Monthly Archives: February 2023

Prophecies for Our Time

TIME IS FULFILLED-PART 2

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But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Galatians 4:4

In “THE TIME IS FULFILLED”-Part 1, a similar statement regarding the coming of Jesus and the fullness of time was presented:

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Mark 1:-14-15

God knows the end from the beginning. The events of His kingdom come exactly as predicted and on-time as well. When the time was fulfilled, God sent Jesus for our salvation. A cross awaited Him. But what does “the time is fulfilled” and “fullness of time” mean? The time had come in God’s great time clock for Jesus to appear as the “Lamb that takes away the sins of the world.”

The coming of Jesus as the Messiah was predicted down to the year and the season. That prophecy is found in Daniel 9. It tells not only of His arrival on the scene as the “Anointed One” but also of His crucifixion, His keeping of the covenant, the final rejection of Jesus by His covenant people, and the acceptance of Jesus by the Gentiles.

When I first understood this prophecy exactly as God spoke it to Daniel, my faith lept! It was increased! I hope it does the same for you.

A Prophecy Sealed Until Our Day

It is likely that the theologians of Jesus’ time on earth did not know of this prophecy because God had commanded that the words be sealed up until the time of the end:

“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”…And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.

Daniel 12: 4, 9-10

Did you notice in the passage above the description of the people on earth during the time of the end? Does it not describe our generation exactly?

Many running to and fro, knowledge will increase. Never in earth’s history has travel been so fantastic. At the beginning of the 20th century, just over 100 years ago. Mankind could travel only as fast as a horse could take him. Then it moved to train, planes, and automobiles.

*There are over 16. 4 million flights handled by the FAA every year. There were none just 100 years ago. (*US Transportation, Federal Aviation Commission

*There are 1.4 billion cars worldwide (as of 2022). There was just a handful 100 years ago. (*Hedges & Company)

Indeed, many people are running to and fro…to somewhere in the world and back either for work, pleasure, or vacations.

The prophecy also describes people made white (a metaphor for righteousness through Christ), contrasting the wicked who do not understand the times. What are they doing? They are living wickedly. They have become hedonistic (focused on pleasure, particularly sexually indulgent). No reference is required here. It is thrown in our faces everywhere and all the time.

So the prophecies were meant for our time. A society that needs proof. Perhaps your experience with Christ could use additional reasons for your faith. Let’s look at the prophecy that predicted the exact times of Jesus life upon the earth:

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Daniel 9 Explained Clearly

Let’s read it thoroughly…

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (7), and threescore (60) and two weeks (2): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

 And after threescore (60) and two weeks (2) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (1): and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

Daniel 9: 24-27

If you count up the number in parenthesis, the sum will be  70 years mentioned at the start.  There is a reason why they are split up that way i.e., 7 weeks + 60 weeks + 2 weeks + 1 week.  This will be explained later.  For now, let’s figure out the starting date for the 70 years.

The setting for these verses is important in understanding the prophecy.  Daniel and his people (The Jews) had been taken captive by Babylon, and the city of Jerusalem was destroyed and lay desolate as prophesied by Jeremiah.  It was predicted by Jeremiah that they would be in captivity for 70 years!

“In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”

Daniel 9:2

As the 70 literal years drew near to the end, Daniel began to pray and confess his sins and the sins of the people (Verses 4-20). Then Gabriel (an angel) came and informed Daniel that he had come to

“give thee skill and understanding.” 

Daniel 9:22

Then Gabriel beings to explain verses 24:27 above.  But, this is part of the unexplained part of the 2300 days found in Daniel 8 (A study for another time)

From Daniel 9: 24-27 above, we observe the following:

70 weeks was given to Daniel’s people (Israelites) and the city of Jerusalem to:

  1. Finish the transgression.
  2. Make an end of sins.
  3. Make reconciliation for iniquity.
  4. Bring in everlasting righteousness.
  5. Seal up the vision and prophecy.
  6. Anoint the most Holy.

So God was giving the Jewish people 490 weeks to do all those things. Impossible to do on their own, but achievable under the power of a mighty God.  With God’s bidding comes His ability to do it through His strength.

