Updated Video Christmas Greetings and Year End Report 2023

The Confirmation of Prophecy
Christmas 2023

“Blessed us the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people,
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began …”
Luke 1:68–70

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Introduction

The words quoted above were spoken by Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist—the first words out of his mouth after he had been mute for nine months, due to his doubt about Gabriel’s announcement (Luke 1:18–20). The significance of his first words rests in the fact that he relates the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ to many prophetic utterances.

People often ask how we can know that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. My answer is always the same, “Look at the record of the prophets.” It is reasonably certain that at least 25% of our Bible is made up of prophecy, while some suggest as much as 60% or more. There are many passages that have prophetic shadows and implications that are not specifically considered prophecies. Let’s take the words of Zacharias as a challenge to reflect on just a few of the prophecies concerning the coming and incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Note

It is especially rewarding to highlight some of the subtle implications in each passage:

The Woman’s Seed—Genesis 3:15

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between
your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall
bruise His heel.”

Implications

The phrase “seed of the woman” anticipates a virgin birth, since the “seed” comes from the man. In Jesus’ case, that seed was implanted by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).
The “enmity” anticipates the invisible war—the angelic conflict—raging behind the scenes of history (Rev.12:1-11).
The “bruised heel” speaks of the crucifixion of Christ, but the “bruised head” is the total destruction of the devil and his works (1 John 3:8).

The Tribe of Judah—Genesis 49:10

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from
between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the
obedience of the people.”

Implications

The “scepter” refers to the kingly line, beginning with David, and culminating in the eternal reign of Jesus Christ.
“Shiloh” has been related to several Hebrew words with various meanings, such as “He who is to come,” or “He who is rest,” and “He who receives tribute.” All are fitting for Jesus.
The “obedience of the people” suggests Paul’s “obedience to the faith” (Rom. 1:5).

Born of a Virgin—Isaiah 7:14 (Matt. 1:23)

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call
His name Immanuel.”

Implications

The word for “virgin” actually means “young woman.” This is because this prophecy of Isaiah has a double application, first to the child of Isaiah (Isa. 8:3–4), and then to Jesus Christ. However, in the Old Testament, the word can be used of a young virgin; this looks back to Genesis 3:15 and forward to Matthew 1:18–23.
The name “Immanuel” means “God with us” (Matt. 1:23), indicating Jesus’ divine nature.

Born in Bethlehem—Micah 5:2 (Matt. 5–6)

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little
among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall
come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”

Implications

The specific place of Jesus’ birth is given here.
Again, His divine eternal nature is declared.

Messiah both God and Man—Isaiah 9:6

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the
government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be
called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of peace.”

Implications

The child is “born,” a reference to the virgin birth of Jesus’ humanity.
The Son is “given,” for God the Father gave His Son as the only sacrifice that could take away the sins of the world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2).
His deity is seen in the titles given, each of them suggesting the glorious character of the Savior.

Called a Nazarene—Matthew 2:23

“And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might
be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, ‘He shall be
called a Nazarene.’”

Implications

This verse stumps many people, for there is no specific prophecy that speaks of Jesus as a Nazarene. The answer is found in the root word from which Nazarene comes. It is netzer, which means “the branch.”
It was not a single prophecy, but the message of several of “the prophets” that relates to “the Branch,” i.e., “the Nazarene.” (Isa. 4:2; 11:1; Jer. 23:5; 33:15–16; Zec. 3:8; 6:12). Especially astounding is that in these prophecies there are direct parallels to how Jesus is presented in Matthew (Royalty), Mark (Servant), Luke (Humanity) and John (Deity).

Crucified for Sinners—Isaiah 53:3–6; Zechariah 12:10

“He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and
acquainted with grief … Surely He has borne our griefs and
carried our sorrows … He was wounded for our transgressions,
… the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His
stripes we are healed … All we like sheep have gone astray …
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of
Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will
look on Me whom they have pierced. Yes, they will mourn for
Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one
grieves for a firstborn.”

Implications

The rejection of Jesus by His own people is seen here.
His crucifixion is vividly portrayed as the penalty paid for our sins.
His resurrection is anticipated as He will return to repentant and believing Israel.

He Is Coming Again—Job 19:25–26

“For I know that my Redeemer, and He shall stand at last on
the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that
in my flesh I shall see God.”

