“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah,
though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,
yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me
that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose goings forth have been from of old,
from everlasting.”
Micah 5:2

Most believers are familiar with this passage showing that the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem. But take a close look at what it says. It says that the one who will come forth from Bethlehem is to be the ruler of Israel.

Jesus the Christ was born in Bethlehem, the fact that many observe at Christmas time. But was he ever the ruler of Israel?

Not yet.

So we have here a prophecy, part of which has been fulfilled, and part which remains to be fulfilled.

This Messiah came to earth, born in Bethlehem, and it says of him that he is eternal. Why does Israel not see this? Their very Scriptures tell them that Messiah is divine, that his goings forth have been from of old, FROM EVERLASTING. He is God, for God is the only one who is FROM EVERLASTING.

So the Jews miss it here. But wait …

The gentiles miss it too.

How many gentiles realize that Jesus the Christ was not European as he’s so often portrayed in “religious” paintings? He did not have blue eyes, and he did not have blonde hair. Jesus the Christ was an Israeli Jew, born to a Jewish woman, of the tribe of Judah, and the family of King David. And when he returns he will return as a Jew. He will not be returning to any European country, the Scriptures clearly show that when he comes, he will come to the Mount of Olives. That’s in Israel. Across the valley from Jerusalem.

It doesn’t matter on which day we celebrate his birth. Some observe it on Christmas day, others believe that there’s a feast close to that day called “Hanukkah,” which is called “the feast of lights,” when Jesus Christ was conceived, coming into the world as THE Light of the World.

Therefore, let us all adore him, both Jew and gentile, for he came to be the savior of all men. Jesus the Christ. The Messiah. The Savior. The Lord. Oh come let us adore him!