Messiah: His Historical Appearance

463 Pages·2016·2.54 MB·English

by  Andrew Meisler

Messianic Series Volume Five
הוהי רמאי החכונו אנ־וכל Isa. 1:18
“Come now and let us reason together, saith Jehovah”

MESSIAH: HIS HISTORICAL APPEARANCE
BY
DAVID L. COOPER., T .M., P .D., LITT.D.
H H
Founder and President, Biblical Research Society
Editor, Biblical Research Monthly
Bible Teacher

To the remnant of Israel of the end time who are
thirsting for God and for fellowship with Him
is this Volume Affectionately Dedicated

Copyrighted 1958
by
David L. Cooper
The Scripture quotations in this volume are taken from the
American Standard Version, published 1901
Library of Congress, Catalogue Card Number 58-11078

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Preface
This treatise, Messiah: His Historical Appearance, is the fifth book of the
Messianic Series, which, when completed, will contain seven volumes. The
four preceding works are The God of Israel, Messiah: His Nature and Person,
Messiah: His Redemptive Career, and Messiah: His First Coming Scheduled.
The last two are Messiah: His Second Coming Imminent and Messiah: His
Final Call to Israel.
In this the fifth book of the Series we come to grips with the greatest
question that has ever engaged the attention of man—that which pertains to
Jesus of Nazareth, a historical personage concerning whom multiplied
millions of people, both in the past and at the present time, have been
convinced by positive evidence that He was a historical person (as the late
Dr. Stephen S. Wise declared), that He was what He claimed to be, and what
the four evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—say that He was.
The Apostle John declared, in Revelation 19:11, that "the testimony of
Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." According to this statement, all revelation
revolves around Him, His life, and His labors. Jesus of Nazareth, speaking
figuratively, is the leading actor in the great drama of life as presented in
the Old and New Testament Scriptures.
But in modern times a section of the world of scholarship imbued with
and motivated by the spirit of scientific investigation, apart from divine
revelation, calls in question, more or less, the authority of the Scriptures and
their message. Rationalism has largely captured the thinking of the man of
the twentieth century and is dominating it. I hasten to affirm, however, that
there are many scholars who have refused to bow to the dictates of this
modern god of rationalism, skepticism, and doubt.
This Baal of modernism at whose shrine very many scholars bow and
worship is dictating the life and thinking of multitudes in the educational
world, as well as in the religious sphere. I am constrained, therefore, to

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begin the investigation concerning the historical Jesus by noting very briefly
some general principles of scientific research and some prophecies regarding
the Almighty's revelation to Israel and to the world.
This treatise in the unabridged edition naturally falls into four sections—
Book One: some general principles taught by scientific observation, practical
experience, logical thinking, and open-mindedness to see and to accept truth
wherever found—this part of the treatise prepares the reader for an
impartial and candid examination of the truths, evidence, and facts
presented; Book Two: some dominant prophecies taught by the Eternal
Creator in His revelation to Israel, according to Moses, the Prophets, and the
writers of the New Testament—this section, which draws its material largely
from the messages of Moses and the Prophets, paves the way for the
reader's understanding of the testimony presented by the Apostle Matthew,
an associate of Jesus and an eyewitness of the things concerning which he
has written; Book Three: the inspired testimony of the Apostle Matthew, an
eyewitness—with explanatory notes; Book Four: the necessity of the Mosaic
doctrine of blood atonement examined scripturally and philosophically.
The abridged edition consists largely of Book Three of the unabridged
volume, with some material drawn from other portions of the work. This
smaller edition is for the masses who do not have time or inclination to
examine the great bulk of material that bears upon the historicity of Jesus of
Nazareth.
In 1936 I began work on this fifth volume of the Messianic Series. That
year I was engaged largely in doing research in some of the principal
libraries of Europe. Since then I have worked on this volume as I have had
opportunity. The major part of my time and energy, of course, has been
consumed by the multitudinous duties connected with the Biblical Research
Society in its world-wide ministry. During these years, I have spent literally
thousands upon thousands of hours in the study of this subject.

