Hundreds of years before Jesus Christ was born in Palestine, there were many prophecies about his coming. Great prophets of God wrote and spoke of the Messiah who would come. The word “messiah” in the Hebrew language means one who is specially chosen and blessed to serve God. “Christ” is the Greek word that has the same meaning as “messiah.” The Arabic word is “masih.” This is why Jesus is known as “Jesus Christ” or “Jesus, the Christ.” It means that he is Jesus the Messiah, the promised one, Isa al-Masih (or al-Masih). Here are some of the prophecies of his coming as written in the Bible:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Prophet Isaiah, 7.14
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Prophet Isaiah, 9.6-7.
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. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. Prophet Micah, 5.2-5.
The prophecies written in the Bible tell of Jesus Christ: his birth, his life, his purpose for coming, his authority, and his role in the kingdom and work of God. We cannot look at all of the prophecies, but those above give you an idea of the wonderful truths about Jesus written before his coming. Many mysteries of prophecy are in the holy pages of the Bible. They are recorded and protected by God forever.