying to establish the age of the child.
Matthew 2:8-11 "And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed, and lo the star, which they saw in the east, went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house (not into the stable but into the house) they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
How many of them were there? We don't know. To imply that there were three doesn't seem to be reasonable and logical.
Matthew 2:12-14. "And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child, and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt."
It's interesting how many times that the words "young child" are used here.
Matthew 2:15-16. "And was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently enquire of the wise men."
There is no doubt, this wasn't a happy day for them. And they would reflect back at that period of time and it wouldn't be with joy and rejoicing. I think we generally forget that. But the important thing was that it was “two years old” and under, and I am sure he spanned more time than was necessary. In other words, let's say, based on his calculations, that the child was possibly a year old. By going two years, he picked up that much extra tolerance, and going down to all of them under, he figured he could sweep it clean—two years old and under.
So again, it is not an accurate representation of the biblical account. Obviously, Santa Claus is a lie. And again, when you think of the next most prominent celebration, it's very similar because its origin is the same. That celebration, in the so-called Christian religion, is the celebration of Easter, allegedly celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What about Easter? Most of the activities that are surrounding that celebration are also from pagan origin, far predating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. And then we cap it by telling kids that rabbits lay eggs.
WHY? It's ridiculous! But that's what we tell them! And so we take something that did happen—the Lord Jesus Christ did suffer and did die and was raised the third day for our justification. That's true! Then we mix with it a lot of things that have their roots in paganism and idolatry that far predate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, to say nothing of his resurrection. Again, mixing a lie with truth. And then we add the little dimension of the Easter bunny and the Easter eggs laid by rabbits, and then we present that to children.
You think the god of this world is so blind, so stupid, that he didn't know what he was doing when he did that? No, I believe the opposite. He knew exactly what he was doing. And anytime you take something that is true and pure and holy and you mix that with a lie, something that is not true, you do not bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Because truth came by him. He came to bear witness to the truth. He was the truth. And therefore, to try to serve him, to please him, we must say and do what is true. Religion today (sectarian, denominational religion) takes truth and mixes it with a lie, which they say is to promote truth. All they do is discredit the truth.
And that's why we as Christians, as we come to realize what is truth, need to hate that kind of sin, that kind of mixture. One of the things that God did not want, never has wanted for his people, was mixture. When you go back into the old scriptures, as well as into the writing of the apostle Paul, separation of truth from error is what God wanted. Over and over again, and in many ways, he taught that. The nation Israel was not to sow its fields with diverse kinds of seeds. Why? God wanted distinction. They were not to wear clothes of diverse kinds of material. God wanted separation and distinction. They [Israel] weren't to inter-marry with the nations of other lands. Why? God didn't want the descendants of Jacob to be corrupted with heathen practices. God didn't want his people Israel to take on the practices that were authored by the Devil, the worship of pagan deities.
It's exactly what God didn't want. And that is exactly what the devil has been able to do, with nominal Christianity today. To mix truth with error. And it makes both a lie. It makes it a dirty, vile thing.
Turn to Ephesians 4:25:
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor; for we are members one of another."
Put away lying! Speak truth. Look at Colossians chapter 3. We as Christians have no basis, no rhyme nor reason, that could possibly justify participating in anything with the magnitude of dishonesty in it that the celebration of Christmas and Easter have.
Colossians 3:9-10. "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:"
There is no doubt that at this time of year, there is much beautiful music written. The thought of giving to the poor certainly would appeal to anyone. The joyful times of families together, good food (too much food in many cases), times to visit and times for mothers and wives to prepare and cook and look forward to having all the family together in the family atmosphere and all that. Certainly none could speak against those things. But when they are mixed with a lie about really The most important One that ever moved on this earth, the Lord Jesus Christ, then you and I need to find another time to have those activities. Certainly times of the family being together don't have to depend on everybody in the world doing the same thing at the same time. We can have those times among our own families—times for wives and mothers and daughters and daughters-in-law to get together and cook, to have time of fellowship and maybe even eating too much. Those times don't have to be the times that the world dictates. The god of this world, the devil, dictates, as he has created through the Roman Catholic; a mixture of paganism and idolatry and mixed it up in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ—to say nothing of mixing it with the mass, the resurrection and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. There is no place for those who know Jesus Christ as their personal savior and who want to please Him to have any part in that. And yet, the vast majority of people in the world are like robots, lock- stepping down the road at this time of the year to celebrate Christ's birthday.
UNKNOWN AUTHOR
WHY TABERNACLES 3
We see in Luke chapter three, that Jesus is baptized in the River Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. Luke also points out that it is ANOTHER important day in the life of Messiah--------let’s take a look.
Luke 3:22-24
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
KJV
Luke tells us that Jesus became ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OLD at his baptism in Jordan. Scholars all over the world agree that the ministry of Jesus on earth was THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS LONG, beginning at his baptism in Jordan, and concluding at his crucifixion at Passover------THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS LATER. It is a child’s effort to understand that if you count backward THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS from the crucifixion [the ministry of Christ], you come exactly to TABERNACLES ! Luke tells us that Jesus BEGAN TO BE ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OLD on that very day. Allow me to remind you that we are AGENTS OF TRUTH-------because Jesus has said “the day will come AND NOW IS, that they who worship the Father shall worship him in spirit AND IN TRUTH. What is THE TRUTH about the birth of Jesus, and why should we celebrate a lie?
