Origin of the Bible

8/2/2019 Origin of the Bible

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2 1. What is the Bible? |

Contents1. What is the Bible? .................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

What is the Bible? .................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

The Significance of the Bible ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... .... 7

1. God Defines Himself ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7

2. God defines the purpose of man..................................................................................................................................................... 7

3. God declares His plan of Redemption ........................................................................................................................................... 8

4. God declares our future .................................................................................................................................................................. 8

What does the word Bible mean? .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

What exactly is the Bible? ..................................................................................................................................................................... 8

The Need for Revelation ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9

In what languages was the Bible written? .............................................................................................................................................. 9

Why is there an Old and New Testament? ............................................................................................................................................. 9

What does the concept of covenant mean? .......................................................................................................................................... 10

The New Covenant fulfilling the Old................................................................................................................................................... 11

The Authority of the Bible ................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Jewish view ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

The Christian View .......................................................................................................................................................................... 11

2. What is the history behind the Bible? .................................................................................................................................................. 13

Introduction to Bible History: The Plan of Redemption ...................................................................................................................... 13

The Plan of Redemption ...................................................................................................................................................................... 13

The history of the Bible ....................................................................................................................................................................... 13

3. Is the Bible Inspired? ........................................................................................................................................................................... 20

What does inspiration mean? ............................................................................................................................................................... 20

What does Inerrant mean?.................................................................................................................................................................... 20

The Evidence for the Inspiration of the Bible ...................................................................................................................................... 21Super-natural objective evidence ..................................................................................................................................................... 21

Israel .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

What is a prophet? ............................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Some examples of Super-Natural Evidence ..................................................................................................................................... 22

Objections to Super-natural objective evidence ............................................................................................................................... 24

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 ............................................................................................................................................................................... 25

Isaiah 53 ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 25

The Seventy Weeks of Daniel .......................................................................................................................................................... 25

4. How was the Bible Written? How did the prophets write the bible ..................................................................................................... 29

Was the Bible transmitted orally? ........................................................................................................................................................ 29

The development of Alphabets ............................................................................................................................................................ 31

The Biblical languages ......................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Hebrew ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 32

Aramaic ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 32

Greek ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 33


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From Inspiration to Manuscript ........................................................................................................................................................... 34

Writing Materials ............................................................................................................................................................................. 34

Stone ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 34

Clay Tablets ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 34

Papyrus ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 35

Leather ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 35

Parchment ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Metal ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 35

Potsherds (Ostraca) .......................................................................................................................................................................... 35

The Silver Amulets .............................................................................................................................................................................. 36

5. The Books of the Old Testament, the Canon, The Tanakh .......... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ......... 37

Definition of Cannon ........................................................................................................................................................................... 37

Authority of scripture ........................................................................................................................................................................... 38

False prophets and false books .......... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... ....... 38

Designations of the Old Testament Canon ......... ........... ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... ........... .......... .... 39

Formation of the Old Testament Canon ............................................................................................................................................... 40

The Torah ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 40

The Torah (1450 to 536 B.C.) .......................................................................................................................................................... 41

The Prophets and other writings before the exile .......... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... 41

, Following the Exile (536 B.C. to New Testament times) .............................................................................................................. 42

The Old Testament in the New Testament times ................................................................................................................................. 42

The Debate of Old Testament Canon in the Church ........................................................................................................................ 42

Evidence of the Old Testament Canon................................................................................................................................................. 43

What Old Testament did Jesus use? ................................................................................................................................................. 43

Evidence outside of the Bible .......................................................................................................................................................... 44

The golden age of Ugarit ..................................................................................................................................................................... 46Reasons the Apocryphal parts of the LXX should be rejected as scripture ......................................................................................... 47

6. The Apocrypha, The Septuagint and the canon Introduction to the non-canonical books............................................................ 48

A Closed or open Canon? .................................................................................................................................................................... 48

What is the Septuagint? ....................................................................................................................................................................... 49

Early Christianity and the Septuagint .............................................................................................................................................. 49

The Apocrypha ................................................................................................................................................................................ 49

1.Books accepted by All- Homologoumena .................................................................................................................................... 50

2.Books disputed by some- Antilegomena ....................................................................................................................................... 50

3. Books rejected by all- Pseudepigrapha ........................................................................................................................................ 51

4. Books accepted by some- Apocrypha .......................................................................................................................................... 51

Is the Apocrypha Canon? ..................................................................................................................................................................... 52

Arguments against the Apocrypha ....................................................................................................................................................... 53

Summary of Apocrypha Books ............................................................................................................................................................ 54

7. How was the New Testament Canon Decided? Introduction of the New Testament Canon......................................................... 56

The Old Testament foundation ............................................................................................................................................................ 56

1. Messiahs death............................................................................................................................................................................ 56


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Masoretic notes ................................................................................................................................................................................ 70

The Hebrew after A.D. 1000 ............................................................................................................................................................ 70

The Final Masorah ........................................................................................................................................................................... 71

Chapter divisions ............................................................................................................................................................................. 71

Verse divisions ................................................................................................................................................................................. 71

Old Testament Textual Criticism ..................................................................................................................................................... 71

9. How was the New Testament Bible Transmitted? ............................................................................................................................... 72

Introduction to New Testament Transmission ..................................................................................................................................... 72

Late or Early date? ........................................................................................................................................................................... 72

Oral or Written transmission? .......................................................................................................................................................... 73

How was scripture written?.............................................................................................................................................................. 73

Manuscript types .............................................................................................................................................................................. 74

Papyri MMS (P1-88)

) (2nd

-3rd

century) ............................................................................................................................................. 74

Uncial MSS (4th

- 9th

century) ............................................................................................................................................................ 74

Minuscules MSS (9th

-15th

century) .................................................................................................................................................. 75

Lectionaries MSS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 75

Are the New Testament Manuscripts reliable? .................................................................................................................................... 75

Text Families ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 76

Textual Criticism of the New Testament ............................................................................................................................................. 77

