The Seed, The Branch, the King Forever - Ancient Prophecies

Did you know God announced Jesus' birth to Adam and Eve? Did you know the Bible repeatedly prophesized Jesus in books dated thousands of years before His arrival as human?

God spoke to the serpent in the garden:

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15

Abraham is told that through his offspring, “all nations on earth will be blessed.” Genesis 22:18

Many times in Genesis, the Angel of the Lord (just a title for a messenger of heaven) appears who is also called "the Lord/Yahweh," which makes many believe He may have been Jesus himself. Hagar even tells this "Angel", "You are the God who sees me... I have now seen the One who sees me." Genesis 16:13

Abraham was halted in his sacrifice of Jacob by an Angel of Yahweh (Genesis 22:11,15), Moses spoke to an Angel of Yahweh who spoke through a burning bush (Exodus 3:2) and announced He was Yahweh, at which point Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God(Exodus 3:6). This "angel" shows up many more times throughout the Old Testament.

Jacob is told "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17

Jesse is told "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit. The spirit of the Lord will rest on him.” Isaiah 11:1

Jesus would be born of a virgin as foretold long before:

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

David is told "The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land … This is the name by which he will be called: the Lord our righteous savior." Jeremiah 23:5-6

He is also told "When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13

This turns out to not be Solomon (notice his throne was not established forever). He failed to be the perfect man needed for the job.

Jeremiah prophesized the King's edict to kill all first-borns once Jesus was born:

"A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." Jeremiah 31:15

Micah, a prophet, announced "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5:2

The fact Joseph and Mary would flee to Egypt until King Herod died was predicted by Hosea:

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." Hosea 11:1

Finally, Jesus' earthly parents learned of His nature when God sent messengers and dreams to them:

“Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:30-33

The prophecies of old came to fruition, and the angels praised God.

Suddenly, a multitude of the Heavenly Army appeared with the angel, praising God by saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to people who enjoy his favor!” Luke 2:13-14

For those doubtful of His identity, Jesus stated, "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me," John 5:39


May you all have a Merry Christmas and God bless!



Sources other than the Bible:
https://gordonconwell.edu/blog/jesus-in-the-old-testament/
https://www.ccbcfamily.org/old-testament-prophecies-birth-jesus/

Has Revelations...Already Happened?

Did you know there are many interpretations on the book of Revelations and the idea of a returning Savior? Today, we're going to delve into what those theories are, and maybe you can decide which one appears to be the most accurate. However, remember with prophecies, sometimes it's impossible to know until it happens. There were prophecies in the Old Testament which shielded the full truth in order to keep the Evil One from intruding on plans (i.e. for a divine Son who would die for our sins.)

The major three views are Historicism, Preterism, and Futurism.

Historicism was the reigning translation of Revelations throughout much of the Christian church's history. It assumes the book was a prophecy being fulfilled in the present time. According to my sources, it was actually the only translation, with the exception of some Catholic scholars in the 1800's. The various churches listed were symbols of the entirety of the church body as it changed throughout history, ending with a lukewarm state that needed to recommit to Christ. Many began to have problems with interpreting the symbols as time passed, Jesus failed to return, and rationalism changed how we interpreted things.

Preterism was one split from the above method. This is the theory that Revelations was based in the past, specifically the first century. Instead of using all the symbols to point to specific events or beings, it paints with a broad surreal picture describing the fall of Jerusalem. Many using this theory will point to the several instances the New Testament says these events will happen soon with haste. Some holding onto this theory will state not everything in the book is about the fall of Jerusalem but it's also about the beginnings of the church and some important historical events.

Then, of course, there's Futurism, which states that most of Revelations is about the future. Since there's major apocalyptic events, judgement of the world, and a second coming of Jesus, all of which appears to not have happened yet, these are the arguments of those holding onto this theory. Some will even believe that the first part of the book is about the past or present, and it culminates in a prediction of the future.

The best way to read Revelations, in my humble opinion, is with a healthy mix of all three views. I think it's obvious that all of the events are future to John, the writer, and some of the events listed really did happen close to his time. For example, one of the most horrific things to happen for Jews was the destruction of their temple in 70AD by Romans. Jesus foretold this event to his disciples, and it's pretty reasonable to think John would've have mentioned it if he'd written Revelations after 70AD. Some of what he prophesized in Revelations were the "beginning of the end."

Some things are for us to know for certain, and some things are for us to know in general, and yet other things are hidden to our eyes until the time comes. I think the purpose of Revelations was to be used as both a warning and a promise. We should always be prepared to give an account of what we believe, and we should always live out of God's love. There's nothing about these prophecies that would change your everyday life. However, it's always good to be aware that there's an ending to suffering and a plan God has for us all.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

We tend to focus on the negative, scary parts of Revelations, forgetting that it's only permanently bad for those who are evil. Revelations was intended to be inspirational to Children of God. It was a promise of the joys to come.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. - 21:3-4

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” - 3:20

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. - 22:20

Sources other than the Bible:
https://readingacts.com/2014/04/09/is-revelation-about-the-past-present-or-future/
https://www.crossway.org/articles/the-book-of-revelation-is-not-just-about-the-future/
http://www.historicism.net/
https://www.preteristarchive.com/CriticalArticles/baxter-irvin_ca.html
http://stevecha.net/ask-steve-futurism-historicism-preterism/
https://www.equip.org/bible_answers/was-revelation-written-before-or-after-the-destruction-of-the-temple-in-ad-70/