All the Prophets Spoke About Christ

By Capazin Thornton

 

The Prophets Spoke About Jesus the Christ

“All the prophets spoke about him, saying that all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of his name” (Acts 10:43, GNT)

Five hundred to 1000 years beforehand, the prophets spoke and wrote down minute details of the miraculous incarnation, life, ministry, vicarious suffering, death on the cross, and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah.

That is awesomely amazing! Think about it:

• 40 different writers –educated and uneducated—chosen and anointed by God
• Writing over 1500 years
• Across 3 continents (the Middle East, Europe, and Asia Minor)
• In 3 main languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek).
• Wrote precisely what God inspired them to write.

Indeed, Spirit-moved men produced Spirit-breathed writings. (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21)

Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, God’s dear Son, is at the center of everything the prophets spoke. He is God’s revelation and gift to us all.

Here are three super-amazing things the prophets spoke concerning Him.

Precise Time for Messiah’s Presentation Foretold

One of the most profound prophecies is found in Daniel’s writings. The angel Gabriel tells Daniel precisely when Messiah would come forth and be presented to Israel.

“Know therefore and understand,

That from the going forth of the command

To restore and build Jerusalem

Until Messiah the Prince,

There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks . . .”

(Dan 9:25)

The Hebrews understood the seven and sixty-two weeks would be weeks of years (69 x 7 = 483 years)— from the going forth of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity to Messiah the Prince.

Historically, the decree to rebuild Jerusalem was given by the Persian king Artaxerxes, on 14th March, B.C. 445. The public presentation of Jesus as Messiah the Prince took place the week before His crucifixion, on 5^th April, A.D. 32.

Precise Time Messiah Cut Off Foretold

Gabriel also told Daniel the exact time for Messiah’s violent death:

And after the sixty-two weeks

Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself . . .” (Dan 9:26).

Cut off means to eliminate, kill, execute. Jesus would be killed by crucifixion-the most extreme and violent method of capital punishment. But, not for Himself. He was innocent and without sin. He died for us, in our place and in our stead.

Messiah’s Substitutionary Sacrifice

Isaiah 52:13 – 53:1 is titled the Suffering Servant. In these scriptures, Isaiah describes the Messiah’s substitutionary sacrifice, including:

Surely, He has borne our griefs

And carried our sorrows;

Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten by God, and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes, we are healed. (Isa 53:4-5)

Yes, friends, Christ suffered and died for us, so our sins could be forgiven and we could be made right with God.

Messiah Came to Fulfill God’s Will

Christ came to do the will of the Father. Hebrews 10:4-7 says:

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,

But a body You have prepared for Me.

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin

You had no pleasure.’

Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—

In the volume of the book, it is written of Me—

To do Your will, O God.’

The will of God was for Christ to pay the penalty for our sins once and for all, so we would never have to. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23).

Today, many people assent to Jesus of Nazareth being a historical figure crucified by the Romans. Others believe he was a prophet sent from God. However, it is incumbent upon you, if you think He was a prophet, unquestionably you must consider what He said. And you must believe what the prophets spoke bearing witness to Him.

God raised Christ from the dead. For forty days after that, He was seen by many. He then ascended into Heaven where He is at the right hand of God the Father. And, know that, just as the prophets spoke, He is coming again.

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Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker and author in Orange County, California.