King David's line: Tea-Tephi or Scota?

An interesting article from http://www.ucg.org/ about King David. This follows this post about St. Patrick. This follows this post about the Pope and immigration. For a free magazine subscription or to get the books recommended for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886- 8632.

Tea-Tephi or Scota?

 Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Concerning the names Tea, Tephi and Tamar, while they may refer to the same person at the time of Jeremiah, it is also possible that they do not. In favor is the fact that these names are sometimes linked together in old Irish poems.

Moreover, these appellations, meaning what they did in Hebrew, could possibly have been applied to a Hebrew princess accompanying Jeremiah even if they were not her actual names—stories about her, then, may have confused her with other women. Also in favor is that if the other names mentioned were aligned with Jeremiah, she would fall into place as well.

And there is another possible explanation regarding her identity. One of the primary Irish chronicles, The Annals of the Kings of Ireland by the Four Masters , mentions “Tea, daughter of Lughaidh, son of Itha, whom Eremhon married in Spain” (1636, Vol. 1, p. 31). At first glance, this would seem to rule out her being the daughter of Zedekiah. However, Lughaidh may not refer to an actual person. The Irish are referred to as the “race of Lughaidh” and Ireland as “the land of Lughaidh”—“one of the many arbitrary bardic names for Ireland” ( Annals of the Four Masters , Vol. 6, appendix).

Lughaidh in old Gaelic could mean “House of God”—broken down as Logh, “God,” and aidhe, “house, habitation, fortress” (Edward O’Reilly, An Irish-English Dictionary , 1821, 1864). “House of God” (Hebrew Beth-El) may have been a designation for David’s dynasty or even for the “large, rough stone” reportedly brought by Jeremiah (see Appendix 7: “The Stone of Destiny” ). The word Lughaidh may also come from lugha or lughadh , meaning “oath”—apparently because it invokes God (O’Reilly, note by editor John O’Donovan, p. 671; N. MacLeod and D. Dewar, A Dictionary of the Gaelic Language , 1831, 1909)—and could be related to God’s oath to David.

The name Itha or Ith may mean “crown,” as does the related Welsh yd (O’Reilly). Ith, coming from Spain, is said to be the son of Breoghan in some accounts, but this may simply be because the Milesian line of kings came to Ireland from Brigantium (modern Corunna near Santiago de Compostella) on the northwest coast of Spain. Indeed, Tea is in at least one old poem called Temor of Bregia. Brega or Breagh, it should be noted, was the immediate territory of Tara in ancient Ireland, named after the Celtic tribe known as the Brigantes (or vice versa). The Brigantes were located in southeast Ireland by the Roman geographer Ptolemy around 150 A.D. He also mentioned them as being one of the Celtic tribes in Britain at that time, as other sources also attest (see www.roman-britain.org/tribes/brigantes.htm ). Some now believe that they derived their name from the Celtic goddess Brigid. Indeed, it could be that she is simply a later deification of Tea, combined with features of other pagan goddesses. According to some scholars, the name Brigid “comes from the Old Irish brigante , meaning ‘the exalted one’” ( In Search of Ancient Ireland , Program 2: “Saints,” PBS Home Video, 2002). This title could conceivably correspond to the modern “highness” for a royal personage. In any event, it is certainly possible that the name Brigantes or Brega originally came from Brigantium in northwest Spain—all perhaps relating to a royal title.

Thus, “Tea, daughter of Lughaidh, son of Itha, son of Breoghan” could conceivably be read as “Tea, daughter of the House of God [or oath], child of the crown, child of Brigantium [or child of royalty].” This would well describe a Jewish princess of David’s line who came to Ireland by way of the Iberian Peninsula.

On the other hand, it may be that Lughaidh and Ith were actual people and that this Tea was not Zedekiah’s daughter. Perhaps, instead, Lughaidh was synonymous with the earlier mentioned Gathelus who supposedly married a “pharaoh’s daughter” named Scota in the Irish and Scottish histories. She may well have been Zedekiah’s daughter, as some contend. Gathelus and Scota, in certain accounts, never made it to Ireland. And in this scenario, Tea-Tephi, their daughter, would have been the granddaughter of Zedekiah. If so, this would still have fulfilled God’s promise that David would have a descendant ruling in “all generations”—as long as the overturn of the throne from Judah to Ireland was accomplished before the generation alive at Jerusalem’s fall passed away.

However, there are problems with the above explanation, chief of which is that Gathelus and Scota’s son, one of several sons, is said to have become king—not their daughter (incidentally this too still fits with God’s promise to David). Yet most of their sons are reported to have died—leaving the youngest, Heremon, to rule. But perhaps Heremon was actually not their son. It could be that he was their son-in-law, married to their daughter Tea-Tephi.

