NEW JERUSALEM OF JESUS CHRIST

NEW JERUSALEM OF JESUS CHRIST

“The blessed hope of the church is the second earning of Christ”. (Titus 2.13)

For this topic I have selected the 21st chapter from “the Book of Revelation”. This chapter is so important for all the readers must humbly bow down their heads with due respect to the “Divine author” St. John to grant all of us special wisdom through Jesus Christ, to comprehended his message to the best of our ability. The young believers and readers in faith need not be frustrated or dismayed if they really happened to fail in comprehending the intensity of the passage. As far as I am concerned as a writer, I strongly believe that for teaching or preached or for writing all of us must need the gift and spiritual guidance of our Almighty God.

St. John wrote this chapter with the following words. Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy city the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It was well prepared and beautifully decorated as bride for the wedding. According to the statement of some reputable scientists the heavens are infinite. As there is no beginning there is no end or border or termination point. But in this context, those scientists spoke about three heavens. THEY ARE -

Atmospheric heaven : In this the air is surrounding the earth, wherein the birds fly; And God said, “And let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creatures that have life and foul that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven”. (Genesis 1.20)

The second heaven the Bible speaks about is “The Terrestrial heaven”, which is visible sky with the Sun, the Moon and the stars appear. And then God said, “Let there be light in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night, and there be signs and seasons and for days and for years”. The result of this division is God made two lights, the greater light and the lesser light. The greater light would rule the day and the lesser light rule the night. It is really surprisingly understood to Prophet Moses though he lived about 1500 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. He correctly understood the heavenly bodies were giving to the earth, the seasons, days and years. Moses, the servant of God, must have received that gift of understanding from God Himself. The third heaven is called “The celestial heaven”, which is supposed to be the abode of God. Apostle Paul said in this context, “I know a man in Christ, about 14 years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell or out of the body I cannot tell) as God everything as He is the communicant. Such a one caught up to third heaven”. (2 Corinthians 12.2). The relationship between the earth and the heaven is very broad and substantial, which is not so easy to understand. The most striking point in this regard, that the earth has a little impact on the heaven whereas the heaven has an absolute and intimate impact on the earth.

God, who related the heaven and the earth and everything therein, had a plan to destroy people because they became wicked. If He really wanted to do so, He could do it in no time, just with a word from His mouth. It may not be His intention to wipe out His own creation. But what St. John saw in his vision should be brought into lime light. One point is correct in his dream John saw the passing away of the first heaven and earth; At the same time, we cannot say whether God is really interested in the destruction of both heaven and earth, and recreate new heaven and new earth or renovate the present heaven and the earth. We cannot come to a conclusion with our limited brains, what God has in His mind.

Let us look into the historic events that occurred in the Bible, “Noah’s Flood”. As per the story, we know how the waters of the flood raised higher than the tallest, mountains on the earth. Actually, we have no idea about Noah’s flood because we never came across such terrible event in our lives. But in terms of the new heaven and new earth, we must dramatically elevate our understanding correctly. Therefore with staunch belief, we require strong and unfailing faith in God and His word; and faith should grow like a little sapling that change into a mighty oak tree. We can believe the new heavens and new earth as John saw were not necessarily new with regard to their origin but with due respect to their quality. That is to say, John was beholding the present heaven and earth completely cleansed totally regenerated and with all that thing would become absolutely perfect ones. John was beholding the new heaven and the new earth in all their pristine beauty as Adam and Eve saw in the “Garden of Eden” before the advent of sin and its consequences of curse upon the entire creation.

Let us keep aside these facts for a while and think about heaven which is vague and perfectly understood by us in its true sense whether we are believers or not. A secular song writer suggested that heaven is our eyes which are bright as the stars above our eyes. Another lyric song writer said, we are in heaven when we are all in a dancing program, so closely cheek to cheek of other sea. What the writer really wanted to say here is that, we feel extremely happy when we dance with others. But heaven is not such a place for sensual pleasures.

Heaven is a Holy place, where martyrs wait for the presence of the Almighty God to praise and worship Him. The Hebrew word for heaven is “shamayin”. This particular word has its own importance in the Old Testament because this word, “shamayin” is used about 400 times. As we see the Bible opens with the declaration “In the beginning God created heavens and the earth”. (Genesis 1.1) Both heaven and earth are perfect in the material quoted. God created them and they are frequently standing the physical and spiritual universe is paralleled the earth and sky to certain extent. Heaven is simply defined as the expansion of the space over the sky like a dome. But it is more complex, for the human eye to comprehend.

In the Greek Bible there are two words used for the English word “new”. They are “Nios” and “Kainos”. So when the Bible speaks about the new wine, it seeks the word “Nios” which indicated about this years crop, new with regard to time. The second word “Kainos” is used in the ease of substance and quality superior to the old one. The Lord proposed a new (kainos) covenant far superior in quality to the previous covenant of Moses. (1 Corinthians 11.25, 2 Corinthians

3.6, Hebrew 8.8). Apostle Paul also clearly explained that the believer of Christ was a new (kainos) creation. For the purpose as he was before he became a believer. But after his change, he became qualitatively superior to what he was in his ingenerated condition in Adam. He was called born again and thus a new creation.

When John spoke about new heavens and the new earth, in his vision he used the word kainos and emphasized the quality of new heavens and earth not in time or origin John also pointed out that they were not the same heavens and earth, but cleansed and regenerated from old ones, and thus the old ones were to be purged. During the “Day of the Lord” when the masters hand passes toward both of them, they would become new heavens and earth.