10. What are the Old Testament (Tanakh) Manuscripts? ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... ...... 78

Introduction to New Testament Transmission ..................................................................................................................................... 78

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 78

Biblical Inerrancy................................................................................................................................................................................. 78

Biblical Inerrancy and textual criticism ............................................................................................................................................... 78

Textual Criticism ............................................................................................................................................................................. 79

Evaluating the evidence ....................................................................................................................................................................... 79Vowel changes ................................................................................................................................................................................. 79

Copyist errors ................................................................................................................................................................................... 79

Evaluating the evidence ....................................................................................................................................................................... 80

Old Testament Manuscripts, sources of textual criticism .................................................................................................................... 80

Silver Amulets ................................................................................................................................................................................. 80

Samaritan Pentateuch ....................................................................................................................................................................... 81

Dead Sea Scrolls (Qumran Manuscripts) ......................................................................................................................................... 81

Nash Papyrus ................................................................................................................................................................................... 82

Murabbaat Manuscripts .................................................................................................................................................................. 82

Masada ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 83

Wadi Habra ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 83

Genizah fragments ........................................................................................................................................................................... 83

Codex Cairenis (C ) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 84

Aleppo Codex (A) ............................................................................................................................................................................ 84

Codex Leningradensis ...................................................................................................................................................................... 84

The Septuagint or the LXX .............................................................................................................................................................. 85


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Codex Vaticanus .............................................................................................................................................................................. 85

Codex Sinaticus ............................................................................................................................................................................... 86

The Targums .................................................................................................................................................................................... 86

11. New Testament Manuscripts and Textual Criticism .......................................................................................................................... 88

Introduction to New Testament Criticism ............................................................................................................................................ 88

Textual Criticism of the New Testament ............................................................................................................................................. 89

Variations ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 89

Procedure for New Testament Textual Criticism ................................................................................................................................. 89

1. Collecting the evidence ................................................................................................................................................................ 90

2. Evidence evaluation ..................................................................................................................................................................... 90

3. Determine the most plausible reading .......................................................................................................................................... 90

History of New Testament Textual Criticism ...................................................................................................................................... 91

The Latin Vulgate ............................................................................................................................................................................ 91

The Greek Text Revisited ................................................................................................................................................................ 91

Erasmuss Greek New Testament .................................................................................................................................................... 91

Robert Estienne (1503-1559) (Stephanus) ....................................................................................................................................... 92

Theodore de Beza (1519-1605) ........................................................................................................................................................ 92

The John Rylands Fragment John 18:31-33 (117-138 AD) ............................................................................................................. 92

Chester Beatty Papyri (250 AD) ...................................................................................................................................................... 93

Bodmer Papyri (200 AD) ................................................................................................................................................................. 93

CODEX SINATICUS (340 AD) (a) Unical Text) ........................................................................................................................... 93

Codex Vaticanus (325-350 AD) (B) (Unical Text) .......................................................................................................................... 94

12. How was the English Bible created? ......... ........... ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... 95

Introduction to the English Bible Translation ...................................................................................................................................... 95

Other Translations ................................................................................................................................................................................ 95

Syriac Versions ................................................................................................................................................................................ 95Coptic Versions ................................................................................................................................................................................ 96

Armenian Version ............................................................................................................................................................................ 96

Old Latin .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 96

Latin Vulgate[1]

................................................................................................................................................................................ 96

English Translations ............................................................................................................................................................................. 97

Rome conquers the British Isles .......... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... ...... 97

Christianity in England .................................................................................................................................................................... 97

John Wycliffe ................................................................................................................................................................................... 98

William Tyndale (1494-1536) Tyndale Translation ........................................................................................................................ 99

William Coverdale (1488-1569), The Great Bible ......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... ......... 99

The Geneva Bible (1560) ................................................................................................................................................................. 99

The Douay-Rheims Bible (New Testament 1582, Old Testament 1609-10) ................................................................................. 100

The King James Bible ( KJV 1611) ............................................................................................................................................... 100


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1. What is the Bible?

What is the Bible?

What is the Bible? Is a question

often asked by both believers and

unbelievers. What makes this book

so special and so hated in the

world?

In some nations, such as Saudi

Arabia and North Korea, having a

Bible could mean prison or death.

Even in the United States, the

presence of a Bible could get you

fired or reprimanded. So, whats

the big deal about a book?

The reason for this reaction stems

from the contents and history of the

Bible. In short, the Bible claims to

be the inspired Word of God, the

communication from the creator ofthe Universe to His creation. If this

claim is true, then it implies God is

the final authority (Through His

Word) and that other views contrary to the Bible are wrong, and people, like nations just dont like being wrong.

The book the Bible claims moral authority over humanity, including people and governments. Hostility to the Bible is not new,

throughout much of the Bibles history; the words in the book were born through conflict.

The translation of the Bible into English is a story in itself, on how people suffered death, some burned at the stake for translating the

Bible into a language spoken by the common masses. The Romans, who wanted to maintain their gods and goddess, persecuted the

early church, collecting, and burning the early Bibles. Nearly, two thousand years later the Communists, in Russia, China and North

Korea did the same, forbidding the Bible, burning copies and persecuting Christians who trust its words.

This course is designed to examine the history of the origin of the Bible, not so much the evidence, since that is covered under another

topic,Apologetics. Here the goal is to unravel the story behind the Bible, how the Bible became the Bible.

The Significance of the Bible

The Bibles claim ofinspiration[1]is an issue, causing the most consternation, if the Bible is True, and then its views on moralissues would mean others are wrong. Issues such as abortion, gay rights and promiscuity are judged as sin in the Bible. If the Bible

were the Word of God, then those who hold such views would be considered out of the will of God, for this reason the Bible becomes

the issue. Since no one wants to be wrong, the Bible is the subject of attack. The Bible however, is more then just a moral book. The

Bible illuminates the reality of our existence. Four important points revealed in the Bible.

