This is a fascinating topic for many, boring for others, and one that has made a complete fool of the many pundits who claim they are authorities in the realm of biblical prophecy.
Messianic ideas were prominent around the time of Jesus, but they existed before then, for much is found in Isaiah that speaks of the righteous rule of God on Earth. The days of the Babylon captivity brought forth Ezekiel who promoted ideas of a new society, where the dead were raised and people were living righteous lives; for the scourge of the Earth had been defeated by the Lord God Almighty. Even the first of the Psalms introduces a Messianic notion when it tells us that God laughs at the nations and the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor the unrighteous in the congregation of those who have been justified.
When Jesus appeared on the scene, the Jews were looking for their Messiah to rule the world—only they did not understand that righteousness was about faith, mercy and justice; not regulations, hypocrisy and natural birth.
- Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. (Matthew 23:23)
For the world to come to an end, as the Bible speaks of the world, this first begins in the heart of the individual; for the Kingdom of God is not of this world. Indeed the Kingdom of God is of the Spirit; within the innermost sanctuary of the individual.
- And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)
- But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here, who will in no way taste of death, until they see God’s Kingdom.” (Luke 9:27)
- And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (Luke 18:24)
- ‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’ (Luke 10:11)
- But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. ((Luke 18:16-17)
- Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom!”(John 3:5)
- I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes. (Luke 22:18)
The Apostle Peter wrote concerning the time He saw the Kingdom of God manifest:
- For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:16–19)
But will this happen this century?
Consider the evidence. Israel is once more a nation. The Bible states that the Messiah is to reveal Himself to the nation Israel as the Judge of all the nations when peace is brought about upon the Earth (Isaiah 16:5; Joel 3:12; Micah 4:3 ). Many believe that this will happen in a time when Israel is about to be obliterated off the face of the Earth.
- For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our ruler, the Lord is our king; he will save us. (Isaiah 33:22)
Many are the people, proven incompetent interpreters of Bible prophesy, who can be listed among the failed prophets, who claimed that the Second Coming would occur, say from 1844 (the Millerite Movement—Seven Day Adventists) through the dispensationalists (Clarence Larkin) to Hal Lindsay and the many others (e.g. Jehovah Witnesses). All these have made false predictions. Therefore, take no notice of these people or any others who have made false claims (Deuteronomy 18:22).
As for the possibility of Jesus’ return occurring this century, what did our Messiah say when He came to pay the price for sin and redeem humanity from captivity:
- As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. (Matthew 24:37)
- As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man. (Luke 17:26)
Not only was there one language on the Earth in the days of Noah, many people overlook that Noah was still alive when the Tower of Babel was built.
- After the flood Noah lived three hundred and fifty years. (Genesis 9:28)
Just on the evidence of what is happening in the world today, with the increase of knowledge because one language is being spoken across the globe, enabling people to communicate ideas, another twenty years should be close to the time of Lord Jesus Christ’s return, if not sooner. For there is much evidence of humans playing God with bio-engineering and trying to make a name themselves eternally.
Those Who Understand The Moral Code Hold The Keys To Discovering The Truth
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