So let’s set this stake in the ground:  The 70 weeks are given to the Jews.

An easy calculation shows that  70 weeks is 490 days (7 X 70).  In Bible prophecy, the day = year principle should be used to unlock the timelines for history.  The verses that support this principle can be found in the passages below:

 “After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.”

Numbers 14:34

  “And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.”

Ezekiel 4:6

God was giving the Jewish people 490 years for their assignment.  During this time, he sent prophets and others to inspire and help keep them close to Him.  But as one reads their story, it is quickly seen that they often went after other gods and forsook the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob…the one and only true Creator God!

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city…”

Daniel 9: 24

If we can determine where the 490 years began (with certainty), we can understand the other parts of the prophecy.

The timelines start here:

“….from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem.”

Daniel 9: 25

This command to restore and build Jerusalem can be found in Ezra Chapter 7, when Artaxerxes gave the commandment in 457 BC (**See the notes at the end).

So, now that we have a starting date, let’s see where it takes us:  The first stop is the coming of the Messiah, the Prince.

“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince….

Daniel 9: 25

The Messiah, the Prince, can refer only to Jesus himself.  He is both the Messiah and a Prince

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

John 1:41

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

John 1:45

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

From this, we know that from the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Jesus would be a certain length of time.  How long?

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks (7), and threescore (60) and two weeks (2): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

Daniel 9: 25

From 457 BC to Jesus is prophesized to be 69 weeks or 483 days, or 483 prophetical years.  Let’s do some math:

Starting at 457 BC and moving through history 483 years brings us to the fall of 27 AD.

This is the date Jesus was baptized by John (anointed), and He began his ministry as the prophecy predicted. Here is an important verse in connection with Jesus’ baptism:

“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:“

Matthew  3:16

A dove represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

69 weeks or 483 years of the 70 weeks or 490 years has been explained.  Isn’t it comforting to know that God, through the prophet Daniel let the world know when Jesus would come on the scene?

 Now let’s look at the last week or 7 years.  This is where Hal Lindsey and his followers use the 7 years as a period of tribulation.  They disconnect it from this timeline and attempt to run it down to the end of time after Jesus “raptures the church.”

But we will let the verses speak for themselves and maintain the timeline that is constantly demonstrated in the book of Daniel.  If we keep the last week in the context of the remainder of the prophecy, as it was intended, we learn the most interesting part of this prophecy.

Daniel tells us Jesus would be cut off, after His 3 1/2 years of ministry as the Son of Man and Messiah:

“Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:….”

Daniel 9: 26

Jesus died for our sins and not for Himself.  Would you not agree that this verse is a direct reference to Jesus?

But before He is cut off, he would do the following:

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,

Daniel 9:27″

Jesus was to “confirm the covenant with many for one week or 7 days, which is 7 years in prophecy. But He is “cut off” in the middle of the week or 3 1/2 days, which is 3 1/2 years in prophetic time.

Jesus’ ministry was exactly that long (3 1/2 years) before He was “cut off” or crucified on a Roman cross in 31 AD.  He ministered from 27 AD to 31 AD.

As Daniel 9:27 stated, the sacrifices and oblations also ended at the time of Jesus’ death.  The law of ceremonies had taught the Jewish nation about the price of sin, the sacrifice for it, and the plan of salvation.  Those ceremonial laws were the school master at bringing people to Jesus and help them understand the lesson of sin, forgiveness, and grace.  The School Master died forever the day Jesus died on the cross as the true Lamb of God.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Galatians 3:24, 25

All the festivals, drink and meat offerings, and special Sabbath days (Not the weekly Sabbath) were shadows pointing to the body of Jesus.   All those had served their purpose and were fulfilled in Christ:

“Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

Colossians 2:17

The schoolmaster is not the ten commandments (which are eternal) as some may try to assert.

On the other side of the cross before Jesus, the people looked forward in faith to Jesus (the Messiah) and what He would do for them.  All of us on this side of the cross look back in faith at what Jesus has done for us.

It is all about faith regardless of where a person stands in time.

