Dr. Bradford Reaves
CrossWay Christian Fellowship
Hagerstown, MD
www.mycrossway.org
Why Prophecy?
Although prophecy constitutes almost one-third of the Bible, its importance is constantly downplayed by those who dismiss it as having no practical significance or by those who object to it on the grounds that it is a “fad” that takes people’s eyes off Jesus.
knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. (2 Peter 3:3–7)
The Bible is a prophetic book and it is a book about Jesus, which includes his first coming and his second coming.
J. Barton Payne, has found as many as 574 verses in the Old Testament that somehow point to or describe or reference the coming Messiah. Alfred Edersheim found 456 Old Testament verses referring to the Messiah or His times. Conservatively, Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies in His earthly ministry. For Jesus to fulfill just 10 of these prophecies about him is 10/17th power!
Silver Dollar Illustration
Yet he fulfilled all prophecies pertaining to his first coming perfectly!
Here is a list of important Messianic prophecies that Jesus fulfilled.
Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem. (See Micah 5:2; fulfilled in Matt. 2:1-7; John 7:42; Luke 2:4-7)
Messiah is to be preceded by a Messenger. (See Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; fulfilled in Matthew 3:1-3; 11:10; John 1:23; Luke 1:17)
Messiah is to enter Jerusalem on a donkey. (See Zechariah 9:9; fulfilled in Luke 35-37; Matthew 21:6-11)
Messiah is to be betrayed by a friend. (See Psalms 41:9; 55:12-14; fulfilled in Matthew 10:4; 26:49-50; John 13:21)
Messiah is to be sold for 30 pieces of silver. (See Zechariah 11:12; fulfilled in Matthew 26:15; 27:3)
The money for which Messiah is sold is to be thrown “to the potter” in God’s house. (See Zechariah 11:13; fulfilled in Matthew 27:5-7)
Messiah is to be born of a virgin. (See Isaiah 7:14; fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-2:1; Luke 1:26-35)
Messiah is to be hated without cause. (See Isaiah 49:7; Psalm 69:5; fulfilled in John 15:24-25)
Messiah is to be silent before His accusers. (See Isaiah 53:7; fulfilled in Matthew 27:12)
Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion, by having His hands and feet pierced. (See Psalm 22:16; fulfilled in John 19:28)
Messiah is to be given vinegar to quench His thirst. (See Psalm 69:21; fulfilled in Matthew 27:34)
Messiah is to be executed without having a bone broken. (See Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:21; fulfilled in John 19:33-36)
Messiah is to be buried with the rich when dead. (See Isaiah 53:9; fulfilled in Matthew 27:57-60)
Messiah is to be raised from the dead. (See Isaiah 53:9-10; Psalm 2:7; 16:10; fulfilled in Matthew 28:1-20; Acts 2:23-36;13;33-37; 1 Corinthians 11:4-6)
Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion as a thief. (See Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 53:5, 12; fulfilled in Luke 23:33; John 20:25; Matthew 27:38; Mark 5:27, 28)
The fulfillment of these prophecies speaks to the authority of Scripture. If we can trust and know that Jesus fulfilled every prophecy concerning his second coming, then why do we doubt the prophecies concerning his second coming? In fact, there are more prophecies concerning his second coming than his first in the Old Testament.
Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)
The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:12–14)
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7–11)
The primary way in which Satan deceives man is by convincing him to question the authority of God’s word.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)
Just as the Jews were blinded by the first coming of Jesus due to their unbelief, so it is for the Church today, who is either ignorant or deceived to the coming of his second coming. Yet the Bible is clear of the condition and events that will happen leading up to Jesus’ return. Jesus himself spoke at length with his disciples about these events.
One of the primary descriptors Jesus uses when referring to prophetic events pointing to his return is Birthing Pains. Meaning that like the coming of a child being born, the completion of Jesus’ return. Birthing pains are contractions that increase in frequency and intensity the closer the birth. The final pain will be the Great Tribulation with the arrival of the Antichrist
Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. (Matthew 24:1–8)
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (Romans 8:22)
I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
Jesus declared that there will be series of 5 global events (birthing contractions) that will lead the world into the final moments of suffering before Messiah come. Remember that this contraction will increase in frequency and intensity the closer the coming of Messiah comes
Global Spiritual Deceptions
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1–3)
While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
Today we see this happening in incredible ways
Apostasy of the Church
Teaching false doctrines
Teaching doctrine of demons
Laodicean Attitude
Increase of Jezabel Spirit
Increase of Islam and other false religions
Global Wars and Rumors of Wars
6 significant wars of the last days:
WW I- return of the Jews to the land of Israel
WW II- return of the land to the Jews
6-day war- return of Jerusalem and Judea to Israel
Gog & Magog- spiritual awakening of Israel begins (happening now in Israel)
Then The Rapture of the Church
The wars of the Antichrist (Revelation 6:1-4)
Armageddon- return of Messiah to Israel & salvation of Israel
When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. (Revelation 6:3–4)
Global Famines
The world’s ticking time bomb
The global food chain is breaking down
The impact of wars
Control of food source and compliance of population
When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” (Revelation 6:5–6)
Global Pandemics
COVID Pandemic - the great global deception
And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:8)
As in the Days of Noah
For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, (Matthew 24:37–38)
Jesus was pointing out that, although the people of Noah’s day were totally depraved, they were not the least bit concerned about it. They were carrying on the events of their lives without a single thought of the judgment of God.
if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; (2 Peter 2:5)
Part of the need to destroy every human being except Noah and his family was the sin mentioned in Genesis 6:1–4, when “the Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them.”
The world is reproducing with the demonic.
The Rapture of the Church will be God’s rescue from God’s judgment for those who will put their faith in Him.
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:1–2)
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42)
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44)
Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)
The Bible is full of warnings and signs preparing us for the coming of Jesus. It is not there to be sensational or to scare us or create conspiracy theories. It is there because God has always had a rescue plan for those who will put their trust in Him. He has made His plans known from the beginning. Jesus came the first time for the salvation of all who will put their trust in him. Today we have clear indications of the time that is approaching. God put the prophecies in place so that we can know and be ready. So that we will not be deceived.
Are you ready?
