People tend to assume that the Book of Matthew, the first New Testament book, means it was the first New Testament book written. This is not necessarily true. None of them were written in Jerusalem. All but Luke is written by Israelites (Jews). Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are three Synoptic Gospels. They contain 30 common stories and teachings. The wording along with the placement of these parables within each one is similar. 

Just as the three gospels share common parables, there are over a couple hundred verses shared between Matthew and Luke alone. These couple hundred verses are known as the double tradition. These verses encompass about a quarter of the content found within the gospels of Matthew and Luke. 

What makes Mark and Luke different if most of what Mark wrote is also found in Matthew?  

Writer	Date Written	Author’s Community or Target Market
Mark (second-generation Christian and follower of Peter)	65–70 CE	Gentile Christian community in Rome undergoing persecution
Matthew (Jewish Christian; known as Apostle Matthew)	75–80 CE	Jewish Christians
Luke (Gentile Christian; physician and Paul’s traveling companion)	80–85 CE	Theophilus, meaning lover of God (could represent all Christians)

The Book of John is the exception to the four Gospels. Matthew and Luke’s focus is to distinctly different groups of people.  

It covers a different time span. 

It locates much of Jesus’ ministry in Judaea. 

It portrays Jesus discoursing at length on theological matters. 

It is highly literary and symbolic. 

It does not follow the same order or reproduce the same stories as the synoptic gospels. (Gospel According to John | Description, Authorship, & Facts | Britannica) 

The Book of Matthew differs from the other Gospels by the way it begins. From chapter 1, the first verse through Verse 16, it traces the genealogy of Jesus beginning with King David. Why? Matthew is trying to show the Jews that Jesus not only is the promised messiah but is truly in the line of King David. Luke also lists a gentile genealogy of Jesus beginning with the Book of Genesis and Adam.  

– Matthew is targeting the Jews and Israelis.  
– Luke targets the rest of humankind (Gentiles).  

The commonly accepted view, according to Halley’s Bible Handbook; 1965, is that Matthew gives Joseph’s family line, showing that Jesus is within the Abrahamic line, and Luke gives Mary’s blood line going back to Adam and Eve. Both show a Jewish heritage. Being politically incorrect but historically correct, the Jews crucified one of their own.  

In the early part of chapter one of Matthew, he refers to Jesus as Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. In Matthew’s later part of chapter 1, he also refers to him as Christ, Jesus, Immanuel. Next week… who really were the Wise-men who visited Jesus.  

NOTE: SYNOPTIC means “pertaining to or constituting a (common) synopsis; affording or taking a general view of the principal parts of a subject.” Matthew, Mark, and Luke are synoptic. The Book of John is one of the four Gospels but is not synoptic.  

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2024 

There are multiple sermons on this passage. Each one seems to have a slight, if not major, spin. We will delve into that which is not often emphasized in these sermons or Sunday School lessons.

Menorah. I spoke to a pastor in the parking lot of a major lumber company. He was so excited that he had finally discovered what he deemed as the meaning of the 9 candles of the Hanukkah Menorah. He was so off base it was obvious he had a very creative mind. What was concerning, the next day was Sunday. He was about to preach a falsehood. I wanted to offer him a coffee and try to explain his misunderstanding. A menorah during hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum. It is lit one candle one day at a time during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday, not nine. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash (“helper” or “servant”), which is used to light the other eight.” This is the only time of the year that the nine candle Menorah is used. The usual menorah has 7-candle holders.

What does a minister, S.S. teacher, or Bible study leader mean when s/he says, “The lamp”? We all know that a lamp or any form of light is to help one see his or her surroundings and the path. Here is the short of it…

^{Mark 4:21} And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed, is it? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? ²² For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” ²⁴ And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides. ²⁵ For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” [Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, in 1987. In the book A Kosher Christmas: ‘Tis the Season to Be Jewish]

Matthew begins this passage about the need for a lamp. Then he switches to hearing in the same statement. Why? Let’s look more closely at this parable.

“A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed, is it? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? 

Might this reflect our attitude and actions during our lifetime? We hide things by putting a lamp of exposure under a basket. Social, political, family, community, and too often, Christian lamps under the basket. Why? One may not wish to expose that which has been deliberately hidden. One thing is a ringer almost every time… Christian practices and witness. Some hide the fact of claiming to be Christian when outside of Christian circles.