Then again, it could just as well be that this is all wrong, that there was no intervening generation in the transfer of the throne to Ireland, and that Tea-Tephi was the same as Scota. Others believe Scota was the sister of Tea (as Jeremiah escorted the king’s “daughters”—plural). And still others argue that Gathelus and Scota can’t be linked with Zedekiah in any fashion since they supposedly long predated Zedekiah and Jeremiah (see Appendix 8: “Gathelus, Scota and the Exodus”  ).

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The Throne of Britain: Its Biblical Origin and Future

Three overturns of the Royal Family!

An interesting article from http://www.ucg.org/ about the Three Overturns of the Royal Family. This follows this post about parenting. This follows this post about Scotland. his follows this post about the Feast of Trumpets. For a free magazine subscription or to get the books recommended for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886- 8632.
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Three overturns

But couldn’t the throne have been transferred elsewhere for a long time before being transferred to the British Isles? The indirect answer from prophecy seems to be no.

In Ezekiel:21:26-27 [26] Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.
[27] I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him., God declared that Zedekiah was to "remove the diadem and take off the crown: This shall not be the same [a change or transfer was occurring]; exalt him that is low [the Zarhite ruler in Israel] and abase him that is high [Zedekiah of the line of Perez]. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it [the crown, that is, the throne]; and it shall be no more [overturned] until HE come whose right it is; and I will give it HIM [Christ]" (KJV).
Notice that the final "overturned" was added in brackets for the sake of clarity. Some see this verse as a prophecy of the overthrow of the crown—that it would "be no more" (meaning no longer exist) until Christ came to claim it. Yet this cannot be the meaning of this prophecy or God would be breaking His unbreakable promise to David of an unbreakable dynasty. So the overturning must refer to removing the throne from one nation and raising it up in another. And the mentioning of overturn three times would certainly seem to be saying that such overturning would occur three times—that three times the throne would be transferred to another nation and that it wouldn’t be transferred again until Jesus Christ’s coming in power and glory to take it over.
When was the last time another country’s monarchy was transplanted into the throne’s present location in England? The answer is 1603, when King James VI of Scotland became King James I of Great Britain (the one who commissioned the King James Bible). This is obviously the last overturn to have taken place. Because of it, today’s British monarchs are of Scottish royal descent.
Prior to that, was another country’s throne ever transplanted into Scotland? Yes. The throne of the Scoti (as the Irish were anciently called) was moved from Ireland into southwest Scotland in the late fifth century—their kingdom of Dalriada in that area, centered at Iona (a name perhaps related to Ionia of Greece), eventually growing to envelop what is now Scotland. This was clearly the previous overturn—which is why Scotland’s monarchy, which became Britain’s monarchy, was actually Irish.
Now since these were the last two overturns of three, there can only have been one other—the first. And that first overturn had to have been the transfer of the throne from Judah. Thus it should be clear that this transfer must have been from Judah to Ireland. Had the throne been transferred from Judah to some other country before later being reestablished in Ireland, that would add a fourth overturn—when Scripture appears to allow for only three. By simple deduction, the three overturns must have been: 1) Judah to Ireland; 2) Ireland to Scotland; 3) Scotland to England.
It should be mentioned, though, that in the first overturn it is possible that the daughter of Zedekiah married into the Milesian Zerah line in Spain or elsewhere around the time it was in the process of assuming control over Ireland. This would not be adding another overturn from Spain to Ireland, as it would all be part of the same overturn. Whether or not this happened, however, is dependent on exactly when the Milesians from Spain took over Ireland, which is not entirely clear. They may have already become established in Ireland before Jeremiah’s journey—though perhaps still maintaining control over part of Spain when he arrived. Again, however, it is possible that Zedekiah’s daughter and Jeremiah actually accompanied the Milesians in their invasion of Ireland from Spain.

An interesting article from http://www.ucg.org/ about Scotland. This follows this post about Iraq. This follows this post about the Feast of Trumpets. For a free magazine subscription or to get the books recommended for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886- 8632.
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Why the Scottish Vote For Independence Matters

