Messianic Prophecies
The Messiah will Swallow up Death Forever
Is 25:8 He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken.
Heb 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.
Jn 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
1 Cor 15:55-57 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Isaiah 9:1 - Nevertheless the dimness [shall] not [be] such as [was] in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict [her by] the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2 - The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
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Matt 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,
Key Points:
- Zebulun and Naphtali (The northern Galilee region) were the first to fall before the Assyrians (II Kings 15:29) as Isaiah had predicted, but Isaiah also predicted in this section that the same region (Galilee) would reap the wonderful privilege of providing mankind with a Savior.
- Jesus grew up in Nazareth in Galilee and ministered in the Galilee region.
- The word "nevertheless" speaks of God working a wonder regardless of what He said would happen in the previous chapters.
- The word "gloom" is a good word that reveals the sad condition of the Jewish leaders who rejected their Messiah, and in contrast the great light that would shine in the land that they so despised, the Galilee region.
- Gloom speaks of a night without morning.
- The "sea" speaks of the Sea of Galilee
- (Note: The Zohar was not the first to teach that the Messiah would appear in Galilee, and that redemption would break forth from Tiberias; but this is found in the Talmud and Midrash, from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament).
- The Lord offered His salvation first to the people in the Galilee region.
- The "Shadow of Death" can be seen from the north side of the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum. There is always a shadow on the mountain when viewed from any direction. In the history of the persecutions of Israel many families were hurled from the cliffs there.
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The Messiah will Minister in Galilee of the Gentiles, the Light will Shine there.
Isaiah 9:1-2 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.
Matt 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,
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Psalms 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
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Matt 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Luke 9:35 - And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Key Points:
- Many of the Psalms have references to Christ, and clearly speak of Jesus.
- David was speaking by the Holy Spirit when he said this.
- The prophecy was declared as God's decree.
- "You are My Son" refers to the Messiah as the Son of God.
- This phrase is applied to Jesus at his baptism (Mark 1:11)
- In the Hebrew the word "Son" was a common designation for the Messiah.
- It is very clear that in Jewish circles Messiah would be referred to as the Son of God.
- "today I have begotten you" speaks of His resurrection and preeminence.
- The term, begotten, is part of an Oriental formula for adoption used in the Code of Hammurabi.
- Proverbs 30:4 reinforces the concept that the "Son" would have a name. "Ascending into heaven" and descending was also referred to in the New Testament in relation to Jesus.
- At the Transfiguration God the Father calls Jesus the Son of God... "This is My Son, Hear ye Him."
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The Messiah will be the Son of God.
Psalm 2:7 "I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to Me, `You are My Son, today I have begotten You.
Proverbs 30:4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know?
Matt 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Luke 9:35 - And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
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Numbers 24:17 - I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
18 - And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.
19 - Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city.
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Luke 3:34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
Key Points:
- The Messianic line would be traced through Jacob.
- The Messiah is now referred to as a Star, a person who will have dominion.
- The Hebrew word "star" here refers to the brightness and glory of a celestial body.
- God the use a false prophet named Balaam to utter this prophecy.
- Although God used Balaam to proclaim His Word, yet Balaam was the instigator of Israel's sin with the Moabite and Midianite women, for which 24,000 Israelites perished. Balaam was slain. Balaam’s name became a symbol of depravity (2 Pet 2:15, Jude 11, Rev 2:14).
- Whenever Jesus mentioned the kingdom of God during His ministry, He was referring to this dominion mentioned in this passage and many other Messianic Scriptures in the Old Testament
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The Messiah will be the offspring of Jacob, the star and ruler of Jacob.
Numbers 24:17-19 "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel... Out of Jacob One shall have dominion, and destroy the remains of the city."
Luke 3:34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
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Matt 1:2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. . .
Key Points:
- When Jacob blessed his sons he seems to have split the birthright, designating Judah as a line of Messianic promise, and pronouncing national prestige on Joseph's son Ephraim.
-The scepter was always the place of authority.
-The word "Shiloh" is commonly taken to be a name for the Messiah.
- Judaism and Christianity take "Shiloh comes" to mean "that which belongs to him."
- The Tribe of Judah produced King David, and David's family produced Christ.
- It is obvious that Shiloh refers to a person because "to Him shall be the obedience.."
- After God rejected Saul, who was from the tribe of Benjamin, as King over Israel, He placed David, who was from the tribe of Judah, on the throne. The throne of Israel was to belong to Judah until the Messiah (Shiloh) came.
- According to the full prophecy Judah was to bear the scepter with victorious, lion-like courage, until in the future "Shiloh" was to descend from Judah.
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The Messiah (Shiloh) will be a King who will descend from the tribe of Judah.
Genesis 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.
Matt 1:2 Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. . .
