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Prophecies Fulfilled in the Bible

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    PROPHECIES FULFILLEDIN THE BIBLE

    Gods Criteria for Words coming from Him:

    There are hundreds of Prophecies in the Bible from the Old Testament to the NewTestament that were fulfilled. These show that the Bible we have today is the sameWord of God revealed thousands of years ago.

    Yahweh our Lord God made the criterion that any prophet who speaks in His nameand if his words were not fulfilled He has not sent him. Through the prophet Isaiah

    God challenges anyone who is claiming another god to declare the past and the

    future so we could know if they are truly gods.

    Deut 18:20-2220'But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I

    have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of othergods, that prophet shall die.' 21"You may say in your heart, 'How will weknow the word which the LORD has not spoken?' 22"When a prophet speaks

    in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true,

    that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken The prophet has spoken itpresumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

    Isa 41:21-24

    Present your case, the LORDsays.

    Bring forward your strong arguments,The King of Jacob says.22 Let them bring forth and declare to us what is going to take place;

    As for the former events, declare what they were,That we may consider them and know their outcome.Or announce to us what is coming;23 Declare the things that are going to come afterward,

    That we may know that you are gods;Indeed, do good or evil, that we may anxiously look about us and feartogether.24 Behold, you are of no account,And your work amounts to nothing;He who chooses you is an abomination.

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    Bible Prophecies Fulfilled in IsraelBelow is a selection of prophecies involving the birth, exile, preservation and re-gathering of the people of Israel.

    1.Israel as a nationBible Passage: Gen. 12:1-3 w/ Ex. 1:1-9

    Around 1875 1450 BC

    Prophecy Genesis 12:1-3

    1Now the LORD said to Abram,

    "Go forth from your country,

    And from your relatives

    And from your father's house,To the land which I will show you;

    2And I will make you a great nation,

    And I will bless you,And make your name great;And so you shall be a blessing;

    3And I will bless those who bless you,

    And the one who curses you I will curseAnd in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

    Fulfillment Exodus 1:1-9

    1Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; they

    came each one with his household: 2Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; 3Issachar,Zebulun and Benjamin; 4Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5All the persons who

    came from the loins of Jacob were seventy in number, but Joseph was already inEgypt. 6Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7But the sons of

    Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly

    mighty, so that the land was filled with them. 8Now a new King arose over Egypt,who did not know Joseph. 9He said to his people, "Behold, the people of the sons of

    Israel are more and mightier than we.

    Fulfillment of Gen 12:3

    Romans 4:13, 16

    13For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of theworld was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.16For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so

    that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are

    of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of usall,

    Romans 9:8

    8That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the childrenof the promise are regarded as descendants.

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    Galatians 3:29

    29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according

    to promise.

    2.Israel Enslaved 400 years and Set FreeBible Passage: Gen. 15:13-14 with Exodus 3:3-7, 12:33-41

    Around 1875 - 1400 BC

    Prophecy Genesis 15:13-14

    13God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in aland that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred

    years. 14"But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward theywill come out with many possessions.

    Fulfillment Exodus 3.7-9

    7The LORD said, "I havesurely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt,

    and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of

    their sufferings. 8"So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the

    Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to aland flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite andthe Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. 9"Now, behold, the cry

    of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression withwhich the Egyptians are oppressing them.

    And Exodus12.33-41

    33The Egyptians urged the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they

    said, "We will all be dead." 34So the people took their dough before it was leavened,

    with their kneading bowls bound up in the clothes on their shoulders. 35Now thesons of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, for they had requested from

    the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; 36and the LORDhad given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have

    their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. 37Now the sons of Israeljourneyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside

    from children. 38A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks andherds, a very large number of livestock. 39They baked the dough which they had

    brought out of Egypt into cakes of unleavened bread. For it had not become

    leavened, since they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, nor had theyprepared any provisions for themselves. 40Now the time that the sons of Israel lived

    in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41And at the end of four hundred andthirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of

    Egypt.

    3.Enemies would move into the land of IsraelBible passage: Leviticus 26:32-33Written: As early as 1400 BC

    In Leviticus 26:32-33, as well as in other prophecies of the Bible, the people of Israel

    would be persecuted in the nations to which they would be driven during their exile,

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    and that the land of Israel would be in ruins.

    Leviticus 26:32-33 speaks of the punishment through exile and destruction, otherverses within the 26th chapter of Leviticus speak of forgiveness and restoration..

    Leviticus 26:32-33:

    32 I will lay waste the land, so that your enemies who live there will be appalled.33 I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out my sword and pursue you.

    Your land will be laid waste, and your cities will lie in ruins.

    4.God will never forget the children of IsraelBible passage: Isaiah 49:13-17

    Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 49:13-17, the Lord makes it clear that even though the people of Israel are

    to be exiled from their land, the Lord will never forget them, and the Lord wouldeventually bring the exiles back to their homeland.

    Isaiah lived about 2700 years ago. At about that time, the Assyrians invaded the

    northern part of the land of Israel and had scattered many of the people. More than

    a century later, the Babylonians conquered the southern part of the land of Israel,bringing an end to sovereignty, destroying Jerusalem and the Temple, and forcingpeople into exile.

    With these events in mind, it can be easy to understand the sentiment of Verse 14:"The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."

    But Verses 15 and 16 remind us that the Lord will never forget the people of Israel.

    In fact, it says that even if a mother could forget her child, the Lord would not forget

    his children, for they are "engraved" on the palms of his hands. And, verses 17 and18 show that the descendants of Israel would return, as they did after the fall of the

    Babylonian Empire.

    Isaiah 49:13-17:

    13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the

    LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

    14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the childshe has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

    16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before

    me.17 Your sons hasten back, and those who laid you waste depart from you.

    5.The people of Israel will never be completely destroyedBible passage: Leviticus 26:44Written: As early as 1400 BC

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    In Leviticus 26:44, the Bible said that God would never allow the people of Israel tobe completely destroyed.

    During ancient times, 10 of the 12 Tribes of Israel were decimated by the Assyrians.

    And the Babylonians had persecuted what was left of the people of Israel.

    Instead of assimilating or perishing, some of the people eventually were able to

    return to their homeland and recover their way of life.

    The recovery was complete enough that Jerusalem again had been restored as the

    center of Jewish life. And the followers of Jesus were able to begin a process in

    Jerusalem by which Christianity eventually spread throughout the world.

    Leviticus 26:44:

    Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject themor abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I

    am the Lord their God.

    6. The Jews would survive Babylonian rule and return homeBible passage: Jeremiah 32:36-37Written: Sometime between 626-586 BC

    Jeremiah was one of the prophets who warned the people of Judah that they would

    be forced into exile by the Babylonians. In Jeremiah 32:36-37, he prophesies to the

    people that they will survive that their exile in Babylon and return home.

    Babylon had defeated the Assyrians in a decisive battle, ending in 612 B.C., at

    Nineveh. And then, in 609 B.C., the Babylonians captured and killed the last Assyrianking. The Assyrians had an empire that had included the land of Judah but now theBabylonians had seized control of the empire.

    In an effort to show the people of Judah that Babylon was now their new master,they began a process of forcing key residents into exile, as early as 605 B.C. More

    deportations took place in later years, culminating with the wholesale destruction ofJerusalem and the Temple in 586 B.C.

    Jews began returning to their homeland after the Babylonian Empire was toppled in

    539 B.C., by a coalition of Medes and Persians.

    ProphecyJeremiah 32:36-37:

    36 "You are saying about this city, 'By the sword, famine and plague it will behanded over to the king of Babylon'; but this is what the LORD, the God of Israel,

    says:

    37 I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furiousanger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live insafety.

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    The people of Israel would return to "their own land"Bible passage: Ezekiel 34:13Written: Between 593-571 BC

    Like Jeremiah, the prophet Ezekiel also lived during the time that the Babylonians

    ruled over the people of Judah, and he himself was one of the Jews who were taken

    to Babylon as captives. In Ezekiel 34:13, he prophesied that God would gather theexiles from the various nations to which they had been scattered and that he wouldrestore them to "their own land."

