```` The Old Testament prophecies proving Jesus is the promised Messiah.

Jesus was the Messiah, Long-Promised to the Hebrews

The Old Testament of the Bible contains well over 300 prophetical messages concerning a future Messiah that would be King of Israel and Saviour to His people. A majority of these prophecies are in the Books of Isaiah and Psalms but every book of the Old Testament contains something about the anticipation of a coming Messiah. That a Messiah, a King, was promised in the Hebrew Scriptures was very widely known and undisputed. For example, Herod when he heard from the wise men that a King was born was so fearful of his own position that he had every boy in Bethlehem killed. Much less well known, was what this Messiah King would really be like. This was due to misunderstanding and lack of careful study of the prophecies. For example the Jews expected an ordinary man descended from King David and not God, or a Son of God. They were not expecting a rabbi from Galilee and would probably have been more receptive to a revolutionary who would deliver Israel from all political and military oppressors. So Jesus didn't fit their picture of who the Messiah should be. Having said that, the nature of the prophetic writings are so diverse that it would have been very difficult to anticipate the nature of their fulfilment, and especially in one person. It is really only as we see the life of the actual Jesus, that we can realise how Jesus does fulfil every ancient prophecy as it is correctly interpreted. And that is of course what Jesus' disciples and many others came to realise. And it is therefore understandable, though still remarkable, that the New Testament writings include statements confirming every foreseen Old Testament prophecy in the life and work of Jesus, and his second coming.

The circumstances in which these Old Testament prophecies were written were varied. Many were inspired messages given by God to individuals; some were songs of praise perhaps with unknown immediate circumstances but also having future deeper meaning and fulfilment; others were events and people which picture some aspect of the coming Messiah; some were promises made by God to individuals. That these prophecies have been fulfilled in the life and work of Jesus is a most amazing confirmation of the inspiration of Scripture and that Jesus was and is the promised Messiah and Saviour. That this could happen by chance is unbelievable. That God has made these events known beforehand is to our great benefit: to him who is outside time, the future is already determined and is as unchangeable as history is to us.

There are too many prophecies to consider on this one page so some key ones have been selected for our consideration. We will see how the Messiah is described as God's Son, a great King, a High Priest and a great teacher and leader who would establish a Kingdom based on righteousness. And that he is also described as one who would be disrespected and rejected, betrayed and wounded and even to suffer death as an offering for sin. We will see that many exact details are given such as the Virgin birth; his birth in Bethlehem, his genealogy; his mission; that he would teach in parables and work miracles; the nature of his death and also his resurrection and ascension. Also there are some prophecies for which we do not yet see the complete fulfilment: but Jesus is coming back and some of the prophecies even in the Old Testament will not be complete until Jesus returns.

On one notable occasion when Jesus was in the synagogue at Nazareth he read from the book of the prophet Isaiah and then said "Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." In other words he specifically claimed to be that promised Messiah. He also said he had come to fulfil everything that the prophets foresaw: "Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfil. On another occasion, after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to Cleopas and an un-named friend and taught them how that he was the fulfilment of all that was written in the Old Testament. In Acts, Peter clearly declares, Jesus is both Lord and Christ. The following verses are the references:

Luke 4:16-21

He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. The book of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1-6) was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began to tell them, "Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Matthew 5:17

"Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Luke 24:44-47

He said to them, "This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 2:36

"Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."

Prophecies about the Messiah from the Old Testament and their fulfilment:

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Please click on the following links to go to the section on each prophecy.

1. The Messiah would be the Son of King David, from the Tribe of Judah, a descendant of Abraham:

Many Old Testament prophecies state that the Messiah must be a descendant of King David. King David was himself descended from Jesse, his father, and Judah and Abraham, so the Messiah would also be of the Tribe of Judah and of course, from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as other prophecies also show. One of the earliest Messianic prophecies was to Abraham that a descendant of his would be a blessing to all nations.

We are given the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew Chapter 1 on Joseph's side, and in Luke Chapter 3 on Mary's side. Both Joseph and Mary could trace their ancestry back to King David, King David's father Jesse, Judah and Abraham. On Mary's side the genealogy is even traced right back to Adam. The genealogies differ after after David with Joseph descending from King Solomon and Mary from another of David's sons, Nathan. When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he told her that her he would have the throne of his father David. Also Jesus was sometimes called the Son of David, so this was accepted in his lifetime.

The last actual King of Judah from David's line was Jeconiah and his name appears in Joseph's genealogy. But there is also a prophecy in Jeremiah 22:30 where, due to sin, God says "Record this man (Jeconiah) as childless, a man who will not prosper in his days; for no more will a man of his offspring prosper, sitting on David's throne, and ruling in Judah." This would appear to prevent any descendant of Jeconiah from being the Messiah. However Jesus was not a son of David through Jeconiah's line because Joseph was the adopting father of Jesus. Through adoption he had a legal right to Kingship but his human descent from King David was through Mary. In tracing Mary's ancestry right back to Adam, the humanity of Jesus is shown and his right to be the Saviour of all humanity.

When Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in AD70, the temple was set on fire and with it the all the carefully preserved Jewish genealogical records were lost. As a result since that time, no Jew can now prove he is descended from King David and therefore could not qualify to be the Messiah.

Old Testament Prophecy:

Now therefore tell my servant David this, ... "Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever."
2 Samuel 7:8,16
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Now therefore, you shall tell my servant David, ... "It will happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your offspring after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom."