1. God Defines Himself

The Bible clearly defines itself as the communication of God to His creation, through men known as prophets. Gods communication

to His creation defines His being. God identifies Himself to those He created, that He created the Universe and life and He alone

determines what is Right and Wrong.

20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them Isaiah 8:20

2. God defines the purpose of man

The Bible also lets humanity understand who we are, what is the purpose of life? We are not animals who exist for short time and

cease to be. We are created in the image of God, For His glory. (Gen.1:27, Psalm 19:1)
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3. God declares His plan of Redemption

Through the Bible, God declares His plan for Redemption, providing the details through prophecy, how His plan would be

accomplished. Seven-hundred years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah described the death ofGods servant theMessiah who would die

for the sins of the world (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). In Daniel, 539 years before the birth of Jesus, we are given the exact day the Messiah

would die. (Daniel 9;24-27)

4. God declares our future

The Bible also tells us we are eternal beings, created in the image of God, with an eternal destiny. For those redeemed, their destiny is

with God, for those without redemption, separation from God. Through scripture, God gives us a glimpse of eternity, both with and

without Him.

What does the word Bible mean?

The origin of the wordBible can be traced to the city ofByblos located on the Phoenician (Lebanon)

coast, 20-miles north of modern Beirut. Byblos is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, from this

city Papyrus was exported throughout theAegean world; Papyrus came to be known as (byblos, byblinos),

because it was exported from the city. Hence, the Bible came to be the

Papyrus book.

Papyrus was produced from the reed plants, which grew along the Nile River.

These sheets of Papyrus were then stitched together to from a scroll, the scroll

was then rolled and unrolled until the specific area of text was reached.

Latter, it was discovered that the sheets of Papyrus could be stacked on top of each other and stitched down

the middle and folded, forming the early versions of the modern-day book, called a codex. According to Paul D. Wegner, one of the

earliest uses of term occurs in Daniel 9:2 in the Septuagint.

The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament produced probably between 250 and 100 B.C., uses the word biblia in Daniel 9;2 to refer toJeremiahs words, which may have been in the form of letters or a collection of prophets. Early Greek-speaking Christians employed the plural formbiblia (ta biblia [Thebooks]) to refer to the entire collection of Old and New Testament books,.[2]

What exactly is the Bible?

The Bible is actually a collection of books inspiredby the Holy Spirit revealed through

men known as prophets over a 1500-year period, in three distinct languages,Hebrew

Aramaic and Greek. These inspired books, collected into one volume, are referred to as

the Bible.

Sixty-six books compose the Bible, written by more then forty authors. The authors of

the Bible are from diverse backgrounds, and countries. These authors included among

others, Moses an official in Egypt, Amos a farmer, Daniel a minister in Babylon,

Jeremiah and Ezekiel priests, Peter and John fishermen, Matthew a tax collector, Luke a

physician and Paul a Pharisee.

The books, though written through time by diverse people are unified in purpose and

meaning, pointing the reader/hearer toward the direction of redemption. The Bible is

Gods revelation of Himself, to His creation. In the Bible, God demonstrates His desire

for His creation, to have relationship with the people He brought into existence. The

Bible however, demonstrates how sin separated man from God, and how God plans to

redeem us to Himself.
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The Need for Revelation

Some may ask, why does God need to reveal Himself though the writings of men, rather then by nature by itself? Nature clearly

reveals the existence of God, through creation via the Cosmological (Cosmos) and Teleological (Design) arguments we see the need

for Gods existence.

The Cosmological argumentdemonstrates the need for a First-cause (Intelligent-designer)

in the creation of the universe. An effect (The Universe) needs a cause greater then itself.

Therefore, a finite universe requires God, the Cause (The First Cause)

The Teleologicalargumentdemonstrates the need of an intelligent designer, who createslife out of the inanimate matter. The complexity and design of life requires the need for

Super-intelligence beyond the creation, since the cause (God) is always greater the effect

(Life).

Despite the logic ofGods existence demonstrated through creation, unless God chooses to

reveal Himself through Special Revelation, knowledge of His identity would be limited to

what can be observed in the universe.

Therefore, through His Spirit, God revealed Himself to individuals, who wrote down His words, and transmitted His revelation over

time, to later generations, the Inspired words, came to be known as the Bible. Paul and Peter testify to the inspiration of the Old

Testament. Since the Bible for them was the Old Testament.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of

God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of Godspoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21

Through prophecy, God demonstrates His unique nature, and character, telling the end at the beginning. By revealing the end at the

beginning God reveals the Super-natural nature of scripture, which He Himself can only be the Cause. Since revelation of the future is

not in the natural realm of this world, it is beyond nature, it is super-natural.

3 "I have declared the former things from the beginning; They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, and theycame to pass. 4 Because I knew that you were obstinate, And your neck was an iron sinew, And your brow bronze, 5 Even from the beginning I havedeclared it to you; Before it came to pass I proclaimed it to you, Lest you should say, 'My idol has done them, And my carved image and my moldedimage Have commanded them.' Isaiah 48:3-5

God proves his authorship of scripture through prophecy, demonstrating his command over time and nature, to those seeking evidence

In what languages was the Bible written?

The Bible was originally written in three languages, the Old Testament was written primarily in Hebrew with portions in Aramaic and

the New Testament written in Koine Greek.

The portions of the Old Testament written in Aramaic are Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Daniel 2:4 to 7:28 and Jeremiah 10:11. Aramaic, a

language related to Hebrew, was the common language of the land after the exile in 586 B.C. While Hebrew remained the sacred

language of the nation, Aramaic became the common language, since it was spoken in Babylon, the land of their captivity.

The New Testament was written in Koine (Common) Greek as opposed to classical Greek. This was the common Greek spoken in the

Greek-speaking world in the 1st

century.

Why is there an Old and New Testament?

The Bible is divided into two parts an Old Testamentand aNew Testament. The word Testament however, does not fully convey the

meaning behind the Hebrew word, tyrbBeriyth from which it draws its meaning. FromBeriyth, we translate the word covenant,which means a treaty or an alliance. The Bible, both Old and New Testaments (Covenants) are centered around two covenants an Old

Covenantand aNew Covenant.

