As you can imagine, the messages the prophets spoke were as varied as
the situations they encountered. Yet there are several key themes in the
prophetic messages, repeated with amazing regularity throughout
Israel’s history. These messages or themes can be distilled under four
main headings:
Impending Judgment: A consistent diatribe of the prophets is that
God will rain his judgment and wrath on those who fail to repent of
their evil ways. God’s judgment reaches its climax during the coming

Tribulation or Day of the Lord, of which the prophets spoke so fre-
quently.

Social Reform: The prophets repeatedly called the people to have love
and compassion for their fellowman.
Condemnation of Idolatry The people of Israel worshiped idols again
and again. One of the main prophetic themes was to call the people to
put away their false gods and to turn in faith and dependence to the
only true God.
The Coming of Messiah and His Kingdom: The prophets consistently
spoke of the coming of Messiah and the future kingdom he would
bring. This message of hope and comfort radiates through all the
prophets. The first prophecy announcing a coming deliverer is found in

Genesis 3:15. Hundreds of later prophecies fill in the details of his per-
son and his work. There are more than three hundred prophecies that

Christ fulfilled at his first coming, while hundreds more await fulfill-
ment at his second coming. Following is a list of forty-five of the most

significant messianic prophecies fulfilled during the first advent of
Christ.

1. He was born of a woman (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4).
2. He was a descendant of Abraham (Gen. 12:3, 7; Matt. 1:1; Gal. 3:16).
3. He was of the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10; Heb. 7:14; Rev. 5:5).
4. He was of the house or family of David (2 Sam. 7:12-13; Luke 1:31-33;
Rom. 1:3).
5. He was born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:22-23).
6. He was called Emmanuel (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23).
7. He had a forerunner (Isa. 40:3-5; Mal. 3:1; Matt. 3:1-3; Luke 1:76-78).
8. He was born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2; Matt. 2:5-6; Luke 2:4-6).
9. He was worshiped by wise men and given gifts (Ps. 72:10-11; Isa. 60:3,
6, 9; Matt. 2:11).
10. He was in Egypt for a season (Hos. 11:1; Matt. 2:15).
11. His birthplace was a place where infants were slaughtered (Jer. 31:15;
Matt. 2:16).
12. He was zealous for the Father (Ps. 69:9; John 6:37-40).
13. He was filled with God’s Spirit (Isa. 11:2; Luke 4:18-19).
14. He was a mighty healer (Isa. 35:5-6; Matt. 8:16-17).
15. He ministered to the Gentiles (Isa. 9:1-2; 42:1-3; Matt. 4:13-16;
12:17-21).
16. He spoke in parables (Isa. 6:9-10; Matt. 13:10-15).
17. He was rejected by the Jewish people (Ps. 69:8; Isa. 53:3; John 1:11;
7:5).
18. He made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey (Zech.
9:9; Matt. 21:4-5).
19. He was praised by little children (Ps. 8:2; Matt. 21:16).
20. He was the rejected cornerstone (Ps. 118:22-23; Matt. 21:42).
21. His miracles were not believed (Isa. 53:1; John 12:37-38).
22. He was betrayed by his friend for thirty pieces of silver (Ps. 41:9; Zech.
11:12-13; Matt. 26:14-16, 21-25).
23. He was a man of sorrows (Isa. 53:3; Matt. 26:37-38).
24. He was forsaken by his disciples (Zech. 13:7; Matt. 26:31, 56).
25. He was beaten and spit upon (Isa. 50:6; Matt. 26:67; 27:26).
26. His betrayal money was used to purchase a potter’s field (Zech.
11:12-13; Matt. 27:9-10).
27. He was executed by means of piercing his hands and feet (Ps. 22:16;
Zech. 12:10; John 19:34, 37).
28. He was crucified between two thieves (Isa. 53:12; Matt. 27:38).
29. He was given vinegar to drink (Ps. 69:21; Matt. 27:34).
30. His garments were divided, and soldiers gambled for them (Ps. 22:18;
Luke 23:34).
31. He was surrounded and ridiculed by enemies (Ps. 22:7-8; Matt.
27:39-44).
32. He was thirsty on the cross (Ps. 22:15; John 19:28).
33. He commended his spirit to the Father (Ps. 31:5; Luke 23:46).
34. He uttered a forsaken cry on the cross (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 27:46).
35. He committed himself to God ( Ps. 31:5, Luke 23:46 ).

36. He was hated without a cause (Ps. 69:4; John 15:25).
37. People shook their heads as they saw him on the cross (Ps. 109:25;
Matt. 27:39).
38. He was silent before his accusers (Isa. 53:7; Matt. 27:12).
39. His bones were not broken (Exod. 12:46; Ps. 34:20; John 19:33-36).
40. He was stared at in death (Zech. 12:10; Matt. 27:36; John 19:37).
41. He was buried with the rich (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57-60).
42. He rose from the dead (Ps. 16:10; Matt. 28:2-7).
43. He was and is a high priest greater than Aaron (Ps. 11:4; Heb. 5:4-6).
44. He ascended to glory (Ps. 68:18; Eph. 4:8).
45. He was and is seated at the right hand of the Father (Ps. 110:1; Heb.
10:12-13).

In addition to these messianic prophecies, there are hundreds of
presently unfulfilled messianic prophecies associated with the last
days and the second coming of Christ. These future prophecies of
Messiah, his second coming, and his kingdom will be outlined in
subsequent chapters.