The final physical appearance of Christ in the Old Testament was in Judges 13:3-23 when he encountered Samson’s parents before Samson was born. He is referred to as “the angel of the Lord” in this chapter. You may ask “Why is he called an angel when we know Jesus is not an angel? He’s the Lord.” Well, you would have to examine what the word angel actually means. Angel not only refers to the spiritual beings who carry out God’s commands, it refers to the office one holds as delivering messages from God. If you read Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the pastors of the seven churches in Asia are called angels based on this second definition. Therefore, it stands to reason that the ultimate angel, or messenger, of the Lord would have to be Jesus. Throughout his ministry Jesus said repeatedly that he was speaking what the Father told him to speak.
Now, getting back to Samson’s parents, Jesus appears to tell Samson’s parents what is required of them to raise Samson. The first clue we have that this is Christ is when Samson’s father, Manoah, asks the angel what his name is. The angel replies that his name is “secret” in Judges 13:18. This word “secret” also means “wonderful”, the adjective version of the noun “Wonderful” used as one of the names of Christ in Isaiah 9:6.
The second clue occurs when Manoah and his wife offer a burnt offering to the Lord after the angel suggests it. As the offering is burning, the angel ascends up to heaven in the flames. This signifies that the offering is acceptable and pleasing. No one except God has the right or authority to consider an offering acceptable, so this angel was undoubtedly Jesus Christ. The final clue is given to us from Manoah who says “we have seen God” after the angel ascends in the flames.
It is clear that all three members of the Trinity played an active role in the affairs of men in both the OT and NT. This proves that the word of God is consistent and not contradictory. We serve a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
sunandshield.wordpress.com 
Substitute “Jesus” for the word “wisdom” in Proverbs, and you’ll have some interesting reading.
There’s a father/son team in Christian music but I can’t remember their names. They wrote a powerful song called, “He Is.” It follows along the line of what your post mentions. I remember the lyrics because I’ve performed this song in praise and worship. I hope it blesses you!
“In Genesis He’s the Breath of Life
In Exodus Passover Lamb
In Leviticus He’s our High Priest
In Numbers the Fire By Night
Deuteronomy He’s Moses Voice
In Joshua He’s Salvation’s Choice
Judges, Law Giver, Ruth, a Kinsman Redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, a Trusted Prophet
In King’s and Chronicles, He saw room
In Ezra, True Faithful Scribe
In Nehemiah He’s the Rebuilder of broken walls and lives
In Esther He’s Mordecai’s Courage
In Job, the Timeless Redeemer
In Psalms He’s our Morning Song
In Proverbs, Wisdom’s Cry
Ecclesiastes, the Time and Season
In the Song of Solomon He is the Lover’s Dream
He is, He is, He is
In Isaiah He’s the Prince of Peace
Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet
In Lamentations, a Cry for Israel
Ezekiel, He’s the Call From Sin
In Daniel, the Stranger In The Fire
In Hosea, He is Forever Faithful
In Joel He is the Spirit’s Power
In Amos, the Arms That Carry Us
In Obadiah, He;s the Lord our Savior
In Jonah, He is the Great Missionary
In Micah, the Promise of Peace
In Nahum, He is our Strength and Shield
In Habakkuk and Zephania, He’s pleading for revival
In Haggai, He restores the lost, arid cities
In Zechariah, Our Fountain
In Malachi, He’s the Son of Righteousness rising with healing in His wings
He is, He is, He is
In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah
In the book of Acts, He’s the Fire from Heaven
In Romans, He’s the Grace of God
In Corinthians, the Power of Love
In Galatians He’s the Cure from the curse of sin
In Ephesians, our Glorious Treasure
Philippians, the Servant’s Heart
In Colossians, He is the Godhead Trinity
Thessalonians, our coming King
Timothy, Titus, Philemon, our Mediator and our Faithful Pastor
In Hebrews the Everlasting Covenant
In James the One who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, He’s our Shepherd
In John and Jude, He’s the Lord coming for His Bride
In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
He is, He is, He is
The Prince of Peace, the Son of Man, the Lamb of God, the Great I Am
He’s the Alpha and Omega
Our God and our Savior
He is Jesus Christ the Lord and when time is no more
He is, He is, He is
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I believe in Kings and Chronicles, “He is sovereign”
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Amen. And he’s a much better king than any human could be.
