Should We Believe in Biblical Prophecies
Pray
Jesus, I am waiting expectantly for all the prophecies concerning You to be fulfilled. I am hopeful and confident in the future because I know that You are coming back and establishing Your Kingdom. And a place for me!
Amen.
Amen.
Read
Luke 24:44 (NIV)
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Reflect
How many prophecies can you think of that Jesus fulfilled?
Have you ever heard someone claim that they can predict the future? It seems like usually one of two things happens when we run into people like that. First, someone might give such a vague “prophecy” that it could be interpreted in many different ways and is likely to happen anyway. For example, someone might say, “I see happiness in your future” or “something good is going to happen to you soon.” It’s easy for this “prophecy” to come true because “something,” “good,” and “soon” are not specific and could easily “come true” coincidentally. Or, of course, most prophecies turn out to be just plain wrong.
Thankfully, the Bible’s track record with prophecies is infinitely better than the false prophecies the world offers. The Bible’s prophecies are specific enough that they are not likely to be a coincidence. Even better, most of them have already come to pass!
As we read through the Gospels, we see prophecy after prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. In Genesis 12:3, we read the prophecy that the Savior would come from the line of Abraham. In 2 Samuel 7:12-13, we learn that the Messiah would be an heir to King David’s throne and that He would reign forever. The prophet Micah named Bethlehem as the Messiah’s birthplace about 700 years before Jesus was born (Micah 5:2). Both Matthew and Luke confirm that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Further, the genealogies listed in these Gospels confirms that Jesus’ lineage can be traced back to King David and Abraham.
There were also many prophecies regarding His death. Zechariah 11:12-13 specifically mentions the Messiah being worth 30 pieces of silver which is the exact amount Judas betrayed Jesus for in Matthew 27:3. Psalm 22:16-18 predicts that His hands and feet would be pierced and that they would cast lots for His clothes which are all confirmed in the crucifixion accounts. In Isaiah 53:9, we read of how Jesus was meant to be buried with the criminals He died alongside but instead He was with a “rich man” in His death. This points to the Gospel accounts that Joseph of Arimathea donated his tomb and gave Jesus an honorable burial.
We could go on all day explaining prophecies that are ultimately fulfilled in Christ. But some prophecies are still unfulfilled. For example, prophecies declaring our hope that Jesus will return and establish His eternal kingdom. “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you...’ And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away (Isaiah 35:4,10).
Friends, we can believe the prophecies in the Bible. Scripture’s impeccable record of fulfilled prophecy should fill us with hope and expectation! Because most prophecies have already been fulfilled, we can take God at His Word that He is not finished fulfilling His Word yet. Jesus said all things concerning Himself must be fulfilled! We know He is coming back, just as He said: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3).
Have you ever heard someone claim that they can predict the future? It seems like usually one of two things happens when we run into people like that. First, someone might give such a vague “prophecy” that it could be interpreted in many different ways and is likely to happen anyway. For example, someone might say, “I see happiness in your future” or “something good is going to happen to you soon.” It’s easy for this “prophecy” to come true because “something,” “good,” and “soon” are not specific and could easily “come true” coincidentally. Or, of course, most prophecies turn out to be just plain wrong.
Thankfully, the Bible’s track record with prophecies is infinitely better than the false prophecies the world offers. The Bible’s prophecies are specific enough that they are not likely to be a coincidence. Even better, most of them have already come to pass!
As we read through the Gospels, we see prophecy after prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. In Genesis 12:3, we read the prophecy that the Savior would come from the line of Abraham. In 2 Samuel 7:12-13, we learn that the Messiah would be an heir to King David’s throne and that He would reign forever. The prophet Micah named Bethlehem as the Messiah’s birthplace about 700 years before Jesus was born (Micah 5:2). Both Matthew and Luke confirm that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Further, the genealogies listed in these Gospels confirms that Jesus’ lineage can be traced back to King David and Abraham.
There were also many prophecies regarding His death. Zechariah 11:12-13 specifically mentions the Messiah being worth 30 pieces of silver which is the exact amount Judas betrayed Jesus for in Matthew 27:3. Psalm 22:16-18 predicts that His hands and feet would be pierced and that they would cast lots for His clothes which are all confirmed in the crucifixion accounts. In Isaiah 53:9, we read of how Jesus was meant to be buried with the criminals He died alongside but instead He was with a “rich man” in His death. This points to the Gospel accounts that Joseph of Arimathea donated his tomb and gave Jesus an honorable burial.
We could go on all day explaining prophecies that are ultimately fulfilled in Christ. But some prophecies are still unfulfilled. For example, prophecies declaring our hope that Jesus will return and establish His eternal kingdom. “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you...’ And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away (Isaiah 35:4,10).
Friends, we can believe the prophecies in the Bible. Scripture’s impeccable record of fulfilled prophecy should fill us with hope and expectation! Because most prophecies have already been fulfilled, we can take God at His Word that He is not finished fulfilling His Word yet. Jesus said all things concerning Himself must be fulfilled! We know He is coming back, just as He said: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3).