Will You Recognize Him?
I had what seemed to be a profound thought recently about Yeshua (Jesus) and His returning. It was this: Will the "church" recognize the Messiah when He comes back, or could they miss Him? Just like many people missed Him the first time!
For years, I have had debates with other "believers" about when Jesus was coming back. We would discuss why He might return before, during or after the "tribulation". But, interesting enough, we never said what He would do when He appeared. Or where He would be. I guess we figured He would come back twice. Once to grab us in the clouds and take us to heaven, and another time He would return for the millennium.
Now, after studying the Jewish Roots of our faith - these theories just don't make sense. If we had studied the Tanakh (Old Testament) we would have learned that when He returns He descends on Mount Olives (where He "ascended") and He will walk through the Eastern Gates of the Temple in Jerusalem - where He will rule and reign forever. Look at this verse:
Ezekiel 43:4-5 “And the glory of Adonai came into the Temple by the way of the gate which faces toward the east. The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of Adonai filled the Temple."
And Ezekiel continues with this prophetic vision of HaShem's return in verse 7, "And He said to me, 'Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever.'" Clear don't you think?
Other verses in Ezekiel talk about Temples sacrifices, priestly duties, clean vs unclean and basically give instructions about Torah. He includes words about the "Prince" (David?), holy offerings, inheritance laws, division of land and the incredible healing river that flows from the Throne.
But, how can this be? How can Yeshua (Jesus) return to a Temple, in Jerusalem, where the Law will be practiced and enforced? After all didn't He come to "cancel" the Law and all its "burdens"? If you ask this of a Bible student they will tell you one of two things. Either they haven't studied Ezekiel, or they "spiritualize" the book, not taking it "literally". This is dangerous territory for sure.
And there are many other references to the HaMashiach (Messiah) returning to the Temple, go to:
Ezekiel 11:23 "...the glory of Yahweh went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain..."
Daniel 7:13-14 "....One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days... Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a Kingdom...."
Psalm 2:6 "Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion."
Daniel 7:27 " ...His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him."
Jeremiah 33:16-18 "In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the Name by which she will be called 'Adonai is our righteousness', for thus says Adonai, 'David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; nor shall the priests, the Levites, lack a man to offer burnt offerings before Me, to kindle grain offerings and sacrifice continually."
Jeremiah 3:17 "At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of Adonai, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the Name of Adonai, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts."
And there are more verses. Search them yourselves. But, here is one of the most familiar;
Isaiah 9:6-7 "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His Name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty Elohim Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of Adonai of hosts will perform this." Where will this government be housed? Of course in the Temple!
All theses verses (and many others) are very clear about the return of the Messiah:
He will return to the Mount of Olives.
He will rule and reign on His Throne from the Temple in Jerusalem.
David will be His prince.
Sacrifices and offerings will be given. The Law will be followed.
His Kingdom will be forever.
And of course there is much discussion to "our" role during the "millennium" or His eternal reign. We will be priests and/or servants? What will our resurrected bodies look like? And on and on.
But here is the bigger issue. If Yeshua truly will return like this - Will we recognize Him?
He will be a Jewish Rabbi, a Priest, a King - ruling and reigning in a Temple - accepting sacrifices and instructing many about Torah.
Think about this. When He came the first time many Jews did not recognize Him. They had built a "religion" with many fences and traditions - which of course including Truth, but emphasized man-made rules. All done in good faith over centuries, but when Yeshua came to bring them back to the heart of Torah - many believed He was a false prophet. Many condemned him (along with many gentiles!).
So, when He comes again will the "church" miss Him? Will they be expecting Him to teach a "gospel of grace" and reinforce that the Law has been fulfilled? What building will He be reigning from if not the Temple? Will He be in a church? Will He not wear tzitzits (blue thread) because that Law was cancelled? Will He gather people on the Sabbath Sunday, instead of the Sabbath Saturday? Will He enjoy a pig roast with the church?
Impossible! He is "The Torah"! (John 1). He is the Law and He never cancelled it!
Maybe it is time we learn who He really is. That we accept He was a Jewish Rabbi and Savior, who came first to save the Jews. And when He returns He will teach and live Torah from the Temple in Jerusalem!
A friend of mine said today that we need to be careful. Very careful. A major news station could announce that Jesus had returned. That He was stationed in Jerusalem at the US Embassy. He would be preaching peace and wearing a modern suit. He would be doing signs and miracles, and "even the elect would be deceived". And maybe - just maybe if He comes in the sky (a hologram?), teaches peace and does miracles we might believe this "Jesus" is the true messiah.
Or Yeshua could truly return, descend from the sky, land on the Mount of Olives and enter the Temple from the Eastern Gate. He will bring a "sword", require Torah, expect offerings and sacrifices. And we might not "recognize" Him! Because we were never taught this is who He is!
There could be deception either way.
Study. Study the Torah, the entire Bible. Know the Land, the People and the Messiah. So we can recognize Him when He returns. Amen!
Here’s an afterthought. Could the Jews recognize the Messiah before the "church" does? They actually pray daily for the Messiah to come! Could it be that this time, it will be clear that the real Messiah has returned - bringing the Torah with Him - to His set-apart people? For a people who uphold Torah, it may be really quite obvious to them - who He is. Less obvious to those who do not follow His Torah.