Why Do We Believe That Jesus Is The Christ: Old Testament Prophecies Concerning CHRIST

Why we believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the CHRIST : Old Testament Prophecies concerning CHRIST

Prior to the birth of JesusChrist of Nazareth, His coming to earth is preluded by scores of prophecies prophesied by great men of God in the Old Testament. These men who prophesied about him are trusted servants of God who include King David, Prophet Daniel, Prophet Isaiah. Prohet Jeremiah, Prophet Zechariah, Prophet Micah . We believe that JesusChrist testimonies are valid because they are supported by Old Testament prophecies. These prophecies were revealed several hundred years before the actual birth of Christ. In this article I list some of these prophecies and their fulfillment in the life of JesusChrist.

Isaiah 11 : 1-5 Prophecies concerning Christ family and anointing.

"Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot - yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old . And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,.the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

King David was one of Jesus ancestors. Matthew 1 : 1-17 reveals Jesus Genealogy.

Prophecies Concerning Christ Birth

Micah 5: 2 Birthplace:

But you Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah , yet a ruler of

Israel will come from you ,one whose origins are from the distant past.

JesusChrist was born in Bethlehem. ( Matthew 2 : 1)

Isaiah 7 :14 Virgin Birth

" All right then, the Lord Himself will choose the sign. Look ! The virgin will

conceive a child ! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel-

‘God is with us.'

JesusChrist was born of the virgin Mary (Matthew 1: 20- 21).

Isaiah 9: 1-2 Where Christ started his ministry

"Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will soon be humbled , but there will be a time in the future

when Galilee of the Gentiles , which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see s great light - a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow."

Fulfillment of Isaiah 9 : 1- 2 is in Matthew 4 : 15 -16

Jesus started his ministry in Galilee

Isaiah 9 :6 - 7 : Christ dominion and authority

For a child is born to us , a son is given to us . And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles : Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace. .

Palm Sunday prophesied (Christ triumphant entry to Jerusalem.)

Zechariah 9 : 9 - 10

Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion ! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look your king is coming to you . He is rightrous and victorious., yet he is humble ,riding on a donkey- even on a donkey's colt.

Jesus rode on a donkey during his triumphant entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Fulfillment in Luke 19 : 28-38

Prophecies concerning Christ Sufferings, Crucifixion, Death and Agony:

Psalm 22 : 14 - 18 :

"My life is poured out like water , and all my bones are out of joint, My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tonque sticks to the roof of my mouth.You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes on me . They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count every bone in my body . My enemies stare at me and gloat.They divide my clothes among themselves and throw dice for my garments."

Psalm 69 : 19-21 :

"You know the insults I endure - the humiliation and disgrace. You have seen all my enemies and know what they have said.Their insults have broken my heart and I am in despair. If only one person Would show me some pity. If only one person would turn and comfort me.But instead , they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine to satisfy my thirst.

Isaiah 50 : 5-6:

"The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me , and I have listened . I do not rebel or turn away . I give my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pull out my beard .I do not hide from shame , for they mock me and spit at my face."

Fullfillment of Christ crucifixion and death found in Matthew Ch. 27 : 32-50

Resurrection of Christ prophesied

Psalm 16 : 10

"For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in grave. "

Ascension of Christ prophesied :

Psalm 68 : 18

When you ascended to the heights , you led a crowd of captives . You received gifts from the people , even from those who rebelled against you. Now the Lord God will live among us here

Christ as seen by the Prophet Daniel

Daniel 7 : 13 -14 :

As my vision continued that night, I saw someone who looked like a man coming with the clouds of heaven .He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence . He was given authority ,honor and royal power over all the nations of the world , so that people of every race would obey him. His rule is eternal- it will never end . His kingdom will never be destroyed.

The Coming of Christ in Prophet Zechariah's Vision :

Zechariah :2 : 10-11

"Shout and be glad , O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming and will live among you," declares the Lord ".Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.".

The Second Coming of Christ as prophesied by Zechariah :

Zechariah 14 : 4 - 5

"On that day his feet will stand on Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by my mountain valley , for it will extend to Azel.You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him."

Zechariah 12 : 10

"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication . They will look on me, the one they have pierced ," and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child , and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

King David address Christ as his Lord.

Psalm 110 : 1-2

"The Lord says to my Lord :'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.' The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion ; you will rule in the midst of your enemies.'

The Christ as the Son of God

Jesus quoted this verse in Mark 12:35-37 to show that the Messiah would not be merely human military leader, as many jews expected. Here David refers to the coming King as "my Lord." If the Messiah were strictly his human descendant, David would not address Him so respectfully.

These verses are just several prophecies selected from scores of prophecies in the Old Teatament . There are many other Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ. I just selected the major prophecies which reveal His divinity. JesusChrist is not merely a man, or just merely a prophet as believed by some religion . To deny His divinity is to reject His salvation. The CHRIST is the Son of God.

SOURCE : Selected verses from the Holy Bible

New Living Translation

New International version