Book of Malachi Prophecy Foretells Jesus

There are many prophecies in the Old Testament which foretell the coming of Jesus as Messiah. However, at the time that the prophecy was written, it would not be fully understood until it came to pass. That is why men today, who believe, can read the ancient prophecies, and after knowing of Jesus, they understand them. The same can be said of the parables which Jesus himself told to the people that, "They might hear, yet not comprehend." This was another fulfillment of prophecy.

However, it is in the book of Malachi, where we see the prophecy, though it is only one verse in length; it is a clear reference to Jesus. The book of Malachi is a very tough book to read, but only because it is such a condemnation of Israel's religious leaders and practices of which God is not happy at all with. At the end of the first chapter God makes a statement that, "His name would be great among the gentiles and great among the heathen as well."

Anybody that knows anything about the Jewish people is aware that gentiles and heathens are not well thought of in the Jewish faith. Nevertheless, that is quite alright because they are our brothers in Christ, though they do not know it yet. It was after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ where the power of the Lord was manifested in all of its glory. Jesus already had gentiles, heathens, and Samaritans following after him prior to the crucifixion.

It was when Saul of Tarshish, who later became Paul the Apostle, was given the commission to preach to the gentiles when the name of Jesus was spread throughout the known world. It was through the Gospel, that Jesus became the greatest name known to the gentile and heathen world. There is no other name so great that is known, which has come forth from Jerusalem, and inspires awe among the peoples of the world. This is exactly what God was speaking of in Malachi. Take note that he is also speaking of himself in this chapter.