PROPHECY - Concerning The Messiah, And The Fulfillment (Part 3):
PROPHECY. - Concerning the Messiah, and the Fulfillment. (Part 3)
The Final Segment
1. Surely He has borne our griefs - sickness, weakness and distress - and carried our sorrows and pain [of punishment]. Yet we ignorantly considered Him stricken, smitten and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. [Matt. 8:17.]
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole.
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has made to light on Him the guilt and iniquity of us all. [1 Pet. 2:24, 25.]
He shall see the fruit of the travail of His soul and be satisfied; by His knowledge of Himself [which He possesses and imparts to others] shall My [uncompromisingly] righteous One, My Servant, justify and make many righteous - upright and in right standing with God; for He shall bear their iniquities and their guilt [with the consequences, says the Lord].
- Isaiah 53:4-6, 11
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He personally bore our sins in His [own] body to the tree [as to an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.
For you were going astray like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian (the Bishop) of our souls. [Isa. 53:5, 6.]
- 1 Peter 2:24, 25
COMMENTS:
The Word of God says, "Cursed is any one who hangs on a tree!" Jesus became a curse for us, so that we could receive the blessings of God in our lives. We are to be dead to sin and alive unto God by the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Where once we were sheep who had gone astray, now He is our Good Shepherd and we are the sheep of His pasture. Jesus is the keeper of our souls. He has put us in right standing with the Father and we are the fruit of His labors.
2. Surely He has borne our griefs - sickness, weakness and distress - and carried our sorrows and pain [of punishment]. Yet we ignorantly considered Him stricken, smitten and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. [Mat. 8:17.]
- Isaiah 53:4
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And thus He fulfilled what was spoken by the propet Isaiah, He Himself took (in order to carry away) our weakness and infirmities and bore away our diseases. [Isa. 53:4.]
- Matthew 8:17
COMMENTS:
Jesus drove out the evil spirits with a word, and restored to health all who were sick. Are you ignorant or sure? Like Paul the Apostle, I don't want you to be ignorant of spiritual things. The Word of God is sure of the fact that Jesus bore our griefs, sickness, weakness, distress and carried our sorrows and pain of punishment. Jesus the Fulfillment!
3. And they assigned Him a grave with the wicked and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. [Matt. 27:57-60; 1 Pet. 2:22, 23.]
- Isaiah 53:9
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He was guilty of no sin; neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips. [Isa. 53:9.]
- 1 Peter 2:22
COMMENTS:
He Who knew no sin; became sin for us by dying on the Cross at Calvary. The only words He ever spoke were those that the Father commanded Him and the only things He ever did were what the Father had shown Him. Jesus was the Sinless Son of God and the Perfect Sacrifice to redeem the world back to God the Father. Yet, He was condemned to die with the wicked and buried in a newly hewn tomb that belonged to a rich man who believed that Jesus was the Messiah. He rose to Life again, ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of God and has given us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into All Truth. Let's follow His example and live the Life of Love.
4. Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great [kings and rulers], and He shall divide the spoil with the mighty; because He poured out His life unto death, and He let Himself be regarded as a criminal and be numbered with the transgressors, yet He bore [and took away] the sin of many and makes intercession for the transgressors - the rebellious. [Luke 22:37.]
- Isaiah 53:12
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And the Scriture was fulfilled which says, He was counted among the transgressors. [Isa. 53:12.]
- Mark 15:28
For I tell you that this Scripture must yet be fulfilled in Me, And He was counted and classed among the wicked (the outlaws, the criminals); for what is written about Me has its fulfillment - has reached its end, and is finally settled. [Isa. 53:12.]
- Luke 22:37
COMMENTS:
Jesus Himself quoted this Scripture from Isaiah to His disciples just before they left the Passover meal for the Mount of Olives to pray. Being in an agony [of mind] He prayed [the] more earnestly and intently; and His sweat became like great clots of blood dropping down upon the ground. He knew that He was to fulfill this prophecy. Jesus still interceeds on our behalf today. He died the death of a wicked outlaw and criminal, so that we could live a Life of Righteousness through Him in the Holy Spirit. Because He poured out His Life unto death, God has made Him King of kings and Ruler of all. Paul the apostle also poured out his life as a drink offering unto the Lord and we should do likewise.
5. And all your [spiritual] children shall be disciples - taught of the Lord [and obedient to His will]; and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. [John 6:45.]
- Isaiah 54:13
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It is written in the book of the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God - have Him in person for their teacher. Every one, who has listened and learned from the Father, comes to Me. [Isa. 54:13.]
- John 6:45
COMMENTS:
When Jesus walked this earth as a man, He taught the disciples and others all that the Father commanded Him. Today, we have the Person of the Holy Spirit to teach us all things and to lead and guide us into all Truth and understanding. We are all called to be disciples of the Lord - taught of Him [and obedient to His will]. Jesus has given us His Peace, so we should have undisturbed composure. Learn from Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit. We are spiritual children and must feed on spiritual food. Jesus said, "My Word is Spirit and Life!" and "They that worship the Father must do so in Spirit and Truth!" He is Truth. It is written in the book of the prophets.
6. Incline your ear [submit and consent to the Divine will], and come to Me; hear, and your soul shall revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercies - kindness, good will and compassion - promised to David. [2 Sam. 7:8-16; Acts 13:34; Heb. 13:20.]
- Isaiah 55:3
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And as to His having raised Him from among the dead, now no more to return to [undergo] putrefaction and dissolution [of the grave], He spoke in this way, I will fulfill and give to you the holy and sure mercies and blessings [that were promised and assured] to David. [Isa. 55:3.]
- Acts 13:34
COMMENTS:
God has formally shown Jesus to be the Messiah by the resurrection. He fulfilled all of the Messianic prophecies in the Scriptures and all the promises of God are yea and amen in Him. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Thy Faithfulness O Lord! Hear O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One! He has had compassion on us and established an everlasting covenant that revives the soul. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you with the holy and sure blessings of David.
7. Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, [Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25.]
Not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke although I was their Husband, says the Lord;
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the Lord, I will put My law within them, and on their hearts will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
And they shall no more teach each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know Me - recognize, understand and be acquainted with Me - from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will [seriously] remember their sin no more. [Heb. 8:8-12; 10:16, 17.]
- Jeremiah 31:31-34
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However He finds fault with them, [showing its inadequacy], when He says, Behold, the days will come, says the Lord, when I will make and ratify a new covenant or agreement with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day when I grasped them by the hand to help and relieve them and to lead them out from the land of Egypt, for they did not abide in My agreement with them, and so I withdrew My favor and disregarded them, says the Lord.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their minds, even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding, and engrave them upon their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
And it will nevermore be necessary for every one to teach his neighbor and his fellow citizen or every one his brother, saying, Know - [that is,] perceive, have knowledge of and get acquainted by experience with - the Lord; for all will know Me, from the smallest to the greaest of them.
