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Monday Morning Prophecy #69 – No Deceit Would Be Found in the Messiah

Wayne — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Introduction

Jesus is the only man in history to live a sinless life. The Old Testament prophesies that no deceit would be found in the Messiah.

Old Testament Prophecy

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. [Isaiah 53:9 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” [1 Peter 2:21-22 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #68 – The Messiah Would Be Called a Man of Sorrows

Wayne — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Introduction

Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, but the Old Testament also prophesies that the Messiah would be called a Man of Sorrows.

Old Testament Prophecy

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. [Isaiah 53:3 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” [Matthew 26:37-38 NIV]

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46 NIV]

He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. [Mark 14:33 NIV]

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. [Luke 22:44 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Why I Believe the Bible #21A (The Messianic Prophecies of the Old Testament)

Wayne — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

In the last installment of this series, we looked at just a few of the non-Messianic prophecies contained in the Old Testament. Today, we want to look at some of the Old Testament Prophecies specifically about the coming Messiah. These prophecies, of course, are perfectly fulfilled in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Indeed, the evidence of these specific prophecies are so strong that they were fundamental in my own journey in coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I was so taken and persuaded by these prophecies, that I have been publishing a series over the last three years (admittedly with some gaps) called “Monday Morning Prophecy.” In this series, which will run weekly through the first few months of next year, we are examining over 100 of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah including their fulfillment in the New Testament. I have already published over 60 of them, and I encourage you to have a look.

Because of that detailed review of prophecies, I will not endeavor to recreate that content here in this article. Instead, I would like to provide a brief overview then examine just a few of those prophecies included in two Old Testament passages. Next week, we will have a look at a famous statistical analysis of the odds of just eight of these prophecies being fulfilled in one man.

The Old Testament includes prophecies about who the Messiah would be. We learn that He would come from the lines of Shem (Gen 9-10), Abraham (Gen 22:18), Isaac (Gen 26:4), Jacob (Gen 49:10), Jesse (Is 11:1-5) and David (2 Sam 7:11-16). We are told where He would be born (Mic 5:2). Various aspects of His life are described:

Teach in Parables (Ps 78:2)
Ride into Jerusalem on a Donkey (Zech 9:9)
Betrayed by a friend (Ps 41:9)
For 30 Pieces of Silver then thrown into temple (Zech 11:12-13 or Zech 1:13)
Rejected by Israel (Is 8:14)
Mocked with lots cast for clothing (Ps 22:18)
Hands and feet pierced (Ps 22)
Given gall and wine (Ps 69:21)
Pierced (Zech 12:10)
Buried in a rich man’s grave (Is 53:9)
Raised from the grave (Ps 16:10)
Would perform miracles (Is 35:4-6)

We learn about His roles, His life, His death and His resurrection and much much more.

Some scholars count upwards of 320 prophecies of Jesus in the Old Testament. Let’s have a look at a couple of Old Testament passages. For purposes of this article, I am assuming you are familiar with some of the story of Jesus’ life and will see that story in these passages written hundreds of years before His birth. Let’s start with Isaiah 52:13-53:12:

¹³Behold,my servant shall act wisely;
he shall be high and lifted up,
and shall be exalted.
¹⁴As many were astonished at you—
his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—
¹⁵so shall he sprinkle many nations;
kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which has not been told them they see,
and that which they have not heard they understand.

Isaiah 53

¹Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
²For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
³ He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
⁸By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
⁹And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
¹² Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Read carefully, it is hard (impossible actually) to see anything except the life and death of Jesus in the preceding verses. Another famous section of Old Testament Prophecy is found in Psalm 22. As you read these verses, think about the crucifixion of Christ:

¹My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
   Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
²O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
   and by night, but I find no rest.

³Yet you areholy,
   enthroned on the praises of Israel.
⁴In you our fathers trusted;
   they trusted, and you delivered them.
⁵To you they cried and were rescued;
   in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

⁶But I ama worm and not a man,
   scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
⁷All who see me mock me;
   they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
⁸ "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
   let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"

⁹Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
   you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
¹⁰On you was I cast from my birth,
   and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
¹¹Be not far from me,
   for trouble is near,
   and there is none to help.