 Something extraordinary occurred at the crucifixion of Christ to demonstrate the truthfulness of the two verses above:

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Matthew 27: 50, 51

Thus ended the rounds of ceremonies and the laws put in place by Moses to teach about Jesus.  Please note:  These laws did not include the 10 commandments as some would assert.  A study for another time.

Jesus told His disciples this:

 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.“

Matthew 15: 24

By directing the priority of their mission, Jesus was “confirming the covenant” with the children of Israel during His ministry.  With them, He spent most of His time.  His plea for the coming Kingdom of God was a message primarily to the Jews.

He also told His disciples to do the same:

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 10: 5, 6

The disciples did this for 3 1/2 more years after Jesus was “cut off” or crucified in 31 AD. The timeline takes us 3  1/2 years forward to the end of the 70 weeks or 490 years.

In the year 34 AD, some interesting things happen to mark the end of the 490 years “determined”  or “cut off” for the Jewish nation:

In this year, Stephen was martyred, and Paul was converted to be the teacher to the Gentiles

“I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” 

2 Timothy 1:11

A very interesting passage of scripture also marks the end of 70 weeks given to the Jews to do all those things of the covenant listed in Daniel 9.  It is a point where the responsibility of carrying the gospel to the entire world is taken off the shoulders of the Jews and given to the Gentiles. It is the point where God determines who is a real Jew or seed of Abraham.

Paul and Barnabas were preaching to a large group, but were interrupted by the Jews because of the large following of the two disciples.  Those religious leaders who were interrupting contradicted Paul and Barnabas and actually blasphemed God!  But it is what Paul and Barnabas say that marks the Spiritual transition from Jew to Gentile.

 “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:  45, 46

The appointed people of God had failed to keep the covenant (agreement), and God turned to the Gentiles and made them heir to the promises of God:

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.“

Galatians 3:29

No longer was there a distinction between literal Jew and God’s chosen people simply identified as belonging to Christ:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.“

Galatians 3:28

 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Romans 2:28, 29

So Jesus came the time was full…when the events of Daniel 9 were complete, God sent forth His Son to teach and become a sacrifice for our sins. After His resurrection and return to the Father, The anointing of the Holy Spirit was given to all who would believe Him to finish the work and proclaim to the world, “The time is fulfilled.” Jesus is coming soon, but this time, there is no succinct time line…But Jesus did give us signs and warnings. Indeed, our God is an On-time God. Below is a chart that helps explain the timelines:

Appendix-For Deeper Study

Notes about the dates described above:

Ezra has three decrees with different dates that could be used.  Nehemiah has a date also.  But in the decision as to which one to use, you must keep in mind the keywords of the prophecy: “the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.” There is no reference to the rebuilding the temple, although that was part of the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

The four decrees are :
1.) The decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4)
2.) The decree of Darius I (Ezra 6:1-12)
3.) The decree of Artaxerxes I (Longimanuus) (Ezra 7: 12-26)
4.) The decree of Artaxerxes (Nehemiah Chapters 1 and 2)

Let’s eliminate some of the dates  based on the guiding verse of Daniel 9:25

Ezra 1-gave instruction only for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Said nothing about the whole city.  We can eliminate this date.

Ezra 6-simply the endorsement by Darius of the decree of Cyrus.  Only mentions the building of the “house of God.” We can eliminate this date.

Ezra 7 makes provision for the complete restoration of the Jewish state, including the right to appoint magistrates and judges, hold trials, and pass and execute sentences upon violators of their own national laws. This date fits the idea of “restoring and rebuilding Jerusalem.” 

Nehemiah 2-Wording has not been preserved, but was simply a reinstatement of Artaxerxes original authorization to Ezra recorded in Ezra chapter 7.

Determination of the date of the decree: It was in the seventh year of Artaxerxes’ reign (Ezra 7:7,8)

Biblical evidence for the 457 BC start date:

The dates for Artaxerxes’ reign are well documented in ancient sources: Greek historians, Ptolemy’s Canon
The Babylonian business tablets
Elephantine papyri from Egypt
From the above documents, we know that Xerxes was killed in late December of 465 B.C. and the reign of Artaxerxes began at the time.

