[George]

Aloha brother Forrest,

You asked some questions earlier and here is my reply:

You asked:

"Why are there so many prophecies?"

Because God is concerned about setting up His Kingdom, and as such He wanted His people (The Jews) to know and be prepared to receive their King & Messiah & Saviour. ". . . . for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." [ Revelation 19:10] The Jews, on the other hand, (at least their "leaders") wanted only a "King". They "cherry-picked" the Scriptures (like many Christians do today) so that they ignored those verses that dealt with Christ's suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. They were unwilling to accept their King on His "terms" - [Matthew Chapters 5, 6, & 7], and so rejected Him and killed Him.

You asked:

"more importantly, what was the significance of these prophesies?"

The significance first of all is that only God knows the future (the "proof is in the pudding"). Second - the significance is that, since God knew the future, He knew that His Son was going to be rejected by His people (the Jews), and yet He had to make a bonafide offer of His Kingdom to the Jews FIRST (already knowing that they would reject Him), before He could turn to the Gentiles and graft them (the "wild olive tree") into the ("original" or "natural") olive tree.

The "KEY" to understanding the Bible is understanding the difference between the Jews; the church; and the Gentiles [1 Corinthians 10:32] Basically I perceive the Bible thusly: The Old Testament (From Genesis 11:26 - Malachi 4:6) is the continuous story of God the Father offering Himself to His people (the Jews) and being rejected. In the New Testament (Specifically in the four Gospels) is the story of God the Son offering Himself to His people (the Jews) and being rejected. And from Acts Chapter 1 through Acts Chapter 7 - God the Holy Spirit offering Himself (through the persons and testimony of His disciples) exclusively to His people (the Jews) and they rejected Him (by rejecting the Apostles - whom He was living in).

Only after God's people (the Jews) rejected the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the entire Godhead) did God turn to the Gentiles. From Acts Chapter 1 through Acts Chapter 6 we see a continual appeal (only to the nation of Israel) on the part of the Apostles to get the nation of Israel to repent of killing their Messiah and they promised He would return. The stoning of Stephen [Acts Chapter 7] is a "turning point" in Scripture; for, immediately after his death God turned to the Gentiles (First the Samaritans - Acts Chapter 8; and then the Gentiles Acts chapter 10; and finally the call to the Apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul, and the establishment of the New Testament church - a "mystery" to all of the Prophets, priests, and even to those disciples that walked with Jesus - Luke 18:31-34) Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. {None of His disciples understood the "Gospel" - NOT until after Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, because "these things" were "HID" from them!}

To answer your question briefly (at least for now) - I believe the Bible is mostly about a Kingdom (God's Kingdom). and since the saints (Old Testament & New Testament) are going to spend Eternity in that Kingdom, God has spoken and written about that Kingdom far more than He has about "Salvation". God has a Kingdom and His main concern is about His Kingdom and its KING. The fact that throughout history He has "saved" {by GRACE} those who have BELIEVED Him and OBEYED him is ancillary to His Kingdom. From our perspective: The most important thing is our Salvation {And it is - as far as we our concerned. What could be more precious?). From God's perspective: The most important thing is His Kingdom and of course THE KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS!

Our life here on earth is very short, but we are going to spend eternity in the Kingdom of God. According to how God looks at time - about six days have passed since He created Adam & Eve [2 Peter 3:8]. Our perspective is not always God's perspective [Isaiah 55:8], and as such, we are looking through a glass darkly (I don't know everything there is to know about the Scriptures, even though I may come across as a "know it all" sometimes) and all too often we are not looking at things as God looks at them, or the way He would have us to look at them {That's the whole purpose of "study"}.

I want to know what God says. I want to know God's thoughts. I want to know God's ways. And if those words, thoughts, and ways run contrary to the popular (and "accepted") "Christian Theology" of the day, I am going to try to follow His words (as I understand them) as best I can - thus the verse that goes along with my "moniker": "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." [Romans 3:4]

According to what I have read (I have not investigated this thoroughly - yet) there are at least five times more (or even more) Prophecies in the Bible about Christ's Second Coming (to set up His KINGDOM) for every prophesy prophesied dealing with His First Coming. If that is true (and I think it is so), then that should tell us which "Advent" is most important (from God's point of view).

For us: The Gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ) is the most important event in our lives (Hallelujah). For us: The fact that: ". . . God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." [John 3:16] is the paramount issue in our lives. For us: The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is the most precious and vital element in our lives (and it should be). But for God, although all these things that I have mentioned above are vitally important, there is something that is paramount with God and that is His KINGDOM and the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

AMEN! SO BE IT ACCORDING TO THY WORD!

Life is not all about US or about our "Salvation" (precious as it is). Life is about glorifying Almighty God and His Son. And although there may not be many who are glorifying Him now - there will come a time {in His KINGDOM} that He is going to receive all glory, honor, praise and worship. I firmly believe that The Bible is NOT all about US or our "Salvation" - it's all about God; His Holy word; and HIS KINGDOM.