This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
Please also consider the Guidelines for posting and discussion printed here: https://www.theqtree.com/2019/01/01/dear-maga-open-topic-20190101/
All Must Be Fulfilled . . .
Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24:27) Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. (Luke 24:44)
Bible Prophecy
Of the several ways Bible prophecies can be classified, classification as “Direct”, “Indirect”, or “Type” (typical or example) is one of the ways.
A Direct Messianic prophecy identifies the subject of the prophecy as the Messiah (there are more than 20 names for the Messiah in the Old Testament) and then makes a statement about the Messiah.
For example – the promise in Micah 5:2 that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
An Indirect Messianic prophecy doesn’t identify the Messiah as the subject, but is recognized as a Messianic prophecy after its fulfillment.
For example – the statement in Hosea 11:1 that Jesus would be brought out of Egypt and back to the land of Israel (Matthew 2:14-15).
A Type Messianic prophecy is an event as an example, as a prophecy that has no direct reference to the future, but illustrates the concept or actions of the Messiah.
For example – the Messiah who was to come was portrayed as the bronze serpent, which was lifted up on a pole (Numbers 21:19; John 3:14), and as the Passover lamb (Exodus 12; John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19).
Messianic Prophecies
The following are 47 of the more straight forward Old Testament prophesies about the coming Messiah. The probability that one person could satisfy all these are absolutely minuscule, but, then, here we are . . .
| 47 Old Testament Prophecies About Jesus as Messiah | ||
| Prophecies about Jesus | Old Testament Scripture | New Testament Fulfillment |
| Messiah would be born of a woman. | Genesis 3:15 | Matthew 1:20 Galatians 4:4 |
| Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. | Micah 5:2 | Matthew 2:1 Luke 2:4-6 |
| Messiah would be born of a virgin. | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:22-23 Luke 1:26-31 |
| Messiah would come from the line of Abraham. | Genesis 12:3 Genesis 22:18 | Matthew 1:1 Romans 9:5 |
| Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac. | Genesis 17:19 Genesis 21:12 | Luke 3:34 |
| Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob. | Numbers 24:17 | Matthew 1:2 |
| Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah. | Genesis 49:10 | Luke 3:33 Hebrews 7:14 |
| Messiah would be heir to King David’s throne. | 2 Samuel 7:12-13 Isaiah 9:7 | Luke 1:32-33 Romans 1:3 |
| Messiah’s throne will be anointed and eternal. | Psalm 45:6-7 Daniel 2:44 | Luke 1:33 Hebrews 1:8-12 |
| Messiah would be called Immanuel. | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:23 |
| Messiah would spend a season in Egypt. | Hosea 11:1 | Matthew 2:14-15 |
| A massacre of children would happen at Messiah’s birthplace. | Jeremiah 31:15 | Matthew 2:16-18 |
| A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah. | Isaiah 40:3-5 | Luke 3:3-6 |
| Messiah would be preceded by a forerunner. | Malachi 3:1 | Matthew 11:10 |
| Messiah would be rejected by his own people. | Psalm 69:8 Isaiah 53:3 | John 1:11 John 7:5 |
| Messiah would be a prophet. | Deuteronomy 18:15 | Acts 3:20-22 |
| Messiah would be preceded by Elijah. | Malachi 4:5-6 | Matthew 11:13-14 |
| Messiah would be declared the Son of God. | Psalm 2:7 | Matthew 3:16-17 |
| Messiah would be called a Nazarene. | Isaiah 11:1 | Matthew 2:23 |
| Messiah would bring light to Galilee. | Isaiah 9:1-2 | Matthew 4:13-16 |
| Messiah would speak in parables. | Psalm 78:2-4 Isaiah 6:9-10 | Matthew 13:10-15, 34-35 |
| Messiah would be sent to heal the brokenhearted. | Isaiah 61:1-2 | Luke 4:18-19 |
| Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek. | Psalm 110:4 | Hebrews 5:5-6 |
| Messiah would be called King. | Psalm 2:6 Zechariah 9:9 | Matthew 27:37 Mark 11:7-11 |
| Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a donkey. | Zechariah 11:12 | Matthew 21:4-5 |
| Messiah would be praised by little children. | Psalm 8:2 | Matthew 21:16 |
| Messiah would be betrayed. | Psalm 41:9 Zechariah 11:12-13 | Luke 22:47-48 Matthew 26:14-16 |
