A lost Syriac manuscript, the Revelation of the Magi, translated into English by Bible scholar Brent Landau, may help answer that key question from the Christmas story: “Who were the magi?” Photo: Ms Vaticanus Syriacus 163, © 2011 Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana
numbering as few as 12 and as many as several score—of monk-like mystics from a far-off, mythical land called Shir, possibly China.
Shir is not likely China.
More likely the ancient kingdom of Shambhala, also known as Shar-lung , or Shangri-la. It was shortened to “Shir.”
This Kingdom is inaccessible today, according to legend.
It is said to be located in the area North of Tibet, towards
Eastern Tajikistan.
Ah ha, a text of secret society with secret knowledge; a hallmark of these false stories. You have to ask yourself, 'Why is it not in the Apocrypha'?
Recent research has shown that the conception of Jesus was on Sept. 3, 3 BC, when Virgo had the sun in her hair with the crescent moon at her feet. The best evidence is that Herod died on December 29, 1 BC, during a total lunar eclipse of the moon, not in 4 BC as the consensus of the experts have claimed. On June 17, 2 BC, Jesus was born when Venus and Jupiter merged in the sky, an event that has not occurred previous or since. Jupiter performed a triple conjunction around the central star Regulus, in the constellation Leo the Lion. On Dec. 25, 2 BC, Jupiter stopped its prograde motion in its third trip over the top of Regulus, the heart of Leo. On that day Jupiter sat still over Bethlehem to the South, as viewed from Jerusalem. Jupiter had stopped its prograde motion of its triple conjunction above Regulus, forming a triple crown. Jupiter’s motion would become retrograde, against the motion of the stars. This is the most likely time when the wisemen visited Jesus, Dec. 25, 2 BC, when Jesus was a toddler.
30 years later Jesus began to preach to Good News of the Gospel. On Friday, April 3, 33 AD, Jesus laid down His life for us. The full moon rose that night engulfed in a total lunar eclipse (a blood moon), representing a full life lived with a sacrifice. Remember that Jesus was born during a crescent moon, a full life yet to be lived. Jesus rose again victorious on the third day after His death. If you project the eclipse of the moon on April 3, 33 AD, back onto the sky towards the sun, you will find that it points to Aries the Ram, the Lamb of God, sacrificed for the sin of the world.
-Frank
It’s a fascinating story, but does it actually bring us any closer to understanding who the actual magi of the Christmas story might have been? Unfortunately, the answer is no, says Landau, although it may provide insight into the beliefs of an otherwise unknown Christian sect of the second century that identified with the mysterious magi.“Sadly, I don’t think this is actually written by the historical wise men,” said Landau in an interview with National Public Radio’s Diane Rehm. “In terms of who wrote it, we have no idea. [But] the description of the magi and [their religious practices] is so remarkably detailed and I’ve often wondered whether it’s reflecting some actual community out there that practiced and kind of envisioned themselves in the role of the magi.”
Translated:
Three good wise men, earthly monarchs,
Whither are you searching?
Will you tell us, Oh great patriarchs,
Do you seek the Infant.
In a manger, without a throne,
No scepter does He hold,
What is destined, has been long known,
By all prophets foretold.
Three good wise men, malice fearful
Persecutes the new King,
Tidings dismal, tidings dreadful,
Herod is conspiring.
In a manger…
Yet the monarchs will not frighten,
To Bethlehem hasten,
While the star proclaims the Savior,
Life and Hope Redeemer!
In a manger…
Who Were the Magi?
A Christmas Anticipation
by Chuck Missler • November 1, 1999
https://khouse.org/articles/1999/142/
***nor are they Babylonian astrologers or Persian Zoroastrians,***
A book I read forty years ago said they were most likely Jews of the dispersion, from far off Persia, some of those that did not return to Judea.
They knew the Hebrew scriptures well enough to understand the “signs of the Times”.
The author misses the little detour to Herod, which doesn’t fit the “guided them to the cave” narrative.
IMO, these were Jews living in Babylon, but they knew about the prophesy of the star no matter who they were. They watched the sky’s, so you might say they were astrologers, but they could be called astronomers. If you read your Bible and are watching for the return of Jesus, you are wise. If you are not watching for His return, He will come at a time you are not aware. Leviticus 23 establishes He will return on some Feast of Trumpets, at the Last Trump (1Cor 15:52). The day no one knows the day or the hour is Rosh Hashanah.
The wise virgins of Mat 25 were ready to go, but the foolish weren’t prepared. Yet they were all virgins. Virgins are eligible to marry the High Priest, (Lev 21:14) and Jesus is the High Priest forever. If the church is the Bride of Christ, Christians are virgins,....not necessarily wise virgins though. The Christian sitting in the next pew may not be doing anything to please God and preparing to meet Him.
Just as Rabbi’s know He would be born of a virgin, they also knew there would be a star over Bethlehem. Whatever the “star” was, they knew it was not normally in the sky. Knowing these things is neat to know, but what application is it for our lives? We are told we will be at the wedding feast on Trumpets. We will be hidden away to hide from God’s wrath as Noah was put in a room in the Ark while God judged the world. God’s wrath will fall for 7 years instead of 10 because no flesh would survive 10 years.( It's 10 days from Trumpets to Atonement) We will be judged on Atonement, and return to live with Jesus for 1000 years on earth. Then the earth will burn and the eighth day will represent eternity with God.
Leviticus 23 speaks of His first coming with Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. Pentecost is the birth of the church, and the Fall Feasts teach us of His second coming.
Do a word search for the word “watch”. 99% will deal with the Rapture and Jacob’s trouble beginning. God took Noah out 7 days before the Flood and took Lot out 3 days before the fire fell. Noah didn't receive one drop of rain on his head. God does NOT judge without warning. We have been warned. “As it was in the days of Noah and the days of Lot”, He will return. We should know the days of Lot are already here. The days of Noah are also, but it's complicated to explain here without writing a book. It has to do with corrupting His image and our DNA.
Look UP, your redemption draweth nigh. Watch therefore that you are not overtaken as a thief. That’s real “wise”. The only church in Revelation 2-3 that is promised to be Raptured is the church at Philadelphia. They will NOT receive the "trial coming to the whole earth."
It would be real interesting to learn exactly who these wise men were, but it's not necessary to know who they were as much as why they were wise. They knew the Scripture and believed it. God calls that faith. Noah had faith and righteousness was imputed to him and he lived.
Merry Christmas, Civ!