The sentence at the end of verse 4:22 “…nothing is hidden that will not be revealed.” The obvious self-question is with this being so, why do we try to keep inner secrets? Dr. David Guzik adds… (commentary) “Some professing Christians have no root in themselves. Their root is some professing Christians have no root in themselves. Their root is in their parents, or in their Christian friends, or in their pastor, their church, or in enthusiastic surroundings...” Now we add from this passage, “He who has ears, let him hear.”

In this blog on ahabiblemoments, the above quotes are the roots of this parable. Some professing Christians have no roots. This means, s/he goes with the crowd and surroundings in which they find themselves. Some if not many people go to church for all the wrong reasons. They aren’t there to blend him or herself into the worship but to be seen or out of habit or tradition. They know little beyond the “stories” found in the Bible or preached from the pulpit. To them, that is what they are… stories or a Bible lesson to which they do not really hear what is being said.

The second part of Dr. Guzik’s comments tell us like it is. “These people’s roots are in their parents, or in their Christian friends, or in their pastor, or in enthusiastic surroundings.” Note what should be the elephant in this quote. There are no roots other than in others. When left on their own, who knows where they would be… neither do they. They have no Bible roots  other than what has been told them IF he or she listened. They have no time, desire, or claim to scripture because “they claim to not understand it.” What is there to understand…?

…“Some professing Christians have no root in themselves. Some professing Christians have no root in themselves. Their root is in their parents, or in their Christian friends, or in their pastor, or the church.” A more basic explanation, something left unread will never become knowledge. Understanding will always follow gained knowledge. Such a person is on thin ice with the sun shining brightly. Others require enthusiastic, dance to, stunning, and emotional sermons. Once their light losses the emotion, it loses its purpose as a light.

ALERT: This takes us to the final sentence in this parable. WE close this blog with another Dr. Guzik quote from his commentary on the Book of Mark, chapter 4:21-25…

“With the same measure (of effort to hear) we use, it will be measured to you: This is why it is important to take heed what you hear. God will respond to us as we have responded to Him, His word, and others.” Just as in the Lord’s Prayer, Forgive us just as we forgive others. Yes, this means forgiving ALL who have offended us. The Lord’s Prayer leaves no room for selective forgiveness. That is the standard with which God will forgive us.

Rev Dr Jstark – 2024

NOTE: The Book of Mark is perceived by many Bible scholars to be the first book written of the New Testament books. They feel that Luke and Matthew followed, reflecting on what Mark wrote. Luke, possibly of non-Jewish heritage, but a Gentile doctor, and Matthew, a Jew who wrote to the Jews of his time, were possibly written after the Book of Mark. We are NOT going to argue for an alternative sequence of New Testament books. All the New Testament books were written; inspired by God through the Holy Spirit to be read. One thing is certain, the New Testament was written AFTER Christ’s birth, life, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to heaven. The early church, not having the New Testament, relied mostly on the book of Isaiah.

The Book of Mark is filled with parables. We know many of them by attending church, but, depth perception comes from listening to these sermons. Listening to understand is why Jesus used parables. Intense listening helps with understanding. One can hear without grasping the meaning of a parable. Some of Jesus’ parables cover more than the obvious. We will offer some of the “between the lines” meanings, implications, and understandings in our series on the Book of Mark. One may be amazed with what is there.

Mark begins his New Testament gospel by identifying Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus had already been crucified and returned to heaven some 30 to 35 years earlier. It was somewhere between 55 and 65 A.D.

GOD is… (Genesis 1:26)
Father – Jesus – Holy Spirit

NOTE: This verse does NOT use the plural (Images). It is singular – Image. This is an example of how we are made in the three-part image of God… BODY, MIND, & SOUL.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our image; …”

Mankind is… (Genesis 1:26)
Mind – Body– Spirit (soul)

During this time, the Romans tended to associate this new religion of Christianity as an offshoot of Judaism. They treated Christians with the same distain as the Jews (Israelites).

Mark writes in verses 4-11 of the calling of John the Baptist and then his baptism of Jesus.  Mark then follows with the temptations of Jesus in the Wilderness by none other than Satan. Here follows something rarely addressed… verses 29 to 30:

Mark 1:29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of *Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 

Mark 1:30  Now *Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him (Jesus) about her. *Simon is Simon Peter. This means Peter was in fact married.

