At last the time had come. The Throne of the stellar heavens around which galaxies are suspended orbiting their appointed course, it is here that our Heavenly Father beholds the face of His Ever-Subservient Son for the last time in His present form. Anticipated by GOD, long before He created the stars, angels or men, the time had finally come for The Creator of Life to exchange His very being and become “the Christ of God” to restore the Sabbath Rest of His Father: the universal peace and joy that was stolen from Him through the rise of greed in the mind of Lucifer, the once great and holy angel who alone introduced the concept of war to assault the holy tranquility GOD provided to all living things, “In the beginning.” Through Christ, holy angels and men are now provided with a future and a hope to enter once again the Father’s joyful Rest. But, there came a cost—a Ransom had to be paid. Our Creator had to conquer sin’s jurisdiction of death over life to restore the severed companionship that Satan's government of theft, lies and murder (in other words sin) has wrought between the Father and His children. And there was only one way man’s deliverance could be achieved: GOD could only redeem what man is by becoming what man is in order to bring man to Him where He is. This was the purpose of Jesus Christ.

       To behold the unfathomable love expressed in their final united gaze communicates a depth of wisdom all eternity shall never fully unfold. Although the manner of this Holy Severing of the Father and Son is unknown to mortal men all may be sure of the supreme beauty of its carriage. Christ spoke the Word, making audible the Father's thoughts, and the supreme humiliation began: a fantastic metamorphosis from a life blessed with Omnipotence, accompanied with the Omniscience of the Father, and the Omnipresence of the Holy Spirit, to one of powerless, unknowing, and stationary kind. This magnificent transformation ushers GOD Himself to a threshold of life common to us all. With a spectrum of humiliation inconceivable in its scope, “the LORD our Maker” steps down from the throne of His Eternal Glory, (whose radiance could surpass the brightest star). But now, His Glory is fading, scaling downward, reducing itself to a momentary pinpoint of light; and carried from the heavenly courts by the Holy Spirit it is then married to a little fertile egg in the womb of the most honored of women trapped in sin: Mary, descendant of David, king of Israel.

       Within the protective sanctuary of Mary's womb the Artless Embryo of Emmanuel strives to advance in stature securing the title of fetus. Wholly Dependent upon His own creation for life’s procreation, the unborn King has but one inaudible prayer during these early moments of His new life, and His mother instinctively responds, her body naturally answers in motherly tenderness providing every needed nutrient for continued life. As Fetus Jesus grows, waxing strong, as so many have before Him, in a unique phase of His development there is revealed a little stubby tail and even nonessential gills, declaring His relation to all of Earth’s life. This thoughtful display of affection for the simple life quickly matures beyond—toward the likeness of the Divine Image of GOD in man. How wonderful is the gift for man to have the very shape and form of “the Creator of heaven and earth.”

       Mary and Joseph stand in awe, wondering of the destiny of the Little King flourishing within. Every wind of doctrine is blowing. Through the minds and tongues of the populace stream forth a wonderful list of possibilities: all of which evade the reality of man’s sin-depraved soul in need of reconciliation to holiness: a divine reunion with GOD’S Holy Spirit. But the celebrated tutoring, strictly enforced by the church of Judaism, luring through pride the consent of all, is the very religious system that will compel the rape of the dignity of that Divine Life now within the womb.

       The life of Earth has suffered four thousand years of heartache and anguish. History is littered with affliction of every conceivable kind. Shouldn't Jesus have come to our world before now? Why now? "When the fullness of the time was come, GOD sent forth His Son...to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." The world was in utmost urgency now. The people were ripe for the promised King, for the degradation of godliness in the leaders of Israel had reached its lowest valley through the pharisaical laws: strict lists of do’s and don’ts: a thousand rules outside of GOD’S boundaries clearly identified in Scripture. To wait any longer and the Biblically contradictive religion would have cost the lives of the few faithful people left among GOD’S "peculiar treasure," the family of Abraham; for the religious leaders were paving the way for the utter destruction of their nation. As was prophesied by Daniel and Jesus, in 70 A.D., the Roman armies of Titus besieged Jerusalem while every devout Jew was there, attending the Mosaic feast. History tells us that not one Christian perished in the siege thanks to the prophetic warning given by Jesus to all who desire His promise, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day.”

