Browsed by
Category: Old Testament Proofs

RATION TABLETS of JEHOIACHIN VERIFY BIBLE’S ACCURACY

RATION TABLETS of JEHOIACHIN VERIFY BIBLE’S ACCURACY

Nabonidus Chronicle mentioning Belshazzar
Ration tablets of Jehoiakim in ancient Babylon have discovered

Cuneiform documents of ration tablets of Jehoiachin have been discovered at the site ancient Babylon.

“In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah and freed him from prison. He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. so Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table. Day by day the king of Babylon gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived, till the day of his death”—Jeremiah 52:31-34 NIV; see also 2 Kings 25:27-30  read more

Ivory Discovered at Samaria and Nimrud Confirm Bible Accounts

Ivory Discovered at Samaria and Nimrud Confirm Bible Accounts

Is the Bible reliable?
Ivory discovered by archaeology at Samaria and Nimrud confirm what the Bible says.

Ivory discovered at the sites of ancient Samaria and Nimrud confirm some of the details mentioned in the Bible about the material prosperity experienced during the latter part of the northern kingdom of Israel.

“All your words are true”—Psalm 119:160 NIV

“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever”—1 Peter 1:24,25 NIV

The Bible documents the age-old trade and use of ivory. The unified 12 tribe kingdom under Solomon’s peaceful 40 year reign gained great material prosperity.  read more

Evidence of the Great Earthquake in Amos & Zechariah

Evidence of the Great Earthquake in Amos & Zechariah

Is the Bible reliable?
Is there any geological evidence of the great earthquake referred to in Amos and Zechariah?

Critics have claimed the Bible is mostly fiction, including  the earthquake referred to in the Bible books of Amos and Zechariah.

“The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa–the vision he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel”—Amos 1:1 NIV

Recent geological studies have detected a massive seismic event, apparently a huge 8.2 earthquake, in the area where Amos lived. This event, which has been dated to around 760-750 BCE,  which was during the latter part of the long reign of Judean king Uzziah (792–740 BCE), and was the largest ever detected on the Dead Sea transform fault.  read more

ASHERAH WORSHIP IN ANCIENT ISRAEL Discovered

ASHERAH WORSHIP IN ANCIENT ISRAEL Discovered

ancient and modern idolatry
The Bible warned the ancient Israelites to avoid Asherah and Baal worship

Critics say the Bible is not as ancient as it claims to be, and is often not historically accurate. God’s chosen people were warned against the worship of the pagan fertility false goddess Asherah prior to entering the promised land. “You do not plant an Asherah of any trees for yourself near the altar of your God YHWH, which you make for yourself” (Deuteronomy 16:21 LSV). Archaeological evidence discovered in ancient Israel provides ample evidence confirming such Asherah worship. read more

IS THERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO PROVE GOD’S EXISTENCE?

IS THERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO PROVE GOD’S EXISTENCE?

Is there enough evidence to prove God’s existence? Atheists say, “No!”

“Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse”—Romans 1:20 NIV

BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY REQUIRES LESS FAITH TO BELIEVE IN THAN ATHEISM

While Christians are often derided for their seemingly “blind faith” in the Creator/God’s existence, the facts give powerful evidence the Biblical Creator/God is real.  read more

HOSEA’S USE OF GENESIS THROUGH JUDGES

HOSEA’S USE OF GENESIS THROUGH JUDGES

When was Genesis through Judges written? What is significant about Hosea’s use of Genesis through Judges?

Is the Bible reliable?
What about Hosea’s use of Genesis through Judges?

“The word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel”—Hosea 1:1 NIV

Jeroboam son of Jehoash of Israel reigned from 793 BCE to 753 BCE, and Hezekiah of Judah reigned from 715 BCE to 686 BCE, so Hosea’s prophetic years ran for at least for a minimum of 38 years, in the 8th century BCE, that is, from 753 BCE to 715 BCE. One thing that is significant about the Bible book bearing Hosea’s name is his use of Genesis through Judges, thus lending proof to the fact that these books had to have been written quite some time sometime prior to Hosea in the 8th century BCE. The reason that this is significant is that many “scholars” consider these books, Genesis through Judges, to be from the 6th century BCE, or even more recent. Another point of significance is that Hosea’s treatment of these Bible books shows how they were viewed through God’s interpretation of them during later Old Testament times, and also, in turn, gives us a better view of how the New Testament interprets the Old Testament. read more

EVIDENCE of GEMARIAH and JERAHMEEL DISCOVERED

EVIDENCE of GEMARIAH and JERAHMEEL DISCOVERED

Is the Bible reliable?
Can the Bible be trusted? The discoveries of the existence of Gemariah and Jerahmeel prove it can.