Mark 1:31  And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 

Yes… Ahamoment: Jesus healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Peter was married to her daughter.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2024

(November 2024) The USA is divided, almost to the point of OPEN rebellion and/or assassination of anyone s/he does not want as a ruler. This is nothing new in world history. One can read of past rulers. But… what does the Bible say about obeying earthly authorities?

This short article will not review the historical aspects of assassins. There are far too many reaching across a world of different events. It began in Genesis when Cain assassinated his brother Able (Genesis 4). Such things continue to this very day.

We will restrict this discussion to a current and very recent event, that of President-elect Donald J Trump. Why? This will not take sides but look at it as says scripture. Even an election of, for, and by the People may not satisfy those on opposing sides. In the USA, rebellion, being hateful or nasty, or plotting/planning has become an almost expected way of getting one’s personal way. When antichrist is finally in power, all rules change. This world is in the throes of paving a pathway for antichrist.

We will begin with the most obvious:

Daniel 2:21(Daniel is explaining a dream he had from God). It is He (Jesus) who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men…”  This is how God directs world events that lead up to the second coming of Jesus. “Kings” in this verse is Melech. This word is Chaldean/Hebrew meaning a ruler; one in authority. For those with inquiring minds… Daniel 2:21 (Click on this verse) והוא H1932 מהשׁנא H8133 עדניא H5732 וזמניא H2166 מהעדה H5709 מלכין H4430 ומהקים H6966 מלכין H4430 יהב H3052 חכמתא H2452 לחכימין H2445 ומנדעא H4486 לידעי H3046 בינה׃ H999 PS: Read this Hebrew/Chaldean from right-to-left😊. The Hebrew Strong’s concordance numbers, H???? is listed to facilitate the readers curiosity of original language of Daniel 2:21.

This does not mean to obey all of those in charge even if s/he claims to be Christian. True Christians are to obey the law unless it conflicts with the Bible; not some self-identifying religious plank that is referenced as Christian. EXAMPLE: God called Nebuchadnezzar his servant long before he became a believer in Daniel’s God. That didn’t happen until Daniel 4. Also reference:  Jeremiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1; Ezekiel 29:18–2. Click on any of these references.

Human authority and God allowed rulers does not mean they are followers of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit… They are setup and taken down so that man fulfills God’s plans for his creation. (click on Romans 13:1-2). A great verse to acknowledge is found in Isaiah 45:1…

Cyrus, God’s Instrument

“Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:… “ Note that this verse does not say that Cyrus the Great grasped the hand of God, but God grasped the hand Cyrus to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed. All this so that God’s Will is in mind, not that of Cyrus. This means the election of Trump, possibly his protection from assassination attempts, is so that God’s influence, not Trump’s will, is done.

What does this mean or have to do with the recent elections in the USA? No person, good or bad, can rule unless God allows it. This is difficult to accept other then by faith. Go back and re-read our ahabiblemoment articles on End Time. The time is unknown to mankind. Scripture tells us about the end time events. Scripture does not timestamp them. What is true of scripture is “God sets up and God takes down”.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2024

Ahabiblemoments has mentioned the following before. A warning that one must be cautious of where s/he gets her Bible information. The best source, of course, is a deep study of the Bible itself. But then, there are so many translations, even that can “leave out” or “add” incorrect information called translation. Today is a very brief article but ever so significant.

We have mentioned multiple times that during our research, Wikipedia has either falsified or modified its spin of Bible histories and events. We found another source giving, not a warning, but a statement as regards to one when using Wikipedia as a reference or source of personal studies… especially the Bible. Following is a direct statement from plagiarism consultant Jonathan Baily. He is discussing V.P. Harris’ 2009 book about Being Smart on Crime. His article is NOT just a finger point at her. It is about Wikipedia.

“To be clear, (what she did) is plagiarism. It is compounded by the fact that Wikipedia is typically not seen as a reliable source, and, according to Weber, there was an error in the information” Baily wrote.”

Plagiarism is one thing but our concern at ahabiblemoments.com is the Wikipedia errors found within the text itself that was plagiarized. The sole purpose of this week’s brief article is to recognize that Wikipedia tends to distort Bible scripture. We at ahabiblemoments.com have discovered this on multiple occasions. If one takes their word for Bible research or explanation, s/he SHOULD seek a secondary and a different source that leads to supporting what Wikipedia (internet) states. This is especially true in Bible Studies.

