He is set for the fall and rising of many.

by Alejandro Roque Glez.

“…Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many…”

(Luke 2:30-35)

In the days when Bethlehem saw Divine Light (with the birth of baby Jesus), the world was stunned––like today––due to corruption and dejections prevailing in society. In Israel, everyone had a breath and thought about the need of a Messiah which should appear at any time, and many, not knowing the Holy Scriptures, ignored his atoning mission, until two millennia later––now at the doors in our days––when it will be accomplished his Second Coming and we will see him as King and Priest legislating with the power of God; as they were back then wrongly waiting.

While the big cities, as Rome at that time, was running in new fashions and trends; alleged luminaries under the title of artists, senators, politicians, philosophers and men of science were the news of the day; however––as always––it was a humble man of God whom no one ever paid much attention, who inspired from eternity, revealed for us the most important event for humanity: the birth of the Redeemer. This brings to mind what the wise Solomon rightfully said:

“There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I: wisdom is better than strength; nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard” (Eccl 9:14-16).

Here we see a man wise and poor, unknown and called Simeon, who prophesies for us in the Holy Spirit about the newborn baby––Jesus––revealing that he was the Son of God incarnated, the Verb and expected Messiah (v.30). Redeemer not only for Israel, but for every men of this world who would accept him as their Lord and Savior; that is, for all peoples of the earth (v.31-32).

Simeon is used here by Yahweh God in order to reveal history and give comfort to young Mary:

“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (v.34-35).

Jesus would be the cause of “fall” for those who have ignored him––despite being the Only Begotten Son of God––crucifying him again and since then each day, with their corrupt doings and resentment towards the Creator; and thereupon they will have no choice but to Hell of fire. Read note to Mr 9:3-48.

At the same time he would be the cause of “rising” for anyone from age to age which have accepted the atoning sacrifice of the Cross, thus receiving forgiveness of sins from God, and eternal life in body and soul, once the Son God is revealed in glory and power during his Second Advent (1 Thess 4:16-17, 1 Cor 15:51-54). It is usually the poor and simple people the ones who receive his Word, because the proud and intelligent among humans always have no need of Yahweh––but according to their stunted and hindered judgment––they are able to fend for themselves.

The prophet Simeon foretells Mary what would happen to the baby Jesus 33 years later: the painful and bloody crucifixion. It is the first time that is told the virgin: “and a sword shall pierce through your own soul also” (v.34), something that obviously and amid much rejoicing by his new born baby, she certainly did not understand what he was prophesying until three decades later when while suffering quietly, she witnessed with great pain the tearing of her soul after seeing Jesus nailed, like a vile sinner in the Cross of Golgotha, by the Roman hand and knowing at that point that her son was Almighty’s promise to his people. The Son of God, gentle and clean, without spot or sin, suffering martyrdom for the sake of sinners “that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (v.35).

It has been nearly two millennia since then, and the words of the prophet Simeon have been fulfilled beyond imagination. The child of Bethlehem, an obscure village that nobody knew,and without having to rub shoulders with the powers of the world or universal academies, stood in history reaching all corners of the planet; causing millions to accept him, worshiping, singing and writing about him. With his crucifixion and resurrection he made thousand of millions through the centuries to be risen eternally, leaving behind such overwhelming death by which they feared and because of it were subject to perpetual servitude (Heb 2:14-15).

(What will life be on our planet once the Lord fulfills the promise of his coming? If interested you can read it in the form of a literary narrative, recreated in the author's book entitled: 'The King Victorino').

[These and other New Testament prophecies are explicatively compiled in the author's book entitled: 'The Four Prophetic Gospels;' in print and digital editions]

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