It is not the wrath of God but the persecution of anti-Christ, the progine of Satan from which Israel would be delivered. The “Day of the Lord” would come for a short period of time. And during that short period of time would be blown and seven bowls pair out while interpreting the importance of the 21st chapter from the Book of Revelation. We may find different opinions as many of the Bible readers do. At the same time we must remember the valuable saying “Do not rush in where angels fear to tread”,

As we all know blessings would come down from heaven and from God only. In the same way, the priests in the temples would bless the people and worshippers. The kings would bless their subjects (people). Father would bless his children always even though they don’t desire sometimes due to their abnormal behavior. In order to understand the uniqueness of heaven some concepts are quoted below from the Old Testament. Following are some of the opinions about heaven by some God inspired writers and prophets.

1)The heavens are created by God

2)The heavens and the Earth are frequently called upon to testify that God

keeps His covenants.

3)Prayer to God is directed upward (towards heaven).

4)God is Infinite and the heavens cannot contain Him.

5)Men are continuously warned not to worship the hosts of heaven like the

sun, the moon, the stars, etc.

6)There is no other God in heaven or on the Earth who possesses the greatness

and power of the Lord.

7)The heavens are sometimes shut up (do not give the rain because of sin).

8)The lord is EL ELYON-the most high God, possessor of the heaven and

the Earth.

9)The lord talks to men on the Earth from heaven.

10)The lord opens the windows of heaven to bless the faithful.

11)Heaven is the building place of God and angelic beings.

12)The Lord judges His people from heaven.

showing His handiwork.

19)The Lord of heaven is sovereign in His universe. He does as He pleases.

20)The Lord who dwells in heaven is omnipresent.

21)When the Lord prepared the heavens His son was present.

22)The heavens are higher than the Earth and the Lord’s ways are higher than

our ways.

23)The heavens are the Lord’s throne and the Earth His footstool

24)The Lord will one day create a new heaven and a new Earth.

25)The God of heaven is the revealer of secrets which we call the past, present

and future are all known to Him.

26)The God of heaven sets up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.

27)The God of heaven is omnipotent. Men may choose to oppose the God of heaven but they do so at great peril.

As I quoted above, we can find hundreds of such examples of verses in the Old Testament which give the clear picture of heaven. In such description one thing stands out above all; that is it’s absence. It Is like a ‘Neon- light. There is no hint, or hope, dream, aspiration, or speculation that a righteous man or woman of the Old Testament have gone to heaven after death. And also, the concept of heaven as a home with God is not found in the Old Testament Scriptures. However, the scriptures will not suggest that the people were without hope or without knowledge. So, the most dominating theme of the Old Testament is that of the coming of Messiah who will be a descendant of Abraham and King David. And what this Messiah will do in his second coming-

1)He will deliver man from the curse of sin permanently.

2)He will establish an eternal kingdom on Earth.

3)The kingdom he is going to establish must be the kingdom of righteousness.

4)His new kingdom shall be plenty of everything.

5)It will be a kingdom wherein the wolf will lie down with the lamb.

6)It will be a kingdom where no catastrophic or calamities occur at any time.

7)It will be a kingdom where every man will sit under his own fig tree fully

satisfied and fulfilled.

According to historical background “Job” lived earlier than prophet Moses and his book called “The Book of Job’ was the first written one of the Bible. And it is testified to the fact “For I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the later day (at the end of the age) upon the Earth. And though after my skin warms destroy this body to death, yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job

In the New Testament the Greek word used for heaven is “Overanoes” and this word is used about 290 times. From this number about 70 times it is used in the Gospel of Matthew and 55 times in the book of Revelation. So, altogether the Hebrew word “shamayin” 400 times, and “overanoes” 290 times are used for heaven. The total goes up to 690 times. The strong faith of all believers is that they would go to heaven after their death; and only with that faith people embrace Christianity. They also believe that the dead bodies would go into the graves and become dust, and the soul which is called immortal part of the body, soars higher and higher and finally reaches the presence of the living God in heaven.

Then at the time of the second coming of Jesus Christ, there will be a resurrection of call those believers who died in faith. The Bible also speaks about the physical body that is kept in the grave which was corruptible and mortal would be resurrected and made incorruptible and immortal. Then it will be united with soul to meet the Lord God in the clouds.

It is said often that the heaven represented as a place where the redeemer will sit on the clouds and play some music................. Christ said, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Why He said so because of present kingdom of heaven is on earth. There is no doubt; the will of God is done in heaven perfectly. But one earth, the will of God is the vehemently opposed by a demonic host who always served Satan obediently. God asks us always to pray as “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is heaven”. The kingdom of which John the Baptist spoke, the kingdom of heaven which the disciples were taught by Jesus Christ, and the kingdom of which God Himself spoke was prophecised in the Old Testament.

The people who are spiritual minded among us might suggest we shall bow and cast our crowns at the feet of our Lord We should not show any disrespect to heaven because it is more than one glorious on-going church service.

Our heavenly father kept many wonderful things in store for the sake of His children. It is simply like a participation in a kingdom of a perfected one without any blemish or ravages of sin Heaven is the most precious place for our life and hope. Our treasure is the heaven. Our names are written in the books of heaven. It is not an ordinary place to think about. God has abundantly blessed us with all His heavenly blessings. Of all the gospel writers, it is only Matthew who used the expression ‘the kingdom of God”.

John the Baptist, while giving baptism to different people in the river Jordan used to say in his message. “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3.2). Even the Lord, while sending his disciples on missionary work to different places, commanded them with the following words, “And as ye go, preach saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 10.7).

Jesus Christ, after he was baptized by John the Baptist, got the identification as the promised Messiah.

Dr. Henry Morris, a popular commentator in his work. “The Revelation Record” commented on Revelation 21:1stated that, “The new cosmos (world) is not a novel cosmos, but a renewed cosmos (world). It is similar to the old except that all its aging ravages of decay have been expunged, and now it is made fresh and new again”.

