Old Testament Prophecies of Jesus Christ Lesson 4

In lesson 3 we looked at several Old Testament prophecies that expressed the suffering of Jesus on the cross written hundreds of years before he was born or was on the cross, and in this lesson we will be looking at Old Testament prophecies that will clearly reveal God’s salvation plan for us through His Son Jesus Christ, with God telling us himself in scripture what his salvation plan is.

The first prophecy we will be looking at in this lesson is from the beginning of the Bible in Genesis 3:15.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The woman in this verse is Eve, because she is called the mother of all living in Genesis 3:20. She is also the woman the serpent tempted and lied to in the Garden of Eden, and she is the woman who had just sinned, and God was dealing with the serpent about it. Seed in this verse means offspring, and the serpent and the woman Eve would have offspring or descendants thereafter. The whole human race is the natural or biological offspring of Eve, but the serpent’s seed would not be of a biological nature. The serpent’s seed would refer to those who would serve Satan the Devil, and do evil after his likeness.

The pronoun "his" in the last phrase of this verse "thou shall bruise his heel" limits this seed to one specific person or individual. The word "it" in the phrase "it shall bruise thy head" is translated "he" in some Bible translations.

This is interpreted by many Christians and Bible Scholars as a prophecy of Jesus, who is the seed (offspring) of Eve, who was born out of the human race, who would bruise the head of the serpent, and be a Savior, who would save his people from their sins.

We might also consider the timing when God gave this prophecy. God had just confronted Adam in the eleventh verse of this chapter regarding his sin. Adam blames the woman Eve in verse twelve. Eve blames the serpent in verse thirteen. God curses the serpent in verse fourteen, but in verse fifteen God had to deal with the sin factor. The first thing God did in verse fifteen when dealing with sin was prophesy about a Savior, who would save his people from sin and the penalty of sin.

We should consider what the Angel of the Lord said to Joseph concerning Mary in Matthew 1:21

Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

God knew that we would need atonement for our sins. Adam and Eve were completely innocent of sin before this time, but now they had sinned, and they were guilty of sin before God. God knew that the seed or offspring of Adam and Eve would inherit their sinful nature, and this includes the whole human race except Jesus. Jesus was innocent without sin. His blood was holy blood, because he was the biological Son of our Father in Heaven. Jesus has the nature of his Father in Heaven.

The rest of the human race inherited the sinful nature of Adam and Eve. David said in Psalm 51:5

Psalm 51:5 "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

Paul writes in Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." Paul was quoting from Psalm 14:3. Paul understood that all of us were guilty of sin, and that includes every person who has lived on this planet earth since Adam and Eve except Jesus, because we all inherited the nature of Adam and Eve, but Jesus inherited the nature of his Father in Heaven. Paul said in Colossians 1:15 that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Hebrews 1:3 says he was the express image of God.

God knew there was no way we in ourselves could atone for our sins, or be righteous because of our sinful nature, and there was no way God would allow any sin or person with a sinful nature into Heaven. We would all be doomed to eternity in hell which is the penalty of our sins, so God sent Jesus into the world to shed his Holy Blood as atonement for our sins because God loved us so much.

He wants us to be with him for eternity, but our sins have to be washed away by the blood of Jesus first, so we are clean before his eyes. Hebrew 9:22 says without the shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness) of sins. Jesus shed his blood, and paid the penalty for our sins, so our sins are forgiven when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, who saves us from our sins, and the penalty of sin.

In Acts 3:19 Peter said

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord

Jesus said in Luke 13:3, 5 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”. He said it twice, and I believe to make it very clear to us, that we must repent.

There are several prophecies of Jesus in Isaiah chapter 53, and God’s salvation plan is clearly revealed in Isaiah chapter 53, but we will first look again at a prophecy in Isaiah 50:6 that we already looked at in lesson 3, but it fits here, and then we can work our way up to Isaiah 53.

Isaiah 50:6 "I gave my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting."

This prophecy was given several hundred years before Jesus was born, but the Spirit of Christ could feel the humiliation of Jesus hundreds of years beforehand, because the Spirit of Christ is not subject to time. Jesus did suffer much humiliation when he was beaten, mocked, and spit upon. His hair was also plucked off. It was perhaps when they blindfolded him, saying, "Who hit you?" while they were mocking and making fun of him in Luke 22:64 and Matthew 26:68, perhaps pulling on his beard or sideburns, to mock and ridicule him.

