When Paul was discussing the resurrection, he used a contrast he between the first Adam and the second Adam, Jesus (1 Cor. 15:45-46). As Moses was departing, he said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him shall you hear” (Deut. 18:15).
The Jews understood this as a Messianic prophecy and were expecting that someday God would send a prophet like Moses. In fact, they thought that John the Baptist was this “second” Moses and asked John, “Are you the Prophet” (John 1:21). They knew that God who could not lie promised that someday there would be another prophet like Moses. They also knew that He had not yet come.
As you read the rest what God said about that Prophet, he gave a distinct way of identifying Him. Anyone could have claimed to be that Prophet, but God gave precise way that an imposter could be known. “When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously” (Deut. 18:22).
These thoughts were the focus of Peter’s sermon in Acts chapter three, where he quotes them. He then applies them to Jesus and affirms that He is the “second” Moses.
When you apply God’s test of discovering the identity to Jesus you will discover that what He said was coming did actually come to pass. He foretold His betrayal, His suffering, His rejection, His death and His resurrection. Perhaps the prime example of the fulfilment of His prophecies are found in Matthew 24 as He gave the signs for the coming destruction of Jerusalem. He gives seven or eight signs that would precede the end of that holy city.
There would be wars, rumors of wars, famine, nations rising against nations, pestilences, earthquakes. He adds to this the arrest and the death of the apostles, false prophets, abounding lawlessness and finally the proclaiming the gospel to all mankind. He even gives the timeframe when these events would happen. “This generation will by no means pass away till all these things will take place” (Matt. 24:34). He said the worst tribulation that would ever happen on this earth would happen in the first century.
Was Jesus that Prophet? Every sign He prophesied happened—every one of them! Jesus is that Prophet. What would happen to any man, even us, if we do not obey that Prophet? “And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him” (Deut. 18:19). God has given you free will to not obey Him, but there are consequences. You will answer to God!