The expectation of Christ, often referred to as the Messianic expectation, is a central theme throughout the Bible, encompassing both the anticipation of His first coming and the hope of His return. This expectation is rooted in the promises and prophecies found in the Old Testament and is fulfilled and expanded upon in the New Testament.

Old Testament Foundations

The expectation of a Messiah, or "Anointed One," begins in the earliest chapters of the Bible. In Genesis 3:15, God promises a future victory over the serpent through the seed of the woman: "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 protoevangelium, or "first gospel," sets the stage for the unfolding plan of redemption.

Throughout the Old Testament, various covenants and prophecies build upon this expectation. The Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12:3 promises that "all the families of the earth will be blessed" through Abraham's offspring. The Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7:12-13 foretells a descendant of David whose kingdom will be established forever: "I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom."

Prophets like Isaiah and Micah provide further details about the coming Messiah. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of a virgin birth: "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 describes the nature and reign of the Messiah: "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 pinpoints the birthplace of the Messiah: "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, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament opens with the fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies in the person of Jesus Christ. The Gospels present Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, fulfilling the expectations of the Jewish people. Matthew 1:22-23 explicitly connects Jesus' birth to Isaiah's prophecy: "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 Himself affirms His Messianic identity and mission. In Luke 4:18-21, He reads from the scroll of Isaiah and declares, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." His life, death, and resurrection are seen as the ultimate fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies, as He accomplishes the work of salvation and establishes the new covenant.

The Expectation of His Return

The expectation of Christ does not end with His first coming. The New Testament also emphasizes the anticipation of His return, often referred to as the Second Coming. Jesus promises His disciples in John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also."

The apostles continue to teach about this future hope. In Acts 1:11, as Jesus ascends into heaven, two angels declare, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven."

The expectation of Christ's return is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, as expressed in Titus 2:13: "while we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." This expectation calls Christians to live in readiness and faithfulness, as they anticipate the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in Christ.