TELLING THE END FROM THE BEGINNING Micah: [Who Is Like Jehovah] It was during the TELLING THE END FROM THE BEGINNING

BIBLE PROPHECIES FULFILLED 2 Peter 1:20-21

BIBLE PROPHECIES FULFILLED Introduction 1. 2 Peter 1:20-21 Fulfilled prophecies prove the Bible’s divine origin and inspiration 20 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

2. Many frauds exposed by false failed prophecies! Introduction 2. Many frauds exposed by false failed prophecies! William Miller: Lord return 1843, then 1844 Joseph Smith (1832): City of Zion & temple built soon in Independence, MO (D&C 84:2) Jehovah’s Witnesses predict Christ’s return 1914 3. The Bible is the only book of precise prophecies fulfilled to the letter!

I. Criteria of True Prophecy A. Predictive Prophecy Foretells the Future Isaiah 46:9-10 Only God tells the end from the beginning (i.e., accurately predicts)

Isaiah 46:9-10 Only God tells the end from the beginning (i. e Isaiah 46:9-10 Only God tells the end from the beginning (i.e., accurately predicts) 9 “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”

I. Criteria of True Prophecy B. True Predictive Prophecy Must Meet Criteria Prophecy must be made prior to event Prophecy & fulfillment must correspond exactly (not using generic vague terms) Prophecy must be beyond man’s ability to know (we can see weather signs, business trends, etc.)

I. Criteria of True Prophecy B. True Predictive Prophecy Must Meet Criteria Prophecy cannot cause its own fulfillment (predict, then manipulate events to give appearance of fulfilled prophecy)

I. Criteria of True Prophecy B. True Predictive Prophecy Must Meet Criteria Deuteronomy 18:22 Prophets cannot make mistakes 22” When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”

I. Criteria of True Prophecy C. Pagan Prophecies Filled with Historical and Geographical Mistakes Pagan prophets read “signs” in the stars, animal organs, path of arrows, flames, etc.

I. Criteria of True Prophecy D. Modern Prophecies Filled with Errors Nastradamus (1503-1566) made thousands of cryptic prophecies Horoscopes: notoriously generic, vague

I. Criteria of True Prophecy D. Modern Prophecies Filled with Errors Jeanne Dixon (1904-1197) predicted WW III in 1958, Russia would 1st put a man on the moon, said in 1956 a president will “be assassinated, or die in office.” (no name, timeframe, etc.)

II. Bible Prophecies Fulfilled A. Prophecies of Tyre and Sidon Fulfilled Phoenician cities

II. Bible Prophecies Fulfilled A. Prophecies of Tyre and Sidon Fulfilled Isaiah 23:15 Nebuchadnezzar took mainland Tyre 572 B.C. (not island fortress), held it 70 years 15” Now it shall come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. At the end of seventy years it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the harlot.”

II. Bible Prophecies Fulfilled A. Prophecies of Tyre and Sidon Fulfilled Ezekiel 26:4,5, 14 Alexander the Great built causeway with stones of Tyre, took island fortress 332 B.C.; never rebuilt

Ezekiel 26:4-5, 14 Alexander the Great built causeway with stones of Tyre, took island fortress 332 B.C.; never rebuilt 4 And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers; I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. 5 'It shall be a place for spreading nets in the midst of the sea, for I have spoken,' says the Lord GOD; 'it shall become plunder for the nations.” 14 And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

II. Bible Prophecies Fulfilled A. Prophecies of Tyre and Sidon Fulfilled Ezekiel 28:22,23 Sidon was judged, but God did not say she never will be rebuilt

Ezekiel 28:22,23 Sidon was judged, but God did not say she never will be rebuilt 22 “and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Sidon; I will be glorified in your midst; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I execute judgments in her and am hallowed in her. 23 For I will send pestilence upon her, and blood in her streets; the wounded shall be judged in her midst by the sword against her on every side; then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

II. Bible Prophecies Fulfilled B. Proud Nineveh Reduced to Pasture Land Zephaniah 2:13-15 Beasts will inhabit Nineveh

Zeph. 2:13-15 Beasts will inhabit Nineveh 13 “And He will stretch out His hand against the north, destroy Assyria, and make Nineveh a desolation, as dry as the wilderness. 14 The herds shall lie down in her midst, every beast of the nation. Both the pelican and the bittern shall lodge on the capitals of her pillars; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be at the threshold; for He will lay bare the cedar work. 15 This is the rejoicing city that dwelt securely, that said in her heart, "I am it, and there is none besides me." How has she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down! Everyone who passes by her shall hiss and shake his fist.” Zeph. 2:13-15 Beasts will inhabit Nineveh

II. Bible Prophecies Fulfilled C. Babylon; From Glory to Total Desolation Isaiah 13:19-22 Destroyed to never be rebuilt

C. Babylon: From Glory to Total Desolation Isaiah13:19-22 Destroyed never to be rebuilt Glory: world empire, hanging gardens Desolation: fell to Medes 539 B.C., inhabited by wild beasts, never rebuilt

Isaiah 13:19-22 Destroyed never to be rebuilt 19 “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It will never be inhabited, nor will it be settled from generation to generation; nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.”

21 “But wild beasts of the desert will lie there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will caper there. 22 The hyenas will howl in their citadels, and jackals in their pleasant palaces. Her time is near to come, and her days will not be prolonged.”

II. Bible Prophecies Fulfilled D. Damascus & Sidon Destroyed But Revived, Tyre and Babylon never rebuilt Coincidence? John 10:35 Bible prophecies fulfilled to the letter: “the scripture cannot be broken!”

III. All Prophecies Concerning Christ Fulfilled A. Over 300 O.T. Prophecies of Christ 2 Peter 1:19,20 Each fulfillment made the light of truth brighter!! 19” And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.”

III. All Prophecies Concerning Christ Fulfilled A. Over 300 O.T. Prophecies of Christ Micah 5:2 Precise details about His birth confirm His claims! 2” But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”

III. All Prophecies Concerning Christ Fulfilled A. Over 300 O.T. Prophecies of Christ Isaiah 53:6 Precise details about His death throughout Isaiah 53 confirm His claims! 6” All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

III. All Prophecies Concerning Christ Fulfilled A. Over 300 O.T. Prophecies of Christ Psalm 41:9 Precise details about who would betray Him confirm His claims! 9” Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”

III. All Prophecies Concerning Christ Fulfilled A. Over 300 O.T. Prophecies of Christ Isaiah 40:8 Precise details concerning how long His words would last! 8” The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”

III. All Prophecies Concerning Christ Fulfilled A. Over 300 O.T. Prophecies of Christ Jeremiah 31:33 Precise details concerning temporary nature of Old Law! 34” But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

BIBLE PROPHECIES FULFILLED Conclusion 2 Peter 1:20-21 Fulfilled prophecies prove the Bible’s divine origin and inspiration 20 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Many frauds exposed by false failed prophecies! Conclusion Many frauds exposed by false failed prophecies! William Miller: Lord’s return 1843, then 1844 Joseph Smith (1832): City of Zion & temple built soon in Independence, MO (D&C 84:2) Jehovah’s Witnesses predict Christ’s return 1914 The Bible is the only book of precise prophecies fulfilled to the letter!