¹²Many bulls encompass me;
   strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
¹³they open wide their mouths at me,
   like a ravening and roaring lion.

¹⁴I am poured out like water,
   and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
   it is melted within my breast;
¹⁵my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
   and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
   you lay me in the dust of death.

¹⁶For dogs encompass me;
   a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet— ¹⁷I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; ¹⁸ they divide my garments among them,
   and for my clothing they cast lots.

¹⁹But you, O LORD, do not be far off!
   O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
²⁰Deliver my soul from the sword,
   my precious life from the power of the dog!
²¹Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

²² I will tell of your name to my brothers;
   in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
²³You who fear the LORD, praise him!
   All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
   and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
²⁴For he has not despised or abhorred
   the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
   but has heard, when he cried to him.

²⁵From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
   my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
²⁶ The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
   those who seek him shall praise the LORD!
   May your hearts live forever!

²⁷All the ends of the earth shall remember
   and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
   shall worship before you.
²⁸For kingship belongs to the LORD,
   and he rules over the nations.

²⁹All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
   before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
   even the one who could not keep himself alive.
³⁰Posterity shall serve him;
   it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
³¹they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.

Taken as a whole and with an open mind, the evidence of Messianic prophecy in the Old Testament is impossible to ignore. Not only does it prove the authenticity of the Bible, it proves that Jesus was who He said He was and is worthy of our worship and obedience.

Return to the Why I Believe The Bible index page.

Monday Morning Prophecy #67 – The Messiah Would Be Compassionate and Gentle

Wayne — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Introduction

The Old Testament gives plenty of information regarding the nature of the coming Messiah. For examples, the Bible says that the Messiah would be compassionate and gentle. The life of Jesus fulfills these prophecies.

Old Testament Prophecy

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; [Isaiah 42:3 NIV]

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey [Zechariah 9:9 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11:28 NIV]

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [Matthew 11:29 NIV]

Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. [Matthew 12:15-20]

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, If you are willing, you can make me clean. Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. I am willing, he said. Be clean!” [Mark 1:40-41 NIV]

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [Matthew 11:29 NIV]

For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. [Luke 22:27 NIV]

…but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! [Philippians 2:7-8 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Why I Believe the Bible #20B (Non-Messianic Prophecies of the Bible)

Wayne — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Last time we visited this series of 25 Reason Why I Believe the Bible (which admittedly was a while back), we looked at an introduction to Biblical Prophecy. We have divided Biblical Prophecy into three broad categories:

Non-Messianic Prophecy (Prophecy about something other than Jesus)
Old Testament Messianic Prophecy (Prophecy about Jesus found in the Old Testament)
New Testament Messianic Prophecy (Prophecy about Jesus found in the New Testament)

Starting with this installment, and continuing for the next two, we are going to take a closer look at each type of prophecy.

The Bible is full of prophecy. Prophecy was, in fact, one of God’s chosen ways of showing who He was, and arguably the most convincing proof for the accuracy and divine inspiration of the Bible. As we will see in coming installments, the predictions of the coming Messiah prove pretty conclusively that Jesus was who He said He was, but before we tackle those we are going to look at some of the Non-Messianic prophecies of the Bible and their fulfillment in history. This is by no means an exhaustive listing of the prophecy included in the Bible but will give you feel for some of what is included. I have included scripture references so you can look up the prophecies yourself.

