One of the greatest proofs that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word of God, is the detailed fulfillment of biblical prophecies. Bible prophecies are often given with many significant details. Recently, while teaching Old Testament history, a fresh reminder of this was found in Ezra 1:2 where King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree allowing the Jews to go back and rebuild the Jerusalem temple. Cyrus said that the Lord had appointed him to build the temple in Jerusalem. How did he know that? It is highly probable that Daniel (his trusted official) had shown him Isaiah’s prophecy which is found in Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1-13. That prophecy was given 250 years prior to the days of Cyrus. The prophecy stated:
“IT IS I WHO SAYS OF CYRUS, HE IS MY SHEPHERD! AND HE WILL PERFORM MY DESIRE…AND OF THE TEMPLE, YOUR FOUNDATION WILL BE LAID. THUS SAYS THE LORD TO CYRUS HIS ANOINTED WHOM I HAVE TAKEN BY THE RIGHT HAND, TO SUBDUE NATIONS BEFORE HIM…THE LORD, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, WHO CALLS YOU BY YOUR NAME FOR 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.”
It is beyond amazing that the name Cyrus is given twice along with what he will do at God’s direction. And this was declared 250 years before the decree of Ezra 1. Those who deny the possibility of predictive prophecy have a terrible time with such precise predictions. But the all-knowing God has no problem with giving such details.
In stark contrast to this precise prophecy are the prophecies of Nostradomus, a much-quoted 16th century French physician and supposed prophet. He wrote about one thousand prophecies but they are so vague that interpreters can make them mean most anything. Allegedly he predicted some major world events, but it is the interpreters who have taken his very unclear statements and applied them to everything from the rise of Adolph Hitler to the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11th. But his prophecies are so unclear that one might find in them next year’s Super Bowl champion or the future price of eggs.
It is only the Sovereign Lord God who is all powerful and all knowing, who can have predictions made and then can bring them to pass. The Bible is filled with such prophecies, and it is encouraging for believers to be reminded of these prophecies which foretell events related to Jesus Messiah’s two comings and many other end time events. Consider the details of the following prophecies.
The Birthplace of Jesus Messiah. In Micah 5:2, the exact geographic location of the birth of Jesus was given. One might expect that the Messiah would be born in Jerusalem where many kings were born. Instead, He would be born in a little, unspectacular place called Bethlehem Ephrathah. This Bethlehem was five miles south of Jerusalem and was distinguished from a town called Bethlehem in the Galilee region. And like Israel’s great king David, Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah. What are the odds that Joseph and Mary from Nazareth in the north would venture south to this tiny village at just the right time on the calendar? This prophecy was written 750 years before the birth of Jesus.
Messiah is Both God and Man. Also in Micah 5:2, this One who will rule Israel would be both human and divine. His origin would be “from long ago, from the days of eternity.” These words together always speak of eternity past. So, the origin of the Messiah is not just Bethlehem, but He is from eternity past, which makes Him deity since only God is eternal (Ps. 90:2). Isaiah 9:6-7 also teaches that the Messiah would be both human and divine. Isaiah 9:6 states that a male child will certainly be born, who will rule Israel. He is of the Davidic line and will fulfill the covenant God made with King David. This One is also said to be deity, as is seen in the titles given to Him. He is wonderful counselor, a name only used by Isaiah of the Lord God. He is Mighty God, a term used in the next chapter (Isa. 10:21) for Jehovah. The term mighty God (el gibbor) is never used of man. (Note that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have no explanation for this name being assigned to the Child as well as to Jehovah). He is Eternal Father. Eternality is only true of God and not man. Furthermore, He will sit on the throne of David, thus fulfilling the Davidic covenant and His throne will be forever. The Rabbis have seen that the Messiah will evidence both deity and humanity but have mistakenly concluded that there are two messiahs, not just one.
The Substitutionary Work of Jesus Messiah. There is nothing quite like Isaiah’s prophecy of the substitutionary work of Messiah (the servant of the Lord). The details of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 are so clear that Jews today stay away from this passage because it obviously points to Jesus of Nazareth as being the Messiah. In a careful study of this passage, it becomes clear that the “servant of the Lord” is an individual and is not national Israel. Here are some of the details in these verses.
There would be nothing unusual about Him; plain, ordinary, nothing special.
