Listen to the lecture here:
Date Time: 2026-07-12
Location: Chapel of the Opened Book
Teacher: Archie Falisi
Summary
On Sunday, July 12, 2026, the Chapel of the Open Book (Berean Publishing Trust) conducted a lecture by Archie focused on Israel’s expectations of their Jewish Messiah, examined through selected passages from Isaiah (chapters 2, 9, and 11) and contrasted with the biblical portrayal of Christ’s person and work. The session emphasized that while rabbinic expectations for what the Messiah will accomplish (e.g., national restoration, global peace) are largely correct, the timing was misunderstood during Christ’s first advent. The lecture outlined six commonly cited messianic requirements from rabbinic writings and added four critical biblical elements often missing from those lists: the Messiah’s divinity, suffering and death, victory over sin and death through resurrection, and His dual role as king and priest seated at God’s right hand. Many in Israel anticipated a political liberator from Roman oppression, but Christ came primarily to free humanity from sin and death. The study proceeded chronologically, highlighting how Old Testament prophecies connect to Christ’s dual nature (human and divine), His anointing, and His future reign, which will bring universal peace and spread the knowledge of God. The lecture concluded by examining Jesus’s trial in Matthew 26, where His claims to be the Son of God and His prophecy of ascending to power led to His condemnation, sealing His fate on the cross. The session distinguished the eschatological roles of Israel, who will be “gathered” to their land, and the Body of Christ, which will be “joined” to Him as Head. Plans were made for a follow-up study on temple rebuilding and New Testament expectations.
Knowledge Points
1. Israel’s Messianic Expectations (Rabbinic and Biblical)
Messianic Requirements from Rabbinic Writings (Six Items)
Correct genealogy from King David: The Messiah must be descended from King David. The lecture tied this to Christ’s genealogies in Matthew 1:1–17 (emphasizing David and Abraham for the Jewish presentation of Christ as King) and Luke 3 (full genealogy back to Adam).
Public anointing as King of Israel: The Messiah must be anointed as king. The speaker linked this to Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, where the Holy Spirit descended, and the Father’s voice approved the Son, signifying divine anointing.
Regather the Jewish people to Israel: The Messiah will return dispersed Jews to their homeland. Isaiah 11:11–12 prophesies a “second time” regathering from nations like Assyria, Egypt, and “the islands of the sea.”
Rebuild the temple in Jerusalem: A future messianic task to restore the temple, associated with the era when Christ rules from Jerusalem.
Bring peace to the world and end all wars: Isaiah 2:4 states nations will beat swords into plowshares; this is placed in the future millennial reign context.
Bring knowledge of God to the world: Isaiah 2:3 and 11:9 show nations seeking the Lord’s ways from Zion, with the earth filled with the knowledge of the Lord.
Additional Four Biblical Elements Often Missing
Messiah’s divinity (more than human; both God and man): The lecture emphasized Christ’s dual nature, citing Isaiah 9:6 (“Mighty God”) and Hebrews 1:1–14. Rabbinic literature typically views the Messiah as fully human.
Messiah’s suffering, rejection, death (“cut off”), and being pierced: Cited Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Daniel 9:25–26, and Zechariah 12:10. This sacrificial role as the Lamb of God was not expected by many during the first advent, with some misinterpreting Isaiah 53 as a metaphor for national suffering.
Conquest of sin and death through resurrection: Revelation 1:18 presents Christ holding the keys of Hades and death, asserting authority and victory.
Messiah as both king and priest seated at God’s right hand: Psalm 110:1–7 supports Christ’s priesthood (order of Melchizedek) and His session at the Father’s right hand, awaiting His enemies to be made His footstool.
Timing Clarification
Correct expectations, wrong timing: The speaker stressed that expectations for national restoration, global peace, and temple rebuilding were accurate but misapplied to Christ’s first advent; they belong to His second advent. The religious establishment confused the two comings into a single event.
2. Scriptural Foundations for Messianic Hope
Isaiah 2:1–5 (Last Days; Zion Elevated; Global Worship; End of War)
In the “last days,” the Lord’s house in Zion will be exalted, and all nations will flow to it to be taught His ways. The law will go forth from Zion.
The Lord will judge among nations, leading to the transformation of weapons into agricultural tools and an end to all war.
Isaiah 9:6–7 (Incarnation and Future Government)
A dual timeline: “For unto us a child is born” refers to the past incarnation, while the subsequent titles (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace) and the endless government upon David’s throne describe the future second advent.
Isaiah 11:1–12 (Messiah’s Spirit-Endowed Rule; Peaceful Creation; Regathering)
A “rod from the stem of Jesse” will have the Spirit of the Lord rest upon Him (wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge). He will judge with righteousness.
Nature and society will be transformed: predators and prey will coexist peacefully (“the three P’s”), and a child will lead them, signifying safety and restored dominion.
The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and Gentiles will seek the “root of Jesse.”
The Lord will “set his hand again a second time” to recover the remnant of His people from the four corners of the earth.
