Those Who Fulfilled Prophesy

We’ve heard the stories of Jesus so many times that we forget how miraculous they are. Hundreds of prophecies have been fulfilled, but I’ve been thinking a lot about the people who were helping these prophecies come true and they didn’t even realize it.

When Emperor Augustus issued a decree for the census and everyone had to be registered, he didn’t know he was fulfilling prophecy. Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem because of it and that was another prophecy filled.

When the disciples got the donkey for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem on, they weren’t thinking about the prophecy about him riding into Jerusalem on a colt.

The bible said the children would praise him and they did.

The soldiers played a big roll in carrying out several prophecies. They cast lots for his garments. They pierced his side, hands and feet. They gave him vinegar to drink and when they broke the bones of those being crucified, they skipped over Jesus and prophecy said none of his bones would be broken. This was all foretold.

The chief priests even fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus being betrayed for thirty silver coins. They knew the scriptures. How could they do this and not have bells ringing in their heads? It seems like they at least would have thought about it later that “Hey! This was prophesied a long time ago and we just fulfilled it!” But no, many people had no clue they were fulfilling prophesy – even the ones that knew scriptures inside and out!

A more recent prophecy that was fulfilled was in 1948. Israel became a nation and it was predicted that as the end days approached, Israel would become a nation and God would gather his people from the ends of the earth. Many have returned to Israel.

Next, my thoughts went to the scriptures that haven’t been fulfilled about the last days; the tribulation. Where will we fall into those prophecies – if at all? Who is involved in these prophecies?

It is prophesied that God will send two witnesses. Most say this will be Moses and Elijah. There are other speculations. We’ll just have to wait and see.

It also says there will be 144,000 from the tribes of Israel. Unless you’re Jewish, this can’t be you.

Many will be beheaded and many will go into captivity.

Many will take the mark of the beast. (Please don’t do that!)

In one of the judgements, it says 1/3 of the people will die, then later ¼ will die.

Many will die by the sword or natural disasters.

Some will starve or die from plagues and some will be devoured by the beasts of the earth.

Many will endure to the end and will see his coming! Hallelujah!

I know this post isn’t very cheerful. It frightens me too! But God’s word is true and he gave it to us so we won’t be deceived. He wants us to be prepared and to remember our reward for remaining faithful to the end. Stay strong and we will spend eternity in his kingdom.

I know what some of you are saying. “This won’t be me because I’m going to be raptured at the beginning of the tribulation.”

I hope you’re right. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m not convinced that there is a pre-tribulation rapture. I’m still trying to figure this one out.

At Jesus’ first coming, the Jewish people hated the Roman government so much that they assumed the prophecies about a Messiah coming to set up a kingdom would be an earthly kingdom. Jesus said his kingdom was not of this world. Because Jesus didn’t free them from Rome, they hardened their hearts and refused to believe Jesus was the Messiah, in spite of the fact that he fulfilled all the prophesies. I believe Satan played a part in deceiving them. He didn’t want them to believe in Jesus so he spread this lie that the Messiah would overthrow the government. Since that’s what they wanted to hear, they easily believed it.

I’m so afraid Satan is deceiving many good Christians right now into believing they will skip the tribulation. They’re being told that Jesus wouldn’t want them to go through tribulation, but Jesus tells us the exact opposite. He tells us there will be much tribulation. Christians for almost 2000 years (and the prophets of the Old Testament) have been persecuted and put to death. Can you imagine how disillusioned people who have been told God doesn’t want them to suffer are going to be if they find they’re still here when the last seven years begin? Many will fall away. The Bible warns of a great deception and a great falling away. Could that be what causes it?

I’ve listened to many sermons on the internet form various pastors. Most of them believe in the pre-tribulation rapture and a few of them like to make fun of us that don’t agree or are unsure. That’s okay. May they be right and may I be wrong!

I do know that even though Christians suffer persecution, the bible says that we are not appointed unto wrath. At the very end of the tribulation, God will pour out his wrath and I’m thinking we will be whisked away to heaven just before that.

Like I said before, if you believe in a pretribulation rapture, I hope you’re right. I’m more than glad to be wrong on this. I just don’t want people to be so crushed if it doesn’t happen that they turn away from God and lose their salvation. That’s exactly what Satan would want. I always keep an open mind that my interpretations of the scriptures can be wrong and you should to. Even the experts in the law, the scribes and pharisees got scriptures wrong. Let us keep our minds focused on what God has planned and not what we would like to have happen.

Philippians 3: 13-14 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1: 8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Never stop believing!