For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more. [Jer. 31:31-34.]
This is the agreement (testament, covenant) that I will set up and conclude with them after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their minds - on their inmost thoughts and understanding,
He than goes on to say, And their sins and their lawbreakings I will remember no more. [Jer. 31:33, 34.]
- Hebrews 8:8-12; 10:16, 17
COMMENTS:
There are no clearer Scriptures to point out the fact that God said, He was going to make a New Covenant (New Testament, New Agreement). These were not to be laws written on stone, but on the human hearts and minds of God's people. No One, but God could imprint and inscribe these laws on our inmost thoughts and understanding. How does He do it? Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord. Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is within you!" What is the Kingdom of God? The Word of God is clear that it is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost! What's even more amazing is that God forgets. When we put our Faith in Jesus and His work on the Cross, His Blood cleanses us. Our sins, unrighteousness and lawbreakings, He remembers no more. Jesus did not come to abolsh the Law, but to fulfill it. Let us read and study the whole Bible, so that He can make everything old, new again.
8. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; and instead of its being said to them, You are not My people, it shall be said to them, Sons of the Living God! [Rom. 9:26.]
- Hosea 1:10
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And it shall be in the very place where it was said to them, You are not My people, they shall be called sons of the living God. [Hos. 1:10.]
- Romans 9:26
COMMENTS:
God has no grandchildren. Only sons and daughters. Jew and Gentile alike must make their own personal decision as to believing on Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life. It is at that point that God gives us power by the Holy Spirit to become Sons and Daughters of His. Paul the Apostle knew from the Scripture in Hosea that God was speaking to us all when He said, "Her who was not beloved [I will call] My beloved." [Hos. 2:23.] The Church is the Bride of Christ and every true believer is a member of His Body. Jesus is the Head and we are bought by Him with the precious Blood that He shed on the Cross. We've been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb and all our sins are washed away. By Faith in Jesus we are the Sons and Daughters of the Living God! Children, obey your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right. Honor (esteem and value as precious) your Father and your mother; this is the first commandment with a promise: [Exod. 20:12.] That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. If God is our Father then all true believers are Brothers and Sisters. Why can't we bother to really reach out and Love one another. The world will know that we are Christians by our Love.
9. And I will sow her for Myself anew in the land, and I will have pity, mercy and love for her who had not obtained pity, mercy and love, and I will say to those who were not My people, You are My people, and they shall say, You are My God! [1 Pet. 2:9, 10.]
- Hosea 2:23
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Just as He says in Hosea, Those who were not My people I will call My people, and her who was not beloved [I will call] My beloved. [Hos. 2:23.]
- Romans 9:25
Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God's people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and receive God's mercy. [Hos. 2:23.]
- 1 Peter 2:10
COMMENTS:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [Exod. 19:5, 6] Jesus told Mary Magdalene at the garden tomb after His resurrection, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God." It is only through the precious Blood of Jesus that we obtain pity, mercy, love and become God's people. Now we can say to Him, "You are my Father and You are my God!" He says to us, "You are My Beloved!"
10. And afterward I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
Even upon the menservants and upon the maidservants in those days will I pour out My Spirit.
And I will show signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.
The sun shall be tured to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. [Isa. 13:6, 9-11; 24:21-23; Ezek. 32:7-10; Matt. 24:29, 30; Rev. 6:12-17.]
And whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered and saved, for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the remnant [of survivors] shall be those whom the Lord calls. [Acts 2:1-21; Rom. 10:13.]
- Joel 2:28-32
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But [instead,] this is [the beginning of] what was spoken though the prophet Joel:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy - telling forth the divine counsels - and your young men shall see visions (that is, divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [divinely suggested] dreams.
Yes, and on my menservants also and on My maidservants in those days I will pour out My Spirit, and they shall prophesy - telling forth the divine counsels and predicting future events pertaining especially to God's kingdom.
And I will show wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth beneath, blood and fire and smoking vapor;
The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the obvious day of the Lord comes, the great and notable and conspicious and renowned [day].
And it shall be that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord - that is, invoking, adoring and worshipping the Lord (Christ) - shall be saved. [Joel 2:28-32.]
- Acts 2:16-21
COMMENTS:
I guess the question would be, "Are you saved?" It was nine o'clock in the morning when the Holy Spirit of God was poured out upon all flesh and the Jews and residents of Jerusalem thought that those who received Him were drunk. This Holy Spirit wine was God fulfilling His promise as spoken through the prophet Joel, because Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, rose from the grave and was now seated at the right hand of God the Father. The Comforter was given to lead us and guide us into all Truth and understanding. Through the gifts of the Spirit we can go, do and be all that God created us for. We are empowered for service and He has given us everything we need to live our lives unto Him. Don't be afraid of the Spirit. We must worship God in Spirit and Truth. His Word is Spirit and His Word is Life. Crucify the flesh and allow the Spiritual Life of God to live in and through you with Resurrection Power! Peter the Apostle said on the day of Pentecost that this outpouring of the Spirit was the beginning. We are living in the last days, so let us seek for these prophecies to come to pass in our lives to the Glory, Praise and Honor of our Heavenly Father. Let us usher in the Second Coming of Jesus, allow His Kingdom to Come and His Will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
11. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David, the fallen hut or booth and close up its breaches, and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old;
That they may possess the remnant of Edom and of all the nations that are called by My name, says the Lord Who does this. [Acts 15:15-17.]
- Amos 9:11,12
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After this I will come back, and will rebuild the house of David, which has fallen; I will build its [very] ruins, and I will set it up again,
So that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name has been invoked.
- Acts 15:16, 17
COMMENTS:
The Lord has been making these things known from the beginning of the world. [Amos 9:11, 12; Jer. 12:15; Isa. 45:21.] Both Jew and Gentile are saved through the grace [the undeserved favor and mercy] of the Lord Jesus. Jesus said, "Destroy this Temple and I will raise it up in three days!" He was speaking of His bodily resurrection and now that He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We are the Church of God! He is our High Tower! Jesus is coming back for His bride, but in the meantime He is making us in His Image. God is taking fallen man and rebuilding him from ruins into the house of David. The Kingdom of God is within us and Jesus is coming again soon to establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.
12. But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, you are little to be among the clans of Judah, yet out of you shall One come forth for Me Who is to be Ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from ancient days - eternity. [Gen. 49:10; Matt. 2:5-12; John 7:42.]