    Prophecy Ezekiel 34:13:

    I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I willbring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in theravines and in all the settlements in the land.

    Prophecy Isaiah 45:1-4

    1Thus says the LORDto Cyrus His anointed,Whom I have taken by the right hand,To subdue nations before himAnd to loose the loins of kings;

    To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

    2I will go before you and make the rough places smooth;I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.3I will give you the treasures of darkness

    And hidden wealth of secret places,

    So that you may know that it is I,The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

    4For the sake of Jacob My servant,

    And Israel My chosen one,I have also called you by your name;I have given you a title of honor

    Though you have not known Me.

    Fulfillment Ezra 1:1-4

    Cyrus's Proclamation

    1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD

    by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, sothat he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing,

    saying: 2"Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has givenme all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house inJerusalem, which is in Judah. 3'Whoever there is among you of all His people, mayhis God be with him! 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. 4'Every

    survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him withsilver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house

    of God which is in Jerusalem.'"

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    And 2 Chronicles 36:21-23

    21to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had

    enjoyed its sabbaths All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath until seventy yearswere complete.

    Cyrus permits return

    22Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia--in order to fulfill the word of the

    LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah--the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of

    Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it inwriting, saying, 23"Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The LORD, the God of heaven,has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a

    house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people,may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up!'"

    BibleProphecies Fulfilled in Israel in the NewTestament

    Many of these Bible prophecies either found fulfillment during the first century or

    began to find fulfillment at that time. They include the destruction of Jerusalem andthe Temple, and the exile of the people from the land of Israel.

    1. Jesus prophesied that the Temple would be destroyedBible passage: Matthew 24:1-2Written: During the first century AD

    In Matthew 24:1-2, Jesus prophesied that the Temple of Jerusalem would be

    destroyed and that its destruction would be so complete that not one stone would beleft standing on top of another. His prophecy was fulfilled about 40 years later when

    the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and tore down the Temple.

    Matthew 24:1-2:

    1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him tocall his attention to its buildings.

    2 "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here

    will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

    2. Jesus prophesied that the Jews would be exiled

    Bible passage: Luke 21:24Written: During the first century AD

    In Luke 21:24, Jesus said that Jerusalem would be trampled upon by foreigners and

    that the people of Israel would be forced into exile.

    About 40 years after Jesus delivered that prophecy, it began to find fulfillment. The

    Romans destroyed Jerusalem in the year 70, and again in the year 135.

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    During the first destruction, Josephus, an historian who lived during the first century,

    claimed 1.1 million Jews died and hundreds of thousands were forced out of the

    country and into exile and slavery.During the second destruction, Cassius Dio, an historian who lived during the secondcentury, claimed that 580,000 Jews were killed, 50 fortified towns and 985 villages

    were destroyed.

    The exiled Jews were taken to countries throughout the Roman Empire andeventually scattered and re-scattered throughout the world.

    Luke 21:24:

    They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem

    will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

    3. Jesus explained why Jerusalem would be destroyedBible passage: Luke 19:41-44

    Written: During the first century AD

    In Luke 19:41-44, Jesus prophesies that Jerusalem would be destroyed because of

    the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.

    Although some people did accept Jesus as the Messiah, many people rejected him. Infact, the rejection was strong enough that Jesus was executed a short time after

    uttering the prophecy.

    Luke 19:41-44:

    41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it

    42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring youpeacebut now it is hidden from your eyes.

    43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment

    against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. Theywill not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's

    coming to you."

    4. Daniel foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple

    Bible passage: Daniel 9:24-26Written: About 530 BC

    During the time of Daniel, who lived about 2600 years ago, the Babylonians invaded

    Judah (the southern part of the land of Israel) and took many Jews, including Daniel,as captives to Babylon. The Babylonians also destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the

    Temple, in 586 B.C.

    In Daniel 9:24-26, Daniel delivers a prophecy that Jerusalem and the Temple wouldbe destroyed, again. Within these verses, Daniel provides a chronology by which

    certain events would occur. First, the Jews would return from captivity and rebuild

    Jerusalem and the Temple. Afterwards, an "anointed one," or Messiah, would appear,but he would be rejected. Then, Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed,again.

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    Centuries later, these events played out during the century in which Jesus had

    announced that he was the Messiah.

    Daniel 9:24-26:

    24 "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish

    transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlastingrighteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild

    Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and

    sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.26 After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have

    nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the

    sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, anddesolations have been decreed.

    5. Zion would be "plowed like a field"Bible passage: Micah 3:11-12

    Written: Sometime between 750-686 BC

    In Micah 3:11-12, the prophet Micah said that Jerusalem would be destroyed andthat "Zion" - a central part of Jerusalem - would be "plowed like a field." Micah's

    prophecy is believed to have been delivered in about 730 BC (about 2700 years

    ago). Since that time, Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians and bythe Romans in 70 AD. The Romans destroyed it again in 135 AD to crush a Jewishrebellion for independence. According to a text in the Gemara - a collection of

    ancient Jewish writings - the Romans ran a plow over Zion on the 9th day of the

    Jewish month of Ab. The Gemara said that Turnus Rufus, a Roman officer, plowedthe area of the Temple. This prophecy was fulfilled in literal detail. Incidentally, there

    was a Roman coin minted during that era that shows an image of a man using a

    plow. The coin was intended to commemorate the founding of the pagan Roman citycalled Aelia Capitolina on the site of Jerusalem. The Romans sometimes minted coinsshowing the plowing motif as a symbol of the establishment of a new Roman city.

    The Jews fast (go without food) on the 9th day of the Jewish month of Ab(sometimes spelled Av) in remembrance of five historic events that are recorded asoccurring on that date. One of those events is the plowing of all or part of Jerusalem

    by the Romans.

    Micah 3:11-12:

    11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tellfortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD and say, "Is not the LORD among

    us? No disaster will come upon us."12 Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become

    a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.

    6. The Bible foreshadowed Rome's destruction of IsraelBible passage: Deuteronomy 28:49-52Written: As early as 1400 BC

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    The Bible has several prophecies foretelling the destruction of the land of Israel,

    including one in the book of Deuteronomy that coincides with the manner in which

    the Roman army conquered Israel during the first and second centuries:

    "The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth,

    like an eagle swooping down . . . They will lay siege to all the cities throughout your

    land until the high fortified walls in which you trust fall down."(Portions ofDeuteronomy 28:49-52 NIV).

    The Romans oppressively ruled over the land of Israel for a century before the Jews

    waged two wars for independence, the first beginning in 67 AD and the secondbeginning in about 132 AD. Both wars resulted in great destruction to the land and

    people of Israel.

    The ancient historian Dio Cassius claimed that the Roman army had razed to theground 985 villages throughout Israel. If the figure is to believed, then it might be

    including settlements, along with cities and towns, throughout the land. The writings

    of Cassius, along with those from Josephus, another first-century historian, indicatethat the Roman army's destruction of Israel was very complete.

    The prophecy also speaks of an eagle in reference to the army that would swoopdown upon Israel and reduce it to a state of desolation. As we learn from historians,including Tacitus who lived during the first century, the Romans marched with

    standards - long poles adorned with the eagle figurines - held high above their

    heads, as though the eagles were in flight.

    Another feature of the prophecy is that it speaks of armies being gathered from the

    ends of the earth. The Romans had armies scattered throughout parts of Europe,

    Africa and Asia. To quell the Jewish uprising, some troops had to be called in from asfar away as the British Isles.

    Deuteronomy 28:49-52:

    49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the

    earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not

    understand,50 a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young.51 They will devour the young of your livestock and the crops of your land until you

    are destroyed. They will leave you no grain, new wine or oil, nor any calves of yourherds or lambs of your flocks until you are ruined.52 They will lay siege to all the cities throughout your land until the high fortified

    walls in which you trust fall down. They will besiege all the cities throughout the land

    the LORD your God is giving you.

