JESUS THE TRUE MESSIAH PART II
Jesus Called a Nazarene – AD 4
The Messiah is referred to as God’s branch in several places in the Old Testament. Zechariah 3 is one
primary example, where we see the actual name of the Messiah will be “Yeshua” or “Jesus” and his title
is “the branch.” There are several words for branch in Hebrew, just like in English, for example, branch,
limb, twig, bough. One such Hebrew word is netzer. This is the word Isaiah used to designate the
Messiah. In Hebrew you add a “y” or “i” to the end of a word to designate ownership. So when God
says ‘my branch’ it would be netzeri. So Yeshua Ha Netzeri would be the full title of the Messiah. In
English this translates as “Jesus the Nazarene.”
“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch (netzer) from his roots will bear
fruit.” Isaiah 11:1
“and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the
prophets: ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’” Matthew 2:23
AD 28–JESUS MINISTRY
Encyclopedia Britannica reports the reign of Tiberius Caesar started on August 19, AD 14. Luke 3:1
says Jesus was baptized and started his ministry in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, which would be
AD 28-29. Three and one half years later, in AD 32, the crucifixion occurred as prophesied.
Jesus’ ministry began with His baptism by John the Baptist. In Matthew 3:3 John the Baptist identified
himself as the one Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 40:3, to prepare the way of the Lord. He came in the spirit
and power of Elijah and turned the hearts of the people toward God as prophesied in Malachi 3:1 and
4:5-6.
“This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’ Truly I
say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!
Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he… And if you are willing to
accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.” Matthew 11:10-11,14
Jesus was sinless and did not need to be baptized for remission of sins. Jesus descended from the tribe
of Judah and therefore he was born King of the Jews. John the Baptist came from the tribe of Levi, from
which comes the priesthood. In this baptism, recorded in Matthew 3:15-16, King Jesus was baptized by
a true descendant of Levi, into the priesthood. This combination of King and priest reestablished the
Melchizedekian priesthood as prophesied.
“The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever according to the
order of Melchizedek.’” Psalm 110:4
God showed His approval of Jesus’ priesthood when He declared audibly that Jesus was His only
begotten Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. This event fulfilled six more prophecies! Jesus is
declared to be the Son of God in Psalm 2:7; Proverbs 30:4; 1 Chronicles 17:13; and Isaiah 42:1. Jesus
declared to be the Firstborn of God in Psalm 89:26.
“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were
opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a
voice out of the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.’” Matthew 3:16-17
Deuteronomy 18:15-18 predicts that another prophet like Moses would arise. Humanity must listen to
him. This prophecy refers to Christ, who – like Moses – brought a new covenant to the people that
would replace the Mosaic covenant.
Jesus began His ministry in Galilee
Isaiah 53:2 states that Jesus would appear as any another man, no one special. Jesus began His ministry
by leaving Nazareth and settling in Galilee. This was predicted in Isaiah 9:1-2. The fulfillment of this
prophecy is recorded in Matthew.
“leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of
Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: ‘THE LAND OF ZEBULUN
AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES–THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE
SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.’ From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
Matthew 4:13-17
Isaiah 42:1-4 predicted Jesus would also carry out His ministry quietly. Psalm 91:11-12 predicts Jesus
would be protected by angels until the time of His crucifixion.
Jesus’ Teaching
Jesus spoke in parables so those who would have interfered with destiny would not be able to. Jesus
gave the interpretation to those whom He wanted to completely understand. This way, God’s design
would be carried out and a record of it would be kept. This way of teaching was prophesied in Isaiah
6:9-10, and Psalm 78:1-2 and quoted in Matthew.
“Jesus answered them… I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and
while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being
fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS
BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR
HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM… All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not
speak to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I WILL OPEN MY
MOUTH IN PARABLES; I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.’”
Matthew 13:11,13-15, 34-35
Jesus Preached the Gospel
After beginning His ministry, Jesus came to Nazareth and read Isaiah 61:1-2. The fulfillment is recorded
in Luke.
“And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the
place where it was written, ‘THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE
TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.’And He closed the
book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed
on Him. And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’”;
Jesus’ Healing Ministry
Jesus proved He was Messiah by healing all kinds of diseases. There are many healings recorded in the
New Testament. In Matthew 11, Jesus quoted Isaiah 35:5-6 and 29:13-14. Both prophesy about His
healing ministry. Jesus commanded the Roman centurion’s servant healed. The healing occurred within
the hour, according to Matthew 8:5-13!
