Jesus in Messianic Bible Prophecies James M. Arlandson Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah was very important to our Lord Jesus Christ, so it should be to us, as well. After he was resurrected bodily, he appeared to many disciples. Two of them were walking down a road that led to a village called Emmaus. They recounted the recent events and their disappointment that Jesus had not redeemed Israel. But they were amazed that several of the disciples said that the tomb was empty and that Jesus had appeared to some of them. It was a surprise when a seeming stranger joined them in their journey. He asked them what they were talking about. They told him about their disappointment that Jesus was not everything that they had hoped for. Then Jesus (the seeming stranger) revealed himself to them and rebuked them for not figuring out that these things must be fulfilled. He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter glory?" (Luke 24:25- 26) This is the key verse from Luke’s narrative: And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (verse 27) It is quite possible that Jesus discussed at least some of these verses listed in the Table, below. Purposes of Bible prophecy Bible prophecy serves at least four straightforward purposes. First, it confirms the plan of salvation for humanity. God unfolds the overarching plan in partial form in the Old Testament. But he reveals it in its fullest expression in the New Testament. As we move from the Old to the New, the key is to find salvation in Christ. Second, Messianic prophecies demonstrate for us that we can put our faith and trust in the Lord. God speaks hundreds of years before the events are brought about. He orchestrates circumstances and fulfills them with great precision, as history progresses. We can therefore be confident that he has a master plan for world history. When we hear reports about disasters, our faith does not have to be shaken. Third, not only does God have a plan for the world, he also has one for our life. He is in control, thankfully! Fourth, Jesus Christ fulfills the Old Testament. We no longer live under the Old Law but under the law of Christ, which is the law of freedom and the law of the Spirit. For more information on how to interpret Bible prophecy and how the New Testament authors use the Old Testament in this area, please go to the Interpretive Guidelines, below the Table. This Table cites prophecies that follow Jesus from his birth and infancy, to his death, resurrection, and ascension—and his reign in heaven. Jesus in Messianic Prophecies Birth and Infancy Old Testament Topic New Testament Gen. 3:15 "And I will put There is enmity Heb. 2:14-15 Since the children enmity between you and the between Eve’s woman, and between your offspring and the offspring and hers; he will serpent crush your head, and you will strike his heel." say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" Is. 7:14 The virgin will be He is God with Mt. 1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth us in his with child and will give birth to to a son, and will call him incarnation a son, and they will call him Immanuel. Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." Is. 9:6-7 Of the increase of He is the Son of Lk. 1:32-33 He will be great and his government and peace David will be called the Son of the there will be no end. He will Most High. The Lord God will reign on David's throne and give him the throne of his father over his kingdom, David, and he will reign over establishing and upholding it the house of Jacob forever; his with justice and righteousness kingdom will never end." from that time on and forever. (2 Sam. 7:16) Jn. 7:42 "Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" (Rom. 1:3; Rev. 22:16) 2 Sam. 7:11-13 The Lord He is the Rom. 1:2, 3 The gospel he declares to you that the Lord Offspring of promised beforehand through himself will establish a house David’s Seed his prophets in the Holy for you . "I will raise up Scriptures regarding his Son your offspring to succeed who as to human nature was a you, who will come out of descendant of David . your body, and I will establish his kingdom . I Lk. 1:32-33 "He will be great will establish the throne of his and will be called the Son of the kingdom forever." Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Mic. 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem He is the eternal Lk. 1:32-33 "He will be great Ephrathah, though you are Ruler and will be called the Son of the small among the clans of Most High. The Lord God will Judah, out of you will come give him the throne of his father for me one who will be ruler David, and he will reign over over Israel, whose origins are the house of Jacob forever; his from of old, from ancient kingdom will never end." times." [or from days of eternity] Is. 9:6 For to us a child is He is the Mighty Jn. 1:1 In the beginning was the born, to us a son is given, and God Word, and the Word was with the government will be on his God, and the Word was God. shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is. 9:6-7 For to us a child is He is the Prince Jn. 14:27; 16:33 "Peace I leave born, to us a son is given, and of Peace with you; my peace I give you. I the government will be on his do not give to you as the world shoulders. And he will be gives. Do not let your hearts be called Wonderful Counselor, troubled and do not be afraid. " Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of Jn. 16:33 "I have told you these the increase of his things, so that in me you may government and peace there have peace. In this world you will be no end. (Mic. 5:5) will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (Eph. 2:14-17) Hos. 11:1 And out of Egypt I Jesus is returned Mt. 2:14-15 So [Joseph] got up, called my son. from Egypt took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." Jer. 31:15 This is what the Rachel weeps for Mt. 2:16-18 When Herod LORD says: "A voice is her children realized that he had been heard in Ramah, mourning outwitted by the Magi, he was and great weeping, Rachel furious, and he gave orders to weeping for her children and kill all the boys in Bethlehem refusing to be comforted, and its vicinity who were two because her children are no years old and under, in more." accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." Is. 11:2 The Spirit of the He is anointed Mt. 3:16 As soon as Jesus was LORD will rest on him— the with the Spirit of baptized . At that moment Spirit of wisdom and of the Lord heaven was opened, and he saw understanding, the Spirit of the Spirit of God descending counsel and of power, the like a dove and lighting on him. Spirit of knowledge and of (Lk. 3:21-22) the fear of the LORD. Gen. 49:10 The scepter will He is the Ruler Mt. 2:6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in not depart from Judah, nor the from Judah the land of Judah, are by no ruler's staff from between his means least among the rulers of feet, until he comes to whom Judah; for out of you will come it belongs and the obedience a ruler who will be the shepherd of the nations is his. of my people Israel.'" (Heb. 7:14; Rev 5:5) Ps. 8:5 You made him a little He is incarnated Heb. 2:9 But we see Jesus, who lower than the heavenly as a man, lower was made a little lower than the beings and crowned him with than angels angels, now crowned with glory glory and honor. and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Is. 11:10 A shoot will come He is the Root of Lk.