    7. Israel would become a wasteland

    Bible passage: Deuteronomy 29:23Written: As early as 1400 BC

    In Deuteronomy 29:23, the Bible said Israel would become a wasteland. Thisprophecy certainly was fulfilled. The land has been described many times as havingbeen a sparsely populated wasteland, as recently as the late 1800s. American writer

    Mark Twain wrote this, in 1867, about the land of Israel, which at the time was

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    called Palestine: "Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes the spell of a curse that has

    withered its fields and fettered its energies Palestine is desolate and unlovely It is

    a hopeless, dreary, heartbroken land." - from Mark Twain's Innocents Abroad.

    Deuteronomy 29:23:

    The whole land will be a burning waste of salt and sulfurnothing planted, nothingsprouting, no vegetation growing on it. It will be like the destruction of Sodom andGomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in fierce anger.

    Bible Prophecies Fulfilled by Babylon

    The Bible prophecies below are a selection from the Bible that involve the Babylonian

    Empire, which had rose to power for a second time about 2600 years ago.

    1. Babylon would rule Judah for 70 years

    Bible passage: Jeremiah 25:11-12Written: Sometime between 626-586 BC

    In Jeremiah 25:11-12, the prophet said that the Jews would suffer 70 years ofBabylonian domination. Jeremiah also said Babylon would be punished after the 70years. Both parts of this prophecy were fulfilled. In 609 BC, which is about 2600

    years ago, Babylon captured the last Assyrian king and took over the holdings of the

    Assyrian empire, to which the land of Israel previously had been subjugated. Babylonlater asserted its domination by taking many Jews as captives to Babylon, and by

    destroying Jerusalem and the Temple. The domination ended in 539 BC, when Cyrus,

    a leader of Persians and Medes, conquered Babylon and brought an end to itsempire. Cyrus later offered the captive Jews the freedom to return to theirhomeland. The prophecy also might have been fulfilled in another way too: The

    Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem's Temple in 586 BC, and the Jews rebuilt it and

    consecrated it 70 years later, in 516 BC. Having the Temple again showed, in a veryimportant way, that the effects of Babylonian domination truly had come to an end.

    Jeremiah 25:11-12:

    11 This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve

    the king of Babylon seventy years.

    12 "But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and hisnation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt," declares the LORD, "and willmake it desolate forever.

    2. Babylon's gates would open for CyrusBible passage: Isaiah 45:1

    Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 45:1, the prophet said God would open the gates of Babylon for Cyrus andhis attacking army. Despite Babylon's remarkable defenses, which included moats,

    and walls that were more than 70-feet thick and 300-feet high, and 250

    watchtowers, Cyrus was able to enter the city and conquer it. Cyrus and his troopsdiverted the flow of the Euphrates River into a large lake basin. Cyrus then was able

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    to march his army across the riverbed and into the city.

    Isaiah 45:1:

    "This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of

    to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before

    him so that gates will not be shut:

    3. Babylon's kingdom would be overthrown, permanently

    Bible passage: Isaiah 13:19

    Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 13:19, the prophet said Babylon would be overthrown, permanently.

    History confirms that when Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC, it never again roseto power as an empire. Before the time of Cyrus, however, Babylon had beendefeated by the Assyrian Empire but was able to recover and later conquer the

    Assyrian Empire. However, like Isaiah said 2700 years ago, the Babylonian Empire

    never recovered from Cyrus' conquest.

    Isaiah 13:19:

    Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the Babylonians' pride, will beoverthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.

    4. Babylon would be reduced to swamplandBible passage: Isaiah 14:23

    Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 14:23, the prophet said that Babylon, which had been a world power at two

    different times in history, would be brought to a humble and final end. It would be

    reduced to swampland. After Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC, the kingdomnever again rose to power. The buildings of Babylon fell into a gradual state of ruinduring the next several centuries. Archaeologists excavated Babylon during the

    1800s. Some parts of the city could not be dug up because they were under a water

    table that had risen over the years.

    Isaiah 14:23:

    "I will turn her into a place for owls and into swampland; I will sweep her with thebroom of destruction," declares the Lord Almighty.

    Bible Prophecies Fulfilled by TyreThese Bible prophecies involve Tyre, a Phoenician city that had had great animositywith the people of Israel.

    1. Tyre's fortresses would fail

    Bible passage: Amos 1:9-10

    Written: About 750 BC

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    In Amos 1:9-10, the prophet said that God would cause Tyre's protective fortresses

    to fail, as punishment for the way that Tyre treated Israel. That prophecy was

    fulfilled in 586-573 BC when Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar attacked the mainlandof Tyre, and in 333-332 BC when Alexander the Great conquered the island of Tyre.Alexander's army built a land bridge from the mainland to the island so that they

    could use a battering ram to break through the island's fortress.

    Amos 1:9-10:

    This is what the Lord says: "For three sins of Tyre, even for four, I will not turn back

    [my wrath]. Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding

    a treaty of brotherhood, I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre that will consume herfortresses."

    2. Tyre would be attacked by many nationsBible passage: Ezekiel 26:3

    Written: Between 587-586 BC

    In Ezekiel 26:3, the prophet said that Tyre, the Phoenician Empire's most powerful

    city, would be attacked by many nations, because of its treatment of Israel. At aboutthe time that Ezekiel delivered this prophecy, Babylon had begun a 13-year attackon Tyre's mainland. Later, in about 332 BC, Alexander the Great conquered theisland of Tyre and brought an end to the Phoenician Empire. Tyre later fell under the

    rule of the Romans, the Crusaders and the Moslems, who destroyed the city, again,

    in 1291.

    Ezekiel 26:3:

    Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Tyre, and I willbring many nations against you, like the sea casting up its waves.

    3. Tyre's stones, timber and soil would be cast into the seaBible passage: Ezekiel 26:12

    Written: Between 587-586 BC

    In Ezekiel 26:12, the prophet said that Tyre's stones, timber and soil would bethrown into the sea. That probably would have been a fitting description of how

    Alexander the Great built a land bridge from the mainland to the island of Tyre whenhe attacked in 333-332 BC. It is believed that he took the rubble from Tyre'smainland ruins and tossed it - stones, timber and soil - into the sea, to build the land

    bridge (which is still there).

    Ezekiel 26:12:

    They will plunder your wealth and loot your merchandise; they will break down your

    walls and demolish your fine houses and throw your stones, timber and rubble intothe sea.

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    4. Tyre would lose its power over the sea

    Bible passage: Zechariah 9:3-4

    Written: Between 520 and 518 BC

    In Zechariah 9:3-4, the prophet said that the Phoenician city of Tyre would lose its

    status as a powerful nation on the Mediterranean Sea. Today there is a city called

    Tyre that is either on, or near, the original Phoenician site. But this Tyre is a smallcity in modern-day Lebanon. It is certainly not the powerful nation that it was in thedays of Zechariah.

    Zechariah 9:3-4:

    Tyre has built herself a stronghold; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like

    the dirt of the streets.But the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and

    she will be consumed by fire.

    5. Tyre would never again be found

    Bible passage: Ezekiel 26:21Written: Between 587-586 BC

    In Ezekiel 26:21, the prophet said that the Phoenician city of Tyre would be brought

    to an end and would never again be found. When Alexander the Great destroyed the

    city in 332 BC, he brought an end to the Phoenician Empire. The Empire was neverrevived or "found" again. As for the city itself, it has been torn down and built uponby a succession of world powers. Today, finding artifacts from the original Phoenician

    Tyre is difficult. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition: "The principal

    ruins of the city today are those of buildings erected by the Crusaders. There aresome Greco-Roman remains, but any left by the Phoenicians lie underneath the

    present town."

    Ezekiel 26:21:

    I will bring you to a horrible end and you will be no more. You will be sought, but you

    will never again be found, declares the Sovereign Lord."