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Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;
2 - To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
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Matt 11:5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Matt 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
Key Points:
- The Messiah would have two missions, his first coming would be as a lamb and his second coming would be as a lion.
- His first mission would be to serve man, performing miracles, helping the needy and ultimately to suffer and die for the sins of the world, the ultimate form of serving.
- His second mission would be to exercise vengeance on the enemies of God and of Israel. He would rid the world of all rebellion, including all principalities and demonic powers. He would pour out his wrath on all sinful mankind and judge the nations.
- The Hebrew Old Testament also reveals the Messiah as a King who would come to set up a kingdom. All the world would come to worship Him in Jerusalem.
- Isaiah reveals that the Messiah would be filled with the Holy Spirit, the word "upon" has a sense of permanency, and speaks of a public consecration as at His baptism.
- Messiah would be anointed to preach the good tidings (gospel) to the poor as the prophet, priest and king were anointed with oil, which typified the Holy Spirit.
- The word "hath anointed me" is mashach and is from the same root as the word Messiah.
- The word "poor" speaks of the meek and humble in heart.
- He would be sent (apostle) by the Lord to heal the brokenhearted and proclaim liberty to those in captivity. Brokenhearted speaks of those who know the weight of sin and seek deliverance.
- Proclaiming liberty to the captives was an interesting choice of words in light of the Babylonian captivity. It describes the deliverance from sin and death.
- The Hebrew word for deliverance is the same word used to grant bond-servants freedom in the year of the Jubilee. (Lev 25:10).
- Opening the prison to those who are bound speaks of the blindness that comes from the darkness of the dungeon, and the sudden opening of the eyes.
- The acceptable year of the Lord speaks of the freedom of the year of Jubilee in its fulfillment.
- In Luke 4:20-21 Jesus purposely closed the Book at the point where it says "and the day of vengeance" because this would not be the purpose in His first mission.
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The Messiah will Come Twice: Once as Savior, Second as King.
Isaiah 61:1-2 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; he has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God;
Matt 11:5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Matt 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
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Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken [it].
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Heb 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.
Jn 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
1 Cor 15:55-57 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Key Points:
- The Messiah will rise triumphantly from the dead and the power of death is broken forever.
- Yahweh partook of a human body and died that He might reign victorious.
- "Swallow up death" means to devour it completely and overcome it.
- Death can be looked upon as a conquered enemy.
- Messiah will wipe away all tears, every sorrow and enemy of joy.
- The words "it is finished" was a military victory cry, when the battle was won and the last traces of the enemy were being defeated they would utter the cry "it is finished."
- The devil had the power of death because it was given to him by Adam (Luke 4).
- When Satan killed Jesus he murdered an innocent man because Jesus never sinned.
- When death slew Jesus it slit its own throat.
- Hades is the place of death and not the final hell. All unbelievers are in Hades waiting for the great white throne judgment. There is no second chance and there is no such thing as Purgatory.
- Old Testament saints who were faithing in the coming Messiah, and had trusted in the covenant that the Lord had established with Abraham, were released from death at the resurrection and ascension of Christ.
- The gentile world who knew the Jewish God as El Elyon (Most High God) were also in death awaiting resurrection.
- At the rapture all believers of every age will receive their resurrected bodies of glory.
- All persecution and reproach for the cause of Christ, God will do away with.
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Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be].
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Rom 1:3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
Key Points:
- The Lord "swore" this promise to David that his seed would rule the earth.
- The fruit of David’s body was referring to his seed, which was Jesus Christ.
- David’s "branch" refers to his offspring and is the Hebrew word "tsamech".
- God’s promise in the Old Testament was always that He would one day bless all nations through one man who would be of the family of king David.
- The Bible reveals that this offspring of David would be a "great King", he would "live forever", and establish a kingdom "that would never end."
- 2 Sam 7 reveals that through David's family would come a line of kings, culminating in One "Eternal King" whose kingdom would never pass away.
-Matthew’s genealogy traces the lineage of Christ back to King David.
- The King referred to in Jer 23 is Jesus, He is to reign, and prosper, execute judgment and righteousness. Judah (the Jews) will be saved and Israel will have peace.
- "The LORD our Righteousness" in Hebrew is Yahweh (Jehovah) Tsidkenu.
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Psalms 132:11 The LORD hath sworn [in] truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
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The Messiah is the Chief Cornerstone which the Builders Rejected.
Psalm 118:22-23 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily.
Matt 21:42-43 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: `The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
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Matt 21:42-43 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: `The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
Key Points:
- The "stone" is the Messiah, the "builders" are the Jews.
- The Jews forced Pilate’s hand in crucifying Jesus.
- The rejection of the Jewish Messiah by His own countrymen was the Lord’ doing, and it was planned before the foundation of the world.
