[132]The promise made to Abraham, which was subsequently repeated to others, thoroughly impressed the minds of the devout Israelites with the thought that at some future time there would be born of a woman of the Jewish people a holy child, and that in some way to them not understood this child would be the means of blessing all the families and nations of the earth. They expected the Jewish nation to become the greatest nation of earth, and looked for all other nations to flow unto it, be subservient to it and receive their blessings through it. These conclusions they based upon the words of the prophets, even though they did not fully understand the meaning of those prophecies. To them the prophet Isaiah had said: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:2,3) And again: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."—Isaiah 9:6,7.
[133]The prophet Zechariah said: "And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain."—Zechariah 14:16,17.
[134]These prophecies, while relating in a measure to the birth of Jesus, had only a partial fulfillment at that time. Their far greater fulfillment is yet future, as we shall see.
[135]The birth of Jesus, the greatest event in the world's history, was about to be enacted. Two thousand years had passed since God had made the promise to Abraham of the coming of the mighty One through whom all the families of the earth should be blessed. During that time Jehovah was executing his preconceived plan, renewing his promise to keep it fresh in the minds of the faithful, and shaping the course of those who should participate in this great transaction. And now, as the day drew near, the stage was being set.
[136]The place selected was Bethlehem, situated on an elevation south of Jerusalem. It was once the home of Boaz, whose fields the beautiful Moabitish woman Ruth had gleaned whom Boaz redeemed and afterward took as his wife. Here Jehovah had used Boaz as a type of Christ Jesus and Ruth as a type of the church, his bride, foreshadowing things yet to come.
[137]Later Bethlehem was the home of Jesse and of David his son. The name David implies 'beloved one'; and it was here that he was anointed to be king over Israel, from which time he typified Jesus, the mighty Son of God. Jehovah had selected this as the birthplace of Jesus; hence here the birth must take place.—Matthew 2:5,6; Micah 5:2.
[138]Away to the north in Galilee stood the humble and despised city of Nazareth. It was the home of Joseph the carpenter, a meek, little-known, yet honest, man. He was espoused to Mary. We should expect that Jehovah would time everything exactly; and so he did. The scepter had departed from Judah; the Romans were in control of Palestine, and the time for the birth of the mighty One was due. Exercising his perfect wisdom and power, Jehovah was overruling all things to the accomplishment of his purpose. Augustus Caesar, then the emperor and ruler over all Palestine, issued a decree that all the people should be taxed. Every one must go to the city of his nativity, there to be numbered and taxed. Joseph the carpenter, although a resident of Nazareth, was of the house of David, and hence must go to the city of David to be numbered and taxed. Naturally his espoused virgin would accompany him to that city. She likewise was of the house of David through another line—another reason why she should go there. But above all, the Lord directed them there because it was a part of his arrangement.
[139]At that time there were no means of easy and rapid transit. It was a long journey, a tedious and tiresome one. Joseph, with his espoused seated upon an ass, journeyed through the hills along the Jordan probably for three days, and late in the evening reached the city of Bethlehem. The city was crowded; the private homes were full; all the hotels, inns, and other places were crowded out. Tired, worn, and weary from their long journey, they were jostled by the crowd in the narrow streets of the city. Applying to various places for lodging, at each place they were turned away; until finally they found a location where they could sleep in a stall with the cattle. And they retired for the night's repose.
[140]Over the brow of the hill, in the field once owned by Boaz and gleaned by the beautiful Ruth, the faithful shepherds were watching their sheep. According to custom, they had four watches during the night. Some would watch while the others slept.
[141]The earthly stage is now set. But behold that there was no great earthly splendor or show! In truth the condition of poverty of Joseph and his espoused, and the like poor condition of the shepherds who were now shortly to be used of the Lord, was the only fitting way that we should expect the Lord would have it. All the pomp and glory of earthly preparation would have been but tawdry tinsel, detracting from the glorious things that were shortly to follow. Each one of the earthly players whom Jehovah had assigned to perform a part upon this stage was humble, meek, and possessed of faith in the promises of God. In heaven there was a host of angels that should participate in the great drama; and all the hosts of heaven were witnesses to this unparalleled and never-again-to-be-performed event.