“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and report to John what you hear and see: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT
and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE
THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.’” Matthew 11:4-5
Church/Synagogue at His Coming Would Be Hypocritical & Devoid of Wisdom
The Jews had twisted the teachings of Scripture into man-made doctrine that actually did the opposite of
what God intended. Toward the time of the Second Coming, the church will do the exact same thing.
See the section on the Apostasy of the Church for further details.
“…you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites, rightly did
Isaiah prophesy of you: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE
PRECEPTS OF MEN.’” Matthew 15:6-9
Even though they had the Scriptures and the prophets, Israel still misunderstood and killed their own
Messiah. Isaiah 8:14-17 says Jesus would be the stumbling stone that causes Israel to fall. 1 Peter 2:8
references and explains that Jesus is the Stone that the builders rejected.
Cites Permanently Destroyed
Jesus cursed the cities that rejected Him: Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. These cities were
destroyed and are still in ruins today!
“Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did
not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre
and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than
for you. And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades;
for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this
day. Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of
judgment, than for you.’” Matthew 11:20-24
Those Who Do Not Believe Will Be Damned
The same fate is reserved to all who do not believe in who Jesus is, or acknowledge and obey His
teachings. Jesus said:
“The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it
because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it,
because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold,
something greater than Solomon is here.” Matthew 12:41-42
Jesus Enters Jerusalem Riding on a Donkey
Zechariah 9 prophesied that Jesus would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. The fulfillment is recorded in
Matthew 21.
“Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and
endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Zechariah 9:9
“When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you
will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. If anyone says
anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.’
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO
YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.’ The disciples went and did just as Jesus had
instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on
the coats.”
Matthew 21:1-6
Jesus comes to His Temple Before it is Destroyed
Jesus was prophesied to suddenly or unexpectantly come to His Temple. Notice if the Messiah was
prophesied to come into the Temple and that Temple was destroyed in AD 70, then the Messiah had to
have come before AD 70! See also Haggai 2:6-9 and Psalm 118:26.
“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord,
whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom
you delight, behold, He is coming, says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 3:1;
Judas Iscariot Betrayed Jesus
It was prophesied in Psalm 41:9 that one of the disciples who ate with Jesus would betray Him. John
quotes this prophecy:
“I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be
fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’ From now
on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am
He.” John 13:18-19
Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, recorded in Matthew and prophesied in Zechariah. Later,
Judas tried to return the money; but the chief priests would not take it back, because it was blood
money. Judas then threw the money at them and left the Temple. The chief priests used the money to
buy a potter’s field for the burial of unclean dead. This purchase completely fulfilled Zechariah’s
prophecy.
“Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you
willing to give me to betray Him to you?’ And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him.” Matthew
26:14-15
“I said to them, ‘If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!’ So they
weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. Then the LORD said to me, ‘Throw it to the
potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.’ So I took the thirty shekels of silver
and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”
Zechariah 11:12-13
“Judas, who had betrayed Him… threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed;
and he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, ‘It is not
lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.’ And they conferred
together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. For this
reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then that which was spoken
through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ‘AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by
the sons of Israel; AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME.’” Matthew 27:3,5-10;
Accused by False Witnesses
The illegal trial that was held to condemn Jesus even had false witnesses, as prophesied in the Psalms.
We see this fulfilled in Matthew 27.
“Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know.” Psalm 35:11
“They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came
forward,” Matthew 26:60
Hated Without Cause
The Jewish rulers would reject Jesus as Messiah – and even hate Him, though He never did anything but
good to them.
“But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’”
Matthew 15:25
Rejected and Despised By His Own People
The Messiah was prophesied to be rejected by His own people so He could die for us all. Isaiah 53
shows clearly the Messiah was despised and forsaken. Psalm 118 prophesied that even though Jesus was
the cornerstone of the faith, He would be rejected. Matthew 21:42 quotes the Psalm and shows it
referred to Jesus. See also Zechariah 12:10.
“He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one
from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” Isaiah 53:3
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This is the LORD’S
doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:22-23
Jesus Would Be Silent to His Accusers
In the midst of this fixed trial, Jesus would not even respond to His accusers. Instead, He kept silent so
the Scriptures would be fulfilled.