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Ordinarily, a volume such as this one should have a bibliography. My
reason for not including a list of the works consulted is that I have examined
literally hundreds of volumes in my quest for facts and data that might
throw new light upon Messiah's historical appearance.
My studies took me to such libraries as the Library of Congress, the
British Museum, the Bibliotheque Nationale, the Biblioteca Apostolica
Vaticana, and the library of the Pontificio Istituto Biblico. In my three visits
to the Holy Land, I made special investigation of any facts or phenomena
that might throw light upon my subject. In all my studies I have, of course,
consulted standard works, as well as many others which gave promise of
help. If I were to attempt to present the list of books consulted during my
long period of research, I would not know where to stop.
I am indebted to various members of the staff and to friends for assisting
me in this work—especially to my late private secretary, Miss Annabel Lee
Crumly, who went to be with the Lord in October, 1955, for the invaluable
assistance that she rendered.
To Miss Aurora Fluker, chief office secretary, I likewise am indebted for
typing my dictation and for assisting me in innumerable ways in the
prosecution of the work.
To Miss Olive W. Parsons, Ph.D., my assistant, I am greatly indebted for
many suggestions and invaluable assistance in the final editing of this
volume.
To my faithful, loyal wife, Florence Lita Cooper, who has been an
inspiration to me throughout the years, I owe everything, humanly speaking,
in the production of this volume. Without her loyal co-operation and prayer
life, it could never have appeared.
To David L., Jr., our elder son, vice-president and business manager of
Biblical Research Society, I owe much; for he has relieved me of most

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administrative duties and enabled me to give more time to the production of
this work.
To many prayer warriors and friends throughout the world who have been
praying, and who have been giving as they could, I likewise am greatly
indebted.
To Mr. Robert S. Smethers, assistant manager of The Evangelical Press,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where this book was printed, I am most grateful
for his co-operation and sympathetic assistance in producing this volume.
To Mr. and Mrs. James L. Mitchell, members of our praying family, I am
especially indebted for their assistance in various ways. Mrs. Mitchell did
special tedious work in connection with the final draft of the manuscript.
To my good friends H. Leo Eddleman, Ph.D.; Charles L. Feinberg, Th.D.,
Ph. D.; Harry J. Hager, Ph.D.; and Wilbur M. Smith, D.D., I am greatly
indebted for their taking the time from their busy lives to read and review
this volume in galley form. I appreciate and gratefully accept their
suggestions.
To my good friend F. Kenton Beshore, Pastor of First Baptist Church in
Oceanside, California, I am greatly indebted for assisting me in Bible
Conference work and in otherwise enabling me to devote my time to this
volume.
To the Board of Directors of Biblical Research Society, I am indeed
grateful for the spirit of co-operation and sympathetic understanding which
they have given me during the long years of the preparation and production
of this volume, without which I could never have completed it.
If the reader is to get the full force of the message of this treatise, he
should have a Bible at hand and look up each reference in its context. The
best translation in the English language, in my opinion, is the American
Standard Version, 1901 edition—though it is not free from imperfections.

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In my translation of the Gospel according to Matthew, I have endeavored
to give a literal translation wherever possible. At times it is not wise to follow
the original text too slavishly. The Greek idioms frequently do not
correspond to the English idioms. The translator is supposed to use his best
judgment in such instances. There is danger of paraphrasing at times. The
translator, therefore, must be very careful not to inject into the translation
his own ideas.
As the reader peruses the comments which I make upon the text of the
Gospel according to Matthew in Book Three, Chapters XVII to XXXII, he may
wonder why comments are made on certain subjects whereas nothing is said
on other points which may seem to him to merit discussion. Personally, I
would like to comment on each verse—an absolute impossibility because of
lack of space. I have, therefore, chosen those subjects which, as I see the
situation, demand special treatment in this treatise. I ask the reader to bear
in mind that this volume is the fifth of my Messianic Series. Knowing what
has been presented in the first four volumes, I have selected and treated the
topics accordingly.
With a note of praise in my heart, and with a prayer upon my lips that
God will use this volume in bringing His truth to countless numbers of His
Chosen People, Israel, as well as to truth seekers among all nations, I send
this volume forth.