According to this wonderful statement, the present heavens and earth are not blotted out, or swifted away into nothingness; but retouched, changed, renovated, cleansed, brightened up and regenerated from all their disorders and imperfections.

Joseph Seiss, another noted commentator pointed out on Revelation in a more classic manner. The words he used while describing new heavens and new earth are more wonderful that they would fill our minds with Inspiration. Although his words were more than a hundred years old, they talked about continuously with eloquence and considerable insight.

Therefore this regeneration of the earth is no longer in proper position because it is under the curse of Sin. The earth which needs no more to be torn with hooks and iron instruments, used for yielding fruits on earth, where thorns and thistles no longer infest the ground. There will be no serpents to hiss among the flowers, and the earth whose soil is never moist with tears or saturated with human blood. The earth, whose fields are never subjected to unprofitable seasons, whose atmosphere never gives wings to the seeds of plague and death. Whose ways and means are never linked with funeral processions or trodden upon with armed men on their way to war, an earth whose hills ever flow with salvation and whose valleys know only the sweetness of Jehovah’s smiles. An earth from end to end and from center, to utmost Virge, clothed with the eternal blessedness of paradise restored.

Everything awaits that day with anticipation, so that it may be freed from the curse of sin (Romans 8.19-22). Apostle Paul probably in his first sermon (linked with Christ, return and called restitution of all things) wrote that the Lord Himself spoke on that day while He was conversing with His disciples. He taught them “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel”. (Matthew 19.28).

The meaning of the word “regeneration” is “new birth”. Apostle Paul used this word particularly for the believers as “new birth”. Other commentators suggested that old heavens and old earth said to pass away but the present heavens and earth could not be the new heavens and the new earth. Some critics seemed to overlook the fact that the Greek verb translated into pass away came from the root word “Parerchomai” which may be referred in (Matthew 5.18) with the meaning of “to come, come forth, go, pass, Passover” etc.

Peter also spoke about the elements in heaven melting with fervent heat, and the works of earth being burnt up (2 Peter 3.10). The teaching of God’s word is that the reason of fall of man, the present creation is in a sense of captivity. The descending of heavens and earth are not their annihilation but their long awaited deliverance from curse of sin.

God completed His creation of the universe in six days. On the second day, He created the heavens, and created the earth on the third day. The divine commentary on all that God created was “And God saw everything He made and behold it was very good” (Genesis 1.31). But within a short time Adam and Eve, the first parents, disobeyed the commandment of God and that disobedience upon man, domain, heaven and earth and seas over which He was authorized to reign.

The heavens and the earth which were created “very good” before the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden now became “very bad”. And before their sin, there was no death, disease, war, famine, natural calamities, corruption, hate, rape, pollution and thousand other ills that had plagued men for more than six thousand years according to history. It is really strange that the present heavens and earth are to be dissolved – to be purged by fire during the days of the Lord in order to lose it from the consequences of sin. God would make a way for a new and perfect heaven and earth.

The new heavens and the new earth are a terrible prospect for the unsaved people of the world for all things they posses, including their lives, associated with the present heavens and earth, which are going to be burnt one day (2 Peter

2.10). But for those believers who are made righteous in Christ, the new heavens and the new earth are a glorious prospect. All their sadness and tears will be dissolved, and peace, joy, love, surprise, creativity and adventure would come to them.

In regard to this situation, we may get a genuine doubt, when the new heavens and the new earth eventually come. According to the views and opinions of some literary giants and elite, those who have faith In the pre-millennial return of Christ can understand that new heavens and new earth will start at the end of the Lord’s thousand year millennial reign. So those scholars who have gone through the Book of Revelation (20th chapter) suggest that St. John’s new heavens and the new earth will follow contextually after a brief discussion of the millennium. Therefore, the new heavens and the new earth must occur at the end of millennium. St. John also wanted to draw our attention to the fact that, during anti-Christ three and one half years of satanic empowerment, those living as Unsaved people and those who missed the resurrection and rapture of the church would become martyrs.They will be resurrected at the beginning of the millennium as part of the first resurrection unto life.

Then another question arises concerning those people who have rejected God’s provision for sin throughout the ages in regard to their outcomes. St. John had an appropriate explanation for them. He explained confidently that they would remain in the graves and then rise at the end of the millennium (Revelation

Apostle Peter, while writing about the “Day of The Lord” clearly linked that day of the Lord, to the new heavens and the new earth. He pointed out in an understandable way the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. And at that time the heavens shall pass away with loud noise and the elements shall melt in the fervent of heat. Then the earth and the worlds are therein shall be burnt.

The blessed hope of any church is the second coming of Christ. He will resurrect those who have died in faith throughout the ages and rapture, in one generation of believers. The day of the Lord has been defended by a noted scholar “E.E. Bruce” as the day, which “Yahweh (the Lord) will reveal Himself and will be:

1)The time when God arises to shake the earth terribly (Isaiah 19.21)

2)A time of destruction from the Almighty (Isaiah 13.6)

3)The time of divine wrath and fierce anger (Isaiah 13.13)

4)A time when God will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their

inequity. (Isaiah 13.11)

5)The time when God’s indignation and fury will be directed against the nations

(Isaiah 34.1)

6)The time of the fire from The Lord (Joel 3.18, 23.5)

7)There will be darkness at that time in heavens (Isaiah 39.10. Joel 2.31)

According to widespread teachings, the new heavens and new earth which Peter warned the believers to look into, occur a thousand year after the second coming which is like a bridge too far leading to nowhere and without biblical basis. The whole argument of Peter revolves around the fact that God entered the flow of human history for judgment with Noah’s flood. And God will enter into human history for the second time during the “Day of the Lord”.

