The Son of the Almighty is commonly known as Jesus (Yeshua or Yahshua), Christ, or the Messiah.
Many have misconceptions of Jesus which are based upon man’s beliefs rather then solid proof from God’s word. Do not let the ideas of man blind you into using your own mind with scriptures! God wants all of us to turn to him, not man – And that includes ourselves! Do we have the courage to test our beliefs against scripture? Hopefully, yes!
Just as the name “Jehovah” or “Jeremiah” or “Jerusalem” is pronounced, “Jesus” is not commonly pronounced or spelled as it was originally. The name Jesus is “Yeshua or Yahshua,” in Hebrew. The name spelled “Yahshua” is probably the closest to the original Hebrew. For one thing, the letter “J” was not even used back then! Today, someone’s name may be spelled differently or be pronounced differently in different parts of the world but the important thing is that we know who we are talking about.
You may be interested in viewing the publication about Jesus’ Return.
Many believe that Jesus is Michael at Daniel 12:1.
Jesus (Yahshua) called his God, “Father” and God called Jesus, his Son.
- John 14:28 “The Father is greater then I am” Jesus is speaking here.
- John 20:17 “I am ascending to my Father and your father and to my God and your God.”
- Luke 3:21-22 “Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized and, as he was praying, the heaven was opened up and the holy spirit in bodily shape like a dove came down upon him, and a voice came out of heaven: ‘You are my Son, the beloved: I have approved you.’ “
Jesus (Yeshua or Yahshua) is called “my Son” by God and is approved by him.
Acts 10:38 “Jesus who was from Nazareth, how God anointed him with holy spirit and power, and he went through the land doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil.”
Jesus was anointed by Yahweh
- Galatians 4:4 “When the full limit of the time arrived, God sent forth his Son, who came to be out of a woman.”
- God’s Son was sent by God.
- Luke 3:23-38 traces Jesus’ earthly lineage back to king David (vs.31) and even all the way to God. (vs.38)
- Psalms 110:1 “The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord is: ‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.’ ” It is Jehovah who places enemies “as a stool” for David’s “Lord.” It was David who was inspired to write this. So who would be David’s Lord? This would be Jehovah’s servant, Jesus. – Compare Matthew 22:41-45; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:41-44
- Ezekiel 34:23-31 “And I will raise up over them one shepherd, and he must feed them, even my servant David. He himself will feed them, and he himself will become their shepherd. (24) And I myself, Jehovah, will become their God, and my servant David a chieftain in the midst of them. I myself, Jehovah, have spoken…”
Jehovah (Yahweh) raises up his servant “David” as king (Who would be Jesus (Yahshua)) over his sheep and then brings blessings. Remember that the book of Ezekiel was written after the literal king David’s death.
Ezekiel 37:24-25 “And my Servant David will be king over them, and one shepherd is what they will all come to have….(25)…to time indefinite, and David my servant will be their chieftain to time indefinite.” – Compare Daniel 2:44 where it shows God’s kingdom to rule to time indefinite.
It is Jehovah (Yahweh) who chooses his servant, protects him, and creates a covenant that involves his servant. This servant is Jesus (Yahshua).
- Isaiah 42:1,6-7 “Look! My servant, on whom I keep fast hold! My chosen one, [whom] my soul has approved! I have put my spirit in him. Justice to the nations is what he will bring forth. (6) “I myself, Jehovah, have called you in righteousness, and I proceeded to take hold of your hand. And I shall safeguard you and give you as a covenant of the people, as a light of the nations, (7) [for you] to open the blind eyes, to bring forth out of the dungeon the prisoner, out of the house of detention those sitting in darkness.” (Compare Luke 22:29)
- Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 Prophesy concerning Jehovah’s servant who was to carry the “sin of many people.” He is noted as being “crushed” and “pierced” for our transgression and errors. He is also noted as “severed from the land of the living ones.” (vs.8)
Luke 1:26-33 “In her sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent forth from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, (27) to a virgin promised in marriage to a man named Joseph of David’s house; and the name of the virgin was Mary. (28) And when he went in before her he said: ‘Good day, highly favored one, Jehovah is with you.’ (29) But she was deeply disturbed at the saying and began to reason out what sort of greeting this might be. (30) So the angel said to her: ‘Have no fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God; (31) and, look! you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you are to call his name Jesus. (32) This one will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; and Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father, (33) and he will rule as king over the house of Jacob forever and there will be no end of his kingdom.’ “
Jehovah (Yahweh) gives the nations to his Son, Jesus (Yahshua). This passage will happen soon. This happens when the events of Daniel 12:1 and Revelation 11:15 occur.
