“Prophets Foretell the Coming of Jehovah to Earth,” Friend, Nov. 2010, 14–15
Prophets Foretell the Coming of Jehovah to Earth
What an important time it was when we all sat in the Grand Council in Heaven and learned that Heavenly Father’s oldest son, Jehovah, would be the Savior for us all! But when we came to earth, the memories of that important time were wiped away. So Heavenly Father sent prophets to teach us again about His plan.
For thousands of years, prophets taught that the Savior would come to earth so we could return to live in heaven again.
More than 2,400 years before Jehovah came to earth, Noah taught about Him. Almost a thousand years later, Moses saw Jehovah on a mountain and had a vision of God’s great plan.
About 750 years before Jehovah came to earth, Micah prophesied that He would be born in the small village of Bethlehem.
Many Names
The prophet Isaiah had a special calling to teach people about the Savior. He wrote that a young woman, a virgin, would have a baby. He described great things this baby would do and be: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
The scriptures tell us other names for our Savior. Lord, God, Redeemer, Creator, and Shepherd are all names for Jesus Christ.
What Does the Name Jesus Christ Mean?
About 600 years before Jehovah came to earth, the prophet Daniel called Him the Messiah, which means “the anointed one.” In ancient times, a man was anointed with special oil when he was chosen to be a king or priest, so “anointed one” means someone chosen for a special job. Messiah is another word for Christ.
When the great day was coming that the Lord was to be born in Bethlehem, an angel told Mary and Joseph to name the baby Jesus. The name Jesus means “Savior” or “God is help.” Because Jesus atoned for our sins, we can repent and receive the gift of eternal life. Jesus was chosen for this special job before the world was created. The name Jesus Christ perfectly describes what the Lord did for us.
Noah taught about Jehovah 2,400 years before He came to earth.
Daniel called Jehovah the Messiah, which is another word for Christ.
Isaiah prophesied about Mary giving birth to Jesus.
Illustrations by Paul Mann, Sam Lawlor, Dan Burr, Jon McNaughton, and Simon Dewey