- In ancient times the cornerstone was the stone at the corner of two walls that united them. It was the visible corner of the foundation of the building and the starting point of all future building above the foundation. It was the most costly stone because of its beauty and strength. It was also the largest, most solid and carefully constructed stone.
- To cast aside the cornerstone would be to resist any future building on that foundation.
- The Cornerstone was the place where the building was joined and also the place where it rested.
- Jesus was not only the Cornerstone but the "chief" (highest) Cornerstone.
- The stone is mentioned in the Book of Daniel as cut out of the mountains without hands and broken in pieces consuming all kingdoms and becomes a mountain that fills the whole earth.
- The new temple will exceed the former temple in its glory (Hag 2:9).
- In 1 Peter 2:4-10 the apostle Peter gives detail concerning Jesus as the stone.
- In Romans 9:32-33 Paul the apostle speaks about Jesus as the stone.
- The Hallel Psalms (Ps 113-118) also known as "Hallel" were sung at various festivals.
- These words were sung by the Jews on the feast of tabernacles, when carrying palm branches in their hands and pouring water on the pavement of the Temple symbolizing Messiah and His kingdom.
- This hymn was also sung by the Jewish children when Christ made his public entry into Jerusalem. (Matt 21:9).
- Jesus sung this farewell hymn with His disciples as He left the Passover for Gethsemane.
- The place which the rejected Jesus now bears in the church, and the honor bestowed upon Him as the head of the church, and the triumph of His gospel in the world, all testify that it is the work of God and it is marvelous in our eyes.
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Psalm 118:22 - The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.
23 - This is the LORD'S doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes.
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The Messiah will sit at God's right hand until His enemies are made his footstool
Psalm 110:1 The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool."
Matt 26:64 Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."
1 Cor 15:25-27 "For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death."
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1 Cor 15:25-27 "For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death."
Key Points:
- The LORD said to my Lord is literally Yahweh (Jehovah) said to my Adonai (Master).
- Jesus’ argument to the Pharisees was getting them to admit that Ps 110 was Messianic.
- The LORD said to my Lord is a clear reference to the Trinity.
- To sit at God’s right hand was to be given the place of power, blessing, honor, preeminence and rulership. Literally the highest place and to share in that throne.
- This portion of Scripture promises a future and greater day of wrath.
- Jesus is ruling today in the midst of His enemies.
- When God reveals Himself to the world again, which is the essence of the word revelation, He will subdue all of Christ’s enemies under His feet.
- The "footstool" is mentioned in Scripture as a part of the throne of the king and symbolizes God's throne.
- In an ancient Assyrian relief the Assyrian king places his foot upon the neck of his enemy to symbolize complete subjugation and possession of the captured king.
- Here is a sketch of enemies under an Egyptian footstool:
http://www.bible-history.com/past/footstool_egyptian.html
- The LORD "said" is an interesting word that is only used here in the Psalms as an oracle, most likely it is the first four verses which are the "oracle of the Lord".
- It is interesting that Stephen, in dying, saw the Lord Jesus "standing on the right hand of God".
- The conclusion to be drawn from this Psalm must have been felt by the Pharisees themselves, that the Messiah, because the Son of David and Lord at the same time, was of human and at the same time of superhuman nature (from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament).
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Psalms 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
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The Messiah will be the Savior of the Whole World, Jews and Gentiles.
Isaiah 11:10 "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious."
Isaiah 42:1 "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, my Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
Isaiah 49:6 Indeed He says, `It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
Matt 15:21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
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Matt 15:21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
Key Points:
- The Gentile Savior will be Jewish.
- Jesse was David’s father. The Messiah would come from Jesse’s family line.
- "In that day" speaks of the future Messianic kingdom.
- The word "root" in Hebrew is "shoresh" and speaks of a sprout that springs up from a dead tree. Rev 22:16 calls Jesus the root and offspring of David.
- A banner or ensign was lifted up in the sight of an army, or to rally people together.
- Jesus’ crucifixion was a clear banner for all nations to see (John 12:32).
- When the Gentiles "seek" the Messiah the word implies that they will seek Him for salvation and protection.
- God’s resting place would no longer be the Temple but within His own people who would also include the Gentiles (Heb. Goyim). (see Isaiah 60:13).
- His resting place will be glorious (full of glory and honor).
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Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
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Acts 13:35-37 "Therefore He also says in another Psalm: `You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.' "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; "but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.
Key Points:
- As in other messianic Psalms, David speaks in sort of a mystical way of a future time, of a future ruler, and/or of a future kingdom.
- This Scripture was mentioned in the New Testament as a prediction of Christ's resurrection (Acts 2:27).
- The latter part of Verse 10 must refer to someone other than the psalmist.
- Paul’s argument was that David died and saw corruption and Messiah would not.
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The Messiah will be Resurrected in His Body.