We at ahabiblemoment use a three-step process. If we see something of possible reader interest, we call it awareness. If we find a secondary reference to the same thing, we call it gaining knowledge. If we find a third supporting source, PLUS, it fits with our understanding of the Bible subject, it just may find that information within one of our blog articles.

Have a great weekend. May God richly bless your studies of His Holy Word.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2024, November

School children in Israel learn an ancient Jewish tradition about the disappearance of the Lost Tribes who crossed a mysterious river named Sambatyon. But, if in old times and if they ask where that river may be, their teachers could not tell them.  It is not on any map, until now.  Prior to the Noahtic flood, the Black Sea was NOT connected to the Sea of Marmara, or the Mediterranean Sea. its location might help in the search for the Tribe of Ephraim. This strait is the result of the Great Flood receding. The Black Sea was once fresh water sea about 400 feet below its current sea level.

A.   Jewish  religious tradition 

          The tradition about the Sambatyon goes back to sacred Jewish texts. According to these it is a very unusual river.  For example Rabbi Akiva is reported to have said that  “. . .  the river Sambat­yon carries stones the whole week but allows them to rest on the Sabbath”.  Rabbi Nachmanides wrote: ” . . .  it is called Sabbatyon because of its rest on the Sabbath.” More star­tling, if less consistent, details are given in classical sources, as well as in medieval writings.

          Certainly, there are rivers which stop when they dry up in summer; but such changes are season­al, not weekly. At most river mouths the incoming tide may block the out-flowing waters; but such interruptions occur roughly twice a day. What sort of a river would stop once a week?  It has eluded the efforts of rabbis and other explorers to find a river with anything remote­ly resembling the peculiarities described per the Sabbatyon and the Bosphorus. Today the quest continues but is assumed it to be the mysterious Bosphorus Strait. Note: sometimes spelled Bosporus.

         There is a body of water with unusual characteristics. The Cimmerians are a group of migrants connected with the Assyrian dispersion of the northern ten tribes of Israel. It is the Bosphorus. For it is the only route by which the Lydians could have driven the Cimmerians out of Asia Minor. The Lydian Empire had reached its maximum dimensions by then. Covering western Asia Minor, its eastern boundary simply led to other countries in Asia Minor, while its other boundaries were all maritime. The only nearby land outside the region was Thrace, just across the Bosphorus. Further evidence for this point of exit may be seen in the fact that the next stage in Cimmerian history occurred in southeast Eu­rope. Might one conclude that this is also the hinterlands to where the Assyrians drove some of the conquered Northern Tribes of Israel?

B.     How the Bosphorus stops flowing weekly 

          The Bos­phorus is the strait through which the waters of the Black Sea rush past Istanbul toward the Aegean Sea. About once a week the current slows down drastically, stops or even reverses; the inter­rup­tion may last for a day or more. It is a real hazard for sailors, as can be seen in the pilot’s hand­book put out by the British Admiralty for this area.

          The phenomenon was known to navigators in classical times.  Strabo mentioned it: “. . . the strait at Byzantium [the Bosphorus] . . . as Hipparchus reports, it even stands still sometimes.”  (Strabo, Geography 1.3.12) 

          It must have been on the basis of this knowledge that the Greeks were able to sail into the Black Sea for trade and coloniza­tion.  Further back in history during the 400 years of Egyptian captivity, the captive Tribe of Dan was their trade-by-sea crews. Danites [Tribe of Dan] had established trading posts for Egypt along the coast of the Black Sea. Since the Bosphorus current averages about three miles an hour, it would have been close to impossible to navigate up the Bos­phorus most days. It is supposed that Greek ships would wait at the southern end — for days at a time if necessary — until the current stopped or reversed. Then sail up it to the Black Sea in just a few hours.

          These water flow effects do not recur on any fixed day of the week, but they do happen about once a week. One series of observations during a period from April through September yielded an average of 4.8 days per month. In other words during that particular half-year they occurred on average every 6 days and 8 hours. In different seasons the average might be once a week.

          These characteristics of the Bosphorus are rather like those of the legendary Sambatyon, without being exactly the same.  In both cases the current stops, it also reverses.  In both cases the periodicity is approximately weekly; but in the second one it is exactly so and occurs always on the same day of the week (Bosphorus).

          The significance of this simi­larity can best be evaluated considering another point found in tradition. 

