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LUKE 2:1-20

"IN THOSE DAYS"

I. EARTHLY CONDITIONS.
        A. A decree from Caesar Augustus.
                1. First Roman Emperor.
                2. Real name Caius Octavious.
                        a. Augustus his title, Caesar by courtesy (great nephew of Julius
                           Caesar).
                        b. Refused name dictator or king.
                3. Gradually government was taken from people and vested, in governors.
                        a. Finally one man emerges. Able -  astute  -  to supreme power.
                        b. Roman Republic passed away and from it emerged the great Roman
                           Empire under Augustus Caesar.
        B. The doors of the Temple of Janus were closed.
                1. Had been for 10 yrs.
                2. To continue for 30 more.
                3. This meant no war.
        In those days
                Roman Republic became Roman Empire.
                Roman people passed under despotism of autocratic ruler.
                Autocratic ruler and Empire bludgeoned world into submission.
                Power rested in one man for world mastery.
                Jesus was born.
                Caesar issued a decree that all the world should be taxed.
                a. No appeal. They came. A period when there was no war.
        C. Within Roman Empire a couple touched by Caesar's decree.
                1. They live in outpost of Empire.
                2. This couple had no more influence on Caesar than you do on the President.
                3. Living in Nazareth they must go to Bethlehem.
                        a. Joseph must bend his neck to decree. And so they went.
        Look Again
                Two individuals marching under order of Caesar. Look at the woman. Her womb.
                They, at this untimely hour, are going to Bethlehem because at this Physic
                moment of history Caesar ordered a taxatoon.
        D. In my Bible I read a prophesy that was written 700 years before this event that
           throws a different light on the whole picture. "And thou Bethlehem Ephrathatz."
                1. The insignificant person of this drawn is the little puppet in the city of
                   7 hills called Caesar Augustus.
                2. The important people are this couple. The woman whose womb tabernacles the
                   Son of God and her husband who is seeking her well being at this hour. 

The child that is to be born shall attain true world mastery - something Augustus thought he
had attained, but never did.