Psalm 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
Acts 13:35-37 "Therefore He also says in another Psalm: `You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.' "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; "but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.
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The Messiah will be the offspring of David, and King of the whole world.
Psalm 132:11 The LORD has sworn in truth to David; he will not turn from it: "I will set upon your throne the fruit of your body.
Jeremiah 23:5-6 "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Rom 1:3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
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Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
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Matt 26:67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,
Matt 27:30-31 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
Key Points:
- The words "I gave my back" speaks of a willing submission.
- The word "plucked" speaks of making one bald or hairless.
- To pluck a single hair of one’s hair or beard was the highest insult and the greatest indignity in the ancient oriental world.
- The beard was grown and groomed with utmost care.
- It was customary to swear by the beard if it was a strong oath.
- To spit on someone was a shameful thing and among the highest of insults. (see Deut 25:9)
- To spit in the presence of a king was an act of indecency and an offence.
- They not only spat but they spat in His face.
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The Messiah will be beaten, have His beard plucked, and they will spit in His face.
Isaiah 50:6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.
Matt 26:67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,
Matt 27:30-31 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
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Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
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Matt 21:12-13 "Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, "It is written, `MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER'; but you are making it a ROBBERS' DEN."
Key Points:
- Yahweh Himself will suddenly come to His temple (as a thief, unexpectedly).
- The word suddenly gives the imagery of catching up to and overtaking His forerunner.
- When it says "His temple" it corresponds with when Jesus said "My house."
- Says "The LORD of Hosts" is the Hebrew name for God - Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of the armies of heaven will accomplish this.
- The Trinity is clearly seen in this passage.
- "My messenger" is the forerunner John the Baptist who will prepare the way for the greater Messenger, Yahweh Himself who is Jesus.
- The other verse where the messenger prepares the way for the Messiah is Isaiah 40:3.
- To "prepare the way" speaks of clearing away any impediments lying in the road (Delitzsch).
- By needing a messenger to come and prepare the way implies that the nation of Israel in its present moral condition was not ready to receive the Lord.
- The covenant was first established with Abraham, that "in him (seed) all the nations of the earth will be blessed."
- "Behold, He is coming" was a wake up call by the last O.T. Jewish prophet to be expecting Messiah.
- The Lord (Adon or sovereign Master) "Whom you seek" speaks of a longing for His return and His right of redemption as Adon.
- The Messenger "in whom you delight" is the altogether lovely One, the desire of all nations (Hag 2:7).
- His coming is certain and He will not tarry, all eyes should be set on that.
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The Messiah Will Suddenly Come to His Temple.
Mal 3:1 "Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts.
Matt 21:12-13 "Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, "It is written, `MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER'; but you are making it a ROBBERS' DEN."
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Isaiah 35:5 - Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 - Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
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John 11:47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
Luke 7:21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
Key Points:
- Messiah will be a great miracle worker (Matt 9:27; 20:30; Mark 8:23; 10:46 Luke 7:21).
- The eyes of the blind being opened speaks in a preliminary sense about the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities and returning from captivity. The secondary and greater fulfillment is seen when Jesus came and performed His miracles upon men.
- The ears of the deaf shall be unstopped speaks of the deafness of man being cured.
- It is interesting where it says "the lame shall leap up like a deer" that the New Testament reveals that lame men were healed and "jumped" to their feet (Acts 3:8; Acts 14:10).
- The tongue of the dumb singing speaks of uttering joyous praises of thanksgiving.
- The desert shall burst forth abundant water speaks of the future kingdom that the Messiah would bring and the releasing of the curse upon nature.. Romans 8:22 - For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
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The Messiah will Perform Divine Miracles.
Isaiah 35:5-6 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
John 11:47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
Luke 7:21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
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Jeremiah 31:31 - Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 - Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33 - But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
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Matt 26:28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Heb 8:13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
Key Points:
- The Lord made a clear promise in the Old Testament of a New Covenant (Testament).
- When he says "the days are coming" it refers to the day of the Lord and when he says "after those days" he is speaking of the end of days.
- Jeremiah was known as "the weeping prophet" and was comforted with this promise.
- The old covenant was written on stone, the new one is written on the heart.
- The Lord reveals that the New Covenant would be for the house of Israel and Judah, not like the old covenant but "after those days" He would write the Law inside them.
- The writer of Hebrews reveals that this Scripture in Jeremiah is pointing to the new covenant that was poured out upon the Church at Pentecost, and also upon the nation of Israel during the time of the Second Coming of Christ and of the Millennium.
- The Jews celebrated the pouring out of the Holy Spirit during the kingdom during the feast of Tabernacles on the "great day" when they poured water on the Temple pavement.
- Hebrew 8-10 speak in detail of the old covenant laws and rituals that were passing away.
