The Bibliological Argument (3)

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This is the written transcript for Lesson 12 in this series of presentations on evidence for the existence of God — (it is likely that transcripts will vary somewhat from the actual video recordings).

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I want to conclude our study together by taking into consideration some Biblical prophecies concerning the life and ministry of Jesus. Mary Fairchild (2012) reports that, “The books of the Old Testament contain many passages about the Messiah—all prophecies Jesus Christ fulfilled. For instance, the crucifixion of Jesus was foretold in Psalm 22:16-18 approximately 1,000 years before Christ was born, long before this method of execution was even practiced.” Fairchild goes on to presents 44 [42 listed here] Messianic predictions clearly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, along with supporting references from both the Old and New Testament. Let’s review them quickly:

A sampling of prophecies about the Messiah first given years ago in the Old Testament, then fulfilled years later, in Jesus.
	Prophecies About Jesus	Old Testament Scripture	New Testament Fulfillment

1	Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.	Micah 5:2	Matthew 2:1 Luke 2:4-6
2	Messiah would be born of a virgin.	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1:22-23 Luke 1:26-31
3	Messiah would come from the line of Abraham.	Genesis 12:3 Genesis 22:18	Matthew 1:1 Romans 9:5
4	Messiah would be a descendant of Isaac.	Genesis 17:19 Genesis 21:12	Luke 3:34
5	Messiah would be a descendant of Jacob.	Numbers 24:17	Matthew 1:2
6	Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah.	Genesis 49:10	Luke 3:33 Hebrews 7:14
7	Messiah would be heir to King David‘s throne.	2 Samuel 7:12-13 Isaiah 9:7	Luke 1:32-33 Romans 1:3

8	Messiah would be called Immanuel.	Isaiah 7:14	Matthew 1:23
9	Messiah would spend a season in Egypt.	Hosea 11:1	Matthew 2:14-15
10	A massacre of children would happen at Messiah’s birthplace.	Jeremiah 31:15	Matthew 2:16-18
11	A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah	Isaiah 40:3-5	Luke 3:3-6
12	Messiah would be rejected by his own people.	Psalm 69:8 Isaiah 53:3	John 1:11 John 7:5
13	Messiah would be a prophet.	Deuteronomy 18:15	Acts 3:20-22
14	Messiah would be preceded by Elijah.	Malachi 4:5-6	Matthew 11:13-14
15	Messiah would be declared the Son of God.	Psalm 2:7	Matthew 3:16-17
16	Messiah would be called a Nazarene.	Isaiah 11:1	Matthew 2:23
17	Messiah would bring light to Galilee.	Isaiah 9:1-2	Matthew 4:13-16
18	Messiah would speak in parables.	Psalm 78:2-4 Isaiah 6:9-10	Matthew 13:10-15, 34-35
19	Messiah would be sent to heal the brokenhearted.	Isaiah 61:1-2	Luke 4:18-19
20	Messiah would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek.	Psalm 110:4	Hebrews 5:5-6
21	Messiah would be called King.	Psalm 2:6 Zechariah 9:9	Matthew 27:37 Mark 11:7-11
22	Messiah would be praised by little children.	Psalm 8:2	Matthew 21:16
23	Messiah would be betrayed.	Psalm 41:9 Zechariah 11:12-13	Luke 22:47-48 Matthew 26:14-16
24	Messiah’s price money would be used to buy a potter’s field.	Zechariah 11:12-13	Matthew 27:9-10
25	Messiah would be falsely accused.	Psalm 35:11	Mark 14:57-58
26	Messiah would be silent before his accusers.	Isaiah 53:7	Mark 15:4-5
27	Messiah would be spat upon and struck.	Isaiah 50:6	Matthew 26:67
28	Messiah would be hated without cause.	Psalm 35:19 Psalm 69:4	John 15:24-25
29	Messiah would be crucified with criminals.	Isaiah 53:12	Matthew 27:38 Mark 15:27-28
30	Messiah would be given vinegar to drink.	Psalm 69:21	Matthew 27:34 John 19:28-30
31	Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced.	Psalm 22:16 Zechariah 12:10	John 20:25-27
32	Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed.	Psalm 22:7-8	Luke 23:35
33	Soldiers would gamble for Messiah’s garments.	Psalm 22:18	Luke 23:34 Matthew 27:35-36
34	Messiah’s bones would not be broken.	Exodus 12:46 Psalm 34:20	John 19:33-36
35	Messiah would be forsaken by God.	Psalm 22:1	Matthew 27:46
36	Messiah would pray for his enemies.	Psalm 109:4	Luke 23:34
37	Soldiers would pierce Messiah’s side.	Zechariah 12:10	John 19:34
38	Messiah would be buried with the rich.	Isaiah 53:9	Matthew 27:57-60
39	Messiah would resurrect from the dead.	Psalm 16:10 Psalm 49:15	Matthew 28:2-7 Acts 2:22-32
40	Messiah would ascend to heaven.	Psalm 24:7-10	Mark 16:19 Luke 24:51
41	Messiah would be seated at God’s right hand.	Psalm 68:18 Psalm 110:1	Mark 16:19 Matthew 22:44
42	Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin.	Isaiah 53:5-12	Romans 5:6-8

When I think about the incredibly high odds against life as we know it coming into existence through the accidental forces of evolution, and then compare that with the equally incredibly high odds against all that Biblical prophecy being fulfilled precisely as it was, I am doubly convicted of the fact that, not only does God exist, but He has revealed Himself through interaction with His creation, as duly reported in the historically reliable pages of the Bible.

I would like to leave you with this thought: More than 2000 times the Bible claims to be the Word of God. This can be seen in the historical records contained in scripture, by:

The Bible quoting the words of God directly: “Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.” (Genesis 6:13)

God speaking through the Old Testament prophets: “Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:9); “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:20-21);

God speaking through the teachings of the New Testament apostles and prophets: “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

As my friend, Bill Smith (2012) notes:

“Theorizing the existence of God from the Bible, while a dependent argument, is perhaps the most evidentially powerful of all. While it depends on proof that the Word of God is accurate, reliable, and divine – if these things are true – then the existence of the great God who spoke them is implied” (p. 1).

I hope your faith in God has been strengthened through this 11 lesson series we’ve shared together. I hope that you will continue to grow in your understanding of how science and nature—the very creation itself—as well as the human heart and intellect, and the historically accurate and reliable documents that we refer to as the Bible all provide evidence for the existence of the only true and living God, who not only created you, but who loves you desperately.

May you draw ever closer to Him day-by-day, as you draw closer to eternity with each passing day.

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Resources and References

Fairchild, M. (2012). Prophecies Jesus fulfilled: 44 prophecies of the Messiah fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Retrieved from the About.com Guide website at: http://christianity.about.com/od/biblefactsandlists/a/Prophecies-Jesus.htm

Humber, P.G. (2011). 400 prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament. Retrieved from the Associates for Biblical Research website at: http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2012/07/27/400-Prophecies-of-Christ-in-the-Old-Testament.aspx

Ross, H. (2012). Fulfilled prophecy: Evidence for the reliability of the Bible. Retrieved from the Reason to Believe website at: http://www.reasons.org/articles/articles/fulfilled-prophecy-evidence-for-the-reliability-of-the-bible

Smith, B. (2012). Argument by revelation – The bibliological argument. Retrieved from the knowtruth.com website at: http://www.knowtruth.com/god/existence/revelation_argument_1.php

Scripture taken from:

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Online Bible Study

The Bibliological Argument (3)

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