The Supernatural Man – Part viii – The Supernatural Star –

The Supernatural Man 

Part viii

The Supernatural Star

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, (Matthew 2:1)

 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 2:2)

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:3)

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. (Matthew 2:4)

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, (Matthew 2:5)

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. (Matthew 2:6)

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. (Matthew 2:9)

    All creation waited patiently through the dark millenniums of sin, then creation took a deep breath and sighed when it heard, Glory to God in the highest. The vibrations from these words still echo throughout the entire creation: in the rocks in the ground, in the sea and dry land. The earth was ready to receive its King, the Creator was sent to be King and Ruler over all the earth. The earth received its King, but the Jews would not, and the Gentile world would not give up its dominion.

 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. (Psalm 132:13) This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. (Psalm 132:14) I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. (Psalm 132:15) I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. (Psalm 132:16) There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. (Psalm 132:17) His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish. (Psalm 132:18)

The Son of Man Came From . . .

   The true son of David had come, He had come out of heaven’s glory, He had come in the fullness of God’s time, and He would be manifested as the divine Man among men. He came to lay title to His entire creation, to receive the crown of the earth. In doing so, He came as the true Son of man out of heaven, He came to seek and to save that which was lost. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (1 Peter 1:20) As the Son of man He would reveal His wondrous power, He would reveal His power over sin, over death, and over all the infirmities of mankind; His very creation bowed unto Him as He stilled the storm and hushed the winds. God the Father would speak of the Son, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Other times He would speak in thunderings that only the creation could understand. He came into the world and yet was rejected, and He was cast out of the world.

The Son of Man Brought The Plan of Redemption

   In the counsels of God there was, however, a grander plan, a plan that mankind could not understand; only by the divine power of God could now mankind be brought in to the wonderful plan of redemption. The Lord Jesus had come into the world to call a people for Himself out of the world, and they would come out of the world through the redemptive process of the cross of Calvary. He would use His divine power and great glory to sever these people from sin and death by the death of Himself. He would take them into a new sphere, and they would be a new miracle of His divine creation. Those who would believe on Him would become the children of God, the sons of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

The Son of Man Came as ‘That Holy Thing’

  The Holy Ghost magnified Him when He placed the divine seed within the womb of the morning, that holy thing who would be the true holy man born of a woman and called the Son of God. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)

   After years of silence God had opened the heavens. He first sent an angel to Zechariah and told of the wonderful birth of a son to be given to Zechariah and Elizabeth, and he would be named John. The world would behold a divine miracle, yet, could not comprehend the presence of the miracle. John had come to present their King, and the Jews rejected the Sovereign out of the seed of David.

   The angels were used of God to deliver the greatest message ever given to mankind. This holy thing within the womb would be called the Son of God. He came into the world to claim His kingdom, but the people of the kingdom rejected Him. The heavens had declared Him with a glorious wonder, He had received His own star to light the heavens to reveal His coming. This glorious star, His star, also spoke of His dominion and His power over the heavens as a magnet pulling on an object. His great power would be displayed at His birth pulling the star from the east and leading the wise men to the very spot of His birth. Although being an infant His power was shown over the entire creation. As the Creator moved the star through His celestial realm (being the very Creator of all things) He took the lowest, and most humbling position as a babe born in a manger, and as a man within His own creation. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, and was not only born in humility, but in a humble location. He was in a manger amongst the beasts of the earth, and He had come to bring peace and good will to mankind.

 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (Luke 2:8-15)

The Son of Man Rejected in His Birth and in His Life

   He would be rejected by the very object of His love.

 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. (Hosea 6:4)

 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. (Hosea 11:8)

 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, (Malachi 1:1, 2)

   In the Old Testament the God of heaven and earth revealed His great love for Israel. He manifested this great love for Israel throughout their entire history. He spoke to them many times through the prophets who He had chosen with His divine hand, and yet, they would not listen. Then lastly, when all had been done that could be done by the instrument of man, God sent His divine Son (the heir of the vineyard) to draw them, to brood over them, and to embrace them in His great love. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. Man could not see His glory for it was veiled to the darkened eyes of mankind, however, His great power would not be held back, His star would draw the wise men from the east to Bethlehem which was the place of His birth.

