Jesus’s Second Coming-the Hosea Prophecy

Presented here is the second of four biblical constructs that predict a season when we can expect Jesus to return. All four are detailed in epilogue form in my book “Last Days Events-Sequence and Synchrony”. This one is found in the Old Testament Book of Hosea chapters 5 and 6.

Hosea Prophecy

This remarkable passage in Hosea is very concise and relevant. “For I (Jesus) will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue. I will return again to my place (ascension), till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek my face; in their affliction (tribulation) they will earnestly seek Me. Come and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up (resurrection), that we may live in His sight.” (Hosea 5:14 – 6:2)

Many bible commentators say that this refers to the Assyrian destruction of the northern kingdom (Israel) in Hosea’s day but notice that it concerns Judah as well. It clearly describes a time future to Hosea. In my analysis, God, through Hosea, is saying this: I’m going to destroy Israel and Judah (Judea and Jerusalem) and I am going away to my place. Total destruction came upon Jerusalem in 70 AD shortly after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven. He went back to His place (seated at the right hand of the Father). The Jews were carried off as slaves to the nations. There they still remain in significant numbers (the diaspora) till they acknowledge their offense and earnestly seek Him. Note that they will do this in their affliction (tribulation). God will revive them “after two days”. On the third day He will raise (resurrect) them to life in His sight (presence). This, of course, will happen on the day of the Lord, when He returns and resurrects all His saints. According to this text, note when it happens; After two days! Two days from His ascension. Two days here cannot mean 48 hours. We, again, must use the Lord’s reckoning of a day as a thousand years. The third day represents the seventh millennium, Christ’s kingdom on earth. The resurrection takes place on the last day of this age prior to the kingdom. So, it follows then, that 2000 years from the crucifixion is Jesus’ second coming. Again, with the assumption that the crucifixion took place in 30 AD 30 + 2000 = 2030. As I mentioned in the previous post, the seven-year tribulation may be an add-on.

Indeed, quite a detailed prophecy providing further confirmation of the general time period of Jesus’ second advent. This prophesied 2000- year period is most likely the “gap” between Daniel’s 69th and 70th week (Daniel 9:26). In the next post, we’ll look at another description of this gap which will help us discern the time of His coming.

Maranatha, Jim