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Promises Made, Promises Kept
By George Stroh
December 20, 2021
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was fond to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:18-21)
About 700 years before Jesus Christ was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote about the first coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ; Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:22, 23) About 735 B.C., the prophet Micah wrote that the birth city of the Messiah would be Bethlehem (Micah 5:2-5). King David wrote that Kings would come to worship and give gifts to this coming King. (Psalm 72:10-11).
There are hundreds of Old and New Testament Scriptures verses promising the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, including His birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection. Promises made, promises kept by God!
There are even more Scripture verses promising His second coming including the rapture of the Church, the seven year tribulation period on earth, Christ's return to earth in judgment and to establish His eternal Kingdom; And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11)
If we believe and celebrate the reality of His first coming, why would we not also believe and look forward to the reality of His second coming? Promises made, Promises Kept!
Maranatha!
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