FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE

Where Would I Be?

Part 2

We want to continue from our last newsletter and consider a third class of people. The wealthy upper class – yes the lofty wise men who responded to another heavenly sign and came to worship Jesus.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea 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 (Matthew 2:1,2)

Nothing much is known about these wise men, or Magi, other than they were from the Orient. Historically the Magi were scholars, with a great knowledge of science, agriculture, mathematics, and history. These Magi saw a spectacular star appear in the sky, such as they had never seen before, and they took it to be an indication of an extraordinary person being born in the land of Judea.

If I had been a scholar, a wealthy wise man, and I saw a star suddenly appear before me, would I have followed it? It would have been very easy for them to say: “If an important King was born that warrants such a sign, I’m sure that we will hear of it soon in our own country and then we can go and pay homage to him.” But they did not wait, they set out to find this King, and to worship Him. It was not easy as they traveled the dusty, hot long trail on their camels. Yes it necessitated going through the desert and all of this simply because of a star giving the announcement of Christ’s birth.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, they began asking: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” The original Greek here emphasizes a continual action, suggesting that they went up to every person they saw and asked this question. Because they as foreigners knew of this monumental birth, they assumed that everyone in Judea, and especially in Jerusalem would have been aware of this also. Can you imagine the shock they felt when no one seemed to know about that to which they were referring?

I believe that they must have begun to question all that they had seen and heard up to this point. Here they were after having traveled a long distance because of a star that they had seen while in their homeland. They must have been terribly confused as to where they should go. Despite what is traditionally taught, the Bible here indicates that the star did not appear to them and lead them during their travels. The passage here tells us that they did not see the star again until after they had met with Herod.

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. (Matthew 2:9,10)

The joy that they felt when they saw the star once again was almost indescribable. The original text piles up superlative upon superlative to emphasize the extent of exhilaration they felt. The star not only reappeared, but it led them directly to the home where Jesus was.

And when they were come 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. (Matthew 2:11)

When they got to the house of Mary and Joseph, they did something that they longed to do, they bowed down and worshipped Jesus. Then they presented their gifts to Him, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. The Bible does not tell us what was done with these gifts, but it is very likely that Joseph used them to finance their trip they had made to Egypt and help to support the family while they were there. We know the reason for their journey to Egypt as found in Matthew 2:13-15.

Now, I must put myself in the Magi’s place. Where would I have been while in the atmosphere of my homeland? Could I be thinking “I don’t need the desert, I don’t need to get on that camel and go to who knows where and would I have tried to rationalize the signs away? After all there could be many meanings to that star, how do I know for certain that this is really something special. It could just be an unusual confluence of stars in the sky, and it doesn’t have any special meaning. Thank the Lord they said that this is significant, this is important, we have to go and find out about the true meaning of this special sign. They went, they asked the right questions until they got the true answer they needed to find Christ Jesus the Savior of the world. Would I have been that persistent?

As the innkeeper would I have stayed behind the counter and told Mary her she could go into the stable to have her child amongst the animals? Instead I trust that I would have been quickly on my feet to help her.

I pray that I would have been one of the shepherds quickly on my feet to say “let us go now” as the angels have instructed us.

And if I had been a wealthy Magi I trust that I would have used that wisdom to follow the star and keep asking the right question until I found the way to worship Jesus.

What would I have done if I lived back then? Whether I was wealthy, middle class, or poor, where would I be? I trust that I would have made the right choice. Today I have the joy of making the right choice! I have chosen to open my heart and life to Jesus the Lord and ask Him to dwell there. Truly one can only be complete if He is in the heart!

As we celebrate this glorious season we need to keep our eyes on what is truly important. This is so beautifully illustrated in the painting by Rembrandt The Adoration of the Shepherds where all of the light was made to fall on the baby in the manger. Every one and everything else was only in the shadows. Let us focus on Him, now and always.

A CLASSIC MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE

Hindering Sins – Part 2

An Unforgiving Spirit

Some of you reading this newsletter have been hurt by another’s vicious remarks. Because of it, you have harbored ill will toward that person. This is human, I know, but it is not divine. We who are filled with the Spirit can live on a higher plane. “To err is human; to forgive divine.” If animosity, envy, ill-will, and jealousy continue, this internal bitterness will destroy one’s communion with his Lord.

