Christ in the Old Testament By David J. Stewart
How much do you really know about the Old Testament Messiah? Before Jesus Christ came in the flesh, what "known" facts were there concerning the Old Testament Messiah? According to the Gospels there were 7 "known" facts concerning the O.T. Messiah and His coming: FACT #1 - The O.T. Messiah (or Christ) would be VIRGIN BORN in BETHLEHEM of the human SEED OF DAVID! 1. VIRGIN BORN Matthew 1:20-23 and Isaiah 7:14 2. BETHLEHEM Matthew 2:1-6 and Micah 5:2 3. SEED OF DAVID Luke 3:15 - People in the O.T. knew that the Messiah would come in human form (Hebrews 2:6-8 and Psalm 8:4-6 and Romans 1:2,3 and 2nd Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 1:5 and 2nd Samuel 7:13,14 and 1st Chronicles 17:12,13; Matthew 21:9,15; Psalm 118:25,26; Psalm 132:11; Ezekiel 37:24-26). Matthew Chapter one traces Jesus from the seed of David; thus, establishing Christ's kingly heritage. Though Jesus had NO earthly father, Mary was of the kingly line of David. FACT #2 - The O.T. Messiah (or Christ) would have a FORERUNNER! 1. FORERUNNER John 1:21-23; Isaiah 40:3. There was some confusion in the days of John the Baptist, concerning whether he was Elijah or not. Malachi 4:5,6 prophesies that Elijah will return before the Lord's Second Coming (i.e., during the Tribulation Period). Jesus quoted Malachi 3:1 concerning John the Baptist, saying that Elijah had come. This confused some of the people, because John clearly stated that he was NOT Elijah in John 1:21. Yet, Jesus plainly stated in Matthew 11:14 that John the Baptist was Elijah. Why the discrepancy? Luke 1:17 gives us the answer... "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." John the Baptist preached in the spirit and power of Elijah, preparing the hearts of the people to receive their Messiah. FACT #3 - The O.T. Messiah (or Christ) would be JEHOVAH/ELOHEEM/EL in the flesh! 1. JEHOVAH Matthew 3:3 and Isaiah 40:3; Revelation 19:11,16 and 20:4-6; Jeremiah 23:5,6 and Psalm 22:27-31 and Psalm 47:1-9 and Psalm 96:10 and Zechariah 14:9; Matthew 21:16 and Psalm 8:1,2; 1st Corinthians 10:9 and Numbers 21:5,6; Ephesians 5:14 and Isaiah 60:1; Ephesians 4:8 and Psalm 68:17-19.