    6. Tyre would never be rebuiltBible passage: Ezekiel 26:14Written: Between 587-586 BC

    In Ezekiel 26:14, the prophet says the Phoenician city of Tyre would be destroyedand never be rebuilt. This was fulfilled when Alexander the Great conquered Tyre in

    332 BC. His conquest brought an end to the Phoenician Empire. The empire neverrecovered from the attack. And so, it could never rebuild Tyre. Other nations and

    empires have built cities on or near the original Phoenician site.

    Ezekiel 26:14:

    I will make you a bare rock, and you will become a place to spread fishnets. You willnever be rebuilt, for I the Lord have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.

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    Bible Prophecies Fulfilled by Nineveh

    The selection of Bible prophecies below involve Nineveh, which served as the capitalfor the Assyrian Empire about 2600 years ago.

    1. Nineveh's army officers would desertBible passage: Nahum 3:17

    Written: About 614 BC

    In Nahum 3:17, the prophet said Nineveh's army officers would flee rather than

    fight. Babylonian records claim that Assyrian army members did flee from the battle.

    Nahum 3:17:

    Your guards are like locusts, your officials like swarms of locusts that settle in thewalls on a cold day-- but when the sun appears they fly away, and no one knowswhere.

    2. Nineveh would be destroyed, permanentlyBible passage: Nahum 3:19

    Written: About 614 BC

    In Nahum 3:19 (and 1:9), the prophet said that Nineveh, which was the AssyrianEmpire's capital and perhaps the most powerful city of the ancient world, would

    suffer a wound that would never heal. In 612 BC (about 2600 years ago), a coalitionof Babylonians, Scythians and Medes conquered the heavily fortified city. Accordingto the Bible, Nineveh was to be punished for the empire's inhumane treatment of

    Israel. It is unknown as to when Nahum delivered this prophecy - some scholars

    speculate that it was delivered a few years before the conquest. But, it is known that

    Nahum was correct - Nineveh and the Assyrian empire never did recover from theirdefeat. (Incidentally, the Assyrian empire had conquered Babylon many years

    beforehand, but Babylon was able to recover from that defeat).

    Nahum 3:19:

    Nothing can heal your wound; your injury is fatal. Everyone who hears the newsabout you claps his hands at your fall, for who has not felt your endless cruelty?

    3. Ninevites would be drunk in their final hoursBible passage: Nahum 1:10

    Written: About 614 BC

    In Nahum 1:10 and 3:11, the prophet said that during the final hours of the attackon Nineveh, the Ninevites would be drunk. There is evidence that this prophecy was

    fulfilled. According to the ancient historian Diodorus Siculus: "The Assyrian king gave

    much wine to his soldiers. Deserters told this to the enemy, who attacked thatnight." Siculus compiled his historical works about 600 years after the fall ofNineveh.

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    Nahum 1:10:

    They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will beconsumed like dry stubble.

    4. Nineveh would be destroyed by fireBible passage: Nahum 3:15

    Written: About 614 BC

    In Nahum 3:15, the prophet said that Nineveh would be damaged by fire.

    Archaeologists unearthed the site during the 1800s and found a layer of ash covering

    the ruins. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica: "Nineveh suffered a defeatfrom which it never recovered. Extensive traces of ash, representing the sack of thecity by Babylonians, Scythians, and Medes in 612 BC, have been found in many parts

    of the Acropolis. After 612 BC the city ceased to be important"

    Nahum 3:15:

    There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and, like grasshoppers,consume you

    5. Ninevites would be wiped outBible passage: Nahum 1:14Written: About 614 BC

    In Nahum 1:14, the prophet said Nineveh would have no descendants to carry onthe prestige of Nineveh. Nineveh's destruction in 612 BC marked a permanent end to

    the Assyrian Empire. The city itself never again rose to any significant importance.

    Today, Nineveh is an archaeological site in Iraq.

    Nahum 1:14:

    The Lord has given a command concerning you, [Nineveh]: "You will have nodescendants to bear your name. I will destroy the carved images and cast idols thatare in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile."

    Bible Prophecies Fulfilled by other Nations

    These selected prophecies from the Bible involve ancient nations other than Israel,

    including Edom and Egypt.

    1. Daniel predicted the four great kingdoms

    Bible passage: Daniel 2:32-33Written: About 530 BC

    In Daniel 2:32-33, there is a passage that symbolically identified the four greatkingdoms that would rise up and control much of world, beginning in Daniel's

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    lifetime. The passage uses symbolic imagery:

    1. The head of gold, as Daniel explained, refers to the Babylonian empire thatruled much of the world about 2600 years ago.

    2. Daniel said that the head-of-gold empire would be followed by an empire

    symbolized by arms of silver. Christian scholars have often interpreted this to referto the Medo-Persian empire which later conquered the Babylonian empire. Thescholars say that the two arms refer to the two groups - the Medes and the Persians

    - who comprised the Medo-Persian empire.

    3. The third kingdom was symbolized by the statue's belly and thighs of brass. Some

    scholars believe that this is a reference to the Grecian empire, which conquered the

    Medo-Persian empire. The symbol of a belly and thighs of brass suggests that thekingdom was to start out as a united empire but end up as a divided empire. Underthe leadership of Alexander the Great, the Grecian Empire was a united empire. But

    after Alexander's death, the empire was divided into four parts and was later

    reduced to two parts.

    4. The fourth symbol - that of iron legs and feet that were part iron and part clay -has often been suggested to be a reference to the Roman Empire, which laterconquered the Grecian Empire. The Roman Empire was very powerful, but it was alsovery diverse, claiming dominion over a wide variety of different nations. That

    diversity later contributed to the downfall of the empire.

    These four kingdoms ruled over much of the world, and each of the four ruled overthe land of Israel during times in which a significant number of Jews - and perhaps a

    majority of Jews - were living in their homeland. Before the collapse of the Roman

    Empire, Jerusalem was destroyed and hundreds of thousands of Jews were forcedinto exile. Even today, a majority of Jews still live outside of Israel.

    Daniel 2:32-33:

    32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its

    belly and thighs of bronze,

    33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay.

    2. Edom would be toppled and humbledBible passage: Jeremiah 49:16Written: Sometime between 626-586 BC

    In Jeremiah 49:16, the prophet said that Edom, a long-time enemy of Israel, wouldbe destroyed. Edom's capital city, Petra, was carved out of a mountain side and had

    great natural defenses. Nonetheless, it was destroyed and the kingdom of Edom nolonger exists. Today, Petra is part of Jordan. The city was conquered by the Romans

    in the year 106 AD but flourished again shortly after that. But a rival city, Palmyra,eventually took most of the trade away and Petra began to decline. Moslems

    conquered Petra in the 7th Century and Crusaders conquered it in the 12th Century.

    Petra gradually fell into ruin.

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    Jeremiah 49:16:

    The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live inthe clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nestas high as the eagle's, from there I will bring you down," declares the Lord.

    3. Egypt would never again rule over nationsBible passage: Ezekiel 29:15

    Written: Between 593-571 BC

    In Ezekiel 29:15, the prophet says that Egypt would recover from a desolation

    (perhaps Babylon's attack about 2600 years ago), but that it would never again rule

    over other nations. Up until the time of Ezekiel, Egypt had been a world power forcenturies, dominating many nations, including Israel. But for most of the past 2500years, Egypt has been controlled by foreign powers, including the Romans, Ottomans

    and Europeans. Today, Egypt is an independent nation again. In 1948, 1967 and

    1973, Egypt tried to dominate Israel but was unsuccessful each time, despite thefact that Egypt is 10 times larger than Israel. Egypt today, in many respects, is an

    impressive nation. But since the time of Ezekiel, it no longer rules over other nations.

    Ezekiel 29:15:

    I will make it so weak that it will never again rule over the nations.