[142]On earth it was night, picturing the fact that the whole world was lying in darkness and a great light was coming into the earth. The time had now arrived for the birth of the mighty One, and all the heavenly hosts were awake to the importance of the hour. Doubtless while others slept, Mary was pondering in her heart the great events that had taken place during the few months past; and while she thus meditated there in the silence of that night, without pain and without suffering there was born to her Jesus, the Savior of the world. And the shepherds watching their sheep in the field were attracted by the angel of the Lord, who came upon them, "and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Which is Christ the Lord."—Luke 2:8-11.
[143]When this heavenly messenger had finished his wonderful speech to the astonished shepherds, then it was, as if waiting a given signal, the multitudinous heavenly host stood forth and sang the good tidings of great joy which ultimately shall be to all people. Their song was but the reflex of what had been announced. There sweet singers told in words of praise of God's beneficent purpose ultimately to bless all the families of the earth. It was a song of glory from heaven, and the hills of Judea echoed the message of peace and good will toward men. And throughout the gospel age this sweet anthem has filled with joy the heart of many a sad wanderer; and seemingly again and again these have heard the song from heaven: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men".
[144]The world is now entering its darkest period, and when mankind reaches the point of extremity, then will be God's opportunity to reveal to all sad hearts that the birth of Jesus was the greatest event in history to that time; and that shortly this same great Jesus, now in glory, will extend the blessings of life, liberty and happiness to the whole groaning creation.
[145]The place of Jesus' birth was truly according to and in fulfillment of prophecy, thus showing that God had foreordained and prepared the conditions for his birth. (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4-6) Jesus was not born on December 25, as is generally supposed; but his birth occurred about the first of October. Midwinter would have been a very inopportune time for the shepherds to be watching their sheep in the fields and sleeping in the open. In addition to this circumstantial evidence, all the facts show that the birth of Jesus was in October, and that December 25, nine months previous, was probably the date of the annunciation. (Luke 1:30,31) For a full discussion of this subject see STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, Volume 2, page 54.
[146]Much has been said and written concerning the three wise men who journeyed from the East to pay their homage to the babe Jesus, born in Bethlehem. Particularly at Christmas time is our attention called to this by pictures on cards, etc., of the wise men journeying to the West, supposedly being guided by the star sent by Jehovah. It has been presumed that Jehovah by the star led these wise men to the place of Jesus' birth. The Bible proof shows, however, that these three wise men were not sent by the Lord God, but that they were directed by the great adversary, the devil, in his attempt to destroy the babe. Whether they knew it or not, these three wise men were parties to a great conspiracy, originated and carried out by the master mind, Satan, the devil, in his attempt to destroy the seed of promise, the great Savior of the world.
[147]When Jehovah drove Adam and Eve from Eden he likewise pronounced a condemnation upon Satan. He said concerning Satan and the woman: "I will put enmity between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel". (Genesis 3:15) From that time forward, Satan the great adversary has attempted to destroy every one whom God has favored and who he thought might constitute the seed of promise.
[148]Jehovah has given to Satan four separate and distinct names, all of which have a deep significance. Besides the nameSatanhe is designated as thedragon, that oldserpentand thedevil. Dragon means devourer or destroyer; and Satan has at all times been seeking to destroy or devour Jesus and his true followers, who constitute the seed of promise. His name Satan indicates adversary; and he has opposed in every way the development of the new creation, consisting of Jesus and his bride. His name serpent means deceiver; and he has applied all of his wily methods to deceive, and as Jesus has declared, he would deceive, if possible, the very elect, but God will not permit him thus to do. His title devil means slanderer; and he has constantly carried on a campaign of slanderous propaganda against the people of God even unto this day, and has never lost an opportunity to try in his various ways to destroy them.
[149]When it was announced to Mary by the angel that she should bring forth a child whose name should be called Jesus and that he would be the Savior of his people, Satan recognized this promised and unborn babe as the one who would ultimately bruise his head. The apostle Paul plainly states to us that God sent Jesus into the world, one of his missions being ultimately to destroy the devil. (Hebrews 2:14) The enmity of Satan toward the seed of promise has never abated. Learning of the promised birth of the child, Satan at once began to lay his plans for its destruction. He attempted to induce Mary's espoused husband Joseph to put her away and cause her to be put to death under the terms of the Mosaic law; but God prevented this by advising Joseph through his messenger in a dream to fear not, but to take Mary for his wife. —Matthew 1:18-24.
