TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Brief Overview
- Names for the Messiah
- How do we know these prophecies are about the Messiah?
- How can we rely on the claim these prophecies where made before Jesus fulfilled them?
- Messianic Prophecies
- Messiah’s Birth
- Born in Bethlehem
- Born of a Virgin
- Messiah’s Mission & Who He Is
- He Will Come From Galilee
- He will Heal the Sick, and Open the Eyes of the Blind
- He Will Be The Seed (Decendant) of King David
- John The Baptist Makes The Way For Jesus
- The Exact Time of Messiah’s Arrival, On A Donkey
- Breakdown Of Daniels Timeline
- Messiah Rides Into Jerusalem
- Messiah’s Death & Deity
- Death By Crucifixion
- Messiah Is Crucified, Experiences Horrible Death
- God Is Pierced, Jews Reject The Messiah
- Messiah’s Resurrection
- References
Overview
The Messiah, according to Jewish theology, was the anointed one, the one sent by God to redeem and save His people. He was the one that would free all people and setup the kingdom of God on earth which He would rule over forever. When He comes, the earth will return to a paradise like state, as it was originally created. Yeshua the Messiah in Hebrew, or Jesus the Christ in English is the one whom fulfilled all these messianic prophecies.
For a full study about who Yeshua, or Jesus the Christ, is
- see – Theology – Christology
Names for the Messiah
There where many titles given for and to the Messiah, but the specific term used to describe ‘Messiah’ is as follows:
- Messiah
- Anointed One (Translated ‘Xristos in Greek or Christ in English) as in Anointed King, Priest, etc.
- Holy One (of God)
- Yahuwah (Savior), Yeshua or Joshua
The word used for Messiah in the Old Testament was משׁיח H4899mâshı̂yach which literally means Messiah or Anointed One. These terms where used continually to refer to the coming one sent by God throughout all prophecies.
How do we know these prophecies are about the Messiah?
Direct Prophecy
First of all, many of the prophecies in the bible tell us, the reader, that it is speaking specifically about the Anointed One, or Messiah. In these prophecies, there is no discrepancy about who the Bible is describing.
Interpretive / Referred Prophecy
These prophecies are usually simple to pick out as well, it only takes a bit of understand the scriptures to be able to decipher them.
i.e. Isaiah 53 speaks about a person in great detail, whom gives their life up for the sins of the people.
Through Bible, it is taught that only one person that will ever be acceptable to God as a human sacrifice for the sins of other is the messiah, it can only be logically be concluded that this prophecy must be talking about him.
Duel Reference Prophecies
Many prophecies when spoken reveal two (or more) different meanings while referencing one specific subject. These are not always subtly given, as the prophecies many times goes into great detail describing both situation.
God continually uses duel references and symbolic meanings throughout his word to give His people visual understanding of proceeding events.
We find this true, even in the desert with Moses, who was to strike the ‘Rock’ that was following him only ‘once’ to make water come out! It was meant to be a symbolic & duel reference to the coming Messiah, who was to be struck ‘once’ to bring forth the water of life to all people forever.
Pictorial / Symbolic Prophecy
These types of prophecies are the most subtle and difficult. God uses pictorial displays to give us an image that describes the messiah, and/or what events where going to take place with him. It is in these prophecies we have to, first, understand what is the reference point and second whom the prophet is speaking about.
i.e. Psalms 22 describes the detailed death of a person in a manner that was uncommon in the days of King David who wrote the Psalm. In fact the only form of execution throughout all of history described in this Psalm could even relate to, is the Roman crucifixion, when taken literally and comparing all the details.
How can we rely on the claim these prophecies where made before Jesus fulfilled them?
We have multiple artifacts proving that all the information found in these prophecies was written before they where performed by Jesus, for more information,
Ancient Jewish References
Beside ancient documentation, we know the Jewish leaders continually discussed the messiah of God, and debated when he would come, similar to how people debate today about when the world will end! Many historical Jewish documents refer to these long lasting beliefs and debate, that even go on today, as some Jews refuse to believe Jesus was the Messiah.
MESSIANIC PROPHECIES
There are over 350 Messianic Prophecies in the Bible. This article will provide details for the strongest arguments in the most direct prophecies and list the rest of them separately here,
Messiahs Birth
Born in Bethlehem
PROPHESIED: circa 730-710 b.c.
