Messianic Studies Series

Transcription

1 DO YOU KNOW MESSIAH? Rabbi Richard Kennedy Adar 11, 5773 (February 21, 2013) GOD IS FULFILLING HIS WORD IN OUR LIFETIME The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is still working today and we have seen the fulfillment of His prophecy in our time. FACT: God said that He would make Israel a nation in a single day. Who ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Is a country born in one day? Is a nation brought forth all at once? For as soon as Tzion went into labor, she brought forth her children. (Isaiah 66:8) Israel was made a nation in a single day on May 14, FACT: God said He will return His chosen people to His land. I myself will gather what remains of my flock from all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their homes, and they will be fruitful and increase their numbers. (Jeremiah 23:3) God s people have been returning to land from all nations where they have been scattered. Israel, a small nation, has taken the lead in the areas of science, technology, agriculture, and medicine. THE MESSIAH IS COMING FACT: The Messiah will come when the people return to the land. The days are coming, says ADONAI when I will raise a righteous Branch for David [the Messiah]. He will reign as king and succeed, he will do what is just and right in the land. (Jeremiah 23:5) The words a righteous Branch for David is a term that refers directly to the Messiah. The Messiah will come and will be a just and righteous king. Page 1 of 8

2 FACT: In the days of Messiah, the Jewish people will be saved and the Messiah will be called LORD our Righteousness. In his days Y hudah (Judah) will be saved, Isra el will live in safety, and the name given to him will be LORD our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6) This is the Messianic Kingdom that the Jewish nation has looked forward to since the time of Moses. The Messiah will reign as king, judge righteously, and save the Jews and Israel will have protection from persecution from the nations. Are you ready for the Messiah to come? Are you ready for His judgment? importantly, if you were to die today would you live in His Eternal Kingdom? More When the Holy One, Blessed be He, judges the dead, He will judge them based on His Torah (Law). The Torah contains 613 commandments. Of all of God s 613 commandments, let s just look at the first ten and see if we have lived according to God s Law: The 10 Commandments 1. You shall have no other gods before me 2. You shall not to make for yourselves a carved image 3. You shall not to use lightly the name of LORD your God 4. Remember Shabbat; to keep it holy 5. Honor your father and mother 6. Do not murder 7. Do not commit adultery 8. Do not steal 9. Do not give false evidence (lie) 10. Do not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor Have you ever told a lie? commandment #9. Lying is giving false evidence. This is breaking Have you ever stolen something? It doesn t matter how small. Perhaps you used a company phone to make a personal call. This is breaking commandment #8. Have you ever lusted after another? The word of God tells us that even lusting after another is committing adultery with them in your heart. Adultery is breaking commandment #7. Have you ever had hatred toward another? The word of God tells us that having hatred toward another is to commit murder in your heart. This is breaking commandment #6. Page 2 of 8

3 If you are an honest person, you will have to admit that you have broken all of the Ten Commandments. The truth is all of us have broken God s commandments. Moreover, God said if you have broken one of His commandments, you have broken all of them. When you stand before God on judgment day, will He find you guilty of breaking His commandments? God is just and holy, and since all have sinned, He would not find anyone innocent. If everyone has sinned, how can anyone live in the Kingdom of Heaven? GOD S PROVISION God provided a way for us to have forgiveness of our sin so we can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. God tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for yourselves; for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life. (Leviticus 17:11) God requires a sacrifice to have forgiveness. This may sound a bit gruesome to our ears, but God wants everyone to know that the punishment for sin is death. In His mercy God allowed a substitute sacrifice, an animal, to die in our place for our sin. This is God Law. In 70 C.E. the Temple of God was destroyed and the priesthood scattered. In an attempt to make up for this loss, the Rabbinical leaders created an alternate system of asking for forgiveness from others and working to do good deeds. God did not replace His sacrificial system; man did. God required a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin when the Temple stood, and God still requires a blood sacrifice. This blood sacrifice was performed on the place appointed by God, mount Moriah where the Temple was stood. Since the Temple is now gone, now what? First, God established the sacrificial system performed at the Temple in such a way to teach us about the promised Messiah. It was a picture of what Messiah would do. The Messiah is the one who is to take away all sins from the people and to present them sinless before God. The sacrificial system was good, but if one were to take their sacrifice to the priest, and then sin on the way home, they would need to repeat the entire sacrifice again. The Messiah, however, is God s provision to remove the judgment of death from the sinner once and for all. This means that the Messiah pardons us from our death sentence. Page 3 of 8

