“The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from [the] evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that you both do and will do [in the future] the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for [the] Christ [the Messiah].”

• 2 Thessalonians 3:3–5

This month’s article by Dr. Ernest L. Martin is titled “Types of Messiah in the Old Testament.” This article discusses the fact that there were actually three types of Messiah expected by the people of the 1^st century. Dr. Martin explains what those three Messianic expectations were, how they were fulfilled and are being fulfilled today by Jesus the Messiah of God.

Since the resurrection critics of Christianity have shown that the Jews of the 1^st century expected two Messiahs, a Davidic and a Levitical Messiah. Few, if any, of these works believe that Jesus was any kind of a Messiah, although some may admit that Jesus (or His disciples) thought He was the Messiah, but their conclusion and sentiment is most always that Jesus and His disciples were all mistaken. Accompanying that is the belief, contrary to eyewitness evidence, that Jesus in fact survived the crucifixion or that His body was stolen (Matthew 27:62, 28:13).

However, the three types of Messiah expected by the Jews of the 1^st century, as shown by Dr. Martin, were fulfilled not only by the things Jesus did, but they were also fulfilled by His very presence on earth and by WHO Jesus Christ was. As Emmanuel (“God with us,” Matthew 1:23), as the expected Prophet, as the Messiah, and by virtue of the name “Jesus” that his parents were instructed to give Him (Matthew 1:21, 25; Luke 1:31: 2:21), He fulfilled every prophecy far beyond any imagination of the prophets of God.

Believing Truths

To not believe these truths of the Gospel one must reject the explicit statements of the writers of the New Testament who — as eyewitnesses — demonstrate the scope and power of Jesus’ actions and events in His life and ministry. In brief, eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life, actions, death, and resurrection are the evidence that Jesus is the Messiah. They cannot be dismissed simply because their evidence makes doubters (or perhaps you) uncomfortable. Discomfort occurs when people understand that they are accountable for their knowledge and realization of that evidence:

“For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

• Romans 14:10–12

In his discussion about the Jewish prophets predictions about the Messiah, note what the apostle Peter says about the salvation of Christ, the Messiah, that the angels longed to understand:

“Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you [Peter’s audience, and you too]: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ [Messiah] which was in them did signify [made evident], when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ [Messiah], and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us [the eyewitnesses] they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them [the eyewitnesses] that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”

• 1 Peter 1:10–12

Note what the apostle John writes about the precise purpose and reason that he wrote his Gospel. Unpack these verses carefully to fully understand the implications of what John is saying:

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are NOT written in this book: But these ARE written, [WHY?] that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah], the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.”

• John 20:30–31