Within the Old Covenant, through the prophet Jeremiah and others, there was anticipation of a coming, greater Covenant, a new

covenant, which would supersede and fulfill the older covenant.

31 "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah 32 not accordingto the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they


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broke, though I was a husband to them, F23 says the Lord. 33 "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saysthe Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 "No more shall every manteach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, saysthe Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:31-34

Jesus referring to the shedding of his blood at Calvary inaugurated the NewCovenant, referred to in the book of Jeremiah, with His

death at the Cross.

28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:28

Jesus the Messiah became the sacrifice for the sins of all humanity, and whoever receives Jesus, through faith, receives forgiveness of

sins, having redemption.

What does the concept of

covenant mean?

The Old Testament centers around the

Covenant or treaty God made with

Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. Prior to

Abraham, the Bible in the first 11 chapters deals with the history of humanity from the creation of world (Genesis 1), to the fall of

man (Gen. 3). Genesis then traces humanity from the fall to the flood inNoahs day (Gen. 7-8), to the division of nations (Gen. 11).

In the 12th

chapter, God separates Abraham from his family calling him to the land of Moriah (Jerusalem), where God establishes a

Covenant relationship with him and his offspring. Through Abrahams offspring, specifically through his son Isaac and grandson

Jacob, God promised to bring redemption to the world, through their descent, the Messiah (The Son of David) would pay for the sinsof the world. (Isaiah 53)

To understand what God meant by this Covenant, we need to examine the way a covenant was sealed between two parties. First

animals would be killed and their bodies split in two and laid on the ground with the two halves placed opposite each other. Then the

two parties would walk down through the animal halves together, solidifying the agreement. Both parties saying, if either fails in their

agreement, then may they be split in two as these animals. (Jeremiah 34:18)

In Genesis 15, after Abraham cuts the animals in two and lays them down, God alone passes between the animal halves. Declaring to

Abraham, that his agreement is unilateral (one-sided), that the Lord Himself will fulfill His words to Abraham and His descendents,

and that if He (God) does not fulfill His agreement, may God be split as the animals.

17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed betweenthose pieces. 18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt tothe great river, the River Euphrates Genesis 15:17-18

In Genesis 22, Abraham in a test of faith, is told to take his son Isaac, his only son[3],to the top of Mt. Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. Just when Abraham was about

to slay Isaac, God prevents the sacrifice. God then provides a male sheep, a ram in

place of Isaac.

12 And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that youfear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." 13 Then Abraham liftedhis eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. SoAbraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 AndAbraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In theMount of The Lord it shall be provided." 15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham asecond time out of heaven, 16 and said: "By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because youhave done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son 17 blessing I will bless you,and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which

is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 "In yourseed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."Genesis 22:12-18

In Genesis 22:18, God promises through the seed (offspring) of Abraham all the

nations of the earth shall be blessed. Scripture here looks forward to the coming of

the Messiah, who would fulfill the law by His death and usher in a greater covenant a

New Covenant, with the forgiveness of sins.

Later as the descendent of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob multiplied and became a nation. The twelve sons of Jacob became the twelve

tribes of Israel[4]. When they were delivered out of Egyptian captivity under the hand of Moses (1450 B.C), God established the
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Mosaic Law or Covenant, demonstrating the righteousness required by God, to be part of the Abrahamic Covenant. The penalty of sin

was death, atoned for by animal sacrifice. The animals death showed consequences of sin and the need for atonement before a

righteous God.

However hard they tried, the nation failed to keep the law, demonstrating mankinds bankrupt state, our inability to be righteous by

works. This resulted in God fulfilling His words in the Mosaic covenant (Deuteronomy 28-31), judging the descendents of Abraham,

Isaac and Jacob with the destruction of Jerusalem and the scattering them during the Babylonian captivity in 586 B.C.

2 "Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem; 3 "and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God ofIsrael: "Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant 4 "which I commanded your fathers in the day I brought them out of the land ofEgypt, from the iron furnace, saying, 'Obey My voice, and do according to all that I command you; so shall you be My people, and I will be your God,'Jeremiah 11;2-4

The inability of man to fulfill the righteous requirements of the Law, caused God to provide the sacrifice and look forward to the day

of a new and greater covenant, an everlasting covenant.

39 'then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. 40 'And I will make aneverlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.Jeremiah 32:39-40

The New Covenant fulfilling the Old

Jesus as Messiah, fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law, His death foretold hundreds of years before his birth initiated the

New Covenant, Gods new agreement with creation, based on the sacrifice of Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus fulfilled the law for all who

believed, the book ofHebrews connects the Old Covenant with the New, demonstrating the Old covenant as a foreshadow of the

New. Isaiah 700-years before the birth of Jesus, foretold of the atoning death of the Messiah, who would pay for the sins of the world.

9 And they made His grave with the wicked-But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet itpleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.Isaiah 53:9-10

1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offercontinually year by year, make those who approach perfect.9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that Hemay establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:1,9-10

Jesus confirmed his death as the beginning of the New Covenant in three of the four gospels, see Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke

22;20. In the New Covenant, the Laws of God are written on the hearts of humanity, as the Spirit of God dwells in man.

20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:20

The Authority of the BibleThe authority of the Bible is the chief source of guidance for both Jews and Christians. However, Jews only acknowledge the Old

Testament as inspired, while Christians acknowledge both Old and New Testaments as inspired.

Jewish view

The Old Testament writings are known as the Tanakh, which is an acronym, combining the three sections of the Hebrew Bible (Old

Testament). The Torah (Five books of Moses), theNebiim (the prophets), and the Kethubim (the writings). ( See Chart Below)

The number of books in the Tanakh are the same as in the Protestant Bible, however they are arranged in a different order. The

Catholic Bible has seven additional books in the Old Testament known as the Apocrypha.

