This page is courtesy of Jesus Plus Nothing Ministries in New Zealand. They have much more information on their site along with several very good Bible studies.
God's Fingerprints
Prophecy - The Bible Is
Filled With It - 100% Accurate and Precise - Still Happening
Is there anyway of knowing who the true God
is?
Is there anyway of knowing whether the Bible is the word of God?
Are we simply to accept these things 'by faith' without any evidence?
For God to be God, He must know all things. That's obvious. That includes everything that has happened, is happening, and most incredibly, what will happen in the future. The God of the Bible says this about Himself -
Isaiah 46:9-10 'I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'
So not only does the God of the Bible know all things, but He has chosen to make known to us, through the Bible, what is still to come! In fact, even more than that, the God of the Bible CHALLENGES any so-called 'gods' to do the same!!!
Isaiah 41:21-23 “Present your case,” says the LORD. “Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King. “Bring in your idols to tell us what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come, tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods.'
Jehovah, the God of the Bible issues this challenge because He knows that there are no other Gods. He alone is God, and therefore, it stands to reason, that He alone is the only one who could accurately and consistently declare the end from the beginning! In view of this, it should not surprise us to learn that there are no detailed prophecies in the Koran (Islam's holy book), the Hindu Vedas, the book of Mormon, or the sayings of Buddha. The reason being that it is impossible to consistently and accurately predict specific future events unless you are God! Yet 30% of the entire Bible is devoted to prophecy of what is to come!
So let's examine some of the different prophecies contained in
the Bible. This will be split up into the following categories: prophecies of
the Messiah, prophecies concerning Israel, and prophecies concerning the
conditions in the last days.
No prophecy foretold the coming of Buddha, Confucius or Muhammad. Yet there are hundreds concerning Jesus Christ, the Messiah. All of these prophecies were fulfilled in the life and death or Jesus Christ. Please also remember that all of the Old Testament prophecies (in red) were spoken, and recorded, hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth.
1. Be Born in Bethlehem
Old Testament Prophecy: Micah 5:2 'But you, Bethlehem, though you are
small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be
ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old.'
New Testament Fulfilment: Matt 2:1 'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea...'
2. Preceded by a messenger
Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 40:3 'The voice of him that cries in the
wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness a
highway for our God.'
New Testament Fulfilment Matt 3:1-2 'In those days came John the Baptist, preaching
in the wilderness of Judea, and saying Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.'
3. Enter Jerusalem on a colt
Old Testament Prophecy: Zech 9:9 'Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion; shout, O
daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King comes to you... humble riding on a
donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'
New Testament Fulfilment Luke 19:35 'They bought it to Jesus, and they threw their
coats on the colt and they put Jesus on it.'
4. Be Betrayed by a friend
Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 41:9 'Yes, my own friend in whom I trusted, which
did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.'
New Testament Fulfilment Matt 26:47-50 'And while he spoke, Judas, one of the
twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords... Now he that betrayed
him gave them a sign, saying, Whosoever I shall kiss, that same is he; hold him
fast... and Jesus said unto him, 'Friend, why have you come?'
5. Have his hands and feet pierced
Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 22:16 'The assembly of the wicked have enclosed
me. They have pierced my hands and my feet.'
New Testament Fulfilment Luke 23:33 'And when they came to the place, which is
called Calvary, there they crucified him and the criminals, one on the right and
the other on the left.'
6. Be wounded and whipped by his enemies
Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 53:5 'But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon him
and by his stripes we are healed.'
New Testament Fulfilment Matt 27:26 'Then they released Barabbas unto them and when
he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.'
7. Be sold for thirty pieces of silver
Old Testament Prophecy: Zech 11:12 'And I said to him, If you think it is good
in your sight, give me my wages... So they weighed out thirty pieces of silver
for my price.'
New Testament Fulfilment Matt 26:15 'What will you give me if I deliver him unto
you? And they agreed with him for thirty pieces of silver.'