[150]Stars do not move above the canopy of heaven in such a manner as to lead men. It seems unreasonable that Jehovah would have made a star move from the East and stand over Bethlehem. Satan and his emissaries, the demons associated with him, have power to produce lights; and many instances are cited in history of these lights appearing near the earth. The "star" or light that guided the wise men was without doubt such a light and not a star moved by the power of Jehovah.
[151]The wise men residing in the East were sorcerers and magicians. They were star-gazers. They were followers of the false religion. They sacrificed to and worshiped the devil. (1 Corinthians 10:20) Pharaoh the king of Egypt was a type of Satan the devil; and Pharaoh used wise men like unto these sorcerers and magicians to oppose the Lord and his messengers in the day that they were in Egyptian bondage. (Exodus 7:11) These were devotees of astrology and demon worship. Doubtless many of them were sincere, but they were the dupes of a false religion inaugurated by Satan. The Biblical record definitely fixes the fact that Herod, then ruler in Jerusalem, was a wicked man, under the influence of Satan.
[152]"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." (Matthew 2:1,2) Be it noted that these wise men went directly to Herod, a representative of Satan. If the star guiding them was sent by the Lord Jehovah, why would he guide them to Herod, a representative of Satan, and a mortal enemy of the babe Jesus? If the sole purpose of the star was to guide these men to the place of Jesus' birth there was no need for them to go to Herod at all. The reasonable answer, then, is that Satan had prepared a great conspiracy with the object of destroying the babe. A conspiracy is a design to commit a wrongful act in which two or more join in committing the act or some part of it. Sometimes persons are involved in a conspiracy and participate without knowing the real purpose of the one who forms the conspiracy. Such may have been the case with these wise men; but without doubt Satan had formed and directed it.
[153]When these wise men came into the presence of Herod, he was troubled, because he feared the new king would interfere with his reign; and he "gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people [the seed of Satan and also his representatives—John 8:44] together and demanded of them where Christ should be born"—in other words he demanded to know where the babe Jesus could be found. Then Herod, in furtherance of the conspiracy, privately consulted with these wise men. We now see Herod manifesting one of the characteristics of Satan, viz., deception, in this, that he pretended to desire himself to find the babe Jesus, that he might go and worship him; whereas all the facts and circumstances show that his real purpose was that he might find the babe in order to destroy him. "Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 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."
[154]We cannot for a moment believe that the heavenly Father would use a wicked one like Herod and aid him in carrying out his wicked purpose by having a star to direct these three wise men to the place of Jesus' birth, in view of the fact that the king had demanded that they should return and report to him, and when it was King Herod's purpose to destroy the babe. The fact is that the devil and his instruments, Herod and others, would have succeeded in this wicked conspiracy and have caused the death of the babe Jesus had not God intervened to save the child.
[155]The wise men reaching Bethlehem found the babe and brought their presents and worshiped. Without a doubt it was their intention to return and report to Herod. And the result of such a return would have been the death of the child. But God here intervened and warned them in a dream. These wise magicians relied upon dreams. "Being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." Satan again was thwarted in his wicked purpose.
[156]The real intent of Herod in sending these wise men is disclosed by what subsequently happened. "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 inquired of the wise men." (Matthew 2:16) Determined not to be thwarted in his purpose, Satan and his instrument Herod were willing to destroy all the babes in and about Bethlehem, with the hope of destroying the one that was to be the King and Savior of the world. Jehovah saved the babe Jesus from this slaughter by directing his mother and Joseph to take the young child and flee into Egypt, which they did.—Matthew 2:13.
[157]We would not be justified, then, in presuming that God was using these devil worshipers, the "wise men"—"Magians," Magicians—for the purpose of being his witnesses to the birth of his beloved Son. But on the contrary, the facts show that it pleased him to reveal this great truth to the shepherds and to use them as his witnesses.—Luke 2:8-18.
[158]There is nothing whatsoever in the account of this experience of the wise men to indicate that their mission was in any wise beneficial to mankind; but the most charitable view we can take of it is that they were dupes of a deep-laid plot by Satan, the arch conspirator, to destroy the seed of promise; and that Jehovah let the conspiracy proceed to the point where it would fully demonstrate the wickedness on the part of Satan and his instrument, and then demonstrated his great protecting power. Without a doubt Satan has attempted to deceive and has deceived multitudes of honest people into believing that these wise men were the witnesses of the Lord, and hid from their minds the fact that they in truth and in fact represented Satan.