Shall we participate in the abundance of lies that have crept into the Church? Luke tells us that “NO OTHER THING IS CELEBRATED IN ALL THE CHURCHES” of the first century than that which he [Luke] has reported. Does the passage of TIME transform a LIE into the TRUTH? Does century after century of the celebration of “CHRISTMAS” somehow validate this ancient farce? It does not. Shall the Lord NOT BE PLEASED if you forsake a lie? Will he be disappointed in you if you proclaim THE TRUTH about the birth of his Son? I think not regarding BOTH of these questions.
Danny McDowell
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Uganda Pastors Expose Pastor Benny Hinn’s Sodomy escapades with Top Kampala Pastor.Tabloid insists that this is the cause of Marriage break
Uganda Pastors Expose Pastor Benny Hinn’s Sodomy escapades with Top Kampala Pastor. Uganda Tabloid insists that these sodomy escapades are the cause of Susanne Hinn Divorce.
Benny Hinn Sodomised Top K’la Pastor
http://www.redpepper.ug/details.php?item=3187&PHPSESSID=2953fc7e54a40c5b7fcba9c46f55d305
The Redpepper, 24th February, 2010
- Evangelist’s Wife Makes Shocking Revelations Of Her Husband’s Trip To Uganda And Kenya
When celebrated international pastor Benny Hinn visited Uganda last year, the media dutifully reported that the “lame walked, the blind had their eyes opened, the deaf heard and the sick recovered”. However, there are certain things the media did not capture. It has been revealed that while in Kampala, Hinn sodomised a senior male pastor.
DIVORCE PAPERS
According to the divorce papers filed by Suzanne Hinn, wife to the renowned preacher, evangelist and healer, he sodomised a prominent Kampala pastor while on the Ugandan trip.
Hinn was first in Uganda with Suzanne in 2007 from June 4 to June 6, for the ‘Fire Conference’ at the invitation of Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre, Rubaga. Last year he came back, again at Kayanja’s invite for another conference but this time without her. Participants had to pay USD50 (Shs100,000), unlike the previous time, to take part in the conference.According to the documents Suzanne filed in a Los Angeles Court, during this second conference, Hinn had ‘an affair’ with a Ugandan male pastor at his home in a Kampala suburb.
Prosperity gospel televangelist and faith-healing-cum-artist Benny Hinn has failed to heal the desire of his wife to get away from him. The internationally acclaimed televangelist’s wife filed for divorce early this month because of “irreconcilable differences” pointing to his obsession ….. with young boys, among other reasons.
GOD SPANKS
Years ago, Benny Hinn was on TBN channel and said: “Don’t just pray that God blesses Benny Hinn but that He spanks Benny Hinn if he ever needs a spanking.”
And he has got exactly what he bargained for - the Kampala pastor spanked him, now he is paying the price.Suzanne filed in Orange County Superior Court, Los Angeles for divorce from the high-profile pastor, whose reputation as an advocate of the prosperity gospel has attracted millions of followers, and criticism from lawmakers and watchdog groups over his lavish lifestyle in equal measure.
COUPLE SEPARATES
Suzanne cited irreconcilable differences which critics reveal are related to his obsession for ...., after more than 30 years in marriage.
The Court papers note that the couple separated on January 26 after Suzanne learnt about the Kampala debacle, and that Hinn has been living in Dana Point, a wealthy coastal community in southern Orange County, spanking and bonking young boys.
Sources close to Suzanne reveal that she was tired of living with a ‘ghost’ Hinn who was always either in East Africa or Asia seeing boys and male pastors.
SUZANNE STARVES
According to Court documents, Suzanne had spent more than a year without seeing Hinn’s …. She tells Court that since last June’s Kampala trip, the couple’s life has never been the same. “I was later told he got a male companion and he is the one making him busy,” Court documents say. Hinn’s wife, who is represented by a prominent Los Angeles divorce attorney, Sorrell Trope, filed for divorce on February 1 over irreconcilable differences.
Hinn’s many followers will likely want to know why their leader, so blessed with wealth, health and a seemingly loving family, is going through a divorce. According to papers, the couple split on January 26.
SENATOR INVESTIGATES
Hinn, who is one of several featured personalities on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, is currently under investigation by Senator Charles Grassley over whether he is fully compliant with IRS rules regarding religious non-profit organisations. Hinn claims on his website that 88 percent of the money he collects is put back into ministry.
SLASHES WEALTH
He travels in his private zillion-dollar jet named “Dove One” and is said to own more than a dozen luxury mansions around the world.
Everyday in every city, some elderly pensioner eats cat food in order to send Benny Hinn a donation.
Hinn’s TBN co-founder, Paul Crouch has also been mired in controversies. In September 2004, he paid a former employee, a USD425,000 (Shs800m) formal settlement to end a sexual harassment lawsuit. Lonnie Ford alleged that he was forced to have a homosexual encounter with Crouch under threats of job termination at a network-owned cabin at Lake Arrowhead in 1996. TBN officials acknowledge the settlement.
HINN REACTS
In reaction to the news, Benny Hinn Ministries said in a statement: “Pastor Benny Hinn and his immediate family were shocked and saddened to learn of this news without any previous notice.
Although Pastor Hinn has faithfully endeavoured to bring healing to their relationship, those efforts failed and were met with the petition for divorce that was filed without notice.”
MOST FAMOUS
Benny Hinn is probably the world’s most famous preacher.
His TV broadcasts on the Trinity Broadcast Network, a pentecostal broadcasting powerhouse, and other TV networks are watched by millions of people around the world nearly everyday.
He globe-trots in a personal jet dubbed Dove One, holding miracle and healing crusades.
Hinn is best known for his spiritual healings at events he calls “Miracle Crusades” but looks like he’s powerless when it comes to saving his marriage.
