Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:1-2; Matthew 2:1).
Micah speaks of Bethlehem as the Messiah’s place of origin since this is David’s birthplace and the Messiah will be a descendant of David (Isaiah 11:1-9; I Chronicles 22:9-10).
There will be a pre-tribulation rapture (Micah 7:1-2; I Thessalonians 4:17).
The Hebrew word avad (אָבַד) does not only mean “to cause to disappear.” Avad can mean “to cause to disappear” but it can also mean to be destroyed, to vanish, to be lost, or to go astray. It does not necessarily mean to disappear but can mean to go astray or become lost (Deuteronomy 22:3).
In Micah we see that the prophet is bemoaning the fact that the people are unrighteous and non-receptive to his prophecies. It does not mean that the people have disappeared from the earth. We see in the previous chapter that Micah is calling to the people to repent and return to God. For if the people continue in their wicked ways in the decrees of Omri and Ahab they will be punished (Micah 6: 9, 16).
Israel will not repent but Micah remains faithful. Micah begins by bemoaning his role as a prophet to an unrighteous nation. All the leaders – the nobles, officials, and judges – are corrupt. The people listen to false prophets but when they expect good based upon false prophecies Micah says that they will only reap punishment. Micah declares that despite the people’s shortcomings he will remain faithful to God.
Micah prophesies the exchange that will occur between Israel and their oppressors. The oppressor will tell Israel that their day of salvation will never come. However, Micah – replying on behalf of Israel – states that Israel’s salvation will come and that day will bring punishment to the oppressor nations.
The chapter ends with Micah asking for God’s blessings and protection for Israel. God responds by offering a pledge of great miracles. Micah goes on to describe the final humbling of the nations and their future reverence for God. This chapter closes with Micah asking God to fulfill His promises to the patriarchs to preserve their descendents and give them the Land of Israel.
Pre-tribulation is not a (Christian) Biblical idea. Matthew explicitly states that Jesus taught that there will be only one rapture at the end times (Matthew 24:29-31). Paul also taught that there would be only one rapture (I Corinthians 15:23-24).
