There are four passages in the Old Testament that speak of a coming Messiah by referring to Him as "The Branch" but they all portray Him in a different way. Each one previews one of the Gospels.

Of all the so-called holy books, only the Bible authenticates itself. It does so through a method we call predictive prophecy and it works like this.

It's not what you know but who you know that matters.

What's external and physical in the Old becomes internal and spiritual in the New.

A bullet proof case for the importance of prophecy.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."(Matt. 1:20-21)

He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue. (Daniel 11:21)

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders... --Isaiah 9:6

A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

In the time after their sin and expulsion from the Garden Adam and Eve must have felt incredible despair. They had experienced life both before and after the curse, the only ones to do so, and had first-hand knowledge of the difference.