In Ephesians 4:30 we find: And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. It is evident that when the Spirit of God, living within a believer, is grieved, the believer feels the mood of the grief-stricken Spirit and shares in the misery. Because of it, fellowship with God is broken.

What causes the Spirit to be grieved? Verses 31,32: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And [get it, please] be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

The same truth is taught in Colossians 3:13: Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Since we are to forgive others as Christ did, what did He do differently? In Luke 23, we see the Saviour hanging on the cross. Thorns stick into the flesh surrounding the skull. Spikes fasten Him to the tree. One sees a mutilated, mangled form suspended between heaven and earth.

Is Christ bitter? NO! He looks at His torturers and cries, Father forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). Had they crucified Him daily for the last 1,900 years, He would still pray for their forgiveness. I know that from Matthew 18:21-35. Peter says to Christ, How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? til seven times [49 times]? Jesus said, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven [490 times]. Oh, what love and what grace. If God expects us to forgive 490 times, then He too will always open His arms to those who come to Him with broken, heavy-laden hearts. Thousands reading this newsletter today, who had the vilest of sins canceled at the cross, now harbor bitterness toward some other brother over some insignificant nonsense that “once upon a time” occurred. Oh, you will be ashamed when you see Christ for not obeying His Holy Word: Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath for given you (Ephesians 4:32).

Stephen had this spirit of forgiveness. As angry mobs crushed him to death with rocks in Acts 7:59,60, he cried, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. He was as human as any of us, but was filled with the Spirit of God (verse 55).

It is easy to “fly off the handle,” gossip about others, and run around with a grudge while talking about the power of the Holy Spirit-but it is all a farce. His Spirit will make you turn the other cheek; will make you love the unlovable, and will never seek revenge by hurting the one who hurt you.

God says if you want to spare yourself heartache and divine judgment, judge this sin in your own life and put it away. I am calling upon you to do this now. Remember, if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Corinthians 7:14).

CHANGED LIVES-one at a time

Thank you!  I’ve recently subscribed to receive your E-newsletter.  The newsletter is very uplifting and informative.  I will be sharing it.  Thank you all at JVIMI for never missing a “heartbeat” to continue this ministry.  

Linda D.

I have been a recipient of your newsletter for a couple of years now. I have been blessed by it. Any time I need to be set on fire, God leads me to one of your newsletters. I am in Africa, Ghana and just want to give you feedback and let you know that you are here too. Thank you so much.

Love and blessings,

Nanna N.

HIGHLIGHTED MINISTRY OFFERS

Christmas Holiday or Holy Day?

Jack Van Impe Ministries presents the perfect holiday video classic Christmas Holiday or Holy Day?

You will want to show this fast moving and entertaining documentary teaching to your friends, family, pastor, and church, to anyone who has beheld the commercialization of Christmas in our lifetime and needs to be made aware of the Gospel truth about this special season of the year.

Especially as the holidays approach, hearts will soften toward things of the Spirit. People will be open to the Gospel like no other time of the year.

Plus, it will be a blessing to you and your family as you approach the holidays, reminding you of the true meaning of Christmas and all the reasons you have to rejoice.

You’ll discover how close to the return of the Lord we really are, and how today’s current events make it even clearer that we should be filled with joy as we watch for His blessed appearing!

Celebrating the Birth of the Eternal God / Hope in the Last Days combo

Jack Van Impe Ministries, Dr. Rexella Van Impe, and Dr. Dave Williams present a Christmas special like no other!

In a world that opposes the truth about Jesus and His birth, we can stand together. Celebrating the Birth of the Eternal God examines how Christ’s birth in Bethlehem was foretold in Bible prophecy, then goes on to show…

• The Prophecies made by Christ Himself.
• How His death and resurrection were predicted from the beginning.
• The unique claims of Christ and how He brings eternal salvation.
• A stark look at prophecies being fulfilled around us today — and how they signal the Rapture could take place any moment!

With bonus footage not included in the broadcast special, this DVD shares the true story of Christmas, the truth about Jesus, and the message of salvation.. Share this treasure with your friends and family!