The Old Testament is replete with the foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ the Messiah. He is seen in Genesis 3:15 as the prophesied Seed who would redeem the world. In Exodus, He is seen as the Passover Lamb. In Leviticus, He is seen as our High Priest. In Numbers, He is seen as the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. In other passages He is seen as the perfect judge and lawgiver, He is our kinsman redeemer, He is our reigning King who will inherit the throne of David forever, He is our ever-living Redeemer who walks on the waves of the sea, In Proverbs, He is the Word, the true Wisdom of God. In Isaiah, Jesus is the Suffering Servant and the Prince of Peace. In Daniel, Jesus is the Son of Man Who is sent by the Ancient of Days and who is with us in the fires of life. In Nahum, He is our stronghold in the day of trouble. In Zechariah, He is our humble king riding on a colt. And in Malachi, Jesus is the Lord who will come in His temple, the Sun of righteousness, with healing in His rays.

In the New Testament Jesus after His resurrection said to His disciples, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.  Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:44-49). As we press into the New Year there is a foreshadowing of the Second Coming of Christ as well. Matthew 24:6 “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Matthew 24:7-8“There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5  But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” Therefore, let us encourage one another with these truths of His soon return. Let us live out this coming year with the realization that he might return soon and live accordingly. The signs are all around us, the stage has been set, but no man knows the day or the hour, yet we can read the sign and see it is close. Arise bride-of-Christ and walk in Holy Ghost power in this coming year and see the glory of the Lord!

Serving the King Together,

Eric

Excerpts taken from Eric Costano