Magi The compelling story of the majesty, science and history behind the Star of Bethlehem This is a story about immense majesty, signs in the night sky, mystical visitors, narrow escapes, and a centuries old chess match between God and His dark opponent, Andy Reese www.starstory.me Christmas it s all about the presence. with the fate of man hanging upon a star and, it s a true story There are lots of ideas even a few theories That chess match continues There are all kinds of ideas and theories about the Star of Bethlehem some better than others. Forensic weight of evidence Probability not certainty CSI: Bethlehem 1
God had promised a Savior Satan watched, intent on murder his eyes on Israel Then, in 1000 BC an Afghan camel herder stumbled out of the hills with an incredible story game on and God smiled In the beginning, astronomers say, the universe began with a big bang and the stars are just the result of natural laws happening over billions of years. In the beginning, astrologers say, the stars were placed by a mysterious force, and they tell our future and influence our lives. I m not sure about that, but I think In the beginning Then God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night and it was so. God played! Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number. Because of His power and greatness not one of them is missing. Is 40 Ah Lord God! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power Nothing is too difficult for You. Jer 32 2
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands Ps 19 Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? Job 38 the witness in the sky is faithful. Ps 89 3
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord Ps 115 Who has marked off the heavens by the hand-span? Is 40 Can you lead forth the wandering stars and constellations in their seasons the Bear and her stars? Job He hangs the earth on nothing. Job 26 4
Milky Way Galaxy - four-hundred billion stars I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself Is 44 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars 100,000 light years He counts the number of the stars and calls them all by name Ps 147 If Abraham counted one star per second It would take him over 12,000 years to count the stars just in the Milky Way galaxy And God took Abraham outside and said, Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able so shall your descendants be. Genesis We look edge-on into the center of our Milky Way galaxy Our nearest star, Proxima Centauri is 4.3 light years away how far is that? At 100 mph it would only take 28,000 years to get there 1 light year = 5.8 trillion miles (that s 5,800,000,000,000 miles) 1 second = 7 million years GDP and beyond the universe? Who is like the Lord our God He humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens? Ps 113 no up or down, left or right, no radio waves, no time nothing only God 5
and Hey beyond don t mess the universe? with that God s purpose for the heavens Who is like the Lord our God He humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens? Ps 113 no up or down, left or right, no radio waves, no time nothing only God Show His glory The heavens are telling of the glory of God there line has gone out through all the earth. Ps 19 For since creation His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made Rom 1 If I need an atheist for a debate, I go to the philosophy department. The physics department isn t much use anymore. Physicist Robert Griffiths God s purpose for the heavens God s purpose for the heavens Show His glory The heavens are telling of the glory of God there line has gone out through all the earth. Ps 19 For since creation His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made Rom 1 The universe begins to look more like a great thought than a great machine Physicist Sir James Jeans Show His glory The heavens are telling of the glory of God there line has gone out through all the earth. Ps 19 For since creation His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made Rom 1 Tell His story God said, and let the heavens be for signs and for epochs, for days and years. Gen 1 There will be signs in sun and moon and stars Lk 21 Simulation of planet and constellation lay out God named the stars Adam named the animals God told Seth and Enoch the names who passed them down Abraham told them to the Egyptians They told the world then 6
God s intention and His story was distorted over the centuries and split east/west across many cultures. God named the stars Adam named the animals God told Seth and Enoch the names who passed them down I Abraham named told the them stars to the Egyptians They told the world then and they tell My story not yours. BERENICE, the wife of PTOLEMY III, king of Egypt in the third century BC, vowed to consecrate her fine head of hair to Venus if her husband returned from a war in safety. Her hair, which was hung up in the Temple of Venus, was subsequently stolen. CONON, an astronomer of Alexandria, said that Jupiter had taken it and made it a constellation! This is the modern constellation we have today the hair of Berenice. The world ended up with Virgo where she is now but with a large gap of empty sky just above her head right here. In 1687 the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius created the Hunting Dogs just to fill up a gap and to capture the two bright stars seemingly not attached to any constellation.. Shes-nu, the desired son 3000 yr old Egyptian zodiac An Arabian astronomer of the 8 th century, says, this constellation as the Persians, Chaldeans and others teach, is a young woman whose Persian name denotes a pure virgin, sitting on a throne, with an infant boy, having a name, by some nations called Ihesu a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away And now the rest of the story! Venus and Jupiter appeared almost on top of one another in conjunction creating, by far, the brightest star in the sky. It was located in the rising constellation Leo the Lion. Well, anyway On the morning of August 12 th, 3 BC at sunrise in the sky above a village in Persia Leo was tied to Israel Jupiter was called the King Star Venus was called the Morning Star associated with birth. Jesus calls Himself The Morning Star (Rev 22:16) 7
