October 13, 2004

MESSIAH THE PRINCE

"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks" (Daniel 9:25, NKJV).

While the title, "Messiah," occurs only four times in Scripture, the theme of the coming Messiah dominates the entire Old Testament. Predictions concerning the Messiah abound in the writings of the prophets.

In Daniel's messianic portrait of Jesus, he identifies Him as "Messiah the Prince." This title occurs only once and is unique to Daniel. In his prophecy, Daniel describes Jesus as Prince Messiah who would appear at a specific time in history to fulfill the expectations of God's people. Daniel predicts with remarkable accuracy the specific time of the birth, baptism, ministry, and death of Messiah the Prince (see Daniel 9:25-27). His predictions have provided "incontestable evidence of the certainty of the events at the close of the 2300" day prophecy of Daniel 8:14.--SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 855.

Messiah the Prince is the central figure in Daniel's prophecy. The prophecies of Daniel extend across the centuries from the birth of the Messiah to His final return in majesty and glory as King of kings. Daniel's portrait of Messiah the Prince is in full agreement with the other messianic prophecies of Jesus. Messiah the Prince is the Saviour who was born in the City of David (see Luke 2:11); He is the Jesus of Nazareth who went about doing good (see Acts 10:38); He is the Lamb of God who died to take away our sins (see John 1:29); He is the resurrected Lord (see Luke 24:34), He is the able high priest (see Hebrews 7:25, 26); and finally, He is the soon coming King of kings whose kingdom will stand forever (see Daniel 2:44). As spiritual Israel, we, like the disciples, must declare to the world, "This is Jesus, the Messiah, the Prince of life, the Redeemer of the world."--The Desire of Ages, p. 579.

My Prayer Today: Lord, as Messiah the Prince, You came in the fullness of time. May the day of Your return in glory come soon. Amen.