JOSH McDOWELL
EVIDENCE
THAT DEMANDS A VERDICT
VOLUME I

HISTORICAL EVIDENCES FOR THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

Go to: TABLE OF CONTENTS

141

chapter 9

the
Messianic
prophecies
OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
FULFILLED IN JESUS CHRIST

1A. INTRODUCTION

1B. Purpose of Messianic Prophecy

1C. GOD IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD WHOSE KNOWLEDGE IS
INFINITE AND WHOSE WORD IS NEVER BROKEN
Numbers 23:19

2C. ALL THINGS ARE SUBJECT TO GOD'S DIVINE WILL
Isaiah 46:9,10

3C. MESSIAH WILL ABSOLUTELY BE KNOWN, BASED UPON HIS
CREDENTIALS

142

Isaiah 48:3,5
Romans 1:2-4

2B. Appeal to Messianic Prophecy

1C. JESUS

Matthew 5:17
Luke 24:27
Luke 24:44
John 5:39,40,46,47
Matthew 13:14 (on parables)
Matthew 11:10 (on John the
Baptist)
Matthew 21:42
Matthew 26:56
Mark 13:26 (refer to Daniel
7:13,14)

143

Luke 4:20,21
Luke 22:37
John 15:25

2C. NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS APPEAL TO PROPHECIES
FULFILLED IN JESUS

Acts 3:18
Acts 10:43
Acts 13:29
Act 17:2,3
I Corinthians 15:3,4
Romans 1:2
I Peter 2:5,6
Matthew 2:4-6

144

3C. IN THE WORK AND PERSON OF CHRIST THERE IS A
FULFILLMENT OF THE LEVITICAL FEASTS 13/41
The Feast (Leviticus 23) The Fulfillment in Christ
Passover (April) Death of Christ (I Cor. 5:7)
Unleavened Bread (April) Holy Walk (I Cor. 5:8)
First Fruits (April) Resurrection (I Cor. 15:23)
Pentecost (June) Outpouring of Spirit (Acts 1:5; 2:4)
Trumpets (Sept.) Israel's Regathering (Matt. 24:31)
Atonement (Sept.) Cleansing by Christ (Rom. 11:26)
Tabernacles (Sept.) Rest and Reunion with Christ
(Zech.14:16-18)

3B. Significance of Predictive Prophecy

1C. CONCLUDES THAT THERE IS A DIVINE INTELLECT BEHIND
THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS

2C. ESTABLISHES THE FACT OF GOD

3C. AUTHENTICATES THE DEITY OF JESUS

4C. DEMONSTRATES THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE

2A. THE OLD TESTAMENT CONTAINS OVER 300 REFERENCES TO THE
MESSIAH THAT WERE FULFILLED IN JESUS

1B. Objection

2B. Answer

3A. CREDENTIALS OF JESUS AS THE MESSIAH THROUGH FULFILLED
PROPHECY

1B. Prophecies Concerning His Birth:

1. BORN OF THE SEED OF WOMAN
PROPHECY
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."   Genesis 3:15		 FULFILLMENT
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,"
Galatians 4:4
(Also see Matthew 1:20.)

145

Jewish source: Targum Onkelos on Genesis 3:15 says, "...." 10/41
Jewish source: Targum Pseudo Jonathan on Genesis 3:15 states, "...." 3/122
... an interesting observation of Dav. L. Coo.:
"In Gen. 3:15 we find the first prediction relative to the Saviour of the
world, called ‘the seed of the woman.’
... of it is found in Genesis 4:1 -- the
statement of Eve when Cain, her first son, was born. 5/8,9
The King James Bible renders Genesis 4:1: "...she...said, I
have gotten a man from the LORD."

2. BORN OF A VIRGIN
PROPHECY
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Isaiah 7:14		 FULFILLMENT
"...she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.   Then Joseph
...knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."
Matthew 1:18,24,25
(Also see Luke 1:26-35.)

Virgin is denoted by two words in Hebrew:

  1. bethulah -- proper meaning denotes a virgin maiden.   (Genesis 24:16;
    Leviticus 21:13; Deuteronomy 22:14,23,28; Judges 11:37; I Kings 1:2)
    Joel 1:8 is, ....
  2. almah (veiled) -- young woman of marriageable age.   This is the word
    used in Isaiah 7:14.   "...in one word to meet the immediate historical
    situation and the prophetic aspect centering in a virgin-born
    Messiah."     28/1159

146

Virgin is denoted in Greek by: parthenos -- a virgin, marriageable
maiden or young married woman, pure virgin.   (Matthew 1:23; 25:1,7,11;
Luke 1:27; Acts 21:9; I Corinthians 7:25,28,33; II Corinthians 11:2)
28/1159
[omit]

3. SON OF GOD
PROPHECY
"I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee."
Psalms 2:7 (Also see
I Chronicles 17:11-14;
II Samuel 7:12-16.)		 FULFILLMENT
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Matthew 3:17
(Also see Matthew 16:16;
Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35; 22:70;
Acts 13:30-33; John 1:34,49.)

