2. Justin Martyr, 2 nd century

3. Isaiah 46:9-11; 41:26 ONLY GOD CAN FULFILL PROPHECY

4. A forth-telling and a foretelling NOT a guess, a forecast, a mere conjecture or a vague generalization What are true prophecies?

5. Criteria of True Prophecy [H.W. Everest, The Divine Demonstration, p.260]: The event must be beyond the power of man to foresee. It must be demonstrated that the prediction was written before the event. The prediction must be applicable to the event. The language of the predictions must be unambiguous and unmistakable. The prediction must have a clear and demonstrable fulfillment. What are true prophecies?

6. The purpose of fulfilled prophecy is to provide evidence that God has spoken. John 14:29 What are true prophecies?

7. Spokesmen for God Deuteronomy 18:18 Prophets and prophecy were to be tested. Deuteronomy 18:20 God’s prophets spoke as they were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20, 21).

8. From 1947 to 1956 Dead Sea Scrolls’ caves were excavated. Thousands of manuscript fragments Jewish sect Essenes – monastic community near Qumran Essenes existed from 167 B.C. to A.D. 68 Isaiah scroll was written definitely before the coming of Christ.

9. Great Isaiah Scroll 24 foot long scroll A complete manuscript Oldest Hebrew scroll – dated from 100 B.C. Septuagint, Greek translation of Hebrew Old Testament, dated from 250 B.C. Isaiah scroll was written definitely before the coming of Christ.

10. God’s predictions spoken by Isaiah (740-700 B.C.): A virgin will give birth to a son named Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) A son will be born and will be deity (9:6-7) The Spirit of the L ORD will rest upon Jesse’s descendant who will judge righteously (11:1-5) God’s chosen Servant will bring forth justice and salvation (42:6; 49:6) God’s Servant will suffer and die bearing the sins of others, interceding for sinners (53:3-6) Only God could have foreknown, foretold and then fulfilled Messianic prophecies.

11. Jesus hits the mark on every point: Seed of woman (Genesis 3:15) Seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:3; 22:18) Seed of Judah (Genesis 49:10) Seed of David (2 Samuel 7:12, 13) God’s Holy One not left in Hades (Psalm 16:10) Only God could have foreknown, foretold and then fulfilled Messianic prophecies.