For the sake of this presentation, Yeshua is the Hebrew name of the Jewish Messiah. The Scriptural timeline presented here weaves into its conclusions the understanding that Yeshua and Jesus are one and the same. What is remarkable about this identification is that only the Hebrew Scriptures are really needed to do this! Anyone, Jew and Gentile can clearly make this connection with a bit of a look at the Hebrew Bible. The following (with some minor editing) is reprinted from an appendix in The Creator's Window.

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Numerous Messianic references are found throughout the Tanach. The following timeline identifies some, but by no means all, of the Scriptures' examples in a time-ordered format. The following first provides a runway for Messiah's arrival. His departure from the Creator's presence comes by birth of child. With Daniel's timeline leading the way, the time frame of the Anointed One's arrival is quite specific (Daniel. 9:25). The place and conditions associated with the child's birth are all recorded before the fact. Based on prophecy, the Jewish people probably knew or should have known the Messiah in the flesh, even though some refused to believe, but overall His identity is not a mystery if one knows where to look in the Scriptures.

Perhaps the Maccabees and those at Qumran were the active seekers of their day. That many of today's Jewish and Gentile peoples take little time to study the following points is a mystery in itself. Evidence in word and history are as plain as any scientific observation initiated by careful attention and curiosity. The following is designed as a guide for study. Where two Scriptures are cited, the former is the prophecy, and the latter is the fulfillment.

Messiah foretold as a Redeemer who is the seed of a woman	(Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4)
Seed of Abraham	(Gen. 22:18; Matt. 1:1)
Son of Isaac	(Gen. 21:12; Luke 3:34)
Son of Jacob	(Numbers 24:17; Luke 3:34)
He will be of the Tribe of Judah	(Gen. 49:10; Matt. 1)
Descendant of Jesse	(Isaiah 11:1; Luke 3:23,32)
Of the loins of David	(Psalm 132:11; Luke 1:32,68-70)
Prophet like unto Moses	(Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Acts 3:22,23)
He will perform miracles	(Isaiah 35:5,6a; Matt. 9:35)
He will teach parables	(Psalm 78:2; Matt. 13:34)
The Son of God	(Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:32,35, Matt. 3:17)
The place of Messiah's Birth, Bethlehem, foretold 700 years before the fact	(Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-7)

Yeshua arrives by virgin birth	(Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20-23, 2:1)
Escape to Egypt	(Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2:14)
Time of ministry	(Genesis 49:10; Luke 23:13-16)
Ministry in Galilee	(Isaiah 9:1,2; Matt. 4:12-16)
His triumphal entry	(Zechariah 9:9; Matt. 21:1-9)
He is sold for 30 pieces of silver	(Zech. 11:12; Matt. 26:47-50, 26:15)
Betrayed by a friend	(Psalm 41:9; John 13:18-19)
Forsaken by his disciples	(Zechariah 13:7; Matt. 26:31)
Dumb before his accusers	(Isaiah 53:7; Luke 23:9)
Spit upon and scourged	(Isaiah 53:5; Matt. 27:17-31)

His hands and feet pierced	(Psalm 22:16; Matt. 27:35)
His garments divided by lots	(Psalm 22:18; Matt. 27:35)
Mocked by his enemies	(Psalm 22:7,8; Matt. 27:41-42)
Gall and vinegar to drink	(Psalm 69:21; Matt. 27:34)
Prayed for his accusers and murderers	(Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:24)
Like a Passover lamb, not one bone was broken	(Psalm 34:20; John 19:36)
Crucified with thieves	(Isaiah 53:12; Mark 15:27)
Messiah as intercessor for human transgressors	(Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34)
His forsaken cry	(Psalm 22:1; Matt. 27:46)
His side pierced	(Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34)
Buried with the rich	(Isaiah 53:9; Matt. 27:57-60, John 10:17-18)
Date of his death	(Daniel 9:24-26; Luke 18:31-34)
His resurrection	(Psalm 16:10; Matt. 28:9)
His Ascension (return to Heaven)	(Psalm 68:18; Luke 24:50,51)
The Messiah is the Lamb of God	(Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29)
He is High Priest	(Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 6:20)
He is a judge	(Isaiah 33:22; John 5:30)
He shall be King	(Psalm 2:6; Matt. 27:37)

The curtain around the Holy of Holies was torn the moment Yeshua's spirit left his physical body. He, as Spirit, then entered the Temple;

'At that moment the parokhet in the Temple was ripped in two from top to bottom; and there was an earthquake, with rocks splitting apart.' (Mattityahu 27:51, JNT; parokhet: curtain surrounding the innermost Holy of Holies)

Yeshua's role as Messianic servant and prophet now then shifts to that of High Priest. The Holy of Holies is essentially opened to everyone, by his presence work on Earth. Therefore, no human in the present age can rightfully assume the role of High Priest. Further, the crucifixion legitimately puts an end to animal sacrifice ... although in the years following the crucifixion both human priest and sacrifice continued until the Temple's destruction.

