Message delivered at the Kentucky/Indiana Fellowship in Sellersburg, IN. July 18-21, 2022
Some of the most amazing prophesies have to do with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of the prophecies concerning our Lord were made anywhere from 400 years to 1000 years beforehand, and a few even longer than that.
More than 700 years before Jesus Christ was born, the Prophet Micah predicted where He was to be born.
Micah 5:2 “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.”
The fulfillment of this prophecy is even more astonishing when we see how it came to pass. Mary did not even live in Bethlehem, but in Nazareth. But God used the heathen, idolatrous nation of Rome to make arrangements for all to be enrolled in their home cities and thus Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem at just the right time for Jesus to be born there.
Luke 2:4-17 “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you; you will find the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying; “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us how go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they come the haste and found Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.”
IT WAS TOLD OF WHOM HE WOULD BE BORN
The prophet Isaiah in chapter 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”told of whom He would be born and this was about 750 years before the event. In Matthew 1:23, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, God with us.”He confirms the fulfillment of this amazing prediction, how He was born of a virgin His name was also foretold. Isaiah 7:14 also included the name to be given him, Jesus. Again 750 years earlier, this was promised. Matthew 1:18-25,”Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: AfterHis mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy
Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know he till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.” And Luke 1:31 tells us how this name was given: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall all His name Jesus.”
Jesus was Also to be Called Up Out of Egypt
Hosea 11:1 about 740 years beforehand, spoke of this rather odd development. “When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called my Son.” Matthew 2:13-15 explains how and why all of this took place, and how it was fulfilled exactly as predicted. “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, arise, take the young child and his Mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until l bring you word; For Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him” When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying; “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Christ’s Forerunner was Prophesied
Before Christ would begin His earthly ministry, there was a need for one to prepare the way. This was predicted in Isaiah 40:3, about 750 years before; “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” And in Malachi 3:1, some 400 years beforehand, “Behold I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of my covenant.” John 1:6-9 tells of how John the Baptist was the fulfillment of this prediction. “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”
Where Jesus’s Ministry was to Begin was Foretold
Isaiah 9:1,2, about 750 years before, told where Jesus would begin His ministry. “Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali and afterward heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light those who dwell in the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” Matthew 4:12-15 records the fulfillment of this. “Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the regions of Zebulon and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying; “The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.”
The Making of a New Covenant
Jeremiah, 600 years before the fulfillment, predicted that Jesus would establish a new covenant, in chapter 31:31. “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.”Several passages make reference to this; Matthew 26:26-29, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it all of you. For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Giving Sight to the Blind
One of the miracles that Jesus did had to do with giving sight to the blind. Isaiah 29:18, 700 years earlier, said that He would do just that. “In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.”Luke 48:35-43 records how He did this. “Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certan blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazarath was passing by. And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.” Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me.” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, ”Receive your sight, your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight, and followed glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it ,gave praise to God.
Healing the Sick
Other miracles had to do with healing the sick of all kinds of diseases, and making the lame walk. Isaiah 53:4,5 foretold this. “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed.” Matthew 4:23,24 whowed how this was achieved. “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then his fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them.”
Jesus Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem on a Colt
Zechariah 9;9 speaks of Jesus using a colt to make his triumphant entry in the city of Jerusalem, some 500 years before it happened. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foul of a donkey.” John 12:14,15 is the fulfilling of this. “Then Jesus, when he had found a young donkey set on it as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
Betrayed for 30 Pieces of Silver
Zechariah is the prophet that foretold how Jesus would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver in chapter 11 verse 12,13 500 years before it happened. “Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not refrain.” So they weighted our for my wages 30 pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, “throw it to the potter” – that princely price they set on me. So I took the 30 pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord for the potter.” He also told what would happen to the money. This was fulfilled in Matthew 26:14,15 “Then one of the 12, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him 30 pieces of silver.
Numbered with Transgressors
Isaiah, 700 years before it happened, also told that Jesus would be numbered with the transgressors in chapter 53 verse 12. “Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured his soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors and he , bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” It was fulfilled in Luke 22:37. “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
His Grave with the Rich
Isaiah 53:9, 700 years before fortold that Jesus would be buried with the rich. “And they made his grave with the wicked-but with the rich at his death, because he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” Jesus was taken and laid in a new tomb that belonged to Joseph, a rich man, as told in Matthew 27:57-60. “Now when evening, had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and departed.”
Nature of His Wounds
Zechariah 12:10 foretold what king of wounds Jesus would suffer at his death. “And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for him as one mourns for his only son and grieve for him as one grieves for a firstborn.” The fulfillment is in John 19:37. “And again another scripture says, “they shall look on him who they pierced.”
Gall and Vinegar
Psalm 69:21 predicted gall and vinegar being offered during Jesus’s time upon the cross. “They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Also in Luke 23:36. “The soldiers also mocked Him coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying , “If you are the King of the jews, save yourself.”
Mocking on the Cross
Psalm 22:7,8 foretold of the cruel mocking that would take place while Jesus was on the cross. “All those who see me, ridicule me; they shoot our the lip, they shake the head, saying, “He trusted in the Lord, let him rescue Him; let him deliver him, since he delights in him!” The Psalm reference would be about 1050 years before the event was fulfilled as told in Matthew 27:39-43. “And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, if you are the son of God, come down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priest also mocking with the scribes and elders said, “He saved others himself he cannot save. Let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver him now if he will have him; for he said, “I am the Son of God.”
Christ’s Resurrection Predicted
Psalm 16:10, some 1050 years before hand, told that the Messiah would be resurrected from the dead. “For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will you allow your holy one to see corruption.” Acts 2:27 relates to this prophecy showing how it was fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth, thus establishing the truth that He was the Messiah. “For you will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will you allow your holy one to see corruption.”
Earliest Prophecy
Some 4000 years before the time of Christ, a rather veiled prediction is found in Genesis 3:15 of the death of Christ and His victory over Satan. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Romans 16:20 “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.”
To God, foretelling the future is no more difficult than it is for us to record events of history. In fact God can predict future events much more accurately than we can recall history. 2 Peter 1:19
Joe Stone is minister of the Waterford Church of Christ, Waterford, KY.