4 Second, the Messiah has already come and did the work necessary for the forgiveness of our sins. He presented himself as the sacrifice. Just as the Passover offering, the Messiah was without spot or blemish in that He never sinned. Giving up His life, He died a sinless death. This was part of His original purpose. Furthermore, since Messiah fulfilled God s provision of a blood sacrifice on Mount Moriah, God was sure to remove the Temple so man would not continue to seek forgiveness from the original sacrificial system. WHO IS THIS MESSIAH? There is only one person in all of history who could be called the Messiah. Indeed, He called himself the Son of God, a title applied to the Messiah in the book of Daniel. This one person did all the things the Messiah was prophesied to do. He healed the sick, made the lame to walk, the blind to see, and even raised the dead! His life is no secret, but He was rejected by his own people. We did not believe He was the Messiah. After He died, He arose from the dead, as prophesied, and was seen by many. He went up into heaven, and He will return to fulfill the second part of His mission: to return as the King of kings to reign over the whole earth with power and righteousness. The authority and power will never depart from His hand. Who is this Messiah? His name is Yeshua. His name itself means salvation. Even after the Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E., many Jews and the Gentiles continued together to follow the Messiah. Later, the Romans divided the Gentiles from the Jews and even changed Yeshua s name to Jesus. They removed the Biblical days of observance, changed the Shabbat to Sunday, and introduced traditions from other nations. Despite man s attempt to pervert the word of God, many have come to believe in Yeshua and be saved from their sins. Today, both Jews and Gentiles are learning that Jesus true name is Yeshua, and that He is the Jewish Messiah sent to bless not only the Jewish people, but the whole world. They are observing the Shabbat, and the Jewish holidays (appointed times) as found in Leviticus 23. PROPHECIES OF MESSIAH: FULFILLED! The end of this paper contains 54 Messianic prophecies that were foretold in the word of God (Tanakh), and then fulfilled by Yeshua in the New Covenant. This is Scriptural proof that Yeshua is the Messiah. It would be impossible for anyone, other than the Messiah to fulfill all of the listed prophecies, but Yeshua fulfilled them all. BE FORGIVEN OF YOU SIN Because Yeshua was the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin, you can have God forgive your sins right now. All you need to do is to turn from your sins, believe in Messiah Yeshua as our sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, and receive God s gift of salvation. This is done in prayer. Page 4 of 8

5 Pray this from your heart right now: God, in your grace, have mercy on me; in your great compassion, blot out my crimes. Wash me completely from my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my crimes, my sin confronts me all the time. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil from your sight; so that you are right in accusing me and justified in passing sentence. I accept Yeshua s sacrifice for the forgiveness of my sin and desire to be child of God A-mein. NOW WHAT? Find a Messianic Jewish congregation in your area. This is a congregation where Jews and Gentiles worship Yeshua the Messiah together. They celebrate God s appointed holidays, such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. They read and study the Tanakh (Jewish Scriptures) and the New Covenant. Be sure to read the scriptures and do what they say. God will never go against His own word. You can also share you newly found salvation by contacting Rabbi Richard through his web site at Page 5 of 8