       At the time of Christ’s 1st Advent the Jews of Judea could descend no lower in their apostasy against GOD. And yet, neither were the people’s expectations higher. Now was the time for man to ascend to the knowledge of GOD'S Greatest Blessing to the human race: the restoration of Utopian life through the “Messiah.” “The LORD thy GOD turned the curse into a blessing unto thee because the LORD thy GOD loved thee.” Nearly two thousand years ago the Gospel could then be spread as fire in the dry tinder, and swiftly could it run through the civilization of men.

As in the days of the tower of Babel, as in the days of the birth of Jesus, just as today, existed a world-dominant government with one dominant language, striving to unite all people under one banner, yet living in rebellion against GOD through flagrant disobedience to His Sacred Law: the only Law where we are safe in one another’s care. The oppressive church that was teaching salvation by works founded on the carnal lust of pride and Biblical apostasy was about to be swept away. But one last chance was to be given to the leaders of Judea, though it would be spurned, for spiritual suicide became the eternal demand of the rabbinical priesthood.

       GOD must always submit to the decisions welded to the hearts of men. His gift of a freewill can never take away. This alone explains every hardship we see in this world. But not all decisions reek of foolish impulse and biased opinions. There are multitudes that no man can number those who hunger with fervent petitions for truth. Among them includes a group of shepherds tending their flocks on the night of His birth. They have prayed for the Messiah to come and have studied the Scriptures to understand decisively the Event of the Ages. To these lowly shepherds GOD gives a personal invitation to attend the birth of “his only begotten son.” The intellectuals are passed by. The wealthy are passed by. The theologians are passed by. How often the ones who are considered least on earth become the most blessed of GOD, as it is written, "The LORD thy GOD turned the curse into a blessing unto thee because the LORD thy GOD loved thee." The astounding display of singing heavenly angels shown only to these shepherds might have included the whole nation of Judea. But Satan (the avowed adversary of life) will ever exert every fiber of his being to eclipse the Light from Heaven’s Throne, ushering the human race to its ruin through his temptations of deception leading to universal ruin. And his success is evident by the flood of lawlessness found within the religions of the world and even the secular science outside the profession of faith: deeds that are literally smothering the life of earth to its eventual extinction. On this point, current religion and atheism stand as one. The path of man under Satan’s jurisdiction is truly the path of suicide. And without Christ’s victory on our behalf none would escape the tide of evil that is literally drowning the life of Earth to its extinction.

       Upon hearing of the Advent of the Messiah, the shepherds expect an exaltation of Jesus by the whole nation of Judea. ‘Surely,’ they say, ‘the chosen people of GOD will soon be joining in song with the grand multitude of adoring angels.’ A thought with anticipation of grandeur fills their hearts. They believe that the Messiah will surely be found in the greatest of palaces, and be accepted in the embrace of all the people, adoring Him through loving service in every phase of His ministry on Earth. But GOD does not allow them to continue on this path of deception brought about by their own vulnerable understanding and gullibility to the popular teachings of the day. He commands the angel to tell them plainly that their Saviour is to be found in the most unimaginable of thrones: the feeding trough in a barn. The rejection of Jesus Christ started at His very birth and in constant crescendo led right to His death.

       But the beasts of the manger accepted Him. The little healthy baby they witnessed entering the world of breath and conscious awareness was He Who Created all things, including those pondering beasts. It was the power attending His Word, "In the beginning" that inaugurated the creation of life itself. Over 800 verses of the Bible exalt Christ as the Creator of all things: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.”

       And there is only one Commandment of the Ten that honors Christ as Creator: the Commandment where GOD enters His rest and joy on every seventh day knowing He has provided everything that will meet the needs of His children forever. Sin threatened the removal of the 4th Commandment, robbing from GOD the joy of His Rest. But through the Gospel, Jesus Christ has restored the joy of the Sabbath. “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” In these words are seen no indication of alteration.

