This time is unprecedented1. Wars2 and rumors of wars3 swirl around us. Odd occurrences in the sky4, as well as on and in the earth5, baffle scientists. Seemingly, everyone does what is right in their own eyes6 instead of in the eyes of the law. Anger appears to be seething in everyone, bursting forth at the slightest cause7. Mobs are breaking down the social structures of nations while offering nothing in return8.

Digital currency is replacing cash9, self-proclaimed sociologists perpetrate social grading of everyone10, and the rumblings of a new world order11 all contribute to our mixed trepidation and anticipation: fear for our loved ones and our desire for Christ Jesus’ return. These events are not without biblical precedent. They echo the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments, reminding us that God’s divine plan is unfolding before our eyes.

Although there are many Old Testament prophecies that point us to Jesus, beginning in Genesis 3:15, the clearest, early prophecy about the Messiah can be found in Isaiah 7:14:

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 KJV – Bible Gateway

This prophecy was made around 700 years before the New Testament confirmation that Immanuel, the Messiah, Jesus12 was born (Matthew 1:18-25).

Through their exile13 in 586 BC, wars, and Roman annexation of Israel14 in 63 BC, the Jews steadfastly anticipated their Messiah. But when He showed up, most didn’t recognize or accept Jesus, the true Messiah, even though He showed exactly as Isaiah’s prophecy foretold. There is a lesson here for us.

Lately, I have heard and been told that countless previous generations thought that they would see Christ’s return15, but they didn’t. So, don’t get all worked up thinking Jesus will return; he didn’t before, so why think that He will now? My answer is simple: Jesus did show up just as Isaiah prophecies, and Jesus will show up again, just as He prophesied.

When? We can’t know16, but we can know the season. It’s the season. Don’t miss the message. We aren’t promised tomorrow; do what you can do today: Choose Jesus. Tell others. Be the Christian that you long to be.

** No part of this post was generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) **

Footnotes

  1. Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 24:3-31 – English Standard Version. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024%3A3-31&version=ESV ↩︎
  2. Gregory, J., & Waterhouse, J. (2024, May 15). Ukraine troops pull back in Kharkiv after Russia offensive. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1030vvy0mzo ↩︎
  3. How the US and Iran Could End Up in a War They Don’t Want. (n.d.). POLITICO. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/02/03/us-iran-proxy-war-00139445 ↩︎
  4. Nowakowski, T. (2023, February 24). Webb Telescope Finds Evidence of Massive Galaxies That Defy Theories of the Early Universe. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/webb-telescope-finds-evidence-of-massive-galaxies-that-defy-theories-of-the-early-universe-180981689/ ↩︎
  5. Lucia Perez Diaz, The Conversation. (2018, April 1). Large crack in East African Rift is evidence of continent splitting in two. PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/large-crack-in-east-african-rift-is-evidence-of-continent-splitting-in-two ↩︎
  6. Clasen-Kelly, F. (2024, January 16). “I’m not safe here”: Schools ignore federal rules on restraint and seclusion. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/01/16/1224837120/im-not-safe-here-schools-ignore-federal-rules-on-restraint-and-seclusion ↩︎
  7. Zuvanich, A. (2024, May 1). Houston led nation in road rage shootings during last decade, data analysis shows. Houston Public Media. https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/guns/2024/05/01/485266/houston-road-rage-shootings-leads-nation-during-last-decade-data-analysis-shows/ ↩︎
  8. Who Instituted America’s Mob Rule? (2024, May 7). The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-instituted-americas-mob-rule-39226a4f ↩︎
  9. Prasad, E. (2021, July 22). Opinion. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/22/opinion/cash-digital-currency-central-bank.html ↩︎
  10. What is China’s social credit system and why is it controversial? (2020, August 9). South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3096090/what-chinas-social-credit-system-and-why-it-controversial ↩︎
  11. Chellaney, B. (2023, November 26). The wars shaping the new world order. The Japan Times. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2023/11/26/world/new-world-order/ ↩︎
  12. Jakes, M. (2021, February 2). A Closer Look at the Prophecies of Isaiah. Bible Study Tools; Salem Web Network. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/a-closer-look-at-the-prophecies-of-isaiah.html ↩︎
  13. The Babylonian Exile. (n.d.). Jewishvirtuallibrary.Org. Retrieved May 14, 2024, from https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-babylonian-exile ↩︎
  14. Jerusalem – Roman Rule, History, Holy City. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2024, from Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/place/Jerusalem/Roman-rule). ↩︎
  15. Wikipedia contributors. (2024, May 10). Predictions and claims for the Second Coming. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Predictions_and_claims_for_the_Second_Coming&oldid=1223233961 ↩︎
  16. Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 24:35-37 – New Life Version. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. Retrieved May 21, 2024, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024%3A35-37&version=ESV
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