When one hears the name of the little village just outside of Jerusalem, the town made famous by the birth of Jesus Christ, the little town of Bethlehem, there are many memories that will flood their minds. However, there is a story about Bethlehem beyond the Christmas story. Bethlehem is a Biblical city that today is a political hotbed for all living in this small area that once a year is packed with people from all around the world who come on a pilgrimage that speaks of peace in a place where there is no real peace today.
One would think that Bethlehem would be made up mostly of Christians what with its historic and Biblical background but that is not the case. It is today a stronghold for the Moslem faith, a people who desire to go against all of God's plans for both Christians and Jews.
Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News
Bible prophecy fulfilled over 2000 years ago in the little town of Bethlehem also has a future significance. As it played a key role in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy pertaining to the first coming of Christ, it will also play a key role in the future prophecies yet to be fulfilled.
The little town of modern day Bethlehem has a historic past that is rivaled by no other village, town or city. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago, was key in the birth of one like no other in history, the prophesied Messiah. Once a year the center of Bethlehem, Manger Square, fills to the limit with Christian pilgrims from around the world coming to celebrate the birth of the Messiah the only birth like His in history. However this event, the birth of Emmanuel, God with us, was only half of the story. This first coming set the stage for the prophecies pertaining to the second coming of Jesus Christ as well.
In the Scriptures there are over 300 prophecies about the coming of a Messiah and they were all fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Prophecies like, why Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem Ephrata not Bethlehem Zebulun which was much closer to Nazareth where the Lord's mother Mary was living at His birth. Micah 5:2 revealed that it must be Bethlehem Ephrata, not Jericho, not Bethany, not even the holy city of Jerusalem. The birth had to take place in Bethlehem Ephrata in order for the new born babe to be the Messiah.
In the Bible there are 5 times as many prophecies about the second coming of Jesus Christ as there are for the first coming. Jesus Christ being born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago did indeed set the stage for His second coming. Bible prophecy will be fulfilled.