Luke 22:63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?

Matthew 26: 67 "Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, saying, 68 Prophesy unto us, thou Christ. Who is he that smote thee?" Jesus continued to suffer humiliation throughout his crucifixion as he hung naked on the cross in front of his mother and all of his friends.

Isaiah 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider

The next prophecy of Jesus is written in Isaiah 52:13, 14, and 15. This prophecy was spoken by God (Spirit of Christ)

Isaiah 52:13 says my servant (Jesus) shall deal prudently (wisely), and shall be exalted.

Jesus through wisdom suffered humility, and then was exalted to Glory, and sits on the right hand of God.

Proverbs 15.33 says ….. before honor is humility."

Jesus through wisdom understood that he would have to suffer humility before glory and honor. He afterwards was resurrected from death to Glory and Honor, and ascended into Heaven sitting on the right hand of God.

In verse 14 it also says his visage (appearance) was so marred (disfigured) more than any man. Jesus was beaten so severely at the hands of Pilate’s soldiers his appearance was perhaps disfigured beyond recognition. The word sprinkle would signify a spiritual purification of the nations. I like to think of water baptism and the baptism of his Holy Spirit, but I also think of how blood was sprinkled for the atonement of sin in the Old Testament.

The Epistle First John 5:8 says "And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." Jesus will purify all the nations on earth when he returns, but we are purified through water and spiritual baptism, and his blood is what washes our sins away.

Paul quotes in Romans 15:21 the last words of Isaiah chapter 52:15

Romans 15:21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

Notice that Paul used the words "whom he was not spoken of" and “they that have not heard shall understand” instead of saying "for that which had not been told them." and “that which they had not heard, shallt they consider” like Isaiah 52:15 says. Paul used the pronoun “he” rather than the word “that”, because Jesus Christ or the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what wasn’t spoken of yet in Isaiah 52:15, so Paul was indicating that it was Jesus, or the Gospel of Jesus which had not been preached yet or spoken of, but then they shall see and understand when the Gospel is presented to them.

This prophecy continues into and throughout chapter 53. We will look at several prophecies of Jesus in chapter 53, that point to the cross, and God’s salvation plan is clearly revealed through them.

Isaiah 53:1 is quoted as being fulfilled at the time of the ministry of Jesus in John 12:37, 38. The report that Isaiah 53:1 is referring to is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or God’s salvation plan for us all through Jesus Christ. I wonder how many people in the world will believe it today, or how many will believe this lesson regarding it?

Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

John 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Lets’ look at and consider the prophecy in Isaiah 53:3

Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Jesus has been rejected my most of the human race for two thousand years. There are many in the world today, who are ashamed or embarrassed to even mention the name of Jesus, and he is rejected without cause.

We should consider what Jesus said in Matthew 10: 32and 33

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Jesus doesn’t want us to deny or reject him. He wants us to love and receive him as he loves us with open arms ready to receive us. Yet! There are still many in the world today, who continue to mock his name, and mock those who preach his name.

John 1:10 says "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Remember what John 1:12 says "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

The next prophecy in Isaiah 53:4 is quoted as pertaining to Jesus Christ in Matthew 8:16and 17. Our "griefs" in the phrase "borne our griefs" in Isaiah 53:4 are translated "infirmities" in the New International Version of the Bible.

The New International Version also translates the word "sicknesses" in Matthew 8:16 and 17 as "diseases." The sicknesses in Matthew 8:16 were demonic in nature caused by demons. Demons are evil in nature; they are servants of Satan the Devil. The works of Satan is to destroy God’s creation on earth, but Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.

Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Matthew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Peter quotes the next prophecy in Isaiah 53:5 in 1 Peter 2:24 as pertaining to Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

This prophecy in Isaiah 53:5 says he was wounded (pierced) for our transgressions. It relates best to when he had his hands and feet pierced, or when they pierced his side with a spear. He was bruised (crushed) for our iniquities. It says "with his stripes we are healed."

Stripes would mean the lashes he took when he was whipped. The whip that he was whipped with had a steal ball at the end of it, and the ball had spikes sticking out of it. Those spikes would rip deep into his body tearing it to threads. His body was torn to threads, so we could receive healing in our bodies. Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15 and John 19:1 say that he was scourged, which means he was whipped or flogged harshly.

