The Ruler of Bethlehem and the Rebellion from Assyria is a simple thought reflection for Advent from Micah 5:2-6 about the contrast between the ruler of Bethlehem and the rebellion from Assyria.

Jesus came from Bethlehem in Ephrathah as a baby during His first Advent. This passage even mentions His divine origin. Jesus will come as a supernatural baby.

“Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity.”

(Micah 5:2, HCSB)

Then the passage turns to an event that can only be described as a future war.

“Therefore, He will abandon them until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the people of Israel.” (Micah 5:3, HCSB)

Jesus abandons Israel through His ascension. The length of time is until Israel encounters “birth pains.” Jesus predicted these “birth pains” in Matthew 24.

These birth pains are part of Jesus’s Second Advent. During this time, Jesus will return to avenge Israel.

“He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of Yahweh, in the majestic name of Yahweh His God. They will live securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.” (Micah 5:4, HCSB)

He stands with them and He will lead them in God’s strength. As a result, the people of Israel will live in safety. The greatness of Christ’s rule will extend all across the globe. He will bring peace like it has never come before.

But then a rebellion will occur. A group of people will decide to usurp the leadership of Jesus.

“He will be their peace. When Assyria invades our land, when it marches against our fortresses, we will raise against it seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men. They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with a drawn blade. So He will rescue us from Assyria when it invades our land when it marches against our territory.” (Micah 5:5–6, HCSB)

There will be an invasion in the middle of this peace. Jesus will bring out certain leaders (eight in total). Unlike a normal army, these leaders will not be conquerors. They will be shepherds. When Jesus manages this rebellion, He won’t use a natural form of war. His commanders will be armed but they will not need to use it. Jesus will protect His people.

The question naturally arises: Who is leading this Assyrian rebellion? Is this the Antichrist? Will Jesus return and then encounter an insurrection?