The Son of Man: a Star and a Scepter

  In the book of Daniel, we receive divine understanding concerning the Babylonian Empire, even though this empire had been removed by God and the empires that followed had also fallen. It is through Daniel 2:2, and 2:27 that God reveals to us there were soothsayers, astrologers, and wise men in the land of the east (the region of Babylon). These three wise men, therefore, were from the east, but why would they be looking for a particular star? I believe that this is the answer: during the captivity under Nebuchadnezzar, the Medes, and the Medes-Persians, there was a great number of Jews brought into the land of Shinar and came with the divine writings of God. In Numbers 24:17 there is the prophecy given by Balaam. I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. This could be the very prophetic revelation that these wise men from the east followed. Along with the guidance and direction of God these men committed themselves to follow His Star. In the land of Shinar they had studied the stars for thousands of years back to the time of the tower of Babel; for Babel was in the land of Shinar, and it was here that astrology was born to the east. With their knowledge of the stars it is a marvelous thing when a new star so bright appears and has a particular brightness as the harbinger of a new day. These wise men knew the particulars from the very onset of their journey. They knew they were going to find the King of the Jews. They understood that this star was the divine symbol of the divine answer for mankind. They took with them gold, gifts, and spices for the great King; truly a greater than Solomon was their quest. God used these three wise men as a symbol of divine wisdom in opposition to the wisdom of men; for there were only three following this divine star. Other men were not led to seek or to know this mystery. These three wise men like Abraham were brought out of Ur of Chaldees to seek the King of the Jews. 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 2:2) 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. (Matthew 2:9)

The Son of God Hated and Hunted

   In the manifestation of the Son of God upon the earth man should have been filled with great joy, yet danger and death lurked in Herod’s court. The first to react in evil against the Son of God was not the Jews, but the Gentile leader Herod. It was Herod who would seek the young child’s life. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. (Ephesians 6:12) Even though this reference is in the epistles, the Son of God related to His disciples that the very battles that He fought on earth would also be their battles. Evil is in this present evil world, and evil has to be reckoned with by the child of God. In Herod’s zeal to find the King of the Jews and to kill Him, God would again move. He revealed to Joseph the danger and the specific evil that was coming against this child; thus Joseph was directed by God to take the young child down into Egypt, therefore, the prophecy of Hosea 1:11 might be fulfilled, I have brought my son up out of Egypt. And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. (Matthew 2:15) Herod also took counsel of the Jews in an effort to find the location and birthplace of the promised Messiah. The location that they gave was used by Herod to slaughter all children under the age of two. The Jews had given him counsel, and yet, they showed no interest to seek their own Messiah and King. They were under the suppression of Herod. Could it have been the spirit of fear, or just lack of concern for their own prophetic writings? Much can be said today on that same subject. Although the Lord sends forth His word all over the earth today, every second, every minute His word is being proclaimed throughout the entire world it is also being hated and attacked. There has never been this level of divine communication to a world that is lost in sin.

   The Jews appeared to be unconcerned with their own Scriptures, yet, the heart of Herod moved on those Scriptures to commit his evil, and to attempt to destroy the King of the Jews. Herod considered himself to be deity, and he (being moved of the devil like Judas) would have no competition from this King of the Jews. He sent out men to slaughter a village full of young children all under the age of two, and Rachel (Israel) wept for her children.

 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 enquired of the wise men. (Matthew 2:16)

 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, (Matthew 2:17)

 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. (Matthew 2:18)

  This action by Herod was the fulfillment of the prophecy given by Jeremiah found in Jeremiah 31:15. Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. This prophecy by Jeremiah gives us another key to unlock the foreknowledge of God. Many forget the fulfillment of prophecy is a witness of the foreknowledge of God. One by one in the life of the Lord Jesus the prophetic voice was fulfilled, and each time one of these prophecies spoke through His life showed the divine counsels of God in His plan of redemption and the foreknowledge of all His redeemed.