Pastors Name Benny Hinn Sodomy Bonkmate
http://www.redpepper.ug/details.php?item=3204&PHPSESSID=a3e3be994e576775dad5fb9f3da50938
The Redpepper, 25th February, 2010
Anti-sodomy pastors in Uganda last night lifted the lid and named a local pastor who was sodomised by controversial and renowned international evangelist, Benny Hinn. Yesterday, we reported that Hinn, while on a visit to Uganda last year, not only faked miracles on how the “lame walked, the blind had their eyes opened, the deaf heard, the sick recovered” but also shattered Side B of a top-notch pastor in the country. We further revealed that Hinn’s romps with the pastor culminated into a divorce petition which his wife, Suzanne Hinn filed before a Los Angeles Court last month.
COUPLE SEPARATES
Suzanne filed the papers in Orange County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences which, sources, say are related to his obsession with whoppers. The Court papers note that the couple separated on January 26 after Suzanne learnt about the Kampala debacle, and that Hinn had been living in Dana Point, a wealthy coastal neighbourhood in southern Orange County, spanking and bonking young boys. Sources close to Suzanne reveal that she was tired of living with a ‘ghost’ Hinn who was always either in East Africa or Asia seeing boys and male pastors. City Pastors Solomon Male and Simon Kyazze yesterday named Hinn’s sodomy bonkmate in Uganda but we can’t reveal the name of the pastor here for legal reasons.
PASTORS SPEAK
Male and Kyazze, while at Mwanga II Court yesterday, shouted on top of their voices the name of the sodomised pastor as they held copies of yesterday’s Red Pepper which carried a screaming headline ‘BENNY HINN SODOMISED KAMPALA PASTOR’.
Pastor Male shouted: “We know him, we know the pastor who was sodomised. He is Pastor… Very soon his wife will also divorce him.”
In an exclusive interview with this tabloid, Male revealed that he was not surprised to hear that Benny Hinn sodomised Pastor… because it was not the first time.
He said: “It’s not the first time. He has been sodomising many pastors around. I’m not shocked. Benny Hinn’s co-founder at TBN Network, Paul Crouch resigned from ministry in his Church after he had sodomised his employee and had to pay him USD425,000 for the information not to be published in the media.”
SEXUAL SETTLEMENT
In September, 2004, Crouch paid a former employee, Lonnie Ford a USD425,000 (about Shs800m) formal settlement to end a sexual harassment lawsuit.
Ford alleged that he was forced to have a homosexual encounter with Crouch under threats of job termination at a Network-owned cabin at Lake Arrowhead in 1996. TBN officials acknowledge the settlement.
FAKE MIRACLES
He added that Hinn had an advance team of followers whom he paid to fake different categories of miracles and diseases which he later claimed to have cured after prayers.
“Benny Hinn is part of the false prosperity gospel responsible for defrauding millions of people worldwide who are desperate for a breakthrough in social, economic, physical health, political, security and intellectual aspects, among others. “He is like a rotary owner who targets the desperate and is among the many preachers today involved in religious merchandising where God, Jesus and Holy Spirit are catch words,” said Pastor Male.
He added that Hinn’s plight, troubles and evils must be an eye-opener for Ugandans who think their pastors can’t go wrong, especially those desperate to pay for Visas, marriage healings and any other breakthrough.
“It’s high time people woke up and stopped hoping for good things from the West,” Male said.
He and his colleagues praised ‘The mighty Pepper’ for the work well-done, saying it was time to bring evils done in the darkness to light.
Benny Hinn Sodomised Top K’la Pastor
http://www.redpepper.ug/details.php?item=3187&PHPSESSID=2953fc7e54a40c5b7fcba9c46f55d305
The Redpepper, 24th February, 2010
- Evangelist’s Wife Makes Shocking Revelations Of Her Husband’s Trip To Uganda And Kenya
When celebrated international pastor Benny Hinn visited Uganda last year, the media dutifully reported that the “lame walked, the blind had their eyes opened, the deaf heard and the sick recovered”. However, there are certain things the media did not capture. It has been revealed that while in Kampala, Hinn sodomised a senior male pastor.
DIVORCE PAPERS
According to the divorce papers filed by Suzanne Hinn, wife to the renowned preacher, evangelist and healer, he sodomised a prominent Kampala pastor while on the Ugandan trip.
Hinn was first in Uganda with Suzanne in 2007 from June 4 to June 6, for the ‘Fire Conference’ at the invitation of Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre, Rubaga. Last year he came back, again at Kayanja’s invite for another conference but this time without her. Participants had to pay USD50 (Shs100,000), unlike the previous time, to take part in the conference.According to the documents Suzanne filed in a Los Angeles Court, during this second conference, Hinn had ‘an affair’ with a Ugandan male pastor at his home in a Kampala suburb.
Prosperity gospel televangelist and faith-healing-cum-artist Benny Hinn has failed to heal the desire of his wife to get away from him. The internationally acclaimed televangelist’s wife filed for divorce early this month because of “irreconcilable differences” pointing to his obsession ….. with young boys, among other reasons.
GOD SPANKS
Years ago, Benny Hinn was on TBN channel and said: “Don’t just pray that God blesses Benny Hinn but that He spanks Benny Hinn if he ever needs a spanking.”
And he has got exactly what he bargained for - the Kampala pastor spanked him, now he is paying the price.Suzanne filed in Orange County Superior Court, Los Angeles for divorce from the high-profile pastor, whose reputation as an advocate of the prosperity gospel has attracted millions of followers, and criticism from lawmakers and watchdog groups over his lavish lifestyle in equal measure.