The nations are admonished to “kiss” the Son. And in so doing, they would be showing their submission.
Notice how in verse 2 of Psalms 2,that the kings of the earth have figuratively massed together as one against Jehovah and his anointed one. This time period refers to Revelation 16:16 as “Har-Mageddon” or “Armageddon.” The nations have been misled into pitting themselves against the Almighty and His Anointed Son. However, the nations still have a chance to show submission as brought out at Psalms 2:10-12. (Compare the book of Jonah where the wicked city of Nineveh was given the opportunity to repent and be spared.)
By “kissing the son” the nations show servitude to Jehovah via Jesus because “the son” (Jesus) was placed (anointed) in the position by Jehovah. So in reality it shows that there is nothing wrong with serving (also known as ministering or worshiping) Jehovah and Jesus at the same time. (Compare 1 Chronicles 27:1 where a total of 288,000 were ministering / serving to the king David. This word “ministering” has been translated from the Hebrew word “sharath” (Strong’s 8334) meaning “to attend as a menial or worshiper..” Compare Ezekiel 20:32 where this word is also used to show worship to “wood and stone.” However, David did not receive sacred service as though he was Jehovah but he was Jehovah’s anointed king for his people.)
Psalms 2:1-12 “Why have the nations been in tumult And the national groups themselves kept muttering an empty thing? (2) The kings of the earth take their stand And high officials themselves have massed together as one Against Jehovah and against his anointed one, (3) [Saying:] ‘Let us tear their bands apart And cast their cords away from us!’ (4) The very One sitting in the heavens will laugh; Jehovah himself will hold them in derision. (5) At that time he will speak to them in his anger And in his hot displeasure he will disturb them, (6) [Saying:] ‘I, even I, have installed my king Upon Zion, my holy mountain.’ (7) Let me refer to the decree of Jehovah; He has said to me: ‘You are my son; I, today, I have become your father. (8) Ask of me, that I may give nations as your inheritance And the ends of the earth as your own possession. (9) You will break them with an iron scepter, As though a potter’s vessel you will dash them to pieces.’ (10) And now, O kings, exercise insight; Let yourselves be corrected, O judges of the earth. (11) Serve Jehovah with fear And be joyful with trembling. (12) Kiss the son, that he may not become incensed And YOU may not perish [from] the way, For his anger flares up easily. Happy are all those taking refuge in him.”
Satan tries to tempt Jesus.
This temptation would not have been a temptation if it was a lie.
Jesus did not have the authority or glory of the nations. It was not delivered to him at that time but apparently it was delivered to Satan by the Most High. This occurred before Satan sinned.
Luke 4:5-8 “So he brought him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in an instant of time; (6) and the Devil said to him: ‘I will give you all this authority and the glory of them, because it has been delivered to me, and to whomever I wish I give it. (7) You, therefore, if you do an act of worship before me, it will all be yours.’ (8) In reply Jesus said to him: ‘It is written, “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” ‘ “ (Compare Matthew 4:1-11)
Revelation 11:15; “And the seventh angel blew his trumpet. And loud voices occurred in heaven, saying: ‘The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.’ “
This is yet to happen and it is explained in further detail later. See Daniel 7
This “kingdom of the world” is currently Satan’s but it will become Jesus’ shortly. This point of time that is described here is specific on what happens before it and after it. But for now, the point is clear – Authority is passed to Jesus as referred to as his “Christ.”
Revelation 1:1 “A Revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place…” Jesus received this “revelation” from God.
Genesis 3:15 “And I shall put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heal.”