   The fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy shows the first of many attempts on the life of the divine Son of God. The Lord Jesus would move through the world and mingle among men, all to complete His Father’s will. He was in the presence of all evil, and He found comfort only in His Father’s voice. There was hatred from the world, there was hatred from Herod, hatred from the Jews, and hatred from the Romans. On several occasions the Jews picked up stones to stone Him, and counseled together on how they could destroy Him. We cannot leave out the devil, for it was the devil entering into Judas which gave Judas the momentum to betray the Son of man. When the devil, or the prince of this world, came to deliver the final blow he found nothing that was evil or wicked that the Son of man (the Man of glory) could respond to. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (John 14:30) As the Son of man resisted the devil in His temptation, He overcame the devil in His death for there was nothing of Adam in the divine Son of man.

The Son of Man: His Title

   The Star was a symbol of His title to all creation, and in that Star, we have His title: the Son of man.

 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. (Numbers 24:17)

 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.(Revelation 22:16)

 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 2:2)

   These wise men of the east were aware of Balaam’s prophecy, they declared that they were following the star out of Jacob by telling Herod that the star was leading them to the King of the Jews. We are blessed to have the full canon of Scripture for God draws the complete message of the Star together in the last Chapter of holy Scripture. Matthew 2:2 is the binding or connecting link to Balaam’s prophecy and to the grand conclusion of the Lion out of the tribe of Judah, the bright and morning star. Compare the previous verses with Deuteronomy 33:26 -29, Genesis 49:8-12, and Isaiah 63:1-6. When all these prophecies are met together in the divine counsels of God one title stands out, this title to the divine Son of God is the Son of man. This is the title of His manifestation, this is His name in relationship to His dominion over all the earth. The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. (Psalm 24:1) 2

   In the gospel of Matthew 8:20 the Lord claims His title as the Son of man. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. At this time, the Lord Jesus was already aware of His rejection and His position in the earth. He stressed that the foxes could find refuge in His earth, but there was no place for Him. The birds can nest in the lofty trees, but He had no place to rest on the earth that He had created. In the divine work of creation He had looked upon it, He had called it good, and He had rested on the seventh day. He had found comfort in His own creation, but now in the fullness of time sin and death had brought barrenness to the souls of men, for they dwelt in a land of dry ground. And in this world (a world tainted by sin) the Son of man could not find rest for the soles of His feet, or find a stone to rest His head, all was lost, but He had come to seek and to save that which was lost. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

The Son of Man Existed in Everlasting to Everlasting

   The divine Man had come to save the fallen man. He was here to redeem man unto Himself, but He Himself must bear the title of Son of man which He held in the heavens, and before the earth was. This divine title is proven both in heaven and on earth by the very words of the Son of man. (John 3:13) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

The Son of Man: The Image of God

   John 3:13 shows the omnipresence of the Son of man, and also shows His home as the everlasting God. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen. (Psalm 41:13) And again, we have the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ speaking of Himself as the Son of man in the gospel of John, Chapter 6, verse 62: What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? As John 3:13 shows the omnipresence of the Son of man, John 6:62 shows us His prior existence in heaven with the Father as the Son of man. Before the world was the image of God was in the Son of man, who also bears the title Son of God, and Jesus Christ. One and the same, however, the Son of man shows His relationship to mankind and to the earth. It also shows that He is the express image of God, and has always been the express image of God. On the divine side the name of love from the Father is Son of God. This is the relationship He has with the Father, and with heaven itself. When He asked His disciples concerning the man of the earth, He asked them, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (Matthew 16:13) Notice in this verse He used His earthly title, Son of man, but the question is much deeper, however, in listening to their answer we see what blindness men can experience from the inherent sin that is within them. They answered, Some say John the Baptist, some Elias, and others Jeremias or one of the prophets. Then the Lord asked His disciples, Whom say ye that I am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. (Matthew 16:14) He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (Matthew 16:15) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16)

   The answer came from Peter, but this revelation was given to Peter by God the Father. Peter proclaimed, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter’s answer from heaven connects the Son of man and the Son of God. We see both titles brought together proving the earthly Deity of the Son of man and the Son of God. We have further proof from heaven itself: three times God the Father proclaimed His Son to man.

 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mark 3:17)

 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)

 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. (John 12:28)  The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. (John 12:29)  Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. (John 12:30)

 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (Luke 9:35)

   We have the witness of the Lord Jesus Himself in referring to one of the prophecies of Isaiah, Isaiah 42:1. The Lord quoted that prophecy in Matthew 12:18-20. Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

    No man can separate the Godhead for the Godhead is a union of eternity. Men try but fail terribly in trying to define something they cannot comprehend. The Bible gives its own evidence of the Godhead, and that should suffice the curiosity of man. Peter was given this revelation from heaven, it was the Father who loved the Son, who revealed to Peter the marvels of this Deity, His own Son in the presence of mankind.