by Darris McNeely

Lost in all the fear and concern over what the United States will do about the growing threat in the Middle East from ISIS is next week’s vote on Scottish independence. This historic vote, set for September 18, is off the radar of most Americans. It’s likely only a few within the Washington policy establishment are watching it with any idea what is at stake. While the growing threat from another terrorist group has grabbed our attention this little watched issue could impact the effectiveness of any response to this new danger.
The United Kingdom, which has for 307 years included Scotland, is in danger of breaking up. Polls show a growing support for a “Yes” vote next week to take Scotland out of the union and on its own. With Scotland out of the Union, Great Britain would definitely be downgraded as a lending nation. The impact of such a step is virtually unknown. Much would change. A new flag would have to designed. Wales and Ireland would no doubt reconsider their status. Would they too desire to leave the Union? Britain left alone would be exposed as a diverse nation, shorn of its last vestige of glory with only grey hairs exposed. It would not be a pretty sight.
At stake is the existing status of Great Britain as an effective power in the world. America and the UK have had a long standing "Special Relationship” that has greatly benefited the world. Eleven years ago as the United States formed a coalition to go into Iraq it was Great Britain who provided key military and political support. Now, as America looks like it will have to ramp up another major military effort in the region, its key ally faces a possible breakup of it’s essential political and cultural basis. Anything that changes or weakens Great Britain’s standing among the nations impacts America. The Special Relationship would indeed be weakened.
Britain’s nuclear capability is stationed on Scottish soil. This nuclear deterrent is part of the key to its viability as a partner in NATO. If Scotland secedes from the union what does England do with its nukes? With a weakened political profile what kind of military power will Great Britain be able to project? Scotland’s men and women have played key historic roles as part of England’s military during this period of unity. Anything that weakens Britain’s military standing weakens America and by extension it weakens NATO. Make no mistake Russia’s Vladimir Putin is carefully watching this vote as he probes the resolve of Western Europe over Ukraine.
All this comes at a critical moment in world events. The Middle East is going through historic changes. The Syria and Iraq border has been redrawn by the emergence of ISIS, a virtual autonomous Islamic state which has proclaimed itself as a resorted Caliphate within the region. Whether this new group will remain in place or be replaced or reduced to a minor role is yet to be seen. Their presence and actions have everyone’s attention. How Europe, America and Asia handle this development is important. No one is served in the long term by a barbaric Islamist terror state within this volatile region.
Add to the mix the crisis in Ukraine. Russian leader Putin has invaded a sovereign nation's lands and violated an international border. No European nation will respond forcefully enough to restore Ukraine’s former borders. Indeed, whether or not Ukraine itself will muster the courage to resist this invasion, clean up its own political house and assert its rights as a nation are yet to be determined. Corrupted leadership exists within these nations and those who will suffer most are the people in the streets.
The Scottish vote next week matters when it is considered against the larger stage of current world events. The world order is being shaped by major events. If Scotland secedes from the United Kingdom and breaks up an important centuries old union then other, unintended things could happen. As small an event as this seems it is not occurring in a vacuum.

Did God take Enoch and Elijah to heaven?

An interesting article from http://www.ucg.org/ about Enoch and Elijah. This follows this post about Syria in the Bible.  For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

Did God take Enoch and Elijah to heaven?


The Bible talks of Enoch being "translated" and Elijah being taken up in a chariot of fire. What do these passages mean?



Answer:



Hebrews 11:5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.



See All... tells us, "Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death." The verse continues with a quotation from Genesis 5, saying that he "was not found." The wording implies that someone was looking for him to cause him harm, and that God protected him by removing him to a safe place. Some assumed that God took him to heaven, but the verse does not say that. "Taken away" ("translated" in the King James Version) is from the Greek word metatithemi and it means "to transfer to another place" ( Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words , 1985).



What of Elijah—did God take him to heaven? Without reading the full account of the history of Judah and Israel, one might easily assume that 2 Kings 2:11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.



See All... reports the death of Elijah and his subsequent removal from earth to heaven. Actually, the prophet did not die, as is borne out by the astonishing record of a letter that he wrote some years later! You can read this letter in 2 Chronicles 21:12-15 [12] And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

[13] But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:

[14] Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:

[15] And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.





See All....



What was the "heaven" to which Elijah was taken? Scriptures speak of three heavens:



•The first, the atmosphere that envelops the earth (Genesis 1:8And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.



See All...).

•The second, what we call "space" (Genesis 15:5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.



See All...).

•The third, the location of God's throne (2 Corinthians 12:2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.



See All...).





The prophet was supernaturally transported to a different location—through the "heaven" of earth's atmosphere—allowing his associate, Elisha to step into the office of the chief prophet to Israel.



The Bible teaches that "no one has ascended to heaven" (John 3:13And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.



See All...). What we find in Acts 2:29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.



See All... and 34 clearly illustrates this fact. It says that righteous King David was still in his grave about 1,000 years after his death! Remember Jesus' comment in John 10:35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;



See All..., "the Scripture cannot be broken." That is, its teachings are consistent throughout. The biblical teaching is that heaven is not the reward or the destiny of the saved.



A more complete explanation of all that the Bible teaches about the afterlife is available in our booklets Heaven and Hell: What Does the Bible Really Teach? and What Happens After Death?

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Treasure Digest: Ruth's Decision

An interesting article from www.ucg.org about the Biblical woman named Ruth. This follows this post about how religion affected a precious election. For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.


Treasure Digest: Ruth's Decision






article by Victoria E. Nelson





Does God give the stranger a "better" name because He knows how much more the stranger has to give up to follow Him (Isaiah 56:3-7 [3] Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

[4] For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

[5] Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

[6] Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

[7] Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.





See All...)?



Does God give the stranger a "better" name because He knows how much more the stranger has to give up to follow Him (Isaiah 56:3-7 [3] Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

[4] For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

[5] Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

[6] Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

[7] Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.





See All...)?



An excellent example of what the stranger has to give up is given in the book of Ruth. Ruth left her family, her native land and customs—everything that was familiar to her—and went with her mother-in-law to an unknown land to live among people whom she must have suspected would hate her (after all, she was a Moabite woman), all to follow God.



