Definition: Messianic prophecy refers to the predictions found in the Old Testament that are believed to foretell the coming of the Messiah, a savior and deliverer for the people of Israel and ultimately for all humanity. These prophecies are seen as fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament.

Key Prophecies and Their Fulfillment:

1. The Seed of the Woman: Genesis 3:15 is often considered the first messianic prophecy, where God declares enmity between the serpent and the woman, and between their offspring. The prophecy speaks of a future descendant who will crush the serpent's head. Christians interpret this as a reference to Jesus' victory over sin and Satan.

2. The Lineage of David: Numerous prophecies indicate that the Messiah would come from the line of David. In 2 Samuel 7:12-16, God promises David that his throne will be established forever. Isaiah 11:1-2 speaks of a "shoot from the stump of Jesse," David's father, indicating the Messiah's Davidic lineage. The New Testament genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 trace Jesus' ancestry back to David, affirming this fulfillment.

3. The Virgin Birth: Isaiah 7:14 prophesies, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This is seen as fulfilled in the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary, as recorded in Matthew 1:22-23.

4. Birthplace in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 predicts that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel." This prophecy is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, as noted in Matthew 2:1-6.

5. Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 provides a detailed description of the suffering and atoning work of the Messiah. Verses such as Isaiah 53:5, "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities," are seen as vividly depicting the crucifixion and sacrificial death of Jesus.

6. Triumphal Entry: Zechariah 9:9 foretells the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem: "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, as described in Matthew 21:1-11.

7. Betrayal for Thirty Pieces of Silver: Zechariah 11:12-13 predicts the betrayal of the Messiah for thirty pieces of silver, which is fulfilled in Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 26:14-16 and 27:3-10.

8. Resurrection: Psalm 16:10 speaks of the Holy One not seeing decay, which is interpreted as a prophecy of the Messiah's resurrection. Acts 2:31-32 and 13:35-37 apply this to Jesus, affirming His resurrection as the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Significance in Christian Theology:

Messianic prophecies are foundational to Christian theology, as they provide a divine blueprint for the life and mission of Jesus Christ. They affirm the continuity between the Old and New Testaments and underscore the belief in Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills God's redemptive plan for humanity. These prophecies are often cited in Christian apologetics to demonstrate the reliability and divine inspiration of the Scriptures.