Biblical prophesies throughout history

[Bonnie]

Biblical prophecies

1. Jesus foretold his death and resurrection
Bible passage: Matthew 20:17-19
Written: During the first century
Fulfilled: About 32 AD
One of the unique qualities about Jesus Christ as a religious figure is that he prophesied his own death and resurrection. One example is found in Matthew 20:17-19. Each of the four Gospels of the New Testament, which were written by his followers and contemporaries, testify that Jesus was resurrected.

Matthew 20:17-19
17 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them,

18 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death

19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!"

2. Jesus told Peter that the church would survive and thrive
Bible passage: Matthew 16:17-18
Written: During the first century AD
Fulfilled: Throughout history
In Matthew 16:17-18, Jesus told the Apostle Peter (Simon) that he would be the rock or foundation on which Jesus will build his church, and that the church would not be conquered or wiped out by non-believers (as expressed in the phrase "gates of hell" or "gates of Hades"). Within a few decades after the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter was able to see firsthand that the early Christians would endure tremendous persecution. The church endured intense persecution for about three centuries by the Roman Empire. But, the church survived and thrived during that time, even though the Roman Empire itself disintegrated. Although the majority of the world's religions have died out, Christianity flourished to become the first religion to have spread worldwide.

Matthew 16:17-18
17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

3. The line of kings from David would endure forever
Bible passage: 2 Samuel 7:16
Written: Samuel lived about 3,000 years ago
Fulfilled: About 32 AD with the resurrection of Jesus Christ
This passage, and a few others as well, allude to King David's descendants having an eternal hold on the throne of Israel.

King David lived and reigned about 3,000 years ago. His descendants continued to reign over all or part of the land of Israel until the time of the Babylonian conquest, which was about 2,600 years ago.

But, aside from Jesus, there has been no king of Davidic descent since the time of the Babylonian conquest. Jesus is fully human and fully God. As a human, he is a descendant of King David. As God, he is eternal. Therefore, he is in a unique position to fulfill the prophecy in which David's throne is to be eternal.

2 Samuel 7:16
Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.

4. The Great Commission, and its fulfillment
Bible passage: Matthew 28:16-20
Written: During the first century AD
Fulfilled: Throughout history
During the first century of this era, there were evangelists who claimed to be eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus. These people, including Paul and the Apostles, were willing to risk their lives and travel throughout the Roman world, by land and by sea, to evangelize a religion that wasn't legally recognized by the Roman government.

Their work allowed Christianity to eventually be taught to people throughout the world.

Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

5. God's salvation would reach the ends of the earth
Bible passage: Isaiah 49:6
Written: Between 701-681 BC
Fulfilled: About 32 AD
In Isaiah 49:6, the prophet speaks of a servant of God who would be a light to Gentiles (non-Jews) so that God's salvation could reach the ends of the earth. Christians believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise. The followers of Jesus helped spread Christianity about 2000 years ago. Christianity is unique in that it is among the first evangelical religions in history, and the first to be taken to people all over the world. Christians believe that salvation, forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven are available to anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their savior: "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." - Romans 10:9-10 (NIV translation).

Isaiah 49:6
"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."

6. Jesus said His words would never be forgotten
Bible passage: Luke 21:33
Written: During the first century AD
Fulfilled: At this very moment
In Luke 21:33, Jesus said that regardless of what happens to the world, His words will never be forgotten. Here we are 2000 years later and the words of Jesus are all around us: Christianity has spread to people around the world and the Bible is the world's most circulated book. Of all the people who have ever lived, can you think of a single person who could have made this claim more effectively than Jesus - that his words would never be forgotten?

Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.