Most Christians know that the major difference between Christianity and Judaism is that Christians recognize Jesus as the promised prophetic Messiah - and the Jews don’t. But do you understand why the Jews don’t? It’s because Jesus didn’t meet the test of a true prophet given in Deuteronomy chapter 13!
Another difference between the Jewish & Christian prophetic paradigm, is that Christians see 2 Comings of the promised Messiah in the Old Testament - while Jews only acknowledge one. Could you personally show a Jew the 2 Comings of Christ prophesied in their own Hebrew Scriptures? Thankfully, many Christians have been able to do this down through the centuries - and as a result - many Jews have come to accept Jesus as their promised Messiah.
Why did God Almighty plan 2 Comings of Messiah? Do you know His purpose behind each appearance of Christ? Can you find those purposes clearly spelled out in the pages of your Bible?
The test of a true prophet says: “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass of which he spoke to you (Jesus did many such signs & wonders), saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’ - which you have not known - and let us serve them (Jesus was perceived as teaching that He was another god & that people should follow Him), you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Jews no doubt told their kids not to listen to this supposed prophet but to remember the first and great commandment) You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, (which is why they crucified Jesus) because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you ouf of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you away from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk.” (Jesus was perceived as teaching against the commandments of God) (DEUTERONOMY 13:1-5)
But Jesus did not teach that He was another god with THE FATHER or in a godhead. He clearly taught that He was the Son of God (MT.16:13-17). He referred to THE FATHER as THE ONLY TRUE GOD (JN.17:3) and His God and our God (JN. 20:17) Jesus also said publicly in the Sermon on the Mount, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you (the crowds), till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled.” (MT.5:17,18) Therefore, Jesus did not fail the test of a Prophet. But He was a stumbling block to His own people as prophesied (JN.12:37-43) and misunderstood by those whose minds are blinded (II COR.4:4).
Messiah was prophesied to have 2 Comings: First as a ‘Suffering Servant’ to take away our sins (ISAIAH 53), and secondarily as a conquering King of kings to bring one world government (ISAIAH 9:6,7; 2:1-4). These are the purposes behind God planning 2 Comings of Christ.
The first Messianic prophecy in your Bible actually eludes to both comings: “And I (God) will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman (Eve), and between your seed (JN.8:44) and her Seed; He (Christ) shall bruise your (Satan’s) head (REV.20:1-3 -2nd Coming) & you (Satan) shall bruise His (Jesus’) heel (1st Coming)
First Coming texts include: (DEUTERONOMY 18:18) (PSALM 22) (ISAIAH 7:14; 49:1-6) (MICAH 5:1,2)
Second Coming texts include: (GENESIS 49:10,11) (NUMBERS 24:17-) (ISAIAH 19:1-3; 63:1-6)
In conclusion, let me share these sobering warnings: “And it shall be that whoever will not hear My (The Father’s) words, which He (Christ) speaks in My name, I will require it of him.” (DEUTERONOMY 18:19) He who rejects Me (Jesus), and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (JN.12:48)