The Destruction of Tyre

In the twenty-sixth chapter of the book of Ezekiel (written between 593 and 565 B.C.), we read:

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. They shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers, and I will scrape her soil from her and make her a bare rock. She shall be in the midst of the sea a place for the spreading of nets, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. And she shall become plunder for the nations, and her daughters on the mainland shall be killed by the sword. Then they will know that I am the LORD. For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, and with horsemen and a host of many soldiers. He will kill with the sword your daughters on the mainland. He will set up a siege wall against you and throw up a mound against you, and raise a roof of shields against you. He will direct the shock of his battering rams against your walls, and with his axes he will break down your towers. His horses will be so many that their dust will cover you. Your walls will shake at the noise of the horsemen and wagons and chariots, when he enters your gates as men enter a city that has been breached. With the hoofs of his horses he will trample all your streets. He will kill your people with the sword, and your mighty pillars will fall to the ground. They will plunder your riches and loot your merchandise. They will break down your walls and destroy your pleasant houses. Your stones and timber and soil they will cast into the midst of the waters. And I will stop the music of your songs, and the sound of your lyres shall be heard no more. I will make you a bare rock. You shall be a place for the spreading of nets. You shall never be rebuilt, for I am the LORD; I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. [Ezekiel 26:3-14 ESV]

And here a little history lesson on the fate of Tyre (thanks to David Padfield for assembling this information):

After the destruction of Jerusalem and the carrying away of her king Zedekiah into captivity, "Nebuchadnezzar took all Palestine and Syria and the cities on the seacoast, including Tyre, which fell after a siege of 13 years (573 B.C.)" (E. A. Wallis Budge, Babylonian Life And History, p. 50). The inhabitants of Tyre fled to a rocky island half a mile offshore. The walls on the landward side of the island were 150 feet high. "The channel between Tyre and the mainland was over twenty feet deep, and frequently lashed by violent south-west winds. Their fortifications, they believed, would resist the strongest battering-ram yet devised. The city-walls stood sheer above the sea: how could any army without ships scale them? Shore based artillery was useless at such a range." (Peter Green, Alexander of Macedon, p. 248).

On his way towards Egypt, Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) led his Macedonian troops to victory at Sidon and then continued south towards Tyre. Tyrian envoys met with Alexander and assured him that their city was at his disposal. "However, he put their goodwill to the test by expressing his wish to sacrifice at the shrine of Heracles inside the city; for the Tyrians recognized a Phoenician god who was identified by the Greeks as Heracles, and from this deity Alexander claimed descent. Tyrian goodwill unfortunately did not extend so far as to grant him the permission he sought In short, they would not admit him into the city." (David Chandler, Alexander 334-323 B.C., p. 41).

Alexander was tempted to bypass the island fortress and continue his march towards Egypt. He sent messengers to Tyre, urging them to accept a peace treaty. Believing themselves to be safe on their island, the Tyrians killed Alexander’s ambassadors and threw their bodies from the top of the walls into the sea. This act served only to anger Alexander and embitter his troops.

Alexander determined to build a mole to get his troops from the mainland to the island. The mole is said to have been at least 200 feet wide. It was constructed from stones and timber from the old city of Tyre on the mainland. In fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy, the very foundation stones, timbers and dust of the city was cast "in the midst of the water" (Ezek. 26:12).

For a while the Tyrians laughed at Alexander’s project. At first they would row boats across the channel and harangue the Macedonians. Their laughter turned to concern when they saw the mole was going to be completed. The Tyrians ignited a barge and drove it into the first mole. The towers on the mole caught fire and several of Alexander’s men lost their lives. Alexander gave orders for the work to continue, and that the mole itself should be widened and more protective towers be built.

Alexander was able to obtain ships from Sidon, Greek allies and Cyprus to form a blockade around Tyre. When the mole was within artillery range of Tyre, Alexander brought up stone throwers and light catapults, reinforced by archers and slingers, for a saturation barrage. Battle engineers constructed several naval battering rams which smashed through the walls of Tyre. Though courageous, the Tyrians were no match for Alexander’s troops. Over 7,000 Tyrians died in the defense of their island. In contrast, only 400 Macedonians were killed.

The seven month siege, from January to July 332 B.C., was over. "The great city over which Hiram had once held sway was now utterly destroyed. Her king, Azimilik, and various other notables, including envoys from Carthage, had taken refuge in the temple of Melkart, and Alexander spared their lives. The remaining survivors, some 30,000 in number, he sold into slavery. Two thousand men of military age were crucified. Then Alexander went up into the temple, ripped the golden cords from the image of the god (now to be renamed, by decree, Apollo Philalexander), and made his long-delayed sacrifice: the most costly blood-offering even Melkart had ever received." (Green, p. 262).