[159]All the wicked persecution that came upon the Lord Jesus afterward, and upon his followers to this day, has been because of the influence of Satan the devil. And yet at all times the Lord has protected his own at the very critical moment, just as promised: "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear [reverence] him, and delivereth them".—Psalm 34:7.
[160]St. Paul says: "As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned". (Romans 5:12) "There is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Psalm 14:3) These Scriptures being true, and since Jesus was born of a woman, was he not born like other children? And if so, was he not a sinner like others?
[161]Jesus was not a sinner. He was born pure, holy, sinless, without spot or blemish. He was not begotten and born like other children. While he was born of the woman Mary, Joseph was not his father. Joseph was espoused to Mary, Jesus' mother, and before they were married she was found to be with child. (Matthew 1:18) Mary was a virgin, yet she was about to give birth and did give birth to the babe Jesus. (Matthew 1:20,23) The holy child that was born of the virgin Mary was and is the Son of God.—Luke 1:35.
[162]The words translated in our BiblesHoly Ghostshould be properly translatedholy spirit. The holy spirit is the invisible power, energy and influence of Jehovah. God is holy; therefore his power, energy, and influence are holy. Father means life-giver. Jehovah is the Father of Jesus because he gave life to Jesus; hence Jesus is called the Son of God. The spirit, energy, or influence of Jehovah operating upon earthly substance produced earthly creatures. (Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:47) The same holy power, energy, and influence begat the child Jesus, who was born of his mother Mary. Therefore the life of Jesus was without sin or imperfection. The germ of life of him who was born Jesus was transferred from the spirit plane or nature to the human plane or nature.
[163]Jesus was our Lord's human name. It implied his humiliation and lowly estate, in comparison with the glory which he had with the Father before the world was. (John 17:5) He existed long before he became a human being. His prehuman name was theLogos, which is translated in our common version Bible "the Word". The wordLogosis therefore one of the titles of Jesus and should not be translated at all. It means the spokesman, active agent, or messenger, of Jehovah. St. John, writing concerning the Logos, who later became Jesus, says: "In the beginning [which means the beginning of God's creative activity] was the Logos, and the Logos was with God [the God, Jehovah], and the Logos was a God [a mighty one]. The same was in the beginning with God [the God, Jehovah]. All things were made by him [the Logos]; and without him [the Logos] was not anything made that was made"—he was the active agent of Jehovah in making all things,—John 1:1-3.
[164]The beginning here referred to could not mean the beginning of God the Father, because he is from everlasting to everlasting and never had a beginning. (Psalm 41:13; 90:2) Theworkof Jehovah, however, had a beginning, and his creative work is clearly what is here meant. The Logos was the first and only direct creation of Jehovah; and thereafter God's creation was performed through his Logos. This is the thought expressed by the apostle Paul, who says of Jesus: "He 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."—Colossians 1:15-17.
[165]As further evidence of Jesus' prehuman existence, we have his own words: "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me". (John 6:38) "I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me." (John 8:42) Again: "Before Abraham was, I am". (John 8:58) Again: "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father". (John 16:28) "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." (John 17:5) Again Jesus said: "I am the beginning of the creation of God". (Revelation 3:14) Furthermore, the apostle Paul under inspiration states: "God ... hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds". (Hebrews 1:1,2) And again he states: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich". (2 Corinthians 8:9) He was in the form of God before he became a man. "Who, though being in God's form, yet did not meditate a usurpation to be like God, but divested himself, taking a bondman's form, having been made in the likeness of men."—Philippians 2:6,7,Diaglott.
[166]Some have earnestly believed that Jesus was God himself. But such a conclusion is not warranted by the Scriptures. John said: "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand". (John 3:35) Again Jesus said: "The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth the Son honoreth the Father which hath sent him.... For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself." (John 5:22, 23, 26) Again Jesus said: "It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me." (John 8: 17, 18) Thus Jesus definitely fixes the fact that he and the Father are separate and distinct beings.
