(If it misses—it’s a lie)
Prophets, to be legitimate, must stand the test of time. If the prophet was not completely correct 100% of the time he is a false prophet. Prophecy, to be valid, must predate the event; must be precise enough so as to not be vague; must have enough events described to be beyond human ability to calculate or manipulate; in other words not be something that man could do, without God’s guidance.
Only God knows the future. He is able to "call the things that are not, as though they were" (Romans 4:17). He declares "the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done." (Isaiah 46:10; Acts 15:18).
There are about 1,000 prophecies altogether in the Bible --- some 800 in the Old Testament and about 200 in the New Testament.
Here is a short list of some of the fulfilled prophecies by none other than Jesus Christ. Notice that each prophecy is fulfilled LITERALLY. There are none that are vague, mystified, or spiritualized in their fulfillment:
>Born of a virgin—Isaiah 7:4 (fulfilled—Matthew 1:18, 24, 25)
>The seed of Abraham—Genesis 22:18(fulfilled—Luke 3:34)
>A teacher of parables—Psalm 78:2 (fulfilled—Matthew 13:34)
>Betrayed by a friend—Psalm 41:9 (fulfilled—Matthew 10:4)
>Silent before his accusers—Psalm 35:11 (fulfilled—Matthew 27:12)
>Wounded and bruised—Isaiah 53:5 fulfilled—Matthew 27:26)
Smitten and spit upon—Isaiah 50:6 (fulfilled—Matthew 26:67)
>Crucified with thieves—Isaiah 53:12 (fulfilled—Matthew 27:38)
>Hated without a cause—Psalm 69:4 (fulfilled—John 15:25)
>People shook their heads—Psalm 109:25 (fulfilled—Matthew 27:39)
>Garments parted and lots cast—Psalm 22:18 (fulfilled—John 19:23, 24)
>To suffer thirst—Psalm 22:15 (fulfilled—John 19:28)
Offered gall and vinegar—Psalm 69:21 (fulfilled—Matthew 27:34)
>Side was pierced—Zechariah 12:10 (fulfilled—John 19:34)
>Committed himself to God—Psalm 31:5 (fulfilled—Luke 23:46)
>Bones not broken—Psalm 34:20 (fulfilled—John 19:33)
>Buried in a rich man’s tomb—Isaiah 53:9 (fulfilled—Matthew 27:57-60)
>There was darkness over the land—Amos 8:9 (fulfilled—Matthew 27:45).
This is only a partial list of some 300 prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ life on earth. How could all of these prophecies be so accurate? The Apostle Peter informs us that the writers of the Old Testament spoke as they were moved by the Spirit or power of God.
The most important of these end-time prophecies is the re-establishment of Israel as a nation in it’s ancient homeland. That a nation could be completely destroyed as an organized entity by an invading army (by the Romans in 70 AD), it’s people either slaughtered or scattered from one end of the world to the other, it’s lands occupied and ruled by aliens for over 1900 years. Yet Israel survived as a distinct nationality, and then finally regained its homeland and became recognized as a viable nation once more by the other nations of the world.
Seems impossible? Even so, it was predicted to happen many centuries before it happened. Jesus Himself predicted the fall of Jerusalem in Luke 19:43-44, "The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you."
Deuteronomy 28:64 prophesies "Then the Lord will scatter you among the nations from one end of the earth to the other." Jesus again predicts in Luke 21:24, "They will fall by the sword and will be taken prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled.".
The Jews began to return to Palestine in small numbers in the early part of the twentieth century, and then in much larger numbers after World War I. After World War II the Israeli nation was re-established in part in 1948, and in 1967 in the "six-day war" Israel recaptured the "old city" of Jerusalem. Amazingly, Jerusalem is now completely under Jewish control, except for one spot. This is on Mount Moriah where the Arabs have built their famous Dome-of-the-Rock, the second most holy place in the Muslim world. The Jews for political or other reasons have not yet dared to expel the Arabs from this site, raze it, and proceed to rebuild their temple, as they must want to do.
The Bible says that in the last days -
(a) the Jews will return to the land of Israel;
(b) Israel will become a nation again;
(c) Jerusalem will be freed from its enemies.
(a) The Jews were scattered throughout the world in A.D. 70. From that time, for nearly 2000 years, they have had no country of their own. But in our day we have seen them going back to the land of Israel and so fulfilling Bible prophecy.