8. Be spit upon and beaten
Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 50:6 'I gave my back to the smiters, and my
cheeks to them that plucked out my hair: I did not hide my face from the shame
and spitting.'
New Testament Fulfilment Matt 26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and hit him;
and others smote him with the palms of their hands
9. The betrayal money thrown in the temple and used for a
potters field
Old Testament Prophecy: Zech 11:13 'And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the
potter that magnificent price at which I was valued by them. So I took the
thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord.'
New Testament Fulfilment Matt 27:5-7 'And he threw the pieces of silver into the
temple... And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter's
field as a burial place for strangers.'
This is a remarkable prophecy for it is God who says 'Cast it to the
potter that magnificent (sarcasm!) price at which they valued me...' How could
man put a price on God? It doesn't make sense until God Himself, Jesus Christ,
came to earth and was valued and betrayed for exactly 30 pieces of silver!
10. Cast lots for Jesus' clothing
Old Testament Prophecy: Psalm 22:18 'They divide my garments among them, and for
my clothing they cast lots.'
New Testament Fulfilment Matt 27:35 'And when they had crucified Him, they divided
up His garments among themselves by casting lots.'
Statisticians have calculated that for all of the above prophecies to be fulfilled in one person it is a combined probability of One chance in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000! And this is limiting ourselves to just these 10 prophecies! Jesus claimed to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament Messianic prophecies, and now we have seen that His life and death did accurately fulfill these prophecies made hundreds of years before.
1. Disobedience would lead to the nation of
Israel being scattered amongst all nations.
Deut 28:64 'Then the LORD will scatter you among
all nations, from one end of the earth to the other.'
See also Lev 26:33, Jer 9:16, Ezek 12:15. In all, 6 different books of the Bible
predict the scattering of Israel amongst all the nations of the earth. History
records this being fulfilled in 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman
Empire and the remaining Jews were scattered amongst the nations.
2. No rest for their souls while in exile
amongst the nations
Deut 28:65-66 Among those nations you will find no
repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you
an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. You will live
in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your
life.
For nearly 2000 years following the destruction
in 70AD, the 'wandering Jew' has lived without a homeland, subject to the
strongest racial prejudice and torment suffered by any people group. From the
day they were scattered to the day Hitler devised his 'final solution to the Jewish
problem', this prophecy spoken by Moses has sadly been fulfilled.
3. God himself would restore the Jews to the land of Israel
from all the nations
Jer 16:14-16 However, the days are coming,"
declares the LORD, "when men will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD
lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As
surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the
north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ For I will
restore them to the land I gave their forefathers.
In all, 13 books of the Bible speak of the nation of Israel being
restored in their land from the nations in which they were scattered. This
prophecy became history in 1948 when the United Nations granted a homeland to
the Jewish people and the nation of Israel was reborn! See also Jer 3:14,
31:8-9, Isa 60:8-9, Deut 30:3, Amos 9:15.
4. The desolate land of Israel
would again blossom and be fruitful in the last days.
Zech 7:14 I
scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were
strangers. The land was left so desolate behind them that no one could come or
go. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.
History records that while the Jewish
people were exiled amongst many nations, the land of Israel was a barren desert.
See also Lev 26:14, Ezek 15:8, Jer 9:12-13, 23:10, 44:22, Isa 32:13
Isa 27:6 In
the days to come, Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill the
world with fruit.
This is exactly the case today! Not only
has God bought the Jewish people back into their land like He said He would in
the last days, but He has also blessed the land so that they now export flowers
and fruit around the world! Satellite photos show the green pastures of the
nation of Israel, in sharp contrast with the surrounding desert lands of the
Arab nations. See also Isa 35:1, Ezek 36:35.
5. God Himself would defend Israel and cause Israel to be
mighty in battle
Zech 12:8 On that day
the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among
them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel
of the LORD going before them.
Taken in context, this verse speaks about
God defending Israel in a battle to come in the last days. Have we not seen this
miraculously occur several times since Israel became a nation again in 1948? They
have been greatly outnumbered in key Arab-Israeli wars in 1948, 1967, and 1973.