6 54 PROPHECIES FULFILLED BY MESSIAH YESHUA PROPHECY THE MESSIAH MUST: SOURCE in THE TANAKH (Old Testament) FULFILLMENT in the B RIT HADASHAH (New Covenant) Be the "seed of the woman" that Genesis 3:15 Galatians 4:4; 1st John 3:8 would bruise or crush the serpent's "head" Be the "seed of Abraham" Genesis 12:3 Matthew 1:1; Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:16 Be the seed of Isaac Genesis 17:19; 21:12 Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:34; Hebrews 11:17-19 Be the seed of Jacob and the star out of Jacob who will have Genesis 28:14; Numbers 24:17,19 Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:34; Revelation 22:16 dominion Be a descendant of Judah Genesis 49:10 Matthew 1:2-3; Luke 3:33; Be a descendant of David and heir to his throne 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 9:6(7); 11:1-5; Jeremiah 23:5 Hebrews 7:14 Matthew 1:1, 6; Acts 13:22-23; Romans 1:3 Have eternal existence Micah 5:1(2) John 1:1, 14; 8:58; Ephesians 1:3-4; Colossians 1:15-19; Revelation 1:18 Be the Son of God Psalm 2:7; Proverbs 30:4 Matthew 3: 17; Luke 1:32 Have God's own name, Yud- Heh- Vav-Heh, applied to him Come 69 x 7 years (483 years) after the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem Isaiah 9:5-6(6-7); Jeremiah 23:5-6 Daniel 9:24-26 Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:9-11 Matthew 2:1,16,19; Luke3:1,23 Be born of a virgin [note 1] Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:18-2: 1; Be born in Bethlehem, in Judah Micah 5:1(2) Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7 Be adored by great persons Psalm 72:10-11 Matthew 2:1-11 Be preceded by one who would Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1 Matthew 3:1-3; Luke 1:17; 3:2-6 announce him Be anointed with the Spirit of God Isaiah 11:2, 61:1; Psalm 45:8(7) Matthew 3: 16; John 3:34; Acts 10:38 Be a prophet like Moses Deuteronomy 18:15,18 Acts 3:20-22 Have a ministry of binding up the brokenhearted, proclaiming liberty to the captives and announcing the acceptable year of the Lord Isaiah 61:1-2 Luke 4:18-19 Have a ministry of healing Isaiah 35:5-6; 42:18 Matthew 1l:5; throughout the Gospels Have a ministry in the Galilee Isaiah 8:23-9:1 (9:1-2) Matthew 4:12-16 Be tender and compassionate Isaiah 40:11; 42:3 Matthew 12:15,20; Hebrews 4:15 Be meek and unostentatious Isaiah 42:2 Matthew 12:15-16, 19 Be sinless and without guile Isaiah 53:9 1st Peter 2:22 Page 6 of 8