- Micah 5:2
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They replied to him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:
And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are not in any way least or insignificant among the chief cities of Judah; for from you shall come a Ruler (Leader) Who will govern and shepherd My people Israel. [Mic. 5:2.]
- Matthew 2:5, 6
Does not the Scripture tell us that the Christ is to come from the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived? [Ps. 89:3, 4; Mic. 5:2.]
- John 7:42
COMMENTS:
The Word of God foretold where the Christ, Messiah and the Anointed One was to be born. The common people knew it, all the chief priests and learned men (scribes) knew it and when King Herod realized that he had been misled by the wise men, he was furiously enraged, and he sent and put to death all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that territory who were two years old or under, reckoning according to the date which he had investigated diligently and learned exactly from the wise men. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, son of David, Son of God and Bread of Life was to be born in a little town called Bethlehem (House of Bread). The prophets wrote in the Scriptures that this Ruler (Leader) would rule and reign forever. Jesus is the Good Shepherd Who leads us besides still waters and restores our souls. He gave us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all Truth and understanding. Isaiah said the government would be on His shoulders. Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I am!" He is eternal - the ancient of days, His goings forth have been from of old. In Him were all things created and He holds all things together. You are not in any way least or insignificant; for from you shall come the Resurrection Life of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit living in and through you. We are His people, the flock of the Shepherd.
13. Look around [you, Habakkuk, replied the Lord] among the nations and see! And be astonished! Astounded! For I am putting into effect a work in your days that you would not believe it if it were told you. [Acts 13:40, 41.]
- Habakkuk 1:5
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Take care, therefore, lest there come upon you what is spoken in the prophets:
Look, you scoffers and scorners, and marvel, and perish, and vanish away; for I am doing a deed in your days, a deed which you will never have confidence in or believe, [even] if some one - clearly described it in detail - declares it to you. [Hab. 1:5.]
- Acts 13:40, 41
COMMENTS:
Look around you and see if the Lord is not putting into effect a work in our days. We are closer to the end now than when we first believed. Marvel at what He is doing among the nations. Be astonished and astounded to know that God is laying the groundwork for the Second Coming of Jesus. Have confidence and believe in His Word. God's plans and purposes are clearly described in detail from Genesis to Revelation. The Truth has been told and Jesus is declared Christ, Messiah and the Anointed One of God. Many scoffers and scorners will perish and vanish away, because of unbelief. Take care, therefore, lest there come upon you what is spoken in the prophets. Look unto Jesus, for He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith!
14. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake and make tremble the [starry] heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land. [Heb. 12:26.]
- Haggai 2:6
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Then [at Mount Sinai] His voice shook the earth; but now He has given a promise, Yet once more I will shake and make tremble not only the earth but also the (starry) heavens. [Hag. 2:6.]
- Hebrews 12:26
COMMENTS:
Now this expression, Yet once more, indicates the final removal and transformation of all [that can be] shaken, that is, of that which has been created, in order that what cannot be shaken may remain and continue. [Ps. 102:26.] Jesus said that heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away. As believers we have nothing to worry about, because God says, "According to the promise that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit stands and abides in the midst of you; fear not." And I will shake all nations, and the desire and the precious things of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the Lord of hosts. So see to it that you do not reject Him or refuse to listen to and heed Him Who is speaking [to you now]. For if they [the Israelites] did not escape when they refused to listen and heed Him Who warned and divinely instructed them [here] on earth - revealing with heavenly warnings His will - how much less shall we escape if we reject and turn our backs on Him Who cautions and admonishes [us] from heaven? Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe; For our God [is indeed] a consuming fire. [Deut. 4:24.] Jesus went to prepare a Place for us and He is coming back again soon. He wants us to be watching for Him and to be ready when He returns. We will be together forever with Him and there will be a New Heaven and Earth. MARANATHA!
15. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your King comes to you; He is [uncompromisingly] just, and having salvation - triumphant and victorious; patient, meek, lowly and riding on a donkey, upon a colt, the foal of a donkey. [John 12:14, 15.]
- Zechariah 9:9
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This happened that what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled, saying,
Say to the daughter of Zion [inhabitants of Jerusalem], Behold your King is coming to you, lowly and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey [a beast of burden]. [Isa. 62:11; Zech. 9:9.]
- Matthew 21:4, 5
And Jesus, having found a young donkey, rode upon it, [just] as it is written in the Scriptures,
Do not fear, O daughter of Zion! Look! Your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt! [Zech. 9:9.]
- John 12:14, 15
COMMENTS:
His disciples did not understand and could not comprehend the meaning of these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified and exalted, they remembered that these things had been written about Him and had been done to Him. The Word of God also tells us that Jesus will return to earth riding on the clouds of Heaven, seated on a horse with the inscription "King of kings and Lord of lords" written on His thigh. At that time He will not be coming with salvation, but with the judgement of God upon a faithless and unbelieving world. Today is the Day of Salvation and the time to make your decision to follow Jesus or not. When the Prince of Peace came riding into Jerusalem on this donkey the crowds shouted, "Save us Lord! Now!" He rode in on this beast of burden knowing He would later be crucified on the Cross to take away the burdens of a sinful world. Do not fear! Look! Your King is coming! Rejoice greatly! Shout aloud! Jesus is victorious, triumphant, patient, meek, lowly and He has fulfilled all Scripture. Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord!
16. And the Lord said to me, Cast it to the potter [as if He said, To the dogs!], the munificently miserable sum at which I [and My shepherd] am priced by them! And I [Zechariah] took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. [Matt. 26:14, 15; 27: 3-10.]
- Zechariah 11:13
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Then were fulfilled the words spoken by Jeremiah the prophet when he said, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him on Whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, [Zech. 11:12, 13.]
And they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.
- Matthew 27:9, 10
COMMENTS:
It has been said that thirty pieces of silver was the going price for a common slave in the times of Jesus. Zechaiah prophesied the facts that Judas would take thirty pieces of silver to turn Jesus in and then cast them back into the temple after he was convicted of his sin. The chief priests said, It is not legal to put these in the [consecrated] treasury, for it is the price of blood. [Deut. 23:18.] They bought the potter's field in which to bury strangers and that piece of ground has been called the Field of Blood to the present day. Judas hung himself and was later buried in that field. Jesus stood before Pilate and was asked, Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus said to him, You have stated [the fact]. What would you give up for a price? Jesus is Christ, Messiah and the Anointed One of God! No amount of money could buy your salvation and Jesus is the Only Way! Faith in Him alone is what counts. He is the Pearl of Great Price!
17. And I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace or unmerited favor, and supplication. And they shall look [earnestly] upon Me Whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one who is in bitterness for his first-born. [John 19:37; Rev. 1:7.]
