- araratchurch
- Dec 11, 2025
- 4 min read
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.”
Luke 2:1-5 NKJV
Did you know that well over 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah were fulfilled by Jesus? One of these prophecies, found in the book of Micah, foretells that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
Micah 5:2 ESV
This prophecy is actually referenced in the New Testament when Herod was inquiring of the religious leaders as to where the Messiah was to be born.
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’””
Matthew 2:1-6 ESV
Think of it, Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, making Bethlehem 90 miles away. Whereas opinions vary as to how long it would’ve taken them to make that trip on foot, it was at least a several days journey. Therefore, there is little doubt that they wouldn’t have had any other occasion to be in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth, if not for the mandatory census. In fact, given that Mary was so close to her delivery, they normally wouldn’t have been traveling at all.
Now, you might wonder about the cause-and-effect relationship between the prophetic word and the fulfillment of the same. Using this case as an example: Did they make this journey to Bethlehem because this is the way it was prophesied? Or, was it prophesied because the foreknowledge of God knew this is the way it would be? Now, I’m going to give you an answer that is probably somewhat unsatisfying: It is both.
To explain, God’s ways, being outside of time and informed by His unsearchable knowledge, cannot be described in our terms. Indeed, to try to force one of those perspectives as being the way prophecies work, would be an error.
As earlier mentioned, over 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus. Now, the probability of just a small portion of those prophecies being fulfilled in one man, is astronomical. I will add, of over 2000 total prophecies found in the Bible, roughly 80% have already been fulfilled!
So what’s the point here? What’s our takeaway? The takeaway is that God can be trusted; what He says will come to pass. Think of this: God’s will for us becomes a prophetic word over our lives when we accept His plan for us. And as we have seen, the prophetic word of the Lord can be trusted.
Remember, in terms of our personal lives, as well as in terms of God’s overall plan, He is weaving a tapestry of unfathomable and indescribable intricacy, only understandable from an eternal perspective.
Several years ago I was talking to the Lord and I asked Him why I couldn’t have a better understanding and “picture” of what He had for me in the future. I honestly did not expect such an immediate and clear answer. He said (using my own words) that because of my analytic mind, I would immediately begin trying to think of how it would happen, what it would take, and how I could do it. He said that I would just get in my own way. Wow, that’s a lot to process. But of course, the Lord is always right. In fact, I see things now happening in my life I never could have planned; yet, God had planned them for me!
For today, meditate on how “unplanned” things in your life, have actually put you in places/circumstances that ended up being pivotal toward your life direction. Could that dynamic still be at work? Isn’t God still working all things together for your good?
Also, consider: Are you trusting and resting in the plan of the Lord? Or, are you still stressing over how your life will ultimately turn out?
Additionally, consider how what we have discussed here further verifies that—just as all of the Old Testament prophecies about the Lord’s first coming were fulfilled—the prophecies concerning His Second Coming to rule and reign, will also be fulfilled.
Remember, you can trust His plan for you; you can trust Him.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Dec 11, 2025
- 4 min read
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.”
Luke 2:1-5 NKJV
Did you know that well over 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah were fulfilled by Jesus? One of these prophecies, found in the book of Micah, foretells that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
Micah 5:2 ESV
This prophecy is actually referenced in the New Testament when Herod was inquiring of the religious leaders as to where the Messiah was to be born.
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’””
Matthew 2:1-6 ESV
Think of it, Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, making Bethlehem 90 miles away. Whereas opinions vary as to how long it would’ve taken them to make that trip on foot, it was at least a several days journey. Therefore, there is little doubt that they wouldn’t have had any other occasion to be in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth, if not for the mandatory census. In fact, given that Mary was so close to her delivery, they normally wouldn’t have been traveling at all.
Now, you might wonder about the cause-and-effect relationship between the prophetic word and the fulfillment of the same. Using this case as an example: Did they make this journey to Bethlehem because this is the way it was prophesied? Or, was it prophesied because the foreknowledge of God knew this is the way it would be? Now, I’m going to give you an answer that is probably somewhat unsatisfying: It is both.
