Prediction and Prophecy

Six more weeks of winter. No real surprise. Poor Phil; what a rude awakening. Slumbering peacefully in his burrow to be awakened by bright lights and clamorous crowds. The shadow is cast. The forecast recorded. On to business as usual.

While some predictions are for fun, others have much larger ramifications. Old Testament writers speak of the coming of a Savior. The extreme expectancy of the believer permeated his being. He worshiped with great fervor. A promise, not a prediction was to be fulfilled. The ultimate sacrifice. The final atonement for sins.
These prophecies foretold what we now know to be the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
Isaiah 7:14 says “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Matthew 1:23 answers with “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"(which means “God with us”).

Wow! If you have not heard this compelling evidence, you must be burrowing with the groundhog. But now that you have, here are many more prophecies to study and absorb.
Entering Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt (Matthew 21:4–10; Zechariah 9:9).
Betrayal by a friend (John 13:18; Psalm 41:9).
Jesus dying a sacrificial death for us (Matthew 27:50; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Daniel 9:26; Isaiah 53:8).
He would die with criminals / be buried with the wealthy (Matthew 27:57–60; Luke 23:33; Isaiah 53:9).
He would rise from the dead (Matthew 28:6; Psalm 16:8–11; Isaiah 53:10).
He would say things from the cross and be mocked. People would gamble for His clothes (Psalm 22:1, 8, 18).
What an awesome God we serve. He takes the guesswork out of believing. It really isn't blind faith, but faith in real promises from a very real God.

  We as Christians anxiously await His return. Revelation 21:4 promises “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  

So, while we are not surprised by the groundhog’s prediction, many will be surprised at the time of Jesus’ return. But, why? The promise of salvation is available to all who hear and believe. We live in a nation where most all have heard the good news. But while we are inclined to tune in to a media frenzy about weather and a rodent, we turn a deaf ear and blind eye to the Gospel.

I encourage you today to listen and believe that Jesus is God incarnate. He came to save you from your sins.Accept him as Lord of your life. Read and study the bible. Get involved in a Bible believing church. Believe what God has in store for you; not just for the next 6 weeks, but for all eternity.  You will receive peace now and life forever.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that all who hear your Good News today will believe and be saved. I pray this in the name of Jesus-Amen