1 Chronicles 17:7,11
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Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David's throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will perform this.
Isaiah 9:7
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"Behold, the days come," says the LORD, "that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: The LORD our righteousness.
Jeremiah 23:5-6
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"Behold, the days come," says the LORD, "that I will perform that good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah. In those days and at that time, I will cause a Branch of righteousness to grow up to David. He will execute justice and righteousness in the land."
Jeremiah 33:14-15
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I will set up one shepherd over them, and he will feed them, even my servant David. He will feed them, and he will be their shepherd. I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David prince amongst them. I, the LORD, have spoken it.
Ezekiel 34:23-24
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"I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David, my servant, 'I will establish your offspring forever, and build up your throne to all generations.' "
Psalm 89:3-4
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The LORD has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: "I will set the fruit of your body on your throne.
Psalm 132:11
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Now the LORD said to Abram, "Leave your country, and your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you."
Genesis 12:1-3
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A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.
Isaiah 11:1
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New Testament Fulfilment:

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Matthew 1:1
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The son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
Luke 3:31
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The son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor.
Luke 3:34
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He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David.
Luke 1:32
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Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. He doesn't say, "To descendants", as of many, but as of one, "To your offspring", which is Christ.
Galatians 3:16
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He cried out, "Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!"
Luke 18:38

2. The Messiah would be God and the Son of God:

An important prophecy in this connection is Psalm 110:1 which Jesus used to challenge the Pharisees on their understanding of who he was. In this prophecy David speaking of the Messiah, says "The LORD (that is God) says to my Lord (that is, David's Lord)". Jesus asks how can David address the Messiah who they knew to be David's son, as his Lord and therefore his God. In other words the Messiah would be man and God. Although it was in their Scriptures, the idea that Jesus could be man and God was not something the Pharisees could deal with and they could give no answer.

In another clear Messianic prophecy (Psalm 2:7-9), God says "you are my son" and promises to the Messiah an inheritance from all the nations of the earth as well as the right to be King. Another famous Messianic verse "unto us a son is given" and his name is also called "Mighty God" and "Everlasting Father".

In Micah, in the same prophecy that announces the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, he is described as one "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting". Only God is from everlasting.

Not only does Jesus himself claim to be God the Son and apply God's name "I Am" to himself, but this is twice announced from heaven; stated in numerous places by the New Testament writers; recognised and spoken out by many of the people Jesus met and even declared by demons. It was his claim to sit at God's right hand that resulted in the accusation of blasphemy at his trial.

A further proof of the Deity of Jesus was the promised virgin birth and the given name Immanuel, "God with us". This is confirmed by the words of the Angel Gabriel to Mary. Jesus had no natural human father, for he was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Old Testament Prophecy:

The LORD says to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet."
Psalm 110:1
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The LORD said to me, "You are my son. Today I have become your father. Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
Psalms 2:7-9
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For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
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You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength! Lift it up! Don't be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold, your God!"
Isaiah 40:9
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Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

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.
Micah 5:2
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New Testament Fulfilment:

Jesus asked them a question, saying, "What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "Of David." He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?' "If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?"
Matthew 22:41-45
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Jesus said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM."
John 8:58
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh, and lived amongst us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1,14
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Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Matthew 3:17
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Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, 'Show us the Father?'
John 14:8-9
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Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!"
John 1:49
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Those who were in the boat came and worshipped him, saying, "You are truly the Son of God!"
Matthew 14:33
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Behold, they cried out, saying, "What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"
Matthew 8:29
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Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God."
Matthew 27:54
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She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God's Son, he who comes into the world."
John 11:27
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"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel;" which is, being interpreted, "God with us."
Matthew 1:23
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But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.
Galatians 4:4,5
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Jesus said, "I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky." The high priest tore his clothes, and said, "What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" They all condemned him to be worthy of death.
Mark 14:62-64

3. The Messiah would be Full of God's Holy Spirit:

God's Holy Spirit would be uniquely present with Christ. In the Old Testament the Spirit had not been sent into the world as happened at Pentecost but the Spirit did come to such as Kings, Judges, Priests, Prophets and the faithful to empower them for special works of God. The Spirit would come upon Christ to anoint him for the highest work of all; to work with him to bring wisdom, understanding, justice and the good news of salvation to mankind.

The Spirit was seen descending upon Jesus at his baptism. John says that Jesus had Spirit without measure indicating that that Jesus was filled with the Spirit in an extraordinary way. Jesus himself claimed that the Spirit was upon him as part of his anointing to preach good news to the poor. It is perhaps a mystery to us that Jesus needed the Spirit but this appears to be the way God works. The message of good news was from the Father, delivered by the Son in the power of the Spirit. It is humbling to note that all three persons of the Trinity were involved and committed and working for the redemption of man.

Old Testament Prophecy:

The LORD's Spirit will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
Isaiah 11:2
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"Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.
Isaiah 42:1

New Testament Fulfilment:

Jesus, when he was baptised, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Matthew 3:16,17
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For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.
John 3:34
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"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
Luke 4:18,19

4. The Coming of the Messiah would be heralded by a Fore-runner:

The coming of the Messiah would be announced by a fore-runner. This fore-runner would "pave the way" and prepare people for the Christ who would follow.