One historian wrote, "Alexander did far more against Tyre than Shalmaneser or Nebuchadnezzar had done. Not content with crushing her, he took care that she never should revive; for he founded Alexandria as her substitute, and changed forever the track of the commerce of the world." (Edward Creasy, Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World, ch. 4).

Other sources record that the Island city of Tyre is covered with water. The fulfillment of this prophecy is clear.

The Jewish Exile

There are numerous prophecies in the Bible of the Jewish exile from the promised land. The following are some of those prophecies with their approximate date of writing included for reference:

Moses – 1450 B.C. (Dt. 28:49-57)
Amos – 760 B.C. (Amos 3, 5-9)
Hosea – 753 B.C (Hos 1:2-8)
Micah – 742 B.C. (Micah 1:2-3:12)
Isaiah – 740 B.C. (Is 7:18-25; 9:8-10:4)
Habakkuk – 612 B.C. (Hab 1:1-11)
Jeremiah – 627 B.C. (Jer 5:1-19; 6:1-30; 7:30-34)

In 722 B.C., the Northern kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians. Later in 587-586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzer laid siege to the southern kingdom of Judah thereby completing the exile of the Jews prophesied so many years earlier in the Old Testament.

Cyrus to Allow the Jews to Rebuild the Temple

Written in approximately sometime earlier than 700 B.C., Isaiah 44:28-45:3 tell of a coming King named Cyrus who would allow the Israelite to rebuild there temple:

    who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd,
        and he shall fulfill all my purpose’;
    saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’
        and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”

    Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus,
        whose right hand I have grasped,
    to subdue nations before him
        and to loose the belts of kings,
    to open doors before him
        that gates may not be closed:
    “I will go before you
        and level the exalted places,
    I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
        and cut through the bars of iron,
    I will give you the treasures of darkness
        and the hoards in secret places,
    that you may know that it is I, the LORD,
        the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
[Isaiah 44:28-45:3 ESV]

This prophecy was made some 100 years before the Temple was even destroyed and 160 years before Cyrus was born. Nonetheless, we read in the book of Ezra:

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:

“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” [Ezra 1:1-4 ESV]

Daniel’s Succession of World Powers

In Chapter 8 of the book of Daniel, written around 550 B.C., Daniel accurately predicts the unfolding of world powers for the next 400 years:

    In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first. And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal. I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. I saw the ram charging westward and northward and southward. No beast could stand before him, and there was no one who could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great.

    As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. He came to the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the canal, and he ran at him in his powerful wrath. I saw him come close to the ram, and he was enraged against him and struck the ram and broke his two horns. And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. Then the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.

    Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper. Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?” And he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.” [Daniel 8:1-14 ESV]

Unlike prophecies from other sources, the Bible does not leave of guessing about this particular prophecy:

When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.”

And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up. He said, “Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end. As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king. As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power. And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. His power shall be great—but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand. The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.” [Daniel 8:15-26 ESV]

The ram represented the Medo-Persian empire. The goat was the King of Greece – Alexander the Great who conquered the Medo-Persian empire. When he died in 323 B.C., the kingdom was divided amongst four generals. The little horn/king of bold face refers to Antiochus IV who grew out of the four divided kingdoms and ruled as a tyrant.

Conclusion

These are just some of the many non-Messianic prophecies of the Bible which have proven true. Indeed, no prophecy of scripture has yet to be proven untrue – a clear indication of the divine inspiration of the book.

Return to the Why I Believe The Bible index page.

Monday Morning Prophecy #66 – The Messiah Is Eternal

Wayne — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:55:00 +0000

Welcome to a very special Wednesday edition of Monday Morning Prophecy. I would like to say that our Wednesday edition was a clever way to announce to continuation of this dormant series, but it had a lot more to do with forgetting to schedule the post for Monday than anything else. With that said, enjoy this special edition of Monday Morning Prophecy!

