Arrival in Prophecy

Arrival can mean one of two things: arriving to a particular destination or returning from going somewhere. And, when it comes to Jesus, it can mean both.

In the history of the church, during the Christmas season, an emphasis of teaching and singing centered on Advent—which means “arrival”—the arrival of Christ, the Messiah.

Over the next four weeks, I want to lead you on a journey by pointing to four arrivals of Jesus Christ. Usually we think of two (the first coming of Christ (Christmas) and the second coming of Christ (sometime in the future).

More than just giving you a biblical history lesson, I want to show you how each one of these “arrivals” of Christ can have a huge impact on your life.

It really goes well with the vision of this church: real love, real change, real life.

Message Introduction

The first arrival centers on a promise—or the many promises of God that a messiah would come and deliver his people Israel.

There are many of these promises that God gives through Old Testament prophecies.

Some of these prophecies are direct and unmistakably clear:

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Other prophecies might be a little more nuanced:

Genesis 3:15 ESV

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

But, these prophecies have a purpose: to build our faith and restore our hope—that God is in control and is greater than the problems we face.

Transition

A case in point is found in .

The Kingdom of Judah (Southern Israel) is facing a time of uncertainty and hostile threats—the right ingredients that often produces the seedbed of fear and losing heart.

Truth #1: Bad reports are a fact of life.

ILLUSTRATIONS:

An unexpected bill that you cannot pay.

A medical test in which the doctor says did not come back with the results hoped.

A job that you were promised given to some else.

A friend betraying you which resulted in deep hurt.

Bad reports are a fact of life.

Jesus said that is rains on the just and the unjust. Suffering happens.

It is what we do with these bad reports and the attitude of our hearts that truly determine where are hope and trust is placed.

The king of Judah, Ahaz, is overwhelmed by the growing, imposing power of Assyria. And he was not along. Other nations were troubled as well.

And he was not along. Other nations were troubled as well.

Two of those nations, Syria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel have joined together in an alliance—and they were pressuring Ahaz to join with them to war against Assyria.

This alliance made Ahaz afraid.

Isaiah 7:2 ESV

2 When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with Ephraim,” the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.

Why was Ahaz afraid?

Ahaz is a king that was supposed to trust in God. But Ahaz took matters into his own hands.

He made a secret alliance with Assyria—and could not be seen to entertain the thought of joining with Syria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

His whole plan of security could turn into a disaster.

The king was playing power politics instead of trusting in the power of God.

But God, in His steadfast grace and mercy sent to Ahaz a prophet with a word from God.

This is the word:

Isaiah 7:4 ESV

4 And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah.

How could Ahaz find overcome his fear? By believing God’s promise that Judah’s enemies would be defeated.

Faith in God’s promises is the only way to find peace in the midst of trouble.

But, fear can be such an overwhelming emotion that leads many to make foolish decisions.

Truth #2: Fear can rob you of your faith.

When we trust ourselves more than we trust God, we will fail.

One of the most heartbreaking statements about faithlessness is found in verse 9:

Isaiah 7:9 ESV

9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’ ”

In about two years after this spectacular encounter with God’s prophet, the nations of Syria and the Northern Kingdom of Israel were no more. They were utterly defeated by Assyria. They did not trust God and they took matters into their own hands—and they were no more.

Would Ahaz and the people of Judah (Southern Kingdom of Israel) follow suite?.

Don’t let fear rob you of your faith—trust in God. Hold onto His truth—his promised.

Transition

God, by his grace and mercy, extended to Ahaz and the people of Judah an incredible invitation:

Isaiah 7:10–11 ESV

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.”

Is 7:

God said to Ahaz, “I will do whatever you ask that will show you that I will protect and deliver you! Ask me whatever you want!”

So how did Ahaz respond to this amazing invitation from God?

Isaiah 7:12 ESV

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.”

Is 7:

Pious though his words sound, Ahaz is doing the devil’s work of quoting Scripture for his own purposes and thereby displaying himself as the dogmatic unbeliever. This was his moment of decision, his point of no return.

Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary i. The Moment of Decision (7:1–17)

The abiding truth of this passage is that faith in the Lord and in his promises is a practical approach to life however great the crisis.

IMPORTANT: Even with disobedience and faithlessness, nothing is going the hinder the redemptive plan of God.

Isaiah 7:13–14 ESV

13 And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Is 713-14

Since Ahaz refused to choose a sign, the Lord chose His own sign—whose implementation would occur fare beyond Ahaz’s lifetime.

Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary i. The Moment of Decision (7:1–17)

It is the greatness of the Lord that makes faith a practical policy in even the hardest realities of life (see Prov. 16:1, 33). It also leaves unbelief without excuse.

This prophecy reached forward to the virgin birth of the Messiah.

This child of prophecy would be named “Immanuel”—means “God with us.”

This leads to another spiritual fact:

Truth #3: God’s prophetic word can restore your hope.

Notes

Challenge: Read the Old Testament book of Isaiah. There are over 30 direct prophecies about the Messiah that are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah: An Introduction and Commentary i. The Moment of Decision (7:1–17)

More than a have century ago, many historians discounted the validity of Isaiah—believing that is was not as old as it claimed to be.

But then something happened in 1948 that changed everything. Shepherd boys throwing rocks in a cave near the Dead Sea, heard a crash, like a broken pot. What was discovered was one of the greatest historical finds ever. Not only do we have the oldest copies known of the Old Testament, they found the completed book of Isaiah.

IMPORTANT: When you examine these prophecies—written hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus—it will build your faith. For only God can do it!

2 Peter 1:19 ESV

19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

2 Peter 1:19

Conclusion

Ahaz chose political power and military might as his answer. It wasn’t long after that even Judah was overthrown by Babylon.

OR, we can chose faith over fear and experience the awesome power of God to bring victory and deliverance.