Implications

The redemptive work of Christ on the cross is anticipated.
His resurrection is implied, in that “He shall stand at last on the earth,” (or “at the last”).
Job also anticipates his own resurrection, following his death and decay of the body, “in my flesh I shall see God.”
When we consider that Job predated Abraham, and none of the Old Testament was yet written, this is an amazing prophecy from earliest times!

How astounding that the prophets of the Old Testament not only predicted the event of the birth of Jesus Christ, but the time, the place, and many other minor details. These are only eight out of over three hundred prophecies concerning Jesus’ first coming. Prophecy is not only the proof that the Bible is inspired, but it is also the proof of the existence of God, who alone is omniscient and omnipresent.

Let us reflect deeply on each of these prophecies and discover the sometimes-hidden implications in each of them. God, who was faithful to fulfill the prophecies of the past, will surely also fulfill those yet to come. Jesus Christ will yet return, first in the Rapture and then at His Second Coming to Earth. He will then execute judgment on the Earth, right all wrongs, heal all wounds, remove all diseases, restore the Earth to its pristine beauty, and establish His eternal glorious Kingdom. In this hope and assurance, let us all be blessed this Christ-mas time!

Missions Past, and Future Ministry

Many have heard me say this at the various conferences, but this has been the most demanding year of my ministry. We have taught at 15 camps and conferences around the country, taken four overseas Mission trips, and I have spent countless hours working on the Notes for the New Testament. We end this year weary in body and soul, but victorious in spirit—the way every race should end. A short video is attached which will show some of our overseas work.

This coming year is Nan and my 50^th anniversary year. We plan on making up a small bit of the time we have sacrificed from children and grandchildren over the past several years. Our family has not all been together for over 13 years, and we hope to have a grand family reunion. We intend to use the year to recharge and rest a little more than usual.

This means we will not be attending quite so many conferences. I hope none of our hosts for the conferences that will be missed take this personally. I will still do a few conferences, and perhaps a couple of Mission trips. But we truly need some time for spiritual, mental, and physical refreshment.

Only God knows what the future holds, but I expect this next year to be quite turbulent! At the same time, I am praying for a mighty work of God in exposing the criminality and corruption in our land, and in bringing down a righteous judgment on those who prey on the American people.

May God bless you all as we celebrate the coming of our Savior into the world, and may we, each and every, one draw nearer, and ever nearer, to Him through the diligent study and faithful application of His Word to our lives.

WE WERE BORN FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!

