Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the Messiah as a king is a central theme throughout the Old Testament, with numerous prophecies foretelling the coming of a divinely anointed ruler who would establish God's kingdom on earth. This anticipated figure, known as the Messiah, is understood by Christians to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The prophetic literature of the Old Testament provides a rich tapestry of expectations regarding the nature, lineage, and reign of this King.Lineage and Birth The lineage of the Messiah is a significant aspect of the prophecies. The promise of a kingly line begins with Abraham, through whom all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). This promise is further narrowed to the tribe of Judah, as Jacob prophesies, "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and the allegiance of the nations is his" (Genesis 49:10). The Davidic Covenant further specifies that the Messiah would come from the line of David: "Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). The prophet Isaiah provides a detailed prophecy concerning the birth of the Messiah: "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" (Isaiah 7:14). This prophecy is understood to point to the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His divine nature and mission. Nature and Character The Old Testament prophecies also describe the nature and character of the coming King. Isaiah speaks of a ruler endowed with the Spirit of the Lord: "The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD" (Isaiah 11:2). This passage highlights the Messiah's divine wisdom and righteous judgment. Furthermore, the Messiah is depicted as a suffering servant in Isaiah 53, a chapter that describes His rejection, suffering, and ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity. This dual role of the Messiah as both a king and a suffering servant is a profound aspect of the prophetic tradition, revealing the depth of God's redemptive plan. Reign and Kingdom The reign of the Messiah is characterized by justice, peace, and righteousness. Isaiah prophesies, "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore" (Isaiah 9:7). This eternal kingdom is marked by the restoration of creation and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The book of Daniel also provides a vision of the Messiah's everlasting dominion: "In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever" (Daniel 2:44). This prophecy underscores the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers. Fulfillment in Christ The New Testament writers affirm that Jesus Christ fulfills these Old Testament prophecies. The Gospel of Matthew opens with a genealogy tracing Jesus' lineage to David and Abraham, establishing His rightful claim to the throne (Matthew 1:1-17). The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary echoes the Davidic promise: "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David" (Luke 1:32). Throughout His ministry, Jesus proclaimed the arrival of the kingdom of God, demonstrating His authority through miracles, teachings, and ultimately, His death and resurrection. The book of Revelation envisions the culmination of His reign: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). In summary, the Old Testament prophecies concerning the King Christ are fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus, who embodies the promised Messiah, establishing an eternal kingdom characterized by justice, peace, and divine authority. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 24:17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not near: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 2:6 Psalm 45:1-17 Isaiah 9:7 Jeremiah 23:5 Micah 5:2 Library Christ's Advent Foretold. Of the Things Pertaining to the Gospel of Christ which Hosea and ... He Proves that Christ is Called Lord of Hosts. "Thy King Cometh" The Harmony of the Gospels. It is Proved from the Prophets that the Passion and Death of ... Christ and Pilate: the True King and his Counterfeit The King's Herald. Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices ... Proofs of Jesus Christ Resources Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.orgIs there a difference in meaning between Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus? | GotQuestions.org Questions about Jesus Christ (All) | GotQuestions.org Christ: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Character of Christ: Altogether Lovely Character of Christ: Benevolent Character of Christ: Compassionate Character of Christ: Forgiving Character of Christ: Guileless Character of Christ: Long-Suffering Character of Christ: Lowly in Heart Character of Christ: Obedient to God the Father Character of Christ: Resisting Temptation Character of Christ: Righteous Character of Christ: Saints are Conformed To Character of Christ: Self-Denying Character of Christ: Subject to his Parents Christ is God: Acknowledged by his Apostles Christ is God: Acknowledged by the Old Testament Saints Christ is God: As Creator of all Things Christ is God: As Discerning the Thoughts of the Heart Christ is God: As Entitled to Equal Honor With the Father Christ is God: As Giver of Pastors to the Church Christ is God: As God Over All Christ is God: As God the Word Christ is God: As God, he Presents the Church to Himself Christ is God: As God, he Redeems and Purifies the Church to Himself Christ is God: As God, the Judge Christ is God: As Having Power to Forgive Sins Christ is God: As Husband of the Church Christ is God: As Jehovah of