The Bible is filled with hundreds of prophecies—many already fulfilled in the past and some that are waiting to be fulfilled in the future. Most people don’t think about the 7 steps that must take place for it to happen. Where do the prophecies come from? How do we know when they are fulfilled? Here are the steps:
1. God must know everything that will happen
in the future. God says, “There is no one like Me, declaring the end from
the beginning” (Isa. 46:9–10).
2. God communicates His message to a
spokesperson on earth, who was a prophet. Peter said, “God fulfilled
what He had foretold through all the prophets.” (Acts 3:18).
3. The prophet records the prophecy in the
Scriptures so future generations can verify its fulfillment.
4. God makes sure the Scriptures are copied
and preserved for hundreds of years until the prophecy is fulfilled. Many prophecies
pertained to future generations and wouldn’t come to pass until many centuries
had passed (1 Pet. 1:10-12).
5. God orchestrates the people and events to
come together at the right time to fulfill the prophecy.
6. Another prophet recognizes when an Old
Testament prophecy is fulfilled and records the fulfillment in the Scriptures.
The gospels will often point out when the prophecy came to pass by saying,
“That the Scripture may be fulfilled” (John 19:24, 28).
7. God preserves the record of the prophecy
and its fulfillment so future generations can look back on both to verify them.
Because the Scriptures have been preserved for thousands of years, and we can
look back at when the Old Testament prophecies were given and when they were
fulfilled.
These seven factors are only possible if an eternal God is overseeing the process. It is astonishing for even one prophecy to make it through all seven steps. But for hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament to make it through all seven steps is nothing short of mind-boggling! Jesus said, “I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it comes to pass, you may believe.” (John 14:29).
This is indisputable proof the Bible is inspired by God. (from The Sure Cure for Worry, Chosen Books 2013, pp. 52-55).
NEW BIBLE STUDY: Fulfilled Prophecies by Jesus
LISTEN TO ENCOURAGING SONG: BY FAITH (with lyrics)
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