The Old Testament contains numerous

prophecies that predict the coming of Jesus Christ, describing various aspects of his life, ministry, and mission centuries before his birth. Here are some key prophecies and their explanations:

• 1. **Messiah’s Genealogy and Birthplace:**
  – **Prophecy:** Micah 5:2 predicts that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
  – **Fulfillment:** Matthew 2:1 confirms that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, fulfilling this prophecy.
• 2. **Virgin Birth:**
  – **Prophecy:** Isaiah 7:14 foretells the virgin birth of the Messiah: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
  – **Fulfillment:** Matthew 1:22-23 cites this prophecy, explaining that Jesus’ birth through the virgin Mary fulfilled Isaiah’s words.

3. **Son of David:**

– **Prophecy:** 2 Samuel 7:12-13 promises that the Messiah would be from the line of David: “When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
– **Fulfillment:** Matthew 1:1 lists Jesus’ genealogy tracing back to David, confirming his lineage.

• 4. **Suffering Servant:**
  – **Prophecy:** Isaiah 53:3-5 describes the suffering and rejection of the Messiah: “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
  – **Fulfillment:** This prophecy finds fulfillment in Jesus’ crucifixion and death, as recorded in the Gospels, particularly in Matthew 27 and Luke 23.
• 5. **Triumphal Entry and Messiah’s Kingship:**
  – **Prophecy:** Zechariah 9:9 prophesies the Messiah’s entry into Jerusalem: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
  – **Fulfillment:** Matthew 21:1-11 records Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy.
• 6. **Eternal Priesthood:**
  – **Prophecy:** Psalm 110:4 speaks of the Messiah’s eternal priesthood: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'”
  – **Fulfillment:** Hebrews 5-7 explains how Jesus fulfills the role of the eternal high priest, superior to the Levitical priesthood, fulfilling Psalm 110.
• These are just a few examples of how the Old Testament foretells the coming of Jesus Christ. These prophecies underscore the divine plan and preparation throughout history for the arrival of the Savior, Jesus, who fulfills God’s promises and brings salvation to humanity.