***Recognizing the Signs of the Times***

[SoldOut4Christ]

Today's Prayer

God, I know that you gave Your best for me. Please forgive me for falling short; for the sin in my life; for taking You for granted. I want to give back my best to You. Thank you for the special gifts You have given...the gift of Your only begotten Son, of eternal life, of fellowship with You, of hope for a future, of Your presence, of all You do and all You give, of Your unconditional love. I praise You and lift You high today, as I celebrate the birth of Jesus. I love You. Merry Christmas.

---

Recognizing the Signs of the Times
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
12-25-2008

Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 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" (Matt 2:1-2).

God is looking for leaders who recognize the signs of their times. Such was the case of the three wise men who were so in tune with their times they were able to pinpoint when the long awaited Messiah was born. They recognized God had come in their midst.

These three men were philosophers, priests, or astronomers and lived chiefly in Persia and Arabia. They were marketplace ministers of the Eastern nations devoted to astronomy, to religion, and to medicine. They were held in high esteem by the Persian court, were admitted as counselors, and followed the camps in war to give advice.[2] They came from the professional ranks in society and were sought out by the kings of the nation. They would be the authorities in their field of expertise. This is why they were able to meet with King Herod. (v7)

They were likely aware of the prophecy of Balaam, Num 24:17, "There shall come a star out of Jacob," etc. They came and gave three distinct gifts - each represented a prophetic significance. They were gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark, and suffering the gum to flow out. It is highly odoriferous or fragrant when burned, and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God. Myrrh was also a production of Arabia, and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. The name itself denotes bitterness, on account that it is significantly bitter. It was used chiefly in embalming the dead, because it had the property of preserving dead bodies from putrefaction. [3]

Like the men of Issachar, who "understood the times and knew what Israel should do," (1 Chron 12:32) the three wise men knew what they were to do because they were aware of God's activities in their times.

Tags: end times, revelation, signs

Add A Comment

[mamadita]

Dec. 26, 2008 at 12:50 PM

WOW! What a great post...I loved the explanation of the gifts from the wise men...just another sign of God's sovereignty...HE is in control of all!  GLORY!!!

[GailTravel]

Dec. 27, 2008 at 10:41 AM

You did a great job of breaking this down.