V The Promised Deliverer, The Anointed One And Messiah.

Article bF 2000

This article was especially written for those who believe in Moses and the Old Testament Bible, but do not believe

that Jesus is the Messiah. Yet this article also very much should be read by those who already believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

INDEX

Chapter 1, Gives many Scriptures which foretell of a coming deliverer or Messiah.

Chapter 2, Gives more Scriptures about the Messiah (including verses from the Apocrypha), and gives some writings of Josephus about Jesus.

Chapter 3, Considers the unique type of government God planned for His old era people, considers God's real emphasis for His old era people, and considers God's eternal purpose for the Messiah.

Chapter 4, Considers a quite dramatic change the Christ instigated among God's people.

Chapter 5, Gives testimonies of various ones concerning Jesus and gives various questions to consider.

Chapter 6, Considers various names of the Messiah, considers the shallow belief that many have in Jesus, and further considers the changes that Jesus established.

Chapter 1

Gives Many Scriptures that Reveal that God Chose to Send a Special Deliverer to Redeem and Bless Humanity After That Man had Fallen From his Blessed Original Created Position.

Following are many Scriptures that clearly speak of a coming deliverer for humanity, which deliverer was anticipated by many people and for many years; bF-1:2

(Gen 3:15) "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." bF-1:3

(Gen 49:10) "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." bF-1:4

(Deu 18:15-19) "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; {16} According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. {17} And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. {18} I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. {19} And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.". bF-1:5

(Job 19:25) "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:"

(Isa 40:3-5&10-11) "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. {4} Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: {5} And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. {10} Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. {11} He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." bF-1:6

(Isa 42:1-4) "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. {2} He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. {3} A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. {4} He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law." bF-1:7

(Isa 59:19-20) "...When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. {20} And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD." bF-1:8

(Jer 23:5-6) "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. {6} In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jer 33:15-16 reads almost identical. reading, "In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. {16} In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness." bF-1:9

(Dan 9:24-27) "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. {25} Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. {26} And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. {27} And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." bF-1:10

(Micah 5:2) "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." bF-1:10.5

(Zec 9:9-11) "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. {10} And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. {11} As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water." bF-1:11

(Zec 14:4) "And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south." bF-1:12

(Mal 3:1-4) "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. {2} But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: {3} And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. {4} Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years." Note how this Scripture indicates that the Messiah or deliverer would be proceeded by a special individual. bF-1:13

Following are several prophesies given after the time period of King David, that seem to call the Messiah, David; bF-1:14

(Ezek 34:22-24) "Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. {23} And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. {24} And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it." bF-1:15

(Ezek 37:24-25) "And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. {25} And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever." bF-1:16

(Jer 30:9) "But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them." bF-1:17

The many above Scriptures have persuaded many people that a special deliverer would come in due time, to do a special work for humanity. bF-1:18

God often promised Biblical Patriarchs such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David, that their seed (descendents) would be very blest and that all humanity would be blest through their descendents, which promises quite clearly were to find much of their fulfillment through the Messiah being born through these Patriarchs. Following are several such Scriptures; bF-1:19

(Gen 22:18) "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." This promise was to Abraham. bF-1:20

(Gen 26:4) "And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;" This promise was to Isaac. bF-1:21

(Gen 28:14) "And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." This promise was to Jacob. bF-1:22

(Psa 89:3-4&29) "I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, {4} Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. {29} His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven." bF-1:23

Following are two more Scriptures that could nicely pertain to the Messiah; bF-1:24

(Psa 110:1-4) "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. {2} The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. {3} Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. {4} The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." Note how this Scripture calls this special Lord a priest, which could very nicely be speaking of the Messiah. bF-1:25

(Dan 7:9&13-14) "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. {13} I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. {14} And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." Note the son of man as in this verse likely is speaking of the Messiah, and speaking of Him being born of humanity. bF-1:26

V Chapter 2

Gives Particular Scriptures about the Messiah, which Scriptures should help one recognize the Messiah.

Gives Josephus' Quotes Concerning Jesus, and Josephus' Quotes About Several Others in Jesus' Time. (Note Josephus was a famous Jewish historian who was born shortly after Jesus' crucifixion)

Although many Jews are still looking for the Messiah, could it be possible that He already came and was not recognized? Jesus of Nazareth clearly is the main and most influential prophet or teacher that has been believed to be the Messiah. Although many rejected Jesus, yet soon after His death on the cross a large number of both Jews and Gentiles began to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah, even including many of the Jewish Priests. The main intention of this chapter and writing is to study Biblical prophesies together with the life of Jesus to see if and how the life of Jesus fits into the many prophesies of the Bible. bF-2:1

M Following are several Scriptures that indicate that God had a Son, and which also clearly reveal the Messiah would be a very great one, possibly being as great as even being the very Son of God; (Note although it is clear that the Messiah was to be the seed of Abraham and David, yet it still is possible that He could also be the Son of God, since God could cause the Messiah to be born of Himself and of a virgin of the seed of Abraham.) bF-2:2

(Dan 3:25) "He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." Note how this verse speaks of the Son of God. Just like the Son of God here saved the three Hebrew children from the fire so also the Messiah being from God could redeem all of humanity from God's eternal fire. bF-2:3

(Psa 2:7-12) "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. {8} Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. {9} Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. {10} Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. {11} Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. {12} Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." Note how this Scripture advocates the issue of being a Son. bF-2:4

(Prov 30:4) "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?" bF-2:5

(Psa 89:19&27) "Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth." Although this verse was speaking of Solomon, it also could have been speaking of the Messiah. bF-2:6

(Jer 23:5-6) "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. {6} In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jer 33:15-16 reads almost identical. reading, "In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. {16} In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness." Considering that here the Messiah was called the Lord our righteousness why should it be thought strange if the Messiah turned out to be the Son of God? bF-2:7

(Isa 40:3&10-11) "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. {10} Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. {11} He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Herein also the Messiah is referred to as the Lord making it seem very possible that the Messiah would be one no less the Son of God. bF-2:8

(Mal 3:1-3) "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. {2} But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: {3} And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness." bF-2:9

(Isa 9:6-7) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. {7} Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." As the special child and son here spoken of, is given names such as the mighty God, and everlasting Father, the Messiah child here spoken of, very properly could be as special as being the very Son of God. bF-2:10

(Isa 7:14) "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Although this verse could very properly have been speaking of Isaiah's son Mahershalalhashbaz, it could be a dual prophesy which also is speaking of the Messiah. Note Immanuel means God with us. If the Messiah's presence could be called God with us, clearly He could have been the Son of God without doing violence to this exalted name "Immanuel". If the Messiah was to be born of a virgin, the Messiah clearly could have been the Son of God even though He was to be of the seed of Abraham and David. bF-2:11

M Considering how the above verses speak of God and a Son, secondly considering the exalted names they give to the Messiah, and lastly considering that the Messiah could have been born of a virgin it is clear that the Messiah could have been the Son of God. Note numerous verses from the Apocrypha which are given below in paragraphs bF-2:36-41 strongly indicate that the Messiah would be the Son of God. bF-2:12

M Likely most all humanity is agreed that the Jewish and Roman Authorities condemned and crucified Jesus. Yet many people do not believe that Jesus actually died and resurrected from the dead. Possibly most Jewish individuals believe that Jesus on His last trip to Jerusalem came riding into Jerusalem on a colt, and believe that Jesus in dying was pierced by the Roman soldiers who also cast lots for His garments. Possibly many believe that Jesus was placed in a rich man's tomb and was crucified with thieves on both sides, and believe that Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver which silver Judas returned and then was used to buy the potter's field. Possibly most also believe that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and was very beaten and disfigured before His death and received vinegar to drink while on the cross. In considering prophesies concerning the Messiah, the above issues about Jesus' life, suffering, and death are very meaningful. bF-2:13

Following are several prophesies that reveal that Jesus is a very eligible applicant to have been the Messiah; bF-2:14

