Is the Messiah eternal? If He reigns forever, when was He born?

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE Lord OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 (KJV)

Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Isaiah 44:6 (KJV)

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:13-14 (KJV)

  • This King will be raised up and called Lord
  • Is the first and last, eternal
  • One who looks like a man is given dominion, glory, everlasting kingdom
  • These are all in original Jewish scriptures. Here are New Testament related quotes:

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Revelation 21:5-7 (KJV)

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Revelation 5:11-13 (KJV)

  • Extra biblical Midrashim also talk about the fact that there is one G-d but seems to be a "They" or multiple.
  • Below the intent is to say the plural of Elohim is because of power and might but reality is both Singular and Plural is used in scripture to denote G-d.
  • And also a mirdrash showing how Spirit of G-d also denotes the Mashiach/Messiah

'There seems to be more than one Creator,' said a sceptic to Rabbi Samuel. 'Is it not written "In the beginning Elohim (the plural) created heaven and earth"? Further, "Let us make man in our likeness."' 'Do you find it said,' returned the sage, 'they created, or are we told they saw or they said, or that man was formed in their image? In each instance you find the singular, and the 'Elohim' is applied to Him in whom is combined all power and all might.'

Deuteronomy Rabba 2

From the time of creation constant reference is made in Holy Writ to Messiah and the Messianic hope of Israel. 'The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters'; the Spirit of God means Messiah.

Genesis Rabba 2 and Leviticus Rabba 14