- Zechariah 12:10
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And again another Scripture says, They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced. [Zech. 12:10.]
- John 19:37
COMMENTS:
Lo, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth shall gaze upon Him and beat their breasts and mourn and lament over Him. Even so [must it be]. Amen - so be it. [Dan. 7:13; Zech. 12:10.] I am the Alpha and the Omega the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty - the Ruler of all. [Isa. 9:6.] Old and New Covenant alike confirm that Jesus is the One Who was pierced for our transgressions. Face to face all of creation shall see Him and have to give an account for what we have done. Because Jesus went to the Cross, we now have access to the Father's Throne of Grace and Mercy. He has poured out His Holy Spirit upon all flesh and has called us into fellowship with Him as sons and daughters. This Spirit of Supplication should keep us in constant communion with God and move us to pray for the needs of others. Look unto Jesus and do your part that others may look unto Him as well. He is our Glorified Lord and Savior!
18. Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man who is My associate, says the Lord of hosts; smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered; and I will turn back My hand and stretch it out again upon the little ones of the flock. [Matt. 26:31, 32.]
-Zechariah 13:7
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Then Jesus said to the, You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night - distrusting and deserting Me; for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. [Zech. 13:7.]
But all this has taken place in order that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted Him and fleeing escaped.
- Matthew 26:31, 56
And Jesus said to them, You will all fall away this night - [that is,] you will be caused to stumble and will begin to distrust and desert Me; for it stands written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. [Zech. 13:7.]
Then [His disciples], forsaking Him, fled, all [of them].
- Mark 14:27, 50
COMMENTS:
Jesus and the disciples had just finished the Passover meal (best known today among the Church as the Last Supper or Communion) and when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. The Lord tried to prepare them for what was about to happen according to the Scriptures and even spoke of future events. He said, "But after I am raised [to life], I will go before you into Galilee." The crowds came out to seize Jesus with swords and clubs to take Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. In fulfillment of the Word of God the disciples were scattered as sheep and their Shepherd was struck. Have you ever been offended by Jesus? Did you ever stumble or fall on account of Him? Was the ever a time when you distrusted or deserted Him? Judas betrayed Him, but never asked for forgiveness. Peter denied Him, yet repented of his sin and went on to be a great Apostle. There is no sin that the Blood of Jesus cannot cleanse you of and bring you into fellowship with the Father. Jesus has been raised to Life and promises to go before us in all things. He will never leave or forsake us and will be with us always even unto the end of the age.
19. BEHOLD, I send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, the Messiah, Whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger or Angel of the covenant Whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts. [Matt. 11:10; Luke 1:13-17, 76.]
- Malachi 3:1
QUOTED IN:
This is the one of whom it is written, Behold I send My messenger on ahead of You, who shall make ready Your way before You. [Mal. 3:1.]
- Matthew 11:10
Just as it is written in the prophet Isaiah: Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will make ready Your way. [Mal. 3:1.]
- Mark 1:2
This is he concerning whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who shall make ready Your way before You. [Mal. 3:1.]
- Luke 7:27
COMMENTS:
Jesus said, among those born of women there is not a greater than John; but he that is inferior [to the other citizens] in the kingdom of God is greater [in incomparable privilege] than he. John the Baptist was a voice of one crying in the wilderness - shouting in the desert - Prepare the way of the Lord, make His beaten-tracks straight (level and passable)! [Isa. 40:3.] He was one (out of the common, more eminent, more remarkable and) superior to a prophet. All believers are now called to be God's Messengers and prepare the Way before the Second Coming of Jesus. We are to level the playing field and make it passable for all to enter the straight and narrow Way. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and be the servant of all. You will be greater in the kingdom of God [in incomparable privilege] than John. Tell the world what is written about Jesus in the Word of God, Behold His Face and make ready His Way before Him!
20. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. [Matt. 11:14; 17:10-13]
And he shall turn [and reconcile] the hearts of the [estranged] fathers to the [ungodly] children, and the hearts of the [rebellious] children to [the piety of] their fathers [a reconciliation produced by repentance of the ungodly]; lest I come and smite the land with a curse [and a ban of utter destruction]. [Luke 1:17.]
- Malachi 4:5, 6
QUOTED IN:
For all the Law and the prophets prophesied up until John.
And if you are willing to receive and accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come [before the kingdom]. [Mal. 4:5.]
- Matthew 11:13, 14
The disciples asked Him, Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?
He replied, Elijah does come and will get everything restored and ready;
But I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know or recognize him, but did to him as they liked. So also the Son of man is going to be treated and suffer at their hands.
Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them about John the Baptist. [Mal. 4:5.]
- Matthew 17:10-13
And they asked Him, Why do the scribes say that it is necessary for Elijah first to come? [Mal.4:5, 6.]
And He said to them, Elijah, it is true, does come first to restore all things and set them right; and how is it written of the Son of man that He will suffer many things and be utterly despised and be treated with contempt and rejected? [Isa. 53:3.]
But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and [people] did to him whatever they desired, as it is written of him.
- Mark 9:11-13
And he will turn and cause to return many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.
And he will [himself] go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn back the hearts of the father to the children, and the disobedient and incredulous and unpersuadable to the wisdom of the upright [which is the knowledge and holy love of the will of God], in order to make ready for the Lord a people [perfectly] prepared - in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state. [Mal. 4:5, 6; Isa. 40:3.]
- Luke 1:16, 17
COMMENTS:
John the Baptist was great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord. He drank no wine nor strong drink, and he was filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, even in and from his mother's womb. [Num. 6:3.] From the days of John the Baptist until the present time the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize] - a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought for with most ardent zeal and intense exertion. He who has ears to hear, let him be listening, and consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing. The Old Covenant ended with a curse and a ban of utter destruction, but the New Covenant ends with the grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah. We are the saints - God's holy people [those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His]. Amen - so let it be! Like John, we are called to turn back the hearts of the people to the knowledge and holy love of the will of God. Prepare ye the Way of the Lord a people perfect in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state. Take these words and be sure that they were sent to you, to bring you this Good News and believe they are of a kind which will be fulfilled in the appointed and proper time. This concludes our three part study on prophecy. We haven't even scratched the surface, but I hope it inspires you to dig deeper into the Word of God. Look unto Jesus and know that He is the fulfillment of all prophecy in Scripture. God has given us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all Truth and understanding. Let us follow Him where-ever He may lead!
Verse of the Day
Turn to me and be saved, all who live at the ends of the earth, because I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:22
The Final Segment
1. Surely He has borne our griefs - sickness, weakness and distress - and carried our sorrows and pain [of punishment]. Yet we ignorantly considered Him stricken, smitten and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. [Matt. 8:17.]
