The "Two" Messiahs of the Old Testament

Two descriptions of the Messiah are given in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. One is a conquering king; one is a suffering Savior. Israel rejected the suffering Savior in favor of the conquering king. We can understand that since the Roman yoke was heavy as was the burden of everyday life under Roman rule. God, a spirit, became flesh as Jesus of Nazareth, lived a normal life until age 30, had a 3 year ministry in Israel, was crucified and died and arose on the third day. He lived a sinless life, and, by taking the sins of the entire world on his account, made it possible for sinful men and women to spend eternity with the Holy God. This is a free gift which cannot be earned. It must be accepted by faith.

Jesus will return as the conquering king, but he will “rapture” his own to Heaven first. Israel will remain to undergo incredible tribulation at the hands of the antiChrist. I believe that the rapture and the tribulation which follows are imminent. That means that the antiChrist has been born and is ready to assume his role in prophecy and in God's plan. Jesus will return with the Church and will conquer all foes and establish his kingdom on Earth for a thousand years. Then Satan, the antiChrist and the false prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire.

Most people on the Earth do not believe and have not placed their trust in Jesus as Savior. They will face the great white throne judgement and will spend eternity in the lake of fire for rejecting Jesus. The “bride of Christ”, believers in Jesus, and those who accept Jesus as Savior during the tribulation will spend eternity with God cloaked in the righteousness of Jesus.