When talking about messiah we think of a man coming on the scene either from nowhere or from the sky with a heavenly host to set the world straight. This sounds great but it requires a reality check. These thoughts are based upon a single man (a super hero) whipping the world into shape as a benevolent king passing judgment upon the world. Thus by force the world is transformed. When reviewing the Torah we find no mention of such a messiah.
The word messiah comes from the Hebrew word moshiach, which means "anointed". Moses was instructed to create a special oil (Exodus 30:22-25, 31) that was kept in the Tabernacle (1 Kings 1:39). This oil was used only when instructed by God (Exodus 30:26) to use it, thus it was to confirm God's will (1 Kings 1:39-40). The furnishings of the Tabernacle as well as the priests were anointed or messiahed with the oil (Exodus 30:26-30). We find that kings and occasionally prophets were also messiahed as well (1 Kings 1:39, Psalm 45:8, 1 Samuel 9:16, 1 Kings 19:16).
The Tabernacle was an image of the body of a man (Israel) and his relationship with the Creator. It was not an image of a single individual only (Exodus 4:22). When the Tabernacle was operational it was a health meter of Israel's (corporate body) relationship with God. It was the shadow of our corporate health with God in heaven.
With all of this in mind it is not difficult to contemplate that Israel is the Messiah. All of those that grasp the Torah, including those individuals from the nations are the Messiah. Messiah is not just about an individual but also the willing corporate body.
In the near future we will be faced with a false messiah that will usher in the Temple and sacrifices within Jerusalem. This man will be false because he is an individual not the corporate Messiah body of Israel. Many will believe that he is the Messiah but few will speak out against this beast. We have seen this before.
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