The Son of Man: On Earth and In Heaven

   The title of the Son of man is preeminent in the gospels. After the gospels we only see this title three times, one in Acts 7:56 where Stephen sees (in a vision) the Son of man standing at the right hand of the majesty on high; then next in the book of the Revelation, the title Son of man is used twice.

 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:56 

 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (Revelation 1:13)  And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:14)

   All three of these visions are of the Son of man in heaven; therefore, we have the revelation and continuation of the Lord’s title Son of man. We beheld it on earth, and we beheld it in heaven. As He proclaimed to Nicodemus (while on earth) that He, the Son of man, was in heaven. (John 3:13) In the gospel of Matthew, His title Son of man is used 27 times. In the gospel of Mark, the title is used 15 times, in Luke’s gospel it is used 27 times, and in the gospel of John it is only used 12 times; for His title of Son of God is preeminent in John’s gospel. His title, the Son of man, in the four gospels is used for a total of 81 times showing the preeminent title in the gospels is the One who declared for Himself, Son of man. This does not detract from any part of His divine nature, instead it adds to the many other facets of His deity.

The Son of God: The Son of Man: The Express Image of God

  We will begin with Adam who was made in the image of God. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:27) When duplicating an image, it is taken from a previous image. Everyone speaks of the image of God, but they refuse to put a name or a face to that image. The Holy Spirit of God, however, puts both an image and a face to the image of God. We begin with Hebrews 1:3 – Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;. The express image before us is the Son of God. The Holy Spirit is telling us that the Son of man, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ IS the express image of God; and then the Spirit of God adds, not only the image, but glory as well! Let’s go to 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Once again the apostle through the guidance of the Spirit of God affirms to us the One who IS the image of God — that being — the Lord Jesus Christ! We see the connection between Hebrews 1:3 and 2 Corinthians 4:4 that both Christ and God’s Son are one and the same image. Now, let us go to Colossians 1:13 – 15. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. Here the Spirit of God shows us that Christ is the outward expression or manifestation of the invisible God. As the Lord Jesus stated in John Chapter 4 that God is Spirit and the true worshipers will worship Him in Spirit and truth.

Man Created in the Image of Jesus Christ

   However, by Adam’s transgression, Adam lost that image. In Genesis 5:3, we see the absence of the image of God. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat [a son] in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:. All of Adam’s children were made after the image of Adam, this was the image of the fallen man. It was not the image of Christ. (Genesis 1:27) In Genesis 5:3 we have the word ‘likeness’ as well as the word ‘image,’ in both words we see the depravity of man in his human likeness and his spiritual image.

 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)

 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:48)  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:49)

 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)

   Consider now this wonderful course that we are on that through the Scriptures that the Scriptures cannot be broken. We will not be conformed nor changed to the image of a new and improved Adam, but we are new creatures in Jesus Christ, and we will be conformed to the Man in heaven for us. What was lost in Adam is gone forever. What we have received, and what we will become in the Person of Jesus Christ, will also be forever. We are not the old creation made new, but a new creation to do away with the old. We are reconciled to God in a new image, the image of the Son of man.

   When Adam lost the image of God, what did he gain? His disobedience brought sin and death and alienated him from God. Mankind could not be reconciled in this condition. Man had to be created in a new form that not only took on the image of the Son of man, but was and is upheld by the invisible image of Christ within us. We will be conformed to the image of His beloved Son who is in heaven. (John 3:13) In the gospel of Matthew 9:6, Christ, as the Son of man, proclaimed that He had the power ON earth to forgive sins. This also relates to His coming into the world. Why would He talk about having power on earth if he were not the preexistent Son of man in heaven? Only He could have divine power over sin. He proclaimed this with His own title: Son of man. Christ was manifested in the flesh; He became the Man of Deity for only deity could go into the depths of Adams sin and redeem man for Himself. As He had the power over sin, He also had the power over death, and in His great power nullified the works of the devil. In this position the Jews found themselves at a loss under the law. They could not conceive a new man with a multitude of new creatures that would be conformed to His divine image. It was such a shock to them for no one on earth had the power to forgive sins. Under the law of Moses every sin had a penalty. The Jews, therefore, denying Him picked up stones to stone Him. They could not relate that the Man standing before them was the very God who created them. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? (John 10:32) The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (John 10:32)