M (Dan 9:24-27) "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. {25} Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. {26} And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. {27} And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." This prophecy could very much be understood to teach that the Messiah would come around 400 to 500 years after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem was given. Note how this prophesy says that the Messiah would be cut off which could very much mean He would be put to death. Note how it also speaks of the Messiah making reconciliation for iniquity and causing the sacrifice and oblation to cease. Addition 18 of article aM considers this prophesy quite extensively especially with regards to the time periods. bF-2:15

M (Psa 22:16-18) "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. {17} I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. {18} They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture." Jesus was cut off as in the above prophecy of Daniel by being pierced as in this prophecy, while also lots were cast for His vesture while He was on the cross. bF-2:16

V (Isa 52:13-53:12) "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. {14} As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: {15} So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. {53:1} Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? {2} For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. {3} He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. {4} Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. {5} But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. {6} All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. {7} He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. {8} He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. {9} And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. {10} Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. {11} He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. {12} Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." This Scripture tells us that this servant and promised one was very rejected and was beaten so terribly that He was disfigured. This Scripture also asks the question "who hath believed our report" indicating that many would not believe the report that Isaiah here gave. This Scripture says that this promised one was quiet and meek before those who abused Him, as a lamb is before those who slaughter him, corresponding with how Jesus was quiet and meek before those who crucified him. This Scripture also says that He made His death with the wicked and rich such as Jesus also experienced. Most of all note how this Scripture greatly advocates the aspect of the servant or promised one bearing the iniquities of mankind by His innocent suffering and death. The many parts of this Scripture that pertain to Him bearing man's sins by His suffering and death are all in dark print. Verses 4,5,6,8,10,11,12 all individually advocate that this servant or promised one bore the iniquities of mankind by His innocent suffering. The aspect that the Messiah bore man's iniquities upon Himself and thereby freed man from his sin debt, nicely corresponds with Jeremiah 23:5-6 & 33:15-16 which Scriptures advocate that the Messiah would be called the Lord our righteousness. bF-2:17

V (Zec 12:10-14) "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. {11} In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. {12} And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; {13} The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; {14} All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart. {13:1} In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." Note how this Scripture speaks of one being pierced and speaks of a fountain being opened for sin and for uncleanness. In Jesus' death when He was pierced a fountain of blood opened up for sin and for uncleanness because He was dying for man's sins as Isaiah prophesied above. Many Jews after Jesus was crucified learned that they had crucified their Messiah, and in learning such they mourned greatly, and did not morn merely because others were mourning but rather mourned apart from one another as in a very personal way. bF-2:18

V (Zec 9:9-11) "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. {10} And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. {11} As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water." Jesus rode a colt into Jerusalem just prior to His crucifixion as in this prophesy. Here again Jesus' death and blood released man from his sin debt which had imprisoned him. bF-2:19

V (Zec 11:12-13) "And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. {13} And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD." This might have had some fulfillment in Zechariah's time, yet it also had a very vital fulfillment in Christ's time. Jesus was betrayed by Judas for 30 pieces of silver, which silver because of Judas' regret was returned to those who gave it, who then used it to buy the potter's field. bF-2:20

M (Micah 5:2) "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Jesus was born in Bethlehem as here is prophesied. Some Jewish individuals at Jesus' birth were aware of this prophesy and thus told Herod that the Messiah should be born in Bethlehem (Matt 2:5-6). Some Jewish ones also were aware of this prophesy around the time of Jesus' crucifixion (John 7:41-42). Yet it appears many Jews were ignorant of the important truth that Jesus the prophet, teacher, and miracle worker was born in Bethlehem and rather considered Jesus to have come from Galilee since that is largely where He grew up, and thus they rejected Jesus saying no prophet ariseth from Galilee (John 7:41-42&52). bF-2:21

Following are many more prophesies which although likely having a fulfillment many years before Jesus' time, yet were again fulfilled in what Jesus experienced; (Note although these Scriptures do not indicate that Jesus was the Messiah as distinctly as do the above Scriptures they yet are given as they are quite meaningful). bF-2:22

(Psa 2;1-3&7&12) "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? {2} The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, {3} Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. {7} I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. {12} Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." bF-2:23

(Psa 72:10-12) "The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. {11} Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. {12} For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper." In studying this whole chapter it is quite obvious that this Scripture had a fulfillment in the life of Solomon when the Queen of Sheba came and visited him. Yet it appears another fulfillment of this was when the wise men came from the east and gave Jesus gifts. bF-2:24

(Isa 50:6) "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting." bF-2:25

(Zec 13:6-7) "And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. {7} Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." Jesus the shepherd, had His hands wounded and was smitten on the night of His crucifixion while His followers largely were scattered. bF-2:25.5

(Jer 31:15) "Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not." Herod killed all the young children in Bethlehem and the coast thereof in trying to kill infant Jesus, who with His mother and step father had fled to Egypt. This resulted in bitter weeping in Bethlehem and Ramah area. bF-2:26

(Hosea 11:1) "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." After Herod was dead God called Jesus and His family back from and out of Egypt. bF-2:27

(Num 9:12) "They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it." Jesus was slain at the Passover feast and it appears that none of His bones were broken. The soldiers who would have broken Jesus' legs to speed up His death seen Jesus was dead already therefore they did not brake them. bF-2:28

(Psa 16:9-10) "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. {10} For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." God did not allow Jesus to remain in the grave or to see corruption, but resurrected Him on the third day. bF-2:29

(Psa 22:1&7-8) "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? {7} All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, {8} He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him." This very much was Christ's experience while being crucified. bF-2:30

(Psa 69:9) "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me." This was Christ's experience when He expelled those who exchanged money in the Temple and overthrew the tables and poured out their money. Jesus also was reproached or disliked for doing so. bF-2:31

(Psa 69:20-21) "Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. {21} They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." Jesus very much experienced this just before and while being crucified. bF-2:32

(Psa 118:22-23) "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. {23} This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." Jesus, like this stone was very rejected. bF-2:33

Even some of the above prophesies which likely had a fulfillment before Jesus time are quite or very meaningful, as they so distinctly fit into what Jesus experienced. bF-2:34

Considering the many above Scriptures that connect Jesus to Old Testament prophesies and form a bridge between God's Old Testament law and plan to Jesus, one can be quite assured that Jesus was not an imposer Messiah, or an imposer into God's plan. The following quotes from the Apocrypha reveal such even further. bF-2:35

M (2 Esdras 2:42-47) "I Esdras saw upon the mount Sion a great people whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs. {43} And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which I marvelled at greatly {44} So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are these? {45} He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God: now are they crowned, and receive palms. {46} Then said I unto the angel, What young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands? {47} So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world. Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord." bF-2:36

M (2 Esdras 7:28-29) "For my son Jesus shall be revealed with those that be with him, and they that remain shall rejoice within four hundred years. {29} After these years shall my son Christ die, and all men that have life". bF-2:37

M (2 Esdras 13:2-4&12&25-26&32&37-39&52 &14:9). "And, lo, there arose a wind from the sea, that it moved all the waves thereof. {3} And I beheld, and, lo, that man waxed strong with the thousands of heaven: and when he turned his countenance to look, all the things trembled that were seen under him. {4} And whensoever the voice went out of his mouth, all they burned that heard his voice, like as the earth faileth when it feeleth the fire. {12} Afterward saw I the same man come down from the mountain, and call unto him another peaceable Multitude. {25} This is the meaning of the vision: Whereas thou sawest a man coming up from the midst of the sea: {26} The same is he whom God the Highest hath kept a great season, which by his own self shall deliver his creature: and he shall order them that are left behind. {32} And the time shall be when these things shall come to pass, and the signs shall happen which I shewed thee before, and then shall my Son be declared, whom thou sawest as a man ascending. {37} And this my Son shall rebuke the wicked inventions of those nations, which for their wicked life are fallen into the tempest; {38} And shall lay before them their evil thoughts, and the torments wherewith they shall begin to be tormented, which are like unto a flame: and he shall destroy them without labour by the law which is like unto me. {39} And whereas thou sawest that he gathered another peaceable multitude unto him; {52} And he said unto me, Like as thou canst neither seek out nor know the things that are in the deep of the sea: even so can no man upon earth see my Son, or those that be with him, but in the day time. {14:9} For thou shalt be taken away from all, and from henceforth thou shalt remain with my Son, and with such as be like thee, until the times be ended". Note this last verse is likely speaking of Ezra through death being taken away from all (earthly humanity) and then remaining with God's Son and with other faithful ones. bF-2:39