In the blessings of His grace,
Gene and Nan

All the 2023 Christmas Lessons

Gene Cunningham - November 23, 2022

"Pray for The Peace of Jerusalem" -- Mission Forgotten

We have a few brief hours to embrace an aspect of our mission that I think we've largely forgotten, namely, praying for the peace of Jerusalem. What does it mean to pray for the peace of Jerusalem? Jerusalem will never have peace until they recognize the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Some we can reach now, in which case they become a member of the Church. Some will not believe until it's the last hope in a very, very dark, and painful world after the rapture of the Church. Let's make sure that we have uttered a prayer for that nation. They are surrounded by enemies. They are facing from a human point of view, certain annihilation. You know, Henry Kissinger said in ten years there will be no nation of Israel. That's the best joke I've heard in a long, long time. They will never be driven out. So how can you know? I'm asked this question all the time. How can you know? How can you know that they won't be driven out and scattered again and things that go on for a thousand years? Well, I have good news and bad news. The good news is they're there to stay. The bad news is you don't have another thousand years. We'd like to think that we do. But we are are at the conclusion of our short paragraph in history. Check out Isaiah 11:11. The prophet foresaw that there would be two dispersions and two returns, and “after the second time” God will re-gather them and then will return. And, folks, it has happened! And He's coming. Israel is not going to be driven out, but it's going to be painful in the extreme. A third of those who survive into that time are going to believe (Zechariah 13:8). We have a mission mandate, and that mandate is to all the nations of the world. But I do believe that there is a specific focus of that mandate and that that aspect of the mandate is with special attention to the children of Israel. Israel is a burning passion in the heart of the impossible and should be to you and me. You remember that Paul in Colossians 1:24 that it was his pleasure “to suffer on their behalf because he was filling up that which was lacking in the sufferings of Christ.” Paul saw very clearly that it was his responsibility as a member of the Body of Christ to continue what His Lord had begun, what Christ came to do. That's what Paul was here for, and what Christ died for. That was what Paul was willing to die for and therefore to carry on Christ’s ministry. And Paul, in Romans 10:1, we see how he makes this a little bit more specific. “ Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” You know, my friends, the Bible commands us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” comes from Psalm 122. What does it mean to pray for the peace of Jerusalem? When you and I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, there will be no peace in Jerusalem until Jerusalem and Israel receives the prince of peace. And therefore, we pray for the opening of their eyes. Have you ever thought that a prayer that you utter today could impact the soul of someone who will live in the next dispensation? A thousand years before Christ, David prayed for us in the Psalm 102. This is similar to when Paul says, “My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” Don't you think, Paul, being doctrinally accurate and having the mystery of a new creation revealed to him would just say, “Who cares about them?” And “we're done with them.” “We've moved on to new ground.” A thousand years before Christ came, there was someone praying for you. David, by the way, often praise as an expression of the trials of Messiah when He would come. I like the way Dietrich Bonhoeffer puts it. He said, “When you read the prayers of David, you are reading the prayers of Messiah, because the prayers that David prayed, Messiah prayed when he was here.” Interesting thought, isn't it? Psalm 102 is picturing the whole history of the nation of Israel, which is summarized in brief in Revelation Chapter 12, which tells us that “the woman will conceive and bear a child,” and because of that child that she brings, she “will be driven into the wilderness.” The hatred against the nation of Israel that existed in David's day and the hatred that existed against Israel in the time of Nazi Germany, and that exists today comes from the same source. It's satanic in origin because Satan still knows that God's plan for those people is not done. And so Satan stalks to the woman who is in travail. Psalm 102 says in part, “But you all Lord shall endure forever, And the remembrance of your name to all generations. You will arise and have mercy on Zion for the time to savor her. Yes, the time that was set has come.” What time is he talking about? Jesus Christ’s Second Advent, right? The Psalmist continues, “Your glory for the Lord shall build up Zion. He shall appear in His glory. He will regard the prayer of the afflicted. He will not despise their prayer.” Did you get the message that he just said this that is promised is going to happen? “He will not despise their prayer.” Now, get this, because here is the kicker in Psalm 102:18, “This will be written for a generation to come. There are people yet to be created, may praise the Lord.” Do you see the church there? He's not just talking about the next generation of Jews. He's not just talking about another generation. He's talking about a new people. Generation is often used for race that are race yet to come of people yet to be created. I believe that David here anticipated, and maybe because of something He saw in the writing of Moses, Moses knew there was more to be revealed, but he knew that it was not for the children of Israel, it was for someone else. David knew that the things he wrote would be an encouragement and a strength to a people who did not yet exist. He didn't know who they were. He didn't know what they would be called. The idea of church never entered his mind. The concept of being in Christ was beyond his ability to comprehend. Although I would say that of all the prophets of the Old Testament, no one came as close to church age truth as did David in the Psalms. The Psalms are timeless and express the prayers of Christ. I would even be willing to bet that the Lord Jesus Christ had the entire Psalms memorized and uttered each of them at their proper place throughout the time of his pilgrimage on this earth may be continues to pray them. Who knows? He intercedes in our behalf. If David had a concern for a people that would not yet be created, how much concern can you and I have for a people who preceded us? If the last are going to be first, how great will they be? Paul asked the question in Romans 11 If their casting off is the salvation of the world, what will their reception be but a resurrection from the dead? It's going to be something amazing. Pray for the opening of their eyes. Our nation is no longer a friend to Israel as we have been. But somewhere there has to be a people that will not only pray for that nation and speak out for that nation, but if necessary, shelter that nation. Those Christians who fought in the resistance for the sake of the Jewish people, they did what the church is supposed to do. And through their dedication and devotion, many, many people of the Jewish nation have come to Christ. Many people will yet come to Christ. How many will come to Christ because you played your part? Let's pray that you and I can play the part through our prayers. Stand up for them, be their advocate, be their defender, and above all, be their intercessor. It will make a difference. The priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. See the previous video “I will bless those who bless you – Mission Forgotten” for more detail.