- In the old covenant when the law was broken there was a sacrifice that would be given on behalf of the guilty sinner, under the new covenant the one sacrifice, Jesus, cleanses all men of all sins to those who put their trust in Him.
- Under the old covenant the law was a curse, and its power was death. Under the new covenant the law is written on the inside and the power of sin and death are broken.
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The Messiah will make a New Testament (Covenant).
Jeremiah 31:31-33 "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-- "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Matt 26:28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Heb 8:13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
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Psalms 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
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The Messiah is Forsaken by His own Followers
Zech 13:7 "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion," says the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; then I will turn My hand against the little ones.
Matt 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: `I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
John 16:31-33 "Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."
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Isaiah 42:2 - He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 - A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
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Matt 26:62-63 And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?" But Jesus kept silent....
Key Points:
- The Servant Messiah would be humble and meek and it is clear that He is an individual rather than the nation of Israel as a whole.
- He will not be a bragger or a show-off, but on the contrary He will be quiet and gentle.
- He will not use loud and angry arguments to win hearts.
- He would be careful not to bruise anything fragile or weak, such as any broken-hearted souls or weak believers, or anyone that has been crushed by sin or calamity.
- The "smoking flax" speaks of something that is just about to go out, like the expiring wick of an oil lamp. By giving His Words of life and true religion He will cause the dying flame to be re-fueled and lit again to burn brightly.
- The Servant Messiah would not be condemning in His tone of voice. He would always encourage and lift up the weak and feeble sinner.
- The words 'justice for truth' here speaks of the true religion; and laws that God had originally laid down. The Messiah would speak God’s true intentions within His law.
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The Messiah will be very Meek and Humble.
Isaiah 42:2-3 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; he will bring forth justice for truth.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.
Matt 26:62-63 And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?" But Jesus kept silent....
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Psalms 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
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Luke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
John 19:34 one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Key Points:
- Ps 22:16 and Zech 12:10 both speak of the Messiah being "pierced and Isaiah 53:5 speaks of Him being bruised and wounded, and given stripes."
- Ps 22:16 Gives the prophecy of Christ's crucifixion.
- Ps 22:16 Reveals that His hands and His feet would be pierced.
- This passage (Ps 22:16) has been corrupted by the Jews more than any other in the entire Old Testament because it is such a clear prediction of the death (crucifixion) of the Messiah.
- When Jesus cried "My God My God why have You forsaken Me" He was quoting from Psalm 22 because He had actually become a sin offering and bore sin at that moment on the cross.
- In Psalm 22:16 the verb kuwr properly means "to dig, to bore through, to pierce."
- The Septuagint renders it ooruxan "they pierced." The Latin Vulgate the same, "foderunt."
- In Zech 12:10 there is a clear statement that the Yahweh Himself will be pierced.
- Zech 12:10 points far into the future when the Messiah returns and the Jews will mourn over the fact that it was their Messiah whom they had pierced.
- In Zech 12:10 when it says "They shall look upon me ... and they shall mourn for him" there is a clear example of the Trinity in the Old Testament.
- Modern Jewish scholars have made many attempts to avoid concluding that Zech 12:10 is referring to Yahweh-Messiah. They tried to alter the word "me" (eelay) into "him" (eelayw) but they can't get away from the fact that the ancient rabbi's interpreted it as "me" and considered it Messianic.
- The Hebrew word for "pierced is daaqaaruw and is always used of a literal piercing (also see Zech 13:3, where the same Hebrew verb is translated "shall thrust him through").
- According to Zech 12:10 the Jews will one day weep bitterly over Jesus.
- Isaiah 53:5 also speaks of the Messiah being pierced (Heb. chaalal).
- He was wounded and bruised because of our sins.
- The stripes mentioned in Isaiah 53:5 speak of a beating (scourging).
- The emphasis in Is 53:5 is the fact that the Messiah will not be suffering for His own sins.
- In 1 Pet 2:25 Peter declared that by His stripes we are healed.
- John 19:37 - And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
- Revelation 1:7 - Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
- Luke 24:39 - Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 - And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them [his] hands and [his] feet.
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The Messiah's Hands and Feet will be Pierced (Crucified).
Psalm 22:16 For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;
Zechariah 12:10 "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they have pierced; they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded (pierced) for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Luke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
John 19:34 one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
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Acts 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Eph 4:7-8 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men."
Key Points:
- The New Testament applies this verse to the risen Christ.
- Leading captives bearing spoils was a common picture in the ancient world according to archaeology.
- This was the greatest victory ever.
- Jesus said that He must ascend to the Father.
- "Led captivity captive" speaks of victory as in the song of Deborah.
- Leading captivity captive speaks of the utter defeat of captivity.
- Any enemy who holds God’s people captive has been led captive.
- In relation to the Messiah, Christ has triumphed over, and bound forever, Satan, sin, and death, which once held man captive. (Col 2:15; 1 Cor 15:54).
