Topical Bible: Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Mission of Jesus Predicted

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The mission of Jesus Christ, as foretold in the Old Testament, is a central theme in biblical prophecy. These prophecies, written centuries before His birth, detail various aspects of His life, ministry, death, and resurrection, affirming His role as the Messiah and Savior of humanity.

Birth and Lineage

The prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus is found in Isaiah 7:14, which states, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy is fulfilled in the New Testament, as recorded in Matthew 1:22-23, where the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary is described as the fulfillment of Isaiah's words.

Furthermore, the lineage of Jesus is prophesied in the Old Testament. In Genesis 49:10, it is foretold that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah: "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples." This is confirmed in the genealogies presented in Matthew 1 and Luke 3, which trace Jesus' ancestry to Judah.

Ministry and Message

The mission of Jesus as a preacher and healer is prophesied in Isaiah 61:1-2: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners." Jesus Himself reads this passage in the synagogue, as recorded in Luke 4:18-21, and declares, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Additionally, the nature of Jesus' teaching is foreshadowed in Deuteronomy 18:18, where God promises Moses, "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him." Jesus is recognized as this prophet, as seen in John 6:14, where the people declare, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."

Suffering and Sacrifice

The suffering and sacrificial death of Jesus are vividly depicted in Isaiah 53, often referred to as the "Suffering Servant" passage. Isaiah 53:5 states, "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." This prophecy is fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus, as described in the Gospels, where He is pierced and suffers for the sins of humanity.

Psalm 22 also provides a prophetic glimpse into the suffering of the Messiah, with verses such as Psalm 22:16, "For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet." This is mirrored in the New Testament accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, where His hands and feet are nailed to the cross.

Resurrection and Victory

The resurrection of Jesus is foreshadowed in Psalm 16:10, "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay." This prophecy is cited by Peter in Acts 2:27-31 as being fulfilled in Jesus' resurrection, affirming that He did not see decay and was raised from the dead.

Moreover, the victory of the Messiah over death is prophesied in Isaiah 25:8, "He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face." This victory is realized in the resurrection of Jesus, as proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, where Paul declares that death has been swallowed up in victory through Christ.

These prophecies, among others, collectively portray the mission of Jesus as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, as foretold by the prophets. Through His birth, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfills the ancient promises and establishes the foundation for the New Covenant.

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Psalm 68:18
You have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive: you have received gifts for men; yes, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
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The Sibylline Oracles.
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