The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church

The Suffering Messiah

The emphasis of Jesus upon the divine character of the Holy Oracles is seen more clearly, perhaps, than anywhere else, in that post resurrection walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus, when He accompanied the two sorrowful and disappointed disciples. Then, as already observed, He not only put His seal of endorsement upon the three divisions of the Hebrew writings—the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings—but referred more particularly to prophecies that had been fulfilled in His death and resurrection. Let us get the picture before us, and note particularly the words He uttered to these bewildered disciples: BSPC 27.5

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.... And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” BSPC 28.1

“All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” Luke 24:25-27, 44. BSPC 28.2

What a thrilling experience this must have been! What joy must have filled the hearts of these disciples, for we read: BSPC 28.3

“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.” Verses 45, 46. BSPC 28.4

One cannot help wondering what prophecies and incidents in the Old Testament Jesus brought to their attention. On this Luke’s narrative is silent. However, one may well imagine some of the many prophecies to which He referred. Jesus had before Him the whole range of the divine revelation, all the way from the first promise of the gospel in Eden (Genesis 3:15) at the time of the fall of man down to the promise of the forerunner of the Messiah, namely, John the Baptist (Malachi 3:1-3), who prepared the way of the Lord. BSPC 28.5

An excellent and very comprehensive list of references concerning Christ, His sufferings, and death can be seen in the Pulpit Commentary, in notes on Luke 24. Among the references listed are the following: BSPC 28.6

The promise to Eve, Genesis 3:15; the promise to Abraham, Genesis 22:18; the paschal lamb, Exodus 12; the brazen serpent, Numbers 21:9; the greater Prophet, Deuteronomy 18:15; the star and scepter, Numbers 24:17; the smitten rock, Numbers 20:11 1 Corinthians 10:4. BSPC 28.7

Emmanuel, Isaiah 7:14; “unto us a child is born,” Isaiah 9:6, 7; the good Shepherd, Isaiah 40:10, 11; the meek Sufferer, Isaiah 50:6; He who bore our griefs, Isaiah 53:4, 5; the Branch, Jeremiah 23:5; 33:14, 15; the Heir of David, Ezekiel 34:23; the Ruler from Bethlehem Micah 5:2; the lowly King, Zechariah 9:9; the pierced Victim, Zechariah 12:10; the smitten Shepherd, Zechariah 13:7; the Messenger of the covenant, Malachi 3:1; the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 3:1; besides the references to several psalms, notably the sixteenth and the twenty-second. BSPC 28.8

The relation of Jesus to the Scriptures of the Old Testament has been well expressed in the Spirit of prophecy: BSPC 29.1

“Jesus taught the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority. Whatever His subject, it was presented with power, as if His words could not be controverted.”—The Desire of Ages, 253. BSPC 29.2

Truly our Lord and Master held the “scriptures of the prophets” as of the highest authority; He reckoned them to be in deed and in truth the word of the everlasting God. BSPC 29.3