Footprints of the Messiah

Transcription

1 Supplemental Notes: Footprints of the Messiah The Mystery of the Messiah A review of the specifications and requirements of the Jewish Messiah as detailed in the Tanakh (the Old Testament Scriptures). How Certain Can We Be? A review of the mathematical implications of a small sampling from the more than 300 predictions concerning the Jewish Messiah in the Old Testament. Page Koinonia House Inc.

2 Footprints of the Messiah Part 1: The Mystery of the Messiah A review of the specifications and requirements of the Jewish Messiah as detailed in the Tanakh (the Old Testament Scriptures). This is an update of a study originally published in What Bible Study is mentioned 12 times in one book of the Bible, was given by 7 different people, and is hardly ever given today? Presenting Jesus as the Messiah of Israel entirely from the Old Testament! Presented by: Peter, Stephen, Philip, Paul, Apollos, Aquila, and Priscilla: 1) Acts 2:22-38 Peter s 1 st sermon 2) Acts 3:18-26 Peter s 2 nd sermon 3) Acts 7 Stephen before the Sanhedrin 4) Acts 8:26-39 Philip and the Ethiopian Treasurer 5) Acts 9:20-22 Saul Preaches at Damascus 6) Acts 10:42-43 Peter s sermon to the Gentiles 7) Acts 13:16-41 Paul s sermon at Antioch 8) Acts 17:2-3 Paul at Thessalonica 9) Acts 18:5 Paul at Corinth 10) Acts 18:24-28 Apollos, Aquila, & Priscilla at Ephesus and Corinth 11) Acts 26:23 Paul preaches to Agrippa 12) Acts 28:23 Paul at Rome And Jesus, the 8 th, in Luke, for a total of 14: 13) Luke 24:13 On the Emmaus Road 14) Luke 24:44 In the Upper room Origins Gen 3:15 Gen 3:20 Gen 5 Seed of the Woman Mother of all living First mention of Gospel Page 2 Are there Hidden Messages in the Bible? It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but it is the honor of kings to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2 A Riddle: Who is the oldest man in the Bible? Methuselah; he lived 969 years. Yet he died before his father! How can that be? His father was Enoch At age 65, something happened; he then walked with God for 300 years and then God took him (Gen 5:24). Methuselah tam xlv muth, a root that means death. shalach, which means to bring, or to send forth. Methuselah = His death shall bring. Genealogy of Genesis 5 Adam Seth Enosh Kenan Mahalalel Jared Enoch Methuselah Lamech Noah This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Genesis 5:1-2 Adam ~d a adomah, means man. The same 17 elements that make up our body chemistry are the same Page 3

3 17 elements that are found in the dust of the ground. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: Genesis 5:3 Seth tve seth, which means appointed. Eve said, For God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. Genesis 4:25 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos: Genesis 5:4-6 Enosh vana/ Kenan!n yqe which means mortal, frail, or miserable. It is from the root anash, to be incurable; used of a wound, grief, woe, sickness, or wickedness. And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Kenan: And Enos lived after he begat Kenan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died. Genesis 5:9-11 which can mean sorrow, dirge, or elegy. (The precise denotation is somewhat elusive; some study aids unfortunately presume that Kenan is synonymous with Cainan. ) Page 4 Balaam, looking down from the heights of Moab, uses a pun upon the name of the Kenites when he prophesizes their destruction (Num 24:21, 23). And Kenan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalalel: And Kenan lived after he begat Mahalalel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died. Genesis 5:12-14 Mahalalel ll hum. which means blessed or praise ; and la El, the name for God. The Blessed God. And Mahalalel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared: And Mahalalel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died. Genesis 5:15-17 Jared (Yared) dr,y< from the verb yaradh, meaning shall come down. [Some authorities suggest that this might be an allusion to the Sons of God who came down to corrupt the daughters of men, resulting in the Nephilim of Genesis 6.] And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. Genesis 5:18-20 Page 5

4 Enoch %Anx] which means commencement, or teaching. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Jude 14,15 Enoch s Prophecy We know the Lord s coming is sure. We know who will accompany the Lord We know the purpose of His coming. We know the result of the Lord s coming. Nadir of Apostasy Enoch was translated ( raptured?) Midway between Adam and Abraham. Elijah was translated Midway between Abraham and Christ. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5:21-24 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 Page 6 Enoch Walked with God Not a casual stroll: 300 years (Heb 11:5). Agreement; surrender; witness (Amos 3:3). Privilege available today (Col 2:6; Gal 5:25; 2 Cor 5:7). Methuselah tam xlv muth, a root that means death. shalach, which means to bring, or to send forth. Methuselah = His death shall bring. Enoch s earliest prophecy was the name of his son, Noah s grandfather. Muth, death, occurs 125 times in the Old Testament. And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech: And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. Genesis 5:25-27 Lamech %m,l a root still evident today in our own English word, lament or lamentation. Despairing. And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed. Genesis 5:28,29 Noah x;no which is derived from nacham, to bring relief or comfort = Comfort, or Rest. Page 7

