Jesus in the Old Testament – Resurrection and Return
3 minute read
Not only did the OT predict Jesus’ Birth and Crucifixion but it prophecies that He was going to come back from the dead, ascend to heaven and return once again!
But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power
Acts 2:24
Resurrection
New Testament:
Jesus cryptically told the Jews that he will raise the temple (i.e. his body) 3 days after it was destroyed (John 2:19). Later the apostle Paul acknowledges that Jesus was buried and raised on third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:4). The Bible also tells us that for 40 days many people saw him after his resurrection (Acts 1:3).
Old Testament:
There are disagreements amongst theologians as to which OT passages may have a direct parallel to Jesus’s resurrection. For the purpose of this article I am going to stick with the reference from Ps 16:10 where David acknowledges that whilst his own physical body will see decay, that of “Your Holy One” ie the Messiah will not. Likewise Jonah’s 3 days in the belly of the fish is also a significant hint at a future resurrection in which a body will not see physical death.
Ascension
New Testament:
After Jesus has gathered his apostles together he advised them not to leave Jerusalem until they receive the Holy Spirit. He was then lifted up into the clouds and out of their sight (Acts 1:4,9). Jesus’ earthly ministry had officially ended.
Old Testament:
This is a tricky one to pinpoint directly in the OT. For a simple explanation I will defer here to the ‘Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology’ edited by Walter A Elwell. Under the essay on Ascension, it explains that while there is no specific correlation to Christ’s ascension mentioned in the OT, the examples such as Elijah’s ascension “are rightly seen as fundamental to the NT understanding that Jesus physically came down from heaven and returned there” (Elwell:1996. p 39).
Second Coming
New Testament:
As Jesus ascended bodily and visibly, he will return the same way (Acts 1:11) to the Mt Of Olives. Mark 13:26 tells us the Son of Man will be coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Matthew 24:4-14 advises of the signs to look out for that herald his return. Whilst we do not know the specific date or time, we are to always be ready as the Son of Man is coming at an hour we do not expect (Luke 12:40). Revelation 19 also speaks of the second coming of Christ. The Bible is very clear that Jesus is returning one day in the future.
Old Testament:
Zecheriah 14:4 states that Jesus will return again on the Mt of Olives. However what we do see is a common theme of God restoring the land and nation of Israel; gathering His people from throughout the earth back into the land and restoring them (Deut. 30:3; Jer. 30:3; Amos 9:14-15). If we accept that the OT scriptures were originally written for the Jewish people, we can see why God wants them to continue believing that Jesus is the Messiah who will return and ultimately rule in justice and righteousness (Jer 23:5).
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