- Gifts speak of that which was won from the conquered enemies, the spoils of war.
- The gifts won by Christ's victory over the powers of evil are distributed to His people.
- "From the rebellious" speaks in a preliminary sense of David’s enemies and in a greater and secondary sense to all of Christ’s enemies who become objects of punishment.
- "That the LORD God might dwell there" is a clear reference to the indwelling of God within His Temple, which are His people.
- Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9).
- Mount Zion is the earthly type of the heavenly mount.
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Matt 21:2-3 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. "And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, `The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."
Key Points:
- Messiah will enter Jerusalem in great humility, on a donkey (the symbol of humility). The opposite of worldly power and self exaltation.
- Riding a donkey was a sign of the lowly character of Christ, since it was a despised thing to be seen riding on a donkey, put below the horse-rider.
- This was in contrast to the Grecian conqueror, Alexander the Great, in all his pomp and glory.
- Why were they to rejoice greatly and to shout? because "Behold, your King is coming to you"
- Daughter of Zion and daughter of Jerusalem both speak of Jerusalem and the people of God.
- To be "Just" was the first virtue of a good king.
- "Having salvation" speaks of being endowed with salvation (Heb. yesha), this word speaks of liberty, deliverance, prosperity, safety and salvation.
- The colt was an unbroken animal. It describes the ass of a young animal, but still running behind the she-asses made it even younger.
- "al-chamor we'al-'ayir ben-'athonoth" means literally, "on an ass, and on an ass's colt, the son of the wild-asses".
- War-chariots and horses speak of earthly (worldly) power.
- Kings, high priests, judges, and the richest people of ancient and modern times have ridden on donkeys.
- Donkeys were considered beautiful, strong, swift, surefooted and a beast of burden.
- Donkeys carry burdens of greater weight in proportion to their size than any other animal. They bear the burdens that we lay upon them.
- Donkey colts (Heb. Ayir) are also called foals, young donkeys, and colts in the Bible.
- The Talmud states: "For the ass is not a more peaceful animal than the horse, but a more vicious one" (Kliefoth), therefore the ass was more of a symbol of lowliness than of peace.
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Psalms 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, [for] the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell [among them].
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The Messiah will be a prophet like Moses, He will be Jewish, He must be Obeyed.
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear... `I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. `And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.
Jn 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."
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Jn 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."
Key Points:
- This Messianic prophecy is recognized in both Judaism and Christianity as a clear reference to the Messiah.
- In this prophecy is one of the most specific predictions of Christ mentioned in the Old Testament.
- Jesus understood this passage two referred to Himself (John 5:46).
- Peter preached at Pentecost that this referred to Jesus (Acts 3:22).
- This Verse is important because it clearly states that Judaism would not be the system by which the nation of Israel would bless all nations.
- A "Prophet like me" refers to someone like Moses, who would hear from the Lord and perform mighty miracles like the Prophet Moses. Jesus would lead His people out of slavery.
- Num 12:6-8 "Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face."
- "from your brethren" speaks of the Messiah being a Jew.
- "Him you shall hear" refers to the fact that the Jews were to hear and obey the voice of the Messiah. The word "hear" is reminiscent of the Hebrew "Shema" – Hear O Israel.
- Whenever Jesus mentioned that He heard the voice of His Father, He was hinting back at this verse I "will put My words in His mouth". The Messiah will be the Word of God. Every word He speaks will be God's word.
- The Lord also pronounces judgment upon anyone who will not obey the word to the Messiah, by saying "I will require it of him" which means he will bear the judgment. God will treat any Jewish brother like an unbeliever if he does obey the Messiah's words.
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The Messiah will be a Priest after the Order of Melchizedek.
Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not relent, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."
Heb 5:5-6 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You." As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek"
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Deuteronomy 18:15-19 - The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear... `I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. `And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.
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Heb 5:5-6 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You." As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek"
Key Points:
- This prophecy is clearly speaking of One greater than king David.
- Melchizedek in Hebrew Melchi-Tzedek from Melech (king) Tsedek (righteous) My King is Righteous
- Melchizedek united the offices of priest and king in Zion.
- King David was not a priest, but his royal Son (Messiah) puts away the sin of His people.
- God’s sworn oath was not with the Aaronic priesthood but that Messiah would be a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek
- David died but this Melchizedek-like King-Priest lives forever.
- Zech 6:13 reveals that Messiah will rule from His throne and sit as priest on His throne.
- David had no claim to the priestly tithe and was denied the authority to offer sacrifice.
- The ancient heathen Canaanites admitted the union of the kingship with the priesthood.
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Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not relent, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."
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Genesis 22:17 - That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 - And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
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Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.
Key Points:
- The Lord spoke this prophecy to Abraham 2000 years after the fall of man.