As indicated by Peter, the Day of The Lord occurs at the end of the millennium, with absolute requirement for new heavens and the new earth. Then the Lord’s second coming during which time, He will resurrect the dead in Christ s rapture with the living believers and Satan would remain at the bottomless pit, and the anti - Christ and false prophets to the lake of fire. Then the earth will be purged.

Prophet Isaiah as God’s spokesperson wrote “For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. (Isaiah 65.17)

After the creation of new heavens and the new earth, a practical listing of millennial blessings are mentioned as follows.

1)Jerusalem shall be restored and blessed.

2)Life would be expanded.

3)Men would build housed and inhabit them.

4)They might plant vineyards and eat fruits that come out of them.

5)The wolf and lamb shall feed together in the fields.

6)Above all the lion shall eat straws like the bullocks (Oxes). All these surprising

things will happen in the millennial kingdom. The new heaven and new

earth that prophet Isaiah speaks about are now called renovated heavens and

the earth, which commence at the beginning of the millennium but not at

the end

John, while describing new heavens and new earth said “One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me “Come, I will Show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb” (Revelation 21.9). The seven angels were standing around a thousand years after pouring out their vials and the judgments were still identified as the seven angels with seven vials. Still, the case might be such if the new heavens and new earth occur alter the millennium.

The new age is really a glorious one, which is a blessing to the occupants in the sight of God, who finally inhabit the new heavens and new earth. The opening of the seventh seal Indicates God’s wrath that commences. The main purpose of the seal is to purge the cosmos (world), which has been defiled by sin. And during that period, the grace of God and mercy would continue. Then there will be two more witnesses who are very powerful and who can prophecise for three and half years, till the end of the seventeenth week.

In addition to this, there will be 1,44,000 witnesses, twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. They were sealed for the purpose to protecting them during the day of The Lord. And finally an angel will be there with a gospel in hand to preach to those who dwell on the earth. Among those who have surprised the earth physically till the end of Daniel’s seventy weeks, will be designated by God our Lord, as “sheep” and “goats”. Then they will be separated as sheep and goats by the Shepherd. After that decision, sheep will be sent to the eternal life, and goats to everlasting punishment, that is eternal damnation.

But the sheep remain there as mortals, until they are blessed through faith in Christ. Then they will be permitted to enter the new heavens and new earth. This may be done depending upon cataclysmic (catastrophic) events that are mentioned in the book of Revelation. Basing on the Information so far, we can assume there are limited number of men and women with a place in the new heavens and new earth. It is also pointed out only 7 billion people will survive the seventy weeks of Daniel.

The people judged as sheep, will enter the millennial kingdom with prolonged life and childbearing years. They are allowed to beget children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They will have the privilege of multiplying the population as long as no disease or catastrophic events enter into their lives. We cannot presume anything at this juncture.

What happens to those who will be resurrected or raptured at the time of the second coming of Christ, and who possess glorified immortal bodies? We cannot also say whether those people who have immortal bodies can have any relationship with new heavens and new earth. St. John saw in his vision, new heavens and new earth and also the holy city - the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, fully decorated as a bride to meet her husband The Lamb (Christ). Why this New Jerusalem, is called the Holy city, because it will be the capital city of Christ’s millennial reign and also the place of His throne. The New Jerusalem appears to be a chandelier city as it is coming down out of heaven and from God.

The New Jerusalem is the fulfillment of God’s promise. As mentioned by John, this city is really a preexisting city, purposely built for this moment in time. Jesus comforted His disciples by saying these words. “I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again to receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also”. (John 14. 2-3)

This is the same New Jerusalem that Jesus promised. He would prepare the way before going to His Father. The new place will be revealed at His second coming. This attractive and a wonderful Jerusalem city will have strong foundations, and the builder is the GodHimself; It will be well decorated like a bride to her husband. And the bride appears to be more beautiful than any other lady on her wedding day, because the decoration is perfect.

The angel told John, that the new city of Jerusalem was enormous In site, measured after construction with a reed and was twelve thousand furlongs, with equal measurement from all sides, about 1380 miles each way. If we imagine this holy city with all the floors with one-mile intervals, we may have to understand there must be 1380 levels in the New Jerusalem. And each level contains 1,904,400 sq. miles. In contrast, surface area of the whole earth including those parts under water is 196,950,000 sq. miles. With this scenario, the surface area of New Jerusalem is thirteen times more than the surface area of the earth, measuring 2,620, 072,000 sq. miles, and thus, not an ordinary city.

In this context two ideas will come to our mind. First, in that city, glorified immortals and incorruptible souls must reside. Only Second, as the city is immeasurably large in size, it can accommodate a huge multitude of people. So, who are these lucky people that will become residents or the citizens of that New Jerusalem which is supposed to be the most beautiful city to call it their sanctified home?

The New Jerusalem is a city well planned and designed by the Son of God for His bride. John said “and there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven seals full of the seven plagues and talked with me saying come hither “I will show thee the bride, the wife of The Lamb. And he carried me away in the spirit to a high and great mountain and showed me the great holy city Jerusalem descending from God out of heaven”.

The New Jerusalem city has twelve gates on each side, with each gate of the Old Testament believers who were justified by faith, like the patriarch Abraham are brought into the limelight. The angel also told John that “the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in the foundations, the names of the twelve disciples are put justified by their faith. The disciples are also called the believers of the New Testament during the new age.

The New Jerusalem will become the “home” of all believers, starting from Abraham until the second coming of Christ. This huge city will have a permanent entrance, first for the sheep who survived the seventieth week of Daniel. The second entry, is for the resurrected believers who had died In Christ through the ages, and also who are living and raptured at Christ’s second coming. They were glorified and became Immortals. They would have ultimate joy and privilege to become the citizens of the New Jerusalem.