Having a fore-runner may not be anything unique but John the Baptist was a unique fore-runner. Of John, Jesus said "For I tell you, amongst those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptiser". John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, there can be no more fore-runners, therefore there can be no other Messiah. John's ministry was of repentance and baptism and prepared the ground for Jesus ministry. John also testified to the identity of Jesus and named him "Lamb of God".

The religious leaders were expecting Elijah to come before the Messiah due to the prophecy in Malachi. Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew that John the Baptist was the fulfilment of this prophecy because John came, as Elijah did, to declare what God was doing and that he was keeping his word. However the religious leaders could not accept John's ministry because he declared Jesus was the "Lamb of God".

Old Testament Prophecy:

The voice of one who calls out, "Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God.
Isaiah 40:3
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"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; and the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he comes!" says the LORD of Armies.
Malachi 3:1
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Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
Malachi 4:5-6
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New Testament Fulfilment:

In those days, John the Baptiser came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!"
Matthew 3:1,2
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John answered them, "I baptise in water, but amongst you stands one whom you don't know. He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to loosen." The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:26-27,29
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Jesus answered them, "Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things, but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn't recognise him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them." Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptiser.
Matthew 17:11-13
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He answered them, "I also will ask you one question. Tell me: the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?" They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." They answered that they didn't know where it was from.
Luke 20:3-7

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5. The Messiah would be the Sinless Prophet, High Priest and King:

The three greatest needs of man are (i) a prophet to explain the meaning of life and the knowledge of God; (ii) a priest to represent man to God and act on man's behalf and, (iii) a King to direct man in the way he should live. All these godly offices were carried out through different people in the Old Testament times, but the Scriptures consistently expose a failure to find the perfect answer to these needs through the efforts of man - there was always some human failure involved within the office itself, or the people failing to listen and take action. The Messiah would be the Greatest Prophet, the High Priest and the King of Kings. He would be the perfect and highest possible fulfilment of all these roles and so supply every need of man. But only a righteous person without sin could act perfectly without any human failings, and cancel the sins of others.

The Old Testament speaks of the coming Messiah as a prophet who will be like Moses, speaking the words of God. It is interesting to note a number of other similarities between Jesus and Moses: both were subject to attempts to kill them as infants; both spent part of their lives in Egypt; both ministered during times when Israel was oppressed; Moses presided over an exodus from slavery in Egypt; Jesus is the way to an exodus from slavery to sin and is the passover lamb himself; both performed miracles.

The Old Testament also speaks of the coming Messiah as a priest or mediator between God and man. This is an office appointed by God to the Messiah - forever. Jesus is a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek; not after the Israelite priestly tribe of Levi because Jesus was of Judah. Melchizedek means King of Peace and Righteousness.

Many of the Old Testament Messianic prophecies speak of the coming Messiah as a King and having an everlasting Kingdom. Although the Kingship of Jesus was rejected at his first coming and still is by the world in general, nevertheless he does now, and always has, presided over earth as its King and ultimate authority. Nothing happens without his permission. His Kingdom continues to be established through the church and in individuals lives as they commit to him as their personal King. However his Kingdom will be supreme when he returns to earth.

Jesus ministry and teaching was and still is unique; that he was a prophet was undisputed by the Jews of his time. He taught like no other man revealing the knowledge of God and the real meaning of the Scriptures. He said his teaching was not his but his Father's. Everything he said had its roots in the Old Testament but Jesus opened up the real meaning to people who had misunderstood God and who had replaced love and devotion to God with devotion to religious observances. The influence of his teaching on the world is evidence itself of his unique ministry.

Through his death, Jesus made atonement for sin, his life was given in substitution for the just consequences of our sin who believe in his name. Jesus was the perfect "Lamb of God". He did not offer sacrifices for himself and the people as did the Old Testament priests but he offered himself as a perfect and once-for-all sacrifice.

We have already seen how Jesus is King. Descended from King David; given the throne and all authority by God; possessing an everlasting Kingdom. In Revelation at the time of the second coming, Jesus is seen by all creation as bearing the name King of Kings and Lord of Lords. At that time, whether willingly or reluctantly, all mankind dead and alive and every spiritual being will face the realisation that Jesus is King and has the right to deal with them in whatever way he chooses. But we know already how he will deal with us! If we receive him as King now he will receive us as his privileged subjects then. If we refuse to accept him as King now then we put ourselves outside his Kingdom and we are on our own facing judgement.

And Jesus was sinless. No fault was found in him. At his trial, no legal charge could be made against him. No man was ever able to accuse him of sin. His followers recognised he was not like them and everyone else. He served God and man in perfect love. Could God find fault with Jesus? If God found any sin in Jesus then there would have been no resurrection.

Old Testament Prophecy:

I will raise them up a prophet from amongst their brothers, like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.
Deuteronomy 18:18
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The LORD has sworn, and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."
Psalm 110:4
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"Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion."
Psalm 2:6

Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom that which will not be destroyed.
Daniel 7:14
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All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6
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After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and be satisfied. My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:11
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New Testament Fulfilment:

Jesus therefore answered them, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me."
John 7:16
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When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" The multitudes said, "This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee."
Matthew 21:10,11
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For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
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Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 5:9-10
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For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.
1 Timothy 2:5-6
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Pilate therefore said to him, "Are you a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."
