Messiah

Judaism has expected a Messiah for centuries. Over 300 Messianic predictions can be found in the Jewish Bible which were fulfilled by a first century Jewish man named Yeshua. Statistically, the mathematical odds for one man fulfilling over 300 biblical predictions is so miniscule, the only logical explanation for its possibility is to suggest that a divine and supernatual power was behind the predictions and the fulfillments.

While well over 300 detailed prophecies of the Messiah have already been fulfilled by this first century man, there are many Messianic prophecies that remain unfulfilled. Some people have concluded the first century person who has already fulfilled these hundreds of Messianic prophecies couldn't be the genuine Messiah because He didn't fulfill all the biblical Messianic prophecies. Followers of Yeshua indicate that virtually all of the unfulfilled Messianic predictions will finally be consummated when Yeshua, in the future, fulfills His predicted return to earth.

The Jewish Bible is commonly known by followers of Yeshua as "Old Covenant" or "Old Testament" Scripture because of Jeremiah 31:31-34. Yeshua, in initiating the start of the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:31-34, indicated that He was instituting a New Covenant (Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The documents recording Yeshua's life, ministry, teachings, and the authentic history and letters of His immediate disciples are known to Yeshua's followers today as "New Covenant" or "New Testament" Scriptures (Hebrews 8:8-12). The New Covenant was predicted by Jeremiah (31:31). Together the Old and New Covenant writings form the Bible of believers in Yeshua today.

In Judaism different interpretations exist concerning passages in the Jewish Bible. So also, Yeshua's followers have different interpretations concerning some of the New Covenant Bible predictions about Messiah's future return. Various schools of prophetic interpretation have arisen such as preterism, futurism, idealism, and historicism. Various timing theories have arisen in some of the schools as well, including the pre-tribulational, mid-tribulational, post-tribulational, pre-wrath, and partial rapture theories.

One of the most important prophecies concerning Messiah's return is the prediction that Yeshua will rescue His followers from earth at a supernatural "exodus" from our planet. This supernatural "exodus" from earth, which is popularly called the Rapture, is reminiscent of the supernatural experience Elijah had when he left earth without dying (2 Kings 2:1-3, 9-12). The Rapture is also reminiscent of Israel's supernatural departure from Egypt.

The books The Planetary Exodus and The Apocalyptic Rapture Exodus (which are described on this Web site) examine numerous sources and Scriptures as they relate to predictions of Yeshua's return.