The concept of the "Anointed One," often referred to as the Messiah in Hebrew or Christ in Greek, is a central theme throughout the Bible, encompassing both the Old and New Testaments. This entry explores the prophetic anticipation and fulfillment of the Anointed One's coming, as understood within the biblical narrative.

Old Testament Prophecies

The anticipation of the Anointed One begins in the Old Testament, where numerous prophecies foretell His coming. Genesis 3:15 introduces the first messianic prophecy, often called the Protoevangelium, where God declares to the serpent, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel." This passage is interpreted as the first promise of a Redeemer who would defeat evil.

The promise to Abraham in Genesis 22:18, "And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed," is seen as a messianic prophecy, indicating that the Anointed One would come from Abraham's lineage. This promise is reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, establishing a covenantal lineage.

The Davidic Covenant further narrows the lineage of the Anointed One. In 2 Samuel 7:12-13, God promises David, "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." This covenant is understood as a promise that the Messiah would be a descendant of David, establishing an eternal kingdom.

Isaiah 7:14 prophesies the miraculous birth of the Anointed One: "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." Isaiah 9:6-7 further describes His nature and reign: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Micah 5:2 specifies the birthplace of the Anointed One: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament presents Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide genealogies tracing Jesus' lineage to David and Abraham, affirming His messianic credentials. Matthew 1:1 states, "This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, as recorded in Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:4-7, fulfills the prophecy of Micah 5:2. The virgin birth, as described in Matthew 1:22-23, fulfills Isaiah 7:14, with the angel declaring to Joseph, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel' (which means, 'God with us')."

Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection are seen as the ultimate fulfillment of messianic prophecies. In Luke 4:18-21, Jesus reads from Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue and declares, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing," affirming His identity as the Anointed One.

The New Testament writers consistently affirm Jesus as the Christ, the Anointed One, who fulfills the Old Testament prophecies. Acts 10:38 describes how "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power," emphasizing His divine mission.

Theological Significance

The coming of the Anointed One is central to Christian theology, representing the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The Anointed One is seen as the mediator between God and humanity, bringing salvation and establishing God's kingdom. The anticipation and fulfillment of the Anointed One's coming underscore the continuity and coherence of the biblical narrative, revealing God's faithfulness to His promises.