FULFILLED: 1 – 32-3 a.d.
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting – Micah 5.2
In this prophecy we can see specifically, God is talking about an ‘Everlasting’ King, or eternally living person. Of course we know that could not be fulfilled by any normal person, except the Messiah. It also proclaims that he is of old, from everlasting, meaning that he has existed beyond the time frame of the creation. It is this king, that is meant to be the true ruler of Israel.
Born of a Virgin
PROPHESIED: circa 730-710 b.c.
FULFILLED: 1 a.d.
O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to weary men, that ye will weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. – Isaiah 7.13-14
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this. – Isaiah 9.6-7
This is one of the most criticized prophecy in the Old Testament because it not only points directly to Jesus, but it also tells us directly who He is!
- see Disputing Criticism on Prophecy – Isaiah 7.14
Duel Reference Prophecy
The history of this verse begins with King Ahaz (of Israel), whom was terrified of the approaching enemy armies of the north. The prophet Isaiah was told by God to give him a sign that the enemy would not prevail. The sign given to Ahaz was a virgin who was to give birth to a son. The lifespan of the child was a to be a chronometer, in that before he would fully mature, King Ahaz’s enemies would be dissipated.
These prophecies are used in conjunction and describe a deeper meaning, a ‘dualistic’ prophecy. We are given the details of a future reference of the coming virgin birth, and the one born will be the everlasting King, the Messiah.
MESSIAH’S MISSION – WHO HE IS
He Will Come From Galilee
PROPHESIED: circa 730 – 710 b.c.
FULFILLED: 1 – 32-3 a.d.
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. 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 – Isaiah 9:1-2
Fulfillment:
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to baptized of him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased – Matthew 3:13,16-17
He will Heal the Sick, and Open the Eyes of the Blind
PROPHESIED: circa 730 – 710 b.c.
FULFILLED: 1 – 32-3 a.d.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lamb 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” – Isaiah 35:5-6
Fulfillment Of The Prophecy:
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lamb walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them – Matthew 9:35; 11:4-5
He Will Be The Seed (Descendant) of King David
PROPHESIED: pre- 900 b.c.
FULFILLED: 1 – 32-3 a.d.
Go and say to my servant David, The Lord says… 5. When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up 12. thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. – 2 Sam 7.5-12
Fulfillment Of The Prophecy:
[Genealogies in Matthew 1, Luke 3]
Few Jewish genealogies (list of fathers and sons) exist today, as they where mostly destroyed along with the temple by the Romans in circa 70 a.d. All Jewish genealogies that exist today confirm the record that Jesus was the descendant of King David.
John The Baptist Makes The Way For Jesus
PROPHESIED: circa 430 b.c.
FULFILLED: 32-3 a.d.
See, I am sending my servant, and he will make ready the way before me; and the Lord, whom you are looking for, will suddenly come to his Temple; and the angel of the agreement, in whom you have delight, see, he is coming, says the Lord of armies. But by whom may the day of his coming be faced? and who may keep his place when he is seen? for he is like the metal-tester’s fire and the cleaner’s soap. He will take his seat, testing and cleaning the sons of Levi, burning away the evil from them as from gold and silver; so that they may make offerings to the Lord in righteousness. – Mal 3.1-3
Here we can see God is speaking about His servant, that is going to make ready the way for ‘Himself,’ and the ‘Lord’ “whom you are looking for.” The Lord whom ‘they’ (the Jews) are looking for is the coming King, the Messiah. The servant that makes the way for the Lord was John the Baptist, as seen historically.
John was waiting for Jesus, and began baptizing people, before Jesus began his ministry. This was to begin preparing people for Jesus ministry, in other words, preparing the way for Jesus ministry.
The Exact Time of Messiah’s Arrival, On A Donkey
PROPHESIED: 600-540 b.c.
FULFILLED: circa 32-3 a.d.
25. Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times.
26 And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: 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 even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined.
27 And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.
– Daniel 9.25-27
Breakdown Of Daniels Timeline
The Archangel Michael gives Daniel an exact timeline, describing when the Messiah will come. This Timeline begins with the decree (or commandment) for the rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem, that was destroyed by the Babylonians, and ends with the ‘coming of the Messiah.’
v.25 from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one.