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to
slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7
“And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite
amazed.” Matthew 27:14;
Jesus Dead for Three Days and Nights
Jesus alluded to Jonah 1:17, where God had the prophet Jonah in the belly of a great fish for three days
and nights. Jesus identified this event as a cryptic prophecy where Jonah symbolized Jesus being dead
in the tomb for three days and nights.
“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.’
But He answered and said to them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no
sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF
THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’” Matthew 12:38-40
Jesus’ Death
Jesus predicted His own death, knowing the Scriptures well. Jesus knew He would be tried by the Jews,
condemned to death, turned over to the Gentiles, mocked, scourged, and crucified. He also repeated His
promise to raise from the dead three days after He died. Jesus first predicted His death in Matthew
16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; and Luke 9:21-27. The second time Jesus predicted His death is recorded in
Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; and Luke 18:31-34.
“From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many
things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third
day.” Matthew 16:21
“As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and
on the way He said to them, ‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be
delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him
over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised
up.’” Matthew 20:17-19
Spat Upon, Smitten, Scourged, and Beard Pulled Out
Matthew 27 shows Jesus prophesying the same things found in the book of Isaiah.
“Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be
crucified… They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head.” Matthew 27:26,30
“I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did
not cover My face from humiliation and spitting… But He was pierced through for our
ansgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
and by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 50:6, 53:5
Hung Upon a Cross (Crucifixion)
In Galatians 3, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21 which says God has cursed anyone who is hung on a tree.
He adds that the body should not be left hanging on the tree overnight. What is interesting about this
prophecy is that the Jews never practiced crucifixion as a form of capital punishment. This was invented
by the Persians and perfected by the Romans centuries after Deuteronomy was written. Jesus took the
punishment of the curse of “hanging on a tree” for us.
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us–for it is written,
‘CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE’” Galatians 3:13
“his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for
he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the LORD your
God gives you as an inheritance.”
Deuteronomy 21:23
In Numbers 21, Moses created a brass serpent and placed it on a pole. Whoever looked to it was healed
from poisonious snake bites. Jesus made illusion to this in John 3. The brass serpent was a symbol of
Jesus being crucified.
“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;” John 3:14
Not One Bone Broken and They Would Look Upon Him Whom They Pierced
Normally when Romans wanted to speed up a crucifixion, they would break the legs of the victim in
order to cause them to suffocate. With their legs broken they could not push up to breathe. The Jewish
leaders were in a hurry to get Jesus off the cross and into a tomb before the start of the high Sabbath
(commanded in Deuteronomy 21:33). So they asked the Romans to speed up the deaths; but when they
came to Jesus, they saw He was already dead. As a result they did not break any of His bones, but they
did pierce His side to make absolutely certain He was dead. This fulfilled the prophecies in Psalm 34:20
and Numbers 9:12, which stated not one bone would be broken, and Zechariah 13:10, which prophesied
they would look upon Him whom they had pierced.
“Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the
cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be
broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first
man and of the other who was crucified with Him; but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was
already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and
immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is
true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came
to pass to fulfill the Scripture, ‘NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.’ And again another Scripture says, ‘THEY SHALL LOOK ON
HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.’” John 19:31-37
Jesus Killed Before the Temple was Destroyed
Daniel’s prophecy clearly shows the Messiah would first come and be killed, then the Temple in
Jerusalem would be destroyed. Obviously the Messiah had to have come before the destruction of;
Temple in AD 70!
“Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the
prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary…” Daniel 9:26
Messiah’s Death
In the ninth chapter of the book of Daniel, the angel Gabriel gave a prophecy about 70 weeks of years,
or 490 prophetical years. He said there would be 490 prophetical years between the command to rebuild
Jerusalem, to the time when the Messiah would reign bringing in a kingdom of everlasting
righteousness. There was to be a gap between the 483 years and the last seven. At the end of the 69
th
week (or 483 years) the Messiah would die. Then the Temple of Jerusalem would be destroyed (this
occurred 40 years later). Eventually the Temple would be rebuilt and the last week, or last seven years,
would commence. This gives us the exact date of the Messiah’s first coming.