"'Look,' said Naomi, 'your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.' But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God'" (Ruth 1:15-16 [15] And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

[16] And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:





See All..., NIV).



I know everyone focuses on the words, "Where you go I will go," but what about the words, "Your people will be my people and your God my God"? We can see in verse 15 that the other sister-in-law had gone back to "her gods." But Ruth made, at some time, the decision to become a follower of the God of Israel.



Ruth put her faith in God, made her decision to turn her back on the land of Moab and followed a whole new path, wherever that would lead her, despite the hardships or tragedies and despite Naomi's bitterness of the moment.



God valued Ruth's decision and faith, so much so that Ruth, a Moabite woman, married Boaz and was counted in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ.

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Atonement: A Day of Deep Reflection

An interesting article from www.ucg.org describing what the Messiah was to accomplish. This follows this post analyzing the Messianic prophecies.   For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

Atonement: A Day of Deep Reflection

A commentary by Gerhard Marx





Sin is the cause of much pain and suffering in the world. But where does sin come from? What is its source? And how can we be rid of the scourge of sin? The biblical Day of Atonement answers all of these questions.





Source: Photos.comThe New Testament makes it clear that Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of all who repent and acknowledge their part in Christ's death, a recognition that their sins caused Jesus to die.



One of the seven Holy Days of the Bible is also associated with atoning for sins. It's the Day of Atonement.



When in 1973 Egypt attacked Israel on the Day of Atonement, it became known as the Yom Kippur War (Yom Kippur is Hebrew for Day of Atonement). Up to the time of Jerusalem's destruction by the Romans in A.D. 70, the high priest would seek forgiveness for the sins of the whole Jewish community, and by so doing would reconcile his people to God.



For a Christian, one focus on this Day of Atonement is the removal of the primary cause of sin—Satan and his demons. As quoted in our booklet, God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind,"Until God removes the original instigator of sins, mankind will simply continue to fall back into disobedience and suffering. Although our human nature has a part to play in our sins, Satan the devil bears great responsibility for influencing mankind to disobey God." The booklet goes further and explains the fate of Satan at the end-time when God intervenes in the affairs of man.



Satan is the main source of evil in the world

I remember only too well an incident that occurred at work earlier in my life. A work colleague and I were discussing the existence of God. I was shocked when he expressed to me that, although he believed in God, he believed that God was evil. I asked him how he could say such a thing. He answered that it was on account of all the terrible things, all the evil that happens in the world on a daily basis. My workmate had experienced war directly and saw enough evil being perpetuated in coming to this conclusion.



Although his view of God was shocking to me, I could not deny the fact that evil is perpetuated among the sons of men. Only later, after coming to an understanding of God's plan for mankind, which the above mentioned booklet explains, did I realize that my work associate had made one vital mistake in his otherwise astute observance about evil in the world.



It's not the Almighty who is to blame for the evil we see, but rather Satan himself, who is called in the New Testament "the god of this world" as the King James Bible translates it. The evil we see all around us must be laid primarily at his feet. The New King James refers to Satan as "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians:4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.). The apostle Paul refers to him in the following way when he encouraged his Christian readers: "in which you once walked according to the course of the world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians:2:2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:).



Satan's evil influence to be removed by Jesus Christ

Satan has been allowed to influence many leaders in society—political as well as religious leaders—to follow a course of action that is in opposition to God's way of life. The experience of the patriarch Job in the Bible is a prime example of Satan being the cause of many of the evil events befalling the world. It was he who brought destruction to Job's family and his servants in the hope that Job would turn against God, just like he tried to have Jesus Christ turn against His Father (Matthew:4:1-4[1]Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.[2]And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.[3]And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.[4]But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.). But both Job and Jesus continued to acknowledge God as the Almighty. Job stated, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job:1:21And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.).



The meaning of the Day of Atonement shows that one of the first acts that Jesus Christ will perform once He returns to establish the Kingdom of God is to banish Satan to the "bottomless pit" so that he can deceive the world no longer. That is exactly what he has done for the entirety of man's existence—to deceive and lead people astray from worshiping the true God. But at Christ's return he is to "deceive the nations no more" (Revelation:20:1-3).



The Day of Atonement is given to us in God's Word so that we may humbly reflect on all the evil we see in the world for which Satan is primarily responsible. All the suffering that the world has experienced over the millennia will ultimately be brought to an end after God's Kingdom has been established on the earth. This Holy Day has great significance for the entire world, and God's true Church is keeping it, awaiting the time when Satan will "deceive the nations no more."






We recommend the previously mentioned booklet, God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. To read more about the Day of Atonement, read this corresponding chapter - "Atonement: Removal of Sin's Cause and Reconciliation to God
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The Messiah's Misunderstood Mission

An interesting article from www.ucg.org describing what the Messiah was to accomplish. This follows this post analyzing the Messianic prophecies.   For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

The Messiah's Misunderstood Mission


Jesus Christ's mission and teachings were misunderstood by most of those who saw and heard Him.



