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Part A: Types of Messianic Prophecies
Great musical compositions are built by gradually weaving together instruments and melodies into an overarching climax, but that crescendo pales in comparison with the grand revelation of the Mystery of Messiah.
There are several different ways to see and hear prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. There is a development of understanding of the Messiah:
From the Law of Moses → to the Prophets → to the Gospels → to the Epistles.
The Law and the Prophets lead up to the coming of Yeshua. The Gospels and the Epistles explain more fully who He is. When looking at the mounting weight of biblical thought over the centuries (the “symphony” if you will), I see eight different types (or “melody lines”) of prophetic revelation pointing to Messiah:
Messianic-Type Faith Heroes
Priestly Symbols
Direct Prophecies
Revelatory Experiences
Direct Appearances
Examples from Nature
History of the People of Israel
Theological Principles
Messianic-Type Faith Heroes
These faith heroes can be seen in almost every story of the Bible. Each one is a true historical event, but each also serves as a parable example of Messiah. The examples are too many to be cited; they comprise by far the largest body of material for understanding the coming of the Messiah.
For instance, we may see Adam as the first son of God; Noah as saving the world through water; Abraham as a father sacrificing his son; Judah being willing to be imprisoned to set his brother free; Joseph suffering after being betrayed by his brothers and then becoming leader of the world. All those are just in Genesis.
Moses is a huge Messianic figure. He goes up and down between God and the people, mediating between them, making covenant, giving divine instruction, setting up the priesthood, and even being glorified.
The most prominent of Messianic types among biblical heroes is David. He is the king. The Messiah is the greatest king coming in the Davidic line. Messiah is “Ben David” – the Son of David. That image is continued in David’s son Solomon and the kings of Judah. Yeshua said He was greater than Solomon and greater than Jonah (Matthew 12). The very comparison is an example of the fact that biblical heroes were seen as types of the Messiah.
Priestly Symbols
The priestly symbols are primarily in the sacrificial animal being killed to pay the punishment (atonement) for human sin. It is also the High Priest or priest who offers the sacrifice to make atonement for the people. The Temple is described as Yeshua’s body. The Passover Lamb is seen as the Messiah being crucified; the First Fruits as the resurrection, and so on.
Direct prophecies
These are what most think of in terms of Messianic descriptions. The best known prophecies start with Isaiah (born of a virgin, ch. 7; light of the world, ch. 9, 42, 49; suffering servant, ch. 53), to Micah (born in Bethlehem, ch. 5), to Daniel (son of Man coming before the Ancient of Days, ch. 7), to Zechariah (riding a donkey, ch. 9; pierced, ch 12; standing on the Mount of Olives, ch. 14).
There are many Messianic prophecies in the Psalms, and earlier prophets. One of the first ones is the song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2), in which she prophesied the resurrection (verse 6) and the coming anointed “mashiach” king – מלך משיח (verse 10).
Revelatory Experiences
These occur as a dream or sudden revelation. Ezekiel saw a divine Man sitting on the throne on top of the glory cloud (Ezekiel 1). Jacob saw Him on top of a ladder going into heaven (Genesis 28). Job saw his Redeemer coming (Job 19). Isaiah saw Him glorified sitting on a throne (Isaiah 6). Zechariah said the spirit of grace and supplication would be poured out to see the Pierced One (Zechariah 12). Balaam saw Messiah coming in the far future (Numbers 24).
Direct Appearances
These are called “Christophanies,” and I dealt with those in depth in the book Who Ate Lunch with Abraham? The Messianic God-Man eats lunch with Abraham (Genesis 18); wrestles with Jacob all night (Genesis 32); appears to Moses in a burning bush (Exodus 3); challenges Joshua with a sword (Joshua 5); etc.
Examples from Nature
These include fruit falling into the ground and its seed coming back to life (an example of death and resurrection). There are many others. The sun is seen as the face of Messiah shining in glory. A tree is seen as a person, with Yeshua as the tree of life. Manna is a picture of the Bread of God coming down from heaven, etc. Since God is creator, all of nature serves as a witness of His purposes (Psalm 19).
History of the People of Israel
The name Israel can Biblically refer to the person of Jacob, the people of Israel, or to the person of the Messiah. The history of Israel recapitulates the life of Yeshua. The life of Yeshua recapitulates the history of Israel. Both went down to Egypt. Both came out of Egypt. Forty days of Yeshua’s testing in the wilderness are parallel to forty years of the people wandering in the desert. The exile and regathering of the people is parallel to the death and resurrection of Yeshua, the latter after two days, the former after two thousand years. The suffering servant is sometimes Yeshua and sometimes the people. The seed of Abraham is singular and plural. The life of Messiah and of the people of Israel are bound together.
Theological Principles
In addition to the above categories, Messianic thought also develops in further theological principles throughout the stages of Scripture. For example: What is sin? Repentance? Death? Resurrection? The kingdom of God? Light of the Gentiles? The world to come? Death penalty hanged on a tree? Meaning of Atonement as punishment substitution? God hiding His face? Man made in God’s image? What is salvation?
Stay tuned for Part B - Five Foundational Messianic Prophecies in the Torah
הִנֵּה-בָאתִי בִּמְגִלַּת-סֵפֶר כָּתוּב עָלָי
“Behold I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me...” (Psalm 40:7)
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)