[167]Again Jesus said: "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." (John 10:29,30) It may be asked, Does this not prove that they were one being? Our answer is that it does not; but that it does show, in connection with the other Scriptures quoted, that Jesus and the Father, Jehovah, are one in spirit, one in purpose, one in harmonious action; just as Jesus subsequently prayed to the Father that the church, his followers, might be made one with him, when he said: "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." (John 17:20-22) Thus Jesus definitely shows what is meant by being one with the Father.
[168]Again Jesus prayed to the Father, saying: "Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." (John 12:27,28) Jesus could not have been praying to himself here, but he was praying to Jehovah God, from whom he came.
[169]That the Father is greater than the Son, Christ Jesus, he shows when he says: "I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."—John 14:28.
[170]Many others have believed that Jesus, while on the earth, was still a spirit being and that his flesh was merely a covering or house in which that spirit being resided. Otherwise stated, that he was merely an incarnated creature and not wholly a man. The incarnation theory is that a spirit being inhabits for a time the human body, or a human body is created for the express purpose of that spirit being's occupying it for a time. The incarnation of Jesus is Scripturally erroneous. Indeed, if he had been merely an incarnated being, he could never have redeemed mankind. It is not disputed that he could have appeared as a human being; and such is attested to in the instances given in Genesis 18:1,2 and 19:1.
[171]Some insist that Jesus when on earth was both God and man in completeness. This theory is wrong, however. We should never formulate a theory concerning God's plan in direct contradiction to his plain Word. We should have faith in God and in his Word. Faith means to have a knowledge of his Word and then to rely upon that Word confidently. The Bible is the revealed Word of God, given to man for his instruction; and where plain statements of the Bible are given, we should take them at their face value. Following this course, we find that the plan of God everywhere appears harmonious and beautiful.
[172]The adversary takes advantage of an honest desire on the part of some and leads them into error. Every conscientious and reverential mind desires to honor God. For fear they might dishonor him, they are easily led into failure to give proper consideration to plain statements of the Bible. Some have been induced to believe that should they say that Jesus when on earth was a man and not God, such would be a dishonor to God. We should not permit ourselves to be beguiled or misled by sophistry or theories, but should follow the plain teachings of the Bible and then reach a conclusion in the light of that revealed Word after a full examination.
[173]The record concerning Jesus' prehuman existence, his being begotten and his birth, entirely disproves the theory that he was incarnated. The Scriptures above cited plainly show that he was begotten in the womb of a woman, Mary, by the holy spirit, the power, energy or influence of Jehovah; that thereafter he was born in the same general manner that other children are born of a woman (Luke 2:9-11); that he grew to manhood's estate and increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:40,52) None of these things would have been necessary were he merely an incarnated being, a spirit being inhabiting a body of flesh. He worked at the carpenter's trade until he was thirty years of age, at which time he began his ministry. At that time he went to John to be baptized in the Jordan. (Luke 3:21-23) Immediately following that he spent forty days and nights in the wilderness, fasting and studying Jehovah's plan. (Luke 4:1-14) If he were God incarnate, this experience in the wilderness would seem wholly unnecessary.
[174]Jesus was not an angel or spirit being, because we have the positive statement of the Apostle to the effect that, "We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels". (Hebrews 2:9) And again: "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise partook of the same". (Hebrews 2:14) Furthermore, he was at one time rich in heavenly power and glory and became poor for the sake of mankind by taking upon himself the nature of man. (2 Corinthians 8:9) He was made in the nature and likeness of man. (Philippians 2:8) The Apostle, writing under inspiration, speaks of Jesus as the man: "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.... The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven."—1 Corinthians 15:21,47; see also 1 Timothy 2:5,6.
[175]Had Jesus been merely an incarnated being it would not have been necessary for him to be born as a babe and grow to manhood's estate. While he was born of a woman, yet he was without sin, because from his Father, Jehovah; for he was "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26); "and he was manifested to take away our sins, and in him is no sin", (1 John 3:5) He was without spot or blemish; therefore perfect and holy.—1 Peter 1:19; Hebrews 9:14.
[176]God says to us: "Come now, and let us reason together, ... though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool". (Isaiah 1:18) We should reason upon God's plan as revealed in the Bible, because he thus invites us to do. When we see the reason why Jesus was made a man, why it was necessary for him to be a perfect man while on earth, then we are glad and give praise to God. Had he not become a man, there would have been no hope for any of the human race to get life through Christ Jesus; and the Apostle declares that there is no other name given under heaven whereby mankind can live.—Acts 4:12.