    4. The Jews would avenge the Edomites

    Bible passage: Ezekiel 25:14

    Written: Between 593-571 BC

    In Ezekiel 25:14, the prophet said that the Jews would one day take vengeance on

    Edom, a nation that had often warred with the Jews. When Ezekiel delivered thisprophecy, he and many other Jews were living as captives in Babylon. They didn'thave control of their own country, let alone anyone else's. But, about 400 years

    later, Jews regained independence for Jerusalem and the surrounding area during

    the "Hasmonaean Period." During this time, the Jewish priest-king John Hyrcanus Idefeated the Edomites. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition:"Edomite history was marked by continuous hostility and warfare with Jews At the

    end of the second century B.C., they were subdued by Hasmonaean priest-king JohnHyrcanus I"

    Ezekiel 25:14:

    I will take vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they will dealwith Edom in accordance with my anger and my wrath; they will know my

    vengeance, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"

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    Bible PropheciesFulfilled by Jesus' Birth

    1. Isaiah foreshadowed the virgin birth of JesusBible passage: Isaiah 7:14

    Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet delivers what many Christians consider to be a dualprophecy, one that was fulfilled symbolically 2700 years ago, and one that was

    fulfilled literally with the birth of Jesus about 2000 years ago. The symbolic part ofthe prophecy correctly stated that a political alliance that threatened Jewishsovereignty about 2700 years ago would fail in a short amount of time. That amount

    of time was defined as the amount of time that it takes for a child to learn right from

    wrong. But, Christians believe that this prophecy has a second meaning, that therewould be someone born of a virgin, who would be referred to as "Immanuel," whichmeans, "God with us." According to the New Testament, Jesus was born of the virgin

    Mary and is the Son of God. Because He is the Son of God, Jesus literally can bereferred to as "God with us."

    Isaiah 7:14:

    Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and willgive birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

    2. The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem

    Bible passage: Micah 5:1-2Written: Sometime between 750-686 BC

    In Micah 5:2, there is a prophecy that reveals that Bethlehem would be the

    birthplace of the Messiah.

    For Christians, the prophecy is very powerful in a very simple way. It eliminates all

    other cities and towns throughout the world as a place in which the Messiah could beborn. It narrows the possibilities to one tiny village just south of Jerusalem.And throughout the span of the past 27 centuries, from the days of the prophet

    Micah up through the present time, Bethlehem is credited as being the birthplace for

    only one person who is widely known throughout the world. And that person is JesusChrist.The New Testament books of Matthew and Luke list Bethlehem as the birthplace of

    Jesus. Matthew 2:1-6 describes the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of Micah'sprophecy.

    Micah 5:1-2:

    1 Marshal your troops, O city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strikeIsrael's ruler on the cheek with a rod.

    2 "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 fromof old, from ancient times."

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    3. The Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah

    Bible passage: Genesis 49:10Written: As early as 1400 BC

    In Genesis 49:10, Jacob is blessing his 12 sons. This blessing was also a prophecy.

    Jacob told his son Judah that his descendants will be rulers and that one of hisdescendants will be an ultimate ruler. According to the NIV translation: "The scepterwill not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes

    to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his." Christians believe that

    this is a reference to Jesus Christ who will establish an everlasting kingdom in thefuture. Jesus was born about 2000 years after Jacob died. Jesus' ancestry is traced

    back to Jacob's son, Judah, in Luke 3:23-34 and in Matthew 1:1-16. Today, some

    estimates claim that there are as many as 2 billion Christians worldwide follow theteachings of Jesus.

    Genesis 49:10:

    The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,

    until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.

    4. The Messiah would be a descendant of King DavidBible passage: Jeremiah 23:5

    Written: Sometime between 626-586 BC

    In Jeremiah 23:5, as well as in other Bible prophecies, we are told that the Messiahwill be a descendant of King David.

    The books of Matthew and Luke trace back Jesus' geneaology to King David. (Somescholars believe that the geneaology in Matthew is Jesus' legal line, through his

    adoptive father, Joseph, and that the geneaology in Luke is Jesus' bloodline through

    Mary).

    Jeremiah 23:5:

    "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteousBranch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.

    Bible Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus' life

    1. The Messiah would be preceded by a messenger

    Bible passage: Isaiah 40:1-5,9

    Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 40:3, the prophet writes about a person in the desert who prepares theway for the Lord. This prophecy foreshadowed the life of John the Baptist, who

    played an important role in preparing the groundwork for the ministry of JesusChrist. Jesus was born shortly after John the Baptist about 2000 years ago. The book

    of Matthew records many events of the life of Jesus and of John the Baptist. In

    Matthew 3:1-2, it says: "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in theDesert of Judea, and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

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    Isaiah 40:1-5,9:

    1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been

    completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's

    hand double for all her sins.3 A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straightin the wilderness a highway for our God.

    4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough

    ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it.

    For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

    9 . . . say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!"

    2. He would perform miracles

    Bible passage: Isaiah 35:4-6

    Written: Between 701-681 BC

    Isaiah, who lived about 2700 years ago, prophesied that there would come a timewhen God would arrive and open the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf, themobility of the the lame, and the voice of the mute.

    Jesus did each of these things in a spiritual sense, in offering truth and salvation,

    and in a literal sense by performing miracles of healing.

    Isaiah 35:4-6:

    4 say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, hewill come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you."

    5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

    6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water willgush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

    3. God promised another prophet like Moses

    Bible passage: Deuteronomy 18:15-18Written: As early as 1400 BC

    In Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Moses told the Jews that God would raise up anotherprophet like Moses. After Moses, there was a succession of prophets, includingIsaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and finally Jesus Christ. Jesus was very much like

    Moses: Both were delivered from death as infants. Both were prophets. Both

    performed miracles. Both were leaders. And both were intermediaries between Godand man. No other prophet is as much like Moses than Jesus. Moses led the Jews out

    of the bonds of slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land of Israel. Moses died shortlybefore the Jews entered Israel. Jesus leads people - anyone who accepts Jesus as

    their Savior - out of the bonds of sin and into the Promised Land of Heaven. Mosesoffered to die, if necessary, if God would forgive the sins of the people that Moses

    was leading (see Exodus 32:30-33). Jesus did die for our sins, so that people could

    enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

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    Deuteronomy 18:15-18:

    15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your ownbrothers. You must listen to him.16 For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the

    assembly when you said, "Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this

    great fire anymore, or we will die."17 The LORD said to me: "What they say is good.18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put

    my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.

    4. The Messiah would enter Jerusalem while riding on a donkey

    Bible passage: Zechariah 9:9

    Written: Between 520 and 518 BC

    In Zechariah 9:9, the prophet speaks of a future king presenting himself to

    Jerusalem while riding on a humble donkey. This foreshadowed something that

    happened about 500 years later: As explained in Luke 19:35-37, Jesus rode intoJerusalem on a donkey and presented Himself as the Messiah, the King.

    The name "Jesus," means "salvation" in Hebrew.

    Zechariah 9:9:

    Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your kingcomes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on acolt, the foal of a donkey.

    5. Jesus proclaims that he is the MessiahBible passage: John 4:19-26

    Written: During the first century

    In Matthew 5:17, John 4:25-26, and in other verses, Jesus proclaims that he was theMessiah promised by the Old Testament writers. Jesus later becomes the first and

    only person in history to be regarded by people throughout the world as the Messiah.

    John 4:19-26:

    19 "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place wherewe must worship is in Jerusalem."

    21 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the

    Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for

    salvation is from the Jews.23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the

    Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

    25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he

    comes, he will explain everything to us."26 Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

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    6. There would be a Son called God

    Bible passage: Isaiah 9:6-7

    Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 9:6-7, which was written about 700 years before the time of Jesus, the

    prophet Isaiah speaks of a son who would be called "Mighty God" and "Eternal

    Father." Isaiah also indicates that this son would reign on the throne of King Davidand that this reign would be everlasting. King David is the great, God-obeying kingwho reigned from about 1050 BC to about 1010 BC. God had promised King David

    that the reign from David's throne would be everlasting. Christians believe this

    promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, whose reign iseverlasting. Today, the teachings of Jesus govern the lives of an estimated 2 billion

    Christians worldwide. The New Testament also says that Jesus will return in the

    future to establish an everlasting kingdom.

    Isaiah 9:6-7:

    6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on hisshoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting

    Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign onDavid's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice andrighteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will

    accomplish this.