5 His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Lk 22:44). 5) Mahalalel = Blessed God - God who is worthy to be honored in worship. Of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen (Rom 9:5). 6) Jared = Shall Come Down - Will humble one s self, descend to a lower level. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:8). One Integrated Design The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed; The Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed. Ten Attributes of the Messiah [These notes were submitted by Matt Matsen, KI Member] 1) Adam = Man - Mankind, everyone. And so it is written, The first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit (1 Cor 15:45). 2) Seth = Appointed - Is fixed in place. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus (1 Thess 5:9). 3) Enosh = Mortal - Human, Not everlasting but finite, has an ending point. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (Jn 1:14). 7) Enoch = Teaching. But Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6:68-69). 8) Methuselah = His Death Shall Bring - His death shall mark the beginning of something new. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Rom 5:9-10). 9) Lamech = Despairing - Hopeless. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? (Mt 27:46, Ps 22:1). 10) Noah = Rest, Comfort - Peace of Mind or Spirit. Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Mt 11:28; Mk 5:15). Leadership Roles 4) Kenan = Sorrow - Heartbreak, grief, anguish, pain. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then Page 8 Deut 18: Sam 2:35 A great prophet A faithful priest forever Page 9

6 Ps 110:1-4 Gen 14:18-20 Ruth 1-4 Isa 9:6,7 Isa 11:1-5 Isa 42:1-5 Isa 8:13-14 Isa 59:20 Ps 18:43 Messianic Identities Ps 40:7 Gen 49:10 Isa 11:1-5 Isa 22:21-25 Zech 3:8 Zech 6:12 Micah 5:2 Isa 61:1-3 Zech 9:9 Ezek 44:1-3 God Has a Son Isa 9:6 Ps 2:6-12 Prov 30:4 Ps 91:14-16 Dan 11:32 Micah 5:2 Family Tree Melchizedek Thou art my son Bread & wine; tithes. Priest + King; vs. Levi & Judah Kinsman-Redeemer (Goel) Prince of peace Righteous Ruler Servant Ruler Sanctuary to some The Redeemer Foreigners shall serve Him The Volume of the Book The Scepter shall not depart Stem of Jesse Keys of David The Branch The Branch Born in Bethlehem His Mandate Entry on a Donkey Closure of East Gate A Son is Given Thou Art my Son What is His Son s name? Know my Name People know their God Pre-existence Ruth 4 2 Sam 7:11-16 Isa 11:1-5 Isa 22:21-25 Zech 3:8 Zech 6:12 David Promise to David Stem of Jesse Keys of David The Branch The Branch Luke s vs. Matthew s Genealogy Matthew goes through the royal line down to Joseph, the legal father of Jesus Christ. In the first 17 verses of Matthew, he makes the case that Jesus had legal title to the Throne of David. The Problem: The Messiah, the royal line, would be from the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:10). The Messiah would be from the line of David (Ruth 4:22; 2 Sam 7:11-16). The succession of the kings of Judah proved to be, with only a few exceptions, a dismal chain. We eventually encounter Jeconiah (aka Johoiachin) who is so bad, God finally pronounced a blood curse on him (Jer 22:30). How could the Messiah come from the royal line if there s a blood curse on the royal line? Luke reveals God s solution in his genealogy. Gen 22:18 Gen 26:4 Gen 28:14 Gen 49:10 Page 10 Abraham Isaac Jacob Judah The scepter shall not depart... Page 11