This is Jehovah talking to Satan about his seed and the woman’s (Eve) seed (offspring), Jesus. Jesus has already been bruised in the “heal” by being put to death in the first century. Satan has yet to be destroyed. This can also be viewed in a larger scale. That is, all those who side with Jehovah and all those who do not.
Revelation 19:11-21 Here is mentioned the one who is seated upon a white horse and is called the “Word of God.” Also, a “sharp long sword” protrudes out of his mouth that he may “strike the nations with it.” He will also shepherd them. Upon his outer garment, he has a name written “King of kings and Lord of lords” This is the time where any people who do not submit to him are destroyed. (Compare Psalms 2 comments) This is “Harmageddon” or as some know it, “Armageddon.” This is also known as the “great evening meal of God.” (vs.17) This rider is Jesus. This is because of the descriptions and where this falls in the prophetic time-lines and prophesies.
Revelation 21:1-4(CJB) This is where it states that the “tent” of God is with mankind and it speaks of blessings such as death and mourning being done away with. This “tent” protects mankind. These are blessings brought by Jehovah through his appointed son and servant Jesus.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,[a] for the old heaven and the old earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer there. 2 Also I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! God’s Sh’khinah is with mankind, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and he himself, God-with-them, will be their God.[b] 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.”
Jesus, the first to be resurrected, is victorious! Compare Isaiah 25:8; Psalms 44:23; Rev. 1:5-7; 5:5, 9-12
There are many other scriptures that talk of Jesus (Yahshua). Here are some of the principles and ways that Jehovah (Yahweh) is going to transfer the kingdom of the world to Jesus and what that entails. This kingdom transfer will be discussed in more detail later. Another example of a kingdom transfer is recorded at Daniel 5:26-28.
Here are some scriptures that can be used with some of the above scriptures to show when the Messiah was to appear on earth in the first century and what he was to endure:
Daniel 9:25 gives us a time-line in which to tell when the Messiah was to appear : “And you should know and have the insight [that] from the going forth of [the] word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah [the] Leader, there will be seven weeks, also sixty-two weeks. She will return and will be actually rebuilt, with a public square and moat, but in the straits of the times.”
- This is part of a prophetic 70 weeks as mentioned in verse 24
- Jerusalem was desolate at the time of this delivered message to Daniel.
- We know that it was not referring to literal human weeks because there was no Messiah appearing literally 69 weeks “from the going forth of [the] word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem.”
- The “going forth of [the] word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem” is an interesting phrase. Because exactly when does “going forth of the word” start? I believe that ones even in the first century did not exactly know. Because many were in anticipation of the Messiah but it seemed that no one really knew the exact date. Compare John 4:4-42 where the woman at the well told Jesus that the Messiah was coming. This could have been partly due to not having a clear definition of this term “going forth.” Was it when the order was given? Would that indicate a “going forth of the word?” Or was it when the order was in transport to Jerusalem or when it arrived there? We do know the approximate time the order was given and we have an idea on how long the order took to be delivered. In any case, it appears that this time period of 69 weeks started in or around 455 BCE.
- How long is each “week?” And so when did he appear? Well, a week is 7 days long. So one could say that the Messiah was to appear 483 (69*7) prophetic days after the “going forth of the word to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.” Again, we know that these are not literal days because nothing of the sort happened back then. But if we apply the principle of “a day for a year” (Ezekiel 4:6) and adjust 1 year because there is no “zero” year then we end up with the year 29 CE. This is when Jesus was baptized by John. (Luke 3:21) And Luke 3:22 it states; “and the holy spirit in bodily shape like a dove came down upon him, and a voice came out of heaven: “You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you.” Compare John 4:25-26
- In Daniel 9:26 tells us that the Messiah would be cut off; “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah will be cut off, with nothing for himself. And the city and the holy place the people of a leader that is coming will bring to their ruin. And the end of it will be by the flood. And until [the] end there will be war; what is decided upon is desolations.”
- This 62 weeks happens before the seven weeks. The time period of the prophesy totals “70 weeks.” Although verse 25 states the “seven” weeks first, verse 26 makes the order of the events clear.
- Daniel 9:27a mentions; “And he must keep [the] covenant in force for the many for one week; and at the half of the week he will cause sacrifice and gift offering to cease.”
