GETTING READY FOR JESUS!

The Proclamation Promotes Anticipation Isaiah 2:1-5, "This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord."

The Christmas season reminds us of:
-Jesus birth, Resurrection, and Return to take his children home (the greatest of gifts—salvation).
We love new babies! We enjoy seeing new life come into the world. Jesus' anticipated birth was not commercialized at the time of His coming; nor was it timely for the people of the day...in their estimation.
Jesus' birth was not at all like most of Israel's religious leaders anticipated. Although prophesied by the prophets of old, the misinterpretation of Scripture by the Jews (Israelites) caused others to be off-base in their thinking of the coming of the Messiah.
Do you think that many Christians today have misinterpreted Scripture concerning Jesus' coming? Why?
To understand the timely birth of Jesus, Scripture reveals over and over again that He would come to save the people from their enemies...their oppressors, and their sins.
Why did they misinterpret prophetic revelation?
As people today try to interpret dreams as to their meaning, people of yesteryear tried to interpret visions and prophetic sayings to prove their worth, their standing in the community.
When the Word (the Torah) and Words of the Prophets were read, men (just like today) came up with their interpretation in lieu of listening to God's voice through the Holy Spirit.
As we prepare for Christmas, we must be reminded that Jesus came as a baby into this world and left as a King who is coming back to take His children with Him.
We must be reminded that, "Yes, He cried in the arms of His mother as He was cradled as a babe...and He cried out to His Father in Heaven when He was dying on the cross for us....and He is crying out through Scripture today for us to get ready for His coming..."
"....This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11b). What is the significance of two identical passages from two different prophets?

• Three (3) ideas:
  1. Both passages came from another source (not likely).
  2. One prophet quoted from another prophet (not likely).
  3. Both prophets prophesied as to that which the Holy Spirit moved each of them to prophesy (true; Goes along with 1 Peter 1:21, "...prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit"
• But...why is it revealed twice?
  To confirm where there are two or three witnesses. The prophet Joel was the 3rd witness...and Jesus confirmed it in Matthew 24:36-44. The prophets and our Lord spoke of the last days and the setting up of the Messianic kingdom on earth.
• Isaiah is straight forward regarding the thrust of the vision. What he saw was concerning Judah and Jerusalem. What he saw was not for the present nor near future, but rather "it shall come to pass in the latter days."
• It seems to be generally agreed that Isaiah used it in reference to the Messianic age.
• Evidently, the meaning of Isaiah 2:2 is that the government of the house of the LORD shall have preeminence over all levels of human governments. This harmonizes with Daniel 2:44 which tells us about a kingdom which God will set up that never shall be destroyed and will break in pieces and consume the world kingdoms of the prophecy and shall stand forever. It also harmonizes with the depiction of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
• "And all nations shall flow to it." After His resurrection, Jesus, having received all authority, commissioned His apostles to go make disciples of all the nations (Mt. 28:19). In Acts 1:8 Jesus told them, "...you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Chapter 2 of Acts records the Holy Spirit coming upon them and from that point through the book of Jude we have a record of the fulfilling of the Commission which Jesus gave. The invitation of Jesus is: "Come to Me, all..." (Mt. 11:28 - 30).
• "He will teach us His ways...so we may walk in His paths"....
  Goes hand in hand with what Jesus told His disciples.. "In my Father's House are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you so... I go to prepare a place for you...and if I go I will come again to receive you to myself...." (John 14:1-4; 6...I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by me."

Why is it important to speak of Jesus' Messianic reign for our first study about Our Lord Jesus?. Answer: The Plan of God is that Jesus would come as a King... and He will end up as King of Kings...

Every knee will bow to this King... what a revelation!. Those ungodly and unbelieving heathens will one day acknowledge that there is only one King.... One who deserves total allegiance...
Too late...Too late for millions!

• Why is it important that we know about prophetic events?
• Why do Old Testament prophets mention about Messianic and Kingdom events... and why does Jesus have to give greater detail of Heaven... and coming Kingdom events?
• What does this passage tell us... and where does it take place?
              A heaven scene... or a scene on earth?
              Will believers be involved? Why is this going to happen?
  Answer: The #1 thing... Our relationship with Jesus isn't only here on earth, but it's also eternal. We have a relationship with the ruler of all creation that goes on forever! Isn't that amazing?
• Just as the people of Israel looked forward to Jesus' first coming, Christians should look forward to Jesus' appearance to take us home (rapture)... and then Jesus' 2nd time to place His feet on earth to establish His kingdom here.
              Think about how that affects your life right now. How would a deeper
              understanding of your future with Jesus change the way you look at
              the "big things" in your life?
  If you knew that these prophetic events were imminent....What changes would you make in your actions or your attitudes?

Is there an urgency in sharing the excitement of Jesus' coming with others?
            We need to take a good look at our perspectives and priorities!