Los Angeles. California
December 31, 1958

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Table of Contents

BOOK ONE

SOME GENERAL PRINCIPLES TAUGHT BY SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATION,
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, LOGICAL THINKING, AND OPEN-MINDEDNESS

Page
CHAPTER I
THE SPHERES OF SCIENCE, PHILOSOPHY, AND THEOLOGY…………………………………………………..17

CHAPTER II
SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF INVESTIGATION…………………………………………………………………………20

CHAPTER III
A HISTORICAL QUESTION……………………………………………………………………………………………….22

CHAPTER IV
THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARD TRUTH…………………………………………………………………………….25
I. Open mindedness. II. Willingness To See Truth. III. An Insatiable
Desire for Truth. IV. God’s Resisting the Proud, but Giving Grace to the
Humble. V. The Blinding Effects of Theories. VI. Messiah’s Labors in
Behalf of the Meek. VII. Teachableness VII. Choosing What One Likes
Best. IX. A Deliberate Refusal To Face Facts. X. Being on the Wrong
Track. XI. Cutting into Strips and Burning the Word of God.

CHAPTER V
THE GOLDEN RULE OF INTERPRETATION………………………………………………………………………….35

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Page
CHAPTER VI
ARBITRARY BRUSHING ASIDE OF EARLY PROPHECIES…………………………………………………………41

CHAPTER VII
THOSE TO WHOM MOSES AND THE PROPHETS SPOKE…………………………………………………………45

CHAPTER VIII
MIRACLES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………48

BOOK TWO

SOME DOMINANT PHROPHECIES TAUGHT BY THE ETERNAL CREATOR IN HIS
REVELATION TO ISRAEL ACCORDING TO MOSES, THE PROPHETS, AND THE
WRITERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

CHAPTER IX
THE CALL OF MOSES………………………………………………………………………………………………………55
I. A Prophet. II. A Redeemer. III. A Mediator. IV. An Intercessor. V. A Leader

CHAPTER X
THE TESTIMONY OF MOSES AND THE PROPHETS REGARDING MESSIAH’S REDEMPTIVE
CAREER.....................................................................................................70

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Page
CHAPTER XI
THE BLINDNESS OF ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS………………………………………………………………....79
I. Famine of the Word of God Foretold by Amos. II. Judicial Blindness
Threatened Israel Foretold by Isaiah. III. The Continuance of Israel’s
Blindness. IV. The Blindness of the Nations.

CHAPTER XII
THE FIRST COMING OF THE MESSIAH……………………………………………………………………………….95
I. To Make His Soul an Offering for Sin. II. To Bring to Naught the
Power of the Devil. III. To Bear Witness to the Truth. IV. To Put Away
Sin. V. To Redeem Man from all Iniquity.

CHAPTER XIII
THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION: THE INTERVAL SEPARATING THE TWO COMINGS
OF THE ONE MESSIAH………………………………………………………………………………………………..100
I. According to Isaiah 42:1-4. II. According to Isaiah 61:1-3.
III. According to Daniel 9:1, 2, 24-27

CHAPTER XIV
THE SECOND COMING OF MESSIAH…………………………………………………………………………………117
I. To Banish All Evil from the Earth. II. To Solve the Jewish Problem.
II. To Establish a Reign of Righteousness over the Earth.

CHAPTER XV
AUTHENTIC SOURCES OF INFORMATION REGARDING JESUS THE MESSIAH AND
HIS WORLD-WIDE SPIRITUAL KINGDOM………………………………………………………………………122
I. The Sources of Information. II. The Credibility of the New
Testament Tested by the Laws of Evidence. III. The Crowning Proof
That the New Testament Records are Authentic.

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Page
CHAPTER XVI
THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS CAST IN THE PROPHETIC MOLD OF MOSES
AND THE PROPHETS……………………………………………………………………………………………………154
I. Pre-existence of Messiah. II. Birth of Messiah. III. Twofold Nature
of Messiah. IV. Genealogy of Messiah. V. Some Distinguishing Names
and Titles of Messiah. VIII. The First Coming of Messiah. IX. Betrayal,
Death, and Burial of Jesus the Messiah. X. Resurrection of Messiah.
XI. Ascension of Messiah and His Session at the Right Hand of the
Throne of God in Heaven. XII. The Second Coming of Messiah.

BOOK THREE

AN EXAMINATION OF JESUS OF NAZARETH AS THE MESSIAH OF ISRAEL
AND THE REDEEMER OF THE WORLD

SECTION A
AN APPROACH TO JESUS OF NAZARETH

Page
CHAPTER XVII
A FOURFOLD PORTRAIT OF JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE HEBREW MESSIAH……………………………189
I. Scriptural Testimony. II. The Personal Ministry of Jesus. III. The
Living Voice. IV. The Gospel Records.

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