Yet Israel exists! God has seen to that!
6. In the last days, Jerusalem
would be a burden to the entire world.
Zech 12:2-3 Behold, I
will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about... And
in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that
burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces.
Turn on your TV and watch the news. What
nation and what city would you most likely expect to see? Israel and Jerusalem!
Today, Jerusalem is a burden that causes trembling for all the nations just as
God foretold. What makes this prophecy even more remarkable is that when the
prophet Zechariah spoke these words around 520BC, Jerusalem lay in ruins. But
God said it would become the focus of the world's attention! Today, Israel has
0.01% of the worlds population, yet 33% of the United Nations resolutions have
been passed concerning her!
7. In the end, all nations shall come against Israel.
Zech 14:2 I will
gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be
captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped.
Apart from the USA, Israel has few
allies. In a recent conference on racism in South Africa, the Israeli and United
States delegates were forced to walk out as the other participating nations
vented their anger towards Israel and tried to declare it a racist state. One
day, the Bible predicts, she will have no allies, and all nations shall be gathered against
her. The TV news will show you that we are on the road towards that battle. But
if the odds seem a little uneven, please read the next prophecy that the Bible
predicts...
8. God Himself, Jesus Christ, will return and fight for
Israel against the attacking nations.
Zech 14:3-4 Then the
LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of
battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of
Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west,
forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving
south.
You may have heard of this battle to
come. It's called the battle of Armageddon because of the location where the
nations assemble themselves before attacking. The book of Revelation puts it
like this...
Rev 16:14-16 They are
spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of
the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God
Almighty... Then they gathered the kings together to the place that
in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
Revelation also prophecies the return of Jesus
Christ on this day saying...
Rev 19:11 I saw heaven standing
open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and
True. With justice he judges and makes war.
9. The nation of Israel will finally recognize that Jesus
was their Messiah, whom they crucified!
Zech 12:9-10 On that
day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. And I will
pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of
grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and
they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for
him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
What a day that will be! Even though the
Bible predicted that the Messiah would die, and have His feet and hands pierced,
the nation of Israel has, for the last 2000 years, hardened their heart and not
believed that Jesus was their Messiah. At the time of the end, they will again
look to the one whom they pierced and oh how great the mourning and sadness will
be on that day for what they did! Yet Jesus will pour out His grace upon Israel!
10. God will judge the nations depending upon their
treatment of the Jewish people.
Joel 1:1-2 In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations
and divided up my land.
Today we live in an age where we hear all
the time about a 'Middle-East peace process'. It essentially comes down to
'Israel give up more of your land and we won't send as many suicide bombers into
your cities...' It seems everyone wants a slice of Jerusalem for themselves. For
this, and the world's repeated and continual abysmal treatment of the Jewish
people, the judgment of God will come.
These prophecies are not vague like
Nostradamus or modern day 'so-called' psychics. They are detailed and specific
in their application. Time and space does not permit us to go into the many
other prophecies concerning the nation of Israel. Yet such things as a false
peace, the rebuilding of the third Jewish temple, and a coming great persecution
of the Jewish people under a world leader have all been prophesied. It will all
take place because God has said it.
1. An increase in disasters,
plagues and wars
Matt 24:3-7 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: '...You will
hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be
famines and earthquakes in various places.
That our generation has seen a marked
increase in famines and earthquakes has been thoroughly documented. The word
'nation' in this passage can also be translated 'ethnic group'. Again, even
within nations there has been a great increase in the unrest between races. See
also Revelation chapter 6.
2. A rise in false religious
leaders, deception and those claiming to be Christ.
Matt 24:4-5 Jesus
answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my
name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
Again, our generation has seen a flood of
guru's and so-called Christ's invade our culture as the west has opened itself
up to Hinduism in the form of the New Age.
3. A falling away from the
true faith in Jesus Christ.
Matt
24:10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate
each other.