- The coming redeemer would be from the seed of Abraham.
- God spoke of a great multitude of Abraham’s descendants but one seed.
- The promise was spoken about 400 years after the flood.
- The world had again turned to idolatry and wickedness.
- Abraham was the first Hebrew.
- God first called Abraham in the city of Ur in Mesopotamia.
- The promise included all families, which includes all gentile nations.
- Paul confirms in the New Testament that Abraham’s promised seed was Christ.
- The whole Bible is built upon this promise to Abraham.
- The promise was repeated to Abraham’s son Isaac and his grandson Jacob.
- Ancient Rabbinic Judaism regarded this passage as Messianic.
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Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families
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The Messiah will be the offspring of Abraham, and Savior of the whole world.
Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Genesis 22:17-18 "in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore, and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed..."
Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.
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Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
Rom 16:19-20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
Key Points:
- This was the curse upon the serpent.
- This was the first clear prophecy of a coming redeemer.
- The use of "He" reveals that one person is meant.
- The word "seed" speaks of offspring or descendant.
- Only one descendant of Eve was born of a woman and not a man.
- The word "enmity" speaks of warfare.
- Satan’s seed is fallen man.
- Bruising the head speaks of crushing one’s authority.
- Christ’s heal was bruised when He was crucified.
- Satan’s head was crushed when Jesus was crucified.
- Ancient Rabbinic Judaism regarded this passage as Messianic (Targum Pseudo-Jonathan and the so-called Jerusalem Targum.
- Targum Pseudo-Jonathan: "And it shall be that when the sons of the woman study the Torah diligently and obey its injunctions, they will direct themselves to smite you on the head and slay you; but when the sons of the woman forsake the commandments of the Torah and do not obey its injunctions, you will direct yourself to bite them on the heel and afflict them. However, there will be a remedy for the sons of the woman, but for you, serpent, there will be no remedy. They shall make peace with one another in the end, in the very end of days, in the days of the King Messiah."
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The Messiah will be the offspring of the woman, and will defeat Satan on the cross.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel."
Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
Rom 16:19-20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
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Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
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Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
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Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
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The Messiah will be born of a virgin, and God will be with us
Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Luke 1:34-35 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
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Matt 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: `I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
John 16:31-33 "Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me."
- Jesus Himself testified that Zech 13:7 refers to His being stricken and the sheep being scattered.
- "Awake, O sword" reveals that the Lord is in control and allowed His Son (the Messiah) to be stricken by the Jews.
- Only the Lord can awake the sword against His chosen.
- The main responsibility of the shepherd was to feed and lead, and to protect his sheep.
- My "Companion" is a reference to the Trinity, it speaks of an equal or nearest kinsman.
- He whom God calls His neighbor cannot be a mere man, but can only be one who participates in the divine nature, or is essentially divine. The shepherd of Jehovah, whom the sword is to smite, is therefore no other than the Messiah, who is also identified with Jehovah in Zech 12:10; or the good shepherd, who says of Himself, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30) (from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament).
- To "Strike" means to be put to death.
- When Jesus was smitten everyone forsook Him. They all scattered and He was left alone.
- The Lord encouraged His disciples of this event and strengthened them.
- The "little ones" speaks of the least in the flock.
- The hand of Yahweh smote the Shepherd in His wrath, that the same hand of Yahweh might be extended in grace upon the little ones.
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Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man [that is] my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
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The Messiah Will Enter the City of Jerusalem on a Lowly Donkey
Zech 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; he is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Matt 21:2-3 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. "And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, `The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."
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The Exact Day of the Messiah's Death Foretold
Dan 9:26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off...
Luke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Luke 23:44-46 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'" Having said this, He breathed His last.
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Luke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Luke 23:44-46 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'" Having said this, He breathed His last.
Key Points:
- The prophet Daniel predicted the exact day of the Messiah's death.
- According to Daniel chapter 9 there would be 69 (62+7) weeks or sabbatical years (7 year periods) after the proclamation of Artaxerxes Longimanus (ruler of Persia) for the Jews to restore and rebuild Jerusalem and on Passover the Messiah would be "cut off."
- According to history Artaxerxes Longimanus ascended to the throne of the Medo-Persian empire sometime around July of 465 B.C. and uttered the decree on Passover for the Jews to return home to Jerusalem to rebuild their city.
- 69 weeks of years = 476 years or 173,880 days
- The Decree of Artaxerxes: Neh 2:1-8 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore the king said to me, "Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart." So I became dreadfully afraid, and said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?" Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it." Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), "How long will your journey be? And when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. Furthermore I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy." And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.
- Daniel also predicted the rise and fall of many world governing empires that would appear after Babylon, namely Persia, then Greece, then Rome, and sometime far into the future (the last days) there would be a second Roman Empire.