C.    How the huge stones were stilled 

          According to Jewish tradition stones come to rest in the “Sambatyon” on the Sabbath.   A parallel may be seen in the Greek legend of the Argonauts i.e., Minyans. In those days such legends were part of every-day conversation. This is the best-known tradition about the Bosphorus. Anyone crossing it would be likely to hear the story referred to by boatmen and other local inhabitants.

          An important feature of the story is a pair of giant rocks at the entrance to the strait from the Black Sea. Today they are still a peril to shipping. According to the tradition, they were so loosely emplaced that they would on occasion strike each other; hence their name — Sym­plegadae (means Clashers). Boats attempting to sail between them might be smashed to pieces.

          It had been prophesied that the rocks would come to rest only if and when heroes would successfully pass through them. This condition was fortunately fulfilled when Jason and his Argonauts passed through in search of the Golden Fleece.  Their ship, the “Argo”, sustained only slight damage; and the rocks are said then to have become sta­tionary. According to the legend, the water link between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea was thereby opened to naviga­tors from that time forth.

          In this case a connection appears between the religious tradition about the Sambatyon and the Greek legend about the Bosphorus. What they have in common is the concept of rocks coming to rest. 

 D.   The location was forgotten until now

          If the body of water in question is now known as the Bosphorus, how did it lose the name of Sambatyon? The probable answer is that Bosphorus — a word with Greek roots — was applied to the strait by Greek traders and colonists, who began to penetrate the area in the *7^th century. Their presence then increased only gradually. The Cimmerians must have crossed late in the 7^th or early in the 6^th century B.C. Accordingly, they are likely to have heard from the local inhabitants an older pre-Greek name — Sambatyon.

*This coincides remarkably well with the 722 B.C. first dispersions of the northern ten Tribes of Israel by the Assyrians. Many fled the invasion of the Assyrians.

          When information about the scrabbling Israeli crossing reached Jerusalem [Juda], no one there may have known where it was.  Neither Sambatyon nor Bosphorus are mentioned in the Old Testament.  After all, it is more than 500 miles away to the northwest. But why was its loca­tion not found out through inquiry?

          One reason could be the state of weakness and confusion then reigning in Jerusalem.  The date when the Cimmerians crossed coincided approximately with the deportations to Babylon in the 6^th century of the norther tribes of Israel. The First Temple was destroyed. In these terrible circum­stances information coming from any group of exiles from the northern kingdom, lacked unity or desire to get help Judah. The Babylonian exile would have taken priority in the minds of the people of the south­ern kingdom of Judah. The northern ten Tribes of Israel were already dispersed by the Assyrians. Thousands of these people fled north of the northern Kingdom to escape the Assyrian brutalities. By the time of the return from Babylon, led by Ezra and Nehemiah, Greek influence and, with it, Greek names were spreading throughout the east Mediterranean area.  This would include the Greeks calling the Sambatyon by its Greek name … Bosphorus.

          Meanwhile, the Ephraimite escapees too were losing contact with their old home. Some escaped Assyrian deportations by fleeing toward what eventually became known as S.E. Europe. On the other side of the Bos­phorus they were entering a different world of Celtic and other tribes.  From there very little news about them reached Israel. The Sam­batyon — wherever it might be — came to be known in Jerusalem as an unknown place the escapees had last been heard from before tribal Israeli contacts faded out. This is when the northern Israelite Tribes began to lose connection with their native tribal names.

          Confirmation of this identification of the Sambatyon can be found in a Christian source a thousand years later. *Jerome, died in Bethlehem. He recorded a local tradition that some of the lost tribes were at the Bosphorus.  * Born  around 347 current era in Stridon, Dalmatia and died on September 30, 420 in Bethlehem, Palestine.

          Certainly, there is a differ­ence between a river that stops on average about once a week and one that does so exactly on the Sabbath. Nevertheless, so far as the frequency of stop­ping is concerned, they are much more similar to each other than to any other known rivers or straits. After all, how many rivers or straits are there in the world that stop anywhere close to once a week?

          Not only can the remarkable behavior of the strait current be explained, but also the movement of the stones. And the disap­pearance of the name can be ac­counted for too.  

Ahabiblemoments – 2024

First four trumpets target nature

Trumpet #5 & 6 target mankind

Trumpet #7 is the return of Jesus with the pouring out of the 7 final vials/bowls of judgment.