"He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him' (John:1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.)



Jesus performed miracles and signs. He healed the sick, raised the dead, quelled storms of nature, fed the multitudes and exercised absolute authority over the spirit world—yet He wasn't accepted as Israel's Messiah.



One might think that with those credentials, He would be automatically proclaimed Messiah. We are told, however, that "He came to His own [people], and His own did not receive Him" (John:1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.). After a 3 1⁄ 2-year ministry, only 120 followers were there for the miraculous beginning of His Church (Acts:1:15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)).



One of the prophecies about the Messiah foretold that He would be "despised and rejected by men" (Isaiah:53:3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.). The great works Jesus did that brought about His popularity in the country were not enough to overcome the disfavor He incurred from the religious authorities—or enough to secure loyalty from the fickle hearts of the common man.



His mission and His teachings were at cross purposes to those who held high positions in the nation, and His purpose was also misunderstood by most of those who saw and heard Him.



What were the Jews looking for?



The Jews were acquainted with many of the prophecies about the Messiah, the chosen or "anointed one" as the word means in Hebrew. They firmly believed that the Messiah would be a strong and glorious earthly king who would deliver them from their Roman oppressors and form once again a great and independent Jewish kingdom. The wise men who came from the east seeking the newborn Jesus inquired at Jerusalem, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" (Matthew:2:1-2[1]Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,[2]Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.).



King Herod, who ruled Judea under the Romans, clearly understood that the Messiah the Jews expected was to be another king and thus a rival to himself. He then asked the chief priests and scribes "where the Christ was to be born" so he could eliminate the threat to his power (Matthew:2:3-16[3]When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.[4]And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.[5]And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,[6]And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.[7]Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.[8]And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.[9]When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.[10]When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.[11]And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.[12]And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.[13]And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.[14]When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:[15]And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.[16]Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.).



In the Greek language in which the New Testament was written, Christos (Christ in English) has the same meaning as the Hebrew word Mashiach (Messiah in English)— "anointed one," signifying one who was specially chosen by God (see "What Do 'Messiah' and 'Jesus Christ' Mean?" beginning on page 68). Herod and the Jewish rulers considered the title "Christ" as synonymous with that of "King of the Jews" in accordance with the general expectation of the time (compare verses 2 and 4).



The expectation that the Christ would be a king fit with their understanding that He would also be a descendant of David, the most famous of all the kings of Israel and the one by whom all other kings were measured. We see this illustrated in Matthew:22:42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David., when Jesus asked the Pharisees, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" Their response was, "The Son of David" (Matthew:22:42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.).



Jesus was addressed as "Son of David" by two blind men (Matthew:9:27And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.), by the woman of Canaan (Matthew:15:22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.) and by the blind men at Jericho (Matthew:20:30And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.). When Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was both blind and mute, "all the multitudes were amazed and said, 'Could this be the Son of David?'" (Matthew:12:22-23[22]Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.[23]And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?). At His entry into Jerusalem He was greeted with shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew:21:9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.).



The number and scope of the miracles Jesus performed—miracles not equaled in the history of Israel even by the great prophets—led people to the conclusion that He had to be the prophesied Messiah. "And many of the people believed in Him, and said, 'When the Christ [Messiah] comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?'" (John:7:31And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?).



Time for a restored kingdom?



When the people desired the appearance of "the Son of David," they were hoping for the prophesied One who would restore the kingdom of Israel under the Davidic dynasty.



At one point when Jesus miraculously fed a following of 5,000 men, they were convinced that He was "the Prophet who is to come into the world" (John:6:14Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.). This is an allusion to Moses' prophecy of "a Prophet like me" in Deuteronomy:18:15-19[15]The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;[16]According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.[17]And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.[18]I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.[19]And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.. The disciples of Jesus identified Jesus as this same Prophet, "Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John:1:45Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.).



What better king can you have than one who will miraculously feed you? This miracle caused a groundswell of support to make Him king then and there. But "when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone" (John:6:14-15[14]Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.[15]When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.). He made Himself scarce. To become a human king over a powerful Israel was not a part of Jesus' mission at that time.



Even after His death and resurrection, His disciples were still focused on the idea that He would restore the Davidic kingdom to Israel then and there. They asked Him, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts:1:6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?). They didn't yet understand all the pieces of the prophetic puzzle He was unveiling to them.



Understanding the messianic prophecies



These misconceptions were based in part on misunderstanding the timing of the prophecies from their own Scriptures. On close examination, Jesus spoke and acted in a way that revealed His true mission for His first coming—which was spelled out in Bible prophecy, though not in a way that they understood.



The Messiah was indeed prophesied to come to His people. We have already shown that many of those prophecies were fulfilled when He came to earth in the flesh. He was a servant, suffered during His life and willingly offered His life as a sacrifice. But there were many prophecies that were not fulfilled—at least not at that time.