Following is another Apocrypha Scripture which pertains to how carnal man without faith in eternal values speaks proudly and unjustly against the righteous, and which Scripture very much also aligns with Jesus' life; bF-2:40

M (Wisdom of Solomon 2:10&12-21). “Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow, nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged. {12} Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn, and he [the righteous] is clean contrary to our doings: he upbraideth us with our offending the law, and objecteth to our infamy the transgressings of our education. {13} He professeth to have the knowledge of God: and he calleth himself the child of the Lord. {14} He was made to reprove our thoughts. {15} He is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not like other men's, his ways are of another fashion. {16} We [the unjust] are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness: he pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed, and maketh his boast that God is his father. {17} Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him. {18} For if the just man be the son of God, he will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies. {19} Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience. {20} Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he shall be respected. {21} Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own wickedness hath blinded them. {22} As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not: neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls.” This Scripture then goes on to say that the righteous will be rewarded by God in the next life, even though oppressed by the wicked in this life. bF-2:41

Following are Josephus' statements firstly concerning Jesus, secondly concerning John the Baptist, and lastly concerning James the half brother of Jesus; bF-2:42

Josephus concerning Jesus

M "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day". Josephus Page 1122 bF-2:43

M "For all men, the just as well as the unjust, shall be brought before God the word: for to him hath the Father committed all judgment: and he, in order to fulfill the will of his Father, shall come as Judge, whom we call Christ. For Minos and Rhadamanthus are not the judges, as you Greeks do suppose, but he whom God and the Father hath glorified: CONCERNING WHOM WE HAVE ELSEWHERE GIVEN A MORE PARTICULAR ACCOUNT, FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE WHO SEEK AFTER TRUTH. This person, exercising the righteous judgment of the Father towards all men, hath prepared a just sentence for every one, according to his works; at whose judgment-seat when all men, and angels, and demons shall stand, they will send forth one voice, and say, JUST IS THY JUDGMENT; the rejoinder to which will bring a just sentence upon both parties, by giving justly to those that have done well an everlasting fruition; but allotting to the lovers of wicked works eternal punishment. To these belong the unquenchable fire, and that without end, and a certain fiery worm, never dying, and not destroying the body, but continuing its eruption out of the body with never-ceasing grief: neither will sleep give ease to these men, nor will the night afford them comfort; death will not free them from their punishment, nor will the interceding prayers of their kindred profit them; for the just are no longer seen by them, nor are they thought worthy of remembrance". Josephus Page 1889-90 bF-2:44

Josephus concerning John the Baptist

M "Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. Now when [many] others came in crowds about him, for they were very greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death. Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God's displeasure to him." Josephus Page 1131 bF-2:45

Josephus concerning James the brother of Jesus

"Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done; they also sent to the king [Agrippa], desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, for that what he had already done was not to be justified;" Josephus Page 1251 bF-2:46

One should consider how the above Scriptures and quotes all portray Jesus as being eligible to be the Messiah. bF-2:47

M Chapter 3

Considers the Unique Type of Government that God Initially Ordained and Wanted His Old Testament People to be United and Ruled By.

Considers How God's Interest and Concern is that His people are Faithful and Upright, Rather Than that His People Exist as a Superior Political Kingdom of This World.

Considers God's Eternal Purpose for the Messiah.

God wanted the center of the Jewish government to be their religious life and organization, involving the Priests and Levites and the Temple or Tabernacle. God wanted all sacrifices and offerings to be brought to a special central place of worship and all offered up at that place which place was to be the center of their government and organization (Deu 12:5&14&18&26, Deu 14:23-25, Deu 15:20, Deu 16:2&6-7&15-16, Deu 17:8, Deu 18:6, Deu 26:2, Deu 31:11, Josh 9:27). God's perfect and preferred plan was that the Jews would have no King such as did the nations around them, but rather that He would be their personal King. God likely did not want His people to have a King because the King and the King's organization could so easily have become the center and affection of God's people. Yet when the Jews were oppressed by their enemies God would raise up a judge or deliverer to organize them in battle and deliver them, yet this judge was not a king who demanded the Israelite's permanent allegiance and goods (revenue) as did the kings of the nations around them. When God had raised up Gideon to deliver Israel from their enemies and Gideon had successfully done so, the Israelites then wanted Gideon to reign over them it appears as a King. Judges 8:22-23 concerning such reads, "Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. {23} And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you." bF-3:1

When the Israelites later demanded a King of Samuel, God speaking to Samuel said "...Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. {9} Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them." (1 Sam 8:7&9). Samuel then told the Israelites that their King would take their sons and daughters to work for him and take their fields and vineyards and take the tenth of their things to operate his kingdom and told them that they would cry out in distress because of their King (1 Sam 8:11-18). Yet the people answered Samuel saying, "...Nay; but we will have a king over us; {20} That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles." (1 Sam 8:19-20). Although God then allowed them to have a King, yet Samuel after giving them a King vividly reminded them that this was not God's preferred plan for them. 1 Samuel 12:17&19 concerning such reads, "Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. {19} And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king." Although God's preference was that Israel would not have a King as did the nations had around them, yet it is true that God and even Moses knew the Israelites would sometime want a King (Deu 17:15-20 & 28:36). bF-3:2

Hosea 13:11 also speaks very negatively about the Jews having a king ruling over them reading, "I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath." bF-3:2.5

V Although God was concerned about the Israelites religious organization and that they would offer proper sacrifices, the above Scriptures clearly show that God did not want them to have a government such as the nations around them, who had a King that ruled, organized, taxed, and cared for them. God wanted His people have a personal faith and trust in Him rather than in their political government. God didn't even want David to know how large a army they had, thus He greatly punished Israel because David numbered Israel's army. God could save His people by few if they were faithful to Him. Although God was interested in Solomon's Temple, yet God was much more interested in the behavior and integrity of His people. God actually allowed the glorious Temples both of Solomon and of Herod to be totally destroyed because of the iniquities of His people. Such clearly shows God's real interest and emphasis is not in outward things such as Temples or political organization but rather is on His people having God as their King and that they love Him with all their heart and love their neighbor as themselves. God also allowed the Israelite nation to be divided after the reign of Solomon which in one way seems very grievous, yet God in so far ordained it to be so (1 Ki 12:15&24, 2 Chr 11:4). In considering why God might have ordained or allowed this division to happen one must remember that God did not want His people to have a King to begin with, nor did He want His people to trust in their political powers. The Israelites in Jesus' time in one respect should not have been too surprised if their Messiah would not try to establish them as a normal nation of this world having a King and with great pomp as had Solomon, since God never even wanted them to have a King to begin with. Yet it appears this type of a Kingdom is what many leaders of the Jews were hoping their promised Messiah would establish, and thus turned against Jesus because He did not seem as one who would provide them which such an honorable Kingdom. Jesus even rather strongly reproved these leaders for not having a proper love for God and their neighbors, and even reproved them in public! This clearly was not the type of Messiah these leaders were looking for and they were disappointed and angry! The Jewish leaders reaction to Jesus in one respect is quite understandable and many of us might have reacted much the same. Man by nature would want to be official in such an honorable Kingdom and very easily could start to hope and plan for such. bF-3:3

Concerning the Jews expectations of their anticipated Messiah, it is very understandable if they might have expected the Messiah to at least deliver them from their enemies (if they were worthy of deliverance) as did the Judges during the time of the Judges. Yet such does not necessarily mean that God would have ordained that His Messiah would destroy or overthrow the Romans when He came. God through Moses had ordained that the Israelites should destroy seven particular nations which dwelt in the land wherein they were to dwell. Yet with regards to nations other than these seven, they were to be reasonable with them and only were to destroy them if they would not cooperate with them. King David worked together with several Gentile nations. God not only was opposed to His people having a King, but in Jeremiah's time even wanted His people to surrender to and be subject to Gentile King Nebuchadnezzar rather than rebel and fight against him. Prophet Jeremiah strongly and clearly advocated that God's people should surrender and be subject to Nebuchadnezzar. Although many people after Jeremiah's death believed him to be a true prophet, yet in his day he was rejected by the leaders because he did not encourage the political Kingdom and independence that they wanted. One should consider that there could be some similarity with Jeremiah's and Jesus' rejection. bF-3:4