"For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith me Lord: arid I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it" (Jeremiah 30:3).
(b) In May 1948, in spite of bitter opposition from the Arabs, and against all odds, the State of Israel was set up, and Israel took its place among the nations of the world. God had said long ago through the prophet Ezekiel that this would happen.
’’Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel" (Ezekiel 37:21,22).
(c) Jerusalem is now the capital city of the Jews. Read the words of Jesus in Luke 21:24, which tell of the scattering of the Jews. Notice that Jesus says that Jerusalem will be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Please Note:
1. Israel is the focus of the end times, not the present church: During the Church age there are three classes of people: Jews, Gentiles, and the Church (1 Corinthians 10:32). Within the Church, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. During the tribulation however, God’s focus will be on the nation of Israel. God will deal with Israel as Gabriel said in Daniel 9:24 "Seventy weeks (of years) are determined upon thy people ...." That is, Daniel’s people, Israel. In Revelation chapter 7, the 144,000 are all chosen from the people of Israel, and their tribes are listed. In chapter 11:7-8 the two witnesses are martyred in Jerusalem. In Revelation 12:6, the woman that flees into the wilderness for 1260 days represents Israel in the great tribulation. These are just some of the reasons we know Israel is at the center of God’s plan. The present, predominantly Gentile church and the doctrines concerning it were a mystery unknown to the Jews throughout the first 69 weeks. We therefore must be removed prior to the beginning of the 70th week, which is determined upon the nation of Israel (Daniel 9:24).
2. The tabernacle of David: Referring to Peter’s visit to the house of Cornelius, James said, "... God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down ..." (Acts 15:14-16). After what? After God takes out of the Gentiles "a people for his name" (The Church).
3. The fulness of the Gentiles: After discussing the analogy of the good olive tree and the wild olive tree, Paul reveals the mystery in Romans 11:25-26, "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved ...." Once again we see that it is not until after the translation of the Church that God resumes his program with the nation of Israel.
4. We do not know the day of the rapture. We will not know the date, but we are told to watch (1 Thessalonians 5:2 and 6) and know the general time of the end. There is no warning for the rapture. However, Daniel 9:27 tells us that the second coming is seven years after the Antichrist makes his covenant with Israel and three and a half years after he breaks the covenant.
5. The Spirit of God: Paul told the Thessalonians, "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let (hinder), until he be taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). Who do the Thessalonians know that is powerful enough to hold back Satan? This has to be the Holy Ghost. God will catch away all Holy Ghost filled Christians and He will also remove His hand from the powers of evil in this world, making way for the great deception and the kingdom of those inspired by the AntiChrist spirit.
The events of the war between the Jews and the Romans and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD were not the fulfillment of the events described in Revelation. The seven seals, the seven trumpets, the seven bowls of wrath, and the abomination of desolation are all yet to take place in the future tribulation, which will be the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:24-27).
6. There will be a literal seven-year tribulation. The last half of it will be the great tribulation. History has shown that God reveals His prophecies literally. Examples of literally fulfilled prophecies include the rise and fall of the Medo-Persian and Greek empires, the destruction of the city of Tyre, the temple being destroyed and rebuilt several times, dozens of events in the life of Jesus Christ, and many other prophecies. There will also be a literal tribulation of seven years on earth. In Daniel 9:24-27, the angel Gabriel told Daniel that 69 weeks of years after the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem is given, the Messiah would be crucified. Since God expressed this prophecy in years of 360 days, this is 69 times 7, or 483 years of 360 days each. The commandment Gabriel spoke of was given by King Artaxerxes about 100 years later in 445 BC (Nehemiah 2:1-8). Moving forward 69 weeks of 360-day years from the 445 BC date, this brings us to the early spring of 32 AD, when Jesus Christ was crucified. This prophecy also reveals that the 70th week will begin when the Antichrist makes his seven-year treaty with Israel and the surrounding nations, and that the Antichrist would break the treaty at the midpoint of the seven years. The last three and one half years are called the great tribulation. Its length is one half of a seven year period (Daniel 9:27), and "a time, times, and an half" (Daniel 12:7). Taking a "time" to be a year and "times" to be two years, this gives three and one half years. Revelation further describes the length of the second half of the tribulation week as 1260 days (Revelation 12:6) and 42 months (Revelation 13:5). Since God gave us the duration in four different units of time (days, months, years, and weeks of years), can there be any doubt how long it will last? Also, since God fulfilled the first 69 weeks of years literally, we know that He will do the same with the 70th week of years.
