Christmas Prophecy (P. 2)

In this insightful episode of The Heartbeat of Faith Podcast, our host, Dr. Andrew Farley, delves into the profound and interlinked themes of glory and tragedy as portrayed in biblical prophecies. Dr. Farley begins by emphasizing how the prophets, in times of intense persecution and hopelessness, spoke of these prophecies that ultimately gave people the greatest hope. Through vivid storytelling and scriptural references, Dr. Farley unveils the anticipation surrounding the birth of Jesus, as foretold in the Old Testament. He explores the poetic words of Isaiah and King Solomon, highlighting how their prophecies were remarkably fulfilled in the birth and life of Jesus, from being the Wonderful Counselor to receiving gifts from the Kings of the East.

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This episode takes the audience on a captivating journey through these prophecies, connecting them with the awe-inspiring moments of Jesus' birth. The descriptions of the angelic visitation to the shepherds and the arrival of the Three Wise Men add a vivid and immersive dimension to the narrative. However, not all prophecies were filled with joy, as the host also explores Jeremiah's prediction of a brutal and agonizing event during the Messiah's birth, which found its tragic fulfillment in King Herod's desperate attempt to maintain control.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Let us pray have this in your mind, which was
also in Jesus Christ, who existing in the form of God,
didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being
made into the likeness of men, and being found in

(00:21):
human form. He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point
of death. Yes, the Death of the Cross Philippians, Chapter two,
verses five through eight. King Jesus, thank you for humbling
yourself to live, die, and rise again through your sacrifice.

(00:41):
I have bold access to the Father and peace with
God forever. Keep my eyes open to the needs of
others this Christmas season, I reject the distractions of consumerism
and selfishness. This holiday season often brings remind me of
the true meaning of chrisps celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ,

(01:03):
and inspire me to serve those around me in love.
In Jesus' name, Amen, thank you for praying with me today.
Now discover the profound intricacies of scripture through prey dot
COM's podcast The Heartbeat of Faith with doctor Andrew Farley.

Speaker 2 (01:30):
Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah remind us that glory
and tragedy can be interlinked. The prophets uttered these prophecies
during times of intense persecution and hopelessness. In the midst
of tragedy, trial and tribulation, we cling to hope more

(01:53):
than ever. Hi. I'm doctor Andrew Farley and you're listening
to the Heartbeat of Faith podcast. Christmas is fast approaching
and we've started preparing for family gatherings and Christmas carols.
There's an eagerness at this time of the year that
brings us joy. It's like children waiting for Christmas Morning.

(02:16):
In the same way the world was buzzing with anticipation
leading up to Jesus' birth. Old Testament prophecies generated great
expectations in God's people like a child has. On Christmas Eve,
the prophet Isaiah spoke poetically about the promised Messiah. He

(02:37):
proclaimed that God's promised rescuer would be a fully human child,
but fully God at the same time.

Speaker 3 (02:48):
For a child is born to us, a son is
given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders.
His name will be called Wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace, of the increase of his government and
of peace. There shall be no end on David's throne

(03:10):
and on his kingdom. To establish it and to uphold
it with justice and with righteousness. From that time on
even forever, the zeal of Yahweh of armies will perform
this Isaiah nine six through seven.

Speaker 2 (03:28):
Jesus was born just as Isaiah prophesied, and he embodied
all the qualities Isaiah mentioned. The angels who visited the
shepherds proclaimed Jesus's coming and recognized him as the promised
one of Isaiah.

Speaker 3 (03:49):
In the distance, a group of shepherds gazed at the
stars as the sheep settled for the night. The valley
was silent, and the tall grass swayed to the light breeze. Suddenly,
as if the sky was cut opened by a long blade,
an angel appeared in light. The radiance of the Lord's
glory surrounded them, and they were terrified. Do not be frightened,

(04:09):
the angel reassured, I have come with good news. In
the town of Bethlehem lies a baby. He is swallowed
securely in a manger at the inn stables. This child
is the Messiah, the Lord, the savior of the world
and redemption of mankind. The shepherds were speechless, They listened

(04:30):
closely to the angel's words. Then the light radiated even brighter,
and the angel was surrounded by a choir of more angels,
singing glory to God in the highest, peace on earth
and goodwill towards mankind. And like a vapor in the wind,
they vanished.

Speaker 2 (04:48):
Psalm seventy two. A poetic prophecy written by King Solomon
predicted that the Messiah would be visited by kings and
given gifts. It was also raphesied that he would be
a deliverer of the poor and needy and redeem the
souls of the lost.

Speaker 3 (05:08):
The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yes,
all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall
serve him, for he will deliver the needy. When he
cries the poor who has no helper, he will have

(05:31):
pity on the poor and needy. He will save the
souls of the needy. He will redeem their soul from
oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his
sight Psalm seventy two, ten through fourteen.

Speaker 2 (05:51):
Solomon's prophecy was fulfilled when the kings of the East
visited Jesus and laid gifts at his feet.

Speaker 3 (06:02):
As the family shared a moment of tenderness, they heard
a knock at the door. Joseph got up to answer
and saw the three wise men, draped in expensive robes,
standing outside. We have come to see the King, one
of them said, So Joseph let them inside. They saw
him resting in the arms of his mother and bowed.
Mary watched as these men of power and knowledge worshiped

(06:25):
at the feet of her child. Her and Joseph were
beginning to realize just how special this moment was. The
men brought in a small chest. In it were three gifts, gold, frankincense,
and murder. Unbeknownst to the wise men, these gifts would
represent the royalty, divinity, and death of Christ. In these

(06:46):
presents were hidden secrets to the life and death of
God's chosen King. After giving the gifts, the men said
goodbye and returned to their home.

Speaker 2 (06:56):
Not all the prophecies were positive. Jeremiah did a brutal
and agonizing slaughter of children during the time of the
Messiah's birth. This prophecy was fulfilled when Herod out of
a desperate attempt at control, slaughtered children under the age
of two to rid the nation of any potential threat

(07:19):
to his throne.

Speaker 3 (07:24):
Meanwhile, Herod stowed in paranoia. The heart of the ancient
Pharaoh came upon him, and he came up with a
truly cruel plan. Captain, he yelled. The captain of the
city guards came to the throne at attention. Herod stood up.
His eyes were red with rage, and ancient evil boiled
out of his heart. I want the head of every

(07:45):
boy under the age of two. Spare no one. So
the gods spread across the nearby cities in Judea, ripping
babies out of their mother's arms. The streets ran red
with infant blood, and the Lord wept over Herod's cruelty.

Speaker 2 (08:01):
Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah remind us that glory
and tragedy can be interlinked. The prophets uttered these prophecies
during times of intense persecution and hopelessness. In the midst
of tragedy, trial and tribulation, we cling to hope more

(08:22):
than ever. It's my prayer that you cling to hope
this Christmas season. May this season remind you that your
hope is not in circumstances, but in the person and
finished work of Jesus Christ. Thank you for listening to
today's episode of the Heartbeat of Faith podcast. Follow the

(08:43):
podcast so you can learn the Bible in this entertaining
and inspiring way. Download Theprey dot com app, and for
more encouragement in God's grace, visit Andrewfarley dot org. That's
Andrewfarley dot org.