V Prophet Malachi speaking of the Messiah clearly revealed that the Messiah when He came would focus on cleansing the people saying, "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. {2} But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: {3} And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. {4} Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years." (Mal 3:1-4). One should carefully note how this Scripture portrays the Messiah as purging and cleansing individual, before whom many could not abide or stand. God's Messiah because of having the same type of concerns as God who sent Him, naturally when he came would be most concerned that God's people love God with all their heart and love their neighbor as themselves. Such a Messiah likely would have had no intentions of establishing God's people as a nation with much outward pomp, and having a King over them (which order God never even did want). Such a Messiah might rather endeavor to establish a Kingdom whose main and only focus was on people having a pure and proper love for God and for one another and which Kingdom having no political boundaries could easily spread throughout the whole world and include all nations and Gentiles. Note many old era prophesies as given below in paragraphs bF-4:17-23 foretell that God's people or Kingdom after the time of the Messiah would be enlarged to encompass the Gentiles. bF-3:5

God's people of the Old Testament clearly did not have an easy life, and although God to a significant extent promised them, if they were faithful to God, they would have power over their enemies, they yet had to earnestly strive to overcome their enemies and had to use all diligence. King David who was a man after God's own heart and who many esteem very highly, went through many difficulties. Other Bible Patriarchs such as Abraham, Jacob and Moses also went through much difficulty as God endeavored to sanctify and make them the type of people He could use in His service and Kingdom. Although David was granted a political Kingdom, yet he before being King and after being King didn't have a very secure position on earth. David's personal testimony concerning himself and his ancestors was, "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were." (Psa 39:12). It appears King David and His ancestors were quite aware that their life on earth was only a temporary existence, and also were aware of a resurrection from the dead and a future existence. bF-3:6

Although it is clear that Old Testament Scriptures speak less of the resurrection of the dead and eternal issues than do New Testament Scriptures, yet old era Scriptures do clearly speak the resurrection of the dead and eternal issues. Following are several such Scriptures; bF-3:7

(Job 14:12&14) "So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. {14} If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” bF-3:8

(Job 19:26) "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:" bF-3:9

(Psa 16:9-11) "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. {10} For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. {11} Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." bF-3:10

(Isa 26:19) "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead." bF-3:11

(Isa 33:17) "Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off." bF-3:12

(Isa 65:17) "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Isa 66:23 reads much the same. bF-3:13

(Dan 12:2) "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." bF-3:14

(Isa 33:14) "The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" bF-3:15

(Isa 34:8-10) "For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion. {9} And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. {10} It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever." bF-3:16

V Note how the above Old Testament verses vividly speak of resurrection of the dead and eternal issues. Old era Scriptures also clearly speak of mankind during his earthly life being in a particular state of depravity, because of his first parents sin (Job 14:4, 15:14-16, 25:4-6, Psa 51:5, Eccl 7:20). Old era Scriptures indicate that because God loved man, He did not want humanity to be bound to his depraved condition in a permanent or eternal manner. Considering how old era prophesies count the Messiah to be mankind's Redeemer and Savior, it appears an important work of the Messiah was to redeem man from the trouble he acquired through His first parents sin and make possible that man could resurrect from his depraved and mortal state. Considering the greater importance of man's redemption and future life, than man's earthly and temporal life, one must consider the purpose and provisions of the Messiah with regards to eternal values, rather than only with regards to man's earthly life and the type of temporal lifestyle the Messiah would establish for God's people. Those Jews who rejected Jesus because He did not deliver them from the Romans and provide them with the temporal Kingdom they desired, should have considered God did not want them to have a earthly King to begin with, and secondly have considered the greater and eternal purpose of the Messiah. bF-3:17

Although God did not desire His people to have a political King as the nations around them did, yet the Messiah was very much prophesied to be a governor, ruler, and even to be a King. Yet such does not mean the Messiah was to be a King like Kings of other nations. The Messiah was to be King in a much greater way than such. The Messiah was ordained of God, to be King not only of the Jews, but of all humanity and of God's eternal Kingdom. God ordained the Messiah to be a King who will judge both the living and the dead at the time of the end and the resurrection. Some old era Scriptures which speak of the Kingdom of the Messiah involving a new and everlasting Kingdom are, Isa 9:6-7, Dan 7:13-14, Dan 2:44, and Dan 9:24-27. bF-3:18

Although prophesies speaking of the time of the Messiah clearly do speak of a good time to come, they yet did not necessarily guarantee that the Messiah would immediately establish a Kingdom wherein God's people would no longer be strangers and pilgrims on this earth as were David and his fathers. Nor did old era prophesies guarantee that the Messiah would immediately instigate God's eternal Kingdom such as will transpire after the judgment and resurrection of the dead. bF-3:19

God is a very jealous God (Ex 20:5&34:14, Deu 4:24&5:9&6:15, Josh 24:19), who hates a proud look (Pro 6:16-17), and who will not give His glory to another (Isa 38:11). God never was concerned about man's glory, and although God in so far was concerned about His people's independence and prosperity, yet God was much more concerned about their Holiness and integrity than about their political position, and God's Messiah should not be expected to be any different. In considering the subject of the Messiah and who is eligible to be the Messiah, one should always remember the many prophesies which so perfectly align with what Jesus experienced while on earth, which prophesies were given above in paragraphs 2:15-33. bF-3:20

M Three likely reasons why Jesus was rejected by many Jews are firstly, He did not provide them with the honorable political Kingdom they wished for and had begun to expect, secondly because He advocated that He was the very Son of God which they likely did not believe or expect of the Messiah, and thirdly because He instituted numerous quite dramatic changes. In considering the quite dramatic changes that Jesus established one should consider that Moses also established many quite new and unfamiliar laws, and quite clearly spoke of the Messiah being like to him (Moses). Moses said "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me [Moses]; unto him ye shall hearken;" (Deu 18:15). God likewise in speaking to Moses of this wondrous Prophet said, "I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee [Moses], and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. {19} And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him." (Deu 18:18-19). Note how these verses say this special Prophet or Messiah would be one like Moses. Considering that Moses who was a sample of the Messiah, instituted many new traditions and laws why should it thought strange if the Messiah (like Moses) would also instigate many new ways and laws? Yet obviously these changes would need to be inspected to know whether they were in accord with the writings of the Prophets and were God ordained changes, or whether they simply were changes a false prophet was trying to make under the disguise he was the second Moses. bF-3:21

Prophet Jeremiah speaks of a time when God would make a new covenant with His people, which new covenant very much could be expected to be established by the Messiah, who was to be somewhat like a second Moses. Jeremiah 31:31-34 speaking of this new covenant reads "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: {32} Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: {33} But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. {34} And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jeremiah here does not give any information about the laws in this covenant but simply says these laws will be written in the hearts of men. Although this Scripture does not give us any indication of what type of laws will be included in this new covenant or what new laws the Messiah might advocate it does reveal that God will directly implant these new laws in people's hearts by the workings of His Spirit. This indicates that in the time of the new covenant, God's people will have a more direct contact and unction of God's laws than they had previously. This having God's laws written on the heart in a new way could pertain to the Spirit of God being poured out in a greater measure as spoken of in Joel 2:28 which reads, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:" bF-3:22

Moses established many new religious laws, such as laws of cleanliness, laws of sacrificing, laws of religious holidays and feasts. Moses also established many new governmental laws, such as laws of wars, laws of social responsibilities, and laws of judgment and punishment. Concerning the laws that Jesus advocated, some were simply additions to Moses' laws, such as Moses commanded one not to commit adultery while Jesus therewith added that one who looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart. Yet some of Jesus' laws seem to have largely outdated some of Moses' laws because of them no longer having a place under the new order and era. One of the most dramatic and difficult changes that Jesus advocated and how such change related to the writings of the Prophets is considered in the next chapter. bF-3:23

V Only honest seekers of the truth will find the truth. Honest seekers of the truth do over emphasize the issues that are agreeable to them, and neither do they minimize those issues that are disagreeable to them, but rather honest seekers justly and fairly look at all issues. May God help us be honest seekers! bF-3:24

M Chapter 4

Considers a Quite Dramatic and Difficult Change that Christ Instituted for God's People of the New Era.