Artaxerxes ReignFall to Fall
First year464/463 B.C.
Second year463/462 B.C.
Third year462/461 B.C.
Fourth year461/460 B.C.
Fifth year460/459 B.C.
Sixth year459/458 B.C.
Seventh year458/457 B.C.

Therefore, the seventh year of Artaxerxes, according to Jewish reckoning, extended from the fall of 458 to the fall of 457 B. C.

Note: the references in this prophecy to the destruction of the city and temple and desolations:

“….the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined… for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate”

Daniel 9:27

This is not a reference to a small historical character called Antiochus or a future Anti-Christ, but to the total destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD as predicted by Jesus himself when he told the disciples.  There has never been a temple since then and never will be!

“Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Matthew 24:2 

“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,.  Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not e in the winter or on the Sabbath.   For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

Matthew 24: 15-22

The total destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman soldiers was horrible.  Many who tried to escape were crucified outside the city.  At one time, the number of crosses outside the city almost made it look like a forest of trees.  Those who heeded the advice of Jesus escaped the city and remained alive.

The abomination of the fourth beast of Rome made desolate the once proud city of Jerusalem.  The rebellion of the Jewish nation was humbled forever.

The church of Jesus replaced the Jewish nation as His witness.  Now if you are Christ’s, you are a person of the promise.

The temple and the city were destroyed, never to be rebuilt again.  The next city is the Holy City, New Jerusalem, built by the Lord Himself.  It will come down from heaven and set up on the new earth.

 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Revelation 21: 1 – 3

Israel in Bible Prophecy

“THE TIME IS FULFILLED”-Part 1

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Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Mark 1:-14-15

The time is fulfilled…the prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Jesus’ coming as the Messiah the first time. It is also the track we are on when the warnings of pleadings of Jesus are complete, and judgments begin to fall on the earth and are culminated with the return of Jesus.

Jesus is unlike any god, religious leader, philosopher, seer, or person on the earth because of the many plain-spoken prophecies concerning Himself. Unlike many “seers” such as Nostradamus, the prophecies concerning Jesus are direct and not subject to fancy interpretations of mystical words. and phrases.

Prophecy-First Coming as the Messiah

Prophecies regarding the Messiah reach back thousands of years. After John was imprisoned, Jesus started his ministry by proclaiming a clear message of the fulfillment of ancient prophecies concerning Himself.

Even at the end of his earthly ministry, three and one-half years after it started, He gave a “Bible study” to the disciples to equip them for their work of proclaiming the good news of Himself to the world. His study centered around prophecy.

 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Luke 24:44-45

His ministry at the start began with prophecy and itended with prophecy.

The Coming Messiah’s Message

In the book Desire of Ages p. 231, the author makes a clear list of high-level Biblical events at the time of is coming as Israel’s Messiah (This would cover the time from his birth tot the start of his ministry around 27AD. I have separated the paragraphs into distinct events around Jesus’s time for clearer reading. These events were announcing His coming, which was more detailed in the prophecies of the Old Testament writers.

“The Messiah’s coming had been first announced in Judea. In the temple at Jerusalem, the birth of the forerunner had been foretold to Zacharias as he ministered before the altar.

On the hills of Bethlehem, the angels had proclaimed the birth of Jesus.

To Jerusalem, the magi had come in search of Him.

In the temple, Simeon and Anna had testified to His divinity.

“Jerusalem and all Judea” had listened to the preaching of John the Baptist, and the deputation from the Sanhedrin, with the multitude, had heard his testimony concerning Jesus.

In Judea, Christ had received His first disciples. Here much of His early ministry had been spent.

The flashing forth of His divinity in the cleansing of the temple,

His miracles of healing, and the lessons of divine truth that fell from His lips, all proclaimed that which, after the healing at Bethesda, He had declared before the Sanhedrin—His Sonship to the Eternal.”

There are some 300 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus.

But sadly, the leaders in Israel and the people didn’t understand nor accept their Messiah. It was the duty of the priests to prepare the people for the arrival of their Messiah by rightly dividing the word of Scripture, particularly prophecy. But, alas, they preferred to turn the scripture into what they preferred in a Messiah rather than what the Holy Scripture clearly revealed. Consequently, Jesus, as the Messiah, was hardly recognized by the leadership.

