The Case for Jesus the Messiah – Incredible Prophecies that Prove God Exists/Part 3

Editor’s Note: This material was first published in book form in 1989 by the John Ankerberg Evangelistic Association (now known as the Ankerberg Theological Research Institute).

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Definition of the Word “Messiah”

The term “Messiah” is taken from Psalm 2:2 and Daniel 9:25, 26 where Mashiach (Heb., alt. spelling Mashiyach); Messias (Gk.) means “Anointed One.” The term took its meaning from the Jewish practice of “anointing” prophets, priests and kings to their respective offices. As a generic term it could be applied to an earthly king such as David (2 Sam. 19:21) who was “anointed” to fulfill the divine purpose of his office.

However, there was one unique individual to whom the term “Messiah” applied in a special sense. God spoke about a future Ruler of Israel who would sit on the throne of David and usher in an age of righteousness and peace. He would simultaneously hold all three offices of prophet (authoritative proclamation), priest (spiritual duties) and king (political ruler). He would be the reality and ultimate fulfillment to which all other usages of the term “Messiah” would be but shadowy pre-figures.^[1]

He would be the One to come whom God would uniquely identify beforehand. As the Apostle Peter said, “But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ [Messiah] would suffer” (Acts 3:18, emphasis added).

Before we examine in detail the prophecies the Bible claims God made through the prophets identifying the Messiah, we want to ask—”What would it prove if such statements about a future Messiah were given and actually fulfilled many years later in one person?”

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Notes

1. ↑ Franz Delitzsch and Paton Gloag, The Messiahship of Christ [the Messianic Prophecies of Christ] (Minneapolis, MN: Klock & Klock, 1983 rpt.) [Part 2—Paton J. Gloag, The Messianic Prophecies (The Baird Lectures for 1897 at the University of Glasgow)], pp. 50-53.