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The name of the guy who sings “He is” is Aaron Jeffrey.
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I mentioned above that this was Christ’s final physical appearance in the Old Testament, but I was mistaken. His final physical appearance occurred in Babylon when he was in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (see Daniel 3:23-25).
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I’m encouraged by the depth with which you have explored this important matter. I can now satisfactorily help someone understand this facts better.
Thanks.
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Thank you so much for posting these lyrics. We are creating a Children’s Church Curriculum based on the Books of the Bible and really wanted to use this song. you saved me a lot of transcribing.
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Actually, I would like to mention a slight inaccuracy with your amendment of where Jesus’ “final appearance in the OT” is … it comes after the event in the furnace. Daniel’s vision of a Man walking on the water, here he see’s Jesus, and Jesus delivers him a prophecy, then two others appear beside Jesus. Now, in the OT whenever 3 heavenly beings appear to people, they always seem to be addressed as if they are one … so in these cases I take it that an incarnation of the Trinity is seen.
Would you be able to clarify whether this would be can be an accurate assumption?
Either way Jesus and the Trinity are shown in the OT, whether my interpretation is correct, or whether yours is … still gives glory to Him, so I guess it doesnt really matter
great articles
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Thanks for bringing this up. There were a couple of reasons I didn’t include this recorded event from Daniel chapters 10-12. Based on how this angel had to fight the evil spirit known as the prince of Persia two times–once to get to Daniel and once after leaving Daniel (Daniel 10:13, 20)–told me that this messenger was not more powerful than the evil angel he had to fight so it could not have been Christ.
The second reason is because even if this was Christ, this whole incident was a spiritual vision that Daniel had. He was in the spirit realm and no one else saw this angel who was speaking to him (Daniel 10:7). In parts 1 and 2 of this post, I only included incidents where Christ appeared in the physical realm.
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I have a question. How can you refer to God as one God and also believe in the trinity as being three members? God is not three persons, he is only one.
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And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Rev 3:1 KJVR)
Take the 7 spirits of YHVH, plus YHVH, Yeshua, and the Holy Ghost and you have the number 10 which is the number of completion in Hebrew. By time one is factored into the equation as H259 echad were looking at believing YHVH like Abraham did and let it counted to us as righteousness.
YHVH is H259 echad/one.
And YHVH H3068 shall beH1961 kingH4428 overH5921 allH3605 the earth:H776 in thatH1931 dayH3117 shall there beH1961 oneH259 YHVH,H3068 and his nameH8034 one.H259 (Zec 14:9 KJV+)
YHVH and Yeshua (YHVH-yasha) are echad unified/one. (Jon 10:30)
Hear,H8085 O Israel:H3478 YHVH H3068 our GodH430 YHVH H3068 is oneH259 :
(Deu 6:4 JPS)
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Rev 3:21 KJVR). It’s a big throne, and He’s a big Elohiym H430.
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Dewania,
Your question points out a centuries-old mystery about the one true God, Creator of the universe. I don’t understand the trinity completely, but here’s a couple of scriptures written in the Bible by men who wrote what God told them to–
“Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness.” Genesis 1:26 [emphases mine]
“And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let US go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” Genesis 11:6-7 [emphasis mine]
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Jesus], and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7
God refers to himself in the plural, but at the same time he is one. Even his name Elohim expresses this paradox. Like I said before, I don’t completely understand this but I know that what God says in the Bible is true since he is not a man that he should lie, so I accept it as such.
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I believe Proverbs 8:22-31 gives better reference to the meaning of Gen. 1:26, 11:6-7, as well as Gen.3:22. It is a plural of God’s majesty.
As for 1John 5:7 it says “there are three”. The question is, three what? Certainly not three persons. Just as I am one person,but I hold the office of a mother, a daughter, and a wife and so these three things bear witness of one person, me.
This may also be applied to Matt 28:18. What is the name (singular) that Jesus is refering to?
God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost and his name is Jesus.
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OK, Dewania, I see where you’re coming from. You’re from the Apostolic denomination (correct me if I’m wrong) that believes Jesus is the only person in the Godhead.