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole.
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has made to light on Him the guilt and iniquity of us all. [1 Pet. 2:24, 25.]
He shall see the fruit of the travail of His soul and be satisfied; by His knowledge of Himself [which He possesses and imparts to others] shall My [uncompromisingly] righteous One, My Servant, justify and make many righteous - upright and in right standing with God; for He shall bear their iniquities and their guilt [with the consequences, says the Lord].
- Isaiah 53:4-6, 11
QUOTED IN:
He personally bore our sins in His [own] body to the tree [as to an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.
For you were going astray like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian (the Bishop) of our souls. [Isa. 53:5, 6.]
- 1 Peter 2:24, 25
COMMENTS:
The Word of God says, "Cursed is any one who hangs on a tree!" Jesus became a curse for us, so that we could receive the blessings of God in our lives. We are to be dead to sin and alive unto God by the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Where once we were sheep who had gone astray, now He is our Good Shepherd and we are the sheep of His pasture. Jesus is the keeper of our souls. He has put us in right standing with the Father and we are the fruit of His labors.
2. Surely He has borne our griefs - sickness, weakness and distress - and carried our sorrows and pain [of punishment]. Yet we ignorantly considered Him stricken, smitten and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. [Mat. 8:17.]
- Isaiah 53:4
QUOTED IN:
And thus He fulfilled what was spoken by the propet Isaiah, He Himself took (in order to carry away) our weakness and infirmities and bore away our diseases. [Isa. 53:4.]
- Matthew 8:17
COMMENTS:
Jesus drove out the evil spirits with a word, and restored to health all who were sick. Are you ignorant or sure? Like Paul the Apostle, I don't want you to be ignorant of spiritual things. The Word of God is sure of the fact that Jesus bore our griefs, sickness, weakness, distress and carried our sorrows and pain of punishment. Jesus the Fulfillment!
3. And they assigned Him a grave with the wicked and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. [Matt. 27:57-60; 1 Pet. 2:22, 23.]
- Isaiah 53:9
QUOTED IN:
He was guilty of no sin; neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips. [Isa. 53:9.]
- 1 Peter 2:22
COMMENTS:
He Who knew no sin; became sin for us by dying on the Cross at Calvary. The only words He ever spoke were those that the Father commanded Him and the only things He ever did were what the Father had shown Him. Jesus was the Sinless Son of God and the Perfect Sacrifice to redeem the world back to God the Father. Yet, He was condemned to die with the wicked and buried in a newly hewn tomb that belonged to a rich man who believed that Jesus was the Messiah. He rose to Life again, ascended to heaven where He is seated at the right hand of God and has given us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into All Truth. Let's follow His example and live the Life of Love.
4. Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great [kings and rulers], and He shall divide the spoil with the mighty; because He poured out His life unto death, and He let Himself be regarded as a criminal and be numbered with the transgressors, yet He bore [and took away] the sin of many and makes intercession for the transgressors - the rebellious. [Luke 22:37.]
- Isaiah 53:12
QUOTED IN:
And the Scriture was fulfilled which says, He was counted among the transgressors. [Isa. 53:12.]
- Mark 15:28
For I tell you that this Scripture must yet be fulfilled in Me, And He was counted and classed among the wicked (the outlaws, the criminals); for what is written about Me has its fulfillment - has reached its end, and is finally settled. [Isa. 53:12.]
- Luke 22:37
COMMENTS:
Jesus Himself quoted this Scripture from Isaiah to His disciples just before they left the Passover meal for the Mount of Olives to pray. Being in an agony [of mind] He prayed [the] more earnestly and intently; and His sweat became like great clots of blood dropping down upon the ground. He knew that He was to fulfill this prophecy. Jesus still interceeds on our behalf today. He died the death of a wicked outlaw and criminal, so that we could live a Life of Righteousness through Him in the Holy Spirit. Because He poured out His Life unto death, God has made Him King of kings and Ruler of all. Paul the apostle also poured out his life as a drink offering unto the Lord and we should do likewise.
5. And all your [spiritual] children shall be disciples - taught of the Lord [and obedient to His will]; and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children. [John 6:45.]
- Isaiah 54:13
QUOTED IN:
It is written in the book of the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God - have Him in person for their teacher. Every one, who has listened and learned from the Father, comes to Me. [Isa. 54:13.]
- John 6:45
COMMENTS:
When Jesus walked this earth as a man, He taught the disciples and others all that the Father commanded Him. Today, we have the Person of the Holy Spirit to teach us all things and to lead and guide us into all Truth and understanding. We are all called to be disciples of the Lord - taught of Him [and obedient to His will]. Jesus has given us His Peace, so we should have undisturbed composure. Learn from Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit. We are spiritual children and must feed on spiritual food. Jesus said, "My Word is Spirit and Life!" and "They that worship the Father must do so in Spirit and Truth!" He is Truth. It is written in the book of the prophets.
6. Incline your ear [submit and consent to the Divine will], and come to Me; hear, and your soul shall revive; and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with you, even the sure mercies - kindness, good will and compassion - promised to David. [2 Sam. 7:8-16; Acts 13:34; Heb. 13:20.]
- Isaiah 55:3
QUOTED IN:
And as to His having raised Him from among the dead, now no more to return to [undergo] putrefaction and dissolution [of the grave], He spoke in this way, I will fulfill and give to you the holy and sure mercies and blessings [that were promised and assured] to David. [Isa. 55:3.]
- Acts 13:34
COMMENTS:
God has formally shown Jesus to be the Messiah by the resurrection. He fulfilled all of the Messianic prophecies in the Scriptures and all the promises of God are yea and amen in Him. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Thy Faithfulness O Lord! Hear O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One! He has had compassion on us and established an everlasting covenant that revives the soul. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you with the holy and sure blessings of David.
7. Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, [Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25.]
Not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke although I was their Husband, says the Lord;
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the Lord, I will put My law within them, and on their hearts will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
And they shall no more teach each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know Me - recognize, understand and be acquainted with Me - from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will [seriously] remember their sin no more. [Heb. 8:8-12; 10:16, 17.]
- Jeremiah 31:31-34
QUOTED IN:
However He finds fault with them, [showing its inadequacy], when He says, Behold, the days will come, says the Lord, when I will make and ratify a new covenant or agreement with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day when I grasped them by the hand to help and relieve them and to lead them out from the land of Egypt, for they did not abide in My agreement with them, and so I withdrew My favor and disregarded them, says the Lord.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their minds, even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding, and engrave them upon their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
And it will nevermore be necessary for every one to teach his neighbor and his fellow citizen or every one his brother, saying, Know - [that is,] perceive, have knowledge of and get acquainted by experience with - the Lord; for all will know Me, from the smallest to the greaest of them.