In Judaism, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the Oral Tradition, which is viewed as inspired by the Rabbinical authority. Between

the first and second centuries, the traditions of the Rabbis were collected into a work known as theMishna[5]. The Talmud (The

Palestinian and Babylonian) are commentaries on the Mishna, written in the 4th to the 6th centuries, and compiled in books.

The Christian View

The Bible both Old and New Testaments is the source of authority for Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics. Catholics view the

Apocrypha as inspired.

The Catholics in contrast to Protestants put a great deal of emphasis on the traditions of earlier Church fathers and popes. We will

cover this in detail in further classes.
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[1]Inspiration, the understanding that Holy Sprit, Gods Spirit is the source of the words contained in the Bible versus human effort. Though the words were written by

human hands, God Himself was the force behind the pen.

[2]Paul D. Wegner, The Journey from Texts to Translations, Baker Academic June 2005, Pg. 30

[3]Abraham through Sarahs servant Hagar had another child, Ishmael who was sent away along with Hagar as to not contend with Isaac the son ofpromise. Ishmaelwas born as a result of Abraham trying to fulfill Gods promise, rather then letting God fulfill His promise.

[4]Jacob was later renamed Israel by the angel Genesis 32;28

[5]The Mishna is a commentary on the Torah (The five books of Moses) claiming to be the oral traditions, the unwritten law, passed from generation to generation.
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13 2. What is the history behind the Bible? |

2. What is the history behind the Bible?

Introduction to Bible History:

The Plan of Redemption

To understand the story behind the Bible, we must know the historical

context. The message of the Bible is conveyed through the history of its

written pages.

The Bible traces the story of humanity, from beginning to the end. The

Bible in essence is Gods plan of redemption for fallen man, woven through

the ages, projected forward to our eternal destiny.

The Old Testament records the creation of the universe and life, mans

perfection and fall. The Old Testament also reveals Gods plan of

redemption through a descendent Adam, the Messiah. The first eleven

chapters trace the first part of human history, from Adam to Abraham. In

Chapter 12, God separates the man Abraham from his family and nation,

and sends him to Moriah (Jerusalem). Through Abraham, God would

complete his plan of redemption.

Through Abrahams offspring, Isaac and Jacob, God would redeem fallenman to Himself. In rest of the Old Testament, from Genesis 12 to Malachi,

God details the plan of redemption through the Messiah. Through prophets,

God delivers His message to a fallen world. Prophets establish the nature

and character of the Messiah, who brings redemption. Two pictures of

Messiah emerge, one of a suffering Righteous servant (Isaiah 53) and the

other of all-powerful ruling king (Psalm 2).

In the Old Testament era, God demonstrated mans inability for self-

redemption, showing the depravity of fallen human nature. Only through

Gods intervention, humanity could salvation come, not self- effort.

In the New Testament, the details of Messiah, foretold by the prophets

reach fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The rejection and death of

the Righteous servant, who pays for sin, fulfills the words of Isaiah written 700-years before his birth. Jesus becomes Godssacrifice for humanities sins. The Gospels record the life and teachings of Jesus, as Gods offer of redemption is made available to the

Gentile nations after Israels rejection. The book of Acts and the Epistles(letters) record the advance of the good news (Gospel) of

redemption as it spreads abroad from Jerusalem. Finally, the book of Revelation, looks forward to the completion ofGods plan

following the return of Messiah, at the Second Coming, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God and eternal state of humanity.

The Plan of Redemption

How are we? Why are we here? What is our purpose and future? These are the questions, which plague humanity. Both science and

religion attempt to answer these questions, creating a diverse view of the universe from mans perspective. The Bible however, is

Gods answer, to a hopeless world trying to find its purpose. The Bible is Gods love letter to humanity, His plan for our salvation, and

the final destiny of the saved.

The words in the Bible, Gods revelation to man define our being, letting us understand the meaning to our existence. Without Gods

revelation, we would have no way of knowing who we are, where we came from or where we are going?

The Old Testament records the history of humanity and Gods plan of redemption, the New Testament records, Gods fulfillment and

completion of His plan.

The history of the Bible

The are many ways the history of the Bible can be divided, one method is dividing the periods according to the methods of atonement.

Six periods of history can be distinguished in the Bible, which allows us to divide scripture into understandable sections.


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God promised Abraham, to make him into a great nation. Isaac, Abrahams son, had

two sons Jacob and Esau. Jacob had 12 sons, who would later become the nation of

Israel. Jacob lived in the land of current day Israel, but would live in Egypt for a

time, before being buried in Hebron with Abraham and Isaac. Gods covenant would

be transferred to Isaac and then to Jacob. Jacob had twelve sons who would form the

tribes of Israel.

His brothers into Egypt sold Joseph, Jacobs second

youngest son. In Egypt, he became prime minister.

Famine struck the land of Canaan (Israel) forcing his

brothers to come to Egypt for food. There, they mettheir brother who they sold as a slave years earlier.

Joseph forgave his brothers and they settled in the

land of Egypt in an area known as Goshen with

Joseph.

Over the next 400-years, the descendents of Jacob

multiplied. They numbered over 1,000,000, and

subsequently they became oppressed in the land of Egypt, as slaves of a new

Pharaoh. They cried out to God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for rescue, and God

sent them Moses, a Hebrew raised in Pharaohs house.

Moses to David: The Tabernacle Period

1450 B.C.

975 B.C.

Moses, representing God to

Pharaoh, delivered plagues on

Egypt, until Pharaoh freed the

children of Israel from captivity.

Moses led the descendents of Jacob

(Israel) back toward the land of

Canaan, the Promised Land. God

established the Mosaic

Covenantwith the Tabernacle, as a

picture of the coming redemption

through the Messiah, who would die

for the sins of the world. (Hebrews 9, 10) The Messiah was Gods sacrifice for our

sins.

On the way, Israel rebelled against Moses and wanted to return to Egypt. Because of

rejecting Gods leadership, at the hand of Moses, Israel wandered the wilderness of

Sinai for 40-years until the rebellious generation died.