Jesus paid the price for our physical healing as well as our salvation. He was wounded and bruised for our iniquities, but he was also whipped harshly for our healing. Jesus wants us to be healed. He healed many people during his ministry, but Jesus said in John 14:12 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." This means he still works through his people today. He’s still healing people today!

God’s salvation plan for us is being revealed in Isaiah 53:6 in the words that say "and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus died on the cross for our sins and iniquities, so our sins and iniquities can be forgiven, and are relationship with God can be restored, because sin is what keeps us separated from God. Our sins were laid on Jesus at the cross, so we would not have to suffer the penalty of our sin, but only if we receive him. Those who reject him are rejecting his salvation, and they will suffer the penalty of their sin.

.God’s salvation plan will be clearer further into this chapter of Isaiah 53, so keep reading! Don’t close this book now! Remember! This is being prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus was born. God prophesied it beforehand, so we know it was his salvation plan and will.

Two Prophecies of Jesus were written in Isaiah 53:7.

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

The first prophecy says "he opened not his mouth". Jesus did not open his mouth when he was brought before Pilate, and was being accused by the chief priest and elders in Matthew 27:12,13,14. "And when he was accused of the chief priest and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly." See also Matthew 26:62,63, Mark 15:5, Luke 23:9, John 19:9, Psalm 38:13, Psalm 39:2,9.

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

The second prophecy in Isaiah 53:7 says "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter." Acts 8:32 quotes this prophecy. Acts 8:32 "The place of scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so he opens not his mouth:"

Jesus was the lamb brought to slaughter prophesied in Isaiah 53:7. John the Baptist said "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of the world" when he saw Jesus in John 1:29. The blood of lambs was shed throughout the Old Testament times for the atonement of sins, because lambs were figurative or were a for-shadow of Jesus who would come as a lamb later to shed his blood for the atonement of sin.

Revelation 13:8 refers to Jesus as the Lamb who was slain from the foundations of the earth. This means that Jesus was already God’s chosen Lamb to be sacrificed for the atonement of sin way back when the earth was created, because God is not subject to time, and God could see beforehand that sin would come into the world, and he chose Jesus Christ who was with him in the beginning to be his Lamb, who would redeem us back to himself, by shedding his blood on the cross as a lamb led to slaughter.

Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve, who made sin offerings to the Lord, but the Lord rejected Cain’s offering and approved Abel’s offering. He approved of Abel’s offering because Abel was a tender of sheep. Abel’s offering was most likely a blood offering of a lamb which for-shadowed Jesus on the cross four thousand years later. Cain was a tiller of the ground. He specialized in plants and vegetation. His offering was most likely a plant of some sort. Genesis 4:3 says Cain’s offering was of the fruit of the ground. God rejected Cain’s offering because it was not a blood offering. Remember that Hebrews 9:22 says without the shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness) of sins.

God said in Lev. 17:11

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Lambs became a for-shadow or figurative of Jesus on the cross from the creation of the world, and we see it beginning with Abel, and continuing throughout the Levitical Priesthood, which God set up through Moses and Aaron .

The ram (male lamb) which was provided by God for Abraham to sacrifice in place of Isaac in Genesis Chapter 22 was figurative of Jesus on the cross. God said to Abraham that through his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed, because Abraham did not withhold his only son. Paul says in Galatians 3:16 that Jesus was the seed of Abraham. All nations are blessed through Jesus who was the seed of Abraham. It was almost like God was thinking that Abraham didn’t withhold his only son, so God spared Isaac, and provided the ram for Abraham to sacrifice in Isaac’s place, because the ram was figurative of Jesus who is God’s only begotten Son, so God did not withhold his Son like Abraham didn’t withhold his.

Jesus is the Lamb who was slain in Revelation 5:6, who is worthy to open the book of seven seals. He is the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne in Revelation 7:17, and the Lamb of the twelve apostles in Revelation 21:14. Revelation 12:11 says we can overcome the serpent who is called the Devil and Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Revelation 7:14 speaks about them who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 19:6-9 speaks about the marriage supper of the Lamb when Jesus and his bride (The Church) are together. He is the Lamb who shall be the light of the new city of Jerusalem which shall descend down from heaven in Revelation 21:23.

Glory and Honor and Praise to Jesus Christ the Lamb of God, for he is the Lamb of God who was crucified on the cross for the sins of his people, who have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life in Revelation 20:12 and 21:27.

