|
Below is the set of notes
from this session. Its purpose is simply to enhance the teaching session
that was presented in person and recorded onto the audio tape. Please
call (847) 894-2893 for information on how you can obtain a copy.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS? (March
7, 2004)
The Bible is unlike any book ever written.
God cites fulfilled prophecy as an evidence of His deity.
Isaiah 46:9-10;
Ephesians 1:11
Those who choose to ignore the evidence do so at their own peril! Romans 1:18-20
Prophets spoke forth the very Words of God.
Jeremiah 1:4-9; 2 Peter 1:19-21
They usually did not understand of what they spoke, or the timing of their prophecies.
Daniel 7:28 & 8:27; I Peter 1:10-11
Prophecy of Daniel 2
This is one of the most specific prophecies in the Bible.
The political world of the gentiles is precisely predicted for 600 years.
Prophecy of Daniel 9
The timetable of Daniel chapter 9:24-26 pinpoints exactly the arrival of Messiah.
The rebuilding of Jerusalem and its continued existence through hostile gentile kingdoms is a remarkable prediction.
Messianic Prophecies
8 specific prophecies concerning the Messiah - fulfillment by one man cannot be coincidental.
1. Born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-20
2. Born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1
3. Preceded by a messenger Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 3:1-3
4. Enters Jerusalem on a donkey Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-7
5. Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver
Psalm 41:9 Zech 11:12-13; Matt 10:4; 26:15
6. Money thrown down in the temple and Potter’s field bought
Zech 11:13; Matt 27:5-9
7. Dumb before His accusers Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12-14
8. Manner of His death -pierced/crucified
Psalms 22:14-16; Zech 12:10 Luke 23:33
Objections by skeptics:
1. Coincidence Argument
2. Altered Gospel Argument
3. Intentional Fulfillment Argument
The laws of probability preclude any other conclusion but that God Almighty wrote the Bible - the odds of these 8 prophecies being fulfilled by one man are 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.
Plus, what about...
Born of the seed of woman
Called, and claims to be, the Son of God
Seed of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David
Line of Jesse, tribe of Judah
Gifts brought to Him as a child
Pre-existence
Called “Lord,” “Immanuel”
A prophet, priest, judge, king
Anointed by the Holy Spirit
Ministry begins in Galilee
29 prophecies, made over 5 centuries, fulfilled in one day - His betrayal, trial, death, darkness, burial, etc. Plus....
Who can predict His own resurrection and then have the power to rise from the dead? This is precisely what Jesus stated and evidence of His resurrection is overwhelming.
Answer - Coincidence “Argument”: The odds that 48 of these prophecies being literally fulfilled by one man is 1 in 10 to the 57th power
[1:1057] (Peter Stoner, “Science Speaks”)
Answer - Altered Gospel “Argument”: Eyewitnesses abounded, could easily refute what
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wrote if it contained falsehoods. Who would suffer and die for a fraud? (Maybe one nut, but dozens, hundreds, thousands?) Jews ready to refute any inconsistency. Talmud never once reports fulfilled prophecies as falsified!
Answer - Intentional Fulfillment “Argument”: Could He control where He was born, when He was born, how He was born? How He was betrayed, killed, mocked, etc.? Ridiculous argument!
Conclusion: We have looked at a very small fraction of fulfilled prophecies, and the evidence is overwhelming that Jesus of Nazareth is exactly who He said He was - God Almighty. God declares the end from the beginning - there is none like Him!!!
|
|