157. A star will mark the Messiah’s birth
Num. 24:17-19
Matt. 2:2
158. The Messiah will be visited by Magi (given gifts of frankincense)
Isa. 60:3
Matt. 2:1
159. Magi warned in a dream that Herod will try to kill Jesus
Matt. 2:12
Matt. 2:18
160. Bethlehem children will be slaughtered
Jer. 31:15
Matt. 2:18
4
161. The Messiah will be called out of Egypt
Hos. 11:1; Num. 24:8
Matt. 2:14-15
162. The Messiah will be called a Nazarene (Branch)
Isa. 11:1; Zec 3:8; 6:12
Matt. 2:23
6
163. Kings of Syria and Samaria will cease before Jesus is 12 yrs old.
164. Jesus’ Bar Mitzvah in the Temple at the age of 12
Isa. 7:14-17
Luke 2:41-50
The following prophesies describe that the Messiah is both fully God and fully Man. The Scriptural teaching that Jesus is God is called the doctrine of the deity of Christ. The Scriptural teaching that Jesus is fully God and fully man is called the doctrine of the hypostatic union. In Hebrews 1, Paul quotes Psalms 2:7; 97:7; 45:6; 102:25 and 2 Samuel 7:14 as prophecies that show what the Messiah will be.
Paul shows Jesus is the Creator of the world, is called God, is worshiped by the angels, and is called the Son of God.
“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world… For to which of the angels did He ever say, “YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”?
And again, “I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME”? And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.” …But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER… And, “YOU,
LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;” Hebrews 1:1-2,5-6,8,10
Other passages that clearly show the Messiah is God are: Isaiah 9:6; 40:9; 44:6; Jeremiah 23:5-6b;
Zechariah 12:10b. Micah says that the Messiah, the one born in Bethlehem, has always existed from the days of eternity. These passages show that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, who exists in the form of
God. In numerous places Jesus is referred to as “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” Jesus is never referred to as “Immanumelech,” which means “angel with us.” Jesus was not an incarnate angel, but incarnate God.
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”
Micah 5:2
In Psalm 2 we see that the only begotten Son of God is the King Messiah. This as another reference to the Trinity in Scripture:
“…And the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed (Messiah)…
‘But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.’ I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.’” Psalm 2:2,6-7
Genealogy of the Messiah
The complete genealogy of Jesus is written in Matthew 2:1-16. Through the ages the genealogy of the Messiah was revealed piece by piece. It was first revealed that He would be a descendant of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15); then a descendant of Shem. Genesis 9:26-27 declares the Messiah will come though Shem’s line, even though the Messiah is the God of Shem!
“He also said, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japheth, and let him [God – the Messiah] dwell in the tents of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant.’” Genesis 9:26-27
Then it was revealed that the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:3,7), Isaac (Genesis 22:18, 26:2-5), and Judah (Genesis 49:10). When Jacob prophesied over his son Judah he said:
“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” Genesis 49:10
Shiloh is a name for the Messiah. This prophecy is not only saying the Messiah would be a descendant of Judah, but that Jewish rulers would come from the tribe of Judah until the Messiah comes.
Historically we have seen this to be true. After the Messiah’s death, the nation of Israel was dispersed and did not return until 1948. The modern state of Israel is a democracy. There are no longer Jewish kings ruling in Israel, and there will not be a king in Israel until the Second Coming of the Messiah. See the section on Modern Israel for more details. The prophets declared the Messiah would be a descendant of King David (2 Chronicles 17:11; Ezekiel 17:22-24; 34:23-24; Jeremiah 33:14-15; Psalm 110:1;
Isaiah 11:1) and heir to his throne but would not be a descendant of Jeconiah (Jeremiah 2:28-30).
Messiah not from Jeconiah’s linage
One will notice that the genealogy of Jesus is the same in Luke 3:23-37 and Matthew 1:1-17 until you get to David. Luke continues the genealogy from David though his son Nathan, while Matthew continued the genealogy though David’s son, Solomon. Ancient church father Eusebius, in his Ecclesiastical History 1.7, explains it this way:
Luke lists the grandfather of Joseph as Melchi. Melchi married a woman named Estha and they had a
child named Eli. After the death of Melchi, Estha married Matthan, the grandfather of Joseph listed in Matthew. They had a child named Jacob. Eli married but died childless. According to the Law of Moses, the nearest of kin must marry a childless widow and raise up seed in his brother’s name. So Jacob married the widow of Eli and had a child named Joseph. This Joseph was the wife of Mary, the mother of Jesus the Messiah. So Matthew recorded the biological linage of Joseph while Luke recorded his legal linage. Matthew’s genealogy shows Joseph was a biological descendant of Jeconiah.