Verses on the Morning Star/Light, our Jesus Christ:

Numbers 24:17 (NIV) “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel…”

Matthew 2:2 (NIV) and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:7-10 (NIV) Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Luke 1:76-79 (NIV) [Zechariah concerning John:] “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

John 1:7-9 (NIV) He [John] came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Isaiah 9:2 (NIV) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Matthew 4:16 (NIV) “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

Isaiah 60:1-2 (NIV) “Arise, shine, for your light [Jesus] has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”

John 8:12 (NIV) Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

Numbers 24:17 (NIV) “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel…”

Matthew 2:2 (NIV) and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:7-10 (NIV) Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Luke 1:76-79 (NIV) [Zechariah concerning John:] “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

John 1:7-9 (NIV) He [John] came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Isaiah 9:2 (NIV) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Matthew 4:16 (NIV) “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

Isaiah 60:1-2 (NIV) “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”

John 8:12 (NIV) Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

2Peter 1:19 (NIV) And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Revelation 2:28 (NIV) I will also give him the morning star.

Revelation 22:16 (NIV) “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

Something Extra about stars and spirits:

In the Scriptures we find that stars are often used to refer to persons, rulers, and angels. Jacob’s son Joseph has a dream in which his parents are pictured as “the sun and the moon” and his brothers as “stars.” Angels are referred to as “morning stars.” Babylon’s king is spoken of as aiming to be above “the stars of God,” the Davidic rulers of the nation of Israel. Unstable men in the Christian congregation are likened to “stars with no set course,” whereas faithful bodies of congregation elders are mentioned as being “stars” in the right hand of Christ.

This means the star that guided the MAGI very well could be an angel.

Angels are also identified as spirits; that which is spirit is invisible and powerful. We read: “A spirit came out and stood before Jehovah”; “Are they not all spirits for public service?” Having invisible spiritual bodies, they make their abode “in the heavens.” They are also termed “sons of the true God,” “morning stars,” and “holy myriads” (or “holy ones”). Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Deuteronomy 33:2

“When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:7 NKJV) The angels appear to be linked with the very stars of heaven.

· John MacArthur comments on the reference to morning stars, “Morning stars … sons of God. The angelic realm, God’s ministering spirits.” (Job 38:7 MacArthur Study Bible)
· The Pulpit Commentary: “The sons of God’ here must necessarily be the angels (see Job 1:6; 2:1), since there were no men as yet in existence.” (Job 38:7)
· Matthew Henry’s Commentary: “When the morning-stars sang together, the blessed angels (the first-born of the Father of light), who, in the morning of time, shone as brightly as the morning star … They were the sons of God, who shouted for joy when they saw the foundations of the earth laid … The angels are called the sons of God because they bear much of his image.” (Job 38:4-11)
· The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary: “They are symbols of the angels, bearing the same relation to our earth as angels do to us.” (Job 38:7)
· Barnes’ Commentary: “There can be little doubt that angelic beings are intended here, though some have thought that the stars literally are referred to, and that they seemed to unite in a chorus of praise when an- other world was added to their number.” (Job 38:7 Barnes’ Notes)
· Adam Clarke’s Commentary: “[When the morning stars sang together] This must refer to some intelligent beings who existed before the creation of the visible heavens and earth: and it is supposed that this and the following clause refer to the same beings; that by the sons of God, and the morning stars, the angelic host is meant, as they are supposed to be first, though perhaps not chief, in the order of creation. For the latter clause the Chaldee has, ‘All the troops of angels.’ Perhaps their creation may be included in the term heavens, Genesis 1:1: ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ These witnessed the progress of the creation; and, when God had finished his work, celebrated his wisdom and power in the highest strains.” (Job 38:7 Adam Clarke’s Commentary)
· The Keil and Delitzsch Commentary: “Then no human being was present, for man was not yet created; the angels, however, beheld with rejoicing the founding of the place of the future human family … for the angels were created before the visible world … the angels, who proceeded from God by a mode of creation which is likened to begetting.” (Job 38:4-7

· The Biblical Illustrator: “My angels,’ God says to us, ‘are morning stars’” (Job 38:7)
· Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines: “Job 38:7 refers to the rejoicing of the angels when God created the universe.” (Job 38:1-42:6 Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines)
· UBS handbook Series states, “Sons of God, which matches morning stars, refers to the angels, or more generally “heavenly beings.’” (Job 38:7 UBS handbook Series)
· IVP Bible background Commentary: “The morning stars (usually planets such as Mars and Venus) were worshiped as divine beings in the ancient Near East and were personified as part of the heavenly hosts in Israel. In the context of Job 38, these “stars” are parallel to the created angelic beings.” (Job 38:7 The IVP Bible background Commentary)
· The New American Commentary: “Some see a parallelism here that would make “morning stars” synonymous with “angels.” (Job 38:7 The New American Commentary)

Ahabiblemoments.com – Posted October 2024

When Muslims approach 10% of the population, they tend to increase lawlessness as a means to force compliance.