John 18:37
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His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Hebrews 1:3
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He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
Revelation 19:16
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For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15

6. The Messiah would be a Servant and Saviour, he would suffer and forgive sins:

We have seen that the Old Testament foresaw the Messiah as Prophet, Priest and King but another, seemingly conflicting, picture is presented in the prophecies of the Messiah as a servant who would experiencing great suffering. His character is described; "he will not cry out or raise his voice" indicating his humility and meekness. This Prophet, Priest and King was not going to be like the rich and famous, coming with the trappings of importance and drama, yet through his servant nature, his poverty in material things and his great suffering, he would rise above all others and be greatly exalted.

Four notable passages in Isaiah speak of the Messiah as God's servant who through suffering would bring an end to sin. (Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-13; 50:4-11; Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12). In God's purposes the suffering of the Messiah would bring great benefit to mankind. This suffering for Jesus was intensely physical in the circumstances of his death but he also suffered in many ways through rejection, insult and hatred and ultimately the most unimaginable loss, that of the loss of favour of his Father as he bore the sins of those he came to save. The suffering of Christ was God’s plan for the salvation of the world, for "apart from shedding of blood there is no remission of sins". With sin came death, and God has determined that only the giving up of life can atone for sin; a new covenant of peace, sealed with blood.

Jesus came not for himself but to serve the purposes of God and to bring salvation to man through his suffering and death. God himself, gave himself for us that through repentance and believing in Jesus we might receive forgiveness and new life.

Old Testament Prophecy:

"Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street. He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring justice. He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set justice in the earth, and the islands wait for his law."
Isaiah 42:1-4
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Behold, my servant will deal wisely. He will be exalted and lifted up, and will be very high. Just as many were astonished at you- his appearance was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men - so he will cleanse many nations.
Isaiah 52:13-15
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He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn't respect him. Surely he has borne our sickness and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn't open his mouth. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he didn't open his mouth. He was taken away by oppression and judgement. As for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living and stricken for the disobedience of my people? They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him. He has caused him to suffer. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he will see his offspring. He will prolong his days and the LORD's pleasure will prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 53:13-10
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I am poured out like water. All my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax. It is melted within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have brought me into the dust of death.
Psalms 22:14-15
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Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn't retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness. He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob, and mercy to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
Micah 7:18-20
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New Testament Fulfilment:

He said to them, "Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Didn't the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?"
Luke 24:25-26
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For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:45
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But first, he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
Luke 17:25
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For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10
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For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Get up, and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins-" (then he said to the paralytic), "Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house."
Matthew 9:5-6
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But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.
Acts 3:18
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There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given amongst men, by which we must be saved!
Acts 4:12
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Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ."
Acts 17:2-3
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For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:3
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We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Saviour of the world.
1 John 4:14
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For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
Philippians 3:20-21

7.The Circumstances of the Messiah's Birth:

The Old Testament contained several prophecies concerning the Messiah's birth: to a virgin; his birth in Bethlehem; that many infants would be killed in an attempt to kill the Messiah; the visit of the Magi and the flight to Egypt. (The prophecy in Jeremiah 31:15 applied also to other events but Matthew 2:16-18 clearly makes the application to Herod's murderous proclamation.)

In Numbers 24:17 there are is also a possible reference to the star of Bethlehem that the Magi followed.

Christ would be born supernaturally, of a young unmarried woman, a virgin, because he would be conceived by the Holy Spirit. This would be a miraculous and unique sign to the identity of Christ. This sign would confirm the dual identity of Christ: he was of God, God's Son conceived by the Holy Spirit but also human, a baby born to a woman.

The virgin birth was a totally unique sign and to those hearing it in Old Testament times, it must have appeared most strange - how could God's King be "illegitimate"? Such an unnatural, miraculous conception can only be evidence of the activity of God. The birth of Jesus to a virgin was also announced by angels to Mary and Joseph, acknowledged by Mary and attested to by Matthew and Luke who recorded the details of Jesus birth. Possibly, Mary's pregnancy outside marriage was the reason no room was found for them except in a stable.

Old Testament Prophecy:

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.
Micah 5:2
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Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

The LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more."
Jeremiah 31:15
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Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:3
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I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A sceptre will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and crush all the sons of Sheth.
Numbers 24:17
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New Testament Fulfilment:

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:1
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Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18
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Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learnt from the wise men. Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn't be comforted, because they are no more."
Matthew 2:16-18
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Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him."
Matthew 2:1-2

8. The Messiah would be the light of the world:

God and God's Word has always had the connection with light. "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path". Light represents God's glory and righteousness, light exposes and reveals, it dispels darkness, it brings illumination to the way we should live. The first thing that it is recorded that God said was "Let there be Light" and it was good. Christ would bring the light of God to man. That is, he would bring truth, understanding and the knowledge of God. He would expose sin and reveal error and ignorance. For those that were willing to turn towards and receive the light of Christ it would become the source of life.

Jesus directly said he was the light of the world, in his statement using the name of God, "I am", and claiming that those who walk in his light would have life. John, in his gospel, gave witness that Jesus was that light.

Old Testament Prophecy:

Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105
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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death.
Isaiah 9:2
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"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the LORD's glory has risen on you. For, behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise on you, and his glory shall be seen on you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
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His splendour is like the sunrise. Rays shine from his hand, where his power is hidden.
Habakkuk 3:4
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New Testament Fulfilment:

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome it.