- This is a period of seven years but it talks about “sacrifice and gift offering to cease” in the middle of the week. This would correlate with the time of Jesus giving his life as a perfect ransom sacrifice – A bit more then three years since being baptized by John. Temple sacrifices were no longer needed because Jesus presented his blood and body as a perfect sacrifice. (Compare Isaiah 53; Luke 22:19-20)
- The end of this week correlates with God’s spirit being poured out upon Gentiles as recorded in Acts 10:30-48. This was in agreement with Amos 9:12 and other scriptures such as Isaiah 56:1-7; Ezekiel 47:21-23; compare Isaiah 45:20-25. Compare also how literal circumcision was required in the Abrahamic covenant but Cornelius was a Gentile (Uncircumcised) and yet he was one of the first Gentiles to receive God’s spirit. This was the end of the “one week.” Compare Acts 6:8; Genesis 17:3-14
- Some claim that this week is split in a way so that there is about a 2,000 year gap between the first and second parts. But this reasoning is not in harmony with the prophetic day of “a day for a year” (Ezekiel 4:6) for the entire vision. And it would conflict with other prophesies. So, there is no solid scriptural basis to split it up like that.
- This is a hotly contested passage among some. Regardless, if a teaching does not have solid scriptural evidence to back it up, it can not be claimed to be solidly based upon God’s word. One could claim it to be a possibility but should not claim it to be certain. Only ones that are searching for their own righteousness will do that. They would not be searching for Jehovah’s righteousness. We need to be careful that we do not trust in a man’s word just because of who they are. But we need to remember to continually test teachings by using scripture. See Should you test your beliefs?
Jesus was not just in the Almighty’s mind as non-existent as some believe but he existed with glory before coming to the earth:
Micah 5:2: Jesus’ origin is from “early times”
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
being small among the clans of Judah,
out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.
Luke 13:34: Jesus wanted to protect Jerusalem as a hen protects her chicks but they did not want it. He was talking about the distant past.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused!
John 6:62: Jesus was going to ascend to where he was before. He was not a thought.
Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
John 8:42, 56-58(ASV): Jesus existed before Abraham
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad. 57 The Jews therefore said unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am.
John 16:7: The term “send” or to be “sent” does not mean that what is sent is from memory. Here Jesus sends “the comforter” to help his disciples. It does not say the Almighty was going to send himself or part of himself. It could be likened to a king sending an emissary who is his representative. The emissary is not the king but is on a mission from the king. This is brought up to confront the mislead idea that Jesus only existed in the Almighty’s mind before coming to the earth. Compare Matthew 15:24
John 17:3-5, 18, 24: Jesus was sent and had glory alongside God before the world was. It does not say that he was part of God such as only existing in the Almighty’s mind. What’s more glorious? A thought or reality?
1 Corinthians 15:28: In heaven, and after his death on earth, Jesus subjects himself to God. He doesn’t become part of God like in his mind just as he wasn’t just in God’s mind before he came to earth.
When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 11:3: Jesus’ head is God, as man’s head is Christ
Galatians 4:4: God sent his Son to us to be under the Law
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law
Jesus had inherited (Adam’s curse) sinful flesh from his human mother and father, Mary and Joseph, yet was sinless to the Law.
Comments: Most Christians have been taught that Jesus (Yeshua) was physically perfect, and that Joseph had nothing to do with his birth. There are problems with these teachings. Did you know that the original gospel of Matthew stated that Joseph was Jesus’ father? Also, The Jews past down inheritance rights through the male side. How could Jesus (Yeshua) have legitimately inherited the kingly rule without Joseph?
1 “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
30 The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’ 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”
Matthew 21:1-9 (See also Mark 11:7-11 and Luke 19:28-38) shows us how there was no dispute regarding his right to rule as a descendant of king David. If there was any doubt, such as with the “immaculate conception” teaching, why isn’t there any efforts written in the New Testament to explain how Christ was in the line of king David, if his only father was Yahweh? Why would Matthew have male lineage showing his right to rule but leave out Joseph? It doesn’t make sense, the teaching that Christ was born of a virgin. It also contradicts the above scriptures, which show that Jesus (Yeshua) had Joseph as a father and Yahweh.