Matthew 24 & 26 (New Testament Fulfillment and Clarification)
End Times Warnings (Matthew 24:5-12): Jesus warned of false Christs, wars, famines, and earthquakes as “the beginning of sorrows” preceding the end.
Second Coming (Matthew 24:29-31): After the “great tribulation,” cosmic signs will occur, and the “sign of the Son of Man” will appear. He will be seen coming in the clouds, and angels will gather His elect, correlating with Isaiah 11’s regathering prophecy.
Trial and Declaration (Matthew 26:59-66): Before the Sanhedrin, Jesus affirmed He was the Christ, the Son of God. He then made a three-fold declaration: His identity as the Son of God, His future ascension to sit at the “right hand of power,” and His return “coming in the clouds of heaven.” This claim of divinity and future exaltation was deemed blasphemy and led to His condemnation.
Temple Themes and Misunderstandings
During His trial, false witnesses claimed Jesus said He would destroy the physical temple and rebuild it in three days. This was a misunderstanding of His statement about the temple of His body, which referred to His resurrection (the “sign of Jonah”). (John 2:19-21; Matthew 12:40-41.)
Future study will cover temple rebuilding prophesied in Zechariah 6:12–13 (“the Branch”) and Revelation 11:1–2 (measuring the temple).
3. First Advent Fulfillments and Future Second Advent
First Advent Fulfillments
Birth and Davidic lineage: Fulfilled in Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38).
Public divine anointing: At His baptism. (Matthew 3:13-17)
Suffering, death, and atonement: As the Lamb of God, fulfilling prophecies like Isaiah 53:1-12, Psalm 22:1-31, John 1:29
Victory over death: His resurrection secured authority over Hades and death (Revelation 1:18).
Priestly and kingly offices: His ascension to God’s right hand as King and High Priest (Psalm 110:1-7).
Second Advent Expectations (Future)
Regathering of Israel: Comprehensive global return to the land (Isaiah 11:11–12).
Temple rebuilding in Jerusalem: Restoration of worship central to Zion. (Zechariah 6:12-13)
Global peace and end of wars: Realization of Isaiah 2:4, 9:6-7, 11:6-9.
Universal knowledge of God: Law from Zion; earth filled with knowledge (Isaiah 2:3; 11:9).
Satan bound for 1,000 years: Satan will be imprisoned during Christ’s millennial reign. (Revelation 20:1-3)
4. Eschatological Roles and Governance
Israel “Gathered” vs. Body of Christ “Joined”
At the Lord’s physical return, the nation of Israel (the elect remnant) will be “gathered” from the four corners of the earth back to their land.
In contrast, members of the Body of Christ will be “joined” to Him as their Head, a term marking a different relationship and eschatological event.
Law and Governance in the Messianic Kingdom
Unlike the current age of grace, the millennial reign features law proceeding from Zion, with Christ ruling the nations with a “rod of iron,” entailing righteous judgment.
5. Study Context and Resources
Chronological Study Approach: The study series follows a chronological, book-by-book approach, connecting Old Testament prophecy to New Testament fulfillment, culminating in Christ’s ascension.
Worship and Prayer Context: The study was opened with a prayer seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance and gratitude for the meetings.
Recommended Resources: The lecturer recommended Mr. Welch’s booklet “The Bride and the Body” and his tape recording W17 for further study on the harmonious coexistence in the future kingdom (Isaiah 11:9, 65:25).
Further Studies
Read Isaiah 2:1–5, 9:6–7, and 11:1–12, noting which messianic expectations are past fulfillments and which are future.
Compare Matthew 1:1–17 and Luke 3 to trace Jesus’ genealogy and identify how each Gospel emphasizes different aspects of His identity.
Study Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Daniel 9:25–26, and Zechariah 12:10 to document prophecies about the Messiah’s suffering and being “cut off,” and relate them to the first advent. (Also see Acts 8 for interpretation of Isaiah 53).
Analyze Psalm 110:1–7 and Hebrews 1:1–14 to explain the Messiah’s divinity, priesthood (order of Melchizedek), and session at God’s right hand.
Outline the differences between the present age of grace and the future millennial reign, focusing on law, governance (rod of iron), peace, and global knowledge of God.
Investigate Zechariah 14:4 for expected geographical changes in Jerusalem and their implications, and also review Zechariah 6:12–13 regarding “the Branch” building the temple.
Read Revelation 11:1–2, focusing on the measuring of the temple during the time of the two witnesses.
Study John 2:19–22, correlating Jesus’ temple statement with the “sign of Jonah” to understand the resurrection typology.
Prepare a thematic summary showing how the ascension of Christ connects to His current session and future return, integrating the ten messianic points.
Create a chart listing the ten messianic requirements (six rabbinic plus four additions) and annotate which scriptures support each and their timing (first vs. second advent).
Read Mr. Welch’s booklet “The Bride and the Body,” especially sections on Isaiah 11:9 and 65:25, and listen to his tape recording W17.
Reflect on the distinction between Israel being “gathered” and the Body of Christ being “joined” to the Head.
A follow-up study will occur on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, to explore New Testament expectations of the Messiah’s arrival.
Full transcript