The Bible tells us that, after John the Baptist was arrested and put into prison, even John -- one himself who was foretold in Scripture -- began having doubts. So, John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He was really the Expected One -- if Jesus was really the Messiah of promise. In the Gospel of Luke we read:

Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?" When the men came to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, 'Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?'" At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. And He answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them."

In other words, in order to answer John's doubts, Jesus reminded John of all the prophecies of the Scripture that He was fulfilling. Then, even for the great John the Baptist, Jesus added the most important part. Jesus said: 

Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me (Luke 7:19-23 New American Standard bible).

The Bible indicates that John may have come from the same wilderness area from which the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Those who have studied the Scrolls tell us that they were left by a large messianic branch of Judaism. In other words, unlike the religious leaders of Israel, this particular Jewish sect seriously studied Bible prophecy. Whether John was an actual member of this sect is not known. However, many believe that John, and perhaps even Jesus' disciples, may have been influenced by their teachings. 

Here's my point: Although Jesus was the Expected One, it's clear that Jesus didn't come according to all the popular expectations. And, when the final events of end-time prophecy are fulfilled, there's no reason to think it will happen any differently.

Some are asking what I was expecting to see come January 1, 2007. As you may know, I believe it's possible we could be entering into Daniel's 70th week. My answer is always the same. Since all 70 weeks of Daniel's prophecy are specifically for the Jewish people and their holy city (Daniel 9:24), I expect to see political movement regarding the final status issues of Old Jerusalem. And, as a result, I expect to see Israel entering into a time of false peace and a return to their Temple sacrifices. To be expecting anything more would come, in my opinion, from having unbiblical expectations.

For example, a popular belief today is there will be a seven-year tribulation period. But, the Bible nowhere specifically tells us that -- it only tells us about a great tribulation that will occur in the second part of the seven-year period (Matthew 24:15-21).

Another popular belief is that the opening of the scroll with seven seals in Revelation covers a seven-year period. But, the Bible nowhere specifically says that. In fact, we find an entirely different sequence of events depicted in Daniel. In chapter seven of Daniel we find the throne room scene of Revelation chapter four coming after -- and as a result of -- the Antichrist being revealed in the Temple and boasting great things, not before.

And, in Daniel 9:27, we may actually find this idea all summed up for us. We see the Antichrist confirming a covenant for seven years, breaking the covenant 3 1/2 years later by going into the Temple where he boasts great things, and the throne room decree (the scroll) being poured out as a result. Here's how it reads:

And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate (Daniel 9:27).

So, are we witnessing the fulfillment of these prophecies? According to all my expectations, we very well could be ... at least so far.

So, stay tuned!