COUPLE SEPARATES
Suzanne cited irreconcilable differences which critics reveal are related to his obsession for ...., after more than 30 years in marriage.
The Court papers note that the couple separated on January 26 after Suzanne learnt about the Kampala debacle, and that Hinn has been living in Dana Point, a wealthy coastal community in southern Orange County, spanking and bonking young boys.
Sources close to Suzanne reveal that she was tired of living with a ‘ghost’ Hinn who was always either in East Africa or Asia seeing boys and male pastors.
SUZANNE STARVES
According to Court documents, Suzanne had spent more than a year without seeing Hinn’s …. She tells Court that since last June’s Kampala trip, the couple’s life has never been the same. “I was later told he got a male companion and he is the one making him busy,” Court documents say. Hinn’s wife, who is represented by a prominent Los Angeles divorce attorney, Sorrell Trope, filed for divorce on February 1 over irreconcilable differences.
Hinn’s many followers will likely want to know why their leader, so blessed with wealth, health and a seemingly loving family, is going through a divorce. According to papers, the couple split on January 26.
SENATOR INVESTIGATES
Hinn, who is one of several featured personalities on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, is currently under investigation by Senator Charles Grassley over whether he is fully compliant with IRS rules regarding religious non-profit organisations. Hinn claims on his website that 88 percent of the money he collects is put back into ministry.
SLASHES WEALTH
He travels in his private zillion-dollar jet named “Dove One” and is said to own more than a dozen luxury mansions around the world.
Everyday in every city, some elderly pensioner eats cat food in order to send Benny Hinn a donation.
Hinn’s TBN co-founder, Paul Crouch has also been mired in controversies. In September 2004, he paid a former employee, a USD425,000 (Shs800m) formal settlement to end a sexual harassment lawsuit. Lonnie Ford alleged that he was forced to have a homosexual encounter with Crouch under threats of job termination at a network-owned cabin at Lake Arrowhead in 1996. TBN officials acknowledge the settlement.
HINN REACTS
In reaction to the news, Benny Hinn Ministries said in a statement: “Pastor Benny Hinn and his immediate family were shocked and saddened to learn of this news without any previous notice.
Although Pastor Hinn has faithfully endeavoured to bring healing to their relationship, those efforts failed and were met with the petition for divorce that was filed without notice.”
MOST FAMOUS
Benny Hinn is probably the world’s most famous preacher.
His TV broadcasts on the Trinity Broadcast Network, a pentecostal broadcasting powerhouse, and other TV networks are watched by millions of people around the world nearly everyday.
He globe-trots in a personal jet dubbed Dove One, holding miracle and healing crusades.
Hinn is best known for his spiritual healings at events he calls “Miracle Crusades” but looks like he’s powerless when it comes to saving his marriage.
Pastors Name Benny Hinn Sodomy Bonkmate
http://www.redpepper.ug/details.php?item=3204&PHPSESSID=a3e3be994e576775dad5fb9f3da50938
The Redpepper, 25th February, 2010
Anti-sodomy pastors in Uganda last night lifted the lid and named a local pastor who was sodomised by controversial and renowned international evangelist, Benny Hinn. Yesterday, we reported that Hinn, while on a visit to Uganda last year, not only faked miracles on how the “lame walked, the blind had their eyes opened, the deaf heard, the sick recovered” but also shattered Side B of a top-notch pastor in the country. We further revealed that Hinn’s romps with the pastor culminated into a divorce petition which his wife, Suzanne Hinn filed before a Los Angeles Court last month.
COUPLE SEPARATES
Suzanne filed the papers in Orange County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences which, sources, say are related to his obsession with whoppers. The Court papers note that the couple separated on January 26 after Suzanne learnt about the Kampala debacle, and that Hinn had been living in Dana Point, a wealthy coastal neighbourhood in southern Orange County, spanking and bonking young boys. Sources close to Suzanne reveal that she was tired of living with a ‘ghost’ Hinn who was always either in East Africa or Asia seeing boys and male pastors. City Pastors Solomon Male and Simon Kyazze yesterday named Hinn’s sodomy bonkmate in Uganda but we can’t reveal the name of the pastor here for legal reasons.
PASTORS SPEAK
Male and Kyazze, while at Mwanga II Court yesterday, shouted on top of their voices the name of the sodomised pastor as they held copies of yesterday’s Red Pepper which carried a screaming headline ‘BENNY HINN SODOMISED KAMPALA PASTOR’.
Pastor Male shouted: “We know him, we know the pastor who was sodomised. He is Pastor… Very soon his wife will also divorce him.”
In an exclusive interview with this tabloid, Male revealed that he was not surprised to hear that Benny Hinn sodomised Pastor… because it was not the first time.
He said: “It’s not the first time. He has been sodomising many pastors around. I’m not shocked. Benny Hinn’s co-founder at TBN Network, Paul Crouch resigned from ministry in his Church after he had sodomised his employee and had to pay him USD425,000 for the information not to be published in the media.”
SEXUAL SETTLEMENT
In September, 2004, Crouch paid a former employee, Lonnie Ford a USD425,000 (about Shs800m) formal settlement to end a sexual harassment lawsuit.
Ford alleged that he was forced to have a homosexual encounter with Crouch under threats of job termination at a Network-owned cabin at Lake Arrowhead in 1996. TBN officials acknowledge the settlement.
FAKE MIRACLES
He added that Hinn had an advance team of followers whom he paid to fake different categories of miracles and diseases which he later claimed to have cured after prayers.
