The Proof Is In The Prophecy

How many prophecies do you think are in the Bible? A) 500 B) 1,000 C) 2,000 D) 2,500? J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy lists 1,239 prophecies in the Old Testament and 578 prophecies in the New Testament, for a total of 1,817. These encompass 8,352 verses. So, if you guessed C you guessed the closest to what one person has stated to be the correct number. Congratulations!

Jesus has fulfilled over 300 of those prophecies. Here are just a few from Rose Publishing’s pamphlet 100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus:

Jesus’ Birth:
He was born of a virgin—a seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—from the tribe of Judah—born in Bethlehem of Judea—from a birth line of King David—kings will bring the baby gifts and will bow down before him in worship—be a first born to be sacrificed—be a rod out of the stem of Jesse

Jesus’ Life and Ministry:
A messenger would be sent first to prepare the way (John the Baptist)—be rejected from his brethren—rulers take council against him—will be a rejected capstone—would reach out to the Gentiles as well—he will come riding on a donkey to Jerusalem—be a stumbling block for the Jews—make the deaf to hear and the blind to see—make an everlasting covenant—be a light to a dark world—would speak the words of God—be hated without reason—would come only to do the will of the Father—was anointed by God—would have a zeal for God’s house--would care for the needy—speak in parables—pray for his enemies—people’s hearts would harden from him—would minister in Zebulun, Naphtali, and Galilee—be healer and do miracles—be a shepherd who tends to his sheep—a redeemer out of Zion—preach to those that were captive—will dwell among his people—would establish a new priesthood

These are just a few from His birth and ministry that can be found in the Old Testament. Only through the study of all God’s Word have I discovered how His Words bring power to the foretelling of why we needed a Savior in the first place. It’s obvious that God provided His only Son, Jesus, who would become our sin who knew no sin.