After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi [wise men] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written:
‘“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”’
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’ Matthew 2:1-7
All throughout Jesus' earthly life He was fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Here in this passage we see the quote from Micah 5:2
The scholars of the day were aware of that prophecy and Herod believed it enough to carry out what is known as the "slaughter of the innocence" - killing all the male children under 2 years of age in that area.
That caused yet another prophecy to be fulfilled:
‘A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.’
Jeremiah 31:15
Bible prophecy is distinct from any other prediction. Events foretold cannot be changed. God speaks from outside of time, as we know it. He lives in the eternal NOW. Jesus announces in Revelation that He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
There are still prophecies which are yet to come to fruition, but, be assured, whatever God has written in the prophets and as Jesus foretold, it will happen.
Jesus predicted the fall of the Temple which happened in AD 70:
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Matthew 24:1-2
In the same chapter Jesus promised to return - amazingly, it's a prophecy that many Christians no longer believe! There was a recent survey done showing that only about 15% of Christians believe in the second coming of Jesus - even though He clearly promised that He would return.
They take this approach:
2 Peter 3:3-4
Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
But Jesus IS going to come back - the only delay is to ensure that as many people as possible can be saved:
2 Peter 3:8-10 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Make sure that you are included among those who are His own!
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