“Benny Hinn is part of the false prosperity gospel responsible for defrauding millions of people worldwide who are desperate for a breakthrough in social, economic, physical health, political, security and intellectual aspects, among others. “He is like a rotary owner who targets the desperate and is among the many preachers today involved in religious merchandising where God, Jesus and Holy Spirit are catch words,” said Pastor Male.
He added that Hinn’s plight, troubles and evils must be an eye-opener for Ugandans who think their pastors can’t go wrong, especially those desperate to pay for Visas, marriage healings and any other breakthrough.
“It’s high time people woke up and stopped hoping for good things from the West,” Male said.
He and his colleagues praised ‘The mighty Pepper’ for the work well-done, saying it was time to bring evils done in the darkness to light.
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Catholic Evangelist charged with lying to BBC
Evangelist charged with lying to BBC
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/711009
Wednesday, 24th February, 2010
By Bonney Odongo
and Patrick Okino
in Lira
A CATHOLIC evangelist who told a BBC reporter that he committed 70 ritual murders has been charged with giving false information to a public officer.
Polino Angella, a resident of Bala sub-county in Apac district, was charged yesterday before a Lira magistrate. The offence carries a prison sentence of one year.
“On January 18, you told detective Vincent Odwar false information that you sacrificed 70 people, including your own son, Nelson Ojede, to the evil spirits, which was investigated and confirmed false,” magistrate Everest Palodi told the accused.
Angella pleaded not guilty to the charge and was sent on remand to Lira Central Prison. His plea for bail was turned down. The magistrate said he needed time to study the file before granting bail.
According to the prosecution, Angella told BBC reporter Tim Whewell that he sacrificed 70 people, including his own son, in the 1980s and 90s when he was still an active witchdoctor.
The documentary, which was shot in northern Uganda, was aired on BBC last month.
The claims by Angella during the BBC broadcast attracted public attention, leading the Police anti-human sacrifice unit to institute investigations.
The documentary also showed a group of traditional healers re-enacting how they killed their victims.
Angella earlier claimed that he was paid sh200,000 to dramatise the human sacrifice story and that he was promised a donation for his community-based organisation.
Godwin Tumugumye, an officer at Lira Police Station, said the BBC correspondent is also wanted by the Police.
Uganda witch doctor 'lied to BBC' over child sacrifice
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8536313.stm
A former Ugandan witch doctor has been charged with lying about carrying out child sacrifices in a BBC report.
Polino Angela told the BBC Newsnight programme he had killed about 70 people, including his son, before becoming an anti-sacrifice campaigner.
He allegedly repeated his claims to a Ugandan police officer and has been charged with "giving false information to a public officer".
He reportedly denied the charges and was remanded in custody.
Moses Binoga, head of the Anti-Human Sacrifice and Trafficking Task Force, said the police had spoken to relatives and neighbours of Polino Angela's son, who all say he died of malaria and was not sacrificed.
"The boy died a natural death," he said.
"Seventy people [killed] was just fantasy to make the story look interesting."
Mr Binoga said that Mr Angela had admitted lying, saying he hoped the international publicity would lead to a flow of donations to his organisation.
Mr Angela said he carried out the killings in the 1980s.
He says he stopped in 1990 and now tries to persuade other witch doctors to stop carrying out child sacrifices.
Mr Binoga said he had not yet decided whether he would ask to formally question BBC correspondent Tim Whewell.
The task force does, however, fear that child sacrifice is a growing problem, with 29 suspected cases last year.
Many Ugandans believe in the powers of witch doctors and traditional healers.
Some say that potions made with human body parts are more powerful.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/711009
Wednesday, 24th February, 2010
By Bonney Odongo
and Patrick Okino
in Lira
A CATHOLIC evangelist who told a BBC reporter that he committed 70 ritual murders has been charged with giving false information to a public officer.
Polino Angella, a resident of Bala sub-county in Apac district, was charged yesterday before a Lira magistrate. The offence carries a prison sentence of one year.
“On January 18, you told detective Vincent Odwar false information that you sacrificed 70 people, including your own son, Nelson Ojede, to the evil spirits, which was investigated and confirmed false,” magistrate Everest Palodi told the accused.
Angella pleaded not guilty to the charge and was sent on remand to Lira Central Prison. His plea for bail was turned down. The magistrate said he needed time to study the file before granting bail.
According to the prosecution, Angella told BBC reporter Tim Whewell that he sacrificed 70 people, including his own son, in the 1980s and 90s when he was still an active witchdoctor.
The documentary, which was shot in northern Uganda, was aired on BBC last month.
The claims by Angella during the BBC broadcast attracted public attention, leading the Police anti-human sacrifice unit to institute investigations.
The documentary also showed a group of traditional healers re-enacting how they killed their victims.
Angella earlier claimed that he was paid sh200,000 to dramatise the human sacrifice story and that he was promised a donation for his community-based organisation.
Godwin Tumugumye, an officer at Lira Police Station, said the BBC correspondent is also wanted by the Police.
Uganda witch doctor 'lied to BBC' over child sacrifice
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8536313.stm
A former Ugandan witch doctor has been charged with lying about carrying out child sacrifices in a BBC report.
Polino Angela told the BBC Newsnight programme he had killed about 70 people, including his son, before becoming an anti-sacrifice campaigner.
He allegedly repeated his claims to a Ugandan police officer and has been charged with "giving false information to a public officer".
He reportedly denied the charges and was remanded in custody.
Moses Binoga, head of the Anti-Human Sacrifice and Trafficking Task Force, said the police had spoken to relatives and neighbours of Polino Angela's son, who all say he died of malaria and was not sacrificed.
"The boy died a natural death," he said.
"Seventy people [killed] was just fantasy to make the story look interesting."
