The coming of the Messiah into the temple is a significant event prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. This entry explores the prophetic declarations and their fulfillment in the life of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Scriptures.

Prophetic Background

The prophecy concerning the Messiah's coming into the temple is primarily found in the book of Malachi. Malachi 3:1 states, "Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming, says the LORD of Hosts."

This prophecy speaks of a divine visitation to the temple, where the Lord Himself, referred to as the "Messenger of the covenant," will appear. The context suggests a time of purification and judgment, indicating the significance of this event in the redemptive history of Israel.

Fulfillment in the New Testament

The fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, where Jesus Christ, recognized as the Messiah, enters the temple in Jerusalem. This event is recorded in several instances, each highlighting different aspects of His ministry and mission.

1. Presentation in the Temple: The first fulfillment occurs when Jesus is brought to the temple as an infant. In Luke 2:22-32 , Mary and Joseph present Jesus to the Lord, as was customary under the Law. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, recognizes Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise, declaring, "For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel" (Luke 2:30-32).

2. Cleansing of the Temple: Another significant fulfillment is Jesus' cleansing of the temple, an act recorded in all four Gospels. In John 2:13-17 , Jesus drives out the money changers and those selling animals, declaring, "Take these things away! Stop turning My Father’s house into a marketplace!" This act of authority and purification aligns with the prophetic expectation of the Lord coming to His temple to restore its sanctity.

3. Teaching in the Temple: Throughout His ministry, Jesus frequently taught in the temple courts, as seen in passages like Matthew 21:23 and Luke 19:47 . His presence and teaching in the temple further fulfill the prophecy, as He embodies the role of the divine Messenger, bringing the message of the New Covenant to the people.

4. Triumphal Entry: The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, as recorded in Matthew 21:1-11 , culminates in His arrival at the temple. The crowds acclaim Him as the Son of David, acknowledging His messianic role. This event underscores the fulfillment of the prophecy, as the Lord comes to His temple amidst the praises of the people.

Significance

The fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Christ's coming into the temple underscores His identity as the promised Messiah and the divine Messenger of the covenant. His presence in the temple signifies the inauguration of a new era in God's redemptive plan, where the old covenant is fulfilled and the new covenant is established through His life, death, and resurrection. The events surrounding His coming into the temple highlight His authority, mission, and the transformative impact of His ministry on the religious life of Israel and the world.Matthew 21:12
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 2:27-32
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 2:13-16
And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... common denominator for this collection of prophecies.". ... several interesting critical
inquiries respecting the component ... him in insisting, that Christ could not ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

Introduction
... as the one who fulfills the prophecies respecting the Antichrist. ... at once seized
upon the prophecies which announced ... up of the kingdom of Christ as immediately ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/introduction.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... need is there to speak of the prophecies, which we ... knowledge is said by our Lord
Jesus Christ to be ... find some such rule as this enjoined respecting the divine ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

The Declensions of Christianity, an Argument of Its Truth.
... infidelity are the subject of his prophecies""There shall ... Respecting arts and sciences,
mankind may never have ... There we shall see Christ's glory, though we ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon iv the declensions of.htm

Subject Index
... the history of symbolical, [1290]492. Isaiah, his prophecy respecting the virgin ...
Israel. Christ is King of, [1292]267. applied to Christ, [1293]262. ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... to become absorbed in calculations beforehand respecting its dates is ... of these psalms
in Christ; and his ... in the interpretation of those prophecies which relate ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

The Opinions
... the house of Elias, whose tradition respecting the millennium ... will moreover reflect,
that unless Christ our Lord ... not that those very clear prophecies of events ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the opinions.htm

The Harbinger
... T he general style of the prophecies is poetical ... The leading ideas respecting MESSIAH'S
appearance, suggested by ... excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon ii the harbinger.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... Hosea, his prophecies respecting the things of the gospel, [858]375 ... says of,
[955]437; predictions respecting, [956]441 ... effected in the person of Christ, [960] ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... performed by him, and the prophecies fulfilled in him ... is pregnant with the deepest
meaning respecting the counsel ... many." Thus the manhood of Christ, rising far ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

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Prophecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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