A Case for the Bible 101: Prophecy Fulfillment in the Bible

We have been laying out a “Case for the Bible” over the past few months and the evidence collection has been based on a question that many have posed: How do we know the Bible is the Word of God? You can be skeptical of the Bible, as I once was, but at some point, in light of the avalanche of evidence, you have to pause and ask yourself: Could it be true? If there is at least a 50/50 chance based on the evidence you’ve seen here that the Bible is the Word of God (and it’s so much more than that) don’t you owe it to yourself to consider it?

Some of the evidence we have looked at so far includes the following:

Physical Evidence:

• Consistent internal evidence of a cohesive historical document spanning roughly 1500 years of time with at least 40 authors from various walks of life yet a singular mega-theme runs through all of the 66 individual books
• Confirmation by both Christian and non-Christian scholars as a reliable and valid historical document of antiquity
• Deemed a literary masterpiece by both Christian and non-Christian scholars
• Supported by Jewish history that was well established centuries before the time of Jesus
• Strict Scribal copying rules (4000+) over the centuries that contributes to the accuracy of transmission
• Massive amounts of early manuscripts and fragments in the original languages available for comparison (over 25,000)
• Strong archeological support from over 25,000 finds confirming Biblical accounts, none ever discounting any Biblical record

Eyewitness accounts:

• Multiple eyewitness testimony reported in primary, first-hand accounts when critics could refute, and they did not
• Non-Christian testimony from historians and hostile witnesses that support the Biblical record
• Millions (maybe billions) of changed lives over the centuries evidenced in personal testimonies and experiences with Jesus through the Word of God

J. Warner Wallace, Cold-Case Homicide Detective and former atheist turned Christian Apologist says: “There is so much evidence for the reliability of the Bible that it is like death by 1000 paper cuts,” and this is exactly the type of evidence that he has successfully used in prosecuting and winning cold-cases in the span of his career.

In addition to an abundance of evidence in the above categories we have fulfilled prophecy. The evidence in this category is so overwhelming that even ardent atheists have been swayed. Nothing is more profound than Biblical prophecy and its fulfillment!

We learned last week that anyone can claim to have prophetic abilities, but those who do fall short when it comes to accuracy in their predictions and specific details of the fulfillments. This is not the case with the Bible.

The difference we find in the prophecies of the Bible is that they are always 100% accurate, none have failed!

Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; “I am” God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established and I will accomplish all My good pleasure;  -Isaiah 46: 9-10

There are basically three categories of Biblical prophecy: 1) Prophecy that was made and fulfilled within Old Testament times; 2) Messianic Prophecy that was made in Old Testament times and later fulfilled completely by Jesus; 3) Apocalyptic Prophecy that was made in both Old Testament and New Testament times that is specific to future events yet to come.

Here are just a few examples of prophecies fulfilled within the Old Testament times:

Here are some examples of Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  -”Matthew 5:17-18

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star (Jesus, Messiah) rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.  –2 Peter 1:19-21

Going Deeper:

Please watch this presentation by the late Nabeel Qureshi, who was in my view, one of the top Christian Apologists of our day, as he lays out an undeniably strong case for the Bible:

Additional Reference: “Jesus on Trial” by David Limbaugh

Reflection:

1. Write out two or three examples of Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in that era that you can commit to memory and share with someone.
2. Write out two or three examples of Messianic prophecy fulfilled in Jesus that you can commit to memory and share with someone.
3. Prayer focus—Thankfulness to God for all of the evidence He has provided so that we can be confident in the truth of our faith, and then pray for boldness to share with others.

Join us next week as we continue our Case for the Bible by looking at its “Scientific Authenticity.”

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com