The Days Of Noah - Birth Pains For The End Times Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

CrossWay Christian Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD

www.mycrossway.org

Why Prophecy?

Although prophecy constitutes almost one-third of the Bible, its importance is constantly downplayed by those who dismiss it as having no practical significance or by those who object to it on the grounds that it is a “fad” that takes people’s eyes off Jesus.

knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. (2 Peter 3:3–7)

The Bible is a prophetic book and it is a book about Jesus, which includes his first coming and his second coming.

J. Barton Payne, has found as many as 574 verses in the Old Testament that somehow point to or describe or reference the coming Messiah. Alfred Edersheim found 456 Old Testament verses referring to the Messiah or His times. Conservatively, Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies in His earthly ministry. For Jesus to fulfill just 10 of these prophecies about him is 10/17th power!

Silver Dollar Illustration

Yet he fulfilled all prophecies pertaining to his first coming perfectly!

Here is a list of important Messianic prophecies that Jesus fulfilled.

Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem. (See Micah 5:2; fulfilled in Matt. 2:1-7; John 7:42; Luke 2:4-7)

Messiah is to be preceded by a Messenger. (See Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; fulfilled in Matthew 3:1-3; 11:10; John 1:23; Luke 1:17)

Messiah is to enter Jerusalem on a donkey. (See Zechariah 9:9; fulfilled in Luke 35-37; Matthew 21:6-11)

Messiah is to be betrayed by a friend. (See Psalms 41:9; 55:12-14; fulfilled in Matthew 10:4; 26:49-50; John 13:21)

Messiah is to be sold for 30 pieces of silver. (See Zechariah 11:12; fulfilled in Matthew 26:15; 27:3)

The money for which Messiah is sold is to be thrown “to the potter” in God’s house. (See Zechariah 11:13; fulfilled in Matthew 27:5-7)

Messiah is to be born of a virgin. (See Isaiah 7:14; fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-2:1; Luke 1:26-35)

Messiah is to be hated without cause. (See Isaiah 49:7; Psalm 69:5; fulfilled in John 15:24-25)

Messiah is to be silent before His accusers. (See Isaiah 53:7; fulfilled in Matthew 27:12)

Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion, by having His hands and feet pierced. (See Psalm 22:16; fulfilled in John 19:28)

Messiah is to be given vinegar to quench His thirst. (See Psalm 69:21; fulfilled in Matthew 27:34)

Messiah is to be executed without having a bone broken. (See Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:21; fulfilled in John 19:33-36)

Messiah is to be buried with the rich when dead. (See Isaiah 53:9; fulfilled in Matthew 27:57-60)

Messiah is to be raised from the dead. (See Isaiah 53:9-10; Psalm 2:7; 16:10; fulfilled in Matthew 28:1-20; Acts 2:23-36;13;33-37; 1 Corinthians 11:4-6)

Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion as a thief. (See Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 53:5, 12; fulfilled in Luke 23:33; John 20:25; Matthew 27:38; Mark 5:27, 28)

The fulfillment of these prophecies speaks to the authority of Scripture. If we can trust and know that Jesus fulfilled every prophecy concerning his second coming, then why do we doubt the prophecies concerning his second coming? In fact, there are more prophecies concerning his second coming than his first in the Old Testament.

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:12–14)

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7–11)