discerning the times
Dr. Roberto Miranda
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: In Luke 2, it is explained how Augustus Caesar ordered a census of the Roman Empire, which required everyone to register in their respective cities. Joseph and Mary, who were engaged and pregnant at the time, had to travel to Bethlehem, the city of David, because Joseph was a direct descendant of David's lineage. They had to stay in a stable because there was no room in the inn. In Galatians 4:2 and 4, Paul emphasizes that Christ came at the fullness of time, at a precise moment in history, when all things had flowed to a point. The birth of Jesus was a confluence of circumstances in many different dimensions that were beyond the individual, family experience of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.
The speaker wants to compare the times of Jesus' birth with our own lives and the things we can learn from their experience. He emphasizes the theme of discerning the times, pointing out that sometimes, like Mary and Joseph, we may not fully understand the significance of what is happening around us. However, just like in Jesus' birth, God is working around us in mighty ways, in systematic ways, to use us and take us where he wants us to be.
The author discusses the importance of discerning the times we are living in and understanding what God is doing in our lives and in the world. He uses the biblical story of Jacob in Bethel and the sons of Issachar as examples of people who understood the significance of their circumstances and were able to discern God's plan. He also discusses the current state of the world, where confusion and fear seem to be prevalent, and suggests that God is disturbing and confusing humanity in order to lead them to a better path. The author encourages readers to ask God for wisdom and discernment, and to live life on a macrocosmic level, in alignment with God's great plans.
The speaker reflects on the current state of the world and the church, citing biblical passages that warn of apostasy and the rejection of sound doctrine in the last days. He emphasizes the need for Christians to discern the times and live in holiness and surrender to God, investing in the Kingdom and living for eternity rather than material things. He encourages listeners to embrace their identity as servants of God and to live their lives with a sacred, consecrated focus. The speaker concludes with a prayer for God to continue to guide and renew His people.
The speaker wants to compare the times of Jesus' birth with our own lives and the things we can learn from their experience. He emphasizes the theme of discerning the times, pointing out that sometimes, like Mary and Joseph, we may not fully understand the significance of what is happening around us. However, just like in Jesus' birth, God is working around us in mighty ways, in systematic ways, to use us and take us where he wants us to be.
The author discusses the importance of discerning the times we are living in and understanding what God is doing in our lives and in the world. He uses the biblical story of Jacob in Bethel and the sons of Issachar as examples of people who understood the significance of their circumstances and were able to discern God's plan. He also discusses the current state of the world, where confusion and fear seem to be prevalent, and suggests that God is disturbing and confusing humanity in order to lead them to a better path. The author encourages readers to ask God for wisdom and discernment, and to live life on a macrocosmic level, in alignment with God's great plans.
The speaker reflects on the current state of the world and the church, citing biblical passages that warn of apostasy and the rejection of sound doctrine in the last days. He emphasizes the need for Christians to discern the times and live in holiness and surrender to God, investing in the Kingdom and living for eternity rather than material things. He encourages listeners to embrace their identity as servants of God and to live their lives with a sacred, consecrated focus. The speaker concludes with a prayer for God to continue to guide and renew His people.
In the Gospel according to Saint Luke, chapter 2, verses from 1 to 8. It says there: “…It happened in those days that an edict was promulgated by Augustus Caesar that the whole world was registered – that means that there was a census, everyone was registered. The Roman Empire wanted to know where all its people were, including in other countries I imagine too, because it says the whole world, but when it says the whole world, it is referring to the whole world of the Roman Empire, that they were in India, because even there Rome and Greece once arrived, whether they were in Turkey, in all the countries of the Mediterranean area or countries like Israel that were under the Roman Empire and its government. And it seems that Augustus Caesar wanted to know where all his territories were and take a census of all his inhabitants, because the Roman empire was a very well organized empire and had all its things well established, so he wanted to have a record of how big the empire was, how many people there were, where they were, what their names were, etc. So, Augustus César makes that general census take place.
He says that this first census was made when Sirenius was governor of Syria, he also sees something here about the historical aspect of the Bible. There he is pointing out who the governor was and historians can go to the historical records of those times and recognize that yes, there was a governor of Syria specifically named Sirenio. Because the Bible is reliable, the Bible is historical, the Bible is not a fairy tale, it is not something made up. The birth of Jesus is something real, historical, true, confirmable. There is more evidence for the existence of Jesus than for the existence of Plato, Socrates, many of the world's emperors, and many other things, because there are so many historical records that affirm the accuracy of the Biblical records.
He says that this first census was made when Sirenius was governor of Syria, he also sees something here about the historical aspect of the Bible. There he is pointing out who the governor was and historians can go to the historical records of those times and recognize that yes, there was a governor of Syria specifically named Sirenio. Because the Bible is reliable, the Bible is historical, the Bible is not a fairy tale, it is not something made up. The birth of Jesus is something real, historical, true, confirmable. There is more evidence for the existence of Jesus than for the existence of Plato, Socrates, many of the world's emperors, and many other things, because there are so many historical records that affirm the accuracy of the Biblical records.