11 Then the Lord said to Moses: "How long will these people reject Me? And how long will theynot believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them? Numbers 14:11

Joshua succeeded Moses, he lead Israel into Canaan. Israel conquered and settled a

portion of land and established a confederacy of tribes after the 12 sons of Jacob.

God ruled the tribes through judges. Over the next 400-years, judges such asSamson,

Gideon, Jephthah, and Deborah would lead the tribes of Israel against their enemies.

In the course of time, the people requested a king like the other nations, and God

gave them Saul as their first king in 1050 B.C., followed by David 1017 B.C.

David conquered the city of Jerusalem from the Jebusites, a Canaanite tribe, making

it the City of David. Through prophets, God established Davids throne as an eternal

throne later to be ruled by his descendent, the Messiah, who would one day rule the

world with Jerusalem as the capital city of the earth.

12 "When your (David) days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seedafter you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 "He shall build ahouse for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.16 "And your houseand your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established

Exodus

Leviticus

Number

Deuter.

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

I & II Samuel

Psalms


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forever." ' " 2 Samuel 7:12-13,16

Solomon to the Captivity: First Temple Period

975 B.C.

536 B.C.

Solomon, Davids son succeeded his father

as king over Israel. He was permitted to

build the Temple on Mt. Moriah, which later

became known asSolomons Temple. The

Temple site was the same location, where

over 1000-years earlier, Solomons

forefather Abraham was tested by God(Genesis 22, I Kings 8)

After Solomon, Israel became a divided

kingdom, the northern kingdom, known as Israel (10-

tribes) and the southern as Judah (Judah and Benjamin).

Eventually Israel and Judah tuned away from the God of

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and started worshipping the

idols in the land of Canaan, Baal, Ashtorah, Chemosh, etc.

God warned Israel through prophets, letting Israel know

these practices would result in their destruction. The

people rejected the messages of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea,

Micah and others, and continued their idol worship.

Using Gods pronouncements on Israel and Judahs

apostasy, through the prophets, the day ofGods salvation

was proclaimed, the coming Messiah, who would redeem

the sins of the world.

13 Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.14 Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And

His form more than the sons of men; 15 So shall Hesprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths atHim; For what had not been told them they shall see, Andwhat they had not heard they shall consider. Isaiah 52:13-15

God responded by sending the armies of Assyria in

722 B.C. to take the northern part of Israel captive

to the lands of Assyria. In 586 B.C. the

Babylonians, destroyed Jerusalem and Solomons

Temple taking those left into Babylon for a period

of 70 years. Among the captives were the prophets

Daniel and Ezekiel.

At the end of 70 years, the Persians defeated Babylon under Cyrus the Great, he

allowed the Jews to return to the land of Israel. Cyrus also allowed the Jews to begin

reconstruction of their Temple in 536 B.C., construction was completed in 516 B.C.,

exactly 70-years after the Temple was destroyed.

The Temple like the Tabernacle was a picture ofGods redemption, through the

coming sacrifice of Messiah, who would atone for the sins of the world.

9 And they made His grave with the wicked-But with the rich at His death, Because He had doneno violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hasput Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shallprolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see thelabor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,For He shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:9-11

Ecclesiastes

Proverbs

I & II Kings

I & II

Chron.

Isaiah

Amos

Hosea

Micah

Jonah

Joel

Jeremiah

Lam.

Ezekiel

Daniel

Zerubabel to Jesus; 2nd

Temple Period, Inter-Testament Period


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536 B.C.

4 B.C.

In Babylon, Israel was humbled becoming servants of the Babylonians. However, in

Babylon God raised prophets like Daniel who became the prime minister of Babylon

under kingNebuchadnezzar (Daniel chapters 1-4). Through Daniel, God revealed his

plans for Israel and the world, and the coming of HisMessiah. Giving the exact

month, year and day ofMessiahs death (Daniel 9;24-27)

"And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And

the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.

Daniel 9:26a

In 539 B.C. Cyrus the Great, head of a Persian-Median kingdom defeated Babylon.He allowed the Jews to return to the land of Israel and rebuild their Temple. In 516

B.C., seventy years after the Temple was destroyed, the Second Temple was

completed. During this period, God spoke through the prophets, Zechariah,Haggai,

and Malachi to encourage Israel about the coming plan of redemption through the

Messiah. Malachi was the last prophet of the age, writing about 425 B.C.

1 "Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whomyou seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom youdelight. Behold, He is coming," Says the Lord of hosts. 2 "But who can endure the day of Hiscoming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire And likelaunderer's soap. Malachi 3:1-2

Inter-Testament Period

Malachi wrote during the period of the Persian

control of Jerusalem, less then 100-years later, the

Persians were defeated by the rising power to the

west, the Grecian kingdom led by Alexander the

Great. In 331 B.C., Alexander defeated Persian

control of Judea.

Alexander allowed the Jews to maintain their

worship and sacrifice as he went on to fight Persia

in the east. In 323 B.C., Alexander the Great died

in city of Babylon, and his kingdom was divided

between his four generals.

Two of his generals, Seleucid and Ptolemyandtheir descendents, would fight over the land of

Jerusalem and Judah for the next 200-years. Then

in 168 B.C. Antiochus Epiphanesdecided to unify his

Seleucid Greek Kingdom, under the Greek religion,

meaning the Jewish faith was to be eliminated. This

caused a Jewish revolt known as the Maccabean War,

which ended in the creation of an independent Jewish

Kingdom for about 100-years, and the celebration of

Hanukah.

The kingdom came to an end when, two brothers

Aristobulus IIand Hyrcanus II requested Romans help

to settle their dispute. Pompey the Roman general

stepped in, conquered Jerusalem and established Roman

control over Judah in 63 B.C.

Later Herod the Great, a friend of Rome, was installed

on the Jewish throne until his death in 4 B.C., establishing the Herodian dynasty in

Judea/Palestine.

Haggai

Zechariah

Ester

Ezra

Nehemiah

Malachi

New Testament Period


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4 B.C.

