3.4.7.3 Jesus Christ–the Prophet

The promise which God made to Moses was fulfilled in Jesus Christ: "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him" (Deuteronomy 18: 18).

The prophets in the old covenant were called to proclaim God's will. Their messages were often introduced with a reference to their source in God: "Thus says the Lord." In Jesus Christ, God Himself speaks to mankind.

According to Mark 1: 15, the Son of God began His activity with the words: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." The Lord taught with the full power of divine authority, which comes to expression in the words: "But I say to you ..." (Matthew 5-7).

As a prophet, Jesus Christ also revealed future events, as recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, for example.

In the Lord's farewell discourses (John 13-16), He promised the Holy Spirit, who was to lead into all truth.

In the book of Revelation the Son of God unveils the progress of salvation history up to and including the new creation.

So it is that Jesus Christ also worked as a prophet: He proclaimed the will of God, illuminated the past, revealed hidden things, showed the way to eternal life, and gave promises of things to come. His statements are eternally valid: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" (Mark 13: 31).

SUMMARY

The kingship of Jesus Christ is shown in the authority with which He acted, and through the signs which He performed. (3.4.7.1)

In a deeper sense, the caption on the cross–which was written in three languages–served to announce the kingship of Jesus Christ to the whole world. (3.4.7.1)

The royal dignity of Jesus Christ is also brought to expression in Revelation (Revelation 1: 5; 11: 15). (3.4.7.1)

The High Priest upon whom the redemption of the world is founded appears in Jesus Christ: through Jesus Christ, God reconciles the world to Himself. Unlike the high priest of the old covenant, Jesus Christ did not need reconciliation with God–as did the high priest of the old covenant–because He Himself is the Reconciler. (3.4.7.2)

God's loving care for the world becomes clear in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ: in Him human beings have access to God's salvation. In Him there is also the assurance of forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. (3.4.7.2)

The prophets in the old covenant were called upon to proclaim the will of God. Jesus Christ acted as a prophet by announcing the will of God, illuminating the past, uncovering concealed things, showing the way of life, and giving promises for the future. (3.4.7.3)