There are over 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah in the Old Testament. Many of these prophecies could not possibly be arranged by human hands. Psalms 22 and Isaiah 53 graphically predict the death of Christ by crucifixion, hundrends of years before crucifixion was used by the Romans. What about the place of His birth or the circumstances surrounding the trial before His death? How about the timing that calculates to the day based upon Daniel 9:25-26? I cannot list them all here, nor all the detail. I can, however, give you a taste. An excellent little paperback you can purchase is _The Prophets Still Speak_ by Fred John Meldau. Here is an example from his book under a section entitled, "A Brief Summary of the Prophecies." (c)*
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Let us briefly trace a few of the outstanding points in the comparison of Old Testament prediction and New Testament fulfillment. The work of redemption was to be accomplished by one person, the central figure in both Testaments, the promised Messiah. As the seed of the woman, He was to bruise Satan's head (Gen. 3:15; cp. Gal. 4:4). As the seed of Abraham (Gen. 22:18; cp. Gal. 3:16) and the seed of David (Ps. 132:11; Jer. 23:5; cp. Acts 13:23), He was to come from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10; cp. Heb. 7:14).
The Messiah was to come at a specific time (Gen. 49:10; Dan. 9:24-25; cp. Lk. 2:1-2) and be born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; cp. Mt. 1:18-23) in Bethlehem of Judea (Mic. 5:2; cp. Mt. 2:1; Lk. 2:4-5). Great persons were to visit and adore Him (Ps. 72:10; cp. Mt. 2:1-11). Through the rage of a jealous king, innocent children were to be slaughtered (Jer. 31:15; cp. Mt. 2:16-18).
He was to be preceded by a forerunner, John the Baptist, before entering His public ministry (Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1; cp. Mt. 3:1-3; Lk 1:17).
He was to be a prophet like Moses (Dt. 18:18; cp. Acts 3:20-22) and have a special anointing of the Holy Spirit (Ps. 45:7; Isa. 11:2; 61:1-2; cp. Mt. 3:16; Lk. 4:15-21, 43). He was to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4; cp. Heb. 5:5-6). As the servant of the Lord, He was to be a faithful and patient Redeemer, for the Gentiles as well as the Jews (Isa. 42:1-4; cp. Mt. 12:18-21).
The Messiah's ministry was to begin in Galilee (Isa. 9:1-2; cp. Mt. 4:12-17, 23). Later He was to enter Jerusalem (Zech. 9:9; cp. Mt. 21:1-5) to bring salvation. He was also to enter the Temple (Hag. 2:7-9; Mal. 3:1; cp. Mt. 21:12).
His zeal for the Lord was to be remarkable (Ps. 69:9; cp. Jn. 2:17). His manner of teaching was to be by parables (Ps. 78:2; cp. Mt. 13:34-35), and His ministry was to be characterized by miracles (Isa. 35:5-6; cp. Mt. 11:4-6; Jn. 11:47). He was to be rejected by His brethren (Ps. 69:8; Isa. 53:3; cp. Jn. 1:11; 7:5) and be a "stone of stumbling" to the Jews and a "rock of offense" (Isa. 8:14; cp. Rom. 9:32-33; 1 Pet. 2:8).
The Messiah was to be hated without a cause (Ps. 69:4; Isa. 49:7; cp. Jn. 7:48; 15:25), rejected by the rulers (Ps. 118:22; cp. Mt. 21:42), betrayed by a friend (Ps. 41:9; 55:12-13; cp. Jn. 13:18, 21), forsaken by His disciples (Zech. 13:7; cp. Mt. 26:31, 56), sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12; cp. Mt. 26:15) and His price given for the potter's field (Zech. 11:13; cp. Mt. 27:3, 7). He was to be smitten on the cheek (Mic. 5:1; cp. Mt. 27:30), spat upon (Isa. 50:6; cp. Mt. 27:30), mocked (Ps. 22:7-8; cp. Mt. 27:31, 39-44) and beaten (Isa. 50:6 ff.; cp. Mt. 26:67; 27:26, 30).
It is most impressive to read in parallel statements the prediction in comparison with the fulfillment. For example, compare the following Old Testament and New Testament passages.
Prophecy:
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting (Isa. 50:6).
Fulfillment:
Then they spat in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands (Mt. 26:67).
The Messiah's death by crucifixion is given in detail in Psalm 22, and the meaning of His death as a substitutionary atonement is given in Isaiah 53. His hands and feet were to be pierced (Ps. 22:16; Zech. 12:10; cp. Jn. 19:18, 37; 20:25); yet not one of His bones was to be broken (Ex. 12:46; Ps. 34:20; cp. Jn. 19:33-36). He was to suffer thirst (Ps. 22:15; cp. Jn. 19:28) and be given vinegar to drink (Ps. 69:21; cp. Mt. 27:34); and He was to be numbered with transgressors (Isa. 53:12; cp. Mt. 27:38).
The Messiah's body was to be buried with the rich in His death (Isa. 53:9; cp. Mt. 27:57-60) but was not to see corruption (Ps. 16:10; Acts 2:31).
He was to be raised from the dead (Ps. 2:7; 16:10; cp. Acts 13:33) and ascend to the right hand of God (Ps. 68:18; cp. Lk. 24:51; Acts 1:9; also Ps. 110:1; cp. Heb. 1:3).
This brief sketch of Old Testament messianic prophecies with their New Testament fulfillments is, of course, far from complete; it is merely suggestive, although many of the main points have been covered. There are actually 333 predictions concerning the coming Messiah in the Old Testament!
It is valuable to gather together, as in a great museum, at least some of the prophetic masterpieces scattered throughout the realm of the entire 39 books of the Old Testament, so that one can get a view of them in one group without having to travel laboriously throughout hundreds of pages of Scripture.
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* The Prophets Still Speak by Fred John Meldau is copyrighted in 1988, 1991 by The Christian Victory Publishing Co. 2909 Umatilla Street, Denver, Colorado 80211. You can also order a copy through The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc. P.O. Box 908, Bellmawr, NJ 08099. Their phone number is: (609) 853-5590.
E-Mail: AACPrfBib@aol.com
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