The One and Only Savior

Jesus is quite literally the center point on the timeline of human history.

Jesus is the central point on the timeline of human history.

That is why we categorize years as either BC (before Christ) or AD (anno Domini, Latin for “in the year of our Lord”).

What’s more,

Jesus is the central figure in all of eternity

The much-anticipated Messiah - long before He arrived on earth, the world-changing teacher while He walked the earth, and the King of Kings, who will return to earth to take His followers to heaven to live with Him forever.

Among the countless momentous occurrences that have marked the history of mankind, undoubtedly the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus represent the most significant events of all time.

For thousands of years, people eagerly waited for the arrival of the Messiah and prophets precisely predicted the details of His earthly entrance, existence, and exit.

Those blessed to live after Christ’s death and resurrection marvel at the hundreds of prophecies He has already fulfilled and anticipate with assurance the ones yet to be fulfilled.

For believers, Jesus is everything—the way of salvation, the source of strength, and the reason for hope.

We shouldn’t be surprised, then, that as God’s plans have unfolded—and will continue to do so—Jesus is at the heart of it all.

Indeed, biblical prophecy has always focused on Jesus.

Biblical Prophecy has always focused on Jesus.

In the Old Testament, God’s prophets pointed to a king who would lead and deliver His followers. Those prophets didn’t realize, however, that the Messiah would come to earth twice—first as a suffering savior and second as a conquering king.

All the biblical prophecies serve a powerful purpose:

To demonstrate that Christ is the Son of God, the one and only Savior.

Isaiah 43:11 NKJV

11 I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.

As Revelation 19:10 says, “The essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus” (NLT).

The Old Testament contains many passages about the Messiah—all prophecies Jesus Christ fulfilled.

For instance, the crucifixion of Jesus was foretold in Psalm 22:16–18 - a thousand years before Christ’s birth, long before this method of execution was even practiced.

Psalm 22:16–18a NKJV

16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; 17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me.

Moreover, scholars affirm that Jesus fulfilled more than three hundred prophetic scriptures.

The revelation of prophecy in the Bible serves as important evidence that the Scriptures are accurate in their interpretation of the future.

Because approximately half of the prophecies of the Bible have already been fulfilled in a literal way, we have a strong intellectual basis for assuming that prophecy yet to be fulfilled will likewise have a literal fulfillment.

At the same time, we can rightly conclude that the Bible is inspired of the Holy Spirit and that prophecy is indeed a revelation by God for that which is certain to come.

2 Timothy 3:16

2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

2 Peter 1:21 NKJV

21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

For the next several week we are going to explore these prophecies from the OT and see exactly how Jesus - through his life and death fulled each and everyone of them.

As much as possible, we are going to allow Scripture to speak for itself on matters of prophecy. We are going let God’s Word reveal His intent and plan for Jesus’s first time on earth and the events related to His second coming.

It is my prayer that the series of messages will serve as an open door for God to speak to your heart and mind regarding the Savior’s life, ministry, and future reign.

So with said I am excited to begin our exploration through the Bible as we explore

The Markers of the Messiah: Prophecies of Jesus Birth and Ministry

The Mission of the Messiah: Prophecies of Jesus’s Death and Resurrection

How Jesus’s death and resurrection fulfilled ancient prophecies.

How Jesus’s life fulfilled ancient prophecies

Jesus’s Predictions: Prophecies that Jesus himself gave us.

Christ’s Encore: How Jesus will come back at the second coming.