Jesus Birth is Just the Beginning The story of the birth of our lord and savior Jesus Christ is just the beginning. The truth is it has not ended. Jesus has promised to return in the time of the end to save us from ourselves. Scripture says if he does not then there will be no flesh saved alive. It was in the Holy City of Jerusalem that Jesus carried out the unlikely series of tasks by which he unlocked the mystery hidden from all previous generations.
Captured God’s Purpose
The writer of Philippian’s captured God’s holy purpose and plan perfectly in Chapter 2, verse 6-11:”…who, being in the form of God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.” Our Lord Wept Twice There are only two times in the New Testament recorded of Jesus weeping. One just before he raised Lazarus and the other was when he entered Jerusalem on a donkey. As Jesus
entered the city, he warned the people of Israel that a time would soon come when their enemies would encircle them, hem them in on every side, and leave not one stone standing atop another. He said this would happen because they had rejected him as their Messiah. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another, everyone will be thrown down.� (Matthew 24:2).
Disciples Curious Jesus disciples were inquisitive so they asked when these things should come to pass. Jesus used this opportunity to teach them about
future events. He told of tribulation, armies surrounding Jerusalem, and of Gentile domination “until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.� (Luke 21:24) Forty days after Jesus resurrection, he ascended back to the Father from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Upon Jesus command, the disciples tarried in Jerusalem until the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them, and the Church (believers in Christ) was born in Jerusalem.
Jesus Coming Back Jesus is indeed coming back and soon to Jerusalem. That is something on which Jews and Christians agree. The Jewish people say they do not know who he is because they denied him the first time. There will be no question who he is when he returns in the second coming for every knee will bow.
Our Generation God’s word states the generation that sees Israel created as a nation again, that generation will not pass away until it sees the coming of the Son of Man (Jesus Christ). A generation according to scripture is three score and ten (70 years) and because of its strength another ten
is added. That leaves us with 80 years + 1948 Israel created as a nation = 2028 the last possible year I speculate that Jesus may return. Soon to be 2014 then according to his Holy word we have 14 years left (2028 – 2014) seven of which will be the tribulation. Speculation is that between 2014 and 2021 at any time the rapture of the Church may happen. However, because of the coming 4 blood moons with the total eclipse in the middle, the last signs in the heavens happen at the feast of trumpets in the fall of 2015. I conjecture the rapture of the Church will not happen until the last sign is given in 2015. The signs are meant as a warning to man. Between the feast of trumpets in the fall of 2015 and 2021 would be the logical time of the rapture because God will not want his people exposed to the torment of the great Tribulation according to scripture. This is only speculation, however, because God tells us we
cannot know the exact time of his coming in the rapture.
Identity of Anti-Christ Gospel plainly states that when the true identity of the Anti-Christ is known, because of his 7 year peace treaty with Israel, the treaty signifies the start of the Great Tribulation. If we
then know when the peace treaty starts we will know that seven years later Jesus Christ will return. We do not know the timing of the rapture, but we will know when the tribulation starts, thus seven years later the return of Jesus. Using common sense, logic, and prayer to God for discernment we can know the approximate time of his return.
Great Tribulation God’s holy word tells us that the last seven years before the Messiah returns to Earth will be the most horrific time since the world began. Matthew 24:21 describes it this way: “For then shall be great tribulation, such has
not been since the beginning of the world until this time, nor ever shall be.” Daniel recorded in chapter 12:1, “And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time.”
Stage Set The stage then will be set for the return of Jesus and the last great conflict. The battle lines will be drawn with the vortex in the Valley of Megiddo. The slaughter will be so intense that blood will flow up to the bridle of a horse for a distance of 200 miles north and south of Jerusalem. As the battle reaches its climax, the Messiah will return. Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24:22, 30 “And unless those days
were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened…Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and there all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Jesus coming as King The Messiah is coming again, not as a suffering Savior but as a ruling king with a rod of iron. He will claim the throne of David and govern the earth for 1,000 years. This is the final promise of the Christmas story. These prophecies will be fulfilled just as the promises of his first coming! Critics Arise The apostle Paul prophesied that in the last days critics would arise who would mock the very idea of Christ’s second coming: “Saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since the father’s fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2nd Peter 3:4). Certainly in our day there are many who deny that Jesus is coming again and many others who live as if they have no concern of facing the coming Judge.
Jesus Will Come The fact that Jesus has not yet come for his Church in the rapture does not change the certainty that he will. He has given us the directive to be busy about his work to teach others about him while he is gone. That is every disciple’s commission. The love that we have
for God means that we look to the sky in eager anticipation, knowing that one day it will open, and we will see him face to face. What will you say to him when you do?