In Paris, we are already seeing car-burnings. Any non Muslim action offends Islam, and results in uprisings and threats, such as in Amsterdam, with opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films about Islam. Such tensions are seen daily, particularly in Muslim sections, in:

Guyana — Muslim 10%

India — Muslim 13.4%

Israel — Muslim 16%

Kenya — Muslim 10%

Russia — Muslim 15%

After reaching 20%, nations can expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings, and the burnings of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues, such as in:

Ethiopia — Muslim 32.8% *Ethiopia is generally considered a Christian nation)

At 40%, nations experience widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks, and on-going militia warfare, such as in:

Bosnia — Muslim 40%

Chad — Muslim 53.1%

Lebanon — Muslim 59.7%

From 60%, nations experience unfettered persecution of non-believers of all other religions (including non-conforming Muslims), sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of Sharia Law as a weapon, and Jizya, the tax placed on infidels, such as in:

Albania — Muslim 70%

Malaysia — Muslim 60.4%

Qatar — Muslim 77.5%

Sudan — Muslim 70%

After 80%, expect daily intimidation and violent jihad, some State-run ethnic cleansing, and even some genocide, as these nations drive out the infidels, and move toward 100% Muslim, such as has been experienced and in some ways is on-going in:

Any religious or government function or religious practice NOT ordained by Islamic standards is considered infidel.

Bangladesh — Muslim 83%

Egypt — Muslim 90%

Gaza — Muslim 98.7%

Indonesia — Muslim 86.1%

Iran — Muslim 98%

Iraq — Muslim 97%

Jordan — Muslim 92%

Morocco — Muslim 98.7%

Pakistan — Muslim 97%

Palestine — Muslim 99%

Syria — Muslim 90%

Tajikistan — Muslim 90%

Turkey — Muslim 99.8% [NOTE: This is territory where the early Christian Church established many churches. The Apostle Paula had a major impact within what we now call Turkey]

United Arab Emirates — Muslim 96%

100% will usher in the peace of ‘Dar-es-Salaam’ — the Islamic House of Peace.. Here there’s supposed to be peace, because everybody is a Muslim, the Madrassas are the only schools, and the Koran is the only word, such as in:

Afghanistan — Muslim 100%

Saudi Arabia — Muslim 100%

Somalia — Muslim 100%

Yemen — Muslim 100%

Unfortunately, peace is never achieved, as in these 100% states the most radical Muslims intimidate and spew hatred, and satisfy their blood lust by killing less radical Muslims, for a variety of reasons. To kill infidels makes one a hero-type.

‘Before Dr. Peter Hammond was nine years old, he had learned the basic canon of Arab life. It was him against his brother; him and his brother against their father; his family against their cousins and the clan; the clan against the tribe; the tribe against the world, and all against the infidel. — Leon Uris, ‘The Haj’

It is important to understand that in some countries, with well under 100% Muslim populations, such as France, the minority Muslim populations live in ghettos, within which they are 100% Muslim, and within which they live by Sharia Law. This is an unspoken but tolerated reality within Metro Detroit. To even associate with an infidel is considered a high crime by Sharia Law.

The national police do not even enter these ghettos. There are no national courts, nor schools, nor non-Muslim religious facilities. In such situations, Muslims do not integrate into the community at large. The children attend Madrassas (schools). They learn only the Koran. To even associate with an infidel is a crime punishable with death.

Therefore, in some areas of certain nations, Muslim Imams and extremists exercise more power than the national average would indicate.

Today’s 1.5 billion Muslims make up 22% of the world’s population. But their birth rates dwarf the birth rates of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, and all other believers.

Muslims will exceed 50% of the world’s population by the end of this century.

Adapted from Dr. Peter Hammond’s book: Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and a very real Contemporary Threat.