A.D. 95

The New Testament records the life, teachings and commands of Jesus Christ and

His church. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies regarding the suffering Messiah, in the Old

Testament. The Messiah, would suffer for the sins of the world, paying the penalty

of sin, as foreshadowed in the Mosaic Covenant. (Hebrew 9,10)

Two portraits of Messiah emerge in the Old Testament, one is the picture of a

Righteous suffering Servant, who dies for the sins of the world (Isaiah 53). The

other is King Messiah who rules over the earth (Psalm 2). The death of Jesus in A.D.

33, fulfilled the prophecies regarding the suffering servant. At His Second Coming,

he will fulfill the prophecies regarding King Messiah, who reigns over the earth.

His death brought redemption to humanity, and the mission of the church was to

proclaim salvation and redemption to the fallen world. The Gospels were the written

record of the life and teachings of Jesus the Messiah.

The Acts of the Apostles record the history of the early church and its establishment

in the Gentile nations. The Epistles record the teachings of the apostles and

instructions to the church. The book of Revelation records Christs instructions to

the church, events leading to the return of Christ and the eternal state of humanity.

Revelation completes the picture of Genesis, which records the beginning;

Revelation reveals the end of all things.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Epistles

Revelation

Early Church Period

95 A.D.

325 A.D.

As recorded in the book of Acts, the church began to spread throughout the Roman

world. The spread of the church caused many to turn from their Greek and Roman

gods and goddess. An early example of their success is illustrated in Acts 19 as the

men of Ephesus become alarmed at their loss of goddess business.

24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana,brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similaroccupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 "Moreoveryou see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul haspersuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made withhands. 27 "So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the templeof the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asiaand the world worship." 28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out,

saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" Acts 19:24-28 a @ 51-52 A.D.

The spread of Christianity caused greater persecution,

John one of the last remaining disciples was the bishop of

Ephesus, when he was exiled to Patmos during the

persecution ofDomitian. On Patmos, John received

theRevelation of Jesus Christ, a letter to the seven

churches foretelling a period of persecution and apostasy

within some of the churches. Jesus however declared the

events leading to the Second Coming, and the eternal state

of humanity despite the persecution and apostasy.

After John there were periods of persecution where Roman officials sent Christians

to the arena to be torn apart by lions and burned copies of the scriptures. This

persecution reached a climax during the reigns of Diocletian 303-305 and Galerius in303-311 A.D.

Thus Christianity became established as the religion of the Roman Empire by the

beginning of the fourth century.


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20 3. Is the Bible Inspired? |

3. Is the Bible Inspired?

Why should anybody believe the Bible is from God? If Bible was only

historical, citing historical facts and recording historical events, then the

Bible would be just a history book. If historical content were the sole

contents, then the claim of inspiration would be suspect. The original

manuscripts (Autographs) would merely be ancient records of historical

events corresponding to history.

The Bible, however, claims to be more then just an accurate historical

book. The Bibles words claim to be Super-natural in origination.

The words claim to be inspired, from God, theFirst-Cause of reality,

who revealed the words through prophets. The question is, can we in

anyway prove the claims of the words in the Bible? Before we examine

the super-natural evidence of the Bible, we first need to understand

some underlying principles; the meaning of inspiration and inerrancy.

What does inspiration mean?

How did God transmit His words through the Bible? The process according to scripture to was through inspiration.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

The Greek word translated inspiration

isqeovpneustoTheopneustos meaning literally God-

breathed out. The idea here means God is the force behind

the words of scripture, not the human writer, even though the

thought was conveyed through human means. The words of

both the Old and New Testaments claim to be inspired.

Zechariah in the Old Testament, referred to the words of

the prophets who preceded him, such as Jeremiah and Isaiah,

as the Lords word.

7 'Should you not have obeyed the words which the Lord proclaimedthrough the former prophets when Jerusalem and the ci ties around itwere inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were

inhabited?' " Zechariah 7:7

Jesus attests to the inspiration of the Old Testament and His

fulfillment of the prophets and Law.

17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven andearth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Matthew 5:17-18

Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Lawof Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." Luke 24:44

When Jesus refers to the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms, he is referring to the three-part division of the Tanakh (The Old

Testament).

What does Inerrant mean?Since God is the source of inspiration, the words transmitted to the prophet are without error

or inerrant.Inspiration andInerrancy apply to the autograph and not to the transmission

process, which is human. The inerrant autograph is transmitted through scribes in a process

known as manuscript transmission, resulting in manuscript copies. The autograph is the

original manuscript, the first copy, those which follow are manuscript copies.


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The Evidence for the Inspiration of the Bible

By simply comparing the words that claim super-natura

inspiration to thefacts, we can test whether the words

are super-natural or just vague guesses. We can also

examine the probability of the events taking place. In the

same way, we examine the improbability of matter and

life entering the universe without a cause. We can

examine to see if super-natural evidence corresponds

with facts.

In examining the evidence, we need to ask several

questions.

Is the evidence Super-natural in nature?

Is the evidence manipulated?

Could the source document been changed to fit the circumstances?

Super-natural objective evidence

The definition ofSuper-natural is evidence outside of the natural order. Miracles and prophecies would fall under this categories since

both claim a source outside of the nature. A prophecy describing future specific event is not a natural phenomenon. The source must

be outside of nature in order to be True. Super-natural knowledge is required, since knowledge of the future is outside of our naturalorder.

6Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And hisRedeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the First andI am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

7And who can proclaim as I do? Then let himdeclare it and set it in order for Me, Since Iappointed the ancient people. And the things thatare coming and shall come, Let them show theseto them.

8Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told youfrom that time, and declared it? You are Mywitnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed

there is no other Rock; I know not one. Isaiah44:7-8

9Remember the former things of old, For I amGod, and there is no other; I am God, and there isnone like Me, 10Declaring the end from thebeginning, And from ancient times things that arenot yet done, Saying, My counsel shall stand, AndI will do all My pleasure, Isaiah 46:9-10

3I have declared the former things from thebeginning; They went forth from My mouth, and Icaused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, andthey came to pass.