    7. The Messiah would be rejectedBible passage: Isaiah 53:1-3

    Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 52:13-53:12, the prophet foreshadowed the life and mission of Jesus, who

    was born about 700 years later. In Isaiah 53:3, the prophet said that a servant of

    God would be rejected and despised. Jesus was indeed rejected by many peopleliving in the land of Israel, and He was later crucified by the Romans.

    Isaiah 53:1-3:

    1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD beenrevealed?

    2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. Hehad no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that weshould desire him.

    3 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 weesteemed him not.

    8. Daniel predicted when an Anointed One would be rejected

    Bible passage: Daniel 9:24-26Written: About 530 BC

    The prophet Daniel was a Jew who lived during the time of the Babylonian Captivity,about 500 years before the birth of Jesus. During Daniel's lifetime, the Babylonianshad destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple and had taken many Jews as captives to

    Babylon. Daniel, while in Babylon, delivered a prophecy of what would happen during

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    the centuries that followed. Here is our summary of Daniel 9:24-26:

    1. There would be a decree to rebuild Jerusalem.2. Jerusalem and the Temple would be rebuilt.3. Then an anointed one (messiah) would be "cut off" (an idiom for "rejected" or

    "killed").

    4. Then Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed again.

    All of these events later happened, in the same order in which they are

    described in Daniel 9:24-26:

    1. After the Medo-Persians had conquered the neo-Babylonian empire about 2500

    years ago, they ruled a vast empire that included the land of Israel. About 2400

    years ago (about 445 BC), Persian king Artaxerxes gave permission to the Jews torebuild Jerusalem, which was still in ruins after having been destroyed earlier by theBabylonians.

    2. The Jews rebuilt the Temple and the city of Jerusalem.

    3. Then, about 2000 years ago, Jesus entered Jerusalem as the Messiah who hadbeen promised by Old Testament prophets. But, many people rejected Jesus as the

    Messiah and He was crucified by the Romans.4. About 40 years after Jesus was crucified, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem andthe Temple. (The Temple has not been rebuilt since then).

    Daniel 9:24-26:

    24 "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finishtransgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting

    righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.

    25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild

    Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and

    sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.

    26 After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have

    nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the

    sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, anddesolations have been decreed.

    Bible Prophecies Fulfilled by the Persecutionand Crucifixion of Jesus

    1. Jesus was betrayed by a friendBible passage: Psalm 41:9

    Written: About 1000 BC

    In Psalm 41:9, King David wrote a prayer asking for mercy in his last days. In this

    prayer, which Jews and Christians believe was inspired by God, David wrote about abetrayal at the hand of a close friend with whom he had shared bread. This

    foreshadowed something that happened years later with Jesus. As explained inMatthew 26:47-50, Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of the 12 apostles, shortly

    after Jesus and the apostles had shared bread during the Last Supper. Jesus was

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    crucified by the Romans a short time later.

    Psalm 41:9:

    Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his

    heel against me.

    2. Zechariah foreshadowed the betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silverBible passage: Zechariah 11:12-13

    Written: Between 520 and 518 BC

    In Zechariah 11:12-13, the prophet spoke of a person being paid 30 pieces of silver

    to betray someone. This foreshadowed something that happened to Jesus about 500

    years later. As explained in Matthew 26:15, Judas was paid 30 silver coins for hisbetrayal of Jesus. Judas told the Romans when and where they could arrest Jesuswithout being surrounded by a large crowd of Jesus' followers. But, as explained in

    Matthew 27:5-7, Judas later tossed the money into the Temple (the house of the

    Lord) and the money was used to buy a potter's field as a burial place for foreigners.

    Zechariah 11:12-13:

    12 I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So theypaid me thirty pieces of silver.

    13 And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"-the handsome price at which

    they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house ofthe LORD to the potter.

    3. Jesus was spat upon and beaten

    Bible passage: Isaiah 50:6Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 50:6, the prophet writes about a servant of God who endures abuse at thehands of sinful people. This servant offers his back to those who beat him, his face tothose who rip out his beard, and himself to those who mock and taunt him.

    Christians historically have believed that this Old Testament passage foreshadowed

    the life of Jesus Christ, who lived about 700 years after Isaiah. Jesus, as explained inthe New Testament, was beaten, mocked and taunted shortly before His crucifixionby the Romans. In Matthew 26:67 NIV, for example, it says: Then they spit in his

    face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, "Prophesy to us,Christ. Who hit you?"

    Isaiah 50:6:

    I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my

    beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.

    4. God's Servant would be silent before his accusersBible passage: Isaiah 53:7

    Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In the book of Isaiah, chapter 53, Isaiah the prophet wrote about a servant of God.Many people believe this was a prophecy about the life of Jesus Christ, who lived

    about 700 years later. In Isaiah 53:7, the prophet said that the servant would be

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    afflicted and accused, but like a lamb being led to slaughter, he would remain silent.

    As explained in Matthew 27:12-14, which was recorded about 700 years after the

    time of Isaiah, this is what happened to Jesus. He was falsely accused but remainedsilent and did not protest the accusations. Jesus was crucified by the Romans a shorttime later.

    Isaiah 53:7:

    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.

    5. God's Servant would die for our sins

    Bible passage: Isaiah 53:4-6Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 53:4-6, prophet described a servant as being punished for the sins of

    others, and that others would be healed by the wounds of this person. As explainedin the Gospel - the four New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -

    Jesus was crucified for our sins, even though He was sinless. Christians believe thatthis ultimate sacrifice redeemed us all from sin in the same way that lambs wereonce sacrificed as a symbolic way of cleansing people from sin. And so, all of us canbe accepted into the Kingdom of God, as though we were sinless, if we accept Jesus

    as our Savior. Christians believe that we are healed through the wounds that Jesus

    suffered.

    Isaiah 53:4-6:

    4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered himstricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

    5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the

    punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; andthe LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

    6. Zechariah foreshadowed the crucifixion of JesusBible passage: Zechariah 12:10Written: Between 520 and 518 BC

    In Zechariah, chapter 12, the Bible said that there will be a time when the world'snations attack Jerusalem. In Zechariah 12:10, the Bible says that after this attack

    fails, the people will lament over the one who was "pierced," as one mourns for the

    loss of a first-born son. Christians traditionally have interpreted this passage as areference to the return of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was pierced when He

    was crucified by the Romans about 2000 years ago. Christians believe that Jesus willreturn in the future to establish an everlasting kingdom.

    Zechariah 12:10:

    "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit ofgrace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and theywill mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one

    grieves for a firstborn son.

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    7. God's servant would be "numbered with the transgressors"

    Bible passage: Isaiah 53:12Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 53:12, the prophet wrote about a servant who would bear the sins of many

    people and be punished side-by-side with criminals. Christians believe that Isaiah'sdescription of this servant was a prophecy that was fulfilled during the life of JesusChrist. As explained in the book of Matthew, Jesus, though sinless, was "numbered

    with the transgressors" and crucified along with two criminals.

    Isaiah 53:12:

    Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils withthe strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with thetransgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the

    transgressors.

    8. God's servant would be buried in a rich man's tomb

    Bible passage: Isaiah 53:9Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 53:9, the prophet wrote about a sinless servant being put to death with the

    wicked and buried with the rich. About 700 years after this was believed to have

    been written, Jesus was put to death along with two criminals and was buried in atomb owned by a wealthy man, as explained in the New Testament. The NewTestament says that Jesus was resurrected three days later and ascended into

    Heaven.

