Course 1, Chapter 38: Messiah foretold. — Prophecies of David

1. What is a prophet?

A prophet is a man who foretells the future by the inspiration of God. Since God knows all things, he can reveal the future to whomsoever he pleases; in the same mariner as he can give to whomsoever he pleases the power of working miracles.

2. How many kinds of prophets are there?

There are two kinds of prophets; those who have not written their prophecies, as Elias and Eliseus, and those who have written them. Amongst the latter, some are called the Great Prophets, because we have a greater number of their writings, such as David, Isaias, Jeremias, Ezekiel, and Daniel; others are called the Minor prophets, because we have fewer of their writings; they are twelve in number.

3. How did the prophets live?

A'. The prophets led a poor and mortified life; they lived in community, like religious, occupied in study, labor and prayer.

4. Are prophecies a certain proof of the truth of the religion in favor of which they are made?

Yes, they are. For God alone can inspire prophecy; and God, being truth itself, cannot inspire prophecy to establish falsehood; therefore the religion in favor of which God has inspired prophecy must be true.

5. Are the prophecies which announce the Messiah genuine?

The prophecies which announced the Messiah, and which have been accomplished in our Lord Jesus Christ, are genuine and true, since they have been preserved by the Jews, the mortal enemies of the Christians.

6. What do you remark of the prophecies?

106 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

A . I remark that the prophecies ordinarily announced two events; one of which was to be accomplished in a short time, and the other at a later period.

7. Why do the prophecies announce two events?

.-I. The prophecies announce two events, in order that one being accomplished, the fulfilment of the other may not be doubted.

8. What are the first minute prophecies regarding the Messiah?

The first prophecies, in detail, of the Messiah, are those of David; they are contained in his canticles, called the Psalms. David lived one thousand years before our Lord.

9. What did he foretell of the Messiah?

He foretold that the Messiah would be disowned by the Jews, and would convert all nations. Our Lord was disowned by the Jews, and he has converted all nations; therefore, our Lord is the Messiah foretold by David.

10. What else did he announce?

He also announced that the Messiah would be betrayed by one of his disciples; that his enemies would spit upon his face; that they would mock him in his agony; that they would pierce his hands and feet; that they would cast lots for his garment; that they would give him vinegar to drink; all this was done to our Lord, and done to no other but him; therefore, the Lord is the Messiah foretold by David. Finally, David announced that the Messiah would rise from the tomb without seeing corruption; our Lord rose from the tomb without seeing corruption, and to him alone is this prophecy applicable; therefore, our Lord is the Messiah foretold by David.