Introduction

The Bible explains that the Messiah would not be a normal man with a beginning and end. Rather, the Old Testament indicates that the Messiah would be eternal.

Old Testament Prophecy

When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. [2 Samuel 7:12-13 NIV]

Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’" [2 Samuel 7:16 NIV]

When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. [1 Chronicles 17:11-12 NIV]

I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.’" [1 Chronicles 17:13-14 NIV]

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. [Psalm 102:25-27 NIV]

"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. [Proverbs 8:22-23 NIV]

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:6 NIV]

"This is what the LORD says- Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. [Isaiah 44:6 NIV]

"Come near me and listen to this: "From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there." And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, with his Spirit. [Isaiah 48:16 NIV]

"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. [Daniel 7:13-14]

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. " [Micah 5:2 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” [Luke 1:32-33]

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. [John 1:1-2 NIV]

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” [John 8:58 NIV]

And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. [John 17:5 NIV]

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. [John 17:24 NIV]

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [Colossians 1:17 NIV]

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. [Hebrews 1:8 NIV]

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” [Hebrews 1:8-9 NIV]

He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” [Hebrews 1:10-12 NIV]

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. [Hebrews 13:8 NIV]

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” [Revelation 1:8 NIV]

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [Revelation 1:17 NIV]

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. [Revelation 1:17-18 NIV]

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. [Revelation 2:8 NIV]

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. [Revelation 22:13 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #65 – The Messiah Would Not Judge Based On Outward Things

Wayne — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:00:07 +0000

Introduction

God does not judge people based on outward appearance but by what is on the inside. This is clear in the story of God’s selection of David. The Old Testament tells us that the Messiah would not judge people based on their outward appearance either.

Old Testament Prophecy

And he will delight in the fear of the LORD .
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears; [Isaiah 11:3 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. [Matthew 23:27]

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” [John 7:24 NIV]

You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. [John 8:15-16 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

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Monday Morning Prophecy #64 – The Messiah Would Desire to Do God’s Will

Wayne — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:00:29 +0000

Introduction

The Messiah’s purpose on earth was made clear in the Old Testament. He would come to do the will of God.

Old Testament Prophecy

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come-
it is written about me in the scroll.

I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.” [Psalm 40:7-8 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. [John 5:30 NIV]

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am–it is written about me in the scroll– I have come to do your will, O God.’ ” [Hebrews 10:5-7 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #63 – The Messiah Would Have Complete Authority

Wayne — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:00:28 +0000

Introduction

The Old Testament prophesies, and the New Testament confirms, that the Messiah would have complete authority from God.

Old Testament Prophecy

Ask of me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession. [Psalm 2:8 NIV]
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet: [Psalm 8:6 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [Matthew 28:18 NIV]

For he has put everything under his feet. Now when it says that everything has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. [1 Corinthians 15:27 NIV]

…which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, [Ephesians 1:20-22 NIV]

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Philippians 2:9-11 NIV]

…and put everything under his feet? In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. [Hebrews 2:8-9 NIV]

…who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand–with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. [1 Peter 3:22 NIV]

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Monday Morning Prophecy #62 – The Messiah Would Be Called the Son of God

Wayne — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:00:26 +0000

Introduction

We all know Jesus as the Son of God. That title was prophesied in the Old Testament thousands of years prior to his birth.

Old Testament Prophecy

He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. [2 Samuel 7:13-14 NIV]

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD :
He said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have become your Father. [Psalm 2:7 NIV]

Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and the name of his son?
Tell me if you know [Proverbs 30:4 NIV]

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:6 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” [Matthew 3:16-17 NIV]

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [Matthew 7:21 NIV]

“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” [Matthew 8:29 NIV]

“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. [Matthew 10:32 NIV]

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. [Matthew 11:27 NIV]

Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” [Matthew 14:33 NIV]

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. [Matthew 16:16-17 NIV]

Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” [Matthew 17:4-5 NIV]

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. [Matthew 18:19 NIV]