   The sinful mind of mankind cannot comprehend the total loss of his own being, and yet, man faces death every day. The Jews reasoned among themselves with the minds and hearts of sinners. They conspired to kill the Prince of Life, it was their cries that finished their course when they cried out, Crucify him, crucify him!

   There is a distance between Matthew 9:6 and John 10:33. This is the distance: in Matthew 9:6 it was the Lord Jesus who declared that He had the power to forgive sins as the Son of man; in John 10:33 the Jews declared themselves that He had informed them that He was God! They declared, thou, being a man, makest thyself God. This declaration brought Him closer to the cross; for now, the enmity in the hearts of the Jews was at a boiling point, and even though this period of time spans a distance, in that distance, the Son of man performed many miracles. The attitude of the Jews was disbelief and hatred for the true God of heaven and earth. They took up stones to stone Him, but He passed through their midst. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand. (John 10:39)

   The determinate counsels of God held back wrath for the Lord’s hour of suffering had not yet come. The Jews could have no power over Him until the time was fulfilled by God the Father. He was the divine Man come down from heaven. He was manifested on earth to bring the image of the God Man to man and then to heaven. At no time did this image of God falter. At no time was this image tarnished.

The Supernatural Star 

   His Star led the way when God manifested that Star in the heavens to speak of the glory to come in the bright and morning star out of the tribe of Judah. The very glory of His Star related the glory of the Son of man. He would be a humble shepherd of men come forth born of a virgin so that no taint of Adam would be upon Him. His Star traveled through the heavens showing His great power over the heavens; a Star out of its natural course, but in the supernatural course moved by the word of His power. The Star that Balaam saw in his vision with his eyes wide open falling into a trance was the vision of the Almighty.

 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. (Numbers 24:15-17)

   This part of Balaam’s prophecy is a window or a vision through the Scriptures connecting to the star of David, which is confirmed in Revelation 22. Balaam stated, I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh. Even though Balaam’s words are enticing, they do not come close to 1^st John 3:2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. In this vision of Balaam, he depicts one particular Star, out of the millions of stars, there is a particular star and that star would come out of the tribe of Judah. In Revelation, Chapter 22, His statement of the bright and morning star is stated to the churches. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:16) This declaration comes in the very last chapter in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It is His last mention of the churches. And it is His last proclamation of who He is. As the Son of man, He is the root and the offspring of David. He has fulfilled the prophecy of Balaam, and now He is the Lion out of the tribe of Judah, He is out of Jacob, He is the Star fulfilling the prophecy of Balaam. Millennium after millennium has passed, but the word of God is sure and steadfast. In Revelation 1:13 we have the vision of the Son of man, John on the Isle of Patmos turned to see this wonderful image of the Son of man. He was very familiar with the One who was manifested in the flesh for who he had handled of the word of life.

 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;(1 John1:1) (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)(1 John1:2)

The Son of Man: The Bright and Morning Star 

   In the 2^nd verse of 1^st John 1, the word ‘manifested’ is recorded twice emphasizing that life was embodied and displayed in the Person of Jesus Christ; then, in the second mention of ‘manifested’ we have the possessor of eternal life IN Jesus Christ. This life which was with the Father is the evidence of the preexistence of the Son of man in heaven for He was manifested not only from heaven but manifested from the Father unto us. By mentioning the two aspects of His manifestation we see from the earth that this life was manifested unto us; then viewing from the glorious realm of heaven with the angels (the heavenly host) were divine witnesses of His manifestation to the glory of God. Twice emphasizing (two the number of witness) that this Man was not out of the mold of Adam. There was no taint nor tarnish of Adam upon Him. He was free from sin to come into a world of sin, and take sin upon Himself to deliver a people for Himself out of a sinful world.