There are the great prophecies of Isaiah, for instance, that tell us that "in the latter days … the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it" (Isaiah:2:2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.).



In Bible prophecy, mountains and hills are used to represent governments or nations. This prophecy foretells a time when the future Kingdom of the Messiah will be established and will reign over all earthly governments and nations. The prophetic understanding of this divine Kingdom was at the heart of Jesus Christ's message as well as the ultimate role of the Messiah.



When Jesus announced the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark:1:15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.), He was simply speaking of the future Kingdom of God that would come to earth—and He was the way into that Kingdom. Many times, when the Gospels say that "they believed in Him," they believed He was the Messiah who would create a kingdom of Israel at that time!



Why Jesus wasn't more direct



Throughout His ministry Jesus corrected people's misconceptions of the expected Messiah by calling attention to the true meaning of the Scriptures they relied on but misinterpreted. The Jews of His day so misunderstood the Old Testament prophecies that they could not recognize the very Messiah that they expected at any moment to appear among them!



Interestingly, Jesus did not go around announcing that He was the Christ. He forbade the demons He had cast out of those possessed to confess that He was the Christ (Luke:4:41And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.). And when Peter—in reply to Jesus' direct question "Who do you say that I am?"—responded that He was the Messiah, Jesus strictly commanded the disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ (Matthew:16:15-16[15]He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?[16]And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God., 20).



He answered the question of the imprisoned John the Baptist ("Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?") by directing him to the proofs of His messianic claims—His teachings and His works (Matthew:11:2-6[2]Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,[3]And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?[4]Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:[5]The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.[6]And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.).



But there were a few occasions where He affirmed His messianic identity quite plainly. For example, He revealed who He was to the Samaritan woman at the well. "I know that Messiah is coming," she told Him—to which Jesus responded, "I who speak to you am He" (John:4:25-26[25]The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.[26]Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.). Even at the beginning of His ministry, He accepted the confession of His first disciples when they acknowledged Him to be the Messiah (John:1:41-50[41]He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.[42]And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.[43]The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.[44]Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.[45]Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.[46]And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.[47]Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile![48]Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.[49]Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.[50]Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.).



Jesus privately on occasion accepted the titles "Messiah" and "Son of God," but publicly He avoided such designations. What He would have intended by these titles and the way in which the Jews would have taken them were two different things. Jesus couldn't deny who He was nor what He intended to do, but He was careful to explain the nature of the future Kingdom and dispel misapprehensions about His mission.



Jesus understood what His people were looking for in a Messiah. It's probably partially for that reason that He usually refrained from claiming the title for Himself and discouraged others from using it. To fulfill the mission of His first coming, He did not want to spark a popular uprising of Jews anxious to establish their own independent kingdom against the despised Roman rule at that time.



Moreover, had Jesus proclaimed Himself as the Messiah, it would have provoked immediate confrontation between Himself and the Jewish and Roman authorities, thereby bringing about His execution prematurely. Yet when it was time, Jesus affirmed to both the Jewish and Roman authorities that this was who He was.



Jesus the King



At Jesus' trial the high priest asked him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus answered: "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven" (Mark:14:61-62[61]But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?[62]And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.). The high priest immediately accused Jesus of blasphemy and deserving of death (verse 64).



Yes, Jesus was indeed the Messiah, sent from God and born to be king. He made this fact clear when He stood before Pilate. However, Jesus had preached the Kingdom of God rather than the kingdom of Israel.



The Jews accused Him before Pilate of claiming to be "Christ, a King," which would make Him a direct threat to Roman authority (Luke:23:2And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.).



Pilate, concerned about this allegation, asked Jesus about the charge. Jesus answered by saying, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" (John:18:36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.). Pilate pressed Jesus further, asking if He were indeed a king. Jesus replied: "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world" (verse 37).



However, Pilate got the impression that Caesar's kingdom was under no threat from Jesus. Yet, in the end, the Jews convinced Pilate to have Him executed on the grounds that He claimed to be a king (John:19:12And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.). Pilate even had the title " King of the Jews" placed above Jesus' head as He was crucified (verse 19-22).



After having ordered Jesus to be scourged, Pilate brought Him out to the crowd and announced, "Behold your King," apparently thinking the heinous beating He had endured would satisfy them. "But they cried out, 'Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!' Pilate said to them, 'Shall I crucify your King?' The chief priests answered, 'We have no king but Caesar!'" (John:19:14-15[14]And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King![15]But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.).



They didn't recognize their own King.



The future Kingdom



Jesus plainly told Pilate His Kingdom was not then, not there. It would not be one of the kingdoms of this present world—of this present age of man. But there is a future age coming, in which His Kingdom will be established on the earth to rule all nations.



Many prophecies about Jesus' role as the Messiah were indeed fulfilled by Him during His 3 1⁄ 2-year ministry. But the fulfillment of many more—those about the establishment of the Kingdom of God over the whole earth—are yet to be fulfilled by Jesus Christ.



