THE AWESOME TIMING OF ARRIVAL OF MESSIAH

[Servant89]

During the next week, I will post eleven OT prophecies dealing with identifying the correct time of the arrival of Messiah (all about the first coming of Christ).

There are no prophecies announcing the arrival of Buddah or Mohamed or any other religious leader. Christ is different. There are many prophecies announcing his arrival. I will share 11 of them that deal with announcing the TIME of his arrival, i.e., the awesome timing of the first coming of Christ.

1st Sign: The Bible says that God will send Israel a prophet like Moses (Deu 18:15). Jesus is a prophet like Moses in many aspects. For example, notice how Moses and Jesus had very parallel lives here on earth [OT] (NT). Both Moses and Jesus …

Anointed by God [Num 11:16-17] (Luke 4:18)
Fasted for 40 days and 40 nights [Exo 34:28] (Mat 4:2)
Started a Testament [Pentateuch] (Heb 9:15-20)
Changed the calendar [Exo 12:2]
Gave of his spirit to people [Num 11:25] (John 7:37-39)
Like a god [Exo 4:16] (John 8:24-27)
Healed people [Hos 11:1-3] (Mat 8:16)
Involved in a mixed marriage [Num 12:1] (Rev 7:9)
Tested (temptations in the desert) [Exo 13] (Mat 4:1-6)
# 1 in meekness [Num 12:3] (Mat 11:29)
Did not defend himself [Num 12:3] (Mat 27:14)
Suffered for God’s people [Heb 11:16] (John 3:16)
Fed thousands out of nothing [Num 11:31] (Mat 14:20-21)
Baptized people [1Cor 10:2] (Mat 3:11)
Face shinning with God’s glory [Exo 34:35] (Mat 17:2)
Taken out of Egypt [Exo 12] (Mat 2:15)
When they were born, orders given to kill babies [Exo 1:22] (Mat 2:16)
Saved the people on day of Passover by the blood [Exo 12] (Mat 26:2)
Liberated people from bondage, set them free [Exo 12] (Gal 5:1)
Ministry of miracles [Exo 4:5; Deu 34:10-12] (Acts 2:22)
His prophecies came to pass [Deu 18:18] (Mat 24:2)
Under their ministries, people heard the voice of God speaking from heaven [Exo 20:22] (Mat 3:17; John 12:28)
Both born when Israel was under bondage [Egypt] (Rome)
Both ascended up to God [Exo 19:20] (Acts 1:9)
Both escaped stoning [Exo 17:4] (John 8:59)
Arrival time was prophesied [Exo 12:41] (Dan 9:25; Neh 2; Luke 19:39-44)
Arrival was preceded by 430 years of no Word of God [Gen 15:13-14; Exo 1:6] (history tells us there are 430 years between the closing of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament)


Before the arrival of Moses, there were 430 years of prophetic silence. Between the last verse of Genesis and the first verse of Exodus (when Moses was born) there are 430 years of nothing (from the Word of God). Like Moses, Jesus was born after 430 years of prophetic silence. Between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament there are also 430 years of silence (Gen 15:13; Exo 12:40-41). After realizing that there was nothing added to the OT for 400 years, they should have been suspicious saying: “wait a minute, this is just what happened before Moses arrived on the scene. Maybe Messiah is around the corner." Because he was, yes he was.


Gen 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

Note: The affliction started 30 years after they arrived in Egypt. Actually, the Jews arrived in Egypt on Passover day and left on Passover day, 430 years exactly.

Ex 12:40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

End of sign # 1, 10 more coming. Stand by ... Merry Christmas !!!

Shalom

[Servant89]

2nd Sign: When Messiah was born, shepherds see an angelic host singing during the birth of Jesus and the Scriptures (Luke 2:8-18) say they told all the people around that region. The message from the angels: "Christ (Messiah) the Lord was born today in the city of David!" I bet a lot of Rabbis found out about that.

Luke 2: 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

By the way, all these signs were in preparation for Palm Sunday, the predicted day of arrival of Messiah as King.

Shalom

[Servant89]

3rd Sign: When Moses was born, Pharaoh sent out to kill the male children in Israel. What a coincidence, the male children were killed when Jesus was born too (Exo 1:16 and Mat 2:2-10). What a data point to ignore! I bet people were asking: Why did this happen? The answer: Herod heard some wise men proclaimed Messiah was born, and he believed them, and that's why he tried to kill the coming king by killing their children. For the mothers of those children that was a very difficult data point to forget or ignore. And so it was fulfilled...