       In the 4th Commandment alone lies “the seal of God.” As the seals of kings through history show the traits of rulership, so likewise the 4th Commandment contains the seal of Christ: His Name, His Title, His Authority, and His Domain. But unlike the other nine Commandments there is nothing tangible about the seventh day Sabbath: no signs in the heavens, nor in the seasons, nor any physical evidence proving its authenticity. The other Commandments are readily verified through tangible means, but the seventh day Sabbath of the 4th Commandment is a day where the disciple of Christ rests entirely on faith in GOD’S Word to bring to pass what He has said He will do, allowing Him to carry forward the victory in our lives. When the Family of the Redeemed stand in Glory the wonderful words will be fulfilled, “He alone shall be exalted in that day.”

       Jesus Christ has ever been and will ever be the Companion of the human race. This is why the ancient prophet Isaiah called Him the “Everlasting Father.” The nation of Israel whom GOD had ordained the privilege of being the ones to herald the Advent of the Messiah, in its true light, the very ones GOD tirelessly cared for, for 1,875 years that they might recognize and embrace His Son when He would come to stand among them, forfeit the most precious blessing given to men and passed it to others—the lowly shepherds. Even the beasts around the manger were more blessed than the religious leaders on the day Christ entered our world.

       That evening there arose a star. A beacon to all who would grasp, visible before everyone. An angel cries out, ‘Behold the star! Who will search out the meaning and understand?’ Tears well up. ‘Will no one on their own seek the coming of the promised Saviour?’ Then, suddenly, voices are astir in the east, hundreds of miles from the Promised Land. The question arises among the wise men of the east, ‘What manner of star is this that is new to the heavens? All the other stars cross the sky while only this one stands still.’ A meeting of minds begins: a collective effort to research the truth compels the wisest of men within view of the star of Bethlehem. None more learned to the north. None wiser to the south. None more teachable to the west. What constitutes wisdom? "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." The character of those who respond to the affectionate tugs of the Holy Spirit’s “still, small voice” are as trusting little children, building their understanding by giving equal attention to the things of importance.

       The "wise men of the east" were truly precious servants in the sight of GOD for they faithfully carried forward His work of salvation. The gross darkness covering the earth's population was no different then than today. Yet GOD ordained these men to disperse His Light. Who were these men? They were wealthy in modest fashion. They were philosophers who thirsted after GOD for His gift of understanding. They were leaders, judging with equity among their people. They were astronomers, appreciating the points of light in the midst of a canopy of darkness. They were charitable, ever exerting to meet the needs of the poverty stricken. And they fulfilled the words of the great Apostle Paul concerning the salvation of all Gentiles. Paul writes, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law [a personal knowledge of the Ten Commandments], do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness." These words teach that millions of people who never heard the name of Jesus: American Indians, Africans, Asians, Islanders, people from all walks of life throughout the history of mankind will one day be raised from the grave to live with the “King of kings” forever. At that time they will discover for the first time GOD'S great plan of redemption. This is verified by the prophecy yet to be fulfilled, “And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands?” These many people who lived up to the light of their understanding, embracing the Spirit of GOD, welding to their hearts the comfort and joy of His love and companionship, refusing to violate their conscience concerning His leading in their lives, detesting all actions of a sinful nature including their own by shunning their usage, these will be saved to "everlasting life."

       Why then did Christ give the command to His Church, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come?” The prevailing ignorance and superstitions which are far too often united with arrogance and tyranny. To the humble among men GOD desires them to understand the traps of betrayal that have been set before them. The threat is so real that Christ gave this warning: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.” Without GOD’S divine intervention in every moment of man’s history, without GOD’S miraculous preservation of the apostolic manuscripts of the Holy Bible to instruct, lead and guide in the lives of men, none would escape the evil schemes of Satan, who always mingles GOD’S truth with his lies, virtue with his temptations, compassion with his betrayal.

       The Magi were not magicians by our definition of the word. Many words with beautiful meanings in their original intent become polluted, and eclipse the value of their foundation. The term "yada-yada" that swept through the humor circles, becoming popular in the American vocabulary has its origin in the Hebrew language, whose original meaning is endearing. The once precious word becomes insulting to its origin. Another popular term often used when anything distasteful is confronted is the word, Ish. Ish in Hebrew means Adam. The Premier Father of the human race is dishonored in the demeaning use of his name.