This New Jerusalem is built with most precious ornaments for the decoration of the bride, a diamond ring, a gold wedding band and pearls studded necklace be brought. The foundations of the city garnished (decorated) with precious stones. The first stone listed here is Jasper, literally means a diamond and the whole city would be decorated with gold. In New Jerusalem God’s promise and accessibility there to all people that reside there. And John said there was no temple in that New Jerusalem, but the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the substitute for the temple. The city need not have the light of the sun or the moon because the glory of God is the light to the new holy city Jerusalem.

St. John through his dream gave a wonderful picture of the New Jerusalem built by Jesus Christ in honour of His beloved bride. As an architect, He gave the measurements of the big city Jerusalem also. In this book of Revelation the number seven is used more than 50 times. So, some scholars called that as the Book of Seven and also 5thgoseph, because St. John described not only the entire life of Jesus Christ, but also His second coming. Chapter : 7

PROMISE OF HIS COMING

Jesus Christ fulfilled about 300 promises of the Old Testament. But the promises regarding Messiah’s coming, began in Genesis itself in 3.15; following the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, and when God told that to serpent. “And I will put the enemy between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed, it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise her heel. The seed of the woman is no other than the coming Messiah; and the seed of the serpent is the coming Anti-Christ. He is also called “Caliphate” Almighty God had reminded us continuously in the entire Scripture, the coming of Israel’s Messiah. Let us patiently look into all these prophecies in detail.

According to the prophecy the coming Messiah shall be the descendant of David, “A rod shall come forth out of the stem of Jesse (Jesse was the father of David) and a branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11.1). As mentioned in the Genealogy, Jesse begot David and King David begot king Solomon ................. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary; to whom Jesus was born, who is called Jesus (Matthew 1.6; 16). With His glorious birth the promise is going to be fulfilled.

As quoted in the next prophecy Jesus would be born to a virgin. Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign like, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and call his name Immanuel” (Israel 7.14). And how this is going to be fulfilled? The arch angel Gabriel came from God to a small town in Galilee called Nazareth. He came to Virgin Mary, who was already betrothed to a man by name Joseph who was also from the house of David. The angel said unto Mary............ thou shall conceive in thy Womb, and bring forth a son and shall call his name Jesus. (Luke 1.26-27; 30-31)

The next prophecy is about the birth of Jesus. As it is said, Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (or Ephratah). But thou Bethlehem though thou be little among thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old from everlasting” (Micah 5.2). Now, we can see the fulfillment of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judah”............ (Matthew 2.1). And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the town of Nazareth into Judaea unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem ............ with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should delivered. The prophecy about the Messiah was that He would be the son of God. I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee” (psalm 2.7) who hath ascended up onto heaven or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fist? Who had bounded the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name and what is his son’s name if thou canst tell?” (Proverbs 30.4) Then how this prophecy of Messiah as the son of God was fulfilled? And Jesus when he was baptized in the river Jordan went up straight away out of the water and Lo, the heavens were opened, unto him and he saw the spirit of God, descending like a Dove and lighting upon him. And so a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”. (Matthew 3.16-17)

In the next prophecy it is said the Messiah would be a “deity”. For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder. The mighty God, The everlasting Father and The prince of peace”.(Isaiah 9.6)The fulfillment of this prophecy was, explained in the following manner “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God .............

And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory the glory as if the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth”, (John 1.1.1.14). Jesus said, “I and my father are one” God in his redemption plan of humanity for their sins used His begotten son, Jesus Christ as the redeemer; So, as the Lamb of God Jesus carried all the sins of the people on His shoulders and finally died on the cross and resurrected. This is also the prophecy that He shall die for the sake of the sinners. Therefore, it is said, “For those will not leave my soul in hell neither will thou suffer thine Holy one to see corruption. But God will redeem my soul from the power the grave for he shall receive me” (psalm 16.10; 49.15). Yet it pleased the Lord to make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Let us see the outcome of the prophecy and how that is fulfilled”. And an angel answered and said unto the woman fear not ye for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here for he is risen as he said come and see, the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28.5-6)

“For, I delivered unto you, first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures”. (1 Corinthians

15.3-4)

The next prophecy is concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ. This time He would judge the unbelievers and establish His Millennial Kingdom. So according to the prophecy, “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of olives which is before Jerusalem in the east, and the mount of olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west and there shall be a very great valley ............yea, ye shall flee like as ye fled from before the earth quake in the days of uzziah King of Judah and the Lord my God shall come and all the saints with thee”. John was instructed by God in his dream to write whatever He said. Then he began to write, about those who came to attend the marriage of the Lamb of God and for the supper. John immediately fell at His feet, in his dream and saw the heavens opened and he looked at the white horse and the person who sat on it was the faithful and True. And also in His righteousness he would judge and make war. The man who was sitting on the white horse whose eyes were like the flame of fire, and there were many crowns in His head, whose cloths were dipped in blood, and His name was called “The word or God”. The armies that were in heaven followed him upon the white horse clothed in fine linen white and clean. Then a white sword came out of his mouth and he would smite the nations with that sword. Then he would rule them with a rod of iron and walk through the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And that man in his vesture and on his thigh it is written as “King of kings and Lord of Lords”. All this St.John saw in his dream. Important prophecies to be remembered :

1)The Messiah would be born to a virgin Isaiah 7.14Regarding its fulfillment

– Luke 1.26-27; 30-31, 34-35.

2)The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem – Micah 5.2 What is said about

its fulfillment –Matthew 2.1, Luke 2.4-6.

3)The Messiah would be God’s Son – Psalms 2.7 Reference of this fulfillment

– Matthew 3.16-17, proverbs 30.4.

4)The Messiah would be born – Isaiah 9.6 Its fulfillment in John 1.1-14;10.30.

5)The Messiah would be resurrected – Psalm 16.10; 49.15.