What Jesus says will LITERALLY take place in the End Times:
Jesus came out and departed from the temple. His disciples came to him to show Him the building of the temple how it was adorned with beautiful stones and decorations. One of His two disciples said
"Teacher see what manner of stones!" "What buildings are here!"
Jesus said "Do you not see all these things, these great buildings. I say to you not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."
Now as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately.
"Tell us when will these things be? And what will be the signs of your coming and the end of the world?"
"Take heed that you be not deceived. For many will come in My name saying ’I am He, I am the Christ’ and will deceive many."
"The time has drawn near. Therefore do not follow after them.
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars and commotion’s do not be terrified; all things must come to pass but the end is not yet.
Nation will rise against nation,
Kingdom against kingdom,
There will be pestilence’s,
Earthquakes,
Troubles,
Fearful sights.
Great signs from heaven.
These are the beginnings of sorrows (birth pangs)
Before all these things,
Watch out for yourselves! They will lay hands on you,
They will deliver you up to tribulation,
Persecute you
Kill you.
They will deliver you up to synagogues, councils and prisons.
You will be beaten in synagogues.
You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake for a testimony against them.
When arrested do not worry what you will speak. Do not plan your defense. I will give you a mouth and wisdom which your adversaries cannot withstand. It is not you but the Holy Spirit who will speak.
You will be betrayed by parents, relatives and friends!
Brother will betray brother to death.
Father will betray child to death.
Children will rise up against parents causing them to be put to death.
They will send some of you to your death.
You will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
Then many will be offended, betray one another and will hate one another.
But not a hair of your head shall be lost!
He who endures to the end shall be saved. In your patience possess your souls.
Then many false prophets will rise up to deceive many. Lawlessness will abound. The love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
This gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all the world as a witness to all nations, then the end will come.
When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies the desolation is near, therefore when you see the abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, those on the housetop take nothing out of the house.
Let those in the field not go back to the house for clothes.
Woe to those who are pregnant, those who are nursing babies, pray that your flight may not be in winter, or on the Sabbath.
Those in Jerusalem depart.
Those outside do not enter.
These are the days of vengeance that all things which are written may be fulfilled. For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and will be led away captive into all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled by gentiles until the time of the gentiles are fulfilled.
For in those days there will be tribulation such as has not been from the beginning of creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.
Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
Then should anyone say to you
‘Look, here is the Christ! Look, He is there!’
Do not believe it.
For false Christ’s and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible even the elect.
Take heed, see I have told you all things beforehand.
Therefore if they say to you
‘Look, he is in the desert!’
Do not go out. Or
‘Look, he is in the inter rooms!’
Do not believe it.
For as the lighting comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
For wherever the carcass is there the eagles will be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation
the sun will be darkened, (Remember –LITERALLY)
the moon will not give its light,
stars will fall from heaven for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, in the stars and on earth distress of nations, with perplexity the seas and waves roaring;
Peoples hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth.
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming on (in) the clouds of heaven with great power and great glory.
He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they will gather together His elect (chosen ones) from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.
Now when these things began to happen,
Look up! Lift up your heads! Because your salvation draws near!
Look at the fig tree and all the trees when they are budding and putting forth leaves.
You know for yourselves that summer is now near.
So you likewise, when you see these things happening, know He is near, at the very door. Assuredly I say to you this generation (who see these things LITERALLY happen) will by no means pass away till all things are fulfilled, till all these things take place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only My Father.
Take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighted down with carousing, drunkenness and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man.
Take heed, watch and pray for you do not know when the time is.
It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming;
In the evening? At midnight? At the crowing of the rooster? Or in the morning?
Lest, suddenly, he find you sleeping!
What I say to you, I say to all:
Watch!
As the days of Noah were, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man.
For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the art, and did not know until the flood came and took the all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ’which’ He said, ’you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (Again—LITERALLY) (Acts 2:38)!
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’
And He said to them, ’It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven".
Acts 1:6-11
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 which have not been done,
Saying, My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure."
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