A Great Leader Shall Save Us! A Christmas Message

Old Testament prophecy is one-hundred percent accurate and should make the faithful from skeptics. Prophecy was information which God revealed to the faithful long before it ever happened. The people at the time were just as skeptical as we are today. When a prophecy failed to occur “right now” it was not taken seriously. That's where a student of history is important.
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Ezekiel prophesied the utter destruction of Tyre in Ezekiel. Tyre was a bustling city island without direct access to the mainland. Armies were helpless in their attack because of the remoteness and isolation of the city. Tyre, they thought, will never fall! Nebuchadnezzar tried and gave up as did many others. It remained formidable! However, here's what Ezekiel said around 580 BC.

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Ezekiel (KJV) 26:3 “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up. 4And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. 5It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.”

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In 332 BC (250 years after the prophecy), Alexander the Great found a way to defeat the impenetrable city. He used earth and solid debris to build an half-mile wide causeway in the Mediterranean waters between Tyre and the mainland. He was able to conquer Tyre and as Ezekiel prophesied, it was utterly destroyed by the Mameluks in 1291 AD; almost 1900 years after Ezekiel saw it happen! In the meantime, Jesus walked on the coast of Tyre!

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Ezekiel, in his visions, saw Alexander the Great. He knew that Tyre would be destroyed and Alexander fulfilled the events that led to its final destruction. So who cares?

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When Alexander died his son was murdered and his empire went to his three generals: Ptolomy I Soter (Egypt), Seleucus I (Anatolia, Asia Minor including Palestine) and Antigonous (Europe). The rule of the Seleucid created the “Hellenistic” period, the era of Greek influence in the Middle East. The Septuagint (Old Testament-translated by the 72) was written in Greek due to the influence of Alexander. Our own King James and many modern versions of the Bible were taken from the Greek.

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“Where am I going?” you ask. I'm drawing a path from Ezekiel and what the expected Messiah was thought to be. (Bear with me).

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Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a Seleucid King of of the Hellenistic Syrian Kingdom to which Palestine belonged. The Maccabees were a priestly family of Jews who rebelled against the Seleucids and defeated Antiochus. As a consequence, the defiled temple was reconsecrated by Judas Maccabaeus, which had been desecrated in 167 BC. The reconsecration is what the Jews celebrate today with the religious holiday Hanukkah. After the death of Judas Maccabaeus, the Jewish Hasmonean dynasty was ruled by his brothers Jonathan and Simon. The Roman general Marc Antony defeated the Hasmoneans and killed their ruler in 37 BC.

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The Jews had been in revolution from 167 BC until 37 BC (130 years). Their temple had been retaken, restored and reconsecrated by great generals who would be kings. Hope was dwelling in the Jewish people who looked for a great leader to win the revolution and bring Judah back to its rightful place. They knew the Messiah would be coming! That was prophesy from their holy scripture. While, they knew he would be the Messiah, they were confused about his role. While their souls needed restoration, they were looking for the restoration of Israel. Jesus didn't fit the expectation!

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1. Kings aren't born in mangers. Luke (KJV) 2:12b “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. “
2. Kings aren't mere carpenters! Mark (KJV) 6:3 “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.”
3. Generals don't ride donkeys. How surprised the people would have been! John (KJV) 12:12 “On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,”
4. Kings aren't servants! Kings are served. However, we see here that Jesus wasn't the typical king: Matthew (KJV) 12:17 “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.” Here was prophesy again, and being fulfilled!
5. Kings aren't meek? The normative is for Kings to be treated royally. They are proud in their accomplishments. Matthew (KJV) 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Meekness is the opposite of “pride”. There was no pride in the Servant's heart, although he had every reason to be prideful... He was and IS God!

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Nope! The Jews wanted a Messiah, but they didn't get what they wanted. Jesus' purpose wasn't to save the nation, but to save the world. After his death the Temple was destroyed (70 A.D) (prophesied by Jesus), and the nation totally defeated (restored again in 1948, according to prophesy). Their expected General and King had failed them because their expectations were wrong. However, Jesus never fails!

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What are your expectations? Was Jesus a myth, a political figure? Just a biblical character? Was he a charlatan? Was he a failed general? Was he a mere teacher? A good man? A prophet? Or is he “THE WAY” and the only Way?

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Jesus needs to have meaning in your life or your wasting your time. If you don't believe that you were saved by the mercy in Jesus shedding of His own blood for you; you'd just as well go all out in sin! What's keeping you from it? Inside the Holy Ghost (God's Spirit) is beaconing. He has the prevenient grace to call you even though your heart is hardened. If you feel remorse and guilt, you're being summoned! Surrender yourself! Your life will never be the same. Truly Jesus IS a great King. Praise Him right now.