What are the characteristics and/or the prophesies that define who the messiah is? What is the Messiah's role and why is the Messiah important?
Hi
Tranquil Servant :
I had thought to offer a survey of the early textual model of the Messiah that describes why the early Judeo-Christians honored the Messiah.
1) The Great, Eternal, cosmic plan to Educate Spirits and the Messiahs role in accomplishing this great, eternal, cosmic plan
I like the early Judeo-Christians’ concept of the Messiah being a pre-eminently intelligent being, full of grace and intelligence who was chosen by God to be his “right hand” and colleague in administering a great eternal, cosmic plan of tutoring the spirits of mankind in moral and social laws that are designed to (ultimately) prepare them to live in a social heaven in harmony and joy for ever.
For example, the prophet Enoch, describes his revelation of heaven and describes the spirits of mankind wanting this wisdom as “
the thirsty ones drink (from the fountains of wisdom…) and become filled with wisdom.”. The plan from the beginning was to send embodied spirits to earth to receive moral wisdom and experience which would educate them regarding good and evil and thus prepare those who chose to learn to do good for heaven where
“… their dwelling places become with the holy, righteous, and elect ones.” 1st Enoch 48:1
2) The Messiah as one who was chosen for his role from the beginning (The Lamb slain from the Foundation of the world)
Enoch describes the choosing of a Messiah/Savior who would serve as an important part of accomplishing this plan, saying
“At that hour, that Son of Man was given a name, in the presence of the Lord of the Spirits, the head of days,, 3 even before the creation of the sun and the moon, before the creation of the stars, he was given a name in the presence of the Lord of the Spirits. 4 He will become a staff for the righteous ones in order that they may lean on him and not fall. He is the light of the gentiles and he will become the hope of those who are sick in their hearts. 5 All those who dwell upon the earth shall fall and worship before him: they shall glorify, bless, and sing the name of the Lord of the Spirits. 6 For this purpose he became the Chosen One…”
3) The Messiah as creator, under the direction of God, the Father.
The early texts describe this pre-eminent, God-like colleague as having created the earth under the direction of the Father,
“...the creator of the universe...through his beloved servant Jesus Christ, through whom he called us from darkness to light, from ignorance to the knowledge…" 1 Clement 59:2-3 In his appellation as the “
word” (logos) of God, the Messiah is in the beginning with God and is described as “
Lord (owner) of the whole world, to whom God said at the foundation of the world, “Let us make man according to our image and likeness…” The Epistle of Barnabas 5:5
4) The Messiah as an administrator in the Old Testament era.
As a co-administrator of the plan, He is also referred to as “
The Right arm” of God (much as we refer to a “right hand man” of a superior) in his early role of teaching mankind the two, great, eternal principles of both Justice and mercy.. Thus in teaching mankind the concept of Justice (as well as the inadequacy of using this principle without mercy) the Prophet Enoch is told
“ Come and I will show you the right hand of the Omnipresent one,....3...as it is written, ‘He made his glorious arm go at the right hand of Moses.” If we skip ahead many generations through the various stories of Israel and their challenges with Polytheism, and difficulties remaining true to God as their religion underwent multiple evolutions (which various prophets attempt to reform), at some point God promises to remember them despite their faults. (read further)
5) The Messiah as Jesus who was promised to Israel and the rest of the world
In the early texts he was to come to the Jews in the meridian of time, not because they were deserving of it, but to fulfill promises to their forefathers :
“And I bore their bitterness because of humility; that I might save my nation and instruct it. 13 and that I might not nullify the promises to the patriarchs, to whom I was promised for the salvation of their offspring. “ Odes of Solomon #31: vs11-13
6) The Messiah as the first to accomplish a resurrection
The Messiah was seen as one who opened the door to resurrection as he is the first to be resurrected by God, his Father. Thus the early Synagogal prayer says of God,
“ You have loosed the boundary of death, You who are the Maker of life for the dead, through Jesus Christ, our hope! Hellenistic Synagogal Prayers - #3:1 (aposCon 7.34.1-8) ;
7) The Messiah as the one who freed the dead from Hades at the first resurrection
The decensus literature also speaks of his role among the dead who had never had the gospel preached to them) and his decensus into Hades to free the captives (during the three days after his death and before his resurrection). Bartholomews text relates it thusly : "
Tell me, Lord, where you went from the cross.” And Jesus answered: “Blessed are you Bartholomew, my beloved, because you saw this mystery. And now I will tell you everything you ask me. “When I vanished from the cross, I went to the underworld to bring up Adam and all the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. …and I shattered the iron bars....And I brought out all the patriarchs and came again to the cross.” Bartholomew chapt one
The same story is related by the Odes of Solomon thusly : “
And he who knew and exalted me is the Most High in all his perfection. 8 And he glorified me by his kindness, and raised my understanding to the height of truth. 9 And from there he gave me the way of his paths, and I opened the doors which were closed. 10 And I shattered the bars of iron,....11 And nothing appeared closed to me, because I was the opening of everything. 12 And I went toward all my bondsmen in order to loose them; that I might not abandon anyone bound or binding. 13 And I gave my knowledge generously, and my resurrection through my love. 14 And I sowed my fruits in hearts, and transformed them through myself. 15 then they received my blessing and lived, and they were gathered to me and were saved. Odes of Solomon #17:3,6-15;
Matt 27: 52 tells us that at Jesus’ resurrection from the Dead,
“The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people." The Sons of Simeon, who had died, were among those who were resurrected at the time Jesus resurrected and they describe this occurrence of Jesus’ entry into Hades and the freeing of those who were being taught by prior prophets who had also died. (Gospel of Nicodemus)
8) The role of the Messiah in the gradual gathering of Israel toward the Gospel.