Mr Binoga said that Mr Angela had admitted lying, saying he hoped the international publicity would lead to a flow of donations to his organisation.
Mr Angela said he carried out the killings in the 1980s.
He says he stopped in 1990 and now tries to persuade other witch doctors to stop carrying out child sacrifices.
Mr Binoga said he had not yet decided whether he would ask to formally question BBC correspondent Tim Whewell.
The task force does, however, fear that child sacrifice is a growing problem, with 29 suspected cases last year.
Many Ugandans believe in the powers of witch doctors and traditional healers.
Some say that potions made with human body parts are more powerful.
Monday, 22 February 2010
Troubling: Pastor Martin Ssempa Shows Gay Porn in Church
Troubling: Pastor Martin Ssempa Shows Gay Porn in Church
http://www.yesumulungi.com/index.php/apostasy-watch/405-troubling-pastor-martin-ssempa-shows-gay-porn-in-church.html
Kato Mivule | February 20th 2010
BBC News reported this week how a Ugandan Evangelical Pastor, Martin Ssempa showed Gay Porn in his Church service in his continued fight against Homosexuality in Uganda. According to the BBC News Service, Pastor Martin Ssempa claims that since Ugandans are in the process of legislation, they have to know what homosexuals do.
This however, is going to the utmost extreme! There is no biblical and scriptural basis for such action. No single scriptural reference can be given by Pastor Martin Ssempa for such actions as showing Gay Porn in a Church Service. This so-called battled and war against Homosexuals in Uganda is one that Pastor Ssempa and others have lost.
Jesus Christ and the early Church did not engage in legislative maneuvers to fight sin and establish morality. They did not run for office seeking to change Roman laws and impose a Christian Legal system. Yet Homosexuality was live and well during the times of Paul the Apostle in the Roman empire. It is our hope that Ugandan Evangelicals will wake up and not be misled in believing they can fight against sin through legislative means... such a fight against sin is mere flesh and blood and New Testament Teachings refer to that as carnality.
Some ignorant Evangelical Christians in Uganda have accused us of being “Homosexuals”, “Brain Washed by the West” and many other terms that they ignorantly concoct. Yet up to this day none of them have come up with any New Testament Scriptures to backup their absurd positions. To make even matters worse, none of those engaged in the so-called Fight Against Homosexuality have risen up to the occasion to fight for instance against rampant corruption in Uganda that seems to be destroying the country, a display of hypocrisy with impunity.
Personally as a New Testament Believing Christian, I believe that homosexuality is sin and I do not believe in Gay Marriage. I strongly disagree with the legislation of 'Christian Morality' and the extreme nature with which Uganda's Evangelical Church has taken its so-called fight against homosexuals by even showing Gay Porn in Church. Jesus Christ did not preach Legislation of Christian Values but preached repentance.
Secondly as a Christian, I believe in the Dignity of every Human Being and that includes Homosexuals. Thirdly we should remember that at one point of time in History, Evangelicals and Christians were heavily persecuted for their faith and killed, so reciprocity does play here and Evangelicals might well be on the receiving end of the Laws they create in their physical fight against sin.
Thirdly I think Paul's Teachings in Ephesians Chapter 5:11 were taken out of context to mean that one can expose anything in Church including Gay Porn...
Eph 5:11-12 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (12) For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
The same scriptures state that it is a shame to even mention what is done by them in secret... In other words even as we preach against sin, it is a shame to even mention the practical details of how such sin is practiced. In this case, it was shameful to show Gay Porn in Church so that Christians can “know” what goes on in the Gay Camp. It would otherwise be honest for Pastor Ssempa to likewise show Heterosexual Porn in Church, Acts of Murder, Acts of Theft, Acts of Adultery, etc...but Pastor Ssempa will not show such videos in Church.
We should remember that the scriptures call us to fight evil with good...and to live peaceably with everyone. Paul the apostle was writing to Christians who lived in Rome the center of the Roman empire where Homosexuality was live and well, Roman Senators at that time were known to openly practice Homosexual life. We must remember too that the New Testament was written for Christians to live a Christian Life in a None Christian World and not written to be used as a guide to make so-called Christian Laws.
Pastor Ssempa's action should be categorically condemned and our prayers is that he should see the light and stop misrepresenting The Testimony of Jesus Christ by trying to impose a Christian Utopia. Ironically if Pastor Martin Ssempa can endure showing one hour of Gay Porn in Church, he can as well endure to have a Gay Neighbor with whom he strongly disagrees but at least peacefully coexist.
Rom 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (19) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Kato Mivule
=================================================
=================================================
Uganda cleric shows gay porn film - BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8521471.stm
The pastor showed the pornography to about 300 people in his church
An anti-gay clergyman in Uganda has screened gay pornography in his church, in an attempt to gain support for proposed anti-homosexuality laws.
"We are in the process of legislation and we have to educate ourselves about what homosexuals do," Pastor Martin Ssempa told the BBC.
Gay rights activists suggested the pastor "needed medical help".
The anti-gay bill, which proposes the death penalty for some gay people, has caused outrage around the world. US President Barack Obama described the proposals as "odious". Moral defender? Homosexuality is already against the law in Uganda and punishable by lengthy jail terms.
But supporters of the bill, including the pastor, want the punishments ramped up.
"In Africa, what you do in your bedroom affects our clan, it affects our tribe, it affects our nation," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
He showed the pornography to about 300 people in his church.
The pastor had planned to lead a march in the capital, Kampala, but was forced to abandon the plans because of "security concerns".
Monica Mbaru, from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, roundly condemned the pastor's behaviour.