If we study the Scripture patiently we find in it God has consistently pointed out the coming of Israel’s Messiah. A Muslim who had the gift of God’s power expressed his wonderful melody in the following lines.

Love was when God became man

Locked in time and space,

Without rank place,

Just a carpenter –

With some fishermen

Love was when Jesus walked in history

Lovingly He brought

A new life that’s free.

According to the meaning of the above said lines, Love prompted God to be born again as a man to walk in history. As said already in the book of Revelation God is the Alpha and Omega the first and the last. Really He is the omnipotent and also who knows anything and everything in the universe because He is the maker. The timings of God for any action are always perfect and never unprepared or preplanned. So at the most appropriate time He sent His son into this world for a noble purpose. In the Bible also His perfect maintenance of time is mentioned in (Galations 4.4) as “the fullness of the time”. The promise of the Messiah’s coming was given about 2000 years before. In the Old Testament scripture everything was moved with the anticipation of His coming.

As said in the Scripture several events and incidents would take place indicating His second coming. They include time place way purpose and position of His sudden coming. The exact time of the coming of Messiah was prophesized to know therefore understand that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem (945 BC) unto Messiah the prince shall be seven weeks (49 years) and three score and two weeks 434 years and the total 483 years, the street shall be built again and the wall even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks, shall Messiah be cut off (Daniel 9.25-26). For further information regarding time and Frame of Daniels, I request the readers to consult Sir Robert Anderson’s classic work internet. The correct time of the coming of the Messiah was proclaimed in the following manner...

But thou Bethlehem Ephratah though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be ruler in Israel whose goings forth have been From of old from everlasting. (Micah 5.2)

Again how Messiah is going to come unto this world, was well described in the following lines – “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7.14)

Then the purpose of His coming was described and then explained the position of Messiah and the time of his coming to this world.

For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called wonderful. Counsellor (or) the mighty God. The everlasting father. The prince of peace” (Isaiah 9.6)

If we look into the human history there might be some top leaders who must have celebrated their birthdays magnificently because of the life they lived in the world. But there was only one man whose birth day and death day have been celebrated in the entire world even today and that is Jesus Christ or the Messiah of Israelites. Every year in the month of December millions of people all over the world remember His birth and in the month of March or April, the believers remember Him as the conqueror of death. All men and women in this world are born and they should die one day or the other. But in the case of Jesus Christ, He was born to die only. That is the uniqueness of His birth, which has various shades of meanings regarding His death. These two events in the life of Messiah are inseparable because of the uniqueness.

Millions of people would be looking forward every year, for the month of December, which has been continued for 2000 years, to commemorate the birthday of Jesus, the son of God. His birth was not a common one, there is some super specialty in it. The creator of the universe and the omniscient God knew the main purpose of the Messiah Jesus Christ. The eternal God through the prophets of Israel gave detailed prophesies concerning the promised seed who is to set upon the stage one day of human history. The genealogy of the Messiah was really wonderful. It was said that the Messiah had to come through the seed of Abraham (Genesis 12.3) through the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49.10) and through the family of David. (2 Samuel 7.12-13)

Messiah had a legal right to the throne of David (Isaiah 9.7). He must be born to a virgin, that too in Bethlehem, the birth place of David. Above all He must be a ‘deity’ (God). The Messiah possessed all these requisite qualifications by birth, and prophet Isaiah wrote in his book about 500 years before the birth of Jesus. The old Testament is also full of accounts of satanically inspired plans or attempts to destroy the world flood line of the Messiah. Some of the attempts made by Satan to pollute the genealogy are mentioned below –

1)The intermarriages between the sons of God (corrupt angelic beings) to the

daughters of man. (Genesis 6.2). This was an attempt tried by Satan to

corrupt the human race in order to prevent the coming of the promised seed.

2)The proclamation of Pharaoh to kill all the male children among Jews in

Egypt in order to reduce the Jewish population (Exodus 1.22).

3)The attempt of queen Athaliah to exterminate all the sons of the royal

families (2 kings 11.1).

4)The Egyptian, the Assyrian, and the Babylonian captives with the

accompanying dangers of the assimilation of the Jewish people.

All these crooked plans were instituted by the Satan the enemy of God. The reason for this was to keep away the promised seed from His appointed task. It seemed many a time the coming of the Messiah became impossible though He fulfilled all the requirements. But God is there. He overruled the wicked plans of humanity and also became responsible for the redemption plan to the entire humanity. God also made two promises with King David which could not be altered. God made a covenant with David, king of Israel about the throne that it would be everlasting. The second promise was his off springs would sit on that throne. The promise of God to David was unconditional as the throne was reserved to his descendants only. Finally all these promises were fulfilled with the Messiah who was called David’s “greater” son. According to the Bible, David had a good number of sons, but there was only one eligible to sit on the throne. And that was Solomon. But God cursed him because he had committed many evil things and became a sinner. Thereby his descendants became disqualified for the throne of David. And Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary was the descendant of Solomon, King David had another spotless son “Nathan” from whom God loved Mary came as a descendant of Nathan; and as a result, she became responsible for the virgin birth of Jesus Christ and finally who became qualified to sit upon the throne of David.

The gospel of Matthew first chapter gave us the complete list of descendants of David. This genealogy finally ends with Joseph, the betrothed husband of Mary. (Matthew 1.16) – The fourteenth descendant of King David in the royal lineage was King Jaconiah. Apart from this name, he was also called Jehoiachin or coniah. He ruled Judah as the nineteenth king of Davidic dynastic rulers. Among the rulers of Judah he was considered a great cursed man for his sin. And the nature of curse was in the following lines –

“Thus saith the Lord, write ye this man childless a man that shall not prosper in his days for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David and ruling any more in Judah” (Jeremiah 22.30)

The curse imposed on Jaconiah by God did not give clear cut idea that he would never have any children. It also gave an idea that none of his sons would be qualified to sit upon the throne of David. Here we find one complicated issue. That is those who had legal right, to the throne were barred from that. Then Joseph was the eligible candidate to the throne, but he was the direct descendant of Jeconiah and in the kingly line of Solomon who was a great sinner and who worshipped heathen gods and goddesses. If Jesus would be the biological son of joseph he too would have come under the curse and barred from sitting on the throne of Israel. Then it became a great problem. There appeared three important conditions to authorize the Messiah –

1)Jesus must be in the direct line of David.