When Jesus began to speak about the Kingdom of God, the people did not fully understand. In the thinking of most first-century Jews, there was no distinction between the prophecies of the Messiah's first coming and those of His second.



To the people of His day, the prophecies of the Messiah and the Messianic Kingdom were like looking at the stars. They all appear to be as a canopy above us, all about the same distance. But in reality there are vast distances between the stars. With the naked eye, we cannot tell which ones are closer and which are farther away. The messianic prophecies appeared like that to the Jews. Most expected all prophecies to be fulfilled in a single coming of the Messiah.



His second coming



Although most people missed Jesus' first coming, no one will miss His second. Jesus said all the people of the earth "will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew:24:30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.).



But when He comes the second time, will He be accepted then? What will people expect? Will the Jews think that He will come just to them? Will Christians think they are going to be taken away from the earth? Will the world think He is an invader from somewhere?



Jesus gave a vision to His apostle John, recorded for us in the book of Revelation. In it Jesus completes the prophecies He gave during His earthly ministry. It's most interesting to note that He will not be accepted by the world the second time, just as He wasn't accepted at His first coming. When He comes the second time, He won't come as one announcing the Kingdom of God, He will come as Ruler to establish the Kingdom of God!



Make no mistake—the nations will again reject Him. He speaks of the time of His return as being "the great day of His wrath," when the nations are angry at God's intervention (Revelation:6:16-17; 11:17-18). Leaders of the world will "gather … to the battle of that great day of God Almighty," in which they will fight against Him (Revelation:16:14).



At Jesus' second coming He is pictured as One who "judges and makes war" (Revelation:19:11). He will "strike the nations" with a sword and tread "the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" (verse 15).



Such passages make it clear that the world will not receive Christ with open arms when He comes back. This is the other side of the picture of Jesus that is not taught very much today. When He returns, He will meet with a hostile reception from the world—just as He did the first time.



This leads us to ask the question, do we really know the real Jesus? Do we really know what He is doing? Are we really preparing ourselves to be accepted and rewarded by Him when He establishes His Kingdom? And what is that Kingdom all about? We'll address those crucial questions in the next chapter.

Was Jesus the Promised Messiah?

An interesting article from www.ucg.org analyzing the Messianic prophecies. This follows this previous post about a prophecy about the Messiah.  For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

Was Jesus the Promised Messiah?


What was Jesus Christ's purpose? Why did He come to earth? Why will He come again?



The answers to these questions will become evident when we examine the concept of the Messiah.



Messiah is a Hebrew word meaning "Anointed One." Anointing was used to set someone or something apart for a specific purpose. It was used, among other things, to signify that kings had been chosen by God to rule (1 Samuel:15:1Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.; 16:12-13; 1 Kings:1:34And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.). Christ means "Anointed One" in Greek, the language in which the New Testament has been preserved for us—the same as the Hebrew word Messiah. The two terms mean the same thing (John:1:41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.; 4:25).



The Hebrews understood that their Scriptures contained many prophecies of a divinely appointed ruler who would restore the glory and grandeur of the kingdom of Israel. For example, Isaiah:9:6-7[6]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, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.[7]Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. says: ". . . The government will be upon His shoulder . . . Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever . . ."



Jeremiah:23:5-6[5]Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.[6]In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. adds: "'Behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, 'that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."



After the kingdom of Israel and the nation of Judah were taken into captivity by Assyria and Babylon, respectively, the Israelite people looked to these promises for a deliverer. In the first century after Christ, the Jews who had returned to their homeland from Babylon several centuries earlier were dominated by the Roman Empire. In their oppression they prayed and hoped for the appearance of the promised Messiah, a conquering king who would deliver them from their Roman overlords and restore Israel to national greatness.



From many prophecies they deduced, correctly, that the Messiah was soon to appear. Hopes ran high. When John the Baptist came on the scene, some thought he might be the Messiah. Scripture tells us that "the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ [Messiah] or not" (Luke:3:15And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;).



John said he was not the Messiah, but he did point people to Jesus of Nazareth. One of John's followers, a fisherman named Andrew, immediately believed in Jesus. "He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated, the Christ)'" (John:1:40-41[40]One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.[41]He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.). Both Andrew and Simon (Peter) became followers of Jesus.



Jesus acknowledged that He was the long-awaited Messiah in a conversation with a Samaritan woman. "The woman said to Him, 'I know that Messiah is coming' (who is called Christ). 'When He comes, He will tell us all things.' Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am He'" (John:4:25-26[25]The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.[26]Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he., emphasis added throughout).



Jesus also acknowledged that He was the Messiah at His trial. "And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, 'Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?' But He kept silent andanswered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, 'Are You the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the Blessed?' Jesus said, 'I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven'" (Mark:14:60-62[60]And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?[61]But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?[62]And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.).



