We must face the challenge of the fulfillment of the prophecies about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; we must also face the facts of modern history that indicate that His promised return is near.  The fulfillment of the first group guarantees the fulfillment of the second.

Prophecies of the First Coming

1 .   His birthplace.  Micah 5: 2. Bethlehem was designated by God as the birthplace of the Messiah.  Jesus would have been born in Nazareth but for the decree of the Roman Emperor, which compelled Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem at the right time.

2.    His parentage. 2 Samuel  7: 12, 13.  The Messiah would be a descendant of David the King.  Jesus was descended from David on both his mother's and his father's side, Matt.  1 : 1-16; Luke 3: 23-38.

3.    His death.  Ps, 22.  Is. 53.  The very idea that the Messiah would die was anathema to the Jews and had been banished from their thinking.  But the fact of it and many details of it had been clearly foretold.

4.    His burial.  Is. 63: 9. Jesus died between two wicked men and was buried in a rich man's grave, that of Joseph of Arimathea.

5.    His Resurrection.  Ps.16: 8-11 ; Luke 24: 26.  The Old Testament pointed clearly to the way the Messiah would rise again and enter into His glory.

Prophecies of the Second Coming

1.    Increase of the Occult. 1 Timothy 4: 1, 2. In the last few years there has been an enormous increase in the use of ouija boards, horoscopes, tarot cards, seances and witchcraft.  One of the features of the last days is "pharmakia", Revelation 9: 21, meaning "enchantment by means of drugs", thus linking the occult and drug-taking, two outstanding features today.

2.    Increase of Permissiveness. 2 Timothy 3: 1-5.  There has always been lawless behavior, even though people have believed in law and morals.  But today we see a significant intensification.  The whole concept of moral law has been questioned and thrown aside in favor of such principles as "Do your own thing." Newspapers are full of violence, crime and broken lives.

3.    Increase of Famine and Natural Disasters.  Matthew 24: 7. Again there has been Intensification in both aspects of these troubles in the natural world.  Not only are there many localized famines today, but the whole world is faced with increasing shortage of food (and of all natural resources).  Statistics show a steady rise in the frequency of earthquakes, etc.

4.    The Jews return to Israel.  Ezekiel 37: 1-14; Deut. 4: 27-31.  The Jews had been promised by God that they would return and be restored.  After 1900 years this began in 1917; the state of Israel was established in 1948; and Jerusalem regained in 1967.  No other nation has preserved its identity and vitality over so long a period without even a homeland.  Many detailed prophecies have been fulfilled in Israel today.

5.     Carelessness about God.  Matt. 24: 37-39.  Lack of concern about moral issues and spiritual standards will precede Christ's return as they did in the days of Noah.  A "now" generation is preoccupied with the affairs of the here and now.  People have always tended to be materialistic despite their religion or philosophy.  But today religion and philosophy themselves are materialistic and oriented towards "immediacy" of experience.  Face the challenge of the facts of today's history.  Jesus Christ is coming back.  The gospel is being preached so that you can be ready.