Critics often claim the Bible is not an accurate historical document. However, discoveries of the existence of Gemariah and Jerahmeel prove otherwise.

A clay seal impression of “Gemariah son of Shaphan the secretary”, one of “the officials” (Jeremiah 36:10-12 NIV) of King Jehoiakim was discovered in excavations of Jerusalem of 587-586 BCE destruction level. The inscription reads: “Belonging to Gemariah (son of) Shaphan”.

Researchers possess both a clay seal and a seal impression of “Jerahmeel, a son of the king” Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:26 NIV), which were both acquired on the antiquities market. The clay seal and the seal impression both read: “Belonging to Jerahmeel the king’s son”. read more

Differences in Hebrew & Greek Genealogies of Genesis 5 & 11

Differences in Hebrew & Greek Genealogies of Genesis 5 & 11

There are some significant differences between the Hebrew and Greek genealogies of Genesis 5 and 11. Do these differences really matter?

“I want you understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return”—Philippians 1:9 NLT

The Bibles that we use today are generally based on a Hebrew Refined Master Text, usually the Biblica Hebraica. A comparison of the genealogies in Genesis 5:1-32 and Genesis 11:10-26 in the Old Testament in our modern Bibles, which are translated from the Hebrew Text, with the Greek Septuagint Version (LXX), reveals that the Greek version has more years between the time of Adam’s creation and Abraham, because: (1) The listed mens’ ages when their son is born are generally higher, often by 100 years; and (2) Cainan is included in the Greek Septuagint text, but not in the Hebrew text. However, the overall length of their lives remains the same, in the both the Hebrew and the Greek texts.

Below are listed the names of the men in the genealogies of Genesis 5 and 11, where the Hebrew and the Greek texts differ, and the ages at the birth of their son, first in the Hebrew, next in the Greek, and then the differences in these two ages.

Genesis 5:3—Adam, 130 . . . 230 . . . 100

Genesis 5:6—Seth, 105 . . . 205 . . . 100

Genesis 5:9—Enosh, 90 . . . 190 . . . 100

Genesis 5:12—Kenan, 70 . . . 170 . . . 100

Genesis 5:15—Mahalalel, 65 . . . 165 . . . 100

Genesis 5:21—Enoch, 65 . . . 165 . . . 100

Genesis 5:25—Methusaleh, 187 . . . 167 . . .  read more

Daniel Accurately Predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Daniel Accurately Predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Critics claim the writer of the Book of Daniel was a fraud who really lived in the 160’s BCE, rather than Daniel himself, who wrote the book in the 530’s BCE. Could it possibly be true that Daniel accurately predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes 350 years in advance?

“And now I shall tell you the truth about these things”—Daniel 11:1 NJB

“The vision of the evenings and the mornings which has been revealed is true”—Daniel 8:26 NJB

Other articles on this site have provided documented evidence that the Book of Daniel was written in the 500’s BCE, and 350 years in advance, accurately predicted details of the exploits of Syrian King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who was the Biblical “king of the =&0=& for about 12 years. The Greek philosopher Porphyry (233-304 CE) wrote a work in fifteen volumes he called Against the Christians, in which he attempted to prove that Jesus Christ was only an outstanding philosopher, but not who he said he was. In fact, Porphyry railed against Jesus’ reference to “the prophet Daniel” (Matthew 24:15 NIV) as being the writer of the book bearing his name. His reasoning was based, at least, in part, on the fact that Daniel 8:9-14,23-25; 11:21-39 so accurately predicted Antiochus IV Epiphanes, that he could not accept it as prophecy written in advance. The “predictions” were just too accurate for him to accept. He claimed that a fraud pretending to write prophecy in advance had to have written Daniel, because the events described could not have been so accurately predicted.

This article will discuss exactly what some of the scriptures in Daniel 11 foretold about Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and how they were fulfilled.