    Isaiah 53:9:

    He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though hehad done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

    Prophecies of Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah

    No. Prophecy Event Fulfillment

    1 Genesis 3:15 Seed of a woman Galatians 4:4

    2 Genesis 12:3, Genesis

    22:18

    Descendant of Abraham Matthew 1:1, Acts 3:25

    3 Genesis 17:19, Genesis

    21:12

    Descendant of Isaac Luke 3:34, Luke 3:23-24

    4 Genesis 28:14, Numbers

    24:17

    Descendant of Jacob Matthew 1:2, Luke 3:23-

    24

    5 Genesis 49:10 From the tribe of Judah Luke 3:23-24, Luke 3:33

    6 Isaiah 9:6, 11:1-5,

    Jeremiah 23:5-6

    Descendant of David Matthew 1:1, Luke 3:23-

    24

    7 Isaiah 11:1 Descendant of Jesse Luke 3:23-24

    8 Ezekiel 37:24 Will shepherd His Matthew 2:6

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    No. Prophecy Event Fulfillment

    people

    9 Isaiah 9:7 Heir to the throne of

    David

    Luke 1:32-33

    10 Micah 5:2 His pre-existence Colossians 1:17

    11 Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:1 Eternal existence John 8:58, 11, 14,Ephesians 1:3-14,Colossians 1:15-19

    12 Psalms 45:6-7,

    102:25-27

    Anointed and eternal Hebrews 1:8-12

    13 Psalms 110:1 Called Lord Matthew 22:43-45

    14 Isaiah 33:22 Judge John 5:30

    15 Psalms 2:6 King Matthew 27:37

    16 Micah 5:2 Born in Bethlehem Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4-

    5, 7

    17 Daniel 9:25 Time for His birth Matthew 2:1, 16, 19,

    Luke 2:1-2

    18 Isaiah 7:14 To be born of a virgin Matthew 1:18, 24, 25,

    Luke 1:26-27, 30-31

    19 Psalms 72:9 Worshipped byshepherds

    Luke 2:8-15

    20 Psalms 72:10 Honored by great kings Matthew 2:1-11

    21 Jeremiah 31:15 Slaughter of children Matthew 2:16-18

    22 Hosea 11:1 Fight to Egypt Matthew 2:14-15

    23 Isaiah 40:3-5 The way prepared Matthew 3:1,2, Luke

    3:3-624 Malachi 3:1 Preceded by a

    forerunner

    Luke 7:24, 27

    25 Malachi 4:5-6 Preceded by Elijah Matthew 11:13-14

    26 Psalms 2:7, Proverbs

    30:4

    Declared the Son of

    God

    Matthew 3:17, Luke

    1:32

    27 Isaiah 9:5-6, Jeremiah

    23:5-6

    God's name applied to

    Him

    Romans 10:9,

    Philippians 2:9-11

    28 Isaiah 11:2, 61:1,Psalms 45:8

    Anointment of HolySpirit

    Matthew 3:16, 17, John3:34, Acts 10:38

    29 Isaiah 9:1-2 Galilean ministry Matthew 4:13-16

    30 Psalms 78:2-4 Speaks in parables Matthew 13:34-35

    31 Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah7:11

    Temple becomes ahouse of merchandise

    instead of prayer

    Matthew 21:13

    32 Psalms 69:9 Zeal of Jews for thetemple instead of God

    John 2:17

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    No. Prophecy Event Fulfillment

    33 Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 A prophet Matthew 21:11, Acts

    3:20, 22

    34 Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah

    35:5-6

    Blind, deaf, and lame

    are healed by the

    Messiah

    Luke 7:22, Matthew

    9:35, 11:3-5

    35 Isaiah 40:11, 42:2-3,

    Isaiah 53:7

    Messiah will be meek

    and mild

    Matthew 12:18-20,

    Matthew 11:29, Hebrews4:15

    36 Isaiah 53:9 Be sinless and without

    guile

    1 Peter 2:22

    37 Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 49:1 Will minister to Gentiles Matthew 12:18-21Luke

    2:32

    38 Isaiah 61:1-2 To bind up the

    brokenhearted

    Luke 4:18-19

    39 Isaiah 53:12, Isaiah

    59:16

    To intercede for the

    people

    Romans 8:34, Hebrews

    7:25

    40 Isaiah 53:3, 8:14,

    28:16, 63:3, Psalms69:6, 118:22

    Rejected by His own

    people, the Jews

    John 1:11, 7:5,48, Luke

    23:18, Acts 4:11, 1Peter 2:6-8

    41 Psalms 118:22 Be rejected by the

    Jewish leadership

    Matthew 21:42, John

    7:48

    42 Psalms 2:1-2 Plotted against by Jews

    and Gentiles alike

    Acts 4:27

    43 Psalms 110:4 Priest after the order of

    Melchizedek

    Hebrews 5:5-6

    44 Zechariah 9:9 Enter Jerusalem on

    donkey

    Mark 11:7, 9, 11, Luke

    19:35-37

    45 Haggai 2:7-9, Malachi

    3:1

    Entered the temple with

    authority

    Matthew 21:12, Luke

    2:27-38

    46 Psalms 8:2 Adored by infants Matthew 21:15-16

    47 Isaiah 53:1 Not believed John 12:37-38

    48 Zechariah 13:7 Sheep of the Shepherd

    scattered

    Matthew 26:31, Mark

    14:50

    49 Psalms 41:9, 55:12-14 Betrayed by a close

    friend

    John 13:18, Luke

    22:47-48 Act 1:16-17

    50 Zechariah 11:12 Betrayed for thirty

    pieces of silver

    Matthew 26:14-15

    51 Zechariah 11:13 Betrayal money used tobuy Potter's field

    Matthew 27:6-7

    52 Psalms 35:11 Accused by false

    witnesses

    Mark 14:57-58

    53 Isaiah 53:7 Silent to accusations Matthew 27:12, Mark

    15:4-5

    54 Isaiah 50:6 Spat on Matthew 26:67, 27:30

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    No. Prophecy Event Fulfillment

    55 Isaiah 50:6 Beaten Matthew 26:67, 27:26,

    30

    56 Micah 4:14 Struck on cheek Matthew 27:30

    57 Isaiah 49:7, Psalms

    35:19, Psalms 69:4

    Hated without reason John 7:48, 15:24-25

    58 Isaiah 53:5 Wounded and bruised Matthew 27:26

    59 Isaiah 53:5 Vicarious sacrifice John 1:29, , 3:16,

    Romans 5:6, 8

    60 Daniel 9:24-26 Cut off, but not for

    Himself

    Matthew 2:1, Luke 3:1,

    23

    61 Isaiah 53:12 Crucified with

    malefactors

    Matthew 27:38, Mark

    15:27-28 Luke 23:33,

    62 Zechariah 12:10, Psalms

    22:16

    Pierced through hands

    and feet

    John 20:25-27

    63 Psalms 22:7-8 Sneered and mocked Matthew 27:31, Luke

    23:35

    64 Psalms 109:24, 25 Fell under the cross Luke 23:26

    65 Psalms 69:9 Was reproached Romans 15:3

    66 Psalms 38:11 Friends stood afar off Luke 23:49

    67 Psalm 109:25 People shook their

    heads

    Matthew 27:39

    68 Psalms 22:17 Stared upon Luke 23:35

    69 Psalms 22:16, 69:21 Given vinegar for Histhirst

    Matthew 27:34, John19:28-29

    70 Psalms 109:4, Isaiah

    53:12

    Prayer for His enemies Luke 23:34

    71 Psalms 22:17-18 Soldiers gambled for His

    clothing

    Matthew 27:35-36, John

    19:23, 24

    72 Psalms 22:1 Forsaken by God Matthew 27:46

    73 Psalms 31:5 Committed Himself toGod

    Luke 23:46

    74 Exodus 12:46, Psalms

    34:20

    No bones broken John 19:32, 33, 36

    75 Psalm 22:14 Heart broken John 19:34

    76 Zechariah 12:10 His side pierced John 19:34

    77 Amos 8:9 Darkness over the land Matthew 27:45

    78 Isaiah 53:9 Buried with the rich Matthew 27:57-60

    79 Psalms 3:5, 16:10,

    49:15

    To be resurrected Mark 16:6-7, Acts 2:31

    80 Isaiah 44:3, Joel 2:28 Sent the Holy Spirit John 20:22, Acts 2:16-

    17

    81 Isaiah 55:3-4, Jeremiah

    31:31

    Establishes a new

    covenant

    Matthew 26:28, Luke

    22:20, Hebrews 8:6-10

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    No. Prophecy Event Fulfillment

    82 Psalms 68:18, Psalms

    110:1

    His ascension to God's

    right hand

    Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9, 1

    Corinthians 15:4,

    Ephesians 4:8, Hebrews1:3

    83 Psalms 29:11, Micah 4:3 Peace proclaimed bydisciples Luke 2:14, John 14:27,Acts 10:36

    84 Isaiah 60:3 "Light" to Gentiles Acts 13:47,48

    85 Isaiah 11:10, 42:1,

    49:1-12

    The Gentiles will seek

    the Messiah

    Romans 11:25, 15:10

    These prophecies were fulfilled and many are very specific:

    16. Place of birth (Micah 5:2).

    17. Date of birth (Daniel 9:25).

    18. Manner of birth (Isaiah 7:14).62. Manner of death (Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 22:16

    prophesied before the invention of crucifixion).

