Do you have an explanation for the prophecies about a Messiah who would be a suffering servant, and a sin bearer for His people? Those are verifiably written before Jesus came to earth. Jesus fulfilled those prophecies. Every book in the Old Testament alludes to or specifically states the sin problem of mankind or the need for reconciliation with God. Animal sacrifices and many of the Old Testament festivals were centered around this as well. Example: Passover "When I see the blood I will pass over you." and the Day of Atonement: a day for mourning over sin.
The New Testament accurately describes the Old Testament when it says: "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22
Specific details come up in the Old Testament that do describe a torturous death for this Messiah, and fit the description of what happened at the cross.
Examples from a few different books, different times and different authors are as follows:
God is speaking, and says about a future time (not yet fulfilled) "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced" and the next chapter connects this event with "“On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity."Zechariah 12:10 and Zechariah 13:1
In these verses you see that God is speaking, and God was pierced, and when they turn to Him, acknowledging Him in this way, they will be cleansed from their sin.
That is the same gospel message preached in the New Testament. Jesus claimed to be God. He was pierced by nails when crucified. He taught his disciples that the Old Testament points to the need for the Messiah to suffer, and told them to preach the forgiveness of sins in His name.
Isaiah also contains many descriptions that fit the descriptions of Christ's work on the cross, and also proclaims, though written about 700 years before Jesus came, that it was for our sins that He would be wounded.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
The New Testament provides careful documentation that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament predictions that One would come to save His people from their sins.
Hebrews 9:27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
I have not yet had anyone on Elite Trader provide me with a good explanation that the Old Testament does NOT make such statements. Also, I have barely scratched the surface with only posting a few of the many places in the Old Testament that provide further evidence of prophecies that were later fulfilled in Christ.
Jesus is the only one in history who has fulfilled the Old Testament passages. Also, I have personally come to know Him as the One who has forgiven my sins, answers many of my prayers and helps me to understand more of Him as I read scripture, so that I can say that I know Him to be real and very much involved in my life, as other born again Christians also can testify to.