The most difficult issue for the Jewish people to accept about Jesus being the Messiah, likely would have been that He did not advocate or institute a political nation and Kingdom such as the Jews by nature and naturally would have wanted. From the time that Moses had organized them as a nation the Jews true belief and tradition was that as they were faithful to God they would overcome and destroy their enemies and have the liberty to run their own nation and government. God had promised His people through Moses that as they were faithful to God they would be the chasers and not the chased and even said five of them could put to flight a hundred of their enemies (Lev 26:7). But Jesus rather than confirming Moses' political or war laws or establishing new ones had been teaching the people to love their enemies and had told Pilate that His Kingdom was not of this world for which reason His servants would not fight to save themselves from the those who might kill Him (John 18:36). When some Jews had asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God should come Jesus rather than speaking to them about a restoration of their Jewish nation, like they would liked to have heard about said, "...The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21). Jesus did not seem to care about the situation as a political nation but seemed to only be interested in people's integrity and concerned that people were kind, honest and just and that God's Kingdom was ruling and living in their hearts. It fully appeared to the Jewish leaders that this Jesus was only advocating a Kingdom or organization of people having a pure heart and spirit and who would not even resist their enemies and was allowing their nation as a world political structure to fall totally apart. The Jewish leaders speaking of this among themselves said, "If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." (John 11:48). bF-4:1

The Jewish leaders were angry and upset, and in one respect such is understandable. Jesus clearly did institute many changes, and some quite difficult changes. Jesus called God's people apart from the world in a new way. Jesus told His disciples that He had called them out of this world, and that they would be hated by the world because of being a people apart from the world, (John 15:19, 17:14-16). Jesus had taught the people that they should not resist evil, but rather that they, when smote upon one cheek should turn the other cheek, as willing for another blow (Matt 5:38, Luke 6:29). Jesus told His disciples that He was sending them forth as sheep among wolves and told them that they should be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves (Matt 10:16), and told them when they were persecuted in one city to flea to another, which teachings neither gave those who would follow Him much hope of any political power (Mat 10:23). Many Jews likely felt Jesus was making God's people the chased rather than the chasers, and making them the weak and rejected instead of the strong and honored. bF-4:2

Although Jesus was like a lamb and did not defend Himself with violence, yet Jesus in some respects was very aggressive and forceful such as when He overthrew the tables of the money changers and poured out their money. Although Jesus was weak in physical and political force He yet was very forceful and powerful in teaching, preaching, and vivid truths. Jesus spoke as one having authority and not as the Scribes and often put those who debated with Him to silence (Mat 7:29, Mark 1:22, Matt 22:34&46). Jesus also was powerful in doing great miracles which stunned the people. bF-4:3

M Several prophesies of the Messiah seem somewhat contradictory as some speak of the Messiah being meek and like a lamb while others speak of the Messiah being a powerful ruler. In one respect Jesus was meek like a lamb yet in another respect He was a powerful ruler of men's lives. In considering these somewhat contradicting prophesies it also should be considered that although Jesus in coming the first time allowed Himself to be abused and led as a lamb to the slaughter (as Isaiah prophesied), yet Jesus in coming the second time will come as a powerful King and Ruler. Following are several Scriptures which portray the Messiah as being gentle and meek rather than a man of war as was King David in his Kingdom; bF-4:4

M (Zec 9:9) "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Note how this verse portrays the Messiah as being very defenseless and a man of peace, rather than a man of war and military strength. Verse ten which follows this verse then indicates that the Messiah would establish this defenselessness and peace among His followers. Such verse reads; bF-4:5

M (Zec 9:10) "And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth." Note verse 11 then reads “As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water." Note how verse ten speaks of the Messiah's dominion being from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth indicating that the Messiah's Kingdom would include the Gentiles. bF-4:6

M (Isa 42:1-4) "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. {2} He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. {3} A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. {4} He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law." Note how this Scripture also speaks of the Messiah as being meek rather than a man of war and indicates that He will bring judgment to the earth by teaching and educating rather than by physical and political force. bF-4:7

Following are two more prophesies which are very much in harmony with the above prophesies and in harmony with Jesus' non resistant teachings (Note these prophesies are almost identical); bF-4:8

M (Isa 2:2-4) "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. {3} And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {4} And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Note how this Scripture speaks of all nations (Gentiles) flowing into God's new style Kingdom. Many prophesies pertaining to the time of the Messiah speak of the Gentile becoming acceptable participates of God's people. Also note how this Scripture speaks of God's people no longer warring with military weapons but rather speaks of them teaching and educating the nations. Since the following Scripture is almost identical to the above Scripture no comments will be given with it; bF-4:9

(Micah 4:1-3) "But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. {2} And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {3} And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." bF-4:10

Although the following two verses are not quite as meaningful as the above verses, in carefully considering Jesus peaceful and non resistant teachings, they yet should be noticed. bF-4:12

(Psa 46:9) "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire." bF-4:13

(Hosea 2:18) "And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely." Although God allows His people to endure persecution He also often times miraculously protects them. bF-4:14

Likely many of Jesus' listeners were willing to accept His new teachings concerning not resisting their enemies, firstly because of seeing the great miracles Jesus did, secondly because of feeling a common Spirit with Jesus, and thirdly because of the old era prophesies which they believed were in harmony with Jesus' life and teachings. Yet it is true that many of the prophesies concerning the Messiah and how they were fulfilled in Jesus, were not understood at this time, but were understood after Jesus' death and resurrection. bF-4:15

V Following is another valuable prophesy concerning the world neutral aspect of Christ's Kingdom; bF-4:15.1

V (Genesis 49:10) "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be."

V Note how this verse indicates that the sceptre would depart from Judah at the time of the Messiah (Shiloh), and reveals that their would be a distinct difference between the old Jewish Scepter era and the Messiah era. If God would have intended the Messiah, (who was to spring forth from the tribe of Juda), to restore and continue the traditional sceptre (political government) of Juda, why would this Scripture indicate that the scepter would at last depart from Juda at the time of the Messiah and a new Messiah era then be ushered in? Note how the above verse could be understood to mean that God planned that civil or political leaders would continue to spring forth from the tribe of Juda until the Messiah came, but then discontinue after He came and established God's new covenant including His new peaceful order. The possibility of this verse meaning such should not go unnoticed. bF-4:15.2

Many prophesies taught that when the Messiah or deliverer came, God's people or Kingdom would be enlarged to encompass the Gentile people. Following are several such prophesies; bF-4:16

(Isa 11:10) "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious." bF-4:17

(Isa 42:1&6) "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. {6} I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;" bF-4:18

(Isa 54:3) "For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited."