“If the leaders in Israel had received Christ, He would have honored them as His messengers to carry the gospel to the world. To them, first, were given the opportunity to become heralds of the kingdom and grace of God. But Israel knew not the time of her visitation. The jealousy and distrust of the Jewish leaders had ripened into open hatred, and the hearts of the people were turned away from Jesus.”

“The Sanhedrin had rejected Christ’s message and was bent upon His death; therefore, Jesus departed from Jerusalem, from the priests, the temple, the religious leaders, the people who had been instructed in the law, and turned to another class to proclaim His message, and to gather out those who should carry the gospel to all nations.” Desire of Ages, p.231, 232

Jesus turned to the people of Galilee as a more favorable field for His work. The rabbis of Jerusalem despised them as rude and uneducated, but they were more open and free from the bigotry of the priests. They were more open to the reception of the truth.

Please don’t miss what was said here. Jesus turned to the leaders of Israel FIRST. They were given the first opportunity to become heralds of the kingdom and the grace of God! Why? But they rejected it, and God had to take the message to those who were more open to receiving truth rather than fanciful interpretations of Scripture. Jesus had instructed His disciples to take it to people who were open to receive it. If they didn’t, they were to symbolically shake the dust from their feet and move on. Matthew 10:14

So it is today. The message of Christ is to go to those who will listen. If not, go to those who are open to truths about Jesus. But the message today is not about the first coming; it is about the warnings concerning the second coming and the end of time as we know it.

As the people of planet earth await the powerful return of Christ. There is plenty of prophecies that clearly paint the picture of His soon return, but that we will study another time. For now, let’s stick with the prophecies concerning his coming to the earth as the promised Messiah.

Corrupt Religious Leaders

The religious leaders coveted power over the people rather than humbly becoming servants and educators of the people. They were more interested in maintaining tradition than truth. Their positions of popularity were preferred over the truth of the word of God. Their offices had become corrupt, and they relished in the love of money. So ingrained in the Jewish teachings was the false idea of the Messiah as a warrior and King that even the disciples, after three and one-half years of being with Jesus, needed a Bible study on the prophecies concerning Himself.

 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded (explained) to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Luke 24: 25-27

This verse added so much clarity to me when I first stopped to consider what these verses revealed. It did not need any fanciful interpretation. It is a message to the disciples that applies to His followers today.

1.) Are we foolish and slow to understand what the prophets have spoken about Jesus? How clear are you on the prophecies of Jesus’ first and second coming?

2.) The disciples expected the coming Messiah to be as a conquering King to free them from the Romans. The learned Sanhedrin taught this. Instead, Jesus came as a sacrificial leader that would receive glory because of death rather than war. There was a cross before there could be a crown.

3.) Jesus refers to the writings of Moses (the first five books of the Bible) and the prophets (Major and minor prophets) as “Scripture.“

4.) Jesus gave them a study about Himself from the Old Testament! There was no New Testament at this time. In fact, “Scripture” is a word that refers to the Old Testament only. Scripture ( or the Old Testament, which is referred to as the Tanakh by modern Jews)) was what Jesus and the Apostles used to proclaim the gospel to the world. This does not diminish the inspiration for the apostles’ writing and letters in the New Testament. Since this is true, we should never limit our study of Jesus Christ to the New Testament only. We will miss out on almost two-thirds of the story of Jesus if we fail to read and understand its message. It is relevant to the modern Christian today.

When Jesus came preaching, “the time is fulfilled,” it had a very literal application…a very specific time. Next time, we will look at an amazing prophecy from the book of Daniel that specified the exact time Jesus would appear on the scene. And, wouldn’t you know it, the religious leaders of our time have misinterpreted it to fit in with the Hollywood version of end-time events instead of the clear message of Christ’s second coming.

This prophecy in Daniel helps explain why Jesus started His ministry with the Jews as His priority and why He instructed His disciples to do the same. He told them:

“Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Matthew 10: 5-7

This would be the case for an additional three and one-half years. The house of Israel was God’s “lost sheep.” They had wandered from God!