John 1:4,5
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Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
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This is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
John 3:19

9. Christ would have a Ministry of Miracles and Parables:

Isaiah speaks of a time coming when there would be many miraculous and unheard of signs of healing. The Messiah would confront the affects of sin upon creation and demonstrate his power to bring healing and restoration. Also in the Psalms a time was foreseen when God would speak to his people in parables.

The life and ministry of Jesus was especially and uniquely associated with signs of healing and teaching in parables. In fact, the miracles of Jesus went further than healing because he also brought the dead back to life; commanded evil spirits to depart and storms to cease; gave food to thousands and walked on water. These miracles indicate the Deity of Jesus - no ordinary man could perform these signs - and also show the love and compassion of Jesus in bringing relief of suffering and his power over the effects of sin in the physical and spiritual realms. The teaching and ministry of Jesus was also characterised by his use of parables. Jesus used familiar things, things from nature or everyday situations to teach spiritual lessons. The meaning of some were more obvious than others, but always they demanded some thought and application by the hearer and thereby engaged the hearer.

Old Testament Prophecy:

Tell those who have a fearful heart, "Be strong! Don't be afraid! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God's retribution. He will come and save you.Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 35:4-6
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Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable.
Psalms 78:1,2a
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New Testament Fulfilment:

Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness amongst the people.
Matthew 9:35
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Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don't see, and hearing, they don't hear, neither do they understand.
Matthew 13:13
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Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.
Matthew 19:2
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Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
Luke 7:22
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With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. Without a parable he didn't speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
Mark 4:33-34
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Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable, he didn't speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world."
Matthew 13:34-35
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"Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him amongst you, even as you yourselves know, him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
Acts 2:22-24

10. Christ would be Misunderstood, Hated without Cause and Falsely Accused:

In several places the Old Testament speaks of one who would be misunderstood, disrespected, rejected and hated without cause and falsely accused.

When Jesus came and claimed to be the Messiah promised in the Old Testament many Jews believed him but many did not, and that included the majority of the religious and civic leaders. Jesus did not fit their idea of Christ; they could not believe Jesus' claim to be the Son of God or accept that Christ would associate with sinners and they did not like Jesus' teaching because he challenged their religious legalism and in their opinion broke the Sabbath. On one occasion they even attributed his healing miracles to the hand of Satan rather than admit they were from God. In the end it was the claim of Jesus to be their Messiah, their King and to sit at God's right hand that resulted in their charge of blasphemy. So the claim of Jesus to be Christ and the King of the Jews was officially dismissed by the nation's leaders. This directly lead to the events which ended in the crucifixion.

Old Testament Prophecy:

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Psalms 118:22
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I have also become a reproach to them. When they see me, they shake their head.
Psalm 109:25
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Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who want to cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I didn't take away.
Psalms 69:4
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Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I don't know about. They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul.
Psalms 35:11,12
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He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn't respect him.
Isaiah 53:3
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New Testament Fulfilment:

By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive: for this people's heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again; and I would heal them.
Matthew 13:14b,15
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For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, "My Father is still working, so I am working, too." For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
John 5:16-18
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Jesus said, "I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky." The high priest tore his clothes, and said, "What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" They all condemned him to be worthy of death.
Mark 14:62-64
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Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none. For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn't agree with each other.
Mark 14:55-56
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Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus, but they shouted, saying, "Crucify! Crucify him!" He said to them the third time, "Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him." But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be Crucified.
Luke 23:20-23
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Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!"
Mark 15:29,30
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For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn't agree with each other. Some stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.' " Even so, their testimony didn't agree.
Mark 14:56-59

11. Christ would enter Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey:

In Zechariah there is a prophecy of the righteous, King of Jerusalem bringing salvation and riding into the city on the foal of a donkey. This is a most unusual prophecy, a King would not normally ride on a donkey. This must signify that this King, the coming Messiah was not going to come in a display of power with an army to conquer but in humility to establish a Kingdom of Peace.

Jesus fulfilled this prophecy precisely as he entered Jerusalem for that final time. He entered Jerusalem as its King but was rejected by the leaders of the city. He offered a Kingdom not based on military might, but a Kingdom of Peace with God by giving his life as an offering for sin:

Old Testament Prophecy:

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
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New Testament Fulfilment:

The disciples went, and did just as Jesus commanded them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them.
Matthew 21:6,7

12. Christ would be Betrayed by a Friend for Money:

The Psalms and Zechariah speak of the betrayal of one for money that was then "thrown to the potter". Like the previous example, this seems another strange prophecy and whatever the particular reasons for its original writing, its fulfilment in the circumstances of Judas's betrayal of Jesus is remarkable. Not only the betrayal itself, but also the exact sum of money, and the subsequent use of the money to buy the "potters field". This is further confirmation that Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus.

Old Testament Prophecy:

Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.
Psalms 41:9
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So they weighed for my wages thirty pieces of silver. The LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter, the handsome price that I was valued at by them!" I took the thirty pieces of silver, and threw them to the potter, in the LORD's house.
Zechariah 11:12b,13
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New Testament Fulfilment:

Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
John 18:2,3
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Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, "What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?" They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:14,15
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Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? You see to it." He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, "It's not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood." They took counsel, and bought the potter's field with them, to bury strangers in.
Matthew 27:3-7

13. The Messiah would be Forsaken and Left Alone:

There are prophecies in Zechariah and the Psalms that in his time of distress, the Messiah's followers would desert him, standing away and scattering. Leaving Jesus alone to face a mock trial which was actually illegal, cruel treatment, torture and horrific death was not the finest hour of the disciples. But who would have done better? Nevertheless their weakness would be forgiven and their time to make their stand and even face death in Jesus name would come.