Glory Christ is God: As Jehovah of Hosts Christ is God: As Jehovah, Above All Christ is God: As Jehovah, for Whose Glory all Things Were Created Christ is God: As Jehovah, Our Righteousness Christ is God: As Jehovah, the First and the Last Christ is God: As Jehovah, the Messenger of the Covenant Christ is God: As Jehovah, the Shepherd Christ is God: As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal Christ is God: As King of Kings and Lord of Lords Christ is God: As Lord of the Sabbath Christ is God: As One With the Father Christ is God: As Owner of all Things, Equally With the Father Christ is God: As Possessed of the Fulness of the God Head Christ is God: As Raising Himself from the Dead Christ is God: As Raising the Dead Christ is God: As Sending the Spirit, Equally With the Father Christ is God: As Supporter and Preserver of all Things Christ is God: As the Eternal God and Creator Christ is God: As the Great God and Saviour Christ is God: As the Holy One Christ is God: As the Lord from Heaven Christ is God: As the Mighty God Christ is God: As the Object of Divine Worship Christ is God: As the Object of Faith Christ is God: As the Only-Begotten Son of the Father Christ is God: As the Source of Grace, Equally With the Father Christ is God: As the True God Christ is God: As Unchangeable Christ is God: As Unrestricted by the Law of the Sabbath, Equally With The Christ is God: As Unsearchable, Equally With the Father Christ is God: His Blood is Called the Blood of God Christ is God: Invoked As Jehovah Christ is God: Saints Live to Him As God the Head of the Church Christ: Appointed by God the Head of the Church Christ: As his Mystical Body the Head of the Church Christ: Commissioned his Apostles the Head of the Church Christ: Declared by Himself the Head of the Church Christ: Has the Pre-Eminence in all Things the Head of the Church Christ: Imparts Gifts the Head of the Church Christ: Instituted the Ordinances the Head of the Church Christ: Perverters of the Truth do not Hold the Head of the Church Christ: Predicted the Head of the Church Christ: Saints are Complete In the High Priest Christ is of Unblemished Purity the High Priest Christ: After the Order of Melchizedek the High Priest Christ: Appointed and Called by God the High Priest Christ: Appointment of, and Encouragement to Steadfastness the High Priest Christ: Blesses the High Priest Christ: Consecrated With an Oath the High Priest Christ: Entered Into Heaven the High Priest Christ: Faithful the High Priest Christ: Has an Unchangeable Priesthood the High Priest Christ: His Sacrifice Superior to all Others the High Priest Christ: Intercedes the High Priest Christ: Made Reconciliation the High Priest Christ: Needed No Sacrifice for Himself the High Priest Christ: Obtained Redemption for Us the High Priest Christ: Offered Himself a Sacrifice the High Priest Christ: Offered Sacrifice But Once the High Priest Christ: On his Throne the High Priest Christ: Superior to Aaron and the Levitical Priests the High Priest Christ: Sympathises With Those Who are Tempted the High Priest Christ: Typified: Aaron the High Priest Christ: Typified: Melchizedek the King Christ is King of Zion the King Christ: Acknowledged by His Followers the King Christ: Acknowledged by Nathanael the King Christ: Acknowledged by The Wise Men from the East the King Christ: Declared by Himself the King Christ: Has a Righteous Kingdom the King Christ: Has an Everlasting Kingdom the King Christ: Has an Universal Kingdom the King Christ: His Kingdom not of This World the King Christ: Kings Shall do Homage To the King Christ: Saints Receive a Kingdom From the King Christ: Saints Shall Behold the King Christ: Saints, the Subjects of the King Christ: Shall Overcome all his Enemies the King Christ: Sits in the Throne of God the King Christ: Sits on the Throne of David the King Christ: The Jews Shall Seek To the King Christ: Typified: David the King Christ: Typified: Melchizedek the King Christ: Typified: Solomon the King Christ: Written on his Cross the Mediator Christ in Virtue of his Atonement the Mediator Christ of the Gospel Covenant the Mediator Christ: The Only One Between God and Man the Mediator Christ: Typified: Aaron the Mediator Christ: Typified: Moses the Prophet Christ: Abounded in Wisdom the Prophet Christ: Alone Knows and Reveals God the Prophet Christ: Anointed With the Holy Spirit the Prophet Christ: Declared his Doctrine to be That of the Father the Prophet Christ: Faithful to his Trust the Prophet Christ: Foretold Things to Come the Prophet Christ: God Commands Us to Hear the Prophet Christ: God Will Severely Visit Our Neglect of the Prophet Christ: Meek and Unostentatious in his Teaching the Prophet Christ: Mighty in Deed and Word the Prophet Christ: Preached the Gospel, and Worked Miracles the Prophet Christ: Typified: Moses the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Calls the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Cherishes Tenderly the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Feeds the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Gathers the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Gives Eternal Life To the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Guides the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Knows the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Laid Down his Life For the Shepherd Christ: His Sheep: He Protects and Preserves the Shepherd Christ: The Chief the Shepherd Christ: The Great the Shepherd Christ: Typified: David Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
    |