Messiah promises to restore Israel (Isaiah 49:5-7; Matthew 23:37-39)

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'During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple the lot ['For the Lord'] did not come up in the right hand; nor did the crimson-coloured strap become white; nor did the western-most light shine; and the doors of the Hekul would open by themselves' ¹

One must wonder what the first century Jewish leadership thought each year after Messiah's departure when the red strap (or sash) remained red, even after the 'get outta here' goat was sacrificed! As explained previously ( Creator's Window; Chapter XVI, Yom Kippur and Two Goats [also appears here in An End to Terrible Days]) this event signifies national atonement. With the Messiah rejected, the atonement was removed! That the Jewish Talmud records this problem is incredible testimony of Israel's current dilemma.

Simple logic leads one to believe those Jews who trusted Yeshua as Messiah were the origin of the Unity Bag and the Seder tradition with three matzahs (see Chapter XVI, Passover or click here to read about Types). A change in the Seder practice is thus a first century development, first in the presence of Messiah, and thereafter to the present time.²

He foretells Tribulation time ahead	(Matthew 24)
He reinforces, implies, Antichrist is yet to come	(Matthew 24:15, Daniel 9:27)
Reappearance at end of Tribulation	(see Creator's Window; Chapter XXIII)
Messiah as King	(see Creator's Window; Chapter XXIII)

The major biblical covenants are significant aspects of the Universal timeline, as presented in Chapter XXIII. As they appear in historic order (Plates XI a, b, and c; these plates appear in Chapter XXIII) each covenant's conditions and principles prepare the way for Messiah's Millennial Kingdom. I list summaries of each of these covenants here because their completion or fulfillment is expected after Yeshua arrives the second time to reign over his Kingdom. Their additive effect, where one covenant builds upon preceding stages, is evidence for a special wisdom poured into the foundation of biblical architecture. Their appearance here extends the logical sequence started above and are thus appropriately placed here on this Messianic timeline.

As indicated earlier, in the description of the Good Steward, the Messiah was meant to have a part in the human drama on Earth. His role was first defined in Eternity Past. The fact that Old Covenant and New Covenant verses create a bridge between two 'separate' peoples, or the perception of separate religions, crosses over misconceptions and the damage done by humanity's misdeeds in history. The covenants represent an outline for future history as seen from Heaven's window.

To replenish the earth with a new order: man	(Genesis 1:28)
To subdue the earth to human use	(Gen. 1:28)
To give man dominion over created beings - animals	(Gen. 1:28)
To eat herbs and fruits	(Gen. 1:29)
To till and keep the garden	(Gen. 2:25)
To abstain from eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil	(Gen. 2:17)
The penalty for sin - death	(Gen. 2:17)

Conditions for the life of fallen man and the promise of a Redeemer (Messiah).

The serpent (Satan) is cursed	(Gen. 3:14)
The first promise of a Redeemer	(Gen. 3:15)
The state of women changed	(Gen. 3:16)
The earth cursed for man's sake	(Gen. 3:17)
Life will be filled with inevitable sorrow	(Gen. 3:17)
Physical death is the result of sin	(Gen. 3:19)

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'...from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—the land of...'

The Israelites have never fully occupied the promised land as described above. So, when will Israel's borders match these specifications? If the Scripture is a literal promise, then the fulfillment is yet to come. Further, Abraham is told he and his descendants will possess the land. A picture for a restored Israel is thus put in place for a future time (i.e. The Millennial Kingdom, Chapter XXIII).

God's promises to Abraham:

Make of thee a great nation	(Gen. 12:2)
Bless thee	(Gen. 12:2)
Make thy name great	(Gen. 12:2)
Thou shalt be a blessing	(Gen. 12:2)
Bless them that bless thee	(Gen. 12:3)
In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed	(Gen. 12:3)

This covenant establishes the principle of human government.

The relation of man to the earth, Adamic Covenant, is confirmed	(Gen. 8:21)
The earth is secured against another universal judgment of water	(Gen. 8:21)
The order of nature is confirmed	(Gen. 8:22)
Human government is established	(Gen. 9:1-6)

The Pentateuch's contents, written by Moses, comprise the five books of the Torah. Herein is the foundation of the Law: essentially 613 laws and the ten commandments. The Jewish people who kept these Laws were God's example, of holy obedience, for all the nations. The traditions and ordinances differentiated the Godly from those who repeatedly fell into sin. The emphasis on the Law is refined with the introduction of the New Covenant. According to the Mosaic Covenant, anyone in violation of the Law is subjected to condemnation.

