I. Jesus Christ Really Lived:
There are still people today who make the claim that Jesus never existed, that He was only a mythical character. However, those that claim this are not historians, but are ignorant of the facts. Besides the New Testament, which is the best documented book of antiquity, other sources also mention Jesus.
Jesus is mentioned by the Jewish Historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities, XVIII, III). Cornelius Tacitus (A.D. 112), a Roman Historian, writing about the reign of Nero, refers to Jesus Christ and the existence of Christians in Rome (Annals, XV, 44). There are other references to Jesus or His followers, such as the Roman historian, Seutonius (A.D. 120) in 'Life of Claudius', 25.4, and 'Lives of the Caesars', 26.2, and Pliny the Younger (A.D. 112), in his 'Epistles', X. 96. In fact we know more about the Life of Jesus than just about any other figure in the ancient world. His birth, life and death are revealed in much more detail than most ancient figures whose existence is taken for granted by historians.
Consider this Quote: 'It would never enter anyone's head, to ask whether Jesus had lived, unless before asking the question the mind had been darkened by the wish that he had not lived' (Roderic Dunkerley, Beyond the Gospels. pp. 29,30)
In addition it has always been interesting to me to observe that the New Testament writers knew what Myth was! (2 Timothy 4:4; 2 Peter 1:16)
Jesus often stressed that He and the events taking place in His life were the fulfillment of what the Prophets had wrote in the O.T. (John 5:39-47; Matthew 13:14; 11:10; 21:42; 26:56; Luke 4:20-21; 22:37; John 15:25) The apostles in their preaching cited two areas to prove that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the Son of God. The first was His resurrection from the dead. The second was the messianic prophecies of the O.T. which He fulfilled. (Acts 3:18; 10:43; 13:29; 17:2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:2)
III. Significance of Predictive Prophecy:
What must be accepted if we establish that Jesus did fulfill statements made about His life hundreds of years before He was even born? What is at stake here?
A. Concludes that there is a Divine Author behind the Old and New Testaments. And that the Author is the same for both.
B. Establishes the Fact that God does Exist.
C. Authenticates the Deity of Jesus.
D. Demonstrates the Inspiration of the Bible.
IV. An Objection Considered:
The objection that some offer is: The prophecies were written at or after the time of Jesus. Before we move any further we should note that this objection admits that Jesus did in fact: 1. Live 2. That His life fulfilled these prophecies. Therefore the only question left is, 'When were the prophecies written?'. Two facts prove conclusively that the prophecies were written at least 2 centuries before Jesus even was born:
A. The Septuagint:
If you are not satisfied with 400 B.C. as the historic date for the completion of the Old Testament, then take into consideration the following: The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, was initiated in the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus (285-246 B.C.) It is rather obvious that if you have a Greek translation initiated in 250 B.C., then you had to have the Hebrew text from which it was written! Therefore the Hebrew O.T. Scriptures were in existence (fact-for a Greek translation was made of them), at least 250 years before Jesus was born!
B. The Dead Sea Scrolls:
Contain portions of every O.T. book except Esther. One complete scroll of Isaiah was found, and another one almost complete. Most date these portions of Scripture at or before 100 B.C. In addition these are but copies, the originals had to date earlier!
Therefore it is historical fact that the Old Testament (which contains
prophecies about the Messiah), was in existence at least two hundred years
before Jesus was born. That is an issue which is not open for debate.
V. The Prophecies:
As we examine the prophecies ask yourself: Are the prophecies vague? Or do they give minute details? How many of them would Jesus of had no control over? This last question is in response to those that argue, 'Jesus simply tried to fit his life to what the O.T. said about the Messiah'.
A. Place of His birth: Micah 5:2=Matthew 2:1-6
In the first place an impostor would of had no control over the place of his birth! This is also an example of the minute details which characterize some of the prophecies. For two Bethlehem's' existed. One in the territory of Zebulun (Joshua 19:15), the other in Judea, Bethlehem Ephrath. This town was so small and insignificant that it is twice omitted from a catalog of towns in Judah (Joshua 15; Nehemiah 11:25ff). Called a 'village' (John 7:42) Of all the cities in the World-the Messiah could be born in ONLY ONE!
B. Of the Seed of David: 2 Sam. 7:12-14=Luke 1:32 (Isa. 11:1)
What are the chances of an impostor being born in the right town (only one-and that a small village), and of the right Tribe (Judah), but still narrower, of the right ancestral family-David's!
C. Born of a Virgin: Isaiah 7:14=Matthew 1:21-25
Some have tried to make 'virgin' mean, a young woman. But how could a 'young woman having a child be a sign?' For that happens everyday! Others have argued that Jesus was really the offspring of Mary and a Roman soldier, and that we have all been fooled. The people that would really know whether this was the case, would of been.
1. Joseph. But if a Roman soldier was really the father of Jesus, then Joseph would of certainly put her away. But he didn't! (Matthew 1:18-25)
2. Their neighbors: While Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He was conceived in Nazareth (Luke 1:26-38). What did the people of Nazareth think about Jesus? They considered him the 'Son of the Carpenter' (Luke 4:22; Matthew 13:55).
3. In all the accusations against Jesus, no one ever attacked His birth or parentage in the New Testament. Why not, if as some say He was illegitimate? Obviously, because He wasn't!
D. His Coming Announced by a Forerunner: Isaiah 40:3=Matthew
3:3
Again, something an impostor would of had no control over.
E. Anointed by the Holy Spirit: (Isa. 61:1=Luke 4:16-21)
F. His Ministry in Galilee: (Isaiah 9:1-2=Matt.
4:12-17)
He was born in Bethlehem, yet His ministry would include Galilee of the Gentiles.
G. How people would treat Him: (Isa. 53:3=John 1:11,12:37)
H. Triumphal entry into Jerusalem: (Zech. 9:9=Matt. 21:1-9)
I. Betrayal/Trial/Crucifixion:
There are at least 15 prophecies which were fulfilled in one 24 hour period surrounding the death of Christ. Again ask yourself, how much control does a person have over the events surrounding and AFTER their death?
1. Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12=Matt. 26:14-15)
2. The money to be cast to the potter (Zech. 11:13=Matt. 27:3-10)
3. The disciples to forsake Him (Zech. 13:7=Matt. 26:56, Mark 14:27)
4. He was silent before His accusers (Isa. 53:7=Matt. 27:12-14)
5. He was wounded and bruised (Isa. 53:5=Matt. 27:12-14)
6. His hands and feet to be pierced (Psa. 22:16=Luke 23:33; John 20:25-27)
7. He was crucified with thieves (Isa. 53:12=Mark 15:27-28)
8. He was to pray for His persecutors (Isa. 53:12=Luke 23:34)
9. The people were to shake their heads at him (Psa. 22:7=Mt. 27:39)
10. The people were to ridicule Him (Psa. 22:17=Luke 23:35)
11. His garments to be parted and lots cast (Psa. 22:18=John 19:24)
12. His cry (Psa. 22:1=Matthew 27:46)
13. His bones were not to be broken (Psa. 34:20=John 19:33,36)
We should note that at the time this prophecy was given the method of execution was stoning (which would break the bones). The Persians introduced crucifixion.
14. His side pierced (Zech. 12:10=John 19:34-37)
15. Buried in a rich man's tomb (Isa. 53:9=Matt. 27:57-60)
Concluding thoughts:
Henry Liddon is credited with the statement that there are 332 prophecies fulfilled in Christ. The mathematical probability that all of these could be fulfilled in one person by sheer chance alone has been calculated at one in 84 (followed by 123 zeros).
John 20:27 'be not faithless, but believing'