“The next to come to power will be a despicable man who is not in line for royal succession. He will slip in when least expected and take over the kingdom by =&1=&

This verse accurately foretold the coming to power of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 175 BCE. He’s also the “small horn” of 8:9-14, 23-25, and is historically described in detail in 1 Maccabees 1:7-6:16; 2 Maccabees 1:1-10:5; 4 Maccabees 4:15-18:5. Why was Antiochus foretold to be despicable? He was not a legitimate successor of his brother Selucus IV, since Selucus IV had a son. He was called despicable because he would usurp the kingship through his use of “flattery and intrigue”, thus currying the favor of Rome, and for his notorious acts as king. His brother, Seleucus IV had a son, Demetrius, who was very young , and held in Rome as a hostage at the time. Antiochus therefore seized the throne for himself with the help of King Eumenes II of Pergamon., proclaiming himself co-regent with another son of Seleucus, an infant named Antiochus (whom he murdered a few years later). The prediction called him a “despised,” or “despicable,” person because of his hatred of the Jewish people, his attempt to destroy Jerusalem, his desecration of the Temple and his megalomania displayed in calling himself Epiphanes (‘Manifest One; Illustrious One’). People of that time also called him Epimanes (‘Madman’).

“Before him great armies will be swept away, including a covenant prince”—Daniel 11:22 NLT

Daniel accurately these details of the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The “great armies” refer to the way all opposition against Antiochus IV will be broken. Despite Ptolemy VI Philometor (181 BCE–146 BCE) attacking with a flood of forces, Antiochus IV would be able to defeat them, and also depose the covenant prince, the Jewish high priest Onias III, in 175 BCE and replace him with his brother Jason (2 Maccabees 4:7-10). In 171 BCE, Onias was murdered by Menelaus, through manipulation of one Antiochus IV’s nobles, Andronicus (2 Maccabees 4: 32-43). Menelaus then became high priest (171–162 BCE), until his execution (2 Maccabees 13:3-8). Menelaus supported Antiochus IV’s program of hellenization.

“With deceitful promises, he will make various alliances. He will become strong despite having only a handful of followers (quoted from NLT). During a time of peace, he will come into the richest parts of the province and do what his fathers and predecessors never did (quoted from HCSB)”—Daniel 11:23,24

Antiochus IV would increase in power by sharing the wealth of his conquests, lavishing plunder, loot, and wealth on his supporters. He introduced Greek religion into Judea, helped by lawless followers who supported his policies (1 Maccabees 1:11-15). Antiochus IV seized the riches of the Temple, took large tributes from Jerusalem, and stationed troops there (1 Maccabees 1:29-40).

“Then he will stir up his courage and raise a great army against the king of the south. the king of the south will go to battles with =&2=&

These verses refer back to the first campaign of  Antiochus against Ptolemy VI Philometer of Egypt (vs 22), predicting that not only would the power of Antiochus defeat Ptolemy VI, but also that plots “against him” would cause his army to be swept away. Antiochus IV attacked Egypt twice between 170 and 168 BCE (1 Maccabees 1:16-19). The guardians of Ptolemy VI Philometer demanded the return of Coele-Syria in 170 BCE, but Antiochus launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, capturing all but Alexandria. In this first campaign of Antiochus IV against Ptolemy Philometer of Egypt (son of Antiochus’ sister Cleopatra, and Ptolemy V), Ptolemy was mislead by his advisers, and was defeated, and captured by Antiochus, at Pelusium, on the border with Egypt.  Antiochus, pretended friendship, but plundered Egypt. On the way back, Antiochus IV Epiphanes savagely mistreated the Jews (verse 28), as Daniel predicted.

“The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but because an end will still come at the appointed time. The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country”—Daniel 11:27,28 NIV

After the defeat of Ptolemy VI, Ptolemy VII took control of Egypt. Then, “the two (other) kings”, Antiochus IV and Ptolemy VI, who was living in Antiochus’ custody, would meet, ‘speaking lies at the same table’, to plot Ptolemy VI’s restoration to the throne. To avoid alarming Rome, Antiochus allowed Ptolemy VI to continue ruling as a puppet king.  After initial limited success, they would eventually fail. Then “the king of the North”, Antiochus IV, having plundered Egypt, would return to his land, but ‘with his heart set against the holy covenant’. On the way home to Syrian Antioch from Egypt, in response to intrigues in Jerusalem against his supporters, he would turn his hatred toward and attack Israel. This would result in killing 80,000 Jewish men, women, and children, and plundering Jerusalem and the holy temple’ (170-169 BCE), and enslaving many others (1 Maccabees 1:20-42; 2 Maccabees 5:1-23). His arrogance was unbounded (1 Maccabees 1:24,25).

