Topical Bible: Prophets were Sent to Predict the Coming of Christ

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The prophetic tradition in the Hebrew Scriptures is rich with foretellings of the coming of the Messiah, who Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. These prophecies, delivered by various prophets over centuries, form a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirming the divine plan for salvation through the Messiah.

Isaiah

Isaiah, often referred to as the "Messianic Prophet," provides some of the most explicit prophecies concerning the coming of Christ. Isaiah 7:14 declares, "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 interpreted by Christians as foretelling the virgin birth of Jesus, emphasizing His divine nature and mission.

Isaiah 9:6-7 further elaborates on the nature and reign of the Messiah: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." This passage is seen as a prediction of the eternal and divine kingship of Christ.

Micah

The prophet Micah also contributes to the Messianic expectation with a specific prophecy regarding the birthplace of the Messiah. Micah 5:2 states, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." This prophecy is understood to predict the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, as recorded in the Gospels.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah speaks of a new covenant that God will establish with His people, which Christians interpret as being fulfilled in Christ. Jeremiah 31:31-34 says, "The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah... I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people." This new covenant is seen as inaugurated by Jesus through His life, death, and resurrection.

Daniel

The book of Daniel contains visions that are often associated with the coming of the Messiah. Daniel 7:13-14 describes a vision of "one like a son of man" who is given authority, glory, and sovereign power. "He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." This passage is interpreted as a reference to the universal and eternal reign of Christ.

Zechariah

Zechariah provides imagery that Christians see as fulfilled in the life of Jesus. Zechariah 9:9 proclaims, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This prophecy is linked to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as described in the Gospels.

Malachi

The prophet Malachi speaks of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord. 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." This is often associated with John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus' ministry.

These prophetic voices, among others, weave a tapestry of expectation and hope for the coming of the Messiah. Christians believe that these prophecies find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, affirming the continuity and divine orchestration of God's redemptive plan throughout history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 24:44
And he said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 1:45
Philip finds Nathanael, and said to him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 3:24
Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
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Acts 10:43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Proof against the Marcionites, that the Prophets Referred in all ...
... then have been proved false, and not sent by the ... 3. But whence could the prophets
have had power to ... and previously to announce all things which were done by ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiv proof against the marcionites.htm

Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ...
... In His being sent with this new name, He brings a ... the truth of the law and the prophets
convinces him ... there are some, Christ may have asserted that there were. ...
/.../faustus willing to believe not.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... say that Christ was not foretold by the prophets of Israel ... Him who knew the necessity
of its being first sent. ... by participation in our death, and we were revived ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

John Chapter i. 19-33
... went before, it was granted to predict concerning Christ ... the Psalms, what of the
declarations of the prophets? ... 8. "And they which were sent were of the Pharisees ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate iv john chapter i.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were sent to reprove ... 1:1), and the two prophets
were contemporary, at ... They are generally understood to predict the conquests ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... for the time being, but might also predict the future ... The Lord sent apostles among
all the nations, and he in ... Ye prophets were called, that ye might be able to ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

John Chapter vii. 25-36
... [592] If, therefore, the prophets had foretold both ... Because "yet a little while I
am with you; and then I go unto Him that sent me." I must ... What were His feet? ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxxi john chapter vii.htm

Matt. Ii. 1, 2
... the auspices of a star, these believed not, with prophets even sounding ... it was to
the Ninevites only that the prophet was sent; and there were two thieves ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily vi matt ii 1.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... Their father sent them into all this misery; while ... the apostle says, "all these things
were our examples ... Those who find fault with the prophets, accusing them ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

The Preacher as a False Prophet.
... big with coming calamities, and he had to predict that these ... is always this: "I have
not sent these prophets ... it with his life, the false prophets were like the ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture v the preacher as.htm