For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more. [Jer. 31:31-34.]
This is the agreement (testament, covenant) that I will set up and conclude with them after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their minds - on their inmost thoughts and understanding,
He than goes on to say, And their sins and their lawbreakings I will remember no more. [Jer. 31:33, 34.]
- Hebrews 8:8-12; 10:16, 17
COMMENTS:
There are no clearer Scriptures to point out the fact that God said, He was going to make a New Covenant (New Testament, New Agreement). These were not to be laws written on stone, but on the human hearts and minds of God's people. No One, but God could imprint and inscribe these laws on our inmost thoughts and understanding. How does He do it? Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord. Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is within you!" What is the Kingdom of God? The Word of God is clear that it is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost! What's even more amazing is that God forgets. When we put our Faith in Jesus and His work on the Cross, His Blood cleanses us. Our sins, unrighteousness and lawbreakings, He remembers no more. Jesus did not come to abolsh the Law, but to fulfill it. Let us read and study the whole Bible, so that He can make everything old, new again.
8. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; and instead of its being said to them, You are not My people, it shall be said to them, Sons of the Living God! [Rom. 9:26.]
- Hosea 1:10
QUOTED IN:
And it shall be in the very place where it was said to them, You are not My people, they shall be called sons of the living God. [Hos. 1:10.]
- Romans 9:26
COMMENTS:
God has no grandchildren. Only sons and daughters. Jew and Gentile alike must make their own personal decision as to believing on Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life. It is at that point that God gives us power by the Holy Spirit to become Sons and Daughters of His. Paul the Apostle knew from the Scripture in Hosea that God was speaking to us all when He said, "Her who was not beloved [I will call] My beloved." [Hos. 2:23.] The Church is the Bride of Christ and every true believer is a member of His Body. Jesus is the Head and we are bought by Him with the precious Blood that He shed on the Cross. We've been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb and all our sins are washed away. By Faith in Jesus we are the Sons and Daughters of the Living God! Children, obey your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right. Honor (esteem and value as precious) your Father and your mother; this is the first commandment with a promise: [Exod. 20:12.] That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. If God is our Father then all true believers are Brothers and Sisters. Why can't we bother to really reach out and Love one another. The world will know that we are Christians by our Love.
9. And I will sow her for Myself anew in the land, and I will have pity, mercy and love for her who had not obtained pity, mercy and love, and I will say to those who were not My people, You are My people, and they shall say, You are My God! [1 Pet. 2:9, 10.]
- Hosea 2:23
QUOTED IN:
Just as He says in Hosea, Those who were not My people I will call My people, and her who was not beloved [I will call] My beloved. [Hos. 2:23.]
- Romans 9:25
Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God's people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and receive God's mercy. [Hos. 2:23.]
- 1 Peter 2:10
COMMENTS:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [Exod. 19:5, 6] Jesus told Mary Magdalene at the garden tomb after His resurrection, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God." It is only through the precious Blood of Jesus that we obtain pity, mercy, love and become God's people. Now we can say to Him, "You are my Father and You are my God!" He says to us, "You are My Beloved!"
10. And afterward I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
Even upon the menservants and upon the maidservants in those days will I pour out My Spirit.
And I will show signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.
The sun shall be tured to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. [Isa. 13:6, 9-11; 24:21-23; Ezek. 32:7-10; Matt. 24:29, 30; Rev. 6:12-17.]
And whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered and saved, for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the remnant [of survivors] shall be those whom the Lord calls. [Acts 2:1-21; Rom. 10:13.]
- Joel 2:28-32
QUOTED IN:
But [instead,] this is [the beginning of] what was spoken though the prophet Joel:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy - telling forth the divine counsels - and your young men shall see visions (that is, divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [divinely suggested] dreams.
Yes, and on my menservants also and on My maidservants in those days I will pour out My Spirit, and they shall prophesy - telling forth the divine counsels and predicting future events pertaining especially to God's kingdom.
And I will show wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth beneath, blood and fire and smoking vapor;
The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the obvious day of the Lord comes, the great and notable and conspicious and renowned [day].
And it shall be that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord - that is, invoking, adoring and worshipping the Lord (Christ) - shall be saved. [Joel 2:28-32.]
- Acts 2:16-21
COMMENTS:
I guess the question would be, "Are you saved?" It was nine o'clock in the morning when the Holy Spirit of God was poured out upon all flesh and the Jews and residents of Jerusalem thought that those who received Him were drunk. This Holy Spirit wine was God fulfilling His promise as spoken through the prophet Joel, because Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, rose from the grave and was now seated at the right hand of God the Father. The Comforter was given to lead us and guide us into all Truth and understanding. Through the gifts of the Spirit we can go, do and be all that God created us for. We are empowered for service and He has given us everything we need to live our lives unto Him. Don't be afraid of the Spirit. We must worship God in Spirit and Truth. His Word is Spirit and His Word is Life. Crucify the flesh and allow the Spiritual Life of God to live in and through you with Resurrection Power! Peter the Apostle said on the day of Pentecost that this outpouring of the Spirit was the beginning. We are living in the last days, so let us seek for these prophecies to come to pass in our lives to the Glory, Praise and Honor of our Heavenly Father. Let us usher in the Second Coming of Jesus, allow His Kingdom to Come and His Will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
11. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David, the fallen hut or booth and close up its breaches, and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old;
That they may possess the remnant of Edom and of all the nations that are called by My name, says the Lord Who does this. [Acts 15:15-17.]
- Amos 9:11,12
QUOTED IN:
After this I will come back, and will rebuild the house of David, which has fallen; I will build its [very] ruins, and I will set it up again,
So that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name has been invoked.
- Acts 15:16, 17
COMMENTS:
The Lord has been making these things known from the beginning of the world. [Amos 9:11, 12; Jer. 12:15; Isa. 45:21.] Both Jew and Gentile are saved through the grace [the undeserved favor and mercy] of the Lord Jesus. Jesus said, "Destroy this Temple and I will raise it up in three days!" He was speaking of His bodily resurrection and now that He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We are the Church of God! He is our High Tower! Jesus is coming back for His bride, but in the meantime He is making us in His Image. God is taking fallen man and rebuilding him from ruins into the house of David. The Kingdom of God is within us and Jesus is coming again soon to establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.
12. But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, you are little to be among the clans of Judah, yet out of you shall One come forth for Me Who is to be Ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from ancient days - eternity. [Gen. 49:10; Matt. 2:5-12; John 7:42.]
