Why Christ’s 2nd Coming Will Be “Sudden” Part [4] 09/21/2024 (Morning thought)

Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

Thus, as we study the historical record of Jesus’ first coming, we discover that the Jews at that time were caught off guard even as they had all the prophecies of Daniel, Isaiah, Moses, David, and Hosea at their disposal. That suddenness was not so much on the part of God, but rather, is on the part of the human agent. Similarly, Jesus has given us a specific sign which has to occur before His second coming, and until it does, the final conflict on planet earth will not wrap up. It is the sign pointing specifically to the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet.

The abomination of desolation is a direct reference to the time when the symbols of pagan Rome were set up within the precincts of the Temple as the city of Jerusalem was being laid waste to destruction by Titus. The Roman symbols were planted just outside the city one year earlier by Cestius who, just prior to the invasion got up and left for no apparent reason. This was the providence of God giving the Christians the heads up to leave in a hurry, which they did, and not one perished in the conflagration.

Thus, since the prophecies in Matthew chapter 24 were given in the dual context, of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the final conflict to precede Christ’s second coming, the abomination of desolation will again be fulfilled when the symbols of papal Rome are once again planted within the precincts of the holy place.

Matthew 24:15 When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Why Christ’s 2nd Coming Will Be “Sudden” Part [3] 09/21/2024 (Evening thought)

Daniel 9: 24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Thus, although the prophecy of Daniel, pointing to the Messiah was very specific, yet the Bible says of Christ’s first coming, that it would be sudden. The 69 prophetic weeks spoken of by Daniel would give you 483 literal years, beginning in 457 B.C., at which time the Jews were granted full autonomy by Artaxerxes. This would bring us to Christ’s baptism, in A.D. 27. At this time Jesus was already 30 years of age, which means that He was born between 3 and 4 B.C.

Luke 3: 21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 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.

The prophecy is quite specific, so that anyone who is searching will find out when Jesus is scheduled to arrive. They might not know the exact day and hour, because of that word “About”, but they could come pretty close. But lo and behold, Malachi says of the very same first coming of Christ, that it’ll be sudden.

Daniel 9: 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!