| Messiah’s price money would be used to buy a potter’s field. | Zechariah 11:12-13 | Matthew 27:9-10 |
| Messiah would be falsely accused. | Psalm 35:11 | Mark 14:57-58 |
| Messiah would be silent before his accusers. | Isaiah 53:7 | Mark 15:4-5 |
| Messiah would be spat upon and struck. | Isaiah 50:6 | Matthew 26:67 |
| Messiah would be hated without cause. | Psalm 35:19 Psalm 69:4 | John 15:24-25 |
| Messiah would be crucified with criminals. | Isaiah 53:12 | Matthew 27:38 Mark 15:27-28 |
| Messiah would be given vinegar to drink. | Psalm 69:21 | Matthew 27:34 John 19:28-30 |
| Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced. | Psalm 22:16 Zechariah 12:10 | John 20:25-27 |
| Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed. | Psalm 22:7-8 | Luke 23:35 |
| Soldiers would gamble for Messiah’s garments. | Psalm 22:18 | Luke 23:34 Matthew 27:35-36 |
| Messiah’s bones would not be broken. | Exodus 12:46 Psalm 34:20 | John 19:33-36 |
| Messiah would be forsaken by God. | Psalm 22:1 | Matthew 27:46 |
| Messiah would pray for his enemies. | Psalm 109:4 | Luke 23:34 |
| Soldiers would pierce Messiah’s side. | Zechariah 12:10 | John 19:34 |
| Messiah would be buried with the rich. | Isaiah 53:9 | Matthew 27:57-60 |
| Messiah would resurrect from the dead. | Psalm 16:10 Psalm 49:15 | Matthew 28:2-7 Acts 2:22-32 |
| Messiah would ascend to heaven. | Psalm 24:7-10 | Mark 16:19 Luke 24:51 |
| Messiah would be seated at God’s right hand. | Psalm 68:18 Psalm 110:1 | Mark 16:19 Matthew 22:44 |
| Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin. | Isaiah 53:5-12 | Romans 5:6-8 |
| Messiah would return a second time. | Daniel 7:13-14 | Revelation 19 |
Whether direct, indirect or type prophecies, all were literally fulfilled in the life of Jesus. And, as we look at other prophecies in God’s Word, that perhaps cover other topics and perhaps use highly symbolic prophetic imagery, like Daniel and Revelation, we can expect that they also will be literally fulfilled in a real-life manner.
If you decide to dive deep into Edersheim’s list of 456 Old Testament passages which were considered Messianic by the Rabbis before the time of Christ, you’ll quickly find that in many, many cases, what a Rabbi, over 2,000 years ago, considered a prophecy pertaining to the Messiah is totally incomprehensible to you with no conceivable connection to the Messiah. Many of those ancient Rabbis excelled at reading obscure meanings into passages that don’t appear to be supported by word meanings or context to us.
Prophets – Then and Now
Speaking in the name of God was, and should be, very serious business. God said, “But if any prophet presumes to speak anything in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die.” (Deuteronomy 18:20) I suspect that a fair number of preachers claiming on TV or in YouTube videos that God spoke to them and they are relaying the message to us, will be justly compensated for their deception sometime in the future. “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:11)
There are no magic words or phrases or processes that will enable us to dash through God’s plan for our lives, or to super-charge us to a wild success in Christian growth. If you are presented with such a concept, that should be a clear warning to be sure that you’re following God’s Word and not someone’s self-serving schemes.
The Solution
But, what we can be assured of is that if we stick to what’s in God’s Word with natural, normal meanings in context, we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit to find the intended meaning. The Gospel and the tenets of spiritual growth were written to be understood and acted upon by us common people.
Our answers lie in God’s Word since “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:17-17)
. . . for every good work. What good works would that be? Well, maybe these . . . For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Look to the LORD and his strength with humility, and seek his face always in prayer.
Complete and thoroughly equipped
. . . the goals for our lifelong Christian growth toward maturity!
On this day and every day –
God is in Control
. . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . .
Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God;
do not mourn nor weep.” . . .
“Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
