The Markers of the Messiah

Each book of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation, in the Old Testament and New Testament—can be thought of like a part of a map that points to one man: the Messiah. What does God’s Word say about the signs of the Messiah? What are the characteristics of the Son of Man? Which events, miracles, and activities would have to take place in order to confirm Jesus as the chosen one?

We should start at the beginning...

Genesis 3:15 NKJV

15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

Genesis 3:14–24 is short, but its impact has sent ripples through every culture, community, family, and individual for the whole of human history.

It was fulfilled by the spiritual death of Adam and Eve and their ultimate physical death (vv. 7–24).

In fulfilling the prophecy of death, God added other prophecies, including the curse on the serpent (vv. 14–15).

God prophesied that Eve would experience pain in childbirth.

To Adam, God predicted that the ground would be cursed and Adam would have difficulty raising the food necessary for his continued existence.

In the midst of these promises, which enlarged the judgment that had come on mankind because of the entrance of sin, a plan for redemption was also revealed.

In pronouncing the curse on the devil and the serpent, it was prophesied that there would always be enmity between the serpent and the descendants of the woman (v. 15).

Referring to one of the woman’s descendants (Christ), God said, “He will crush your head.”

In regard to the judgment on Satan, ensured by the cross of Christ, the prophecy was further enlarged: “You will strike his heel” (v. 15).

This referred to the fact that Christ would die, but unlike the effect on Satan, Christ’s death would be conquered by resurrection. This was fulfilled in Christ’s death and resurrection (Rom. 3:24–25).

Romans 3:24–25 NKJV

24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

Now the OT then echoes this first prophecy that God makes in Gen. all the way through to Malachi and it speaks of this Messiah that would come to reverse sin’s grasp on God’s creation.

Isaiah 9:6–7 NKJV

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

The Markers of the Messiahs Birth

There are two very important aspects that the OT speaks about when helping us to identify who the Messiah will be when He comes. And those two things have to do with the virgin birth and His birth place.

The prophecy of a virgin’s son

Isaiah 7:14 NKJV

14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

The NT gospels provides for us the accounts surrounding Jesus’s birth. Does these account fulfill the OT prophecies of Isaiah?

Matthew 1:18 NKJV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin

Matthew 1:20 NKJV

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:34–35 NKJV

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

The prophecy concerning his birthplace

Mic 5:2 “Bethlehem Ephrathah” is the village where David grew up (“the town of David”).

Micah 5:2 NKJV

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

As foretold in Micah 5:1–5, in contrast to predictions of judgment, the future ruler of Israel (Christ) would come to Bethlehem. This was and will be fulfilled in Christ.

Luke 2:1–2 NKJV

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

The doctrinal teaching surrounding the virgin birth has to do with the belief in the incarnation of Christ.

Jesus Christ’s incarnation

Do you know what incarnation means?

a person who embodies in the flesh a deity.

It means in the most simplest of terms, the embodiment of God the Son in human flesh as Jesus the Christ.

John 1:14 (NKJV) — 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 NKJV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Galatians 4:4 (NKJV) — 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Galatians 4:4 NKJV

4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,