       These wise men of the east were masterful in their study of GOD’S lessons. They alone translated the occurrence of this new star of Bethlehem into its true meaning, which in turn persuaded their decision to act. Where did the wise men of the east discover their understanding? In the book of Isaiah the prophet it is written, "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD and read; no one of these shall fail." These wise men of the east did seek and read from the book of the LORD, and they did not fail. The Magi read these words of the prophet Baalim found in the Book of Numbers, "He hath said, which heard the words of GOD, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see Him, but not now: I shall behold Him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth." After the Magi’s prayerful study and subsequent conviction, GOD inspired them to seek “the great Prince.” In their persevering faith in GOD to open the treasures of truth before them, the strength of will that led them to explore also led them to the answer GOD desired for them.

       A great danger exists where multitudes of GOD'S children have blindly trusted others to interpret the Scriptures for them. Devoid of harnessing Biblical truth for themselves, they show a lazy trust in the opinions of others. Forever bound and chained to the pride and prejudice of another, while hoping and falsely believing that GOD would not allow their being misled to their ruin. But Jesus said, “Let no man take thy crown.” This is where the wisdom of choice must shine its light. There is a desperate need for people to cry to GOD for truth, to set them free from the shackles of misconception concerning Scripture and the character of GOD! Had the Magi trusted to the “scholars” of Judaism for truth they never would have honored “the Christ of GOD.” Likewise with the Age of Reformation in the Church. Had the Great Reformers such as Wycliff, Huss, Luther, Tyndale, Wesley, Calvin, and Knox trusted to the traditional teachings of the self-styled "Mother Church,” the Bible’s definition of “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” would never have come to light in the minds of men. Literally centuries have passed with Biblically illiterate men on the religious throne with GOD’S truth continually and willfully held back. GOD ordained the Reformation simply due to the historical fact that in the year 1229 Pope Gregory IX decreed the Bible to be forbidden to the common man. This moment where prideful men buried the Word of GOD was the summit of the Dark Ages. And without the great reformers, (many of whom would lay down their lives by imprisonment, sword and fire), this dogma of suppressing the written words of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would still be held today. Make no mistake: we owe our right to even own a Bible to the tens of hundreds of thousands of faithful martyrs of Jesus Christ just as it was prophesied: “And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and he shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws.” “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, tongues, and nations.”

       Precious truth, which should have brought reform and tears of humility in the church, has only been used to foster pride. Biblical humility calls for whole churches to repent and reform: to remove the notion that their mere personal tastes in worship and doctrine are somehow the measuring stick of GOD’S requirements. For many of our religious leaders to confess their sins before GOD and apologize before men would be too humiliating. The value placed on their religion and reputation stands above obedience to the GOD they claim to serve. They only worship a religion of their own devising not “pure religion and undefiled before God.” On this they stake their reputation.

         “But [Christ] made himself of no reputation.” Behold the humiliation of Christ! He did not refuse the honor that comes through humiliation. Pride did not shut His ears to the cacophony of woe emanating from this world: the continual cry from trillions of suffering creatures that only GOD can hear. The shriek of life’s anguish is the primary music echoing from Earth to the heavens.

       Who shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He who saves his life? or he who loses his life for Christ's sake? He who preserves his pride and carnal nature? or he who abandons pride and by faith embraces the Divine Nature? The wise men of the east chose Christ's way. They followed precisely what Jesus followed as their standard against ignorance: "It is written."

       The Magi set out to honor "The King of the Jews.” Their mission was made known to all parts of their region. The witness of their faith in GOD to their people was the seed that would afterwards germinate to become a great harvest of saints, to live forever with Christ the LORD. Each of the wise men of the east proved themselves to be a worthy “fisher of men.”