"You cannot screen pornographic material to your followers and then want to argue that you are upholding society's morals," she told the BBC.
"I think we are dealing with someone who needs medical help."
The anti-gay proposals garnered wide support among Ugandan MPs, but President Yoweri Museveni recently hinted that he was coming under international pressure to scrap the private member's bill.
http://www.yesumulungi.com/index.php/apostasy-watch/405-troubling-pastor-martin-ssempa-shows-gay-porn-in-church.html
Kato Mivule | February 20th 2010
BBC News reported this week how a Ugandan Evangelical Pastor, Martin Ssempa showed Gay Porn in his Church service in his continued fight against Homosexuality in Uganda. According to the BBC News Service, Pastor Martin Ssempa claims that since Ugandans are in the process of legislation, they have to know what homosexuals do.
This however, is going to the utmost extreme! There is no biblical and scriptural basis for such action. No single scriptural reference can be given by Pastor Martin Ssempa for such actions as showing Gay Porn in a Church Service. This so-called battled and war against Homosexuals in Uganda is one that Pastor Ssempa and others have lost.
Jesus Christ and the early Church did not engage in legislative maneuvers to fight sin and establish morality. They did not run for office seeking to change Roman laws and impose a Christian Legal system. Yet Homosexuality was live and well during the times of Paul the Apostle in the Roman empire. It is our hope that Ugandan Evangelicals will wake up and not be misled in believing they can fight against sin through legislative means... such a fight against sin is mere flesh and blood and New Testament Teachings refer to that as carnality.
Some ignorant Evangelical Christians in Uganda have accused us of being “Homosexuals”, “Brain Washed by the West” and many other terms that they ignorantly concoct. Yet up to this day none of them have come up with any New Testament Scriptures to backup their absurd positions. To make even matters worse, none of those engaged in the so-called Fight Against Homosexuality have risen up to the occasion to fight for instance against rampant corruption in Uganda that seems to be destroying the country, a display of hypocrisy with impunity.
Personally as a New Testament Believing Christian, I believe that homosexuality is sin and I do not believe in Gay Marriage. I strongly disagree with the legislation of 'Christian Morality' and the extreme nature with which Uganda's Evangelical Church has taken its so-called fight against homosexuals by even showing Gay Porn in Church. Jesus Christ did not preach Legislation of Christian Values but preached repentance.
Secondly as a Christian, I believe in the Dignity of every Human Being and that includes Homosexuals. Thirdly we should remember that at one point of time in History, Evangelicals and Christians were heavily persecuted for their faith and killed, so reciprocity does play here and Evangelicals might well be on the receiving end of the Laws they create in their physical fight against sin.
Thirdly I think Paul's Teachings in Ephesians Chapter 5:11 were taken out of context to mean that one can expose anything in Church including Gay Porn...
Eph 5:11-12 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (12) For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
The same scriptures state that it is a shame to even mention what is done by them in secret... In other words even as we preach against sin, it is a shame to even mention the practical details of how such sin is practiced. In this case, it was shameful to show Gay Porn in Church so that Christians can “know” what goes on in the Gay Camp. It would otherwise be honest for Pastor Ssempa to likewise show Heterosexual Porn in Church, Acts of Murder, Acts of Theft, Acts of Adultery, etc...but Pastor Ssempa will not show such videos in Church.
We should remember that the scriptures call us to fight evil with good...and to live peaceably with everyone. Paul the apostle was writing to Christians who lived in Rome the center of the Roman empire where Homosexuality was live and well, Roman Senators at that time were known to openly practice Homosexual life. We must remember too that the New Testament was written for Christians to live a Christian Life in a None Christian World and not written to be used as a guide to make so-called Christian Laws.
Pastor Ssempa's action should be categorically condemned and our prayers is that he should see the light and stop misrepresenting The Testimony of Jesus Christ by trying to impose a Christian Utopia. Ironically if Pastor Martin Ssempa can endure showing one hour of Gay Porn in Church, he can as well endure to have a Gay Neighbor with whom he strongly disagrees but at least peacefully coexist.
Rom 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (19) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Kato Mivule
=================================================
=================================================
Uganda cleric shows gay porn film - BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8521471.stm
The pastor showed the pornography to about 300 people in his church
An anti-gay clergyman in Uganda has screened gay pornography in his church, in an attempt to gain support for proposed anti-homosexuality laws.
"We are in the process of legislation and we have to educate ourselves about what homosexuals do," Pastor Martin Ssempa told the BBC.
Gay rights activists suggested the pastor "needed medical help".
The anti-gay bill, which proposes the death penalty for some gay people, has caused outrage around the world. US President Barack Obama described the proposals as "odious". Moral defender? Homosexuality is already against the law in Uganda and punishable by lengthy jail terms.
But supporters of the bill, including the pastor, want the punishments ramped up.
"In Africa, what you do in your bedroom affects our clan, it affects our tribe, it affects our nation," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
He showed the pornography to about 300 people in his church.
The pastor had planned to lead a march in the capital, Kampala, but was forced to abandon the plans because of "security concerns".
Monica Mbaru, from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, roundly condemned the pastor's behaviour.
"You cannot screen pornographic material to your followers and then want to argue that you are upholding society's morals," she told the BBC.
"I think we are dealing with someone who needs medical help."
The anti-gay proposals garnered wide support among Ugandan MPs, but President Yoweri Museveni recently hinted that he was coming under international pressure to scrap the private member's bill.