The word “person” has several definitions. It can mean an individual or, as in the case with God, it can refer to a personality or role. As a mother, daughter, and wife, you are three persons (i.e. you fulfill three roles), yet you are also one person (i.e. individual).
I don’t agree with your assessment of Proverbs 8. Proverbs 8 is a personification of a trait–wisdom–using an allegory to show us this trait that God possesses. The scriptures in Genesis are not allegories, but are God talking about himself using first person pronouns.
The trinity cannot be completely explained by our limited human minds because he is far beyond that. When Jesus was baptized, the whole Godhead was present. As Jesus emerged, the Father spoke from heaven in an audible voice while the Holy Spirit landed on Jesus in the form of a dove. So all three had separate bodies (the Father’s was spiritual, Jesus’ was human, and the Holy Spirit’s was like a dove), yet they were all one God.
In the same way we can’t have a full understanding of what our resurrected bodies will be like, there’s no way while we are in our corrupt bodies can we fully understand God being three persons in one. While walking this Earth, we see through a glass, darkly. Our comprehension is limited.
The closest example I’ve ever heard to what the trinity is like is the explanation that we as humans have a body, soul, and spirit which can be separated from each other. We see this happening in scripture when God took away certain of his prophets in the spirit through a vision, while their bodies and souls were left behind.
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Is this prince of persia the same today who dictated persia to acquire a nuclear technology?
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EYES,
The prince of Persia I mentioned above is a spiritual being and no spiritual being can dictate (forcibly order) a person to do any particular thing. Devils like the prince of Persia in Daniel can make strong suggestions and act to promote or defend their suggestions, but ultimately the decision to do or not do what a devil wants is up to the person(s) who they suggest things to.
Iran’s (Persia’s) decision to acquire nuclear technology was an idea the leaders of the nation came up with probably based on their covetous desires to acquire more power on the world stage than they presently have. I don’t know if it was by inspiration of a devil or not because God has not revealed that to me.
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pardon, what I mean by dictated is influence.
Yeah I agree with you that God give us freedom to choose between good and bad.
Nuclear technology is not bad if we use it in good way based on every nation’s necessity.
I don’t want to judge persia but the way I look at it God gave them already a natural energy source such as crude oil.
why not spend r&d budget to discover a crude oil fuel efficiency & ecolological friendly machine instead for nuclear technology.
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Hello
How about the appearence of the Angel of the Lord in Zec 3:1-10? Could that also be Jesus Christ?
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Paul,
You’ve raised a good question. Zechariah 3 is a vision that Zechariah had of what was going on in heaven about Joshua the high priest. This was not an earthly physical appearance as the ones I’ve mentioned in my posts.
God always has an angel standing by to await his instructions. This vision kind of reminds me of Isaiah 6 where a seraphim which was at the altar before the Lord in heaven took a hot coal off the altar and placed it on Isaiah’s mouth to cleanse it.
I can’t say for sure right now, but I doubt if this angel of the Lord is actually Christ.
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All of the Old Testement reffers to Jesus Christ!…the ONLY Lord and saviour of the the World! Praise the King of Kings!
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Actually, God appointed several angels to work together on his behalf to create mankind. That is why Genesis says “Let us create man in our image, in our likeness”, refering to the angels, not the holy trinity. Unfortunately, when the church decided on which gospels to include in more modern versions of the Bible, certain important gospels (including the Gospels of Mary, Judas, and others) which provide significant biblical insight were unfortunately excluded.
In the gospel of Judas, Jesus reveals to Judas many secrets of the universe and creation, including the creation of humanity by angels working on God’s behalf. Several English translations of this gospel are easily available, including Elaine Pagel’s “The Gospel of Judas” and National Geographic’s translation.
Other translations are available online and in book form, and I recommend that anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Jesus, the apostles, God, and His creation examine this and other early Christian gospels which were not included in the contemporary bible.
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Michael,
I had to delete the link you provided to the gospel of Judas because it didn’t display correctly. But since you brought up the gospel of Judas, it wasn’t included in the Bible because it has doctrines that are not in agreement with the Bible. One of those doctrines is the one you mentioned above about angels working with God to create man.
God, who the Bible from Genesis to Revelation says is all-powerful, did not need any help to create man or any other part of creation. Isaiah 44:24 says that God made all things (including humans), stretched out the heavens, and spread abroad the earth all by himself.
