Answering Islam - A Christian-Muslim dialog

The Divine Messiah Revisited

Even More OT Proof for the Messiah’s Godhead Pt. 3a

Sam Shamoun

 

The Divine Messiah Has Come!

In this part of our discussion we are going to examine the NT writings to see how Jesus perfectly fulfills the OT prophecies concerning the coming of the Divine Messiah to save and judge the world. 

 

Jesus’ birthplace

Both Matthew and Luke concur that Christ was born in the very place that the prophet Micah said Israel’s Ruler would come from to shepherd his people, namely Bethlehem of Judea:

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, 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.” Matthew 2:1-6

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:4-11

This in itself is sufficient to establish the absolute Deity of Christ since, as we saw in our previous discussions, this specific King is said to come from eternity itself.

 

Jesus Christ – the Righteous Judge

The inspired Scriptures also identify Jesus as the Servant spoken of in Isaiah 42, the One whom God places his Spirit on in order to bring judgment to the nations:

“But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; and charged them that they should not make him known: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.” Matthew 12:15-21

The God-breathed revelations further attest that the Father has assigned all judgment to the Son because he happens to be the Son of Man whom the Father commands everyone to honor in the exact same way that they honor him:

“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him… and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.” John 5:22-23, 27

This is a clear allusion to the prophecy of Daniel 7:13-14 concerning one like a Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven to rule over all the nations as they worship him forever and ever.

Moreover, part of the apostolic proclamation included warning people of having to stand before the judgment seat of Christ in order to be judged by him,

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”  Acts 10:42

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom… henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:1, 8

Who will then expose the hidden motives and intentions of every single individual,

“in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” Romans 2:16

“For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 – cf. 1:7-8

So as to repay every person according to what s/he has earned: 

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

“And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I KNOW thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first… and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” Revelation 2:18-19, 23b

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last… I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star… He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:12-13, 16, 20 – cf. 1:7-8, 17-18; 2:8; 21:6-7

What makes these particular texts so remarkable is that Christ and/or the inspired authors have taken the following OT texts concerning Yahweh’s role in judgment,

“Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.” Psalm 62:12

“thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24:12 cf. Isaiah 40:10; Jeremiah 17:10

Along with his being called the First and the Last,

“Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:6 – cf. 41:4; 48:12

And applied them all to the Lord Jesus!

That is not all that they did, since they even ascribed Yahweh’s unique status as Savior and Redeemer to the exalted Christ, as we are about to see in the next segment of our analysis.