Don't You Love It When A Plan Comes Together. Series

ILLUSTRATION:

The book The World's Worst Predictions lists some of history's all-time prophetic goof.

King George II said in 1773 that the American colonies had little stomach for revolution.

An official of the White Star Line, speaking of the firm's newly built flagship, the Titanic, launched in 1912, declared that the ship was unsinkable.

In 1939 The New York Times said the problem of TV was that people had to glue their eyes to a screen, and that the average American wouldn't have time for it.

An English astronomy professor said in the early 19th century that air travel at high speed would be impossible because passengers would suffocate.

The World's Worst Predictions.

Scripture Text:

2 Peter 1:19-21 (KJV)

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Some Bible scholars suggest there are more than 300 prophetic Scriptures completed in the life of Jesus.

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER!

I want to quickly go over just 10 out of the hundreds of Scriptures that talk about Gods' plan about Jesus Christ. This is a time table of the dates when the prophecy was foretold and when it was fulfilled. Listen to these:

1. Jesus was betrayed by a friend

Bible prophecy: Psalm 41:9

Prophecy written: About 1000 BC

Prophecy fulfilled: About 31 AD

Psalm 41:9:

Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

2. Zechariah foreshadowed the betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver

Bible prophecy: Zechariah 11:12-13

Prophecy written: Between 520 and 518 BC

Prophecy fulfilled: About 31 AD

Zechariah 11:12-13:

12 I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.

13 And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"-the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter.

3. Jesus was spat upon and beaten

Bible prophecy: Isaiah 50:6

Prophecy written: Between 701-681 BC

Prophecy fulfilled: About 31 AD

Isaiah 50:6:

I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.

4. God's servant would be silent before his accusers

Bible prophecy: Isaiah 53:7

Prophecy written: Between 701-681 BC

Prophecy fulfilled: About 31 AD

Isaiah 53:7:

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

5. God's servant would die for our sins

Bible prophecy: Isaiah 53:4-6

Prophecy written: Between 701-681 BC

Prophecy fulfilled: About 31 AD

Isaiah 53:4-6:

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

6. Zechariah foreshadowed the crucifixion of Jesus

Bible prophecy: Zechariah 12:10

Prophecy written: Between 520 and 518 BC

Prophecy fulfilled: About 31 AD

The Talmud, which offers Judaism-related commentary about various Old Testament passages, makes a very Christian-like assessment of the prophecy found in the book of Zechariah:

"What is the cause of the mourning (Zechariah 12:10)? It is well according to him who explains that the cause is the slaying of Messiah, the son of Joseph, as it is written, 'And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son.'" -Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah 52a.

Zechariah 12:10:

"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.

7. God's servant would be "numbered with the transgressors"