Jesus knew that He was born to reign as a king. When the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, questioned Him before His crucifixion, Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." Pilate asked Jesus if He were indeed a king. Jesus responded: "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth" (John:18:36-37[36]Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.[37]Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.).



That Jesus' kingdom was not for that time was misunderstood by most of His followers. They had hoped and assumed that Jesus Christ would lead a popular uprising that would throw off the hated Romans and establish a new political entity. Some of the disciples even argued among themselves as to who among them would hold the primary positions in the new government (Matthew:20:20-21[20]Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.[21]And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.; Luke:9:46Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.; 22:24).



Their understanding was limited. They didn't realize that Christ must first come to suffer and die for the sins of mankind and only later come as the conquering king they expected.



When Jesus was tried and executed, they were bewildered and dismayed. Their hopes and dreams of power and grandeur were dashed. Peter and some of the other disciples returned to their old occupations as fishermen (John:21:1-3[1]After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.[2]There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.[3]Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.).



Even after Jesus appeared to them again, they still didn't understand. They still thought Christ would establish the Kingdom of God immediately. Notice Acts:1:6-8[6]When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?[7]And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.[8]But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.: "Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' And He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'"



Jesus explained that the timing of that kingdom should not be their primary concern; indeed they would not know when it would be established. Their focus, Christ said, should be on the work He had assigned them. The Kingdom of God would be established in due time.



Finally they understood. Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the promised Messiah, but first He had to suffer and die for their sins. Later He would come as conquering king to establish the Kingdom of God.



Peter proudly proclaimed the wonderful truth that Jesus was the Messiah: "But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts:3:18-21[18]But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.[19]Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.[20]And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:[21]Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.).



The dozens of prophecies recorded by the prophets about a Messiah—prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ—are among the strongest proofs that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Many nonbiblical writings are revered by the many religions claiming to be holy and divinely inspired. But none of the other writings can foretell the future, and then, hundreds of years later, provide a record of exactly how those prophecies came to pass.



This is, in essence, the story of the four Gospels. They recall the Old Testament prophecies and show how Jesus Christ fulfilled them as the Messiah born of a virgin and the divine Teacher who would be put to death to make it possible for us to receive forgiveness for our sins.



The Gospels also speak of His resurrection and ultimate return to earth as conquering King. That is the message of the Gospels—that Jesus Christ was the Messiah who is prophesied throughout the Old Testament.



One version of the New Testament, the Jewish New Testament, lists 52 prophecies fulfilled in Christ's first coming (1989, pp. xxv-xxix). Estimates of the total number of prophecies about the Messiah range into the hundreds. Both Old and New Testament testify that Jesus was and is the true Messiah, the Son of God, the one who was sent from God and will come again to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

The Throne of Britain: Its Biblical Origin and Future

An interesting article from www.ucg.org/brp about the thrown of Britain. This follows this post about Early Christianity.  For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

The Throne of Britain: Its Biblical Origin and Future




"This sceptered isle"






The Economist did concede that "if the British people want a monarchy, they should have a monarchy" (p. 15). And despite its problems, most in the United Kingdom do still want their monarchy. Many reflect with pride and nostalgia on "this throne of kings, this sceptered isle, this earth of majesty" (Shakespeare, Richard II, Act 2, Scene 1)—recalling names like Queen Victoria, King James, Henry VIII, Robert the Bruce, Richard the Lionhearted, William the Conqueror and King Arthur. For some, this reflection on the monarchy stretches even farther back into the mists of time, all the way to its traditional founder Brutus, reputedly of the royal house of Troy—the famed city of Homer’s classical epic, The Iliad.



Around A.D. 1139, English chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth fancifully recounted the story of Brutus (Celtic Brwt) from earlier sources in his History of the Kings of Britain. Though discounted as myth by most historians today, notice the incredible future that was foretold for the descendants of this ancient Trojan in a dream: "Brutus, beyond the setting of the sun, past the realms of Gaul [now France], there lies an island in the sea, once occupied by giants. Now it is empty and ready for your folk. Down the years this will prove an abode suited to you and to your people; and for your descendants it will be a second Troy. A race of kings will be born there from your stock and the round circle of the whole earth will be subject to them" (translated by Lewis Thorpe, 1966).



Remarkably, Geoffrey set down these words before Britain was even remotely a world power. Perhaps it was just a case of wishful thinking on his part—yet the words do seem rather prophetic. For in the 1800s, Queen Victoria, called the Empress of India, came to reign over the largest empire in the history of the world, encompassing "a quarter of the land mass of the earth, and a third of its population" (James Morris, Heaven’s Command: An Imperial Progress, 1973, p. 539).



Today, though, it seems that despite multiple nations still looking to Queen Elizabeth as their head of state, the British throne’s glory days are over, particularly with more and more calls heard for its abolishment. But what really lies ahead for the monarchy? For the answer we must look back nearly 4,000 years—to a past even more amazing than the account of Brutus, and filled with far more certain prophecies. For as astounding as it may seem, the past and future of the British monarchy are found within the pages of the Holy Bible.