7 Why the Virgin Birth? (Many theological reasons), but one simple reason is to provide a way around the blood curse on Jeconiah. Mary, having married within her tribe, carries the inheritance: Heli would have adopted Joseph as his son-in-law. As per the Torah exception provided for the daughters of Zelophehad. The Daughters of Zelophehad. The Torah provides for inheritance through the daughter, if no sons were available and she married within her tribe (Num 26:33; 27:1-11; 36:2-12; Josh 17:3-6; 1 Chr 7:15). By tradition, the father would legally adopt his son-in-law in such cases (Ezra 2:61; Neh 7:63; 32:41; cf.1 Chr 2:21-23, 34-35; Num 27:3-8). And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Luke 3:23 nomi,zw, nomizo, reckoned as by law Joseph was the son-in-law of Heli [According to Lachmann, Tischendorf, Tregelles, Alford, Westcott and Hort: Jerusalem Talmud, Chag. 77,4. Cf. E.W. Bullinger, Number in Scripture, Kregel, Grand Rapids, MI, from 1894 reproduction, p. 160 note.] We discover that every detail in Scripture proves to be deliberate and relevant and ultimately points to Jesus Christ! Matthew s genealogy goes from the top down. Luke s (slightly different) genealogy goes in reverse order. Luke lays out his genealogy in climatic order ( Cf. 1 Cor 15:22, 45; Rom 5:17). Adam (as were the angels) was a direct creation of God. We are the sons of a fallen Adam (cf. John 1:11,12). Page 12 Why did Samuel appoint a Benjamite to the kingship rather than one from the tribe of Judah? The Book of Ruth (Summary) Some ostensible paradoxes: Judah was the Royal tribe (Gen. 49:10). How could Samuel anoint Saul from the tribe of Benjamin? (1 Sam 15:1). David wasn t ready yet. Prophesied in the days of Judges (Ruth 4:12). How could Boaz marry a Moabitess? The Law legally forbade intermarriage (Deut 7:2,3). Especially to a Moabite (Deut 23:3). Boaz s mother was Rahab the harlot (Mt 1:5). The Law shut Ruth out; grace took her in (Rom 8:3,4). Prophetic Points: Boaz is a type of a kinsman redeemer; Naomi is a type of Israel; Ruth, the gentile, is taken as a wife; Naomi meets Boaz through Ruth; Ruth learns the ways from Naomi; Ruth is at the feet of Boaz in threshing floor scene. Prophetic Blessing / Marriage Toast (Ruth 4:11). Famous in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Ruth 4:12). House like Perez? (Gen 38:6-29). Bastard ineligible for inheritance until 10 th generation (Deut 23:2). The genealogy at the end of the book of Ruth shows David at the 10 th generation. Pharez Genesis begins the story of Joseph in Gen 37, which continues to the end in Gen 50. But in Gen 38 we encounter a sordid episode where Judah is tricked into having sex with his daughter-in-law Tamar, who gives birth to two sons out of wedlock. (Why is this recorded here?) Pharez was the illegitimate son of Judah Page 13

8 and Tamar (Gen 38:6-29). An illegitimate son cannot inherit for 10 generations (Deut 23:2). The 10 th generation from Pharez was David! (Ruth 4:12). Messianic Genealogy The most distinguished Family Tree in history. Encrypted in Torah (Gen 38). Prophesied in Judges (Ruth 4). Evades the blood curse on Jeconiah (Jer 22:30). Virgin Birth (Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14; Ps 69, 110). Messiah to be Executed! Dan 9:24-27 Messiah to be cut-off (karat = executed) When: prior to 70 a.d. Gen 22 Akedah: named prophetically (v. 14) 2000 years later: same spot, another Father offers His Son Isa 52:13-53:12 Why He suffered Isa 49:16, Zech 12:10 Nail prints Isa 50:6 Beard plucked Ps 22 Zech 11:12-13 Zech 12:10 Zech 13:6 Dead Sea Bombshell From the cross, first person singular [First words: My God, My God... Last words: It is finished, literally, Paid in Full! ] 30 pieces of Silver; Given to the potter; all in the house of the Lord. Whom they pierced Wounds in His hands The Dead Sea scrolls (from before 68 a.d.) make reference to a suffering Messiah whose hands and feet were pierced, who suffered and died for the sins of the people. Those living in the famous Jewish community at Qumram were believers! Page 14 Satan s Stratagem It is interesting to note Satan s repeated attempts to eradicate the Messianic line from Eve onwards throughout history. (Cf. Noah s Flood, et al.) From Cain and Abel, to the slaughter of the infants in Egypt, the repeated attempts to interrupt the royal line, even to the slaughter of the babes in Bethlehem. (Summary: see Rev 12.) Yeshua Ha Meschiach Micah 5:2 Luke 2:8-11 Luke 2:21 He Is Who He Said He Is John 8:58 Luke 1:32 Zech. 12:10 Messiah to be born in Bethlehem Messiah born Named Yeshua = salvation The voice of the Burning Bush He is going to establish the Throne of David And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced... Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40 Page 15