   The more we consider our position in a historical sense we will see that we were never a people of the earth, but a people of heaven. Our divine affections are in a divine Man, the Son of man who is in heaven. Even though we have been called to the land of the heavenlies our center is not in a place, but in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The two-fold witness of His manifestation in 1^st John 1:1-2, is the declaration of His people that are presently in heaven with Him. It is also our declaration that we have been called out of this world to be attached to the Man in heaven. The Spirit of God proclaims that we are part of His body, although we see this as a mystical body, He sees it in all the glory of His heavenly domain. In Revelation, Chapter 1, when John looked upon the Son of man all strength was taken from him, and he laid silent until the Lord touched him, and only then did he have the strength to stand in His presence. Would not the words that he penned in his epistle (which he had heard, and which he had seen with his own eyes, and the apostles had looked upon the One who was manifested) and now before him stood the Son of man as the divine Man in heaven. John had listened to the heartbeat of eternity when he laid his head on His breast, now in this vision on Patmos is the One like the image that he had embraced and followed through the land of Judea.

   The Son of man is the bright and morning star, the star that said, Good night to the darkness that was all around. His star that broke the bonds of His creation. This star displayed not only the hopes of mankind, but the hope of the entire creation of God. The creation has been under a tremendous weight since the fall of Adam. This weight was placed on the whole creation of God, you can see the scars of sin everywhere. Even the earth reveals the evidence of the results of sin in its very formation. The landscape twisted and distorted with deep canyons, and towering hostile mountains, dying trees, fallen creatures of all kinds: these are the scars of both sin and death that Adam brought upon the creation of God. And no other than the bright and morning star who is the root and offspring of David could come out of heaven’s glory to renew and reclaim what was rightfully His. All that has been placed under the curse will be set aright by the last King: the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.

   The dominion of Adam will be smashed with His rod of iron. The dominion of Satan will be cast into the judgment fires of hell. As Adam was the door to sin that tainted and destroyed the earth, and brought forth death, Christ is the door to life everlasting. The entire creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God to be joined in all the Son of man’s glory; as He has lit the hearts of men upon the earth those hearts will burn with the brightness of His glory and the express image of His Person. This bright and morning star, this one star belongs to all the redeemed, and that star in the east was drawn to Bethlehem by the power of the Son of man that the star came to announce. He, the Lord of glory, was the Star out of Jacob that will come from the east with His saints and holy angels to free the earth from its curse and to display the glory of the supernatural Man.

   In all His glory the Son of man, the Star out of Jacob, the bright and morning star, the shepherd of the sheep, the son of David, the Son of God, the Son of the highest, and on and on, the titles and magnification of the glory of the Son of man will never end and will never be complete until all is fulfilled and met in Jesus Christ. His glory will shine brighter than the sun for in Him is both life and light, and this light is the true brightness of the bright and morning star. It is the true light of the star of David, He has right of descent to the throne of Judah. For He is both the root and the offspring of David. In the book of Jude we are told of wandering stars, these wandering stars have no light, nor life. As the proud waves they are foaming out their own shame, what a contrast we see from His star, the star began in the east and never faltered in its course, it broke (if I may say) all the natural courses of creation. It was supernaturally given to lead a supernatural path to announce a supernatural birth and a supernatural Man. His star was not wandering but was sent to accomplish what God had sent it for, His star is a symbol of the glory of the true Star which is Jesus Christ. He, the Lord of glory, was the light of the world, and His supernatural light was first introduced to the entire creation when the Son of man, the Lord Jesus Christ, said, Let there be light. (Genesis 1:3, 4) And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

   The light that was first given to the world was the light of His presence, the light of His being. Adam veiled that light when he brought sin into the world, darkness came upon the whole land and sin brought the darkness of death. In Revelation, Chapter 22:35 we have the restoration of the light of the Son of God. In our present age, our Bible contains the brightness of His light in the word of God. He is the brightness of light in thought, He is the brightness of light in life, all these are elements of His glory. He is light to the children of God, may we with heart and soul observe that light to the fullness and bow to the fullness of the glory of the Son of man, who is the true Star that calls us out of the darkness with His marvelous light for we have been called to worship and adore the holy Man, the Son of man, the Son of God, the true Star of life in the fullness of His glory. Amen, and Amen.

© Copyright 2017, Michael Haigh

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All Scripture references are from the  King James Bible. (KJB)