4Because I knew that you wereobstinate, Andyour neck was an iron sinew, And your browbronze,

5Even from the beginning I have declared it toyou; Before it came to pass I proclaimed it to you,Lest you should say, My idol has done them, Andmy carved image and my molded image Have

commanded them. Isaiah 48:3-5

The Bibles use of prophecy, the ability to tell the future in the past, can be itemized as follows.

Only God can reveal events in detail thousands of years before they occur. (Isaiah 44:6)

Israel

Israel as a people and nation are witnesses to the events. (Isaiah 44:8)

God declares the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:9)

The purpose of foretelling the event many years before its occurrence was to prove to the obstinate who would give credit to man. (Isaiah 48: 3-5)

What is a prophet?When you write your name on paper, who is doing the writing, you or the pen? Most answer you, since you are the power behind the

pen. You are the inspiration of the words the pen writes. In the same way a pen is used as the conduit between you and the paper, the

prophet is the conduit between God and man. The prophet is writing down Gods message for the reader.

If the words are from God then they would be True and correspond with reality.


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Jerusalem Focus Of

World attention

Zechariah 12:3 foretells

Jerusalem as the Center

of worldwide Attention

"And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem avery heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave itaway will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of theearth are gathered against it.

Zechariah 12;3

We are told that Jerusalem will Be

a burden for the world and the

Object of conflict. The nations of

the World will be at war with the

Descendents of Israel.

Over the Earth population view Jerusalem

as spiritually significant. 2500 years ago

when Jerusalem was just a small regional

city Zechariah told about the coming day

when all then nations will burden

themselves with the possession of the city.

Temple destroyedThe destruction of theJewish

temple followingThe death of Jesus was Foretold in

Daniel 9:26 And Matthew 24:2

Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and Hisdisciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.

And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things?Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here uponanother, that shall not be thrown down." Matthew 24:1-2

In 70 AD the Roman empire

destroys The Jewish Temple. Every

stone Was throne down as Roman

soldiers Looked for melted gold.

The destruction of the Temple

along each stone being Taken

down was recorded 600 years

Before this event, Messiah was to

Be cut off.

600 years before the event we are told about

the destruction following the cutting off of

the Messiah. Jesus claimed to be Messiah

and as a result 2 billion people,1/3 of the

earths population are connected to the city

of Jerusalem. How Daniel could know the

details of the Temples destruction as well

as it being Connected with the Messiah

being CutOff is super-natural.

Jews from Ethiopia Gathered. In the Second

gathering Jews living in Ethiopia are Foretold to be

gathered to Israel ,2700 years ago in Isaiah 11:11 this

gathering was written about.

It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set Hishand again the second time To recover the remnant of Hispeople who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathrosand Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and theislands of the sea.

Isaiah 11:11

Operation Solomon in 1980 and

Exodus in 1991 rescued Jewsliving in Ethiopia from

extermination and persecution. The

Jews there have been traced back

over 2000 years ago.

Isaiah 11:11 specifically mentions Jews

From Cush (Ethiopia) as part of theGathering from the nations. 2700 years

Before the event


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Exact month & year Messiah is killed. 70 Weeksof Daniel is a very specific prophecy foretelling the

rejection and cutting off of Messiah 570 years before

the event. Daniel 9:24-27

"And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, butnot for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to comeShall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shallbe with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations aredetermined.

Daniel 9:26

The 70 weeks of Daniel foretells

the Exact time Messiah would be

cut-off. Following a 483 year

period (69 Weeks) after a

command to rebuild The walls and

streets of Jerusalem Was given to

Nehemiah.

The Christian faith is the largest faith in The

World and centers on the Messiah Being

killed for the sins of the world. 570 before

the death of Jesus, Daniel foretold the exact

time of Messiah being cut-off with the

Temples destruction following his death.

Objections to Super-natural objective evidence

People worked to fulfill theprophecy

This objection does not take into account the aspect of adverse history. For example, Jerusalem becoming the focus of world attention

was a result of the spread of Christianity and Islam. Christianity grew in opposition to Jewish wishes; they did not accept Jesus as

Messiah. The Roman Empire became Christian in spite of persecution of the Christians. In addition, any series of events could have

changed the scope of the world prior to the spread of Christianity. Pagan Huns in the 5th

Century AD could have destroyed Christian

Byzantium, conflict with Islam in the 6th

century; the Mongolian hordes of Genghis Khan in the 12th

century are only some examples

of historical events that could have prevented this prophecy fulfillment.

To imagine that a group of people could manipulate world events in secret also fails to account for persecution by the leading powers

of the world. Kings and princes in the land they settled persecuted the Jews as a group. The Spanish inquisition, forced Jews torenounce their Jewish culture, this same pattern of persecution occurred in Germany, England, Russia and Asia. How a persecuted

people could control their persecutors, to fulfill prophecy written about the people even before they were a nation would be super-

natural in its own right.

The prophecy was changed to seem like it wasfulfilled.

The words recorded in prophecy are virtually the same in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament translated 250

BC. The Dead Sea scrolls dated to 100-200 BC also record the words of the prophets including Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah.

Any changes to fulfill scripture would have to have been made by 250 BC well before the events themselves even occurred.


25/100


The prophecy is just a matter ofinterpretation.

Most prophecies have very specific qualifiers, giving us minute details, not vague generalities. Israel, Jerusalem are distinct locations,

not vague terms such as a great city in the distant east. They are terms which can compared to facts. The Bible also records

historical figures such as Nebuchadnezzar along with events associated their lives. This allows us to compare the words with the facts.

Jesus the Messiah

The rejection of Jesus and His ministry foretold 700-years before his birth

The whole basis of the New Testament is the fulfillment of a New Covenant through the death ofJesus, who died for the sins of the world. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, as foretold by the Jewish

prophets, yet he was rejected and killed. Some will point to his death and say; see if he were the

Messiah, he would not have d

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Origin of the Bible

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