Mat 2:17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Shalom

[Servant89]

4th Sign: The star of Bethlehem fulfilled Gen 1:14 (signs in the heavens) and the testimony of the wise men made sure they got the point (Mat 2:2-10). This was a sign in the sky to tell the world that the bright and morning star had arrived. Jesus is the bright and morning star according to Rev 22:16. The pharisees asked Jesus for a sign from heaven in Mat 16:1. They did not get another one, they already got their sign from heaven in the star of Bethlehem. By the way, other signs in heaven will occur for the 2nd coming too (Luke 21:11).

Shalom

[Servant89]

5th sign: The witness of Simeon

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Shalom

[Servant89]

Sign # 6 The witness of Gamaliel - Apparently, the Jews were aware that the arrival of Messiah was expected in their lifetimes, for there were many prospects taking advantage of the situation just before Jesus arrived, to get to a postition of influence and power (by the seat of Messiah).

Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Shalom

[Servant89]

7th Sign: When Jesus was young, the Romans introduced something new. They called it "human rights". They said no one had the right to kill anyone at the mouth of two or three witnesses like it says in the Word of God (the law of Moses). They stated that the only ones that had power over life and death were the Romans and did not allowed the Jews to exercise the law of Moses. The authority and power (represented by the scepter of a king) was taken from the Jews (by the Romans) when Jesus was about 10 years old. When that happened, the prophecy of Gen 49:10 was fulfilled where it says that the scepter (the authority) of Judah would not be removed until Messiah comes first (Shiloh means "rest" and is a title of Messiah). According to the book “Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell, the Jewish Talmud recorded that when that happened, the high priest of Israel rent his garments, put ashes on his head and went throughout the streets of Jerusalem crying: "Woe to us, for the scepter departed from Judah and Messiah did not come". They should have believed the data. They should have given God the benefit of the doubt and say to themselves: "Praise God Messiah has arrived, we do not see him but we believe it". Instead, the High Priest went out lamenting that God forgot about His promises to Israel. They should have believed the data, especially after the star of Bethlehem, after the wise men from the east and after the killing of the children took place. We should all trust God with all our heart and lean not in our own understanding.

Shalom

[Servant89]

8th Sign: The ministry of John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecies of Elijah, the forerunner of Messiah (Mal 4:5-6). This was explained to the parents of John the Baptist (Luke 1:15-22). He even dressed like Elijah. But when they asked him if he was Elijah, and he answered them saying that he was not, all the data (prophecies fulfilled) went down the drain. They were blinded to the historical data matching prophecy because of what one man (John the Baptist) said. When it comes to the signs of the times, God says: Let no man deceive you (Mat 24:4, Luke 21:8, Mark 13:5, 2Th 2:3)… not even the greatest man born of women (Mat 11:11).

Shalom

[Servant89]

9th Sign: The son of 14

Mt 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

By the way even though the genealogies of Matthew and Luke are different (for very important reason), both are a set of 14, Matthew has 3 sets of 14 and Luke has four sets of 14.

God told Moses:

Exo 2320 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.

The one that lead Israel into the promised land was Joshua son of Nun. Nun is the letter N (literally) in the Hebrew alphabet. It says, Joshua son of N. N is the letter # 14 in the English, Spanish, Hebrew and Greek alphabets. Joshua son of 14 in a series.

The name Joshua is the same name Jesus in both Hebrew (Yeshua) and Greek (Iesous). In the Bible, they both have the same name (Joshua and Jesus). It is in the English translation and Spanish translation that we split it and give it different names.

So the Bible was saying Jesus sun of N, Jesus son of a 14 in a series. By the way, Jesus son of David is anothe way of saying Jesus son of 14 because the name David adds up to 14 in Hebrew (4+6+4, DVD)

Shalom

[Servant89]

10th sign – The year of Jubilee. Chances are Jesus started his ministry on year of Jubilee # 30

I say that because on the year of Jubilee, all the captives go free, liberty is proclaimed to the captives and the prisons are opened. All slaves go free too.

Lev 25:10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

Lev 25:40 But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubilee.

When Jesus started his ministry, he started by quoting Isaiah 61 which carries the message of the year of Jubilee.