In what peculiar manner has Jehovah used men and women in the Bible? Give some examples.¶ 102.
What was typified by Hagar?¶ 102.
What was the purpose of the law covenant God made with Israel?¶ 102.
Give the name of Abraham's third wife; and what did she typify?¶ 102.
Give the apostle Paul's statement as to what the wives of Abraham typified.¶ 103.
What did Isaac typify or picture?¶ 103.
What constitutes the seed of Abraham, according to the promise?¶ 103.
Quote the words of St. Paul concerning the seed of Abraham.¶ 103.
What is first necessary relative to the seed before the people can be blessed?¶ 104.
What was the expectation of the Jews concerning this seed?¶ 105.
Give the names of Isaac's two sons; and what was Isaac's age when they were born?¶ 105.
After the birth of his sons, where did Isaac go to reside? and while there, what did God say to him?¶ 106.
Which of Isaac's sons became successor to the promise? and why?¶ 106.
What really determined who would be the successor to the father's estate?¶ 107.
Did the Lord indicate that there should be any exception to this rule relative to Jacob and Esau?¶ 107.
How did the Lord indicate this to Rebekah the mother?¶ 107.
How did Esau occupy his time generally?¶ 108.
What different disposition did Jacob possess?¶ 108.
Did Esau show an appreciation of the birthright, particularly the Abrahamic promise?¶ 108.
Relate the circumstances of Esau's selling of his birthright.¶ 108.
Why did the birthright properly belong to Jacob?¶ 109.
About what was the age of Jacob and Esau at the time of this transaction?¶ 109.
Was their contract binding on both?¶ 109.
What privileges did the birthright carry with it?¶ 110.
State the circumstances under which Esau attempted to deprive Jacob of the birthright after he had sold it to him.¶ 111.
Was the mother of these men justified in her action in this matter? and if so, why?¶ 111.
Relate the conditions under which Jacob obtained the blessing from his father.¶ 112.
What blessing, as shown by the Scriptures, did Isaac bestow upon Jacob?¶ 112.
After Esau failed in his attempt to defeat his own contract with Jacob, what did he do toward obtaining the blessing from his father?¶ 113.
Why have Christian people severely criticized Jacob and Rebekah because of this transaction?¶ 114.
Who was the more reprehensible, Jacob or Esau? and why?¶ 114.
Whom did Esau picture or typify?¶ 114.
Whom did Jacob picture or foreshadow?¶ 114.
Did God approve or disapprove Rebekah's action?¶ 114.
Why did Jacob flee the country? and upon whose advice?¶ 114.
At what important Biblical place did Jacob spend the night? and what occurred there? Give the Scriptural account.¶¶ 114, 115.
Why should we disapprove any one whom God approves?¶ 116.
How did God later show his favor to Jacob?¶ 117.
What is the meaning of the name Israel?¶ 117.
What promise did God make to Jacob after his name was changed to Israel?¶ 117.
How many sons did Jacob have?¶ 118.
Give the names of his wives, and the sons by these wives, respectively,¶ 118.
Which one of his wives did he love most?¶ 118.
Which was Jacob's beloved son?¶ 118.
Under what circumstances was Joseph taken away? and upon whom did Jacob bestow his affection thereafter?¶ 118.
Whom did Joseph typify? and of whom was Benjamin a type?¶ 118.
Where did Jacob spend his last days?¶ 119.
What marks the beginning of the nation of Israel?¶ 119.
In pronouncing the blessings upon his sons, what special prophecy was made by Jacob concerning Judah?¶ 119.
Who is foreshadowed by this prophecy?¶ 119.
After Jacob's death, by what name were his offspring known?¶ 120.
What position did Joseph now hold in Egypt?¶ 120.
How were the Israelites treated during Joseph's lifetime?¶ 120.
How were they after Joseph's death?¶ 120.
Whom did God raise up as a deliverer of the Israelites from Egypt?¶ 120.
What did Egypt typify or picture? and what was typified or pictured by Egypt's ruler Pharaoh?¶ 121.
Whom did the Israelites in Egypt picture? and of whom was Moses a type? ¶ 121. Who was Moses?¶ 122.