2)He must be the legal son of Joseph.

3)Yet, He could not be the physical son of Joseph. So He did not come under

God’s curse of the descendants of Jeconiah. As true believers, we all know

that nothing is impossible to God. He can do and undo things and so he

solved the problems by the miracle of the virgin birth. The genealogy of

st

Jesus was enlightened to Joseph in the 1 chapter of Matthew. As explained

in the chapter Jesus was not the biological son of Joseph we have proof from

the Bible, that when Jesus was born Joseph was only betrothed to Mary and

he had no sexual connection with Mary.

At the same time, we have to understand the above said statement and conclude that Jesus was not the legal son of Joseph. Even though He was not the biological son of Joseph with all the information there is still a problem. The prophets of Israel prophesied that the Messiah should be a direct descendant of David we have to study again how far this condition was to be fulfilled. The answer for the question whether Jesus was direct descendant of David or not could be found in the Gospel of Luke. This Luke happened to meet Mary, mother of Jesus in Ephesus. He got all the first hand information about the genealogy of Mary or (the family tree) and the story of her biological son Jesus. As recorded, Mary was the direct descendant of David, but not from the lineage of Solomon, or King Jeconiah because the curse of Solomon fell upon Jeconiah then upon Joseph her husband. But she came through another son of David and his name was “Nathan” (Luke 3.23-31). So the curse of Jeconiah did not fall on Mary or her biological son Jesus Christ. To say in brief –

1)Jesus was a direct descendant of Mary and she was a direct descendant of

David.

2)In Jesus God’s promise to David (that he would have a son to sit upon his

throne) is fulfilled.

3)Jesus was the legal son of Joseph and thereby inherited the legal right to sit

on the throne of David we can also conclude that Jesus was biological son of

Joseph, and as a result, He escaped the curse of Jeconiah.

All this was made possible by the miraculous birth of Jesus through a virgin the son of God Through a virgin. The real fact is the virgin birth of Jesus is not an alternative to be considered but a truth to be believed. So to say, this virgin birth is the most important point of redemptive story. He was sent by God, to die for humanity is redemption and to buy back the last creation of God. He sent His beloved son to die because of His unconditional love toward His people. Redemption could never be done, simply with the redemption stamp or with the valuable metals like gold or silver which are perishable in this material world.

Therefore, true Redemption required a Lamb, a spotless one and without any blemish. So the Lamb of God called Jesus Christ came as a spotless Lamb for the sacrifice and died for the permanent redemption of humanity and perfect salvation. So Jesus was the Lamb slain (in the mind of God) even before the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13.8) So, it is said Jesus came unto this world, for not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many. Then regarding His impending death He said “For this cause I came unto this world. (John 18.37)

It is clearly said in the Bible – Jesus was born to die. Why should He die? Or under what circumstances He was forced to die? What made the son of God to suffer to the highest degree on the Roman cross and die miserably? The suitable answers are –

1)Jesus was born to die because God is Holy and His Holiness condemns

humanity’s sin.

2)Jesus was born to die because God is Just and so His Judgment must punish

sin.

3)Jesus was born to die because God is truth and His truthfulness declares the

soul that sinneth shall die. (Ezekiel 18.4)

4)Jesus was born to die because God is love and His unconditional love abhors

sin, not loves the sinner.

5)Jesus was born to die because God has long suffering and that is needed for

the repentance of humanity.

6)Jesus was born to die because God is good and His goodness deserves

everything best for humanity God’s crowning achievements.

7)Jesus was born to die because God is gracious and His graciousness delays to

bestow upon humanity the undeserved mercy instead of deserved

condemnation.

8)Jesus was born to die because it is for our sins otherwise we have to die in our

own sin.

The place of crucifiction or the glory of Calvary must have prompted the people to understand exactly what God is like. It is a blessed place with sanctity whoever can visit that place shall find Holiness, Justice, truth, love goodness mercy and finally His long suffering. All these things will be revealed together. Jesus was destined to die on the cross to satisfy the unbending requirement of holy and just God. So His love toward humanity was like a mighty dammed river which was loosed to flow unabated to save His creation that was lost.

Therefore for the entire Christian community in the world the Christmas gift of God to His people was His son. So, as true believers of Christ, we have to remember and reflect upon one truth that is, the virgin birth of Jesus, His life without sin His abnormal suffering on the cross and final death. Truly, His bodily resurrection brought everlasting peace and harmony between God and humanity as far as possible. Actually peace and tranquility between God and His people is the most requisite thing for peace between humanity and humanity. The outcome of this without peace between God and man, peace between human beings is impossible. Jesus was born to die. So that the glory of God, might be seen and with that the fallen humanity be given the potential and experience the redemption of God, and enjoy with Him forever. The baby boy who was born in Bethlehem was the Christ of the cross of Calvary and the Christ of Calvary was the Lord of glory. At this juncture let all of us wholeheartedly enjoy the Christmas gift of His son Jesus Christ and ever thankful to our Almighty God. So let us all with love and faith open the gift package and enjoy to our hearts content that precious and inexhaustible treasure kept in the gift package. Amen.