This prophecy in Daniel also explains the words of Paul, who became the “preacher to the Gentiles.” 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 1:11.

Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46

Jesus kept the covenant explained by Daniel by giving the promised people the first opportunity to become His voice to the world, but they rejected it. He turned to a people that were not his people. This was also prophetic. It happened as the hourglass of probation ran out on the house of Israel.

I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people, and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” Hosea 2:3

Herein are the elements of the New Covenant that was to be given to both those called “not my people.” (Gentiles) and the Jews (His people of promise). It applies to all those who are “in Christ.”

Jesus is the great Unifier between the lost sheep of the house of Israel and the Gentiles. Those called “His people” and those called “Not His people.” He erases the distinction between the two and makes us all one in Him.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

Because Israel didn’t believe, God had to turn to the Gentiles to carry His message to the entire world rather than keep it in a small plot of land called Jerusalem. This was prophetic! The time was fulfilled, and the kingdom of heaven was at hand.

Born Again, Faith, Reasons to Believe

JOHN THE BAPTIST-THE GOAT

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A popular phrase in the sports world today is expressed in the acronym G.O.A.T., which means “greatest of all time.” For example, Tom Brady is considered the greatest of all-time quarterbacks in American football He is arguably worthy of the title, having won 7 Super Bowls.

Jesus designated John the Baptist as the greatest of all time when he said,

“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women, there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist;.”

Matthew 11:11 (a).

But Jesus didn’t stop there; He added another thought-provoking statement…

“but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Matthew 11: 11 (b)

Wow! Who of us is greater than John the Baptist? It is those who are the least in the kingdom of heaven! Isn’t it just like Jesus to encourage the least of us by calling us greater than the spiritually powerful, well-known messenger of God? He was always the champion of the small and unimportant in society.

It leaves me with questions: How can this be? What made John the Baptist the G.O.A.T. among men, and what makes the least in the kingdom of heaven greater than the G.O.A.T.?

Who was John the Baptist?

John the Baptist was a prophet. But even more, he was also a part of the prophecies about the first coming of Jesus. For example, Jesus quoted Malachi 3:1 and applied it to John…and rightly so…

“For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.”

Matthew 11:10

Often when a dignitary of the Roman empire traveled, men would go ahead of the caravan and remove brush, fill in holes, etc, to allow for a smooth ride. But John’s preparation for Jesus was a spiritual preparation…He was an introduction to the “lamb, which takes away the sin of the world” John 1:29.

John made the way for the coming of Jesus through His message in the wilderness. A message of repentance and remission because the (Messiah) would soon appear. Even today, the message of repentance and remission of sins makes way for the Lord to come into the lives of sinners.

John’s birth and his greatness were prophesied by an angel to John’s father, Zacharias. The angel also disclosed the message John was to proclaim.

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord,…He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins, Luke1: 15, 16

Luke 1:15

John’s Message

Although Zacharias was not able to talk because of his doubt, he would later open his mouth in faith and further prophesy about John under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit ( v. 67-79)

What a powerful spiritual resume John possessed!

The emphasis of John’s message is made clear in the angel. His purpose was to give knowledge of salvation to “His people.” Yes! God had His people who, like the children of Egypt, needed to escape bondage. This bondage was not a foreign power but their sins.

John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Mark 1:4

The way of escape was through repentance (the Greek word is metanoia-a change of mind) and the remission of their sins. Remission, in Greek, is aphesis, which literally means release from bondage and imprisonment. God’s people must have considered forgiveness and freedom almost hopeless since the religious leaders had made up so many man-made religious rules. They added to the word of God that made it almost impossible for a person to feel free and forgiven. They were the marketers of rules related to sin. John was to give God’s people knowledge of salvation, giving them freedom of spirit.

The repentant’s immersion under the water by John (baptism) was an outward demonstration of an inward transformation. It was not another man-made rule to save them; it was the ceremonial public display of the act they had already performed through the conviction of the Holy Spirit: Repentance. They came up from the water free from the bondage of the guilt of sin. Remission. They were now free from the guilt of sin and would learn to walk (live) in a new way, led by the Spirit and not by the flesh.

