“Prophecy as Proof of Inspiration”

Ben Bailey

 

I.                   What is Prophecy?

 

A.      To many, prophecy is the ability to predict the future (usually vaguely) with a mediocre accuracy rate (fortune tellers, palm readers, Nostradamus).

 

B.       Biblical prophecy is the ability to predict/foretell a future event with such exacting accuracy and detail to necessarily require divine guidance.

 

C.       Prophecy does not always mean looking into the future.  In fact, prophecy can look backwards as well as forward.  For example, Moses is believed to have written the first five books of the Bible, but Moses wasn’t even alive during the time of Genesis.

 

D.      A scientist picked out 48 prophecies of Christ and statistically determined that the chances of one man fulfilling all of them were 1 in 10 to the exponent of 157.  The chances of you winning the lottery are 1 to the exponent of 10.

 

E.       In addition, true prophecy is evident in its fulfillment.  True prophecy does not leave us wondering whether it has been fulfilled.  Notice Deut. 18:21-22.

 

II.                Biblical prophecies and their fulfillment.

 

Concerning the Jews

 

1.  Babylonian Captivity                  Jer. 25:9-12                    2 Chron. 36:20-21

2.  Cyrus to build temple                  Isa. 44:28(175 years)     Ezr. 1:1, 2 Chron 36:22

3.  Temple destroyed by Rome         Matt. 24:2                      A. D. 70 fulfilled

 

 

 

 

Concerning the Church

 

1.  Established in Roman Rule                   Dan. 2:44                       Acts 2:47

2.  Is the rebuilt temple of David                Amos 9:11-12                Acts 15:16-17

3.  In the latter days                                    Isa. 2:2                           Heb1:1; Acts 2:16f

4.  The New Zion                              Isa. 2:3                           Heb. 12:22

5.  The word from Jerusalem            Isa. 2:3                           Acts 2:15ff

6.  Eternal                                                   2 Sam 7:12ff                  Lk. 1:32-33

 

Concerning Christ Birth

 

1.  Born of Seed of Woman                        Gen 3:15                        Gal 4:4

2.  Born of a virgin                                     Isa. 7:14                         Matt 1:18-25

3.  Seed of Abraham                                   Gen 22:18                      Matt 1:1

4.  Seed of David                              2 Sam 7:12ff                  Lk 3:31

5.  Tribe of Judah                              Gen 49:10                      Rev. 5:5

6.  Born in Bethelehem                     Mic. 5:2                         Matt. 2:1-6

7.  Escaped death                              Hos. 11:1                       Matt. 2:15

 

Concerning His Nature

 

1.  He pre-existed creation                Micah 5:2                       Col. 1:17

2.  He would be LORD                     Ps. 110:1                        Acts  2:36

3.  Called Immanuel                          Isa. 7:14                         Matt. 1:22-23

4.  Prophet                              Deut. 18:18-19               Acts 3:18-25

5.  Priests                                          Ps. 110:4                        Heb. 5:5-6

6.  King                                             Ps. 2:6                            Jn. 18:33-37

7.  Anointed by Spirit                       Isa. 11:2                         Mk. 1:10

8.  Zealous for God                           Ps. 69:9                          Jn. 2:15-17

 

Concerning His Ministry

 

1.  Preceded by a messenger              Isa. 40:3                         Mt. 3:1-3

2.  Begin in Galilee                                     Isa. 9:1-2                        Matt. 4:12-17

3.  Ministry of Miracles                    Isa. 35:5-6                      Mt. 9:35,Acts 3:8

4.  Teacher of Parables                      Ps. 78:1-4                      Matt. 13:34-35

5.  Enter Jerusalem on donkey                   Zech 9:9                         Matt 21:1-7

6.  Stone of stumbling to Jews          Isa. 28:16; Ps. 118:22    I Pet. 2:6-8

7.  Light to Gentiles                                    Isa. 49:6                         Acts. 13:46-48

 

Concerning Jesus Crucifixion

 

1.  Betrayed by friend                                 Ps. 41:9                          Ax 1:16 Jn.13:18ff

2.  Sold for 30 pieces of silver          Zech 11:12                     Matt. 26:14-15

3.  30 pieces thrown in temple          Zech 11:13                     Matt. 27:3-5

4.  30 pieces buys potters field                   Zech 11:13                     Matt.  27:6-10

5.  Forsaken by his disciples                      Zech 13:7                       Mk. 14:27 + 50

6.  Accused by false witnesses          Ps. 35:20-21                            Matt. 26:59-61

7.  Silent before accusers                            Isa. 53:7                         Matt. 27:12-14

8.  Wounded and bruised                            Isa. 53:4-6                      I Pet 2:24

9.  Beaten and spit upon                            Isa. 50:6                         Matt. 26:67-68

10. Mocked                                       Ps. 22:6-8                      Matt. 27:27-31

11. Hands and feet pierced                         Ps. 22:16                        Jn. 20:24-28

12. Crucified with thieves                           Isa. 53:12                       Matt. 27:38

13.  Prayed for enemies                     Isa. 53:12                       Lk 23:34

14.  Hated w/out cause                      Ps. 69:4                          Jn. 15:25

15.  People wag their head                          Ps. 22:7; 109:25             Matt. 27:39

16.  Stared at Him                                      Ps. 22:17                        Lk. 23:35

17.  Clothes divided                                    Ps. 22:18                        Jn. 19:23-24

20.  Became thirsty                                     Ps. 22:15                        Jn. 19:28

21.  Gall &Vinegar offered                         Ps. 69:21                        Matt. 27:34

22.  Forsaken cry                              Ps. 22:1                          Matt. 27:46

23. Bones not broken                                 Ps. 34:20                        Jn. 19:32ff

24. Side pierced                                          Zech. 12:10                    Jn. 19:34 + 37

25. Darkness over land                     Amos 8:9                       Lk. 23:44-45

26. Buried in rich man’s tomb          Isa. 53:9                         Matt. 27:57-60

27. Back beaten/ scourged                          Zech 13:6                       Matt. 27:26

 

 

Concerning His Resurrection & Ascension

 

1.  Raised from dead                         Ps. 16:8-11           Acts 2:24-31

2.  Begotten as son of God                Ps. 2:7                            Acts 13:33

3.  Ascended to God                         Ps. 68:18                        Eph. 4:8-10

4.  Seated beside God                        Ps. 110:1                        Heb. 1:3

5.  Ascended on cloud                       Dan. 7:13                       Acts. 1:9-11