450 - 400 BCE: 'Torah became the moral essence of the Jewish state' 3
The Commandments express the righteous will of God	(Exodus. 20:1-26)
The Judgments govern the social life of Israel	(Ex. 21:1-24:11)
The Ordinances govern the religious life of Israel	(Ex. 24:12-31:18)

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Dr. Fruchtenbaum describes this covenant as a renewal of God's original promise to gather his people of Israel. [see titles of books by Dr. Fruchtenbaum] This is historically necessary because the Jews who first turned away from God were then scattered throughout the Gentile nations. The prolonged separation of the people from their land and a period of persecution ends with a future renewal, revival, and regeneration within the people themselves.

The dispersion for disobedience	(Deut. 30:1)
The future repentance of Israel while in dispersion	(Deut. 30:2)
The return of the Lord	(Deut. 30:3)
Restoration to the land	(Deut. 30:5)
The national conversion	(Deut. 30:6)
The judgment of Israel's oppressors	(Deut. 30:7)
The national propriety	(Deut. 30:9)

This covenant establishes, for all time, the Davidic family and kingdom, over Israel and the whole earth—to be fulfilled by Yeshua.

King David, in II Samuel, is told his throne will be established forever.

'Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.' (II Samuel 7:16)

The throne will be occupied by a king who, as written in I Chronicles, is clearly the son of God—Yeshua.

'When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.' (I Chronicles 17:11-14).

A house (king) forever	(II Sam. 7:16)
A kingdom forever	(II Sam. 7:16)
A throne forever	(II Sam. 7:16)

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This covenant rests focuses on the atonement of the Messianic sacrifice and secures eternal blessedness, under the Abrahamic Covenant, for all who believe. The promise of salvation through belief in Messiah and the grace he gives to those who accept him is absolute, unconditional, and irreversible.

Today, Messianic congregations maintain the Torah scroll as a symbol of Messiah. The personal acceptance of Messiah assures each believer that one is no longer condemned by the Law. The crucifixion and shedding of the Messiah's blood provides atonement for sin and God's grace. Salvation through Messiah's service lays the foundation for a time when Yeshua rules as King among the faithful. The New Covenant is:

Improves on Mosaic Covenant because it is efficacious	(Hebrews 7:19)
Established on unconditional promises	(Heb. 8:10,12)
Founded on obedience that springs forth from a willing heart and mind	(Heb. 8:10)
Secures the personal revelation of the Lord to every believer	(Heb. 8:11)
Obliterates all sin	(Heb. 8:12)
Rests upon an accomplished redemption	(Heb. 9:11, 12, 18-23)
Secures the perpetuity, future conversion, and blessing of Israel	(Jeremiah 31:31-40)

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I wish to add one final point concerning the numerical odds in favor of Yeshua as the Messiah. Stan Telchin concludes his book, Betrayed, with a brief discussion of the number of prophesies fulfilled by the historical Jesus—as Messiah. He notes there are approximately 456 prophesies that apply to the Messiah. Of these he cites eight, which are discussed in an article by Peter Stoner, that lead to a calculation of the odds that any one person would fit all eight. Stoner's calculation states the chance that one person would fit all eight conditions is one in ten to the seventeenth power (10¹⁷). To put this number into a visual analogy, one can think of putting 10¹⁷ silver dollars over the entire state of Texas, and as Stoner states:

'They will cover the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance the prophets would have had of writing these eight prophesies and having them all come true in any one man, from their day to the present time, providing they wrote them in their own wisdom.' ⁴

Telchin goes on to add:

'What then is the probability of one man fulfilling each and every one of the 41 prophecies listed below? [in his text] Astronomical! And what chance would there be of fulfilling the 456 prophecies the Old Testament contains? Beyond comprehension!' ⁵

The timeline, as presented above, offers a number of examples of the prophecies and events found in both the Old and New Covenants. The large number of examples are cause for a conviction where only one person, in all of history, can be accurately accused of being Messiah.

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1 Yoma 39B.

2 The practice of the three matzahs is described by: Lederer Foundation. The Messianic Passover Haggadah. (Baltimore: The Lederer Foundation, 1989) Pp. 32.

3 B. Grun, The Timetables of History. Third Edition (New York: Simon & Schuster/Touchstone, 1991), page 12.

4 P. Stoner, in Science Speaks (Chicago: Moody Press, 1963).

5 S. Telchin, Betrayed (Lincoln: Chosen Books Publishing Company, Ltd., 1981), page 126.

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