The Foretold Messiah
If one were to be asked where the first promise of the Messiah is in Scripture, they may be tempted to point to Genesis 3:15. Actually, the first Messianic promise precedes this by an indefinable date. Scriptures such as Titus 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:9, Ephesians 1:4, Acts 2:23, Acts 4:28 and 1 Peter 1:20 explicitly teach us that long before this world was ever formed, God promised, purposed, chose, willed, determined and foreordained that His Son would be this world’s Messiah.
The term Messiah means one who is anointed of God to be a leader, deliverer and Saviour. The English word Messiah is only used twice in the KJV translation of our Bible (Dan 9:25-26), but the Hebrew word mashiyach is referenced a further 39 times, exclusively translated “anointed.” Apart from our Lord, only three other distinct groups of people carry both the privilege and responsibility of this unique title. Each of these people groups prefigure our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s ultimate Messiah.
The high priest (Lev 4:3,5,16) is the first to receive this honoured term. This “anointed” man would enter the most holy place behind the veil once every year to make atonement (a covering) for sin. Upon entrance, and having offered the sweet incense, the high priest would carry out two actions with the blood, speaking of the dual aspect of the work of Christ. First, he would take of the blood and sprinkle it with his finger, once, eastward on the mercy seat. This foreshadowed the fact that the ultimate Messiah would come and deal with the root of sin (singular, see Joh 1:29), which had placed humanity at a distance from God (east speaks of distance from God). Through this, there would be provision made for children who die in the womb. Although they never committed sin, they still faced death as a result of their standing in Adam. Also, within this act, the need of those unable to personally and consciously accept Christ is met. The high priest would take again of the blood, this time sprinkling it seven times before the mercy seat, displaying the stupendous truth that Christ would deal with not only our distance but also our deeds. He would pay the complete price for sins (plural). Peter movingly states, “Who his own self bare our sins [plural] in his own body on the tree” (1Pe 2:24).1 At Calvary, our standing and our sins were flawlessly dealt with. Christ, having obtained eternal redemption, would enter into heaven itself in the value of His own precious shed blood, to minister as Great High Priest (Heb 9:11-24).
Next, Kings Saul, David and Solomon are referred to as God’s “anointed,” pointing us on to the supreme Messiah King. We glean some understanding, then, why David, when he had opportunity and at times was urged to slay Saul, stated, “Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless?” (1Sa 26:9). David slew the young Amalekite who killed Saul, even pronouncing a judgment of drought upon the very mountains of Gilboa where Saul had been slain (2Sa 1:19-21). Woe to any who tamper with Christ (see 1Co 11:27-29).
Incredibly, God also gives to one final king, a Gentile king, the title “Messiah.” Over 100 years before King Cyrus was born, Jehovah introduces the future king as “his anointed” (Isa 45:1). Cyrus would release God’s people from captivity, sending them back to build the temple in Jerusalem (Ezr 1). What a beautiful picture of Christ, who will come to deliver His people and build for them the Millennial Temple. The one who will be king over Israel (seen in Saul, David, Solomon) will also be king over the nations (seen in Cyrus).
Finally, Israel is also given this title (1Ch 16:22), teaching us that through this nation the ultimate Messiah would come. If Israel was described as God’s son (Hos 11:1), their Messiah would be revealed as the only begotten Son of God, fulfilling the eternal promise and taking His place as the “anointed” King-Priest. If only Israel knew!
The Fulfilled Messiah
The date was approximately 4 B.C. Aaron, Saul, David, Solomon and Cyrus were long gone, and the nation of Israel was in tatters. God had kept silent for 400 years, and apart from a small remnant in Israel and a few wise persons in the east, the world was spiritually asleep.
“O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.”2
The long-awaited promise was being fulfilled. The eternal Son of the living God had crossed the horizon of this universe to become the Messiah of humanity. In the NT the title Messiah (Greek Christos) is translated “Christ,” used 569 times, and is reserved exclusively for our Lord Jesus.3 Matthew informs us that after Christ demonstrated with indisputable clarity that He was the Christ, Israel blasphemed the Holy Spirit by rejecting Christ and attributing His works to the devil (Mat 12:24-32). O how our Lord wept over their rejection: “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes” (Luk 19:41-42). After 33 ½ short years, Messiah was “cut off” (Dan 9:26). The 69th week of Daniel’s prophecy was complete, and what now remains for Israel is unspeakable judgment.
The False Messiah
When the disciples questioned our Lord about the end of the age, He responded by stating, “If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Mat 24:23-24). Tragically, Israel will accept a false Messiah. The Man of Sin shall deceive the nation, and they will strike “a covenant with death” and an “agreement with hell” (Isa 28:15-18). For seven horrifying years they shall pay the price of rejecting the true Messiah. Then, when all hope seems lost, He shall return. At the darkest moment in human history, their Messiah shall appear as “lightning … out of the east” (Mat 24:27), and “they shall look upon [him] whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son” (Zec 12:10; Joh 19:37). Then, Israel shall know!
God willing, in the following article, we shall observe the fury, feelings and forgiveness of Israel’s promised Messiah.
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV.
2 Phillips Brooks (1835–1893)
3 However, the Lord Jesus did warn of false Christs who will arise (Mat 24:24; Mar 13:22).