Being baptized was their very first act of obedience, but now they obeyed God’s will out of a transformation (born again) rather than the bondage of man-made rules and requirements. There remained “rules,” but they were God’s and not additions of sinful religious men’s requirements for righteousness.

John taught salvation by faith, not through works. Works have their place, but not as a means to salvation. But faith must have an object; otherwise, it is just a word. This faith was to be placed in the coming Messiah,” the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.” This proclamation was the capstone of John’s message.

This message of freedom from sins (salvation) via repentance and remission and the substitutionary death of Jesus paved the way for the coming Messiah, who would then magnify the kingdom of God.

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John’s Doubts

No prophet had a greater privilege than that of being the personal herald of the Messiah at His first coming. Any prophet would have desired to be in John’s place. He, therefore, was great in the sight of the Lord in this sense. He was “more than a prophet.“

Yet John had doubts. Doubts are common among Jesus’ followers, especially when experiencing trauma, broken bones, and hearts.

There is no prophecy (that I know of) that predicted the imprisonment of John. This trauma likely discouraged John because it was unexpected and painful. It seemed to go against the benefit of the message of Jesus to release those who were captive. This allowed a bit of doubt to creep into John’s heart. (Sound familiar?) So he sent a message via his disciples to Jesus to help clear the air about the Messiahship of Jesus (Matthew 11: 2-3).

His question suggested confusion.

“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

Matthew 11:3

Jesus told them to…

 “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Matthew 11: 4-6

Jesus’ message to John was to remember the source of his faith as found in Scripture. Jesus described the ministry of the Messiah, which was also Bible prophecy. The works of the coming Messiah are described by many prophets, including Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1, 29:18, 35: 4-6)

The fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Jesus should strengthen our faith in God. Jesus put it this way;

Now I tell you before it comes that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.

John 13:19

Prophecy gives us reason to believe and be faithful. False prophecy, however, takes faith away. But, notice something else…Jesus’ answer for John’s disciples was a non-traditional picture of the coming Messiah.

Jesus’ altered the traditional understanding of the Messiah’s mission in His response to John’s messengers. Instead of a political messiah who will bring judgment on the enemies of the Jews and break the yoke of Roman imperialism, Jesus is the Messiah who is socially, spiritually, and personally conscious of the needy; He heals, resurrects, and proclaims good news to the poor.

Andrews Study Bible, p. 1264, commentary on Matthew 11:4-6

Those creators of additional rules also skewed scripture to paint a picture of a king who would come and free them from the bondage of the Romans. But Jesus, the Christ, came to them in a way they did not desire…lowly and meek for the purpose of freedom from the bondage of sin.

Even John may have been confused by the popular understanding of the work of the coming Messiah. Jesus had not set Himself up as king, and nothing dramatic on the political front was happening in Jerusalem. So it is today. Much of the world expects Jesus to direct in the building up of literal Israel and become their king.

When John’s disciples returned to him with Jesus’ message, It contained a blessing and a hint of rebuke.

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Matthew 11:6

Are we offended by Jesus? Do we want Him to make a more dramatic display related to the political world? Since we are not as important and powerful as some, are we ashamed of the gospel of Christ? It seems sin, and the world have a louder voice than Jesus.

The Faith of John

You and I are not in prophecy as succinctly as John the Baptist, but yet we are greater than him? How can this be?

After the messengers departed, Jesus spoke to the crowd concerning John. He asked questions that highlighted the spiritual character of John.

““What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. Matthew 11: 7-9

A reed, blown to and fro by the wind, was a fitting symbol representing those swayed by the winds of popular opinion. Such reeds were well-known in the area because they grew by the Jordon River and were moved by every slight breeze. Likewise, those whose foundation is based on the ways of the world and its definition of greatness are easily manipulated. John was not one of these.

Paul knew this metaphor as well. He gives us additional understanding. In his message to the Ephesians, Paul said there are..

“…children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,  Ephesians 4:14

John was firm in his understanding of God’s word but was open to the additional light Jesus proclaimed. The priests and their schools did not educate John. His heart and mission were prepared by the Holy Spirit and personal knowledge of God’s word. He embraced time in the desert that allowed for God’s voice to be heard, and he avoided strong drinks that could have clouded and confused his mind. The human mind is God’s pathway to the heart. It must be kept clear of rubbish if a person desires God’s voice to be heard.