Old Testament Prophecy:

"Awake, sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is close to me," says the LORD of Armies. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
Zechariah 13:7
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My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand far away.
Psalms 38:11
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New Testament Fulfilment:

Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'
Mark 14:27
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They all left him, and fled.
Mark 14:50
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Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, "You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!" But he denied it before them all, saying, "I don't know what you are talking about."
Matthew 26:69,70

14. The Messiah would be silent before his accusers and would be stared at:

Chapter 53 of Isaiah and Psalm 22, are two of the most famous Messianic prophecies. But here again we see something strange; how would this coming King, and Saviour of his people be oppressed, afflicted and even be silent as he was led away to be slaughtered. Also this Messiah would be stared at, not in sympathy, but contempt and satisfaction over his misfortune.

In the Gospel accounts we read how Christ declined to answer his accusers on a number of occasions. Their questions were not genuine and Jesus would not honour them with an answer and so he showed his authority, control and his confidence that was founded in doing his Father's will. We also read how at his crucifixion, onlookers taunted him with his own words, which in their ignorance they did not understand.

Old Testament Prophecy:

He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn't open his mouth. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he didn't open his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7
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They look and stare at me.
Psalm 22:17
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New Testament Fulfilment:

"If you are the Christ, tell us." But he said to them, "If I tell you, you won't believe, and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go.
Luke 22:67-68
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Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him. He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.
Luke 23:8-9
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Pilate again asked him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!" But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marvelled.
Mark 15:4,5
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He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, "Aren't you speaking to me? Don't you know that I have power to release you and have power to crucify you?"
John 19:9-10
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Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!"
Mark 15:29,30

15. The Messiah would be mocked, exhausted and his garments would be taken:

Again in the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah and the Psalms we see a picture of someone who is mocked and insulted; tortured and exhausted and yet makes no protest. The exact words of the tormentors are given beforehand in the Psalms, "He trusts in the LORD. Let him deliver him. Let him rescue him, since he delights in him." It is even foreseen that his garments would be taken and given away by casting lots.

All these detailed predictions were fulfilled at the death of Jesus and the evidence is recorded for us by the Gospel writers. Jesus was mocked and insulted, spat upon and struck. weakened through exhaustion and his garments taken and divided by lots. This was exactly true for Jesus at his crucifixion. Even his trust in God was derided and his torture left him weakened and physically unable to carry his cross.

His garments, by which through a touch, he had given healing to the woman with a discharge of blood were now exploited for gain and the cloak of his office was taken by the casting of lots.

Old Testament Prophecy:

All those who see me mock me. They insult me with their lips. They shake their heads, saying, "He trusts in the LORD. Let him deliver him. Let him rescue him, since he delights in him."
Psalms 22:7,8
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I gave my back to those who beat me, and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair. I didn't hide my face from shame and spitting.
Isaiah 50:6
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My knees are weak through fasting. My body is thin and lacks fat. I have also become a reproach to them. When they see me, they shake their head.
Psalms 109:24,25
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They divide my garments amongst them. They cast lots for my clothing.
Psalms 22:18
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New Testament Fulfilment:

Then they spat in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him, saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?"
Matthew 26:67,68
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They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.
Matthew 27:30
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The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
Luke 23:36,37
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They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.
Mark 15:21
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They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him. As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross.
Matthew 27:30-32
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Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. Then they said to one another, "Let's not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, "They parted my garments amongst them. For my cloak they cast lots." Therefore the soldiers did these things.
John 19:23-24
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When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing amongst them, casting lots, and they sat and watched him there.
Matthew 27:35,36
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Likewise the chief priests also mocking, with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said, "He saved others, but he can't save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' "
Matthew 27:41-43

16. The Messiah would suffer thirst, have his hands and feet and side pierced; his bones would be not be broken:

Details given in the Old Testament refer to one who would be pierced in hands and feet, would suffer thirst, would die of a ruptured heart, would experience bones out of joint but not broken. These prophecies from the Old Testament give a description of a person being crucified, a most excruciating, agonizing, horrific and degrading form of execution which had not even been known until the time of the Persians, some 600 years after David wrote the Psalms.

These Old Testament prophecies are so clearly fulfilled in the death of Jesus that it is hard not to believe. Jesus was the Lamb of God, his life-blood was shed to protect his believers from judgement and death, and bring them into a covenant relationship with God. Jesus is our "Passover Lamb". The requirements of the old Passover sacrifice were that the lamb had to be "without spot or blemish" and "not one of its bones must be broken".

Old Testament Prophecy:

Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep, or from the goats.
Exodus 12:5
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They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone of it. According to all the statute of the Passover they shall keep it.
Numbers 9:12
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In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.
Psalm 69:21
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For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet.
Psalms 22:16
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But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
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I will pour on David's house, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn.
Zechariah 12:10
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I am poured out like water. All my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax. It is melted within me.
Psalms 22:14
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He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.
Psalms 34:20
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New Testament Fulfilment:

After this, Jesus, seeing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I am thirsty." Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth.