He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” [Matthew 27:43 NIV]

The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [Mark 1:1 NIV]

Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” [Mark 9:7 NIV]

You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. [Luke 1:31-35 NIV]

A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” [Luke 9:35 NIV]

I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” [John 1:34 NIV]

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. [John 3:18 NIV]

For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus gave them this answer: I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. [John 5:18-20]

“Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” [John 11:27 NIV]

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” [Hebrews 1:5-6 NIV]

So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” [2 Peter 1:17 NIV]

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. [1 John 4:15 NIV]

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true–even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. [1 John 5:20]

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Image courtesy of Abby Reed

Monday Morning Prophecy #61 – The Messiah Would be a Shepherd to his people

Wayne — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:00:25 +0000

Introduction

A couple of weeks ago, we looked at the prophecy that the Messiah would become a sacrificial lamb. This week, we will examine the prophecy that the Messiah would also be a shepherd to his people.

Old Testament Prophecy

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young. [Isaiah 40:11 NIV]

“‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. [Ezekiel 37:24 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” [Matthew 2:6 NIV]

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [John 10:11 NIV]

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, [Hebrews 13:20 NIV]

For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. [1 Peter 2:25 NIV]

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. [1 Peter 5:4 NIV]

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Monday Morning Prophecy #60 – The Messiah Would Bring Salvation

Wayne — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:00:23 +0000

Introduction

Thousands of years before Christ’s death on the cross, the Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would bring salvation.

Old Testament Prophecy

Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The LORD looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.

He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm worked salvation for him,
and his own righteousness sustained him. [Isaiah 59:15-16 NIV]

I looked, but there was no one to help,
I was appalled that no one gave support;
so my own arm worked salvation for me,
and my own wrath sustained me. [Isaiah 63:5 NIV]

And everyone who calls
on the name of the LORD will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the LORD has said,
among the survivors
whom the LORD calls. [Joel 2:32 NIV]

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey [Zechariah 9:9 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. [Matthew 26:28 NIV]

And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’ ” [Luke 3:6 NIV]

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” [Luke 19:10 NIV]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. [John 3:16-18 NIV]

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” [John 3:36 NIV]

For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” [John 6:40 NIV]

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ [Acts 2:21 NIV]

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. [Colossians 2:13-15 NIV]

But since we belong to the day, let us be selfcontrolled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. [1 Thessalonians 5:8-10 NIV]

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. [Titus 2:11 NIV]

…so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. [Hebrews 9:28 NIV]

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Why I Believe the Bible #20A (Introduction to Biblical Prophecy)

Wayne — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:00:50 +0000

One of the most convincing pieces of evidence of the supernatural origin of the Bible comes in the form of prophecies included in the text. In my own spiritual journey, it was these prophecies given by God, and their ultimate fulfillment, that ultimately convinced me that Bible was inspired by God and was accurate and reliable. Due to that, the prophecy of the Bible holds a special place for me.

Let’s look at some background information this week. John F. Walvoord, in The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook, explains that there are 1,013 prophecies in the Bible including 574 in the Old Testament and 439 in the New Testament. 342 of those prophecies have not yet come true because they deal with heaven or the second coming of Christ. Of the remaining 671, 668 of those prophecies were historically fulfilled. The other 3, while not proven wrong, cannot be historically verified. That means that not one of the hundreds of prophecies written throughout the Bible has proven to be incorrect. While the exact count of prophecies in the Bible sometimes varies, the fact of the matter is that not one of them has proven incorrect, and this is strong (I would argue) irrefutable proof of the supernatural origin of the Bible.

Now, when you talk about prophecy, many people think of Jean Dixon or Nostradamus and types of predictions they make. To the contrary, the prophecies of the Bible are oftentimes very specific and even include detailed explanations hundreds of years before events unfolded in history. For anyone to predict the future with 100% accuracy requires supernatural revelation. It is no wonder then that the Bible uses prophecy as a test for whether or not something comes from God.