21 When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
behold, your King comes to you,
humble, and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9
6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus commanded them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them; and he sat on them. 8 A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Psalm 118:26
7 They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. 8 Many spread their garments on the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees, and spreading them on the road. 9 Those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, “Hosanna![a] Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Psalm 10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
How could Jesus (Yeshua) nail sin to the stake (cross) if he was physically perfect? Some believe that Yeshua is Yahweh so couldn’t have inherited imperfection. But that belief is false.
Romans 8:3 (WEB): 3 For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;
2 Corinthians 5:21 (WEB): 21 For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
How could he be like his brothers in every way if he was physically perfect? He couldn’t. This gives us even more appreciation for his suffering, understanding, and more appreciation for his father’s wisdom!
How could he be physically perfect, with an imperfect mother (as most believe)? Some would say that Jesus is God Almighty (which he is not) and that by becoming human it erases any imperfection. But if that was true, why not have both Jacob and Mary his parents, solidifying his inheritance to the throne? The answer is simple. God Almighty, the Father, sent his son to be in the offspring of Joseph and Mary and naturally inherited sin and death from Adam and the legal kingship through Joseph. When it came to the Mosaic Law, Jesus (Yeshua) was perfectly obedient, the only human to do so. Following his heavenly father’s will, he willingly sacrificed himself for mankind. He sacrificed himself for the sins of mankind. He approached his Father in the heavens with the value of perfect obedience to death. It was at this time that his father fulfilled the oath to made him a priest in the manner of Melchizedek. Christ had conquered death. The Law paved the way for someone to obey perfectly and that someone was Christ. It was a legal opportunity. There was no way to legally establish someone righteous from the days of Adam to Moses. The Law brought forth many ways to transgress and ways to offer sacrifices for atoning for sins. Everyone needed atonement (sacrifice) for sins, except Christ. As Paul mentioned, Christ was the “Last Adam” in the sense that Christ had legally and undeniably undone the hold of the curse (wage) of imperfection/sin brought forth by the act of disobedience of Adam. One act of disobedience against one act of perfect obedience. Where the one act of disobedience sent mankind into sin and death, one act of obedience provides mankind opportunity for everlasting life. This is how mankind’s sins have been forgiven.
14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
5 For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. 3 Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. 4 Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. 5 So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him,
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your father.” Psalm 2:7
6 As he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4
7 He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, 8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. 9 Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, 10 named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
26 For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.
29 The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
34 I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
18 knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ,
22 who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” Isaiah 53:9
5 Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats.
7 Jesus therefore said to them again, “Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. 10 The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11-12,15,22 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. 13 The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn’t care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; 15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. Isaiah 56:8 I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, Isaiah 53:7-8 that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.”
17 “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.” Compare John 19:30 (CJB): 30 After Yeshua had taken the wine, he said, “It is accomplished!” And, letting his head droop, he delivered up his spirit.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a good person someone would even dare to die. 8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
12 Therefore as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; so death passed to all men, because all sinned. 13 For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren’t like Adam’s disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come. 15 But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 The gift is not as through one who sinned; for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification. 17 For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.
18 So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous. 20 The law came in that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly; 21 that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; 9 knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over him! 10 For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God.
11 But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
24 For Christ hasn’t entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own, 26 or else he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony in its own times,
21 For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
45 So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7 The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However that which is spiritual isn’t first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual.
Philippians 2:5-11: Jesus emptied himself and took the form of a man.
5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Revelation 1:1; 3:14; Colossians 1:15-17; John 1:1-3,10: *See John 1:1c about John 1:1, for clarification that Jesus is a god, not God. Jesus is rendered as the firstborn of all creation.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels as the more excellent name he has inherited is better than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did he say at any time,
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your father?” Psalm 2:7
and again,
“I will be to him a Father,
and he will be to me a Son?”2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13
6 When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.” Deuteronomy 32:43 LXX 7 Of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels winds,
and his servants a flame of fire.” Psalm 104:4
8 But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.” Psalm 45:6-7
10 And,
“You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth.
