This name for Jesus, Messiah, appears twice in the Old Testament (Messiah) and twice in the New Testament (Messias).
~Daniel 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.
~Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
~John 1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
~John 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
The Old Testament refers to the Messiah as a Prince and the New Testament refers to the Messiah as the Christ. According to Noah Webster’s Dictionary, Messiah means:
Messiah
MESSI’AH, a. [Heb. anointed.] Christ, the anointed; the Savior of the world.I know that when Messiah cometh, who is called Christ, he will tell us all things. Jesus answered her, I that speak to thee am he. John 4.
I find it interesting that the Jews were looking for a Messiah that would be a Prince (a Conqueror) but did not see Him as a Saviour from their sin. The New Testament, however, does not concentrate on Jesus’ position as Prince (mentioned as such only three times) as much as a Saviour (mentioned 24 times).
Jesus was anointed of God for His mission as Messiah – to save the lost. He came to guide us to the Truth and to show us the only path to Heaven. He submitted to His Father to the point of death. This could not have been an easy task when you meditate on it. Would you have gone to your crucifixion death if you knew ahead of time the pain and agony it would cause? If you are interested, read about Jesus’ crucifixion as viewed by medical professionals. We can understand how submission to the Father’s will must have been priority with Jesus.
~John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
~Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
~John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Yet, despite His knowing what was to come, He died for us! Christ was anointed for the sole purpose of coming to earth to die for our sins!
~John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Just what will the Messiah save the world from?
2 Peter 2:9-15 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
I also found it interesting that Peter refers to those who have gone astray following the way of Balaam. Balaam is a type of antichrist – one who distorts the truth and leads people astray. The Bible refers to him in Numbers 23 and 24. Jesus refers to Balaam in:
~Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Balaam enticed the Israelites to idolatry and sin. He became a stumbling block to the Jews and caused error to set in. Peter stated in 2 Peter 2:9-15 that they have forsaken the right way and are gone astray, following after Balaam. What does the Bible say is the right way?
~Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
~John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
~Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ~Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
~Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
~Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
The catholic church uses verse 16 as proof of works for salvation. This is a teaching from Balaam. This is far from what Christ was teaching. Christ was teaching that grapes do not grow thorns nor figs thistles. It’s not rocket science. In other words, after salvation I will be producing righteous fruit. Before salvation, however, I will be producing those thorns and thistles because I am a child of the devil.
We will be able to recognize the teachings of Balaam by the fruit it produces. What kind of fruits do they produce? The fruits of these people will be the opposite of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
~Ephesians 5:8-10 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Therefore, the fruits of Balaam are: they walk not in the light – they do not seek after righteousness and truth and the do not prove what is acceptable to God.
Not only does our Messiah save us from sin but He teaches us. He even provides us with His Word so that we may prove what is acceptable to God!
~John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
~John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
~John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
~John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
~Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
~1 Corinthians 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
~2 Corinthians 4:2-4 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
~1Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
~2 Timothy 3:15-16 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
~John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Jesus will not contradict Himself! The truth can be found by reading your Bible. You will find exactly what you need to find the Messiah and His salvation. You will also find how to identify the teachings of Balaam. The teachings of Balaam will try to lead you away from finding salvation through Jesus Christ. Balaam’s teachings will steer away from Christ and focus on something or someone else. The catholic church is famous for this. Their dogmas, magisterium and catholic sacred tradition point to Mary, the pope’s infallibility, purgatory, works, penance, sacraments, and salvation through the catholic church – these are just some of the things they teach. They have left the simple truth of the Word of God. The Messiah did not come with complex theories but He came with a simple mission.
Do not follow after someone without proving his words with the Scriptures. The Bible is your light given to you by the Messiah! The teachings of Balaam will corrupt God’s Word and cause the people to follow a lie. The only way to expose a lie is to know the Truth!