       Night after night, following GOD'S appointed star of angelic congregation, the anticipation of how the Messiah would appear presented to their minds an overflowing appreciation of their privilege. An honor given to none other was given these assumed heathen. The egotistical pride of the Jews against all nations might have closed the hearts of these learned men, as it has multitudes of others. But the Spirit of GOD dwelled in their hearts, and one of the many blessings of His Spirit is to never allow one to be thwarted from any beautiful objectives in godliness, no matter what the obstacle! We may be sure that there were efforts to discourage; whisperings in their ears to turn them back; but with every victory over these hurdles, their perseverance produced an unwavering faith. Satan is powerless against GOD’S Truth! All he does only emboldens it, for it is written, "And I will put enmity between thee [Satan] and the woman [Eve], and between thy seed [the unrepentant] and her seed” [the humble and suppliant before GOD]. In these magnificent words we also see how our Premier Mother Eve is the mother of the righteous, not of the unrighteous: this is how we know her salvation is sure and repentance complete. In all of Satan's attempts to slander GOD and decimate His Divine Image in Man, one day "the truth of Christ" will vindicate the superlative words, "God is love."

       Traveling in a large caravan it is estimated that the duration of the Magi's journey was approximately thirty days covering an estimated four hundred miles. The land of “the east” in Christ's day signified the land of the Euphrates river, so we may safely infer that the wise men of the east came from the region of the Euphrates. The age of Jesus at the time of their pilgrimage was upwards of two years of age, for Herod “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 inquired of the wise men.” So there was a span of time between the Magi's notice of the star and the time of their departure for Judea. They did not show up the night of Christ’s birth as is commonly taught. Jesus would have been walking and talking at the time the Magi brought their gifts of honor to place at His feet. But Jesus was very vulnerable to the outworking of Satan's schemes to murder the Very One who created all things including the Once-Lucifer himself. This goal of Satan to obliterate the very existence of his own Creator has shown the hosts of holy angels and unfallen worlds the deplorable character of Satan's authority and the fiendish nature by which he rules. And yet, every culture and religion of earth blindly follows the path marked out by this hidden deceiver, whose sole goal is to harden men in sin, and thus, bring them to the same condemnation as himself.

       The devil’s legal defense against the tribunal of Heaven is simple: he leads men to violate the same Law that condemns him: the Ten Commandments. He then demands, and rightly so, that we have no right to everlasting life while he is left to perish in the end of time. Therefore, every unrepentant man who has ever lived must share his fate.—For GOD gave a prophecy to Satan that will not be prevented, nor overruled: “Thou art the anointed cherub [meaning, four-winged angel] that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth…and never shalt thou be any more.” This is the prophecy of Satan’s complete destruction in “the lake of fire”—the world covering ocean of lava that GOD has ordained to blot out every trace of sin in the Earth. And all who have followed him will share his fate. Peter’s words agree, “the heavens and the earth…are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” But after Satan and all whom he deceived are brought to ashes the fire goes out. And it is at this time that Christ’s words will be fulfilled, “Behold, I make all things new.” Christ will then recreate the earth to its pristine condition, as it is written, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” And concerning those frail human beings who capitulated to Satan’s temptations without ever repenting of their sins, and thus, disqualifying the presence of GOD from their hearts, (Whose power alone can raise them to life) it is written, “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts.” “The wicked shall perish” and “they shall be as though they had never been.” The word perish is never synonymous with life’s continuation (as John 3:16 concludes) but only its complete termination.

       Upon reaching the Mount of Olives the guiding star of shining angels is commanded by GOD to disperse. The Magi are left to inquire of the rulers in Judea: “Where is he who is born king of the Jews?” GOD hopes to begin a conversion among the people concerning the coming of the Messiah and the character of His mission. But once more His hopes are denied due to the popular teachings of the day eclipsing the reality of what momentous event had taken place. The Magi wonder of the gross ignorance and even the cold indifference of the Jewish people to the wonderful revelation given them of the newborn King. All throughout time men have held firm to the notion that their gut instinct is their superior judgment. ‘My feelings are my counselors and my guide’ is a declaration held by most in our society. This obedience to the impulse of instinct overrules GOD’S gift of the powers of reason, the very means GOD uses to lead His children to the knowledge of salvation as it is written: “Come now and let us reason together saith the LORD.” As a result, the number of men who will stand condemned in the end of time the Bible repeatedly affirms will be the vast majority of the human race. Even those whose names are on the church books the Apostle Peter stated would “scarcely be saved.” “Few,” the Savior said, would escape the condemnation of sin. Historically, religious men have typically attributed their vain ideas as being GOD'S directing hand and not the result of their own self-serving inclinations. Said GOD, “I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.” GOD has given His solemn warning on this and every other threat against men: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” But Christ provided the solution: “Behold, I have foretold you all things.”

