1. Welcome to our service Teaching the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) Please visit our website: www.livingstonesnewforest.org.uk

2. The Bible The Word of God or not?

3. The Bible If it is God’s word we cannot ignore it – or at least to do so would be foolish If it is not God’s word we must ignore it because its claims are false It claims to be true – John 17 verse 17, Psalm 33 verse 4, Proverbs 30 verse 5, Psalm 119 verse 160 etc. It claims to be accurately prophetic –Isaiah 46 verse 10, Luke 24 verse 44, Matthew 5 verse 18 It claims to be God’s word – 2 Timothy 3 verse 16, 1 Thessalonians 2 verse 13 and 2 Peter 1 verses 20 & 21

4. The Bible It speaks of Jesus That the Prophets spoke of Jesus – John 5 verse 46 Who would be born of a virgin – Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14 To whom kings would bring gifts Psalm 72 verse 10 Who would be the prophesied ‘Passover Lamb’ – Exodus 12 & John 1 V 29 Who would die under particular circumstances – Psalm 22 For the salvation of others – Isaiah 53 Who would be scourged – Psalm 129 verse 3 And would be pierced for the transgressions of others – Isaiah 53 Who would be buried in a rich man’s tomb – Isaiah 53 verse 9 And who would rise from the dead the third day – Mark 9 verse 31, Luke 9 verse 22 and Matthew 16 verse 21 !!If it’s wrong about Jesus we can throw it away!!

5. The Bible So what’s special Most published In the most languages Even languages that did not have a written form 40 different authors over 1500 years 3 continents and 3 languages Massive range of lifestyles and social strata Entirely consistent with its self and free from error Amazing preservation Greatest historical preservation

6. The Bible

7. Does any of this prove it is God’s word? What would mark it out as God’s word? What would one who has said he will tell us the end from the beginning be able to do by way of evidence? To name kings before they were born and tell us what they would do? Isaiah 45 To tell a city of its destiny with great accuracy Ezekiel 26 To tell of the return of Israel to their land Ezekiel 36

8. The Bible and Tyre (the famous Phoenician port) Prediction Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon shall destroy the mainland (“field” KJV) portion of Tyre (Ezekiel 26:7-8). Fulfilment Nebuchadnezzar II laid siege to Tyre for thirteen years beginning 585-586 B.C. When he finally broke through the people were on the island so he ransacked the city

9. The Bible and Tyre (the famous Phoenician port) Prediction Other nations are to participate in the fulfilment of the prophecy (vs. 3). Fulfilment Tyre remained under Persia From 538-332 B.C. Alexander the Great besieged and captured the port in 332 B.C., and Ptolemies, Seleucids, Romans, and Muslim Arabs all had their turn at rule. The Mamluks destroyed the city in A.D. 1291.

10. The Bible and Tyre (the famous Phoenician port) Prediction The city is to be flattened, like the top of a rock (vss. 4,14). Fulfilment Alexander used the building materials of the mainland city, and any other rocks and soil in the immediate vicinity, to build a causeway to the island. His complete conquest of Tyre took only seven months

11. The Bible and Tyre (the famous Phoenician port) Prediction It is to become a place for the spreading of nets (vss. 5,14). Fulfilment The island of Tyre has become a place where fishermen repair their nets and the port does No commercial trade

14. The Bible and Tyre (the famous Phoenician port) Prediction Its stones and timbers are to be laid in the sea (vs. 12). Fulfilment the building of the causeway came from the remains of the mainland city. The causeway is now a permanent connection with the mainland

18. The Bible and Tyre (the famous Phoenician port) Prediction Other cities are to fear greatly at the fall of Tyre Fulfilment Many fortified cities in the region capitulated to Alexander after they saw the genius and relative ease with which he captured Tyre.

19. The Bible and Tyre (the famous Phoenician port) Prediction The city will not be inhabited or rebuilt Fulfilment The city was not rebuilt and its inhabitants were mostly sold as slaves. A small town has been built close by but the city remains devastated

20. And finally, The Bible and Israel They would be gathered from all parts of the earth (Ezekiel 36) They would be regathered to their land This happened in 1948 With the Temple Mount coming to them in 1967 According to Scripture they have battles to come but God will deliver them And a time will come when they will look upon Him whom they pierced and mourn for Him as for an only son (Zechariah 12 verse 10) And will be saved

21. Welcome to our service Teaching the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) Please visit our website: www.livingstonesnewforest.org.uk