Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Part 4 – Internal Evidences – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy For centuries the Jews awaited the coming Messiah (anointed one) The Hebrew “Messiah” is equivalent to the Greek “Christ” The Jews were expectantly awaiting the Messiah because of the large number of prophecies concerning Him Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Isaiah 53 The complete text of Isaiah was found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, and that text is dated at 100 BC The Dead Sea Scrolls find is very significant because it establishes that the Old Testament has come to us unchanged through the years Isaiah was completed long before Jesus came into existence on earth Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Isaiah 53 has a number of predictions He would not be outstanding in appearance (vs. 2) He would be a man of sorrow (vs. 3) He would bear our griefs and sorrows (vs. 4) He would be pierced through for our sins (vs. 5) God has caused the iniquity of all to fall on Him (vs. 6) He would not try to defend Himself against His accusers (vs. 7) Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Isaiah 53 predictions continued He would be put to death for the sins of God’s people (vs.8) His grave was assigned to be with the wicked, yet He would be with a rich man in His death (vs. 9) He would be offered as a guilt offering, yet would see His offspring and prolong His days (vs. 10) He, the Righteous One, would justify many (vs. 11) He would be greatly rewarded for being poured out to death (vs. 12) Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Such prophecies are a remarkable foreshadow of the Jesus of the New Testament He was the Lamb of God, offered for the sins of all men (John 1:29, 1 John 2:2) He did not try to defend Himself before His accusers (Matthew 27:13-14) His grave was assigned to be with the wicked (He was crucified with two thieves – Matthew 27:38) He was with a rich man in His death (buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb – Matthew 27:57-60) Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Fulfilled predictions from Isaiah 53 cont. He was pierced through (with a Roman spear) for our sins (John 19:34) His days were prolonged (He was raised from the dead – Matthew 28:6) He has been greatly rewarded (He is seated at the right hand of God – 1 Peter 3:22) Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Psalm 22 Verses 16-18 clearly portray a crucifixion “… they pierced my hands and my feet.” (Psalm 22:16) The Jewish method of death was by stoning, not by crucifixion “I can count all my bones.” (Psalm 22:17) They didn’t break Jesus’ bones; He was already dead when the soldiers came to Him. Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Psalm 22 continued “They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” (Psalm 22:18) This is a perfect description of what the Roman soldiers did with the belongings of Jesus while He hung on the cross Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Psalm 22 continued David wrote this Psalm 1000 years before Jesus was born Whoever this Psalm was about died a Roman death This person cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1) If Jesus were simply pretending to be the Messiah, you would think that He would stop short of being crucified Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Jesus’ birth He would be born in Bethlehem – Micah 5:2 Although the child would be born, He would be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, eternal Father, and Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6-7 He would be born of a virgin, and He would be “God with us” – Isaiah 7:14 Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Jesus’ ministry He would spend most of His time near the Sea of Galilee – Isaiah 9:1-2 This was fulfilled when Jesus settled in Capernaum “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death upon them a light dawned.” (Matthew 4:16) Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Jesus’ Kingdom We have already seen from Daniel 2:44,45 that God would set up His kingdom in the days of the Roman kings Isaiah 9:7 shows that the child born would be the One sitting on the throne in that kingdom Jesus confirmed to Pilate that He was a king, and that He had a spiritual kingdom – John 18:33-37 Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Jesus’ death We have already seen from Isaiah 53 that the Redeemer would be pierced through for the sins of the people We have already seen from Psalm 22 that Jesus would be crucified Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Jesus’ resurrection Psalm 16 contains a prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.” (Psalm 16:10) Jesus would not be dead long enough for His flesh to suffer decay Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Jesus’ suffering “I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. (Isaiah 50:6) “… so His appearance was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men.” (Isaiah 52:14) Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9) Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Internal – Fulfilled Messianic Prophecy These 7 details of Jesus’ life illustrate the extent to which the O.T. proclaims the truthfulness of the N.T. record Jesus planned the riding into Jerusalem on a donkey Jesus couldn’t plan the Roman soldiers’ gambling for His clothes 150 specific prophecies of Jesus in the O.T. There is only one possible explanation – Divine planning and action Proof that the Bible is indeed the Word of God Proof that the Bible is the Word of God!

Proof that the Bible is the Word of God! Part 5 – Internal Evidences – The Plan