Looking at the appearances of the Messiah in the Old Testament.

We have looked at numerous areas where the Bible points to Him but tonight we are going to see an actual appearance of the Messiah.

  1. Messiah Verses Jesus.
  1. Name of Jesus
    1. He was not called Jesus in the Old Testament
      1. Judges 13: 18 My name is too wonderful for you to comprehend.
      2. He was given the name Jesus in Matthew 1: 21
    2. He has many names in the Old Testament (Immanuel, Word, Wisdom…)
  2. Body of Messiah.
    1. Don’t believe he looked like Jesus in the New Testament.
      1. For his body to be able to miraculously appear in the Old Testament would take away the importance of being born in a human body.
      2. He had to be made in the image of man to pay for our sin.
    2. He probably took on the image of an angel
      1. Angel of the Lord
        1. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, David, Moses, etc. (51 times in the Old Testament)
    3. The word for Old Testament appearances is “Theophanies” = God appeared
    4. The Messiah is the only one who appeared to us
      1. We hear the Father’s voice in the New Testament and see manifestations of Him in the Old Testament
      2. We see the Holy Spirit coming in the form of a dove and Fire, but we never see any physical, human manifestation of either of these two.
      3. The Messiah comes
        1. In the form of man
        2. Who is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1: 15)
        3. the radiance of the exact nature of God. (Hebrews 1: 3)
        4. Fulness of God dwells in human form. (Colossians 2: 9)

2. And the Lord Appeared Genesis 18: 1

  1. Abraham sitting under a tree.
  2. Appeared also means the one who heals.
    1. Abraham sitting after circumcision
    2. Now he runs to the strangers Vs 2
  3. Abraham calls him Lord in the singular sense so he is only talking to one of the three.

3.  Abraham serves. 3 – 5

  1. Abraham serves the guests and shows them hospitality.
    1. If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham John 8: 29
    2. I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22: 27
  2. Abraham offer him bread to the one who is the bread of Life.
  3. Abraham is the first to be know as the follower of the Way Vs 19 (This will be used 62 times in the Bible)

3. Sarah Laughs Vs 12

  1. Sarah laughed because of the long wait for the promise
    1. We too can laugh at the notion of the return of the Messiah
  2. When we wait for a long time it is easy to stop believing and form an unbelieving heart.
    1. We talk about Jesus coming but it is more lip service and we really don’t believe
    2. Paul stated the same thing when he said In the last days mockers will come with their mocking following after their own lusts and saying “Where is the promise of His coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.  (2 Peter 3: 3, 4)
  3. Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
    1. Appointed time means a festival that is going to happen.  Most of the time this means Passover, but could mean Feast of Trumpets.

4. Sodom

  1. Jesus compared his return to that of Sodom Luke 17; 29, 30
  2. He also pronounced judgement on His generation comparing it to Sodom. Matthew 10: 15
  3. Abraham and Lot
    1. He was not able to save Sodom through his intercession, but he did save the hidden spark of Messiah that was there.
    2. Jesus did not usher in the kingdom, but he laid a foundation that continues until this day.
  4. The Lord, The Lord rained down fire. Vs 24
    1. The LORD visitor to Abraham (Messiah)
    2. Rained fire from the LORD Father in heaven.

5. Sarah laughs again. 21: 2 – 6

  1. Sarah was the first of many barren women having children.
    1. This usually means that those children are set apart for a special purpose.
  2. God made Sarah laugh again.
    1. Her doubting laughter turned to joy.
    2. Her doubt did not stop God from moving among her.
  3. Isaac’s name means laughter.
  4. Jesus Blessed are those who weep now for you shall laugh.  When?
    1. When Messiah shows up with deliverance Psalm 126
  5. Some believe the name of Messiah would be Isaac because he will bring laughter when he comes.