The heavens are the works of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you continue.
They all will grow old like a garment does.
12 You will roll them up like a mantle,
and they will be changed;
but you are the same.
Your years won’t fail.” Psalm 102:25-27
13 But which of the angels has he told at any time,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?” Psalm 110:1
14 Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Compare Isaiah 53:4 with Matthew 8:16-17:
4 Surely he has borne our sickness
and carried our suffering;
yet we considered him plagued,
struck by God, and afflicted.
16 When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
The concept of Christ as the “Suffering Servant” is often linked to prophecies in the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Isaiah. Christians traditionally interpret these passages as prefiguring the suffering, death, and eventual triumph of Jesus. The key scriptures from the Old Testament include:
- Isaiah 52:13–53:12 (The Fourth Servant Song)
- This passage is the most direct and well-known “Suffering Servant” prophecy. It describes a servant who suffers for the sins of others, is despised and rejected, yet through his suffering brings healing and redemption. Specific verses include:
- Isaiah 53:3: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering.”
- Isaiah 53:5: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
- Isaiah 53:7: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter.”
- Psalm 22
- This psalm is often associated with the crucifixion of Christ due to its vivid depiction of suffering. Jesus himself quotes from this psalm while on the cross.
- Psalm 22:1: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Quoted by Jesus in Matthew 27:46).
- Psalm 22:16: “They have pierced my hands and my feet.”
- Psalm 22:18: “They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” (Fulfilled in John 19:23–24).
- Zechariah 12:10
- This prophecy speaks of mourning for the one who was “pierced,” which Christians interpret as referring to Jesus’ time of death.
- Zechariah 12:10: “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.”
- Psalm 69:19–21
- This psalm speaks of suffering and reproach, and some details are linked to the Passion narrative.
- Psalm 69:21: “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” (Associated with Christ’s time of death in Matthew 27:34).
- Daniel 9:26
- This passage speaks of the Anointed One (or Messiah) being “cut off” and implies the suffering of the Messiah.
- Daniel 9:26: “After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.”
These Old Testament passages are seen by Christians as prophecies that foreshadow Christ’s suffering, rejection, and atoning death, portraying him as the fulfillment of the “Suffering Servant” figure in Isaiah.
The imagery of a “sprout” or “branch” coming from the line of Jesse (David’s father) or from David himself is an important messianic theme in the Old Testament. Here are the key passages where this concept is mentioned:
### 1. **Isaiah 11:1-2**
– **”A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.”**
– This passage refers to a future ruler from the line of Jesse, the father of King David, who will be filled with God’s Spirit and possess the qualities of a righteous and wise ruler. Christians interpret this as a prophecy of the Messiah, whom they believe to be Jesus.
### 2. **Isaiah 4:2**
– **”In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.”**
– This “Branch of the Lord” is seen as a reference to a future ruler or messianic figure from David’s line.
### 3. **Jeremiah 23:5-6**
– **”The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.”**
– This prophecy emphasizes a righteous ruler from David’s line who will bring justice and salvation to Israel.
### 4. **Jeremiah 33:15**
– **”In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land.”**
– Similar to Jeremiah 23:5, this speaks of a righteous ruler who will arise from David’s lineage.
### 5. **Zechariah 3:8**
– **”Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.”**
– Here, “the Branch” is a messianic title, referring to the future Davidic king who will restore God’s people.
### 6. **Zechariah 6:12**
– **”Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord.”**
– This verse also refers to a future figure, “the Branch,” who will fulfill God’s purposes, interpreted as a messianic reference.
### Summary:
These passages speak of a future descendant from Jesse (the father of David) or from David’s line, often using the imagery of a shoot, branch, or sprout. The “Branch” is a key messianic symbol, pointing to a future king who will bring justice, righteousness, and restoration to Israel, ultimately interpreted by Christians as prophecies about Jesus Christ.
Commonly mistranslated:
John 1:1 See John 1:1c
Isaiah 7:14 The oldest manuscripts use the term “young maiden” rather than “virgin”
About the “virgin birth” see The original gospel of Matthew