    76. Piercing in side (Zechariah 12:10).78. Burial (Isaiah 53:9).

    Other Bible Prophecies on Christ

    1. Jesus foretold his death and resurrection

    Bible passage: Matthew 20:17-19

    Written: During the first century

    One of the unique qualities about Jesus Christ as a religious figure is that heprophesied his own death and resurrection. One example is found in Matthew 20:17-

    19. Each of the four Gospels of the New Testament, which were written by hisfollowers and contemporaries, testify that Jesus was resurrected.

    Matthew 20:17-19:

    17 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and

    said to them,

    18 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chiefpriests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On

    the third day he will be raised to life!"

    Fulfillment Matthew 26:47-48, 27:22-26, 28:5-6:

    MT 26:47 While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came upaccompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief

    priests and elders of the people.

    48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, Whomever I kiss, Heis the one; seize Him.

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    MT 27:22 Pilate *said to them, Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called

    Christ? They all *said, Crucify Him!23 And he said, Why, what evil has He done? But they kept shouting all the more,saying, Crucify Him!

    24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was

    starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, I aminnocent of this Mans blood; see to that yourselves.25 And all the people said, His blood shall be on us and on our children!

    26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed

    Him over to be crucified.

    MT 28:5 The angel said to the women, Do not be afraid; for I know that you are

    looking for Jesus who has been crucified.6He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He

    was lying.

    2. Jesus told Peter that the church would survive and thriveBible passage: Matthew 16:17-18

    Written: During the first century AD

    In Matthew 16:17-18, Jesus told the Apostle Peter (Simon) that he would be the rockor foundation on which Jesus will build his church, and that the church would not be

    conquered or wiped out by non-believers (as expressed in the phrase "gates of hell"or "gates of Hades"). Within a few decades after the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter was

    able to see firsthand that the early Christians would endure tremendous persecution.

    The church endured intense persecution for about three centuries by the RomanEmpire. But, the church survived and thrived during that time, even though the

    Roman Empire itself disintegrated. Although the majority of the world's religions

    have died out, Christianity flourished to become the first religion to have spreadworldwide.

    Matthew 16:17-18:

    17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to

    you by man, but by my Father in heaven.18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the

    gates of Hades will not overcome it.

    3. The line of kings from David would endure foreverBible passage: 2 Samuel 7:16

    Written: Samuel lived about 3,000 years ago

    This passage, and a few others as well, allude to King David's descendants having an

    eternal hold on the throne of Israel.

    King David lived and reigned about 3,000 years ago. His descendants continued toreign over all or part of the land of Israel until the time of the Babylonian conquest,

    which was about 2,600 years ago.

    But, aside from Jesus, there has been no king of Davidic descent since the time of

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    the Babylonian conquest. Jesus is fully human and fully God. As a human, he is a

    descendant of King David. As God, he is eternal. Therefore, he is in a unique position

    to fulfill the prophecy in which David's throne is to be eternal.

    2 Samuel 7:16:

    Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will beestablished forever.

    4. The Great Commission, and its fulfillment

    Bible passage: Matthew 28:16-20Written: During the first century AD

    During the first century of this era, there were evangelists who claimed to beeyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus. These people, including Paul and theApostles, were willing to risk their lives and travel throughout the Roman world, by

    land and by sea, to evangelize a religion that wasn't legally recognized by the Roman

    government.

    Their work allowed Christianity to eventually be taught to people throughout theworld.

    Matthew 28:16-20:

    16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had toldthem to go.17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

    18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has

    been given to me.19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the

    Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey

    everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very endof the age."

    5. God's salvation would reach the ends of the earth

    Bible passage: Isaiah 49:6Written: Between 701-681 BC

    In Isaiah 49:6, the prophet speaks of a servant of God who would be a light toGentiles (non-Jews) so that God's salvation could reach the ends of the earth.Christians believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise. The followers of Jesus

    helped spread Christianity about 2000 years ago. Christianity is unique in that it is

    among the first evangelical religions in history, and the first to be taken to people allover the world. Christians believe that salvation, forgiveness of sins and eternal life

    in heaven are available to anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their savior: "That ifyou confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God

    raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believeand are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." -

    Romans 10:9-10.

    Isaiah 49:6:

    "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and

    bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,

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    that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."

    6. Jesus said His words would never be forgottenBible passage: Luke 21:33Written: During the first century AD

    In Luke 21:33, Jesus said that regardless of what happens to the world, His wordswill never be forgotten. Here we are 2000 years later and the words of Jesus are allaround us: Christianity has spread to people around the world and the Bible is the

    world's most circulated book. Of all the people who have ever lived, can you think of

    a single person who could have made this claim more effectively than Jesus - thathis words would never be forgotten?

    Luke 21:33:

    Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

    Bible Prophecies Involving the End Times

    1. Jesus will return (to judge the living and the dead)

    Bible passage: Matthew 24:29-31Written: During the first century AD

    In Matthew 24:29-31, as well as in other places within the New Testament, Jesus

    revealed about 2000 years ago that he would return in the future. Christians believethat when Jesus returns, he will judge the living and the dead. This belief is reflected

    in the Apostle's Creed, which is a summary of Christian beliefs that was written many

    centuries ago. The Apostle's Creed is recited by Christians during Christian worshipservices.

    Matthew 24:29-31:

    29 "Immediately after the distress of those days " 'the sun will be darkened, and themoon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies

    will be shaken.'

    30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nationsof the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the

    sky, with power and great glory.

    31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his electfrom the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

    2. No one will know the hour or the day of Jesus' return

    Bible passage: Matthew 24:36-37Written: During the first century AD

    When Jesus lived in the land of Israel about 2000 years ago, he gave a very simpleand concise answer when someone asked him when he would return: He explainedthat no one knows the hour or the day, except for God the Father (Matthew 24:36).

    Even so, many people throughout history have falsely insisted that they knew theday of Jesus' return, only to be proven wrong. During the past few centuries, for

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    example, there have been some very influential people who have misled many

    people with their false predictions, including:

    Matthew 24:36-37:

    36 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the

    Son, but only the Father.37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

    3. Jesus' return will be unexpected

    Bible passage: 2 Peter 3:1-18Written: During the first century AD

    In 2 Peter, which is the name of an epistle (letter) in the New Testament of theBible, we are told that the last days will take people by surprise, that "the day of theLord will come like a thief."

    The author, Peter, who was one of Jesus' apostles, reminds Christians to liverighteously (2 Peter 3:11 and 2 Peter 3:14) and to view the end times with joy

    rather than fear (2 Peter 3:12-13).

    2 Peter 3:1-18:

    1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as

    reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and thecommand given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

    3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing

    and following their own evil desires.4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died,

    everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

    5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed andthe earth was formed out of water and by water.6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

    7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept

    for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like athousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

    9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He ispatient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a

    roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be

    laid bare.11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to

    be? You ought to live holy and godly lives12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring

    about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a

    new earth, the home of righteousness.

    14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort tobe found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother

    Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

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    16 He write


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