In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua]
was in the beginning with God.
THE FIRST COMING OF JESUS CHRIST - THE MESSIAH
The greatest prophecy fulfilled to date has been the first coming of
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, over 2,000 years ago. The
second coming of
Christ is yet to be fulfilled. This prophecy will be fulfilled
soon at
the end of the present age when Christ returns to redeem and restore
Israel to God’s eternal glory. Most of the Old Testament prophets
and the Psalms of David (see
Major Prophets,
Minor Prophets
and
Psalms)
proclaimed both advents of Christ beginning more than 1,200
years prior to His birth.
The prophecy of Isaiah
eloquently describes three key
periods of Christ’s first advent. These are His birth, His
life and ministry, and His death and resurrection. In his
prophesy, Isaiah proclaims that Christ’s
birth will be from a virgin and His name will be Emmanuel
(God is with us). He will be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
Regarding His life and ministry, the prophet foretold the
rejection of Christ by His own people and the acceptance of
Him by the Gentile nations. He describes Christ as being
compassionate to the sick and bringing
salvation, riding
gently on a donkey into Jerusalem. His ministry would cause
many to stumble because of their heart of stone. The prophet
clearly described the agony of His scourging and death on
the cross, the Lamb of God led to slaughter. Christ humbled
Himself as a servant to be made a sin offering for us. By
His death, Christ swallowed up death in victory. He
conquered death through His resurrection.
Isaiah's prophecy of Christ's first advent
has been
fulfilled. Christ came as the final sacrifice
and atonement for sin. God has granted us a gift of
salvation. We accept this gift by faith.
Now is the time for us to receive this gift
because we are living in the age of grace. Christ came the
first time to serve. At the end of this age, Christ will
come a second time as a warrior on a
white horse to judge the nations for their rejection of Him and for
their attempt to destroy Israel.