A Trilogy of Prophecy
Did you know that Psalm 22, Psalm 23 and Psalm 24 paint a prophetic picture of the past, present and future ministries of Jesus? Let’s take a look. Psalm 22 speaks of Christ as the suffering Servant.
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Psalm 22:1 (KJV)
These are the very words spoken by Jesus on the cross. When David wrote this Psalm, the crucifixion of Jesus was an event that was in the future, and David did not know the full significance of the words he penned. However, for us today this Psalm is not in the future, but speaks of a past event- the sacrificial work of Jesus at Calvary. The rest of the Psalm goes on to tell what Christ suffered and said, with the fulfillment of it recorded in the Gospels.
Because of Christ’s suffering in Psalm 22, we now live in Psalm 23, which speaks of the present day ministry of Jesus to the believer. In Psalm 22, Christ made provision for us, and Psalm 23 tells us about that provision. According to John 10, Jesus is the Good Shpeherd. We experience the good life of Psalm 23 as the sheep of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)
Psalm 22 produced Psalm 23, which then leads us to Psalm 24. This Psalm deals with the future ministry of Jesus.
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1 (KJV)
Jesus will retake ownership of the earth when he comes back to earth a second time. The saints of God (that’s you and me) will come back with Him to reign and rule with Him. Christ entered Jerusalem the first time riding on a lowly donkey, but in Revelation He returns riding on a white horse, ready for war.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Psalm 24:7-10 (KJV)
Verses 7-10 of Psalm 24 reveal Jesus, strong in battle. Jesus came the first time to conquer sin and satan by dying as the Lamb of God. The next time He comes, He comes to conquer all sin, sinners and satan in the final battle (Revelation 20:7-10). Those of us who have put our faith in Him will rule and reign with Him forever (Revelation 21).
So there you have it. Psalm 22 is the past, completed work of Jesus. Psalm 23 is the current ministry of Jesus. Psalm 24 depicts the future events of Jesus in the millenium and beyond. Isn’t it fascinating how God lined these Psalms up to shows us Jesus in the past, present and future? Our Lord is truly amazing!