What prophecy did Moses speak relative to a mighty one to follow him?¶ 122.
After hearing this prophecy, for whom were the Israelites looking?¶ 122.
From what tribe did David descend?¶ 122.
Through whom did God repeat the promises to Israel?¶ 123.
To what particular house or line was the promise finally limited?¶ 123.
What promise did the Lord make to David relative to the throne of Israel? Quote the prophecy.¶ 123.
When David was king, what prophetic utterance did he make concerning the building of a house unto Jehovah?¶ 124.
Why did God not permit David to build the temple? ¶ 124.
Which one of David's sons was permitted to build the temple?¶ 124.
Upon what condition was Solomon's to be the line from which the great Deliverer would descend? Give the Scriptural proof.¶ 125.
Did Solomon receive Jehovah's approval?¶ 126.
Why was the kingdom taken away from Solomon?¶ 126.
After Solomon's death, what happened to the nation of Israel?¶ 127.
Name the last three kings of Solomon's line to rule over Israel.¶ 127.
What did Jehovah pronounce through the Prophet concerning Zedekiah? Give the Scriptural statement.¶ 127.
In view of this, was it possible for the Messiah to be counted through the line of Solomon?¶ 127.
What other son did David have who was subsequently exalted?¶ 128.
From whom did Mary the mother of Jesus descend?¶ 128.
What did the prophet Jeremiah prophesy concerning the coming of Messiah through David's lineage?¶ 129.
What message did the angel of the Lord bring to Mary relative to the Messiah?¶ 130.
What did Mary say in response to the messenger?¶ 130.
Why did Mary say: "From henceforth all generations shall call me blessed"?¶ 131.
What was meant by her prophetic statement: "He hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree"?¶ 131.
Why were the Jews looking for some child to be born who would be a great ruler?¶ 132.
Why did they expect their nation to become great?¶ 132.
What prophetic utterances led the Jews to believe that there should be raised up amongst them a great king? Quote the prophecies.¶¶ 132, 133.
Did the prophecies of Isaiah and Zechariah relating to the coming king have a complete fulfillment at the birth of Jesus?¶ 134.
Of what relative importance was the birth of Jesus?¶ 135.
How much time elapsed from the original promise made to Abraham until the birth of Jesus?¶ 135.
During that time, what was Jehovah doing relative to the promise?¶ 135.
Where was Jesus born?¶ 136.
How was Bethlehem foreshadowed by the Prophet?¶ 136.
Give a brief statement of the important things which occurred in and about Bethlehem.¶ 137.
Where was Nazareth situated?¶ 138.
State the relative importance of the city of Nazareth.¶ 138.
Who were in control of Palestine at the time of the birth of Jesus?¶ 138.
What important decree was issued by the ruler of Palestine that led Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem?¶ 138.
Why must they go to Bethlehemand not to some other city?¶ 138.
How did Joseph and Mary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem? and at what time did they reach the latter city?¶ 139.
Where did they find lodging?¶ 139.
What important field lies near Bethlehem? and who were watching their flocks there?¶ 140.
How many watches were kept in a night?¶ 140.
Was there great earthly splendor and show at the birth of Jesus? and if not, why not?¶ 141.
What kind of people had God chosen to participate in the events of that night?¶ 141.
Who in heaven were participating in this great event?¶ 141.
What did the night on the earth picture?¶ 142.
At what particular place was Jesus born?¶ 142.
What attracted the attention of the shepherds? and what message was delivered to them? Repeat the message.¶ 142.
Repeat all the text of Luke 2:8-11.¶ 142.
What song did the shepherds hear from the heavenly hosts on this occasion?¶ 143.
What effect has this heavenly message had upon the hearts of men for centuries past?¶ 143.
Under what conditions will the peoples of earth learn of the importance of the birth of Jesus?¶ 144.
What was the date of Jesus' birth?¶ 145.
Tell what you can concerning the three "wise men" that journeyed from the East to Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus.¶ 146.
Who sent the "wise men" to Herod?¶ 146.
Why should we expect Satan to try to form a conspiracy to destroy the babe Jesus?¶ 147.
Explain the significance of the names given Satan; and how do these apply to his operations against Jesus and his followers?¶ 148.
When the promise was made to Mary that she should be the mother of Jesus, how did Satan regard this promise?¶ 149.