“…from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will
be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of
distress. Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off…” Daniel 9:25-26
Friends and Family Stood Far Off at His Crucifixion
Psalm 88:8 and 38:11 record that the friends and family of Jesus would be at the crucifixion, but stand
far off from the cross. The fulfillment is recorded in Luke 23.
“And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a
distance, seeing these things.” Luke 23:49
“My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague; and my kinsmen stand afar off.” Psalm 38:11
Soldiers Gambled for His Garment
The cloak Jesus wore was of high quality, so instead of tearing it up the guards gambled for it. This
prophecy is recorded in Psalm 22:18 and was fulfilled in Matthew 27.
“And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken by the prophet, they parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast
lots.” Matthew 27:35 KJV
Thirsty and Given Vinegar
Jesus was thirsty on the cross and was given gall and vinegar to drink. In ancient times gall and vinegar
were combined with herbs to ease pain. When Jesus realized what they gave Him, He refused to drink
it.
“They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not
drink.” Matthew 27:34
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture,
said, ‘I am thirsty.’”
John 19:28
“They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Pslam 69:21
Hands and Feet Pierced and Bones Out Of Joint
Not only was Jesus pierced with a spear in His side, but He was nailed to a cross. Psalm 22:14,16
recorded at Jesus’ death not one single bone would be broken, but that His bones would be out of joint.
“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted
within me… For dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced
my hands and my feet… They look, they stare at me;” Psalm 22:14,16,17
Prays For His Enemies
This prophecy is recorded in Psalm 109, while Luke 23 records the fulfillment. Even though Jesus is
being ridiculed, He still prays for their salvation. We should do the same when we meet opposition to
our faith.
“When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on
the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not
know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. And
the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved
others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”
Luke 23:33-35
“In return for my love they act as my accusers; but I am in prayer.” Psalm 109:4
Reviled and Ridiculed
Psalm 109:25 prophesied they would ridicule Jesus by shaking their heads at Him. Matthew 27 records
that they ridiculed Him and quotes Psalm 22:8, using the exact words they used when they mocked
Jesus on the cross;
My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?
Psalm 22:1 is quoted in Matthew 27. It is one of the seven sayings Jesus spoke while He was hanging
on the cross. Those around Him thought He was calling for Elijah and did not realize He was quoting
the Psalm. Here is another instance where people who are not filled with the Holy Spirit were unable to
correctly interpret the Scripture.
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?’ that is, ‘MY GOD, MY GOD,
WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?’ And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying,
‘This man is calling for Elijah.’” Matthew 27:46-47
Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit
From noon to three in the afternoon darkness fell on the land. At 3:00 PM Jesus cried out to His Father,
asking Him to receive His spirit; then He died. Luke 23 records this fulfillment. The original prophecy,
using the exact words Jesus spoke, is given in Psalm 31.
“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour,
because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. “And Jesus, crying out
with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:44-46
“Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.” Psalm 31:5
Sun Going Dark
The above verse records the darkness occurring between noon and 3:00 PM. Amos prophesied this
unexpected darkness.
“‘It will come about in that day,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘That I will make the sun go down at
noon and make the earth dark in broad daylight.” Amos 8:9
It is interesting that this darkness occurred on Passover. Passover, the fifteenth of Nissan on the Jewish
calendar, always occurs during a full moon. Many have speculated that the darkness was caused by an
eclipse of the sun by the moon, but a solar eclipse can only occur at a new moon. At Passover, the moon
is on the wrong side of the planet to block the sun’s light. We don’t know what caused the darkness, but
whatever caused it was not an eclipse.
Three Roman historians record a day of darkness occurring between the fifteenth and eighteenth years
of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. Two of them, Thallus and Phlegon, remark the darkness could not have
been a solar eclipse because it occurred during a full moon!
Messiah Crucified with Criminals but Buried with the Rich
The Messiah was to die with criminals and yet be buried with the rich! Even though Jesus was not a
criminal, He was crucified between two thieves. Yet at His death, Joseph of Arimathea took His body
and laid it in what was to be Joseph’s own tomb. Joseph was a wealthy man and a member of the
Sanhedrin.
“At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.” Matthew 27:38
“His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death” Isaiah 53:9
Messiah Comes to Zion as a Redeemer
The prophets wrote that Messiah would come as a redeemer. They also predicted that His redemption
would occur on Mount Zion.