We have the same opportunity as John to know the truth directly from God’s word. The fewer channels God’s word travels, the purer the message. If we are spoon-fed once a week through someone else, even our pastors, our faith is weakened by dependence on others.

As we commune with God, we should be listening for personal application through God’s voice in moments of prayerful solitude. By determination to apply God’s will in our lives within the context of His written word, there will be a more solid foundation for faith and avoidance of fanciful interpretations of the plain word of God…even if it goes against our tradition and denominational beliefs. It is critical that we seek the Holy Spirit to “guide us into all truth.” John 16:13

As a result, we will be resolute in our faith in Jesus, as was John. Doubts may creep in, especially during times of trauma. But Jesus heals the brokenhearted and provides living bread and water for revival in our hearts. Broken bones will heal back stronger. So will the testing of our faith.

Our challenge is to trust God regardless of the circumstance and how bleak it may appear.

What Heaven Calls Great

But, is our knowledge of God and our mission greater than John the Baptist? Personally, I can answer, “I hardly think so.”

The definition of great by the world versus heaven’s meaning is stark.

The world describes greatness through wealth, popularity, rank, nobility, intellectual gifts, and athletic abilities. But the estimation of heaven places greatness on the ones who love God and mankind as himself. These two attributes will lead to actions just like Jesus’ prophetic ministry on earth, e.g., feeding the hungry, visiting those in prison, providing clothes for the naked, etc. (Matthew 25: 34-36)

  He (John) refrained from seeking honor for himself, but pointed all to Jesus as the Promised One. His unselfish joy in the ministry of Christ presents the highest type of nobility ever revealed in man.

Desire of Ages, p. 219

So if John possessed all these things, how can the least in the kingdom of heaven be greater?

John’s life was lonely in some respects but not in other ways. There is no record of John ministering to the poor or healing the sick. His message was great but mostly one-dimensional for a purpose. The spirit of God was upon him. He never lacked the comforting presence of God. But John “was not permitted to see the result of his own labors. It was not for him to see the blind restored to sight, the sick healed, and the dead raised to life. He did not behold the light that shone through every word of Christ, shedding glory upon the promises of prophecy.” Desire of Ages, p. 219

The least of us, however, have seen the mighty works of Jesus and heard His words through the accounts of those who knew Him best. In this sense, we are more privileged and greater than John the Baptist.

The works of Christ will compel us into a ministry to a dying world. Our inspired work of healing the sick, feeding the poor, and visiting those in need will not necessarily be miraculous. We might never see the results of our ministry. But, like John, one day, we will see the full-grown plants of the planted seeds. In this sense, the least of us is greater than John…we minister in the name of Jesus. We have so many more ways to talk to crowds. But that ministry must also include preparing the way for Jesus. A ministry to those in need without pointing them to Jesus is on the same level as the work of the atheist or humanist.

A ministry to those in need without pointing them to Jesus is on the same level as the work of the atheist or humanist.

Author

John and Elijah

The last generation before the return of Christ will bear a message like Elijah and John preparing the world for the coming of Christ (the second time). His coming, this time, will not be by a river. It will be a spectacular event where every eye will behold Him, and it will be destructive to those who are not hidden “in Christ.“

Will you be great in the sight of heaven? Think in terms of spirituality and ministry, not the size of your church. We will do the same work as John, Elijah, and Jesus. Try not to think about the miracles He performed but rather the character and love He had for those who needed Him the most. If this leads to their connection with Jesus, the title of G.O.A.T. in the kingdom of heaven belongs to you. But you will cast that crown to the ground because it was Jesus who did the work in you and through you.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will also do; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

John 14:12

So if you are small, humble, and invisible to the world but doing the works God has assigned you, you are part of a greater work and greater than the greatest on earth. You are great in the sight of heaven. Our greatness is not ours. It depends on God in us and through us. Then out of us to others. In Christ, you, too, can become the G.O.A.T. in the kingdom of heaven.