What is messianism?

Messianism is the hope or belief in a messiah, or chosen one. Such a hope is fundamental to both Judaism and Christianity. Judaism anticipates a future messiah who will restore Israel to prominence, whereas Christianity believes Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah. Christ was anointed by the Father to save sinners from eternal damnation (Luke 4:18).

Jesus fulfilled the messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. The Jewish people had anticipated a political messiah, but the prophecies of salvation were fulfilled in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Christian messianism sees the Messiah’s mission as divine, universal, and eternal rather than temporal, political, or national.

Jesus is the Messiah or “anointed one.” One messianic prophecy declared, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor” (Isaiah 61:1). In Luke 4:21, Jesus applies Isaiah 61:1 to Himself, saying, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus is the Messiah who brought the good news of salvation.

Jesus atoned for the sins of humanity on the cross. Isaiah prophesied about Jesus’ sacrificial death in Isaiah 53:5: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.” Jesus died but rose again. His resurrection and victory over sin and death confirm Him as the Messiah, the Chosen One of God (John 20:31). He is the sole mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is universal good news. Jewish messianism centers on Israel, but Christian messianism promises salvation to all who believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus’ desire to save people from every nation is expressed in Matthew 28:19: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The gospel transcends local, national, cultural, and political barriers.

Jesus’ second coming is essential to Christian messianism. Jewish messianism anticipates a future Messiah, but Christian messianism divides Jesus’ messianic work into two phases. The first phase was Jesus’ earthly mission of procuring salvation through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. The second phase has not occurred yet. However, Jesus’ second coming is a sure reality: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Revelation 22:12).

The apostle John describes the culmination of Jesus’ second coming: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In John’s vision, Jesus will deliver a final blow to sin, death, pain, and suffering. He will establish peace and righteousness on earth.

Jewish messianism believes the Messiah has not come. The Jewish Messiah, the Son of David, is supposed to gather the Jewish exiles, rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and establish global peace. Isaiah speaks of this messianic figure in Isaiah 11:1–2: “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him.”

In short, Jewish messianism is exclusively focused on the restoration of Israel and the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jewish nation. Christianity believes Jesus is the Christ and the universal Savior and Shepherd of everyone who believes in Him for salvation.

In Matthew 16:16, when Jesus asks Peter to identify Him, Peter confesses, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Indeed, Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by faith in Him sinners are freed from sin’s penalty, sin’s power, and, ultimately, sin’s presence (Galatians 3:13).