(Isa 60:3) "And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." bF-4:19

(Mal 1:11) "For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts." bF-4:20

(Zec 9:9-10) "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh... {10} …and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth." bF-4:21

(Deu 32:21) "They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. This verse could very much pertain to the Gentiles becoming a part of God's people. bF-4:22

(Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah 4:1-3, ) Note these Scriptures also very strongly speak of the Gentiles becoming a part of God's enlarged Kingdom, and were given above in paragraphs bF 4:9-10. bF-4:23

M It appears that in the new era, God ordained that His now enlarged people (including the Gentiles) should live among the many nations of the world rather than consist of a defensed nation or nations, as did God's people in the old era. It is clear that Jesus in a new way disconnected His people from civil government and established a particular separation between Church and State (between religion and civil government) that did not exist in the old era. Many Christians in our day are agreed with this separation between Church and State, yet it is sad that many Christians who believe in this separation then foolishly allow Christians to hate the enemies of whatever nation they dwell in, which might even result in Christians of opposing nations warring against each other! Christ rather than teaching His disciples how to operate as a defensed nation or nations, and rather than teaching them what type of nations they should side with and fight for, taught them to love and do good to all men even their enemies. Christ's followers are not of this world because Christ called them out of this world, and naturally are not as wise concerning the things of this world (including political issues) as are those people who are of this world (Luke 16:8, 1 Cor 1:20 & 2:6-7&3:18-21). If Christ would want His followers to side with and fight for some particular nation or nations, would He not have ordained that they should be wise in this world and in politics and have significant control of the nation which they are to side with and defend? It is quite obvious that God would not have taken away the Statehood or Scepter from His people and then ordained they should now kill the enemies of whatever nation or political group they happen to be a part of. Considering old era prophesies and Christ's own teachings it is quite clear that Christ ordained that His people of the new era should be a world neutral people who do good to all people and nations alike, rather than being a political power (political nation or nations), or being a people who take defensive sides with any nation. Note the non resistant and world neutral aspect of God's new era people becomes even much more clear when the many relevant New Testament Scriptures are considered. Chapters 7-16 of another writing coded aM very much further consider and explain the non resistant and world neutral principle of God's new era people and give many New Testament Scriptures pertaining to such. Writing aM also contains writings of early Church Fathers such as Tertullian, Justin Martyr, Clement, Origen, and Archelaus, whose writings also show the non resistant and world neutral attribute of Christ's new era people. Note another article aN also significantly relates to this writing as it extensively considers many similarities as well as changes that exist between the old and new eras. bF-4:24

V Numerous issues that indicate that Jesus was the Messiah are, firstly even though the Messiah was very much promised to be of the seed of Abraham and David, the Messiah very much could also have been the Son of God. Note Jesus could have been the Son of God even if not born of a virgin, since the Holy Ghost could have overshadowed a non virgin and made a non virgin with child as well as a virgin. Yet to make it very clear that Jesus was the Son of God as well as the seed of David, God seen fit that Jesus should be born of a virgin. Another issue that indicates that Jesus was the Messiah is the Seventy Week prophesy in Daniel which indicates that the Messiah would be born 400-500 years after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, which prophesy says the Messiah will be cut off (likely meaning put to death), and says He (the Messiah) will cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease. Another issue is Isaiah 53, which also speaks of God's special servant being put to death, and repeatedly speaks of Him suffering for man and bearing man's sins upon Himself, and gives numerous other details which perfectly fitted into what Jesus experienced. Another issue is that both David and Zechariah speak of the Messiah being pierced, while Zechariah also speaks of the blood of the His covenant and of a fountain being opened for sin and uncleanness. Another issue is that although Jesus grew up in Nazareth of Galilee and was known as a Nazarene, He yet was born in Bethlehem as was prophesied. Another issue is the many prophesies (as in paragraphs 2:23-33 ) which although likely having an earlier fulfillment, yet very much fitted into what Jesus experienced. Another issue to consider is the Apocrypha very much indicates that Jesus was the Messiah. Another issue although of lesser importance, is what Josephus says about Jesus. Another issue is that many true Prophets before Jesus were rejected and even killed by the Jewish leaders, which also very much could have happened to the true Messiah. Even concerning famous Moses, he was often rejected by the people and was about to be stoned by the angry multitude (Ex 17:4). Another issue is that although Jesus initiated numerous new laws, famous Moses the one whom the Messiah was to be similar to, also established new laws. Another issue is that although Jesus made many changes, such changes were not strange to old prophecies but rather were much in alignment. One should remember that God never wanted His people to have a King to begin with, and remember numerous old era prophesies indicate that the Messiah would establish a peaceful, world neutral, and world wide Kingdom. Considering all the above issues one need not fear that Jesus was an imposer Messiah or an imposer into God's plan. bF-4:25

Another issue that should not be over looked (although likely not as important as the above issues) pertains to how God because of Israel's murmurings against God and Moses sent fiery serpents among them, afterwhich God told Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it upon a pole, and then ordained that all who looked upon this serpent upon the pole should be healed (Num 21:4-9). One should consider how nicely this could symbolize Jesus being upon the cross and being that which all humanity must look to, to be saved from the bite of sin. One should consider that God could have told Moses to put an Angel or Cherubim upon the pole, but God for some reason, to provide a healing from the bites of the serpents, had them look to a serpent. Could this symbolize how God chose to use one who was made like to lowly cursed man and who looked like lowly cursed man, to save man, rather then using one who appeared much superior to man, to save man? Note the subject of Jesus' humanity is extensively considered in artcle aT. bF-4:25.5

V Possibly many Christians today feel they are better than those Jews who do not believe in Jesus, and are yet waiting for their Messiah. Yet possibly many such Christians are not non resistant or a world neutral people (and rather than being the chased and killed are the chasers and killers), and if Jesus were here and taught them what He taught the Jews, such Christians might also reject Jesus and His teachings just like many Jews did, whom they despise for doing it! May all people be careful, in how they judge or reject others. bF-4:26

Chapter 5

Gives the Testimonies of Various One's Concerning Jesus.

Gives Various Questions to Consider.

Following is given God's witness of Jesus, according to various Scriptures; bF-5:1

(Mat 3:16-17) "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: {17} And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Note the following two Scriptures are much the same. bF-5:2

(Mark 1:10-11) "And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: {11} And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." bF-5:3

(Luke 3:21-22) "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, {22} And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." bF-5:4

(Mat 17:5) "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Note God spoke this when on the Mount of Transfiguration. The following two verses also pertain to such. bF-5:5

(Mark 9:7) "And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him."

(Luke 9:35) "And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him." bF-5:6

Following is given John the Baptist's witness of Jesus, according to various Scriptures; Note Josephus the famous historian gave a good witness of John the Baptist; bF-5:7

(John 1:29&34-36) "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. {34} And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. {35} Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; {36} And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!" bF-5:8

(John 3:28&34-36) "Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. {34} For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. {35} The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. {36} He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." bF-5:9

(Luke 3:15-16) "And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; {16} John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:" Note Matt 3:11-14 and Mark 1:7-8 read much the same. bF-5:10

Following is given the witness of various other individuals concerning Jesus; bF-5:11

(Mat 16:16-17) "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. {17} And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

(John 11:27) "She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." This is Martha's witness.

(Mat 27:54) "Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God." bF-5:12

(Mat 14:32-33) "And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. {33} Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." bF-5:13

(John 1:49) "Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." bF-5:14

Following is the witness of unclean spirits concerning Jesus; bF-5:15

(Mat 8:29) "And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" bF-5:16

(Mark 3:11) "And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God." bF-5:17

(Mark 5:7) "And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not." bF-5:18

(Luke 4:41) "And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ." bF-5:19

(Luke 8:28) "When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not." bF-5:20

M If Jesus was not the Messiah, but rather was a false prophet who was lying about Himself being the Son of God and Messiah, would God have allowed or enabled Jesus to do so many and great miracles as He did? Only 40 years after Jesus was rejected and crucified, God for some reason allowed Jerusalem and the Temple to be destroyed and quite permanently. It would appear that God would not for little reason allow such destruction to occur, since God did not allow Solomon's Temple to be destroyed with little reason. If Jesus was not the Messiah and the Jews did righteously in killing Him, and God had not yet ordained a new covenant for His people, would God have allowed Jerusalem and the Temple to be destroyed so permanently only 40 years after Jesus' time? bF-5:21

M Quite reliable history says that the Christian Jews understood Jesus' prophesy concerning the coming destruction of Jerusalem, and thus they fled when they seen those signs Jesus spoke of and thus escaped this destruction. Yet many thousands or millions of non Christian Jews were destroyed in this destruction. If Jesus was a false prophet and not the Messiah, why would His followers have been delivered and saved from this destruction and those who rejected Him been destroyed with the city? Non Christian Jews should consider how largely forsaken of God they seem to have been ever since they rejected Jesus as the Messiah. If Jesus was not the Messiah why has not the Messiah come in the last 2000 years? Or should one actually think that God would have waited this many years to send the Messiah? bF-5:22