The timeline is laid down in ‘weeks,’ in Hebrew. In Hebrew, there are weeks of days and weeks of years (thus we have Sabbatical, or Sabbath years). This timeline is in reference to the ‘Jewish Age,’ that gets interrupted for a period of time to allow the ‘Church Age’ to flourish, which after it is complete, will allow the ‘Jewish Age’ to resume and finish.
v.26 And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: 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 even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined
The entire timeline will take (70 weeks):
- 7 Weeks 49 years
- 62 Weeks 434 years
[483 Hebrew years total]
- [Break point] ‘Church Age’
- 1 Week 7 years [of tribulation]
The Hebrew calendar was 360 days per year.
When we calculate 360 day x 483 years = 173880 days
To get the Gregorian calendar (Westerns use) number of days of 365.25 days/ year,
we divide 173,880/365.25 = 476.06 solar years.
Beginning of the Decree
King Artaxerxes decreed the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple in 444 b.c. (Neh 2.1 – in the 20th year of Artaxerxes)
Artaxerxes accession was in 465 b.c., there is no day of month specified, so according to Jewish writing tradition, the custom would be to understand the text as the first day of the month, making it Nissan 1 (March 5th), 444 b.c.
Calculation of The Timeline
When we subtract the time the prophecy tells us to anticipate the coming of the Messiah, with the year of the decree, we get:
444 (b.c.) – 476.06 years = 33.06 a.d. (1 year added as there is not a 0 a.d.)
33 a.d. would correspond to the approx. time frame that the Messiah, Jesus the Christ, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as documented in history, then he was ‘cut off’. He was ‘cut off’ rejected by His people and crucified.
v.26 the anointed one be cut off
Messiah Rides Into Jerusalem
PROPHESIED: circa 500 b.c.
FULFILLED: 32-3 a.d.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (Israel)! Behold, your King (Messiah) is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, yet He is lowly and riding on a donkey. – Zechariah 9:9
Here we see that the Messiah King, will come first as a humble suffering servant, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.
MESSIAH’S DEATH & DEITY
Death By Crucifixion
PROPHESIED: pre 900 b.c.
FULFILLED: 32-3 a.d.
Jesus experiences a suffering that lasted all day
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou answerest not; And in the night season, and am not silent. – Psa 22:2
Jesus was scorned on the cross and made fun of.
6. But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8. Commit thyself unto Jehovah; Let him deliver him: Let him rescue him, seeing he delighted in him. – Psalms 22.6-8
Jesus suffering and death are described in detail here. The events of an execution (the crucifixion), that did not exist until over 900 years after this was written.
When a person is crucified, they pierce their and and feet v.16
We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe – John 20.25
Because their hands are nails so far above their bodies, it pull their chest cavity up, making it extremely difficult to breath. Every time a crucified person wanted to breath, they would have to pull up on their nailed down limps disjointing their bones – v.14
You suffer from massive dehydration – v.15
After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst. – John 19.29
Your bones stick out from previous torture (i.e. whipping) and from being out of joint – v.17
From the constant stress, and pressure on your body, many of the victims hearts would literally burst over time from the amount of physical strain. This would cause your body to swell with blood and water, and when you pierce someone , the bodily fluids would gush out – v.14
One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water. – John 19.34
And finally you die – v.15
People who want to see you have to ‘look up’ at you on the cross – v.17
14 I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint: My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: A company of evil-doers have inclosed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may count all my bones; They look and stare upon me. – Psalms 22.14-17
Victims of the Roman crucifixion would no longer have need for their clothes & garments after being taken to the cross. Soldier would divide their clothes, often times by casting lots, to determine who would keep them.
18. They part my garments among them, And upon my vesture do they cast lots. 20. Deliver my soul from the sword, My darling from the power of the dog. 21. Save me from the lion’s mouth; Yea, from the horns of the wild-oxen thou hast answered me. – Psalms 22.18-21
They parted my garments among them, And upon my vesture did they cast lots. – John 19.24
After Jesus was crucified, the church was established, proclaiming the name of God, what He has done, and His salvation throughout the entire world, for the Jews, and all those who fear Him.
