What Did The Prophets Know?

What did the Prophet’s Know

Matthew 1:18-25

Intro.

Matt. 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet,

saying,

Everything about the birth of Christ was planned by the Creator.

Much of what would happen surrounding the birth of Christ he told to the prophets throughout the ages.

So, how much did they know?

I. They knew WHO Jesus would be.

Is. 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his

shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting

Father, The Prince of Peace.

A. He would be God in the flesh. John 1:1-5, 14

1. He was and is the Creator

2. He became flesh “and dwelt among us”.

II. They knew WHAT Jesus would be.

Is. 59:20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in

Jacob, saith the LORD.

A. He would be a ruler.

1. A ruler

Is. 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of

David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from

henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

a. Descended from the throne of David.

b. It would be an eternal throne - no end.

c. He would be the forever King.

Dan. 2:37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a

kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.

2. He would be the Redeemer.

1. Is. 59:20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from

transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

a. The angel told Joseph.

Matt. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name

JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

2. He would pay for our sin.

Is. 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.

III. The knew WHEN Jesus would come.

Dan. 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to

restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and

two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

A. The “weeks” are actually periods of one year.

a. 7 X 7 is 49 years, the time to complete the temple.

b. 63 X 7 is 434 years.

c. 49 years + 434 years = 483 years

c. From the beginning of the restoration of Jerusalem to when Jesus born would be 483

years.

B. Two people are specifically mentioned who knew that the time had come for Jesus to be

born.

1. Simeon (Luke 2:25-34)

2. Anna (Luke 2:36-38)

C. Nearly everyone knew the time was close.

D. Some thought that John the Baptist could possible be the Messiah, so the send people to

ask him exactly who he was.

Luke 3:15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts

of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

E. Jesus came at just the right time.

Gal. 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a

woman, made under the law,

IV. They knew WHERE Jesus would be born.

Mic. 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee

shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old,

from everlasting.

A. Bethlehem

B. The City of David.

V. They knew HOW he Jesus would be born.

Is. 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a

son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

A. Born of a Virgin.

B. He would have no earthly Father.

C. He would be conceived of the Holy Spirit.

1. The angel told Joseph.

Matt. 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared

unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy

wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost

2. The angel told Mary.

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon

thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall

be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.