M Concerning those who say that Jesus was a good man, but was not the Son of God or the Messiah, something really is wrong in their view, because they are saying Jesus was a good man while they yet are believing Him to have been a liar because they do not believe the things He distinctly taught about Himself. If the Jews in general believe that Jesus was a good man they must admit that their fathers crucified a good man, and if their fathers crucified a good man how can they really believe that their bad fathers told them the truth about this good man? bF-5:23

One should soberly consider the many above Scriptures and issues that strongly indicate that Jesus truly was the Messiah. Note since the writer has now given much evidence to show that Jesus was the Messiah, and is unaware of much additional proof of such, the remainder of this writing will not pertain so much to learning who is the Messiah but rather pertains to numerous issues about the Messiah, Jesus, and Christianity. Yet paragraphs bF 6:26-27 near the end of this writing give one more vital issue that further shows that Jesus was the Messiah. bF-5:24

It is clear that the God (and religion) of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and of the faithful Israelites, is the God (and religion) that is steadfast and sure. Now as Jesus Christ and His laws are a faithful and true continuation of that God (and religion) all should greatly respect and reverence true Christianity. Jesus while on earth manifested and contributed a distinct religion and faith. The religion and faith that Jesus manifested and contributed while on earth, is the only religion that God counts as true Christendom. Yet in our day (2000 years later), it is sad that many who say they believe in Jesus, do not really know who and what Jesus was and whom they are confessing to believe in. It also appears that many who say they do not believe in Jesus, neither really know who and what Jesus was and whom they are confessing to not believe in. It is even possible that some who in ignorance say they do not believe in Jesus, are believing in that standard and faith which Jesus manifested and contributed, more than many who say they believe in Jesus. bF-5:25

God reveals the Messiah in a Spiritual way to all mankind. God reveals the Messiah to mankind as such by the means of His Holy Spirit speaking to man's heart and convicting man of His sin and inviting Him to the salvation made possible through the Messiah (Job 33:14-30). Jesus is a light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world (John 1:9). Another writing in paragraphs aG-37-53 speaks much more about these things and speaks about individuals knowing the Messiah by their Spiritual senses (a heart felt way) rather than by their intellectual senses (an intellectual way). It is more important to know Christ in a Spiritual way, than to know Him after His earth life and in a historical and intellectual way. Some who are very knowledgeable about Jesus have an impure heart, while others who are very ignorant about Jesus have a pure heart. The condition of one's heart is what matters the most. Yet it also is very important that one knows Jesus in an intellectual and historical way such as knowing who Jesus was and is and believes in that religion and faith that Jesus taught. bF-5:26

Jesus while on earth spoke of many false Christs (false Messiahs) arising in the future. Jesus in warning about false Christs might not only have been speaking of false individuals claiming to be Christ, but might also have been warning about false religions and teachings which claim themselves to be Christian or Messianic (of Christ). May all beware of false Christs and beware of false religions that claim themselves to be Christian. bF-5:27

Chapter 6

Considers several Different Names of the Messiah.

Considers the Shallow Belief in Jesus that Many Christians Have.

Further Considers the Changes that Christ Established

L Note although the first 19 paragraphs of this chapter pertain to some issues of lessor importance the later part of this chapter again pertains to issues of greater importance. Prophesies of the Messiah give the Messiah many different titles, such as, Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Savior, the Son, the Branch, Priest, Lord, Redeemer, and numerous other names. In the New Testament the Messiah often is also called the Son of God, the Son of man, and Christ. Note the following information pertains to the King James Version Bible. Only two Scriptures in the Old Testament use the word Messiah, and only two Scriptures in the New Testament use the word Messias, which is much the same as the word Messiah. The words Messiah and Messias are alike insomuch that some English translations use the word Messiah in the New Testament although the KJV uses the word Messias. Although the words Messiah and Messias are only used four times in the Bible the word Messias is closely related to the word "Christ" which word is used over 500 times in the New Testament. Following are several Scriptures that clearly reveal that the word (title) Messias is much the same as the word (title) Christ; bF-6:1

L (John 1:41) "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ." bF-6:2

L (John 4:25) "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things." bF-6:3

L Following are several Scriptures wherein the word Christ could very properly be replaced with the word Messias or Messiah; Note how these Scriptures in using the word Christ are not using it as a personal name (such as a name of an individual among them), but rather use the word Christ in speaking of a particular one who was promised to come. bF-6:4

L (Luke 3:15) "And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ [the Messiah], or not;" bF-6:5

L (John 1:20) "And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ [the Messiah]." bF-6:6

L (John 3:28) "Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ [the Messiah], but that I am sent before him." Note how nicely and properly the word Christ could be replaced with the word Messiah in all these Scriptures. John here was saying that he was not the Messiah but rather was sent before Him. bF-6:7

L (John 4:29) "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ [the Messiah]?" bF-6:8

L (John 7:41-42) "Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? {42} Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?" The Jews were here saying, shall the Messiah come out of Galilee? Shall not the Messiah rather come out of Bethlehem? bF-6:9

L (Mat 2:4-6) "And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ [the Messiah] should be born. {5} And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, {6} And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." bF-6:10

L (1 John 2:22) "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah]? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." bF-6:11

L (Acts 17:3) “Opening and alleging, that Christ [the messiah] must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ [the messiah]” bF-6:11.5

L The name Jesus was Jesus' personal name, while the name Christ was a title rather than a personal name and pertained to the title Messiah. The name Jesus Christ largely is like saying Jesus the Messiah. The name (title) “Lord” pertains to being Sovereign or a Ruler. The Bible in saying "our Lord Jesus Christ" is really saying "our Sovereign Ruler, Jesus the Messiah". The Jews who say they do not believe in Jesus still would say they believe in Christ, since they although not believing in the person Jesus, yet believe in the Christ to come. bF-6:12

L The titles Messias, Messiah, and Christ, all three largely mean the Anointed One. The title Messiah comes from the Hebrew word H4899 which has the following definition; bF-6:13

L "4899. mashiyach, maw-shee'-akh; from H4886; anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); spec. the Messiah:" Note this Hebrew word often is translated into the word anoint instead of Messiah. bF-6:14

L The title Messias comes from the Greek word G3323 which has the following definition; bF-6:15

L "3323. Messias, mes-see'-as; of Heb or. [H4899]; the Messias (i.e. Mashiach), or Christ:". Note this Greek word comes from the above Hebrew word. bF-6:16

L The title "Christ" (which is much like Messiah), appears only in the New Testament, but therein it appears 555 times. The title Christ always comes from the Greek word G5547 which has the following definition; bF-6:17

L "5547. Christos, khris-tos'; from G5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:" bF-6:18

L In considering the above it becomes clear that the names or titles Messiah, Messias, and Christ all pertain to being anointed and are much one word, and have a distinctly different meaning than the names or titles Jesus, God, and Lord. bF-6:19

M Many Christians in our day do not believe in Jesus as the Messiah or Son of God in any greater or more meaningful way than many believe in Buddha or Mohammed. Many Christians today believe in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah for no other reason than because such is what their parents or Church has taught them. Christians must have a deeper reason for believing in Jesus than such, if their belief in Jesus is to be meaningful and qualified before God. Christians must believe in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah because of being taught of God and because of God revealing such to them (John 6:45, Matt 16:16-17). Christians also should be able to clearly see Jesus revealed in many old era Scriptures and especially in numerous distinct prophesies. Jesus distinctly showed his followers how numerous old era Scriptures foretold of Him, His deeds, and experiences. Following are three Scriptures pertaining to such; bF-6:20

(John 5:39) "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." bF-6:21

(Luke 24:25-27&32) "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: {26} Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? {27} And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. {32} And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" bF-6:22

(Luke 24:44-46) "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. {45} Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, {46} And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:" bF-6:23