To explain, God’s ways, being outside of time and informed by His unsearchable knowledge, cannot be described in our terms. Indeed, to try to force one of those perspectives as being the way prophecies work, would be an error.
As earlier mentioned, over 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus. Now, the probability of just a small portion of those prophecies being fulfilled in one man, is astronomical. I will add, of over 2000 total prophecies found in the Bible, roughly 80% have already been fulfilled!
So what’s the point here? What’s our takeaway? The takeaway is that God can be trusted; what He says will come to pass. Think of this: God’s will for us becomes a prophetic word over our lives when we accept His plan for us. And as we have seen, the prophetic word of the Lord can be trusted.
Remember, in terms of our personal lives, as well as in terms of God’s overall plan, He is weaving a tapestry of unfathomable and indescribable intricacy, only understandable from an eternal perspective.
Several years ago I was talking to the Lord and I asked Him why I couldn’t have a better understanding and “picture” of what He had for me in the future. I honestly did not expect such an immediate and clear answer. He said (using my own words) that because of my analytic mind, I would immediately begin trying to think of how it would happen, what it would take, and how I could do it. He said that I would just get in my own way. Wow, that’s a lot to process. But of course, the Lord is always right. In fact, I see things now happening in my life I never could have planned; yet, God had planned them for me!
For today, meditate on how “unplanned” things in your life, have actually put you in places/circumstances that ended up being pivotal toward your life direction. Could that dynamic still be at work? Isn’t God still working all things together for your good?
Also, consider: Are you trusting and resting in the plan of the Lord? Or, are you still stressing over how your life will ultimately turn out?
Additionally, consider how what we have discussed here further verifies that—just as all of the Old Testament prophecies about the Lord’s first coming were fulfilled—the prophecies concerning His Second Coming to rule and reign, will also be fulfilled.
Remember, you can trust His plan for you; you can trust Him.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Dec 9, 2025
- 3 min read
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:18-25 NKJV
On “Day 5” of “Advent at Ararat 2025,” we discussed the fact that Mary said yes to the plan of the Lord for her life.
To reiterate, the only question Mary asked, was concerning the logistics of how she would conceive, being that she was a virgin. Surprisingly, nothing recorded in the biblical account indicates that Mary was concerned about what Joseph might think or do. But make no mistake, Mary certainly could have had reason to be worried; adultery and fornication were punishable by death.
Perhaps Mary knew that Joseph’s character was not such that he would want to do her any harm. Indeed, we see in our opening scripture that, “Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.”
Not much else is said about Joseph going forward after he decided to stay with Mary at the angel’s reassurance. In fact, the last we see of Joseph is when he—being warned by an angel—moved his little family from one place to another to keep the Christ child from being killed.
“Now when they [the wise men] had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.””
Matthew 2:13 ESV
Though Joseph’s part in the narrative of the life of Jesus was brief, the part he played was essential. As such, the Lord made sure that he was well-informed of the plan. Mary didn’t have to worry about what she would say to Joseph; the Lord did her explaining for her.
For today, meditate on the faithfulness of our Lord. Truly, He works out all the details for those who trust Him enough to follow His plan. As well, examine whether or not you become anxious and worried over how things are going to work out, even though you may be walking in obedience to the Lord.
I recently became aware that I was still trying to handle daily difficulties by my own mental energy; I was trying to anticipate all the contingencies I might face. That is exhausting, and is not pleasing to the Lord. Now, I make every effort to ask the Lord’s guidance and favor concerning EVERYTHING I do. I then walk in obedience to what He wants, while trusting Him with managing the contingencies. Only in doing so can we find true peace.
As I’ve said so many times before, trusting the Lord does not mean that we don’t plan. It does mean that we submit everything to Him and follow what He says. Then, we trust the Lord to manage all the moving parts.
Remember, the Lord sees from an eternal perspective. So, trust Him! Be obedient to Him! Remember, He’s working out the details!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!