- Micah 5:2
QUOTED IN:
They replied to him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet:
And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are not in any way least or insignificant among the chief cities of Judah; for from you shall come a Ruler (Leader) Who will govern and shepherd My people Israel. [Mic. 5:2.]
- Matthew 2:5, 6
Does not the Scripture tell us that the Christ is to come from the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived? [Ps. 89:3, 4; Mic. 5:2.]
- John 7:42
COMMENTS:
The Word of God foretold where the Christ, Messiah and the Anointed One was to be born. The common people knew it, all the chief priests and learned men (scribes) knew it and when King Herod realized that he had been misled by the wise men, he was furiously enraged, and he sent and put to death all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that territory who were two years old or under, reckoning according to the date which he had investigated diligently and learned exactly from the wise men. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, son of David, Son of God and Bread of Life was to be born in a little town called Bethlehem (House of Bread). The prophets wrote in the Scriptures that this Ruler (Leader) would rule and reign forever. Jesus is the Good Shepherd Who leads us besides still waters and restores our souls. He gave us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all Truth and understanding. Isaiah said the government would be on His shoulders. Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I am!" He is eternal - the ancient of days, His goings forth have been from of old. In Him were all things created and He holds all things together. You are not in any way least or insignificant; for from you shall come the Resurrection Life of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit living in and through you. We are His people, the flock of the Shepherd.
13. Look around [you, Habakkuk, replied the Lord] among the nations and see! And be astonished! Astounded! For I am putting into effect a work in your days that you would not believe it if it were told you. [Acts 13:40, 41.]
- Habakkuk 1:5
QUOTED IN:
Take care, therefore, lest there come upon you what is spoken in the prophets:
Look, you scoffers and scorners, and marvel, and perish, and vanish away; for I am doing a deed in your days, a deed which you will never have confidence in or believe, [even] if some one - clearly described it in detail - declares it to you. [Hab. 1:5.]
- Acts 13:40, 41
COMMENTS:
Look around you and see if the Lord is not putting into effect a work in our days. We are closer to the end now than when we first believed. Marvel at what He is doing among the nations. Be astonished and astounded to know that God is laying the groundwork for the Second Coming of Jesus. Have confidence and believe in His Word. God's plans and purposes are clearly described in detail from Genesis to Revelation. The Truth has been told and Jesus is declared Christ, Messiah and the Anointed One of God. Many scoffers and scorners will perish and vanish away, because of unbelief. Take care, therefore, lest there come upon you what is spoken in the prophets. Look unto Jesus, for He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith!
14. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake and make tremble the [starry] heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land. [Heb. 12:26.]
- Haggai 2:6
QUOTED IN:
Then [at Mount Sinai] His voice shook the earth; but now He has given a promise, Yet once more I will shake and make tremble not only the earth but also the (starry) heavens. [Hag. 2:6.]
- Hebrews 12:26
COMMENTS:
Now this expression, Yet once more, indicates the final removal and transformation of all [that can be] shaken, that is, of that which has been created, in order that what cannot be shaken may remain and continue. [Ps. 102:26.] Jesus said that heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away. As believers we have nothing to worry about, because God says, "According to the promise that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit stands and abides in the midst of you; fear not." And I will shake all nations, and the desire and the precious things of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the Lord of hosts. So see to it that you do not reject Him or refuse to listen to and heed Him Who is speaking [to you now]. For if they [the Israelites] did not escape when they refused to listen and heed Him Who warned and divinely instructed them [here] on earth - revealing with heavenly warnings His will - how much less shall we escape if we reject and turn our backs on Him Who cautions and admonishes [us] from heaven? Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe; For our God [is indeed] a consuming fire. [Deut. 4:24.] Jesus went to prepare a Place for us and He is coming back again soon. He wants us to be watching for Him and to be ready when He returns. We will be together forever with Him and there will be a New Heaven and Earth. MARANATHA!
15. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your King comes to you; He is [uncompromisingly] just, and having salvation - triumphant and victorious; patient, meek, lowly and riding on a donkey, upon a colt, the foal of a donkey. [John 12:14, 15.]
- Zechariah 9:9
QUOTED IN:
This happened that what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled, saying,
Say to the daughter of Zion [inhabitants of Jerusalem], Behold your King is coming to you, lowly and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey [a beast of burden]. [Isa. 62:11; Zech. 9:9.]
- Matthew 21:4, 5
And Jesus, having found a young donkey, rode upon it, [just] as it is written in the Scriptures,
Do not fear, O daughter of Zion! Look! Your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt! [Zech. 9:9.]
- John 12:14, 15
COMMENTS:
His disciples did not understand and could not comprehend the meaning of these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified and exalted, they remembered that these things had been written about Him and had been done to Him. The Word of God also tells us that Jesus will return to earth riding on the clouds of Heaven, seated on a horse with the inscription "King of kings and Lord of lords" written on His thigh. At that time He will not be coming with salvation, but with the judgement of God upon a faithless and unbelieving world. Today is the Day of Salvation and the time to make your decision to follow Jesus or not. When the Prince of Peace came riding into Jerusalem on this donkey the crowds shouted, "Save us Lord! Now!" He rode in on this beast of burden knowing He would later be crucified on the Cross to take away the burdens of a sinful world. Do not fear! Look! Your King is coming! Rejoice greatly! Shout aloud! Jesus is victorious, triumphant, patient, meek, lowly and He has fulfilled all Scripture. Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord!
16. And the Lord said to me, Cast it to the potter [as if He said, To the dogs!], the munificently miserable sum at which I [and My shepherd] am priced by them! And I [Zechariah] took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. [Matt. 26:14, 15; 27: 3-10.]
- Zechariah 11:13
QUOTED IN:
Then were fulfilled the words spoken by Jeremiah the prophet when he said, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him on Whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, [Zech. 11:12, 13.]
And they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.
- Matthew 27:9, 10
COMMENTS:
It has been said that thirty pieces of silver was the going price for a common slave in the times of Jesus. Zechaiah prophesied the facts that Judas would take thirty pieces of silver to turn Jesus in and then cast them back into the temple after he was convicted of his sin. The chief priests said, It is not legal to put these in the [consecrated] treasury, for it is the price of blood. [Deut. 23:18.] They bought the potter's field in which to bury strangers and that piece of ground has been called the Field of Blood to the present day. Judas hung himself and was later buried in that field. Jesus stood before Pilate and was asked, Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus said to him, You have stated [the fact]. What would you give up for a price? Jesus is Christ, Messiah and the Anointed One of God! No amount of money could buy your salvation and Jesus is the Only Way! Faith in Him alone is what counts. He is the Pearl of Great Price!