What was one of the purposes of Jesus' coming to earth relative to Satan?¶ 149.
What attempt did Satan make to destroy Mary and her babe before the birth of Jesus?¶ 149.
What was the "star" or light that guided the "wise men" to Bethlehem?¶ 150.
Who were these "wise men" and whom did they worship?¶ 151.
Had Pharaoh the king of Egypt employed similar men? and for what purpose?¶ 151.
What kind of man was Herod? and under whose influence was he?¶ 151.
Give the Scriptural account of the "wise men" going to Herod.¶ 152.
Why would they go to Herod, the enemy of Jesus?¶ 152.
Define a conspiracy.¶ 152.
Is it possible for one to be involved in a conspiracy without knowing the real purpose?¶ 152.
What did Herod do when the "wise men" approached him?¶ 153.
What characteristics did Herod manifest in his consultation with the "wise men"?¶ 153.
Would we expect God to help a wicked man like Herod carry out his purpose to destroy God's beloved Son?¶ 154.
Where did the "wise men" find the babe?¶ 155.
Why did they not return to Herod?¶ 155.
How did God thwart Satan's purpose here to destroy the babe?¶ 155.
What wicked thing did Herod do when he found that the "wise men" had not returned to him?¶ 156.
Who prompted Herod to do this wicked act of slaying children?¶ 156.
How was Jesus saved from this slaughter? and where did his parents take him?¶ 156.
Could we presume under these circumstances that God would use the "wise men" for his witnesses to the birth of Jesus?¶ 157.
What humble, honest creatures did he use as such witnesses?¶ 157.
Was there anything in the mission of the "wise men" that is beneficial to mankind?¶ 158.
Why would God permit this conspiracy?¶ 158.
Does Satan deceive honest people?¶ 158.
Who has been responsible for all the persecution of Jesus and his followers?¶ 159.
Who has protected them, and how?¶ 159.
Why are all the descendants of Adam sinners? Quote the Scripture.¶ 160.
Jesus being born of a woman, was he a sinner? and if not, why not?¶ 161.
What is meant by the words "holy ghost"?¶ 162.
What is the meaning of the word father?¶ 162.
Why is Jesus called the Son of God?¶ 162.
Why was our Lord named Jesus? and what does the name imply?¶ 163.
Did he exist before he became Jesus? and what was his prehuman name?¶ 163.
What is the meaning of the word Logos? and what relation has the Logos to all of Jehovah's creation?¶ 163.
Did Jehovah have a beginning?¶ 164.
What is meant by the term "in the beginning" as used in John 1:1,2?¶ 164.
Give further Scriptural evidence of the prehuman existence of Jesus.¶¶ 164, 165.
Are Jesus and Jehovah one and the same being? Give the Scriptural proof.¶ 166.
In what sense are the Father and the Son one? Give Scriptural proof.¶ 167.
When Jesus prayed to the Father, did he pray to himself or to another?¶ 168.
Who is the greater, Jehovah or Jesus? Give Scriptural proof.¶ 169.
When Jesus was on earth, was he a spirit or a human being?¶ 170.
What is meant by the incarnation theory?¶ 170.
Do the Scriptures warrant the conclusion that Jesus was an incarnated being? If not, why not?¶ 170.
When Jesus was on earth, was he both God and man? If not, why not?¶ 171.
By what must we determine these questions?¶ 171.
What is the meaning of faith?¶ 171.
How does Satan sometimes lead persons of honest heart into error?¶ 172.
Should we follow sophistry or the Bible in reaching a conclusion on these questions?¶ 172.
Briefly review the argument of the begetting and birth of Jesus which disproves that he was an incarnated being.¶ 173.
If Jesus was God incarnate, why should he have had the experience in the wilderness?¶ 173.
Angels are spirit beings. What Scriptural proof have we that Jesus was not an angel? Cite the Scriptural proof.¶ 174.
Give further Scriptures to show that hewasa man, made in the likeness of men, and that heisthe Lord from heaven.¶ 174.
Had Jesus been an incarnate being, would it have been necessary for him to be born as a child?¶ 175.
Why should we reason upon God's plan?¶ 176.
Could there have been any hope for the redemption of the human race except by Jesus becoming a man and by his death providing the ransom-price?¶ 176.