Who were the Magi? Dude! Dude! Who were the Magi? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. Is 7:14 Astrologers, astronomers and mathematicians in Persia Powerful advisors to kings Zoroastrians- Believed in one God and a savior born of a virgin Knew of Daniel and Jewish prophecy because he was their leader centuries earlier (Dan 5:11) Were watching intently as the whole region was expectant the period of Daniel s 70 weeks was upon the world (Dan 9:25). If you think Jedi you will not be far wrong 444 BC Persian king Artaxerxes gave permission for the Jews to rebuild the temple The Story of the Magi (Matt 2:1-12) 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thisis what has been written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel. Simulation of rising Venus-Jupiter August 12, 4:15 am, 3 BC, looking to the East (Leo rising) from Persia 7Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him. 9After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. One month later 5:00 am Sept. 11-12 th, 3 BC in Persia Israel s king of kings is here A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth (Rev 12:1,2) King wondering star Regal star Leo - Jews moon at her feet awoman crown of 12 stars clothed in the sun Other reasons to think this is the date: John the Baptist s father s priestly service, the oath of allegiance to Augustus in 3BC, shepherds in the harvest field, and That same day in Bethlehem Sept. 11-12 th, 3 BC 6:00 pm The 1 st of Tishrei Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish Feast of Trumpets) 8
Jupiter September 12, 3 BC to June 17, 2 BC Simulation of rising Regulus-Jupiter triple conjunction After the first conjunction an amazing dance in the heavens takes place as Jupiter moves westward leading still proceeding. It may have been this dance that triggered the magi's journey Second Both times conjunction Jupiter and Regulus were in conjunction another heavenly body showed up, for that night only Third conjunction 2/16/2 BC 11:45 pm Persia looking SW the mother is with the king of kings of Israel Triple conjunction: 5/9/2 BC 11:45 pm Persia looking west the mother is still with the king of kings of Israel The Story of the Magi (Matt 2:1-12) Via Maris The Kings Highway 1000 ± miles @ 25-35 mi/day Puts arrival early June 1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel. 7Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him. 9After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. 9
Why was By Herod the way, troubled? where is the new President? The WHO!?!?! By the way, where is the new President? The WHO!?!?! Fled before Parthian (Iranian) attack 40BC who gave Jerusalem independence Restored as King of the Jews by Augustus Caesar in 37BC took throne about 34BC So after 30 years of peace the Magi were the enemy looking for another King for the Jews Why was Herod troubled? The Story of the Magi (Matt 2:1-12) 1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thisis what has been written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel. Scriptural clues give us the solution 7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him. S unset 9After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. Sent to Bethlehem Sunrise Secretly There is only on place he could meet secretly Herodian or Herodium The Fortress Palace of Herod Where he controlled access, where he chose to be buried Bethlehem Whoa, what s that!! Dusk June 17 th, 2 BC 5.3 miles went on before them: looking west not south had seen in the east: same thing as in the rising until it came and stood: timing of hours not days when they saw the star: not continuously visible 10
The Story of the Magi (Matt 2:1-12) Simulation of setting Venus-Jupiter over Bethlehem from Herodium-Bethlehem road 1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thisis what has been written by the prophet: 6 And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel. 7Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him. 9After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. There s something about Mary The Magi believed in a virgin birth of a savior Isaiah spoke of a virgin birth of a savior 140 years before Daniel they knew that They engage Mary in conversation and soon see she is a prophetess and a virgin, and had an angelic encounter 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. Via Maris 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. The Kings Highway 1200 miles 16 When Herod saw he had been tricked by the Magi he was enraged 19 But when Herod died Isn t it amazing that: The sky is God s palette showing His glory and telling His ongoing story God shared His secret with shepherds, a few pagans, and a frightened and faithful young woman The Magi story fits perfectly into history, culture and science God knew everything ahead of time and brought it all about and When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! Ps 8 11
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You. 1 Kg 8 I dwell in a high and holy place And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Is 57 I hope you have enjoyed God s favorite story. Remember that first wonder-filled Christmas and look up He s going to do it again! Duology www.duologymusic.com As You Wish Like Water Falls Kimberly and Alberto Rivera www.rainingpresence.com com The Chord The Chord 2001 A Space Odyssey Boston Pops Orchestra 2001 A Space Odyssey Credits Music by John G. Elliott www.johngelliott.com Space & Galactic Fantasy Created for MAGI Deep Friendships Radiant A Burden Lifted A Burden Lifted Special thanks to NASA and the Hubble Project Chandra X-Ray Observatory DVDs of this presentation available outside Merry Christmas MAGI www.starstory.me Andy Reese Christmas it s all about the presence. Written and Produced By: Andy Reese www.starstory.me Magi will also be presented tomorrow night at the Franklin Vineyard Church on Jordan Ave. near Cool Springs 6:30pm 2005-2011 Andrew Reese All rights reserved. 12