John 19:28,29
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The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
John 20:25
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Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they didn't break his legs. However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
John 19:32-34

17. The Messiah would be Forsaken by God:

Psalm 22 verse 1 contains the familiar but terrible words written by King David "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" How could any situation be worse that to be forsaken by God? Is it a feeling of being forsaken or actually being forsaken? In Deuteronomy we have a promise that "God will not fail you nor forsake you" and this verse is quoted in Hebrews 13:5. In another Psalm we have the words "Into your hand I commend my spirit".

On the cross Jesus used both these verses. In his great anguish he cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" At his last, he cried out "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!". Could God forsake God? These words are beyond our full comprehension and perhaps it is best just to meditate and wonder and worship.

God is Holy and cannot sin nor have fellowship with anyone who has sinned. For people to have any relationship with God, sin has to be dealt with by judgment and punishment. When Jesus died on the Cross, He was taking upon Himself all of the sins of the world. If any person truly repents and believes in Jesus the punishment which Jesus bore is counted to us and our sins are paid for. Our sins are not "covered" by Jesus death, as they were by the sacrifices of Old Testament times, but paid for and cancelled. In his infinite grace, God has chosen to bear the horror of sin and its death sentence upon himself, so salvation can be as simple as believing what He says, and then receiving it as a free gift. Once we have received this free gift we start a new relationship with God.

As Jesus bore our sins, there was, for a time, a separation between the Father and Son. We cannot imagine what this was like for Jesus but we can be forever thankful that it means it will never be the experience of Christians.

The Bible warns us that if we do not turn to Jesus Christ we remain with our sin and will face Jesus as our judge - and will be found guilty. Every person has their lifetime to make this choice. But if we leave it too late, there is no hope. Is eternal punishment for sin, fair? Yes. Was it fair for Jesus to bear the sins of the world? No.

Old Testament Prophecy:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
Psalms 22:1
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The LORD himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don't be afraid. Don't be discouraged."
Deuteronomy 31:8
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Into your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, LORD, God of truth.
Psalms 31:5
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New Testament Fulfilment:

"Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."
Luke 22:42
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At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Mark 15:34
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Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" Having said this, he breathed his last.
Luke 23:46
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Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20

18. The Messiah would save his people:

The Old Testament sacrifices for sin were God's way of covering sin whilst teaching the people its awful consequence. This looked forward and should have prepared people, to understand the work of Jesus because the Scriptures often had salvation and the end of sin in view. In just the third chapter of Genesis we see that God determines a conflict with Satan who was the tempter in the garden of Eden.

The cross of Jesus was the only way salvation could come. If sin and God are real and we are to believe anything of the Scriptures, how else could salvation come? How could sin be dealt with, because good works and religious observation would never be enough and Israel's track record alone was enough to make this certain.

Jesus came to reveal God to man, make an end to sin, and defeat Satan. This he has done and there is no other possibility of salvation and no other possible Messiah.

Old Testament Prophecy:

I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."
Genesis 3:15
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The LORD said to Moses, "Make a venomous snake, and set it on a pole. It shall happen that everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." Moses made a serpent of bronze, and set it on the pole. If a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the serpent of bronze, he lived.
Numbers 21:8-9
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Indeed, he says, "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give you as a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth."
Isaiah 49:6
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Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn't retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness. He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:18-19
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"Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.
Daniel 9:24
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New Testament Fulfilment:

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:14-16
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And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
John 12:32-33
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He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8
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You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and no sin is in him.
1 John 3:5
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Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake.
John 14:10-11

19. The Date of the Crucifixion was Predicted and would be a time of Darkness at Midday:

The prophecy in Daniel 9:24-25 indicates that there would be "seventy sevens" until "an end would be made of sins." This is fulfilled at Christ's crucifixion. From the context, the period of "seventy sevens" means 70x7=490 years. So this prophecy is that from the decree to restore Jerusalem to Jesus' death would be 490 years. The date of the decree by Artaxerxes to Ezra is known precisely to be April 3rd, 458BC. Then by adding 490 years we get the date of April, 3rd 33AD for the crucifixion.

The period of sixty-nine sevens (483 years) referred to in the second verse dates the beginning of the presentation of Jesus, the Anointed One, the prince (the King in waiting) and this dates the commencement of John the Baptist's Ministry. John taught for three-and-a-half years, and then Jesus ministry was a further three-and-a-half years giving the seven years in total.

For further insight into this prophecy, see "A Panorama of Prophecy" by Derek Walker ISBN 9781650290690

The prophecies of Amos and Joel foresaw a time when the sun would go down at noon, "in that great day". The crucifixion of the Son of God, the Everlasting Creator, was the most horrific depth that sin could ever go. This prophecy has clear application to the crucifixion and is recorded in the New Testament. The Light of the World was being executed by lovers of darkness. No wonder the symbol of light, the sun, was not found in the sky. Notice the darkness was supernatural because an eclipse was not possible at the time of Passover. For further confirmation of the prophecy in Amos we also have sources outside the New Testament. Secular Roman historians record the darkness at midday: "In the 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad, there was a great eclipse of the Sun, greater than had ever been known before, for at the 6th hour the Day was changed to Night, and the stars were seen in the heavens, and a great earthquake occurred." This date is equivalent to our date, 33AD.- Phlegon's Olympiades.

Old Testament Prophecy:

"Seventy weeks (literally, seventy sevens) are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. "Know therefore and discern that from the going out of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Anointed One, the prince, will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks (equivalent to sixty-nine, sevens). It will be built again, with street and moat, even in troubled times.