The next prophecy is in Isaiah 53:8

We can clearly see that Jesus died for the transgressions of God’s people in Isaiah 53:8, when we read the words "for he was cut out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken" God’s people are people who have truly repented of their sins, and turned away from their transgressions. I will continue making the point that this was prophesied by God himself hundreds of years before Jesus was crucified. God revealed his salvation plan for us beforehand, and it was the Spirit of Christ who was in these Old Testament Prophets, who wrote these prophecies according to Peter in 1 Peter 1:11, because Jesus Christ is the Word, who was with God, and was God in the beginning we read about in John 1:1-3.

Isaiah 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

There are two prophecies to notice in Isaiah 53:9 1. He shall make his grave with the wicked. 2. He shall make his grave with the rich.

Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth

The phrase "he made his grave with the wicked" in this prophecy is most likely referring to the two thieves who were crucified along with Jesus, because verse 12 of this chapter says "he was numbered with the transgressors."

I believe this means he was crucified as a transgressor, even thou he was sinless and innocent without sin. Our sins were laid upon him, so he was crucified as a transgressor because of our sins and transgressions, because he was actually paying the penalty of our sins. Reference is made about this in Mark 15:27, 28 where it says "And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which, saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors." Again! This is quoting from Isaiah 53:12 that in the same context as Isaiah 53:9 here.

Isaiah 53:9 also says he made his grave with the rich. Jesus did make his grave with the rich. There was a rich man of Arimathaea named Joseph, who went to Pilot after Jesus had died, and begged Pilot for the body of Jesus. This rich man named Joseph had the body of Jesus put in a tomb, which was a tomb like rich people would be buried in.

Matthew 27:57-60 "When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed." Mark, Luke, and John also wrote about Joseph from Arimathaea, so it is recorded in all four Gospels.

The next prophecy in Isaiah 53:10

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

God makes it very clear in Isaiah 53:10 what his salvation plan for us is with the words "when thou shall make his soul an offering for sin". I don’t believe as a writer that I can write or say it any clearer. Jesus is the Lamb of God who was offered for our sins. The phrase "he shall see his seed" means that Jesus will see his spiritual offspring. His spiritual seed or offspring is the church, which is made up of all his people, who worship, serve, and praise him.. The church or seed of Jesus Christ is in the process of being conformed to the image of Jesus. Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that we might be the firstborn among many brethren." The church is made up of spiritual brothers and sisters, who are spiritually born again, and are in the process of being transformed into the image or likeness of Jesus Christ. The Serpent who is called Satan and the Devil also has spiritual offspring in the world who are liken unto his image, who are in continue rebellion against the Lord. Jesus said you can’t serve two masters recorded in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13. We are either serving the Lord Jesus Christ or we are serving Satan the Devil. We should consider what Jesus said in Matthew 12:30 "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad." We are either for him or against him, there is no middle ground.

The words "he shall prolong his days" refer to the resurrection of Jesus. God prolonged the days of Jesus by raising him from the dead. Jesus is alive today! He sits on the right hand of God Almighty. He makes intercession for transgressors, which is recorded in Isaiah 53:12 of this chapter. He pleads for sinners to be saved.

Consider the last words in Isaiah 53:10 which say "and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." I believe this is referring to when Jesus ascended into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Jesus is the pleasure of his Father in Heaven. His Father in Heaven delights in him. I believe Jesus ascended into Heaven, and prospered in the right hand of his Father Almighty. He went from humility to honor, remember Proverbs 15:33, that says before honor is humility.

The last two verses in Isaiah 53 will summarize up God’s salvation plan very well, so it should be very clear after the information I have already given in this chapter. Remember that Mark 15:27, 28 quote from Isaiah 53:12 and applies it to Jesus being crucified with the two thieves. Also note that God’s righteous servant Jesus will justify many, but not all, because he will only justify those who accept and love him as their Lord and Saviour, but those who don’t receive him will die guilty in their sins, and they will be judged and sent to hell for their sins. Remember what Jesus said in John 8:24 when he said: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins”.

I’m interjecting the name Jesus into the Isaiah 53:11,12 to show that Jesus is the he being prophesied about in this scripture.

Isaiah 53:11 He (Jesus) shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant (Jesus) justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he (Jesus) hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

This will conclude this lesson