For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be
on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Yesterday, we set the stage for understanding the broad scope of the Old Testament. It is amazing that such a compilation exists for our spiritual benefit. What is equally amazing are the prophecies in these books about Jesus that occurred centuries before His birth.
Did you know that there are at least 300 prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament? Around two-thirds of them occur in Psalms and Isaiah. It seems every aspect of His life and ministry was foretold by these prophecies. Here are some of the more well-known examples. Isaiah 9:2–7 presents a message of hope about His birth. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 are probably two of the most descriptive of how Jesus would suffer and die for our sins.
Likewise, there are prophecies in the Old and New Testament about the climax of human history and Jesus’ second and final return, especially in Revelation. There are also short passages and verses about the Second Coming, like Matthew 24:30, 1 Corinthians 15:52, and 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
I have heard it said that prophets are only given pieces of a larger puzzle. This seems to be true in the Bible. Various prophets were given different details, and we are blessed to view them collectively and see how they came beautifully into fulfillment through Jesus’ First Coming.
Since we have not yet seen His Second Coming, we likewise only see pieces of the puzzle—some of which contain heavy symbolism and are cryptic. Be wary of those who claim divine inspiration and the key to unlock an understanding of what hasn’t happened yet. There are many around today who claim the gift of prophetic answers to more than what God may have revealed to them.
In my humble opinion, the study of the prophetic is meant to give us an appreciation for our Biblical history, excite us about the future, and encourage us to live a fruitful life for the Lord today. So, as we consider what is to come in Matthew 24, the next chapter encourages us through three parables to (1) be ready for His return, (2) be good stewards of what God has given us, and (3) help people in practical ways.