7 PROPHECY THE MESSIAH MUST: SOURCE in THE TANAKH (Old Testament) FULFILLMENT in the B RIT HADASHAH (New Covenant) Bear the reproaches due others Isaiah 53:11-12; Psalm 69:10(9) Romans 15:3 Be a priest Psalm 110:4 Hebrews 5:5-6; 6:20; 7:15-17 Enter publicly into Jerusalem on Zechariah 9:9 Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11 a donkey Enter the Temple with authority Malachi 3:1 Matthew 21:12-24:1; Luke 2:27-38, 45-50; John 2:13-22 Be hated without cause Isaiah 49:7; Psalm 69:5(4) John 15:24-25 Be undesired and rejected by his own people Isaiah 53:2-3; 63:3, 5; Psalm 69:9(8) Mark 6:3; Luke 9:58; John 1:11; 7:3-5 Be rejected by the Jewish Psalm 118:22 Matthew 21:42; John 7:48 leadership Be plotted against by Jews and Psalm 2:1-2 Acts 4:27 Gentiles together Be betrayed by a friend Psalm 41:10(9); 55:13-15(12-14) Matthew 26:21-25, 47-50; John 13:18-21; Acts 1:16-18 Be sold for 30 pieces of silver Zechariah 11:12 Matthew 26:15 Have his price given for a potter s Zechariah 11:13 Matthew 27:6-7 field Be forsaken by his followers. Zechariah 13:7 Matthew 26:31, 56 Be struck on the cheek Micah 4:14(5:1) Matthew 27:30 Be spat on Isaiah 50:6 Matthew 26:67; 27:30 Be mocked Psalm 22:8-9(7-8) Matthew 26:67-68; 27:31, Be beaten Isaiah 50:6 Matthew 26:67; 27:26, 30 Be executed by crucifixion, by having his hands and feet pierced Psalm 22:17(16); Zechariah 12:10 Matthew 27:35; Luke 24:39; John 19:18,34-37; 20:20-28; Revelation 1:7 Be thirsty during his execution Psalm 22:16(15) John 19:28 Be given vinegar to quench that Psalm 69:22(21) Matthew 27:34 thirst Be executed without having a Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:21(20) John 19:33-36 bone broken Be considered a transgressor Isaiah 53:12 Matthew 27:3 Be cut off, but not for himself; Daniel 9:24-26 Romans 5:16; 1st Peter 3:18 69 x 7 years after rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem Be the one whose death would atone for sins of mankind Isaiah 53:5-7,12 Mark 10:45; John 1:29; 3:16; Acts 8:30-35 Be buried with the rich when Isaiah 53:9 Matthew 27:57-60 dead Be raised from the dead Isaiah 53:9-10; Psalm 2:7; 16:10 Matthew 28: 1-20; Acts 2:23-36; 13:33-37; 1st Corinthians 15:4-6 Ascend to the right hand of God Psalm 16:11; 68:19(18); 110:1 Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11; 7:55; Hebrews 1:3 Exercise his priestly office in heaven Zechariah 6:13 Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25-8:2 Page 7 of 8

8 PROPHECY THE MESSIAH MUST: SOURCE in THE TANAKH (Old Testament) FULFILLMENT in the B RIT HADASHAH (New Covenant) Be the cornerstone of God's Messianic Community Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22-23 Matthew 21:42; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:5-7 Be sought after by Gentiles as Isaiah 11:10; 42:1 Acts 10:45-46; 13:46-48 well as Jews Be accepted by the Gentiles Isaiah 11:10; 42:1-4; 49:1-6 Matthew 12:18-21; Romans 9:30; 10:20; 11:11; 15:10 Be the king Psalm 2:6 John 18:33, 37 Be seen by Israel as pierced. [note 2] Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 22:17(16) Luke 24:39; John 19:34-37 Revelation 1:7 NOTE 1. The Hebrew word almah in Isaiah 7:14 means a young woman, and in the context of the Tanakh always a young woman of unsullied reputation, which is why the Jewish translators of the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Tanakh rendered this word into Greek as parthenos, virgin ; this is the word used at Matthew 1:23. Rabbi Richard Kennedy adds: The prophecy in Isaiah 7 is that Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son. It is not a sign if a young woman conceives, as this is a natural and everyday occurrence, but for a virgin to conceive, this is truly a sign from the Lord. NOTE 2. The Septuagint (see note 1) has: They pierced my hands and my feet, implying the Hebrew word karu (wrk) in its source text. The Masoretic Hebrew text, accepted as standard in traditional Judaism, has k'ari (yrak), and the line reads, Like a lion, my hands and my feet. Rabbi Richard Kennedy adds: The differences between the texts are that the Masoretic text includes an aleph (a) and the vav (w) is changed to a yud (y), both of which are understood as scribal errors. Others have understood these changes as having been purposefully introduced in the Masoretic text as an attempt to repudiate the claim that Yeshua is Messiah; a claim made by the Messianic Jews and Christians. The Septuagint rendering of They pierced my hands and my feet is supported by Zachariah 12:10 where it reads they shall look upon me whom they have pierced. The questions applied to the 10 Commandments are from Hell s Best Kept Secret, Ray Comfort, Bellflower, CA. The table and notes, unless otherwise noted, is from The Complete Jewish Bible, by Dr. David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., Clarksville, Maryland (and Israel), Page 8 of 8