9 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: Matthew 12:37-39 Three Days Christ (in the tomb)? Old Testament: 1) Abraham (Isaac dead to him); Gen 22:4, Heb 11:19. 2) Joseph (dreams in prison); Gen 40. 3) Esther (fasted 3 days); Est 6:16. 4) Jonah (in the fish); Mt 12:40. 5) Nation Israel (asks Jesus to return); Hos 6:2. 6) Tola worm; Ps 22:6. 7) Rahab s cord; Jos 2: Psalm 22:6 Tola [l ATis the scarlet-worm, Cermes vermilio, a scaleinsect which feeds upon the oak, and which is used for producing a red dye. The female tola when it reproduces, climbs to a branch of a tree and bears its eggs on it. When the eggs hatch and become larvae, they eat the body of the mother worm. The worm dies in the process, and a crimson spot is left in the branch of the tree. Then, after three days, the scarlet/crimson spot dries out and changes color to a snow white color and falls off and flakes away! Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 Page 16 Rahab s Scarlet Cord/Line Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. Joshua 2:15 lb,x, chebel = a) a rope, or cord; b) pain, sorrow, travail Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father s household, home unto thee. Joshua 2:18 hw q.titiqvah = a) a line, cord; b) hope, expectation And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way. Joshua 2:16 lb,x, chebel 3 days hw"q.ti tiqvah a) a rope, or cord b) pain, sorrow, travail a) a line, cord b) hope, expectation Psalm 69: The Silent Years in Christ s Life I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother s children. Psalm 69:8 Page 17 The Cross 3 days The Empty Tomb

10 Mary had other children, which confirms the record in the Gospels (Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3). He became an alien unto His mother s children not His father s children because Joseph was not His father. They were halfbrothers and half-sisters. It may have been a very unhappy home. This verse tells a lot we would not know otherwise. Possibly her boys, James, Judas and Joses, said to her, Mother, we heard somebody said that Jesus is not really our brother. They said that nobody knows who His father is. It must have been interesting when they later discover who He really is!! This verse also teaches the virgin birth of Christ. Is not this the carpenter s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Matthew 13:35 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards. Psalm 69:12 The drunkards at the local bar made up dirty little ditties about Him and His mother. Those who are sitting in the gate are the high officials of the town, the judges. The best people in Nazareth also spoke against Him. (You know how forgiving small towns are!) His life in Nazareth was not nice. Why did He endure all of this? He was raised in a town where He was called illegitimate in order that I might be a legitimate son of God. The Son of God bore that for me on the cross; He paid the penalty for my sins. We have no idea what He endured for 30 years in order that we might have a clear title as a legitimate son of God. Page 18 Footprints of Messiah Part 2: How Certain Can We Be? Prophetic Scriptures 8,362 predictive verses; 1,817 predictions; 737 separate matters. J. Barton Payne, Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty...we have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 2 Peter 1:16, 19 Until we can measure a thing, we really know very little about it. William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) The Old Testament (The Tenach) These Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek by 270 b.c. They contain over 300 prophecies detailing the Coming Messiah. Indebted to Peter Stoner, Science Speaks (modified). Can we measure our confidence that Jesus really was who He said He was? OT Prophecies Quoted in the Gospels He was to be of David s family (2 Sam 7:12-16; Ps 89:3-4; 110:1; 132:11; Isa 9:6, 7; 11:1). He would be born of a virgin (Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14). He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Page 19

11 He would sojourn in Egypt (Hos 11:1). He would live in Galilee (Isa 9:1, 2) and in Nazareth (Isa 11:1). To be announced by an Elijah-like herald (Isa 40:3-5; Mal 3:1; 4:5). Would occasion massacre of Bethlehem s children (Gen 35:19-20; Jer 31:15). Would proclaim a Jubilee to the world (Isa 58:6; 61:1). His mission would include the Gentiles (Isa 42:1-4). Ministry would be one of healing (Isa 53:4). He would teach through parables (Isa 6:9-10; Ps 78:2). He would be disbelieved, rejected by rulers (Ps 69:4; 118:22; Isa 6:10; 29:13; 53:1). Would make a triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zech 9:9; Ps 118:26). Betrayed by friend for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11:1-13; Ps 41:9). Would be like a smitten shepherd (Zech 13:7). Would be given vinegar and gall (Ps 69:21). They would cast lots for His garments (Ps 22:18). His side would be pierced (Zech 12:10; Ps 22:16). Not a bone would be broken (Ex 12:46; Num 9:12; Ps 34:20). Would die among malefactors (Isa 53:9, 12). His dying words foretold (Ps 22:1; 31:5). Would be buried by a rich man (Isa 53:9). Rise from the dead on the 3 rd day (Gen 22:4; Ps 16:10-11; Jonah 1:7; Hos 6:2). Resurrection followed by destruction of Jerusalem (Dan 9:26;11:31; 12:1,11)....we are now going to examine just 8 of them: Number 1 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2 Page 20 What is the probability of any person, taken at random, of fulfilling this? Number 2 p 10,000 / 1,000,000,000 p 10 4 / 10 9 = 1:10 5 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9 How many have presented themselves as a king to Jerusalem riding a donkey? Number 3 p 1:100 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. Zechariah 11:12 How many people have been betrayed for 30 pieces of silver? p 1:1,000 Number 4 And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. Zechariah 11:13 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he Page 21