The book of Deuteronomy explains the punishment and test for false prophets:

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?’– when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him. [Deuteronomy 18:20-22 ESV]

God is clear that only he can predict the future:

remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ [Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV]

Nest week, we will look at some of the individual prophecies which God included in the Bible to allow us, the readers, to test its origins.

Return to the Why I Believe The Bible index page.

Monday Morning Prophecy #59 – The Messiah Would Be a Sacrificial Lamb

Wayne — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:00:22 +0000

Introduction

Another one of the many roles of the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament was the role of Lamb. The Messiah was destined to become a sacrificial lamb.

Old Testament Prophecy

He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth. [Isaiah 53:7 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! [John 1:29 NIV]

When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” [John 1:36 NIV]

Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. [Hebrews 7:27 NIV]

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. [Hebrews 9:28 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

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Monday Morning Prophecy #58 – The Messiah Would Bring Peace

Wayne — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:00:20 +0000

Introduction

One thing the Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would do was to bring peace. In the famous Messiah verse of Isaiah, the prophet calls him the “Prince of Peace.”

Old Testament Prophecy

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:6 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. [John 14:27 NIV]

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33 NIV]

You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. [Acts 10:36 NIV]

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, [Ephesians 2:14 NIV]

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:7 NIV]

…and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. [Colossians 1:20 NIV]

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. [2 Peter 1:2 NIV]

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Monday Morning Prophecy #57 – The Messiah Would Preach the Good News of God

Wayne — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 14:00:18 +0000

Introduction

The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would come to preach the good news of God of the Father.

Old Testament Prophecy

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, [Isaiah 61:1-2 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. [Matthew 4:23 NIV]

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. [Matthew 9:35 NIV]

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. [Matthew 11:5 NIV]

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. [Mark 1:14 NIV]

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, [Luke 8:1 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

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Why I Believe the Bible #19 (New Testament Archaeology)

Wayne — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Over the last couple of weeks, we have discussed numerous archaeological finds related to people, places and things described in the Old Testament and concluded that archaeology proves the historicity of the Old Testament? So, what about the New Testament? Is there similar archaeological evidence to support the New Testament accounts? The simple answer is yes! There have been an astounding number of finds supporting the New Testament.

Many have sought to use archaeology to disprove the New Testaments account. Indeed, Sir Walter Ramsey (one of the greatest archaeologists of all times) set out to disprove the account of Luke. After 30 years of study, he concluded without equivocation:

“Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of truth trustworthy…this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians.”

The historicity of Luke’s account is spotless including specific names of 32 countries, 44 cities and nine islands.

Numerous actual people and places mentioned in the New Testament have been discovered. These include:

John’s description of ancient Samaria has been confirmed including worship on Mt. Gerazim (John 4:20) and the location of Jacob’s well (John 4:6).
The Pontius Pilate inscription was found in 1961.
The Tomb of Caiphas was found in 1990.
The existence of Sergius Paulus (Act 13:6-12) was confirmed by excavations in the Paphos island of Cyprus. There was found an inscription of the names Sergius Paulus and Sergia Paula children of a “commissioner.”
Caesera Phillipi has been under excavation since 1990.
The ten cities of the Decapolis have been discovered.
The Areopagus at Athens has been excavated.
Ephesus, including the temple of Artemis, has been discovered.
The seven churches of Revelation have been confirmed.
An inscription in pavement near a stage of a 14,000 sear theater in Corinth was found which indicates “Erastus” laid pavement “at his own expense.” This is likely the Erastus mentioned in Romans 16:23.
Solomon’s Colonnade as mentioned in John 10:22-23 has been unearthed.
The Pool of Siloam mentioned in John 9:7 has been located.
The city of Bethsaida had been under excavation since 1987.
The city of Cana has likewise been found.
The pool of Bethesda as mentioned in John 5:2 was discovered in 1888.

As with the Old Testament, archaeology provides ample proof for this historicity of the New Testament.

Keith N. Schovillem explains:

“It is important to realize that archaeological excavations have produced ample evidence to prove unequivocally that the Bible is not a pious forgery. Thus far, no historical statement in the Bible has proven false on the basis of the evidence retrieved through archaeological research.”

