Deity Of Christ In Old Testament

There are scriptures about the Deity Of Christ In Old Testament times. Those who have not read the Bible for a very long time, may not know about the deity of Christ in Old Testament times. In the Gospels, Jesus referred to Himself many times as God or deity when confronted by the Pharisees about who He is. For example, in the book of John, Jesus tells the Pharisees "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM".

This reference to Himself as "I AM" or God, is the same statement that God made to Moses in Exodus chapter three. This is one of the boldest, most clear statements Jesus ever made in the Gospels about the Lord's diety. The Pharisees knew exactly what He was saying, and wanted to stone Him for it. It is incredible that the Lord was quoting the Tanakh to them about references to Himself. Rather than humbling themselves and opening their eyes and hearts, they felt they had to prop up their pride and deride Him for speaking to them, or teaching them about the scriptures. To them, the Lord was unlearned, but seemed to have a special insight into the Tanakh.

In reality, there are numerous references to Jesus in the Old Testament.What does deity mean? It is making a claim to being a King or royalty. In this case, THE King or Creator of the universe. The Jewish people thought the Messiah would be a military king, and did not consider that their need required a spiritual King of their hearts. This is exactly what Jesus, promised Messiah was, and this is why they did not accept Him as their Messiah. They were not looking in the right place. However, there are references to Jesus in the Old Testamentthat the Jewish people read, but do not understand as being prophetic references to Him. For example, in the book of Micah, there is the description about the Lord's birth in Bethlehem. The story goes on to describe the Lord's deity and scope of rule. The scripture says "But you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting .

This term "from everlasting" literally means "the days of eternity". Attached to this verse is yet another reference to the deity of Jesus in Old Testament times in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah it says "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, The Everlasting Father". At the beginning of this reference to Jesus in the Old Testament, is a description of the Lord's birth. "Unto us a Son shall be given..". So, in the same reference is His birth, and it ends with the description of the Lord being the "Everlasting Father". Another reference to the deity of Jesus in the Old Testament, actually begins with a reference given by the Lord to Pilate in the Gospels. When being questioned, Pilate asks Christ if He is the king of the Jews. The Lord says this in verse 36: "My kingdom is not of this world". A cross reference to this verse is Daniel chapter 2 verse 44. In this reference is a description of the kingdom the Lord is talking about.

"And in the days of these kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever". Here is a description of the Lord's kingdom, which is spiritual, of the heart. An earthly king can never reign in the hearts of mankind, and so the only king who can reign spiritually is a king who is an everlasting God, absolute deity.References to Jesus in the Old Testament are in several places. They are in the book of Daniel, in Isaiah, in Psalms and in Micah. Many of these reference Him as the coming Messiah, his place of birth and the scope of His kingdom. One day He will come again to the Earth as the Judge, and will create a new heaven and new Earth, where He will reign forever in a literal kingdom. So, He will be in both men's hearts and reign physically. All kingdoms of the new Earth will bow to Him.

Perhaps this is why the Lord said that His kingdom is not of this Earth, because he was speaking in a dual manner - His kingdom is both of men's hearts and one day, on the new Earth. References to the deity of Christ in Old Testament times were always speaking of what would happen in the future, both in the not too distant future, and the future thousands of years hence as well. Therefore, the Jesus in the Gospels is also the God of Israel spoken of in the Old Testament. Because the Jews never accepted Jesus as the coming Messiah, and therefore do not accept the New Testament, then they do not have the benefit of the references Christ made to Himself in the Old Testament or Tanakh. However, Christians have a wonderful opportunity to present these truths to them and show the Jews the deity of Christ in Old Testament times, contrasting and cross-referencing comments by Jesus in the Gospels. There is no doubt that Jesus is God or deity.
All it takes is a comparison of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah with New Testament comments made by Jesus.
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