We can learn even from the bad example of these ‘two treacherous kings’ (vs 27). Treachery and deceit are a power broker’s way to position himself over someone else. When two power brokers try to gain the upper hand, it is a mutually weakening and self-destructive process. It is also futile because God ultimately holds all power in his hands.

“At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and and show favor to the those who forsake the holy covenant”—Daniel 11:29,30 NIV

Upon Antiochus’ withdrawal, the city of Alexandria chose a new king, one of Ptolemy’s brothers, named Ptolemy VIII Euergetes. The Ptolemy brothers agree to rule Egypt jointly instead of fighting a civil war. In 168 BCE, Antiochus IV again invaded “the South”, Egypt. However, this second campaign against Egypt would end in ignominy. “Ships of the western coastlands” (“ships of Kittim”, Numbers 24:24), would come from the west, past Cyprus. They were the Romans fleet vessels under the command of Roman consul Gaius Popilius Laenas, who would arrive at Alexandria before Antiochus reached it. He would inform Antiochus of the Roman senate’s order to withdraw, forcing Antiochus to give his answer right then —whether he would continue to fight. The general drew a circle in the sand, forced Antiochus to stand inside it, before he was allowed to exit the circle, he had to decide whether return home or prepare for war with Rome, which would put Antiochus in a state of war with the Roman republic. The other decision would force Antiochus to retreat from Egypt, withdrawing in shameful humiliation— which is what he did, since he feared the Roman fleet, “ships of the western coastlands”, “ships of Kittim” (compare Numbers 24:24). These “ships” had sailed from the west past Kittim (Cyprus). On the way home, he vented his anger and humiliation on the Jews the people of “the holy covenant”, determined to exterminate the Jewish religion, attacking Jerusalem in 168 BCE.

“His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes =&3=&

Antiochus would once again attack Israel, while returning to Syria. He captured and plundered Jerusalem in 167 BCE, desecrated the Temple, and stopped the Jews’ “daily sacrifice” at the altar (“take over the Temple, put a stop to the daily sacrifices”–NLT), and made all Mosaic Law practices illegal . He rewarded (“flatter and win over”–NLT) those who would come over to him, “those who have violated the holy covenant”. The Temple was desecrated when he sacrificed pigs on an altar erected in honor of the pagan Greek god Zeus Olympius. (1 Maccabees 1:54,59; 2 Maccabees 6:2). According to Jewish Law, pigs were unclean and were not to be touched or eaten. (Leviticus 11:7,8; Daniel 8:9-14, 23-26), and was considered to be one of the worst insults against the Jews. This prefigured a similar abomination that Jesus predicted would be erected in the future (Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20).

Antiochus harassed and killed whoever refused to ‘ violate the covenant’ (1 Maccabees 1:43-61). “The people who know their God”, who would resist the Hellenizers and would be ready to die for their faith, were foretold to “firmly resist him”, as expressed in the Maccabean revolt (1 Maccabees 1:62-64).

=&4=&

Sea Levels Much Lower Before Flood of Bible

Sea Levels Much Lower Before Flood of Bible

The Bible tells us of a global flood, due to a tremendous amount of extra water being dumped onto the earth, to the point of covering all of earth’s highest mountains (Genesis chapters 6-8). This additional water caused sea levels to sharply rise globally, and means that sea levels were lower prior to this global flood.

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In [those] days before the flood, the were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So it will be [also] at the coming of the Son of Man”—Matthew 24:37-39 NAB

Archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old burial site in the Gulf of Mexico after a tip from a recreational diver who found human remains at the site in 2016. More details can be read in this article.

The ancient burial site discovered off the southwest Florida coast lends credence to what we know from the Bible about the flood in Genesis 6-8. The article states that “sea levels were much lower during that time”, and then goes on to say that “sea levels rose”. How does this harmonize with the Biblical account of the global flood?

“All the springs of the great deep burst through, and the sluices of heaven opened. And heavy rain fell on earth for forty days and forty nights” (Genesis 7:11 NJB). A gigantic amount of water was somehow released upon the earth within a relatively short time. Psalm 104:6,7 possibly explains where the water came from: “You covered it (the earth) with the watery depths as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. But at your rebuke they fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight” (NIV). They were released at the start of the flood.

This global deluge resulted in 

“the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth, rising twenty-two feet above the highest peaks” (Genesis 7:19,20 NLT) read more

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com