Return to the Why I Believe The Bible index page.

Monday Morning Prophecy #56 – The Messiah Would Pray for his Enemies

Wayne — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 14:00:16 +0000

Introduction

One of Jesus’ famous proclamation from the cross was, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Indeed, the Old Testament prophesied thousands of years earlier that the Messiah would pray for his enemies.

Old Testament Prophecy

In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer. [Psalm 109:4 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [Matthew 5:44 NIV]

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. [Luke 23:34 NIV]

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Why I Believe the Bible #18B (Old Testament Archaeology)

Wayne — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Last week, we looked at numerous examples of Old Testament stories previously discounted by scholars which were later proved true through archaeology. William F. Albright, of John Hopkins University, once said:

“There can be no doubt that archaeology has confirmed the substantial historicity of Old Testament tradition.”

In this post, we will look at numerous addition Old Testament stories, people and facts supported by archaeology. They include:

The existence of the Philistines
The city of Jericho was discovered in the 1930’s. That discovery showed that the walls fell outward and there were large quantities of grain undisturbed (consistent with God’s command that the Israelites not plunder).
The City of Ur was found in present day Iraq. Excavations have continued since the 1800’s.
The site of Sarah’s grave (the wife of Abraham) was located. It is now the home of a Muslim Mosque.
As regards the Tower of Babel, archaeologists have uncovered information supporting the idea that at one point the entire world shared one language. Furthermore, baked bricks like those described in Genesis have been found in Mesopotamia.
Illustrations have been found showing Hebrews making bricks for the cities of Pitham and Ramses. This supports the Exodus account.
The ruins of the city of Beth Shamesh were found and provided evidence of the destruction described in 2 Chronicles 12.
The Pool of Gibeon mentioned in 2 Samuel 2:3 and Jeremiah 41:12 has been located.
In 1986, archaeologists found the seal of Baruch, son of Neriah who recorded the prophecies of Jeremiah.
King Saul established his capital at Gibeah. Both the city and Saul’s fortress-palace have been located.
Various building projects of Nebuchadnezzar have been uncovered.
A stone tablet from the 7^th year of Nebuchadnezzar was found which recounts the fall of Jerusalem and the capture of Jehoiachin.
Beersheba was excavated from 1969 to 1976. The excavation confirmed the description provided in the Bible.
The worship of Dagon, God of the Philistines (as mentioned in the Bible) has been confirmed by excavations.
King Ahab was mentioned in the archaeological records of the Assyrians.
Sennacherib’s Prison was found in Ninevah which talks about the invasion of Judah and how they has trapped Hezekiah in Jerusalem “like a bird cage.”
The decree of Cyrus to allow the Israelites to return home has been confirmed by archaeological finds.
The existence of Sargon, King of Assyria (whom the Bible mentions only once) has been confirmed.
Every reference to an Assyrian King in the Bible has been confirmed.

And, the list could go on and on. The fact of the matter is that archaeology leaves little doubt about the historical reliability of the Bible. Next week, we will look at archaeological finds related to the New Testament.

Return to the Why I Believe The Bible index page.

Monday Morning Prophecy #55 – The Messiah Would Bring a New Covenant

Wayne — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:30:29 +0000

Introduction

The Old Testament prophesies that the coming Messiah would usher in a new covenant between God and his people.

Old Testament Prophecy

“I, the LORD , have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles, [Isaiah 42:6 NIV]

“The time is coming,” declares the LORD ,
“when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah. [Jeremiah 31:31 NIV]

“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty. [Malachi 3:1 NIV]

New Testament Fulfillment

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. [Matthew 26:28 NIV]

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. [Mark 14:24 NIV]

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. [Luke 22:20 NIV]

But God found fault with the people and said: The time is coming, declares the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” By calling this covenant new, he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. [Hebrews 8:8-13 NIV]

…to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. [Hebrews 12:24 NIV]

Return to the Monday Morning Prophecy index page.

Image courtesy of Abby Reed