12 cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Matthew 27:4-8 The Precision of Zech 11:13 Price: 30 pieces of silver. Location of the transaction: the House of the Lord (Temple). Who ends up with the money? The Potter. Number 5 p 1:100,000 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. Zechariah 13:6 Thomas Unbelief But he [Thomas] said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. John 20:25 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, Page 22 My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:26-29 Zechariah 13:6 How many people, taken at random, have been wounded in their hands in the house of their friends? Number 6 p 1:1,000 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 How many prisoners, accused of a capital crime, make no defense even though innocent? Number 7 p 1:1,000 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:9 How many died among the wicked, yet were buried with the rich? p 1:1,000 Number 8 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. Psalm 22:16 (700 years before crucifixion invented) Page 23

13 How many, taken at random, have died by having hands and feet pierced? A bucket of silver dollars would fill the entire state of Texas to a depth of two feet! p 1:10,000 Composite Probabilities If a population has 60% male and 40% female, what is the probability that one taken at random is female? p = 0.4 If a population is 60% right handed and 40% left handed, what is the probability that someone taken at random is left handed? p = 0.4 What is the probability of selecting a left-handed female? (see chart below). p = 0.4 x 0.4 = Prophecies Combined Remember, there are over 300 to choose from; the next 8 would be more specific (each less likely than the previous). Assuming no decrease in likelihoods: x = /10 11 = How big of a bucket do we need now? A ball of silver dollars with a radius that is 30 times the distance between the earth and the sun! 48 Prophecies Combined 8 Prophecies Combined Total population 100 billion (10 11 ) Combined probabilities: /10 11 = Page 24 Over 300 to choose from; assuming no decrease in likelihoods: x x x x x = Combined probabilities: /10 11 = Silver dollars won t work this one Page 25

14 Make a ball of every atom in the universe: Make one for each atom of the universe: x = Repeat this exercise every second since the universe began: x = vs ? we are still short by 10 8 : 100,000,000 times and we ve dealt with only 48 of over 300 prophecies! [I am indebted to Peter Stoner for this illustration, Science Speaks, 17 books give prominence to the event 318 references in the New Testament 216 chapters 23 of 27 books give prominence to the event For every prophecy of Christ s 1st Coming there are 8 of His Second Coming! Our Challenge We are being plunged into a period of time about which the Bible says more than it does about any other period of time in history...what is God calling YOU to do? Raise the bar on your personal walk with Him. Join (or start) a Small Study Group. Commit to a systematic program to really learn your Bible. Respond to His calling NOW! Check out for more information. The Most Amazing Ones His detailed genealogy. The specific prediction of the precise day that the Messiah would present Himself as King to Jerusalem (Daniel 9). Old Testament Midrashic Prophecies. Bibliography Bullinger, E. W., Appendix to The Companion Bible, Marshall, Morgan, and Scott, Ltd, London, Jones, Alfred, Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids MI, Kaplan, Rabbi Aryeh, The Living Torah, Maznaim Publishing Corporation, Jerusalem, Stoner, Peter, Science Speaks, The Return of Christ to Rule 1,845 references in the Old Testament Page 26 Page 27

15 Commentaries on MP3 CD-ROM Chuck Missler s Expositional Commentaries are now available from Koinonia House on MP3 CD-ROM or download. Some titles are also available on DVD and audio CD. Write or call for a complete list. Monthly News Journal Personal UPDATE, a monthly news journal highlighting the Biblical relevance of current events, is also available by writing: Koinonia House P.O. Box D Coeur d Alene, ID KHOUSE-1 Page 28