Muslims will say this proves Jesus can’t be the Messiah because Jeremiah records God placed a curse on Jeconiah, saying that none of his descendants will ever sit on the throne of David. What this actually proves is that Joseph was the legal father of Jesus, but not the biological father. In other words, this proves the virgin birth. Mary’s genealogy is different from that of Joseph. Even the Qur’an, the holy book of the Muslims, states that Mary gave birth to Jesus when she was still a virgin (Sura 3:47, 9:20-31)!
Virgin Birth
The Old Testament prophecies show that Mary, a descendant of David – but not though the linage of Jeconiah, would conceive the Messiah, not though sexual intercourse but by a special miracle from the Holy Spirit. In addition to these prophecies, the angel Gabriel came and directly told Joseph and Mary these things.
“But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,’ which translated means, ‘GOD WITH US.’”
Matthew 1:20-23
The Messiah will be Protected
The Messiah would be protected by angels until the time for his crucifixion. Satan actually quoted this verse in Luke 4:10-11 while trying to tempt Jesus to sin!
“No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. they will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:10-12
The Messiah’s name will be Jesus/Yeshua
The Messiah’s name in English is “Jesus.” In Hebrew it is “Yeshua.” Yeshua is one of the Hebrew words that mean “salvation.” In Isaiah 12 the words for salvation are actually Yeshua. See also the section on the Apostasy of the Church to see a prophecy in Zechariah that also shows His name will be Jesus. John the Baptist’s father, Zachariah, called the Messiah by name when he mentioned the “horn of Yeshua” in Luke 1:69.
“‘Behold, God is my salvation [Yeshua], I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation [Yeshua].’ Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation [Yeshua].” Isaiah 12:2-3
John the Baptist
God ordained John the Baptist to be the forerunner of the Messiah. The forerunner is prophesied in Malichi 4:5-6. The angel Gabriel quotes this Old Testament passage when telling Zachariah that his son would fulfill this prophecy. Gabriel instructed Zachariah to name his son “John,” which in Hebrew means “gift of Yahweh.” In order to prove John indeed was the one prophesied, the angel predicted Zachariah would not speak until John was born. This was fulfilled exactly as prophesied.
“It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE
FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17
Elisabeth, John the Baptist’s mother, also prophesied in Luke 1:39-45 about the birth of John and Jesus most complex one is the Zechariah 3 inscription prophecy that will be given in the section on the Apostasy of the Church. prophecy in the section on the Apostasy of the Church. Let’s look at the quad-word Inscription from Isaiah 8.
A few Quad-Word Inscription Prophecies
Isaiah 8:3
Hebrew plunder
Loot and spoil will be hurried off (by Assyria)
Prophetic
despised one
hurry
captivity
from the Mountain
From the Mountain (Golgotha) the despised one (Jesus) will hurriedly lead captivity captive.
Daniel 5:25
Hebrew
divided
weighed
numbered
–
You have been weighed and are found deficient, the days of your kingdom are at an end, and it shall be divided
Prophetic
2520 Jewish years till Israel is reestablished
Haggai 2:23
Hebrew I have asked
Lord
–
I have asked God for the Lord (to send the Messiah)
Prophetic
God
I have asked
Lord
infilling
I have asked God for the infilling of the Lord
The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he died. Upon seeing Jesus, he prophesied that Jesus would bring salvation to many, but a sword would pierce Mary’s heart. The prophetess Anna later confirmed this. Mary would have to see her son crucified. In Luke 1:46-56, Mary predicted Jesus’ messianic rule on earth and that future generations would call her blessed. Elisabeth, John the Baptist’s mother, also prophesied in Luke 1:39-45 about Jesus and Mary’s honor. Isaiah referred to Mary as the virgin who was to give birth. Isaiah also stated the virgin who would give birth to Immanuel would be a prophetess and that one of the names for her child would be Mahr-Shalal-Hash-Baz.
“So I approached the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. Then the LORD said to me, ‘Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz’” Isaiah 8:3
This is a duel-purpose prophecy and an inscription prophecy. Isaiah gives the explanation that the loot will be hurried off by the despised king of Assyria. “Shalal” means loot or captivity, “hash” means hurry, and “baz” means despised one. The word “maher” is left out of this prophecy altogether. When
“Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’” Matthew 2:4-6
Star of Bethlehem
Balaam saw the coming of the Messiah in a vision, which is recorded in the book of Numbers. He saw that Jesus’ birth would be many years from his time. A sign of the Messiah’s birth would be the appearance of a very bright star. Jesus was born over 1400 years after Balaam gave this prophecy.
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1,2
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; a star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, and tear down all the sons of Sheth. Edom shall be a possession, Seir, its enemies, also will be a possession, while Israel performs valiantly. One from Jacob shall have dominion, and will destroy the remnant from the city.” Numbers 24:17-19
Visited by Magi
Isaiah shows that Jesus would be visited by Kings from Midian, Epheh, and Sheba at His birth. They would bring Him gifts of gold and frankincense. Notice also that shepherds from Kedar will also visit Him.