       Despite the cold reception given the wise men, there was one who did receive them with great courtesy and even enthusiasm. Herod displayed an attentive but pretentious care. Only if his soul might have been sincere! He believed the report only as it might threaten his absolute power and authority. But even under false pretenses he did command the study into the Scriptures to see if the Magi were correct in their studies of the newborn King. When we are presented with truth and that truth clashes with our most valued perceptions, a simple prayer to the GOD of Heaven for understanding will guide us as we study perplexing questions. And if we exert willpower to joyfully surrender to His will (as plainly revealed in His Word), He will make known to us His truth on the subject of study. None who have ever cried to GOD to know His will have ever cried in vain. Said Jesus, "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine."

       But many go to their knees with their minds made up. And to “them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter…unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight,” it is impossible for GOD to remove the false views that are welded to their pride. Through repeated temptations of unholy angels, the murderer, thief, or child molester does not commit the grievous sin without repetitive thoughts of that act of sin. Whatever claims our attention, that is what we work to fulfill. Evil spirits diligently work to create these repetitions of sinful thoughts leading to the sinful deeds that are so commonplace in our society. Our prison system is filled to capacity because of this. But please understand, the Bible is clear: temptation is not sin! When you are tempted, this does not mean that you are sinning; for Christ Himself was tempted and He never sinned. It is by entering the temptation, indulging its pleasure that leads the soul to commit the sinful act. "But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." GOD’S Word provides in every detail the threats that His children must face while also providing every remedy as it is written, “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail.”

       The Magi, the wisest men of the realm, took Herod at his word. They were led to believe that he was sincere. But GOD would not leave His trusting children to be duped into being agents for the cause of Satan: He would later warn them. After leaving the palace of Herod, that evening the star of Bethlehem reappeared to the Magi: “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Following the star once more it led them to their desired haven. Upon meeting the young Messiah and His mother Mary, the Magi wondered within their hearts, ‘What manner of choice GOD has made to bring the Saviour into our world! For these people are peasants and not rich. They have no scholarship in the things rated highest among men. Is the Messiah to be raised and educated in the ghetto of this land?’ But their strength of humility surrendered their souls before GOD’S judgment. “They saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him.” And after a span of time humbling their hearts and contemplating their thankfulness for the newborn King, they place at His feet the gifts of honor that are due: “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” The gold is the purest faith, purified in the fires of affliction. The frankincense is the fragrant ingredient used for the sacred incense of the Holy Sanctuary, descriptive of the sweet prayers to GOD from His faithful children. And myrrh is the fragrant ingredient used in the holy oil of the sanctuary candle, illustrative of the Holy Spirit shedding abroad to all the light and sweet aroma of GOD'S drawing love, as it is written, “with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” The Magi tell Mary of their study of the Messiah's star in the east, and how it led them right to their presence. They ask, ‘What is His name?’ Her response, ‘His name is Jesus.’

       The ones given a deeply high honor among men, an honor given to no other in history, quietly stand and leave the presence of the young Saviour and King. Returning to their camp and settled down to rest for the night our Heavenly Father sends His angel to warn the Magi to withhold from Herod the whereabouts of Jesus, and commands them to return immediately to their homes in the east. After returning home they recount their experience with their people. The days ahead would reaffirm their faith in Jesus as they would hear of the wonders then taking place: the sick being healed; the blind gaining their sight; the lame leaping like a deer; the dead being restored to life.

       What unequaled joy awaits those who love the cause of Christ. No other subject of study ennobles the character, nor uplifts the dignity of life. No drug can duplicate its elation. No wealth can touch its security. No rewarded lust can compare to its sense of fulfillment. The least pain and superior joy available in this present world is yours “without money and without price.” Forever choose to walk in “the truth as it is in Jesus,” and all that the Father hath bestowed upon His Son will He bestow upon you.