He would be despised and rejected by His own countrymen.
Israel would reject Him and not believe Him (looking at His 1st coming).
He will be badly disfigured physically because of His sufferings.
His sufferings will lead to His death.
His sufferings will not be because of His own sins, but the sins of others.
He would remain silent when accused, voluntarily subjecting Himself.
His death would be substitutionary; spiritually healing others.
At death, he would not be buried with criminals, but with a rich man.
God planned it this way; His shed blood as the way to remove sin.
Despite Him dying, His days will be extended, looking at His resurrection.
He would be exalted after His sufferings.
Many will be justified because of His substitutionary death.
The many clear details given in this scripture gives the impression that the writer was an eyewitness to the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus, yet Isaiah wrote these words some 700 years before those.
The Sufferings of Jesus Messiah. Psalm 22 is perhaps the most famous of the messianic psalms. It was written by David, but the descriptions given of suffering do not fit David, but they do apply to Jesus. Here are some of those details.
Jesus’ cry from the cross: “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
He would be mocked and verbally abused by the evil men who surrounded Him and witnessed His sufferings.
His hands and His feet would be pierced, looking at crucifixion.
Many of His bones would be dislocated, which would have occurred when the cross was dropped violently into the ground.
His body would suffer from dehydration causing thirst and other physical manifestations.
He would be tormented with great cruelty.
His clothing would be divided up by casting lots by those tormenting Him.
After His sufferings and death, He would glorify God (implying resurrection).
Jesus Messiah’s Entrance into Jerusalem. Zechariah 9:9 is quoted by the gospel writers as they record Jesus’ “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem just days before His crucifixion. Unlike the usual displays by conquering kings, Israel’s king will come humbly on the foal of a donkey. At His first coming, Jesus officially presented Himself to Israel by fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. Israel’s leaders did understand what Jesus was claiming but rejected Him. It is worth observing that Zechariah 9:10 which speaks of His ruling the world at His 2nd coming is not mentioned.
The Virgin Birth of Jesus Messiah. When evil King Ahaz of Judah refused Isaiah’s offer for a sign which would assure him that the Davidic line would not be cut off (something he was worried about because of threats from other nations), Isaiah withdrew the offer. Instead, Isaiah addressed the house of David and gave it a sign. The supernatural sign would be that a virgin would conceive and bear a son. (It is hardly a sign that a girl would become pregnant!!!). This one, however, would become pregnant and yet she would still be a virgin. How can a virgin be pregnant and still be a virgin? She can’t. Only the supernatural working of the Creator God could perform such a thing. And, of course, that is what took place when Mary became pregnant apart from any human man being involved. This great supernatural sign was fulfilled exactly as Isaiah prophesied.
Etc. Etc. Etc. Dozens and dozens of other passages speak distinctly and forcibly about what is to come. Perhaps for another day and another article.
WHAT LIES AHEAD. We can be sure that biblical prophecies which have yet to be fulfilled will be just as exacting in their fulfillment. Just a few examples should encourage us and reinforce the certainty of what is to come.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-17. The next event will be the Rapture of the Church. Believers will suddenly and supernaturally be “snatched” up to meet Jesus in the air (not on the earth). He will then take us to the “Father’s house”, where the marriage of the Lamb will take place. In heaven this fabulous marriage will be preceded by the church being rewarded.
EZEKIEL 38 and 39. Six nations are identified as invading Israel to destroy and plunder God’s people after they have returned to the Land. God will intervene powerfully and eliminate this enemy which will cause Israel to begin their spiritual restoration back to the Lord their God (Ezek. 39:22).
MATTHEW 23:39. A future generation of Israelites will finally place their faith in Jesus as Messiah (during the Tribulation). This is the one prerequisite for Jesus’ 2nd coming. The salvation of national Israel will take place.
MATTHEW 25:31. When will Jesus reign? He answers this question by linking His rule to His 2nd coming. When He comes in all His glory accompanied by a group of mighty angels, then He will establish His throne. The sequence of events is clear. He returns and then He reigns. So His rule is yet to come and is not currently going on. We can be sure that just as the detailed biblical prophecies surrounding His 1st coming were exactly fulfilled, so will be the ones yet unfulfilled. There is much for us to look forward to. Praise the Lord.
