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This
message will take the form of a simulated discussion between
a Jehovah's Witness named Joe and a Christian named
Chris.
Chris: Joe,
can you tell me why the Watchtower believes that the star of
Bethlehem was Satan's star and that the wise men were led by
Satan?
Joe: I have
brought some information from the Watchtower for you to look
at Chris. Look at this article in the July 1, 1985
Watchtower. On pages 16 & 17 it says
"Who do you think provided the star
that moved in the sky to guide the astrologers? Remember,
the star did not guide them directly to Jesus in Bethlehem.
Rather, they were led to Jerusalem where they came in touch
with King Herod, who wanted to kill Jesus. And he would have
done so if God had not stepped in and warned the astrologers
not to tell Herod. It was God's enemy, Satan the Devil, who
wanted Jesus killed, and he used that star to try to
accomplish this purpose." You see, Chris the star
that led the magi was Satan's star and it was used to try to
destroy Jesus.
Chris: That
is certainly a very interesting premise Joe, but I have
never seen it that way from scripture. I'm wondering if you
could answer some questions I have about the story of the
star and the wise men found in the Bible.
Joe: I am
always willing to answer your Bible questions.
Chris: Look
at Matthew 2:1 & 2.
Joe: In the
New World Translation is says "After Jesus had been born in
Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, look!
Astrologers from eastern parts came to Jerusalem, saying:
"Where is the one born king of the Jews? For we saw his star
(when we were) in the east, and we have come to do him
obeisance."
Chris: Joe,
according to Matthew 2:1 & 2, where did the wise men see
the star?
Joe: It
says they saw the star when they were in the east.
Chris: Does
it say that the star led them to Jerusalem?
Joe:
Well...no, it just says that they saw the star in the east.
But it had to lead them to Jerusalem or else how did they
get there?
Chris:
Obviously they knew something about the Jews and their
religion because the Bible says that they knew that the star
was connected with the long-awaited king of the Jews. If
they were aware of the Jew's belief in a coming king, where
do you think that they would look to find the king?
Joe:
Jerusalem was the logical choice as it was the capital city
and had the throne of king Herod.
Chris:
That's right, Joe. Logically Jerusalem would be the place to
start their search for the king. But can you find any verse
that says that the star led the wise men to Jerusalem?
Joe: Hmmm.
Well, no I guess there isn't any verse. We just assume that
the star led them to Jerusalem because Satan wanted Jesus
killed.
Chris: You
know Joe, there is a verse that talks about the star leading
the magi. Have a look at Matt. 2:9.
Joe: It
says, "When they had heard the king, they went their way;
and, look! the star they had seen (when they were) in the
east went ahead of them, until it came to a stop above where
the young child was."
Chris: Joe,
did the star lead the magi to Jesus?
Joe: Yes,
it did. But it was Satan's star.
Chris: Look
at verse 12. Who gave the wise men direction in a dream?
Joe: It
says "However, because they were given divine warning in a
dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country
by another way." Here Jehovah warned the wise men to stay
away from Herod but he had to do this or else Herod would
have killed Jesus.
Chris: If the star of Bethlehem was Satan's star, then Satan goofed! He should have sent the star to direct Herod not the wise men. You see the wise men were obedient to Jehovah, but Herod obviously was not.
Joe: The
star couldn't have been Jehovah's star. There is no reason
to send pagan astrologers to Jesus other then to stir up
Herod to try to kill Jesus.
Chris: Joe,
if the magi were pawns of Satan and influenced by him, then
they would not have obeyed Jehovah's warning in a dream. The
fact that they obeyed Jehovah proves that they were sent by
him.
Joe: So,
they obeyed him that proves nothing.
Chris:
Jehovah could easily have stopped the wise men from finding
Jesus just as He stopped Herod from finding Jesus. But the
wise men provided something for his Son that was needed
because of an important prophecy.
Joe: What
do you mean?
Chris:
Matthew 2:15 quotes a prophecy from Jehovah about His Son
being in Egypt. And verse 18 is another prophecy quoted
about the death of the young children that would be killed
by Herod. It was no surprise to Jehovah that Herod would
cause the death of many children in an attempt to kill
Jesus. Jehovah already knew this and gave a prophecy to show
that He was prepared for this event. How would Jehovah
provide protection for Jesus?
Joe: He
would send Jesus and his parents into Egypt.
Chris: If
Jehovah already knew that his Son would need
to go to Egypt just as Jehovah prophecied, what did He
prepare to provide financially for his Son in
Egypt?
Joe: I've
never thought of that question before. I don't know.
Chris: Just
think, Joe. The wise men brought very expensive gifts to the
young child Jesus. These gifts were worth enough to finance
the stay in Egypt of God's Son. These men brought
Jehovah's financial provision for Jesus and
not until after the magi left were Jesus'
parents instructed to flee to Egypt. Now Joe, whose star do
you think the star of Bethlehem really was?
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Go to Part Three: Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate Christmas? |