“‘A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,’ declares the
LORD.” Isaiah 59:20
Messiah Would Die on Mount Moriah and Is the Lamb Slain
Genesis records God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. This was a test for Abraham, but also a
symbolic prophecy. The Hebrew literally says “God will provide Himself a lamb.” The Hebrew can
actually be translated as “God will provide Himself as the lamb for the sacrifice.” Abraham
acknowledged that idea when he said (in verse 14) “on this very mountain it will be seen.” The Hebrew
word for provided can be translated seen or seen to. So here Abraham is prophesying that the Messiah,
who is God incarnate, will sacrifice Himself for our sins on this very mountain, Mount Moriah!
“Abraham said, ‘God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ So the two
of them walked on together… Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as
it is said to this day, ‘In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.’” Genesis 22:8,14
“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away
the sin of the world!’”
John 1:29
His Death not for Himself but for The Sins of the World
Jesus’ death was not because He sinned or did anything wrong; but He died to pay the price for the sins
of the whole world. Those who accept the free gift of God’s salvation can have eternal life.
“And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:” Daniel 9:26 KJV
“But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because
of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste
death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9
Jesus Died Bearing the Sins of Many and His Death Satisfied God
In Isaiah 53 we read that God would be fully satisfied with Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for our
sins. God, the Father, will not hold anything to our charge; Jesus paid for it all.
“But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a
guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of
LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be
satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear
their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty
with the strong; because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the
transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:10-12
Messiah Bore Our Sicknesses and Paid for Our Sins by Being Wounded
Jesus, by His wounds, chastisement, and being pierced on the cross, took our sins and sicknesses on
Himself. Therefore we are no longer under punishment for our sins.
“Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was
crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging
we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the
LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.”
Isaiah 53:4-6
Made an End to Sin
Jesus’ death on the cross made an end to the power that sin has over us. This was a once-and-for-all
sacrifice that would cover all sins, past, present, and future. You never have to pay for any future sin.
All you must do is repent for them. By the time the 70-weeks prophecy is over, sin will be finished. All
will be atoned for. Jesus will be reigning on earth as king.
“Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression,
to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal
up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.” Daniel 9:24
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for
our sins, so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and
Father, to whom be the glory for evermore. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5
His Death Destroyed Satan’s/Sin’s Hold on Mankind
As predicted in Genesis 3, Satan’s kingdom – or power over mankind – was broken by the Messiah’s
death. See the first prophecy in this book for full details. In Hebrews 2, Paul records the fulfillment of
this prophecy by saying Jesus’ death is what rendered Satan powerless over mankind.
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall
bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:15
“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the
same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the
devil,” Hebrews 2:14
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Messiah’s Resurrection;
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is recorded in many places in the New Testament. The Old Testament
Psalms show the Resurrection, too. Also, all the Scriptures about the Messiah doing things after His
death prove the Resurrection. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that to be a real Christian, one must
believe in the Resurrection. In Acts 2, Paul quotes the resurrection Psalms to show they point to Jesus
Christ.
“For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.”
Psalm 16:10
“But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me. Selah.” Psalm 49:15
“But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for
Him to be held in its power… Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David
that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a
prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, he looked ahead and spoke
of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. This Jesus God
raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.” Acts 2:24,29-32
The Resurrection Proves Jesus Defeated Death
Jesus defeated death and resurrected. Because He defeated death for all of us, we too will resurrect (or
be raptured). In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul says Hosea 13:14 will be fulfilled when we have our new bodies.
“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised
imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this
mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and
this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘DEATH IS
SWALLOWED UP’ in victory. ‘O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of
sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians
15:51-57
Jesus’ Ascension
After Jesus’ resurrection, He was prophesied to ascend back to heaven and sit at the right hand of the
Father until the time of the Second Coming. Paul quotes Psalm 68 in Ephesians as proof Jesus
resurrected, ascended, and gave salvation and other spiritual gifts to men. The historical record of the
Ascension is written in Acts 1.
“You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among
men, even among the rebellious also, that the LORD God may dwell there. Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation [or our God Yeshua]. Selah. God is to us
a God of deliverances; and to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.” Psalm 68:18-20
“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your
feet.’” Psalm 110:1
“And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud
received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going
behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you
stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in
just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11
These things all Match the Prophecies in Old Testament
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