The Lord says in Isaiah 45:12 “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.”
And Genesis 1 explains itself about mankind’s creation when it says “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” [Genesis 1:27]
Malachi 2:10 says, “Have we not all one father [Creator]? hath not one God created us?”
Colossians 1:16 tells us “For by him [Jesus Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
So the Bible helps us conclude that the doctrine about angels creating man is a false doctrine. Genesis 1 is about the trinity creating man. Your example is the perfect example of why the false gospels you cling to were rejected. They are inaccurate doctrinally, scientifically, and historically. The books in the Bible have proven to be historically and scientifically accurate even by secular sources. And their accuracy proves the Bible has the books that should be in it. No more books are needed.
Your argument, which is an attack on the true word of God, is nothing more than Satan’s age-old tactic that he used on Eve to get her to doubt God’s word in the garden of Eden–“yea, hath God said…?”
Your false gospels are nothing more than lies. And you have allowed yourself to be deceived.
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Jesus is not an angel….
When God brings his firsborn into the world…Hebrews 1….let all the angels worship Him. He clearly distinguishes Jesus different from the angels..
Please do teach things so foolishly. Jesus is Jesuse Christ….the angels are angels …keep them seperate.
Your distorting things. Teach the simple truths of God’s word…..
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Yes, Jesus is Jesus Christ, and he is not the angels being spoken of in Hebrews 1–this is true.
However, Jesus is referred to as an angel in the sense that he is a messenger. For instance in Malachi 3:1, we are told “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”
The word here for “messenger” is the Hebrew word “malak” which is also the word for “angel.” And this scripture clearly shows this “messenger” of the covenant is the Lord. But if there’s any question, the following verses verify this fact–“But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness,” [Malachi 3:2-3]. This is about the Messiah, the Lord, the messenger, or angel, though he is a different kind of “angel” than Michael the archangel or Gabriel in that he is God.
But we also have proof that Jesus is called “angel” in Genesis. “And the angel of the LORD said unto her [Hagar], I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude,” [Genesis 16:10]. If we search scripture, only God reserves the right to multiply anyone’s seed as was promised to Hagar, so this angel (messenger) was preincarnate Jesus.
Even Jacob, or Israel, called the Lord angel when he blessed Joseph–“The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth,” [Genesis 48:16]. No one can redeem man but God, as Israel himself knew. And followers of God, like Jacob (Israel) never asked for your typical angel to bless their offspring. They only asked God to bless their offspring. So since Israel asked “the Angel” to bless Ephraim and Manasseh, he obviously was referring to the Lord.
So it is no surprise to find in scripture that Jesus is The Angel who is the ultimate messenger of the Lord since he is Lord. I have not spoken foolishly as you said, but have spoken by the wisdom God has given to believers in Christ by his Spirit.
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I like your study– It is awesome finding Christ in the Old Testament. I have one comment to add (I think you will like this) The second clue you gave that this is Christ in Ju 13 — you say it is Christ’s approval of the offering. That may be but also look at the second clue this way. Christ was actually the offering rising to the Lord. Showing himself the ultimate sacrifice. Yeah, I thought you’d like that!
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Thanks for that contribution. I never thought of that & it’s right on point.
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Harry,
Interesting post. I noticed that one of the commentors was confused about the Trinity. A good verse which shows ALL THREE persons of the Almighty God together in one place is found in the gospel of Luke chapter 3 @ the baptism of Jesus:
“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Here we see Jesus praying and operating in full obedience to the will of the Father, the Holy Spirit descending, and the Father speaking from Heaven.
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I agree. This scripture provides positive proof that God is three in one.
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Why did Jesus not be called by his own name in the old tastement
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Jesus kept his name secret in the Old Testament and wasn’t ready to reveal it yet. That’s why he told Samson’s parents that his name was secret when they asked what his name was in the book of Judges. And Jesus still has another name he hasn’t revealed to us yet because Revelation 3:12 says he will write his new name on those who overcome.
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Hello. I just was looking for the times Christ appeared in the Old Testament and i was truly blessed when I came across this brother in the LORD. Really enjoyed studying along with you brother and may the LORD bless you many times over while you endeavor to serve the LORD.
Missionary Stephen Blan
Asheboro, N.C.
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Thank you and God’s blessings to you as well.
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