22. I will declare thy name unto my brethren: In the midst of the assembly will I praise thee. 23. Ye that fear Jehovah, praise him; All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; And stand in awe of him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Neither hath he hid his face from him; But when he cried unto him, he heard. 25. Of thee cometh my praise in the great assembly: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. 26. The meek shall eat and be satisfied; They shall praise Jehovah that seek after him: Let your heart live for ever. – Psalms 22.22-26
All nations will know about God’s salvation, and His kingdom will reign forever.
27. All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto Jehovah; And all the kindred’s of the nations shall worship before thee. 28. For the kingdom is Jehovah’s; And he is the ruler over the nations.
29. All the fat ones of the earth shall eat and worship: All they that go down to the dust shall bow before him, Even he that cannot keep his soul alive. 30. A seed shall serve him; It shall be told of the Lord unto the next generation. 31. They shall come and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done it. – Psalms 22.27-31
Messiah Is Crucified, Experiences Horrible Death
PROPHESIED: 730-700 a.d.
FULFILLED: 32-3 a.d.
In the first few verse it speaks about the ‘arm of the Lord,’ and that He was like any ordinary, gentle man. The title given point to the coming Messiah.
1 Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of The Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. – Isaiah 53
He was despised, and experienced many sorrows, not being esteemed for whom He really was.
3 He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not. – Isaiah 53
The details about His death are given in the following verses, but more specifically the reason why He was wounded. He is to be the bearer of all the sin of the whole world.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due? – Isaiah 53
We are given details to the kin of burial He will receive, He will be laid in a rich mans tomb. His death will justify many. He will go on after bearing the sins of ‘many,’ to prosper in the pleasure of the Lord, and divide the kingdom.
9 And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased The Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of The Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. – Isaiah 53
Code: Jesus Is My Name!
An interesting note concerning a startling Bible code found in this text of verse 5. Yacov Rambsel found in the original Hebrew, every 12th letter spells out “Yeshua (Jesus) is my name.” The number 12 in Hebrew is the number that represents government.
for more information:
- see Bible Codes
God Is Pierced, Jews Reject The Messiah
PROPHESIED: circa 520 b.c.
FULFILLED: 32-3 a.d. – Future
In this verse God is speaking about how He will defend Jerusalem personally in the last days.
WAIT, look at verse 10.c, God Himself is speaking, saying, “they will look upon ME, whom THEY have pierced!” How could they have pierced God?
The Crucifix, the roman spear that pierced Jesus side. At this time the Jews will mourn “as for an only son,” for they will then realize that Jesus is the Son of God, whom they have rejected as the Messiah for over 2000 years.
8. In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them. 9. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. – Zech 12.8-10
Messiah’s Resurrection
PROPHESIED: pre 900 b.c.
FULFILLED: 32-3 a.d.
Prophecy, the Messiah (Holy One) will not be left in death
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption – Psalm 16:10
Fulfillment of the prophecy –
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it – Acts 2:24
Prophecy, the Messiah will be the Son of God
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee” – Psalm 2:7
Fulfillment of the prophecy –
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood – Revelation 1:5
Prophecy, The Messiah (Redeemer) will live, forever
25. But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth: 26. And after my skin, even this body, is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God; 27. Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me. – Job 19.25-27
Fulfillment of the prophecy –
He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. – Matthew 28.6
References
Jewish Rabbis’ Comment on Daniel Ch. 9 Agree to Timeline –
“Daniel has elucidated to us the knowledge of the end times. However, since they are secret, the wise [rabbis] have barred the calculation of the days of Messiahs coming so that the untutored populace will not be led astray when they see that the End Times have already come but there is no sign of the Messiah”
– Maimonides (Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon)
(Igeret Teiman, Chapter 3 p.24.)
“I have examined and searched all the Holy Scriptures and have not found the time for the coming of Messiah clearly fixed, except in the words of Gabriel to the prophet Daniel, which are written in the 9th chapter of the prophecy of Daniel”
– Rabbi Moses Abraham Levi
(The Messiah of the Targums, Talmuds and Rabbinical Writers, 1971) p.141-142 (These two quotes were taken from The Creator Beyond Time and Space by Mark Eastman, M.D. and Chuck Missler (The Word for Today, 1996)).
Koinonia House – Irrefutable Documentation – 70 Weeks of Daniel