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Editorial Review Product Description
This compendium of all the prophecies in Scripture concerns the promised Messiah. Dr. Lockyer's discussion is divided into two sections, "Specific Messianic Prophecies" and "Symbolic Messianic Prophecies." ... Read more Customer Reviews (6) 
messianic prophecy
Used as a resource tool for class lesson has proved very helpful.
I especially appreciated the depth of issues covered in the introduction.
Insights on various links goes beyond just listing of OT verses completed in NT.
An impressive devotional work
Herbert Lockyer is to be commended for writing such a thorough, entertaining, and readable tome and for so clearly laying out his position.He will likely be seen as a hero among like-minded believers.However, I was disappointed that the author so readily and uncritically adopted a number of fundamental presuppositions, which dramatically limits the audience to which this book might otherwise appeal, and significantly detracts from the scholarship.I find it inexplicable that in a large volume devoted to this single topic Lockyer never broaches the question as to whether the purported prophecies scattered throughout the Old Testament are indeed what orthodox Christianity deems them to be--passages with dual meanings that foreshadow future messianic events.Moreover, the book contains little discussion (aside from the standard dogma) of what prophecies consist in or how they are identified or verified, and is largely silent on the diversity of opinion regarding them.With few exceptions, the author presents his case as though there were virtual unanimity among scholars in accepting the orthodox Christian view.Therefore, I see the work as being essentially "devotional" rather than scholarly.While this book will no doubt resonate with many Christians, I believe it is easily dismissed by those who are skeptical of Christianity's claims, as I shall explain.
First and foremost, Lockyer's presupposition that the Old Testament is replete with prophetic passages concerning Jesus is problematic in that it deftly skirts the most interesting and difficult questions regarding prophecy.Most importantly, what evidence supports the premise of dual meanings?And on what basis can a phrase be deemed prophetic when its original context does not even purport to be prophecy?As Lockyer fails to addresses questions of this nature, the book appears to speak only to those who share his convictions at the outset, and not to those who wish to consider the evidence supporting his convictions.To his credit, however, Lockyer makes this presupposition crystal clear on page 29 when he asserts
"Our obligation is to believe ALL that ALL the prophets have written of Christ, and search out how their prophecies of Him were fulfilled." (Emphasis in the original.)
This single statement illuminates the entire volume.That we bear this obligation to believe is taken as axiomatic by Lockyer, which is presumably why the following questions are never broached: 1) How do we know that the Bible accurately records what was said, when, and by whom, and 2) How do we recognize bona fide prophecies of Jesus?
While the former question is often an article of faith among believers, it is a legitimate question of historical veracity for skeptics.Given that even a great many believers concede that the Bible contains interpolations, transcription errors, and even forgeries, the question ought not to be ignored.The second question is far more interesting, however, as some have argued that it admits a clear objective answer: namely, because the probability of one man meeting so many criteria by coincidence alone is infinitesimal.In other words, the close correspondence between the historical Jesus and numerous passages in the Old Testament, even if not originally written as explicit messianic prophecies, singles out Jesus as a unique individual in all of history and simultaneously reveals the passages as miraculous.Lockyer never wavers from this (implicit) position as he meticulously builds what, to most believers, must appear to be an overwhelming case for the divinity of Jesus.
Unfortunately, these presuppositions are the primary reason I regard the work as less than scholarly.Lockyer never considers explanations for the correspondences other than their purported prophetic nature; that is, that they are adumbrations of Christianity (most unbeknownst to their authors) that were fulfilled in every detail in the person of Jesus.Yet there is also a perfectly mundane explanation for such correspondences, and Lockyer needn't have looked far to find it.A simple explanation that accounts for the vast majority of the purported prophecies is that the history of Jesus was crafted by weaving together passages from the Old Testament through a practice known as "midrash."Given the late inclusion of such details (beginning in the Gospel of Mark), the virtual absence of extrabiblical corroboration, the numerous telltale signs of copied and embellished passages, and the prevalence of midrash among the ancient Jews, this explanation fits the available facts and rests upon well-documented tradition.No supernatural intervention is required, no amazing coincidences are claimed, no conspiracies posited, and no deception or insanity need be invoked.On what grounds, then, does Lockyer completely ignore this and all other alternative explanations?
I do not wish to entirely dismiss this author's considerable talents and effort merely because he did not give credence to an alternative theory that I favor.Lockyer has every right to present his ideas from his personal vantage point, omitting those ideas he does not find compelling (or perhaps is unaware of).But doing so clearly limits the audience to those who wish to proceed uncritically from the same presuppositions as Lockyer.Hence, the book cannot be construed as an answer to skeptics, nor can it be construed as a scholarly examination of the evidence; it simply reaffirms what one has already chosen to believe.
Even when considered within the genre of devotional literature, however, I must take issue with Lockyer's absurdly exaggerated claims of objectivity and certainty, such as his claim on page 164 that the physical resurrection of Jesus is "...one of the best attested facts in history."Although this notion is often echoed in other devotional works and in countless blogs, it's an outlandish claim.Paul makes only abstract references to the event, which are devoid of historical context, while coeval historians are completely silent about it, and the few fragmentary extrabiblical references are dubious at best.In my view, and that of numerous scholars, the historical evidence is extraordinarily weak, resting almost exclusively upon late anonymous hagiographic works (the Gospels) and ultimately upon faith.While everyone is entitled to believe what they wish, such beliefs ought not to be flaunted as well-attested historical facts without sufficient warrant.
