Was Jesus Christ being born in Bethlehem, foretold, or predicted, in advance? Many of the Dead Sea Scrolls have been accurately dated to before Jesus was born.
“Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms”—Luke 24:44 NIV
Critics claim that Jesus was just an ordinary man, and that predictive prophecy is impossible, and therefore deny that Jesus fulfilled any Old Testament prophecies. Since there are so many prophecies that Jesus actually fulfilled, critics resort to claiming that the prophecies in the Old Testament were written after the fact, so as to conform to what happened to Jesus, and also that the New Testament recordings of these fulfillments are frauds, that is, written to conform to Old Testament predictions. read more
When was Genesis through Judges written? What is significant about Hosea’s use of Genesis through Judges?
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
To Understand Bible Prophecy, Consider the Context
Jehovah’s Witnesses recently published an article entitled “An Attack Coming From the North” (The Watchtower–Study Edition, April 2020), in which they admit that their prior explanation of the prophecy of Joel 2:7-9 was out of context, and therefore inaccurate. Their new explanation of this prophecy is very similar to what they call “Christendom” has explained for a long time, that is, the Babylonians would invade Judah and Jerusalem from the north and take over. Unfortunately for the JW’s, however, they still hold to their 607 BCE date for the destruction of Jerusalem, since it fits in with their ill-fated 1914 date.
In their explanation, the Witnesses make an astounding statement: “To understand a prophecy correctly, we generally have to consider its context”. “Generally”???—Why would we not always need to “consider its context”? Would there ever be a Bible prophecy that we could take out of context, and come up with an explanation that is correct?—-Absolutely not. It would be like trying to float a ship on dry land.
Then they go on to make another equally astounding statement. “If we focus on only one aspect of the prophecy and ignore the rest, we may draw the wrong conclusion”. “May draw the wrong conclusion”??? This is unbelievable. If we ignore every aspect of a Bible prophecy except one, how could we not draw the wrong conclusion?
At least the JW Organization admits they were wrong about Joel 2:7-9. However, they seem to downplay a vital point about wise decision making. Wise decision makers take into account all relevant facts–not just one–before making a final decision. This also applies to understanding Bible prophecy.
Why would they make statements such as these? It appears that it may be to cover up for a number of erroneous prophetic interpretations that they have made, including their most important ones; namely, Matthew 24:45 and 1914.
Jesus gave his great long range prophecy that is recorded in Matthew 24, 25. He concludes this with four parables that exhort each Christian to be faithful, always active, and working for Christ and his Kingdom’s interests, all the while without any figuring out when the Master will return, since Jesus admitted he didn’t know that date himself (Matthew 24:36-44).
It is the parable of the faithful and wise servant (Matthew 24:45-51) that the Witness organization has long used out of context to assert that their leaders fulfill this prophecy. The way the JW’s explain it, their leaders, guided by Almighty God, have been dispensing “spiritual food at the proper time since the year 1919”. If that is so, then why have the Witnesses had to change their explanations so many times? When they change their explanation, the former explanation becomes obsolete, or no longer correct.
“God, who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2 NASB) never makes a mistake, “his work is perfect” (Deuteronomy 32:4 NASB). Therefore, he doesn’t give out tainted spiritual food. This one fact means that God is not the one ‘guiding the witness leaders’.The JW’s glossing over this one fact, among others, contributes to the wrong explanation of the parable of the faithful and wise servant, applying to only a few Christians instead of each and every Christian.
The Bible makes clear that “interpretations belong to God” (Genesis 40:8 NRSV).
“He reveals deep and hidden things.” “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:22,28 NIV).read more
Accurate Predictions of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
Was Jesus ‘ resurrection actually predicted with accuracy?
Predictions of the death and resurrection of Jesus can be found throughout the Old Testament, as well as in the New Testament by Jesus himself. Let’s examine a few of the scriptures in which these predictions can be found.
Old Testament Predictions of Jesus’ Execution, Death and Resurrection
Jesus spoke about his “return” (Luke 19:12 NIV) in the Bible. Jesus knew that the exact time of “when he returns” (Matthew 24:46; Luke 12:43 NIV) would be an issue for Christians through the ages. For the last 2,000 years many predictions have been made about when Jesus would return. But they have all proven false. For example:
“We ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ not be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a ‘spirit,’ or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand”—2 Thessalonians 2:1,2 NABread more
The Last Days – What Will Be the Sign of Jesus’ Return?
What was Jesus’ response to the question at Matthew 24:3: “When will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (NLT).
What will be the sign? Does the context say anything about “the last days”?
First, “Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you.'” (Matthew 24:4)
Mark recorded: “Watch out that no one deceives you.Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. ” (Mark 13:5,6)
And in Luke: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” (Luke 21:8,9)
When anyone is preaching that “The time is near,” Jesus said to avoid them, “Do not follow them.”
Jesus said there will be wars, uprisings, disturbances, wickedness, lawlessness, hatred, persecution, loss of love, great earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful events, persecution, etc. (Matthew 24:6-12; Mark 13:7,8; Luke 21:9-12). Are these to be something new, or different, or on a greater scale, than the past? Not really. These events are “business as usual” for this world.
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” (Matthew 24:9)
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24)
False prophets will have counterfeit signs the , and make false predictions – reject them.
According to the Bible, “the last days” began with the first coming of Jesus back in the first century (Hebrews 1:2 NIV; Acts 2:17). Paul’s warning in the 60’s of the 1st century about bad people “in the last days” (2 Timothy 3:1 NIV) was current, because he advised,