The prophet Enoch is told that, in the latter days that the messiah will be delivered in his return and his people Israel will be gathered from all quarters of the world, from among the Gentiles and other nations, toward the New Covenant (the New Testament covenant where Mercy balances Justice) and, at some point, they will recognize their Messiah and be gathered toward this standard. This is described thusly “
...then the Holy One blessed be he, will at once remember his own righteousness, merit, mercy, and grace, and, for his own sake, will deliver his great arm, and his own righteousness will support him, as it is written,... 8...For my own sake, for the sake of my own merit and righteousness, I shall deliver my arm, and by it save my sons from among the gentiles…he, will reveal his great arm in the world, and show it to the gentiles: ... At once Israel shall be saved from among the gentiles and the Messiah shall appear to them and bring them up to Jerusalem with great joy. Moreover, the kingdom of Israel, gathered from the four quarters of the world, shall eat with the Messiah, and the gentiles shall eat with them, as it is written, “The Lord bares his holy arm In the sight of all the nations, And all the ends of the earth shall see The salvation of our God” 3rd Enoch 48:1,6-10 (compare .” Isa 52:10)
Other texts make this same wonderful promise to Israel : For example, the Patriarch Asher tells his sons
“You will be scattered to the four corners of the earth; in the dispersion you shall be regarded as worthless, like useless water,” And, speaking of the Messiah, the promise is made that “He will save Israel and all the nations,. Tell these things, my children, to your children, so that they will not disobey him. For I know that you will be throughly disobedient, that you will be thoroughly irreligious, heeding not God’s Law but human commandments, being corrupted by evil. For this reason, you will be scattered like Dan and Gad, my brothers, you shall not know your own lands, tribe, or language. But he will gather you in faith through his compassion and on account of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs - Asher 7:3-7
9) The Messiah as both Judge and Heir to this Kingdom of his Fathers
In this early Judeo-Christian model, the messiah takes on the role of a central administrator, as heir of this kingdom of individuals who gathered toward the principles he taught. Thus, after the Judgement it is said of the Messiah that
“You [God] appointed him as Your firstborn son. There is none like him, as a prince and ruler in all Your inhabited world […] the crown of the heavens and glory of the clouds You have placed on him […] and the angel of Your peace in his congregation. …You gave him righteous statutes, as a father gives a son…..” 4q369 Frag.1 Col. 1
The merciful attitude of the Messiah as Judge :
“Jesus said to him: “Bartholomew, the Father named me Christ, that I might come down on earth and anoint with the oil of life, everyone who came to me. And he called me Jesus, that I might heal every sin of the ignorant and give to men the truth of God. Bartholomew CH IV
I believe that the early Judeo-Christian textual model of the Messiah and his central role in administrating the plan of God the Father is what makes this Messiah character so incredibly, uniquely, honorable among all existence. I do not think the modern descriptions and interpretations of him are any more rational or logical or demonstrate better why the Messiah is worthy of honor than the early descriptions of him and what he accomplished.
In any case, and whatever the beliefs of others are, I hope you have a good spiritual journey in coming to your own models as to What and Who the Messiah is.
Clear
ειφυτωτζω