Lockyer also has a tendency to uncritically embrace all arguments that support his case, exhibiting little interest in gauging the strength of evidence. This tendency is exemplified by his eagerness to accept that "500 brethren" witnessed the risen Jesus (also on page 164) based on a single vague uncorroborated and possibly inauthentic passage in Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians.Lockyer touts this as "weighty" evidence for the resurrection with no further elaboration.But what did these brethren see?Did they experience "visions" similar to Paul's?How did Paul come to know of these visions/sightings?Why do none of the Gospels mention this panoply of witnesses?It seems that Lockyer unflinchingly accepts this one Pauline passage as roughly on a par with reliably documented eyewitness testimony, which is quite a leap from what is at best hearsay.
Another unfortunate consequence of Lockyer's presuppositions is that he ignores a great many ideas that have direct bearing on the validity of the evidence he invokes.In this large volume Lockyer makes not a single reference to "midrash," "interpolation," "forgery," "apotheosis," "hagiography," "spurious passages," or Markan priority.While many modern Bibles contain annotations flagging spurious or suspicious passages, Lockyer does not mention such difficulties even in passing.Once again, this illustrates that the work cannot be touted as an answer to skeptics, as it routinely ignores troublesome questions rather than addressing them.
I gave the book three stars for the quality and thoroughness of the writing.The book will likely be applauded by the audience for which it was intended, but will persuade few that possess a modicum of skepticism.My main complaints are with the wildly exaggerated claims, the nearly complete lack of critical analysis (the most common symptom of which is ignoring alternative explanations), and the inclusion of numerous fanciful interpretations with little or no supporting evidence.
Caveat: I've based my review on portions of the book (totaling approximately 30%) that I obtained through an on-line source, and also on numerous keyword searches of the complete text.It is entirely possible that I have misrepresented one or more of the author's views or that some of my criticisms are overly harsh.If so, I'd be happy to entertain rebuttals in the comment section, particularly those that are civil and provide relevant quotes and/or page numbers.If such comments could remain focused on the content of the book, or my criticisms of it, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Proof Positive
"All the Messianic Prophecies of the Bible" by Herbert Lockyer is a big book which is an utter joy to read. The more you read of it, the more you want to read.
Although this is a great scholarly work of immense research, it is easy to understand and a delight to devour. And you really will devour this book if you have an enquiring mind.
When the plain facts appear in front of your eyes, you will keep turning the pages. All the way through this magnum opus you will encounter clear proof that Jesus truly was the promised Messiah and the very Son of God.
You may be delighted to discover those things or they may infuriate you, depending on your world view. You may even choose to put it down and ignore the conclusive proofs. But... love it, loathe it, or ignore it, you won't be able to disprove a word of the contents.
As someone who has read three translations of the Good Book from cover to cover, and dipped into all of its books in various other translations over the last thirty years, it surprises me that I didn't see those proofs before. On reading this real treasure of a book, you'll be surprised too at how you've overlooked the proofs--providing you're familiar with Scripture.
Herbert Lockyer is not only to be commended for this great work, he is also to be commended for it's readability.
"All the Messianic Prophecies of the Bible" proves five things conclusively, viz., 1. That the Bible is a unique book with which no other can be compared or ever will be; 2. That there has never been another human being as unique and wonderful as Jesus Christ nor ever will be; 3. The irrefutable veracity of the Bible; 4. That the Bible is Divinely inspired; and, 5. that there is a God.
The very facts in this book mock and confute atheism.
It's difficult not to pick this book up and be awed--at least for those who think as I do. I have to ask, albeit rhetorically, why this is not pushed in our schools and colleges? But there again, neither is an even greater book, the Bible itself. Besides, there are vast battalions of liberals and ecumenists out there who don't want either book pushed. After all, Lockyer's classic, and the Scriptures in themselves, expose the much vaunted claims of liberal and ecumenist objectivity as outright fraud.
C.S. Lewis, the famous Christian apologist and philosopher, published a book called "Miracles." He showed by impeccable logic how miracles are real. Lockyer's book shows from the Bible how the Bible itself is a miracle. And he does so without bothering to argue the point.
"All the Messianic Prophecies..." should be in the library of every Christian. It will strengthen their faith.
It will take guts for a non-Christian to read it if they want to remain an non-believer and be objective. To be both would be virtually impossible in view of the truth provided in this volume. How many other books can make such a claim. As a work of a scholar, on that note itself, it stands alone.
I am very glad I own a copy. I would be gladder still if all my friends owned one too.
All the Messianic Prophecies of the Bible
I am so thankful to have this put into one book.It makes is so easy to study and very informative.Keep up the great work.
Focused on Jesus Christ:The Theme of the Bible
Jesus Christ is the only Redeemer of sinful man.Jesus Christ is the only full revelation of God, as revealed in the Bible.History is utterly dependent on Jesus Christ, who He is and what He is doing.So this book will take you a long way in focusing your interpretation of scripture on what, or Who, scripture is about.Here is a book that is excellent for one wanting to start studying more in depth the MANY attributes and works of Jesus Christ and how all of history revolves around His sovereignty.Mr. Lockyer does a great job and will get you started, expanding your mind beyond the "milk" theology in which so many Christians remain.But be careful.He bought into the very young doctrines of premillennialism and dispensationalism, so you will find his doctrinal explanations as related to the return of Jesus Christ to be "newspaper" theology rather than biblical theology.
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