How nice it would be if we could know exactly how Jesus here explained the prophetical Scriptures concerning Himself. Yet even though we do not know exactly how Jesus here explained the Scriptures, yet His disciples who heard Jesus' explanations likely passed on many of them. Christians in using prophesies to try to convince non Christians that Jesus was the Messiah, should be discrete in how they use the many related prophesies. Concerning those many prophecies which wondrously fit into what Jesus experienced, but which yet had another earlier fulfillment, such prophecies alone will not convince one that does not want to believe in Jesus that Jesus was the Messiah, as such individuals likely will say that such prophesies never were intended to pertain to the Messiah and even were fulfilled long before Jesus came. In considering the many prophesies concerning the Messiah, the strong and clear prophesies in the Scriptures is what should be focused on to be persuaded that Jesus was the Messiah, then after one is already persuaded the lesser clear prophesies also can even further persuade one that Jesus was the Messiah. Yet concerning those who love traditional or popular beliefs more than they love the truth, no amount of evidence will convince such one's of the truth, with regards to the subject of the Messiah or with regards to any subject. bF-6:24

V With regards to the change Jesus established for God's people in the New Testament era, such change was very great in respect to the outward and visible aspect of God's Kingdom. This change pertained to God's people instead of continuing to be a political nation who carried out God's punishment upon evil nations, becoming a peaceable people, simply living among the nations and doing good to all men even their enemies and the wicked. Note, although God no longer uses His people to punish wicked nations, it appears that God now sometimes uses the wicked to punish the more wicked. God even in the Old Testament at times used the unrighteous to punish the wicked. Although the political and outward change which Christ ordained, seems very great to man who tends to look on outward and visible things, yet in God's sight it was not so great a change, since God's main focus never was on the outward and visible structure of His people but rather was on the condition of their hearts. One should again remember how God never wanted His people to have a King to begin with, and often allowed their outward and visible structure to be overthrown because of them lacking integrity and uprightness in their hearts. One should also consider that although God's people in the old era originally were ordained to rule and to be the feared and respected, yet even in that era the God's faithful followers often were chased and killed rather than being the rulers and respected. Considering all these things, this outward change, although in one respect seeming almost too great to be acceptable yet in another respect it is quite small and insignificant. From the time of the Babylonian captivity to Jesus' time, the Jews rather than having their own independent and defensed government often were subject to other governments and often worked in harmony with other governments. Was God slowly preparing them for the time when they would not operate as a independent and defensed nation at all? bF-6:25

V Although Messianic Prophesies reveal that the Messiah would be humanities King, yet Messianic Prophesies also reveal that the Messiah would be much more than solely humanities King. Prophesies of the Messiah very much teach that the Messiah would be humanities righteousness, Savior, and Redeemer, and thus be a mediator between God and man very much like was the Jewish High Priest. The Jewish High Priest was commanded to wear the ephod and breastplate (as well as other special garments) when He offered up sacrifices. Both the ephod and breast plate had the names of the 12 tribes of Israel inscribed on them to portray the High Priest's vital position of bearing the people and their sins before God (Ex 28:9-29). Messianic prophesies reveal that the Messiah also would very much perform the office of a Priest, in bearing humanity before God and making peace between God and man. Psalms 110:4 very nicely fits into the subject of the Messiah being a Priest reading "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." bF-6:26

V In considering the Priesthood office of the Messiah, one should consider that in the Old Testament era the High Priest's death was a vital issue having vital contingent issues. In old times the High Priest's death, meant freedom for the unintentional man slayer, who until then was bound to remain in the city of refuge (Num 35:25&28&32, Josh 20:6). Although it might seem strange that the freedom of the unintentional man slayer depended upon the death of the High Priest, it appears their was a vivid significance in this law. Just as God in old times ordained that the death of the High Priest would be very meaningful, so also God ordained that the death of the Messiah High Priest also would be very meaningful. It appears that just like the unintentional man slayer was bound to the city of refuge until after the High Priest's death, so also mankind was bound to sin and death (as acquired by Adam and Eve's sin), and could not return to his original position before God until the death of the Messiah High Priest (Jesus). Considering numerous Scriptures and issues, it is quite clear that the souls or spirits of the just were required to remain in Hades, (the lower parts of the earth) and were not allowed to return and appear before God until after the Messiah High Priest's death. Paragraphs aM-3:2-43 consider and quite clearly reveal such. bF-6:27

V Ten significant issues that reveal that Jesus is the Messiah are, firstly the Seventy Week prophesy in Daniel, which prophesy indicates that the Messiah would be born 400-500 years after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, and says the Messiah will be cut off (likely meaning put to death), and says He (the Messiah) will cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease, secondly Isaiah 53, which also speaks of God's special servant being put to death, and repeatedly speaks of Him suffering for man and bearing man's sins upon Himself, and gives numerous other details which perfectly fitted into what Jesus experienced, thirdly both David and Zechariah speak of the Messiah being pierced, while Zechariah also speaks of the “blood of the His covenant” and of a “fountain being opened for sin and uncleanness”, fourthly although Jesus grew up in Nazareth of Galilee and was known as a Nazarene, He yet was born in Bethlehem as was prophesied, fifthly the many prophesies which although likely having an earlier fulfillment, yet very wondrously fitted into what Jesus experienced, sixthly the Apocrypha which very much indicates that Jesus was the Messiah, seventhly what Josephus says about Jesus, eighthly the aspect that many true Prophets prior to Jesus were rejected and even killed by the Jewish leaders, which also very much could have happened to the true Messiah (Note even concerning famous Moses, he was often rejected by the people and was about to be stoned by the angry multitude (Ex 17:4), ninthly one should consider that although Jesus initiated numerous new laws, famous Moses the one whom the Messiah was to be similar to, also established many new laws, and tenthly one should consider that although Jesus made many changes, such changes were not strange to old prophecies but rather were much in alignment. The Jews who believed the Messiah would bring about God's final Kingdom were quite right in their belief, for such the Messiah will do. Yet many Jews did not realize the different issues and steps that would be involved in the Messiah bringing about this Kingdom, such as Him coming the first time to be offered up as a sacrifice and then coming the second time to establish the Kingdom they expected in the Messiah's first coming. bF-6:28

V One should consider that a very significant portion of the many Messianic prophesies strongly indicate that the Messiah would experience exactly what Jesus experienced! Although many Jews in Jesus' day rejected Jesus, not all Jews in Jesus' day rejected Him. Many Jews soon after Jesus' death and resurrection, accepted Jesus as the Messiah, and even a great company of the Jewish Priests. Numerous Scriptures in both the Old Testament and New Testament quite clearly speaking of the time in which we live, speak of a special revival occurring among the Jews (Hos 1:9-11, Hos 3:4-5, Luke 21:24, Rom 11:25-26, Rev 11:2). Will many Jews in our day see and accept Jesus as the Messiah as did many of their fathers in the days of the Apostles? bF-6:29

V In concluding this writing the writer wishes the reader (as well as himself), to be a participate in the mercies of that ONLY TRUE GOD that saved Noah from the flood, who led Abraham to Canaan, who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone, who lead the Israelites through the midst of the Red Sea, who appeared as cloud upon the Tabernacle and Mercy Seat, who delivered Daniel in the lions den, who delivered the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace, who did many other marvelous miracles, who clearly promised a special deliverer for mankind, who distinctly fortold that He would be pierced and put to death (Dan 9:26, Isa 53:7-9, Psa 22:16, Zec 12:10-13:1), who said the Messiah would bear man's iniquities upon Himself (Isa 53:4-12), be an offering for sin (Isa 53:10), and cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease (Dan 9:27), who sent the Messiah in a miraculous manner being born of a virgin, who caused both Simon and Anna in the Temple to bear witness that this child was the Messiah as also did John the Baptist, who enabled His Son, Jesus the Messiah to do many great miracles even raising the dead, who through Jesus established a new covenant, who raised up Jesus after He was put to death, who poured out the Holy Ghost upon Jesus' followers on the day of Pentecost, who filled the New Church with great power, who took in the Gentiles as His people, and who in due time will judge the world by that man whom He hath ordained, even Jesus. Concerning this great God may we know Him and be known and accepted of Him! Farewell. bF-6:30

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