- Daniel also spoke of the Kingdom that would ultimately one day rule the world: Dan 7:13-14 "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed."
- There is a sort of parenthesis between the 69th and the 70th week of Daniel, known as the Church Age. At some point the church will be complete and the 70th week of Daniel will begin, which is also known as 7 years of tribulation. The "great tribulation" takes place in the middle of the 70th week of Daniel.
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The Messiah's Name will be Jehovah our Righteousness
Jer 23:5-6 "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Is 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Jn 8:24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I Am, you will die in your sins."
Jn 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
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Jn 8:24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I Am, you will die in your sins."
Jn 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
Key Points:
- The Messiah will be Jehovah (Heb. Yahweh) ie. the LORD
- There is actually no "J" sound in the Hebrew.
- In the Hebrew Yahweh is the name of God (Elohim).
- The king Messiah’s name will be called "The LORD our righteousness" Jehovah Tsidkenu.
- The Branch of Righteousness is a descendant of King David.
- Messiah will reign, prosper, execute judgment, righteousness, In His days Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell securely.
- Messiah will also be called God.
- Messiah will be a child who is born.
- When Jesus said "I Am" He was using the same expression in the Hebrew as when the LORD spoke to Moses at the burning bush.
- "Yahweh" and "I Am" come from the root "hayah" which means "to be".
- When Jesus said "Truly truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM" the truly truly statement is just as much a verification of His deity because in Jewish thinking only Yahweh could utter that something was true (amen) beforehand, and with double reinforcement.
- All of the statements mentioned in Isaiah 9:6 about the Messianic Child are only true about Yahweh, according to the whole Old Testament.
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Jeremiah 23:5 - Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6 - In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
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The Messiah will Ascend into Heaven Leading Captives Bearing Gifts.
Psalm 68:18 You have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive; you have received gifts among men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God might dwell there.
Acts 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Eph 4:7-8 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men."
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Luke 1:34-35 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Key Points:
- The Jewish scholars who translated the Septuagint (Hebrew into Greek translation in 2nd cent B.C.) used the Greek word for "virgin" and not the word for young maiden. Heb. "Almah"; Gr. "Parthenos"
- The context of Isaiah 7:14 identifies the Son of the virgin as the Messiah.
- As Isaiah was speaking with king Ahaz about signs within his own family, the house of David, the Lord reveals to him a greater sign that is to occur in David’s family, the virgin birth of the greater Son of David in the future, for all mankind to behold.
- The "Lord" is mentioned here as "adonai" the sovereign master.
- The Lord offered the sign.
- "Imanu El" is Hebrew and means "with us is our God".
- A "sign" was a miracle with special significance to point to something.
- The "virgin" mentioned here is not named, but the sign was to happen within David’s family and even within Ahaz’s own household.
- The New Testament reveals Mary as the "virgin" and Jesus as the "Son".
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Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
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The Eternal Messiah Will Come from Bethlehem to Rule
Mic 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."
Lk 2:4-6 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
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Lk 2:4-6 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
Key Points:
- Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
- Bethlehem was an insignificant city, so much so that there have been almost no mentions of ancient Bethlehem in archaeology.
- Bethlehem in Hebrew means "House of Bread"
- Mic 5:2 also verifies that Messiah would be from everlasting, from eternity past.
- Bethlehem was the birthplace of King David, most Hebrew kings were born in Jerusalem.
- The first century Jews all understood the reference to be the town of Bethlehem.
- Ruler in Mic 5:2 is not the usual word for king "melech" but the word "mashal" which speaks of a civil or economic ruler like a powerful merchant, prince or king. The New testament translates the word as a Shepherd Ruler.
- It is interesting that the Magi in Matt 2 sought the One who was "born king of the Jews" rather than appointed.
- Bethlehem was located about 5 miles from Jerusalem.
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Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.
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The Messiah will be Betrayed by a Familiar Friend.
Psalm 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
Matt 26:48-49 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
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Matt 26:48-49 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
Key Points:
- Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, his Master and Friend (cf. John 13:18; Acts 1:16).
- "lifted heel against" was a metonymy for "turned against as a horse against his master".
- In Hebrew it means "thrust with the heel, a kick: to give a great kick, i.e., with a good swing of the foot." (from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament).
- The phrase, "who ate my bread," is taken from the practice of kings admitting honored subjects to eat at their table.
- This Psalm was probably written at the time of Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam 15).
- David’s familiar friend was no doubt Ahithophel, his close advisor who deserted him. (2 Sam 17:23)
- It is interesting that Ahithophel was related to Bathsheba.
- The verse Psalm 41:9 gives evidence that Messiah would be betrayed.
- Judas saluted Jesus with a kiss of peace. (Matt 26:49).
- Ahithophel and Judas had similar ends.
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Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up [his] heel against me.
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