The First Time

Published by Lisa

For those of you following our blog, you’ve probably come to realize that Lori and I believe we are living in some very exciting yet disconcerting times, depending on your belief system. We both came to a point individually, and then together, where we felt we could no longer stay quiet about where we believe we are in history. This blog has become our venue to put into words what is in our hearts, hoping and praying that anyone reading will possibly start to think about these things.

Our blog is entitled Holding Fast Now. Holding fast to God’s Word, knowing he never lies (Hebrews 6:18). Holding fast to his unchangeable nature. Holding fast to his promises, because we can be greatly encouraged and have hope (complete certainty and confidence), knowing that he is utterly trustworthy and faithful. Why “Now”? Because now, more than ever, we see the signs of Jesus’s soon return, as he promised. We want to be ready, and we want you to be ready!

I feel fortunate because I have learned, through my relationship with Christ and all that I’ve been through in my life, that I can trust him. I’ve learned from personal experience that he is always with me, through the good times and the painful times. Jesus is truly my immovable Rock that I can always count on. There have been times in my life when it seemed the bottom fell out and I don’t know where I would have landed if I had not felt him underneath me, sustaining me and carrying me, when I had no strength or hope. So I can testify firsthand about this hope that we write about — this complete confidence in God — because of what he’s done for me.

Another thing I base my hope on is the truth of God’s Word. When I learn from God’s Word, which was written by 40 authors over a period of about 1500 years, by people of different levels of intellect and different walks of life, and see how it all ties together, it becomes more evident all the time that there was a single Person, or Spirit, who inspired the writings. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (1 Timothy 3:16) and “no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

In my opinion, one of the great benefits of learning about Biblical prophecy is realizing on an ever-deepening level that God is utterly trustworthy. Like layers of an onion, I am always thrilled and amazed when the next layer is peeled away and I learn something new because it only serves to strengthen my faith. God’s Word is actually very exciting and I highly recommend reading and studying it! I love what God has to say about prophesy. He and he alone knows the future, he doesn’t want us to be afraid, there is no God besides him, and he is our Rock!

Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
Fear not, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
There is no Rock; I know not any.”

(Isaiah 44:6-8)

The Bible is filled with fulfilled prophecy on various topics, but I want to share with you a few about Jesus. There are well over 300 prophecies that were fulfilled with his first coming. For instance, the Old Testament prophet Micah wrote in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and this was 700 years before Jesus was born. Another prophet from that same time period, Isaiah, prophesied that Jesus would be born to a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Other Scriptures state that he would enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9), he would be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9) for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12), that his hands and feet would be pierced (Psalm 22:16, Zechariah 12:10), his bones would not be broken (Psalm 34:20), lots would be cast for his clothing (Psalm 22:18), he would be given vinegar and gall to drink (Psalm 22:18). You can read about the fulfillment of these prophecies in the New Testament books of the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), which tell of the life of Christ. There are so many more–over 300–than what I’m writing here in one brief paragraph! I’ve posted a few great links below that explain in further depth.

When Jesus came the first time, the ones who knew the Scriptures best — the teachers of the law, the Pharisees — failed to recognize the convergence of all of the prophecies that were being fulfilled right before their eyes. We, along with many others, believe we are living in similar times now since there seems to be an undeniable (at least to those who are watching and waiting) convergence of signs of the “End Times” and Christ’s Second Coming. I hope to share more on that in future posts, but for now wanted to explain a little about why I believe we can hold fast with hope and confidence as the days unfold. If God was true to his Word in the past, he will be true to his Word in the future. And although the very words “End Times” conjure up scary thoughts and fear, he is actually telling us in advance to prepare us, not to scare us. He’s in the redemption business. If that wasn’t so he wouldn’t have sent his Son.

 I’d like to close with these verses from Isaiah chapter 53. Although this was penned 700 years before he was born, I think you’ll recognize Jesus in these words — which is pretty incredible when you really think about it. And what a beautiful description it is.

Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
(Isaiah 53)

Holding fast,

Lisa

 

Reliability of the Bible:
 
Messianic Prophecies:

3 thoughts on “The First Time”

  1. Thank you Lisa! Very encouraging reminder of how loving our God is to prepare us for His soon return.

    Reply

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