IT IS GOD'S WILL
Descendants of Judah did not fail to understand the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah due to any lack of interest or ability. God closed their eyes for a reason: To allow Gentiles who believe in Him to "come in." Isaiah 29:10-12. Romans 11:25. The prophecy, "My name shall be great among the gentiles," has been fulfilled. Mal. 1:11. Now God will open the eyes of the descendants of Judah who are faithful. Isa. 35:5, 54:4-8. Hosea 1 and 2, 3:5. Luke 21:24, Rom. 11:25. This is a sign of the time in which we live.

PROPHECIES OF HIS FIRST COMING
It is now evident the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah are divided, by God, into two sections.

The prophecies of the first coming which were given to Eve and Abraham, as recorded by Moses, were rather vague. Yet they did indicate He would make His first visit to Earth as a human being, of the seed of Eve and descendant of Abraham. Gen. 3:15, 12:3, 18:18.

Later prophets recorded similar prophecies. See Isa. 7:14, 9:6-7, Jer. 31:15, Micah 5:2, Hosea 11:1 and Psalms 89:4, 27, 29. Prophecies which describe His first advent say a forerunner would precede Him. Mal. 3:1. He would preach in Galilee. Isa. 9:1-2. He would be a Prophet, a preacher of deliverance. Deu. 18:15, Isa. 61:1-3. He would be meek, and rejected. Isa. 42:2, 53:3. And, He would be ordained a Priest after the order [type or kind] of Melchizedek. Psalms 110:4.

Also included in the list of things He would do during His first visit is the establishment of His Kingdom. Isa. 2:2-4, 42:1-2, Jer. 31:31-33 Isa 9:6-7. All prophecies of the establishment (the selection of His People) of His Kingdom belong to the "first coming" category. Deu. 7:6, Mat. 1:21.

PROPHECIES OF HIS SECOND COMING
Prophecies of the second group, those depicting His second coming, tell of His coming in judgment and of the defeat of His enemy--Satan. "...abase the proud, tread down the wicked." Job 40:12, Psalms 21:8-13, 96:10-13, 98:1-9 and 102:26. Isa. 2:10-22, 5:24-25, 9:16-18; 10:20-27, 24:19-23 and 26:20-21. "And it shall come to pass in That Day, ...the great trumpet shall be blown." Isa. 27:13. Isa. 29:5-6, "It shall be in an instant, suddenly." Isa. 34:4, 42:13-15, "He shall cry, yea, roar." Isa. 51:6, 52:10, 59:16-21, 65:11-17.

"For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh... the slain of the Lord shall be many." "I will gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and see my glory." Isa. 66:14-18.

Other such prophecies are found in Ezekiel 28:11-19, 37:12-13, 38:17-23. Dan. 7:26-27, 12:1-3. Hosea 2:14-23. Joel 2:1-32. Amos 1:2. Oba. 1:15-18. Mic. 5:8-15. Nah. 1:4-6. Zep. 1:15-18. Hag. 2:6-9. Zec. 2:6-13, 9:14-15, 10:3-10, 11:19, 12:3, 13:2, 14:1-4. Mal. 3:2-3, 4:1-3.

Concerning these prophecies of the coming of our Lord, some may be tempted to say none of them actually say "this is His first coming" or "this is His second coming." In this case the prophecy beginning in Isaiah 11:10 deserves study, and it should be compared to Hebrews 9:28. Compare the King James Version to your favorite translation.

THINK FOR YOURSELF
The false prophets will, of course, say, "those prophecies are only figurative" or, "they have all been fulfilled." Yet as the prophecies of His lowly birth and death as the Lamb of God were literal, we should believe the prophecies of His second coming and The End of this physical world are also literal.

It should be obvious all of the depicted events cannot be fulfilled at the same time. As an example, He could not be born a human child and destroy His enemies in battle on the same day; or make a stick with only one end. Nor can He speak softly and roar at the same time, or tell the truth and contradict Himself. In the one instance He is born the child of a virgin, walks the path of a Prophet then dies as the Lamb of God--Savior of His Chosen People. In the second event He comes as Judge and warrior and destroys the proud and wicked, as well as Satan's yoke (sin and death) from off our neck and this physical world. Isa. 10:21-27, 42:13. Psalms 98, 2 Peter 3:7, 10-12.

Once it is seen the prophecies of the coming of the Lord indicate two events, common sense dictates that one precede the other.

Prophecies of the first group cannot be fulfilled now because the Tribe of Judah has lost its lineage. Ezra 2:62. How long has it been since a Levitical Priest kept the pedigree of the sons of Jesse? How can any man prove, according to the Law of Moses, he is descendant of the sons of David and Solomon? Num. 1:2-26.

THE TIME HAS COME
Since the First Advent of the Messiah was to be 69 weeks after the command to rebuild the City and Temple, and since the City and Temple were to be destroyed after His death, it should be clear the first event is now past. Dan. 9:24-26, Ezra 5:13.

Because we are in the "last years" as described by Ezekiel and Hosea, and demonstrated by the signs of the times, it should be obvious it is the Second Advent which is fast approaching. Eze. 38:8, 39:1-16 and Hosea 3:4-5.

"O Israel, prepare to meet thy God." Amos 4:12.