January 13

PART II.

PROPHETIC TESTIMONIES CONCERN- ING CHRIST.

To him gave all the prophets witness.—Acts 10:43.

WE have already referred to some of the Old Testament predictions of the Saviour. In glancing at the writings of the other prophets, we shall have the list of glorious appellations, extensively enlarged. Isaiah has been styled, the evangelical prophet, so rich and numerous are his predictions of Jesus and the gospel dispensation. He speaks of Jesus, as the CHILD BORN, yet the MIGHTY GOD, the WONDERFUL COUNSELLOR, the EVERLASTING FATHER, the PRINCE of PEACE. (ix. 6.) He describes him, as the ROD and STEM of Jesse. (xi. 1, 10.) He exhibits him as the STRENGTH OF THE POOR and NEEDY; a REFUGE from the storm; a SHADOW from the heat. (xxv. 4.) A COVERT from the tempest. He is also exhibited as a KING, who shall reign in righteousness. (xxxii. 1.) As the tender and compassionate SHEPHERD of his people. (xl. 11.) He describes him, as GOD'S ELECT SERVANT, in whom the Father delighteth. (xlii. 1.) The REDEEMER, the HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL. (xlix. 7.) As the LAMB brought to the slaughter. (liii. 7.) As the ANOINTED PREACHER of good tidings. (lxi. 1.) And as the BOZRAH CONQUEROR, mighty to save. (lxiii. 1.) Jeremiah gave repeated prophetical witness to Christ. He describes him as the RIGHTEOUS BRANCH, the PROSPEROUS KING, the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (xxiii. 5, 6.) Ezekiel refers to Christ, as the PLANT OF RENOWN. (xxxiv. 29.) As the GLORY of the GOD of Israel. (xliii. 2.) And as DAVID, the Shepherd of God's flock. (xxxiv. 24.) Daniel prophecied of Christ, as the ANCIENT of DAYS. (vii. 9.) The STONE cut out of the mountain, without hands.

(ii. 4, 5.) And as MESSIAH, the PRINCE. (ix. 25.) Hosea refers to him, as DAVID their KING. (iii. 5.) As the DESTRUCTION of the GRAVE, and the Redeemer from death. (xiii. 14.) Joel speaks of him, as the Lord God in the midst of Israel, and dwelling in ZION. (ii. 27. iii. 17.) Micah predicted of him, as the RULER in Israel, and as the SHEPHERD, who should stand and feed in the majesty of the name of the Lord our God. (v. 24.) Haggai, as the DESIRE of all NATIONS. (ii. 7.) Zechariah, as the KING of JERUSALEM, and as the FELLOW and SHEPHERD of the Lord of Hosts. (xiii. 7.) And Malachi, the last of the prophets, described him as "the MESSENGER of the Lord of Hosts, and as "the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, who should arise with healing in his wings." (iii. 1. and iv. 2.) Thus. "to him gave all the prophets witness." How truly did Christ say of the Old Testament Scriptures, "they are they which testify of me."