Daniel 9:24-25
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It will happen in that day," says the Lord GOD, "that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.
Amos 8:9
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The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes.
Joel 2:31
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New Testament Fulfilment:

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
Luke 23:44,45
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The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. It will be that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.' "Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him amongst you, even as you yourselves know, him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
Acts 2:20-24

20. The Messiah would rise from the dead:

The Messiah would die, but his body would not remain in the grave and neither would he remain in the place of departed spirits.

The resurrection of Jesus was unique and is a solid proof that what he said was true and that his life was approved by God. Jesus was the only person ever to have predicted that he would rise from the dead on the third day. On that third day after his death, the grave was found open and his body was not found. Jesus was see alive and recognised by many people over a period of 40 days:

Old Testament Prophecy:

For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
Psalms 16:10
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New Testament Fulfilment:

But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 12:39-40
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He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:31
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Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed. He said to them, "Don't be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him!
Mark 16:5,6
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Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying, yet he didn't enter in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
John 20:5-7
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When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn't know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?" She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him, "Rabboni!" which is to say, "Teacher!"
John 20:14-16
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For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4

21. The Messiah would Ascend to Heaven:

The Messiah would be sent to the earth by God but return to the Father in heaven. The ascension of Jesus back to heaven was witnessed by the disciples and two other witnesses. These two un-named witnesses, perhaps Moses and Elijah, remind the disciples concerning the teaching of Jesus: he will return.

Jesus ascended to heaven in his resurrected (transformed) but still human body. The incarnation was not for a brief time, Jesus is still man and God and is in heaven now. We cannot imagine how great the love of God that his Son would do this forever for man's redemption.

Old Testament Prophecy:

You have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts amongst people, yes, amongst the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell there.
Psalms 68:18
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New Testament Fulfilment:

When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Acts1:9
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While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky."
Acts1:10-11
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So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.
Hebrews 9:28

22. The Messiah is to have an everlasting Kingdom:

We have already seen how that the Messiah would be descended from King David and himself be King. In 2 Samuel chapter 7:8-17 we read how Nathan the prophet spoke God's word to David promising a land for Israel, that Solomon, David's son would succeed him and build God's temple and also that a future descendant of David would have the throne of David and an everlasting Kingdom. In Jeremiah this future King is named as the "Lord of Righteousness". In addition there are more than 30 other passages which speak of this everlasting Kingdom including Psalms 2, 72, 110 and 132. Other examples are Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:6-10; Isaiah 56:6-7; Isaiah 65:20,25; Ezekiel 34:24-26 Amos 9:11-14; Micah 4:1-8; Habakkuk 2:14; Haggai 2:6-9; Zechariah 2:10-13; Zechariah 8:1-8; Zechariah 14:20-21.

The announcement to Mary "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom." by the Angel Gabriel most clearly identifies Jesus as this promised King and the fulfilment of the promise to David. The question dividing theologians is the nature of the everlasting Kingdom. There can be little doubt that anyone hearing the prophecy would have assumed it would be fulfilled literally; in other words on earth and involving Israel, but was this the intended meaning? Will Israel be given a second chance to accept a literal Kingdom on earth? The nature of Jesus reign now is from heaven and over a spiritual Kingdom. Does this fulfil the prophecies or is there a need for Jesus to reign on earth from Jerusalem at a future time? There is no doubt Jesus does reign over events on earth from heaven now but can the prophecies be spiritualised enough to be satisfied that they being fulfilled in the church age or will perhaps in future be fulfilled in the new heaven and new earth? This tends to depend on one's view of the prophecy in Daniel and the Book of Revelation, with some theologians believing the judgments described in Revelation are relevant for the church age whilst others believe they apply to a future time of great tribulation.

Relevant verses on this are found in Matthew 21:43, Acts 1:6-7 and Acts 15:13-18. In Matthew, Jesus having been rejected as King and Messiah by the religious leaders, indicates himself that he is withdrawing the offer of the Kingdom to Israel and it will be given to others. That of course opened the door to the Church but it is not in any way clear whether Jesus had in mind that the offer of the Kingdom was now to be a spiritual Kingdom. Then later when the disciples ask about the Kingdom in Acts 1:6 Jesus does NOT appear to challenge their understanding, but just declines to say anything about the timing. Also James in Acts 15:13-18 appears to say that the prophets foresaw ruin in Israel until the Gentiles were called. After then Israel will be built up again.

This does suggest that whilst the present reign of Jesus over the Kingdom of God as a spiritual Kingdom is at least partial fulfilment of prophecy, if we understand God's plans in Scripture correctly, a literal fulfilment is still to come. Perhaps it is best not to be too dogmatic but taking Scripture as literally as possible in this regard is the best policy, and God will do what is right.

Old Testament Prophecy:

Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.
2 Samuel 7:16
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"Behold, the days come," says the LORD, "that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: The LORD our righteousness.
Jeremiah 23:5-6
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It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many peoples shall go and say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For the law shall go out of Zion, and the LORD's word from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples. They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:2-4
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New Testament Fulfilment:

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."
Luke 1:32-33
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"Therefore I tell you, God's Kingdom will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation producing its fruit.
Matthew 21:43
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Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It isn't for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.
Acts 1:6-7
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After they were silent, James answered, "Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written, 'After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up that the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.' "All of God's works are known to him from eternity.
Acts 15:13-18