“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising… The young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba will come; they will bring gold and frankincense, and will bear good news of the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you…” Isaiah 60:3,6-7
Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children
When King Herod heard of the birth of a King (the Messiah), he wanted to kill Him, so he would not lose his throne. Learning from the scribes that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and knowing that the wise men had been searching for him for two years, Herod gave orders to slaughter all the male children two years and younger. His actions unwittingly fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy.
“Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ‘A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN; AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.’” Matthew 2:16-18
Called out of Egypt – AD 4
This prophecy was made cryptic in Hosea to conceal the whereabouts of the Messiah until it would be safe. Herod would not be able to ask the sages where the Messiah would flee to from Bethlehem;
otherwise Herod would have sent assassins to Egypt to kill Him.
“He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON.’” Matthew 2:15
Jesus Called a Nazarene – AD 4
The Messiah is referred to as God’s branch in several places in the Old Testament. Zechariah 3 is one primary example, where we see the actual name of the Messiah will be “Yeshua” or “Jesus” and his title is “the branch.” There are several words for branch in Hebrew, just like in English, for example, branch, limb, twig, bough. One such Hebrew word is netzer. This is the word Isaiah used to designate the Messiah. In Hebrew you add a “y” or “i” to the end of a word to designate ownership. So when God says ‘my branch’ it would be netzeri. So Yeshua Ha Netzeri would be the full title of the Messiah. In English this translates as “Jesus the Nazarene.”
“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch (netzer) from his roots will bear fruit.” Isaiah 11:1
“and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’” Matthew 2:23
Samaria & Syria destroyed – AD 6
Isaiah 7:14-16 predicts the virgin birth of Jesus. It goes on to predict that before Jesus knows good from evil, (or has His Bar Mitzvah), that the two kings bothersome taszo Judah in that day would cease to be a power. These were Syria and Ephraim. During Jesus’ lifetime these kingdoms were called Syria and Samaria.
“…Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel… For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken.” Isaiah 7:14,16
The Assyrian/Syrian land was laid waste during the Roman-Parthian wars in 60-20 BC. In 20 BC, it was divided, half going to Rome and the other half going to Parthia. The last Samarian/Idumean king, Herod Archelaus, was deposed in AD 6. When Herod Archelaus was deposed, Rome chose to absorb Samaria into a Roman province. Although the people still continued to live there, Syria and Samaria as nations with armies ceased to exist. This prophecy was fulfilled within four years of Jesus’ Bar Mitzvah!
Prophecies surrounding the three-and-a-half-year ministry of Jesus
165. John the Baptist is the messenger in the spirit of Elijah
Mal. 3:1; 4:5-6
Matt. 11:7-11; Luke 1:17
166. John the Baptist cries “Prepare ye the way of the Lord”
Isa. 40:3
Matt. 3:3
167. The Messiah will be a priest after the order of Melchizedek
Ps. 110:4
Heb. 5:5-6; 6:20; 7:15-17
168. The Messiah will be anointed with the Holy Spirit
Isa. 11:2
Matt. 3:16
169. The Messiah will call God, His father
Ps. 89:26
Matt. 11:27
170. The Father will call the Messiah His firstborn
Ps. 89:26
171. The Messiah will be declared to be the Son of God
Ps. 2:7; Prov. 30:4
Matt. 3:16; Heb. 1:5
172. The Messiah will be a prophet like Moses - a new covenant
173. The Messiah will start His ministry in Galilee
Isa. 9:1-2
Matt. 4:15
174. The Messiah will appear as an ordinary man
Isa. 53:2
Phil. 2:7-8
175. The Messiah will quietly carry out His ministry
Isa. 42:1-4
Matt. 12:15-20
176. The Messiah will be protected by angels until His crucifixion
Ps. 91:11-12
Luke 4:10-11
177. The Messiah will speak in riddles so people will not understand
Isa. 6:9-10
Matt. 13:14-15
178. The Messiah will speak in parables
Ps. 78:1-2
Matt. 13:34-35
179. The Messiah will preach the Gospel (Good News)
Isa. 61:1-2
180. The Messiah will preach to the poor/brokenhearted/captives
Isa. 61:1,2
Matt. 11:5; Luke 4:18-21
181. The Messiah will heal blind/deaf/lame/dumb
Isa. 35:5-6; Isa. 29:18
Matt. 11:5
182. Jesus predicts the centurion’s servant will be healed
Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10
183. Synagogue will be hypocritical & devoid of wisdom at His coming
Isa. 29:13-14
Matt. 15:7-9; 1 Cor. 1:18-31
184. The Messiah will be a stone of stumbling to Israel
184. The Messiah will be a stone of stumbling to Israel