MIRACULOUS PHOTO OF POPE JOHN PAUL II: YET ANOTHER nonsense from the mother of harlots
 |
MIRACULOUS PHOTO OF POPE JOHN PAUL II: YET ANOTHER nonsense from the mother of harlots
The simple believeth every word (Proverbs 14:15)
This morning I received an email from a catholic priest who really believes in the so called Miraculous photo of pope Paul II being embraced by Mary.
 |
SEE SO CALLED MIRACULOUS PHOTO HERE
http://www.churchnewssite.com/portal/?p=2526
http://christianwalktowarddestiny.blogspot.com/2009/09/miraculous-photo-of-john-paul-ii.html
ALSO SEE INSIDE THE CATHOLIC CATECHISM
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/cat001.html
DOCTRINE OF THE ROSARY AND PRAYERS TO MARY
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/cat971.html
 |
| Catholic mysticism |
Even a non-Christian can see that this photo was cooked by Rome in order to keep people deceived and trapped in Roman Catholicism. Dear catholic friend the bitter truth is, POPE PAUL II ENDED UP IN HELL. He ate the world but lost his soul. Even you dear catholic friend, if you die in the catholic satanic system, you will end up in hell. You must be saved my dear friend. There is no salvation in the catholic church but only a gospel of works which does not save(Eph.2:8-9, Isaiah 64:6 ). Dear born again saint do not be fooled by this photo, never go back to Catholicism. Do not believe this lie of Satan. Amen
 |
According to the story on the so called Miraculous photo of pope Paul II, it is stated that:
‘’This happened on May 13, 1981. Pope John Paul II was shot as he arrived in St. Peters Square to speak to the people who had gathered there. When he was shot, he was holding the rosary, which he always carried. When he fell to the ground, out of nowhere, a woman rushed to his side and embraced him. The surprising fact is that all the bullets passed just past his vital internal organs. When he recovered finally, the first thing Pope asked for was his rosary. When he got it in his hands, he said that he felt Mother Mary directing the bullets path through him. Sure, John Paul II was always in the habit of praying the rosary regularly. He had once said The best prayer I like is the Rosary’’.
The bible says that God has magnified his word even above his name (Psalms 138:2). Let us use the word of God to test the above. Catholics say that the pope is a descendant of St. Peter who was the first pope. The question is did St. Peter pray the rosary??? Where is it written in the bible that the best prayer is the rosary??? The word of God says that they were first called Christians at Antioch(Acts 11:26).Did the fist Christians in the book of Acts pray the rosary? Certainly not. This rosary nonsense has no biblical basis, it is from satan, it is from the pit of hell.
READ STORY ABOUT THIS PICTURE, ASLO SEE PROSPERITY GOSPEL AT THE END
We don't know why John Paul II wanted to hide this picture for years. The Vatican published this picture recently, for first time. This picture was taken by one of his security guards just when the Pope was attacked and was falling down in his Papamobil. You can see the pain in his face.
Take a look at the above picture. You can see Mother Mary holding John Paul II in Her arms when he was shot in 1981.
This happened on May 13, 1981. Pope John Paul II was shot as he arrived in St. Peters Square to speak to the people who had gathered there. When he was shot, he was holding the rosary, which he always carried. When he fell to the ground, out of nowhere, a woman rushed to his side and embraced him. That pic is shown above. The picture is said to have been taken by one of the gathered people who was busy taking Popes pics with his camera. The woman vanished as quickly as she appeared.
The gunman was apprehended in the square and sentenced to life in prison. The pope was critically wounded but survived after surgery and a long recovery. The surprising fact is that all the bullets passed just past his vital internal organs. When he recovered finally, the first thing Pope asked for was his rosary. When he got it in his hands, he said that he felt Mother Mary directing the bullets path through him.Sure, John Paul II was always in the habit of praying the rosary regularly. He had once said The best prayer I like is the Rosary.
Joaquin Navarro Valls, who is the one spokesman from The Vatican, said that they made a lot of studies for years of this incredible picture and of course about the quality of the developing of the picture because when it was developed nobody could see very well because the image was not clear. Finally, and after so many controls and being looking and checking by all the experts in photography (around the world), they decided that there were no tricks in it and today they give us this beautiful gift from our Mother of God. You can see the Mother of God holding John Paul II in her arms. Beautiful right?
And among those who believed, Bishop Thomas Wenski recreated the picture on a glass window at his Floridaresidence.
PLEASE READ WITH FAITH.
This is an awesome prayer. Believe it and you shall be blessed.
The problem with many of us is that we don't believe that God will open a window and pour out blessings that we won't have room to receive them. I dare anyone to try God. He is true to His word. God cannot lie and His promises are sure.
Three things will happen to you this coming week:
(1) You will find favor with someone you don't expect;
(2) You will be too relevant to be ignored;
(3) You will encounter God and you will never remain the same again..
My prayer for you today:
The eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hands that will send this message to others shall not labor in vain, the mouth saying Amen to this prayer shall laugh forever. Remain in God's love as you send this prayer to everybody on your list. Have a lovely journey of life! Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will never fail you because He is AWESOME !
If you truly need a blessing, continue reading this email:
Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to you that you abundantly bless my family and me. I know that you recognize, that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in you. Father, I send up a prayer request for blessings for not only the person who sent this to me, but for me and all that I have forwarded this message on to.. And that the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything. I thank you in advance for your blessings.
Father God, deliver the person reading this right now from debt and debt's burdens. Release Your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me Father, for I know how wonderful and mighty You are and how if we just obey You and walk In Your word and have the faith of a mustard seed that You will pour out blessings. I thank You now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come because I know You are not done with me yet. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen
TAKE 60 SECONDS and send this on quickly and within hours, you will have caused a multitude of people to pray to God for each other. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves. Remain Blessed!!!
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