The meaning of the passage from the Book of prophet (Isaiah 7.14) became more controversial in understanding from the old Testament. There are two complicated points for discussion regarding the interpretation and fulfillment. Again there arose three critical objections to be answered. The controversial passage is – Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7.14) – what are the three objections let us look into them carefully. Jesus was not the child as prophesied because He was not named Immanuel.

In general Hebrew names would usually reflect the significant history or character and quality of a person to whom they were given as a gift. This was true in changing the names of Abram to Abraham and Jacob to Israel. In the same way Messiah was given the Hebrew name “Yeshua”. (which means salvation). He would “save his people from their sin” (Matthew 1.21). Likewise Messiah was Immanuel (God with us). Even though it was not his common name. Prophet Isaiah in chapter 9 called this child to be born “El zilbor”,the mighty God. This was a title reserved for the Holy one of Israel. Truly, the God of Israel would be seen, clearly with His people in the person of Immanuel as He was in the Shekinah (the dwelling or siting of God’s presence) glory of the wilderness Tabernacle.

Finally it can be boldly said that the Hebrew Scripture did not give any suitable answer as a proof for the fulfillment of Immanuel. And this is very important to say in this connection. This name Immanuel was mentioned only three times in the Hebrew Scripture. His name is first found in Isaiah 7.14, as the birth of Immanuel was prophesied. Second time, it is said the land of Immanuel (Israel) would be invaded by the Assyrians (Isaiah 8.8). Third time, it is said all the anti-Semitic plots of the Gentiles would be ultimately become nothing and they were to be brought down by Immanuel the one called (God with us). (Isaiah 8.10)

Then who must be the real Immanuel if he had lived during 745 BC. (It was the time of prophecy) Some people or the commentators are under the impression that Immanuel was the secondary name for Ahaz’s son “Hezekiah”. But this is next to an impossibility because Hezekiah was already nine years old when Ahaz began to rule Judah. (2 Kings 17.1; 18.1-2) Some others were under the impression that Immanuel was the second son of prophet Isaiah himself. His name was “Maher – shalal – hash – baz”. His predict in (Isaiah 8.1 – 3). Yet he was never considered Immanuel nor identified as Immanuel in the Bible. Those critics or scholars who wanted to find out some passages in support of their argument but in vain. They could not find anything regarding the name of Immanuel in all the Hebrew Scriptures.

And also during the days of Israelites, no one was called Immanuel. This name was seen nowhere in the Hebrew Scripture. This name is the fulfillment of the amazing sign since Isaiah was not a false prophet and also only speculation remained concerning the identity of Immanuel. But it was Matthew who opened the history of the life of Jesus in this way................. “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord, by the prophet .............. they shall call his name Immanuel”. (Matthew 1.22-23)

Jesus could never be a sign to Ahaz’s son because Jesus was born about 700 years later. Then the definite article “the” is used before virgin as “the virgin” which was nothing to do with the timings of the fulfillment to the prophecy. There is no doubt the prophecy is referred to a particular and definite woman and identified as a single woman for the fulfillment in future. (we might not see when it can be) the true identification of that would be a clear evidence when Immanuel is seen in flesh and blood. In this connection some of the commentators made a proposal for the double fulfillment of the prophecy of prophet Isaiah. Their belief was that Isaiah’s second son “Maher – shalal – hash – baz” was a near fulfillment and the birth of Jesus after about 700 years was “far” fulfillment. But this is also not considered because –

1)Prophet was already married and had a son. So his wife was not a virgin.

Added to that there is no indication of his second marriage.

2)“Maher – shalal – hash – baz” was not born to a virgin but he was conceived

normally.

3)Maher – shalal – hash – baz was not at all identified as Immanuel.

4)The land never belonged to Maher – shalal – hash – baz

5)Maher – shalal – hash – baz never put down the Anti-Semitic plots of the

Gentiles. (Isaiah 8.10)

With the above said points it is understood clearly that Maher-shalal- hash-baz was not at all Immanuel but a different personality. Instead of all these unnecessary assessment there is only one reference in the New Testament virgin of prophet Isaiah 7.14, the only correct fulfillment of Immanuel’s prophecy and that is Jesus Christ, Messiah. In spite of all these references there was a link

th between the prophecy of Isaiah’s son in the Book of Isaiah 8 chapter (which was fulfilled during the time of Israel and the Immanuel prophecy of Isaiah in the 7th chapter which was fulfilled (245 years later). According to the Bible, Isaiah’s son served as a pledge of Immanuel’s prophecy. So, the fulfillment of short term prophecy was a guaranty for the long term prophecy of Immanuel to be fulfilled.

The next objection was that the word virgin is said to be wrong tra nslation of the Hebrew word “Almah”, in (Isaiah 7.14) If some people consider the Hebrew word “betulah” but not Almah for virgin, that is also not suitable for Biblical evidence. The word betulah was actually used for a young married woman according to (Joel 1.8). So the word virgin was a wrong translation of Hebrew word. Finally a woman after wedding might be refered to as betulah. (Deuteronomy 22.17) Therefore betulah word can never be implied to virginity in these conditions. Any way we conclude by saying that betulah’s name is doubtful concerning virginity but it must have been used for virgin and non-virgin young women in Scriptures.

Next the Hebrew word Almah is used for “virgin” and this Almah was never used for non-virgin.(Genesis 24.43; Exodus 2.8) Unlike the word “betulah”, Almah was used for unmarried woman (virgin). So, if any prophet used this word, he must have been supported by the Holy Spirit concerning the virgin. This is really the most precious word in the Hebrew Bible. As far as we can understand the New Testament does not make any mistake and Matthew did not invent a new theology. The Holy birth of Messiah was carefully and correctly foretold as He could be born to virgin and He would be divine presence of God with the people. Therefore, Matthew concluded his statement and made his point with force and without apology to anyone. Chapter : 8

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