2 Thes 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (the day of the Lord -
God's judgment upon the earth) will not come unless the apostasy (a falling away
from the faith) comes first.
It is sad to see, but our
generation has seen a great move away from Biblical Christianity, in favour of
ecumenicalism and unity with all faiths. This is setting the scene for the one
world religion which will occur in the last days and is a direct result of the
deception prophesied about and mentioned above.
4. An explosion in knowledge and travel.
Daniel 12:4 But you,
Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many
shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
This increase in knowledge is occurring
now at an exponential rate. The internet has played a large role in this. We now play God with the very genes and DNA that
make us human. Surely Jesus will have to return soon, for where will this lead
if left in the hands of a fallen creation?
5. Increase in wickedness and a decrease in
morals.
Matt 24: 12 Because of the increase of wickedness,
the love of most will grow cold.
Matt 24:37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son
of Man.
Luke 17:28-30 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot... Even so will it be
in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
The days of Noah were known for their wickedness and violence (Gen 6:5). The days
of Lot, living in Sodom and Gomorrah
were known for the homosexuality that occurred. (Gen 19) We see both increasing
today with parades to openly display and flaunt their wickedness.
6. General signs concerning the condition of the
human heart.
2 Tim 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days
perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of
good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of
God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
The Bible says that in the last days humanity will love themselves, money, and pleasure... but not God! - In our
age, self-esteem and loving yourself is in... boasting and pride is promoted!
Family life is breaking down as people are becoming more disobedient towards
parents, unthankful, unloving, and unforgiving.
7. God's people will be persecuted,
hated and killed.
Matt 24:9
Then you will be handed over to be
persecutedJ)">
and put to death,K)">
and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
A recent report on persecution stated that more Christians were
martyred in the 20th century than in all previous centuries
combined... and the 21st century has started of worse still! Another
recent report researched 33 countries and reported that 75% of all
religious persecution is against Christians! Unfortunately it will
only increase.
8. The emergence of a world leader.
Rev 13:3-8 The whole world was astonished and
followed the beast (the Antichrist, who will rule the world)... and they also
worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war
against him?" And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language
and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose
names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was
slain from the creation of the world.
Listen to the world leaders today as they speak of the 'New World Order'.
See the unification that is occurring within Europe and other nations. Even
non-Christians can see that we are heading for a one world government. This is
what the Bible predicted nearly 2000 years ago. This government will be given
into the hands of the most wicked man this world has ever known.
9. A global financial system and the mark of the beast!
Rev 13:16,17 He (the antichrist) also forced
everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on
his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he
had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
What was an absurd impossibility 2000 years ago, is rapidly becoming
reality today. Does anyone really doubt that this is where we are going with
today's technology? We already place microchips in our cats and dogs to give
them a unique identifier. If we are to have a one world government, then what
better way to control the people than to control all finance and trade? It is a
clear sign of the age in which we live that we now have the technology to
control finance in this way.
10. A mocking of Jesus' return and
the signs of His coming
2 Peter 3:3-4
Above all, you
must understand that in the last daysE)">
scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.F)">
They will say,
“Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?G)">
Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the
beginning of creation.”H)">
The last sign could well be the saddest. The Apostle Peter tells us
that despite the signs that are clearly seen, people will scoff and
mock at the thought that the end of the age and the return of Jesus
are coming. They prefer just to believe that everything will carry on
as it always has. I trust and hope that you, having read the key Bible
prophecies listed on this page, take these things seriously and are
not among those that mock.
We started by showing the challenge that the God of the Bible issues for all other 'gods' - that is, to accurately predict the things which will take place in the future. And they can't! No other religion would dare to base it's validity on the basis of repeated and accurate predictions. Yet the Bible is full of prophecy from the first book to the last!
If you are looking for proof of God or the Bible,
here it is! All the prophecies that I have mentioned above have either already
taken place, or are heading in that direction in our age. It can only be
explained by this - that the God of the Bible is the true God and He has given
enough evidence for those who truly want to find the truth!