Is 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,

The law of Moses declared that the priests could not preach until they were 30 years old.

Num 4:47 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation.

That is why Jesus did not preach until he was thirty years old.

Lk 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

Lk 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

So, it is appropriate to wait until the year of Jubilee # 30 to start preaching and according to history, Jesus started preaching about that time.

Shalom

[Servant89]

Sign # 11 – Jesus’ ministry of miracles and fulfillment of prophecy as evident in history. When JTB asked Jesus if he was the Messiah, Jesus answer was, let history do the talking.

Luke 7: 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

I was wrong, I do not have 11 signs, I have 12.

Shalom

[Servant89]

12th Sign: Palm Sunday.

The Bible says that God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hos 4:6). Before God gave Israel the exact day of the arrival of Messiah the king, he told them: Make sure you know and understand this ! When the day came, Jesus said in very modern English: If only you had figured out this prophecy correct, it would have been ok with you. If at least on this day you would have had your act together, things would have been fine. But you blew it. And then he told them in modern English: You blew it, you are all history, because you failed to obtain the knowledge of the timing of my arrival. The prophecy of Daniel 9:25 precisely declared the day of the arrival of Messiah as King and that day came to be Palm Sunday. This is the only prophecy that indicated the precise day of his arrival as King.

In Daniel 9:25 it states that: from the going forth of the commandment to restore Jerusalem until the arrival of Messiah as King it will be 483 years. The commandment is documented in Nehemiah 2. That sets the clock to start counting on 14 March 445 B.C. Four hundred and eighty three years later (7+62) x 7 = 483 yrs = 173,880 days later = Palm Sunday. In John 6:15 the people wanted to make Jesus king but he hid from them because his hour has not yet come. That was the wrong day to start his political career. And Zec 9:9 stated that he had to arrive on a donkey. That is why Jesus made sure a donkey was going to be available that day. When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city cried out that he was king. When the religious leaders wanted that stopped, Jesus answered: If they stop, the stones will cry out. That is because God had prophesied in Zec 9:9 “Rejoice Jerusalem, your king comes to you ridding on a donkey.” It was not optional. They could not help themselves, it had to happen like that. But in spite that on this day everyone is welcoming him as king, he was not impressed with that (God looks at the heart), and he declared judgment over Jerusalem as it is written:

Luke 19:35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; BECAUSE thou knewest not THE TIME of thy visitation.

Palm Sunday was the day to select the king of Israel. Israel should have pulled everyone arriving on a donkey that day to select themselves a king. But on that day, no one was aware of the prophecy. That is the reason why judgment was declared on them. It just so happens, Palm Sunday (the 10th day of the first month) was not only the day of selecting their king, it was also the day of selecting the Passover lamb (Exo 12:3). Jesus is our Passover Lamb and Jesus is our King. Having him as our king and as our Passover lamb gives us free pass to the promised-land in eternity. And what a coincidence !... that Israel crossed the Jordan river to enter the promised land… on Palm Sunday (See Joshua 4:19).

The very next thing that happens after Palm Sunday was Jesus cursing the fig tree. Israel is a type of fig tree (see Hos 9:10) and then the parable of giving the Lord's vineyard to others.

Shalom

[Fenris]

As with all such proofs, it really helps if you already believe that Jesus is the messiah.

[Servant89]

As with all such proofs, it really helps if you already believe that Jesus is the messiah.

And unfortunately, I have to admit that you are right concerning 90% of the people. People tend to swim towards the answer they have already. Good point, I see it done often. Let me add this my friend, Daniel 2:21 states that the Lord changes the times and the seasons...

When God gave the Old Testament to Moses, he told him in Exo 12:2 throw away your calendar, we are starting a new one, right now.

When God started the NT, he did it again. Do you think God will enjoy second place in history? Do you think he will let Buddah or Mohamed take the first place in history? I do not think so, I refuse to believe that God will let history be measured relative to the birth of Mohamed. Forget it.

The fact that the whole world measures history relative to the arrival of Messiah is a great hint. Why?

Col 1:18 ... that in all things he (Messiah) might have the preeminence.

Shalom

[Fenris]

The fact that the whole world measures history relative to the arrival of Messiah is a great hint. Why?

Uh...because there are more Christians than any other religion? Because Europe, which happened to be Christian, was the place the calendar was made?

As I said, these proofs tend to work best with people who already believe...