17. And I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace or unmerited favor, and supplication. And they shall look [earnestly] upon Me Whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one who is in bitterness for his first-born. [John 19:37; Rev. 1:7.]
- Zechariah 12:10
QUOTED IN:
And again another Scripture says, They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced. [Zech. 12:10.]
- John 19:37
COMMENTS:
Lo, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth shall gaze upon Him and beat their breasts and mourn and lament over Him. Even so [must it be]. Amen - so be it. [Dan. 7:13; Zech. 12:10.] I am the Alpha and the Omega the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty - the Ruler of all. [Isa. 9:6.] Old and New Covenant alike confirm that Jesus is the One Who was pierced for our transgressions. Face to face all of creation shall see Him and have to give an account for what we have done. Because Jesus went to the Cross, we now have access to the Father's Throne of Grace and Mercy. He has poured out His Holy Spirit upon all flesh and has called us into fellowship with Him as sons and daughters. This Spirit of Supplication should keep us in constant communion with God and move us to pray for the needs of others. Look unto Jesus and do your part that others may look unto Him as well. He is our Glorified Lord and Savior!
18. Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man who is My associate, says the Lord of hosts; smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered; and I will turn back My hand and stretch it out again upon the little ones of the flock. [Matt. 26:31, 32.]
-Zechariah 13:7
QUOTED IN:
Then Jesus said to the, You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night - distrusting and deserting Me; for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. [Zech. 13:7.]
But all this has taken place in order that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted Him and fleeing escaped.
- Matthew 26:31, 56
And Jesus said to them, You will all fall away this night - [that is,] you will be caused to stumble and will begin to distrust and desert Me; for it stands written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. [Zech. 13:7.]
Then [His disciples], forsaking Him, fled, all [of them].
- Mark 14:27, 50
COMMENTS:
Jesus and the disciples had just finished the Passover meal (best known today among the Church as the Last Supper or Communion) and when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. The Lord tried to prepare them for what was about to happen according to the Scriptures and even spoke of future events. He said, "But after I am raised [to life], I will go before you into Galilee." The crowds came out to seize Jesus with swords and clubs to take Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. In fulfillment of the Word of God the disciples were scattered as sheep and their Shepherd was struck. Have you ever been offended by Jesus? Did you ever stumble or fall on account of Him? Was the ever a time when you distrusted or deserted Him? Judas betrayed Him, but never asked for forgiveness. Peter denied Him, yet repented of his sin and went on to be a great Apostle. There is no sin that the Blood of Jesus cannot cleanse you of and bring you into fellowship with the Father. Jesus has been raised to Life and promises to go before us in all things. He will never leave or forsake us and will be with us always even unto the end of the age.
19. BEHOLD, I send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, the Messiah, Whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger or Angel of the covenant Whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts. [Matt. 11:10; Luke 1:13-17, 76.]
- Malachi 3:1
QUOTED IN:
This is the one of whom it is written, Behold I send My messenger on ahead of You, who shall make ready Your way before You. [Mal. 3:1.]
- Matthew 11:10
Just as it is written in the prophet Isaiah: Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will make ready Your way. [Mal. 3:1.]
- Mark 1:2
This is he concerning whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who shall make ready Your way before You. [Mal. 3:1.]
- Luke 7:27
COMMENTS:
Jesus said, among those born of women there is not a greater than John; but he that is inferior [to the other citizens] in the kingdom of God is greater [in incomparable privilege] than he. John the Baptist was a voice of one crying in the wilderness - shouting in the desert - Prepare the way of the Lord, make His beaten-tracks straight (level and passable)! [Isa. 40:3.] He was one (out of the common, more eminent, more remarkable and) superior to a prophet. All believers are now called to be God's Messengers and prepare the Way before the Second Coming of Jesus. We are to level the playing field and make it passable for all to enter the straight and narrow Way. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and be the servant of all. You will be greater in the kingdom of God [in incomparable privilege] than John. Tell the world what is written about Jesus in the Word of God, Behold His Face and make ready His Way before Him!
20. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. [Matt. 11:14; 17:10-13]
And he shall turn [and reconcile] the hearts of the [estranged] fathers to the [ungodly] children, and the hearts of the [rebellious] children to [the piety of] their fathers [a reconciliation produced by repentance of the ungodly]; lest I come and smite the land with a curse [and a ban of utter destruction]. [Luke 1:17.]
- Malachi 4:5, 6
QUOTED IN:
For all the Law and the prophets prophesied up until John.
And if you are willing to receive and accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come [before the kingdom]. [Mal. 4:5.]
- Matthew 11:13, 14
The disciples asked Him, Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?
He replied, Elijah does come and will get everything restored and ready;
But I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know or recognize him, but did to him as they liked. So also the Son of man is going to be treated and suffer at their hands.
Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them about John the Baptist. [Mal. 4:5.]
- Matthew 17:10-13
And they asked Him, Why do the scribes say that it is necessary for Elijah first to come? [Mal.4:5, 6.]
And He said to them, Elijah, it is true, does come first to restore all things and set them right; and how is it written of the Son of man that He will suffer many things and be utterly despised and be treated with contempt and rejected? [Isa. 53:3.]
But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and [people] did to him whatever they desired, as it is written of him.
- Mark 9:11-13
And he will turn and cause to return many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.
And he will [himself] go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn back the hearts of the father to the children, and the disobedient and incredulous and unpersuadable to the wisdom of the upright [which is the knowledge and holy love of the will of God], in order to make ready for the Lord a people [perfectly] prepared - in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state. [Mal. 4:5, 6; Isa. 40:3.]
- Luke 1:16, 17
COMMENTS:
John the Baptist was great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord. He drank no wine nor strong drink, and he was filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, even in and from his mother's womb. [Num. 6:3.] From the days of John the Baptist until the present time the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize] - a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought for with most ardent zeal and intense exertion. He who has ears to hear, let him be listening, and consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing. The Old Covenant ended with a curse and a ban of utter destruction, but the New Covenant ends with the grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah. We are the saints - God's holy people [those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His]. Amen - so let it be! Like John, we are called to turn back the hearts of the people to the knowledge and holy love of the will of God. Prepare ye the Way of the Lord a people perfect in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state. Take these words and be sure that they were sent to you, to bring you this Good News and believe they are of a kind which will be fulfilled in the appointed and proper time. This concludes our three part study on prophecy. We haven't even scratched the surface, but I hope it inspires you to dig deeper into the Word of God. Look unto Jesus and know that He is the fulfillment of all prophecy in Scripture. God has given us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all Truth and understanding. Let us follow Him where-ever He may lead!
Verse of the Day
Turn to me and be saved, all who live at the ends of the earth, because I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:22