Mark 3:11 -- The demons realized His Sonship.
Matthew 26:63 -- Even the high priest realized His Sonship.
"It is an undoubted fact, and...
of its reference to Him, that the Psalm (Psalm 2) was
universally regarded by the ancient Jews as foretelling the Messiah."
15/43
(Heb.
1:6).
(Romans 1:4). 11/107

4. SEED OF ABRAHAM
PROPHECY
Genesis 22:18
(See also Genesis 12:2,3.)		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 1:1
Galatians 3:16

The importance of the event in Genesis 22:18 is ....
Matthew Henry says about Genesis 22:18, "In thy Seed, one particular
person that shall descend from thee (for he speaks not of many, but of one,

147

as the apostle observes, Gal. 3:16), shall all the nations of the earth be
blessed, or shall bless themselves, as the phrase is, Isa. 65:16." 16/82
The above passage determines that the Messiah would come from the
Hebrew race.

5. SON OF ISAAC
PROPHECY
Genesis 21:12		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 3:23,34
(Also see Matthew 1:2.)

Abraham had two sons, Isaac and Ishmael.   Now God eliminates one-half
of the lineage of Abraham.

6. SON OF JACOB
PROPHECY
Numbers 24:17
(Also see Genesis 35:10-12.)		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 3:23,34
(Also see Matthew 1:2 and
Luke 1:33.)

Jewish source: Targum Jonathan on Genesis 35:11, 12 says, ".... " 10/279
Jewish source: Targum Onkelos on Numbers 24:17 states, ".... " 10/309
In the above Targums we can see that the Jews gave .... 14/44,45
....

148

.... 15/34
Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau.   Now God eliminates one-half of the
lineage of Isaac.

7. TRIBE OF JUDAH
PROPHECY
Genesis 49:10
(Also see Micah 5:2.)		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 3:23,33
(Also see Matthew 1:2 and
Hebrews 7:14.)

Jewish source: Targum Jonathan on Genesis 49:10,11a says, ".... " 10/331
Jewish source: Targum Pseudo Jonathan on Genesis 49:11a states, "...."
3/278
Jacob had 12 sons out of which developed the 12 tribes of the Hebrew
nation.   Now God eliminates eleven-twelfths of the tribes of Israel.   Joseph
had no tribe named after him, but his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh
did become heads of tribes.

8. FAMILY LINE OF JESSE
PROPHECY
Isaiah 11:1
(Also see Isaiah 11:10.)		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 3:23,32
(Also see Matthew 1:6.)

Jewish source: Targum Isaiah states, ".... " 26/40
Del. comments, "... " (Matthew 2:23). 6/281,282

149

9. HOUSE OF DAVID
PROPHECY
Jeremiah 23:5
(Also see II Samuel 7:12-16;
Psalms 132:11.)		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 3:23,31
(Also see Matthew 1:1; 9:27;
15:22; 20:30,31; 21:9,15;
22:41-46; Mark 9:10;
10:47,48; Luke 18:38,39;
Acts 13:22,23;
Revelation 22:16.)

Jewish source: The Messiah as being referred to as the "Son of David" is
scattered throughout the Talmuds.
Dri. says about II Samuel 7:11b, "....
" 7/275
"..." is a common expression which is used in
reference to the entrance of the Messianic era (see Jeremiah 31:27-34).
19/189
Jesse had at least eight sons (see I Samuel 16:10, 11).   Now God eliminates
all of Jesse's sons except one, David.

10. BORN AT BETHLEHEM
PROPHECY
Micah 5:2		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 2:1
(Also see John 7:42;
Matthew 2:4-8;
Luke 2:4-7.)

In Matthew 2:6 the scribes tell Herod with great assurance that the Christ
would be born in Bethlehem.   It was well known among the Jews that the
Christ would come from Bethlehem (see John 7:42).   It is only fitting that

150

Bethlehem, meaning the house of bread, should be the birthplace of the
one who is the Bread of Life. 16/414
God now eliminates all the cities in the world, save one, for the entrance
of His incarnate Son.

11. PRESENTED WITH GIFTS
PROPHECY
Psalms 72:10
(Also see Isaiah 60:6.)		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 2:1,11

The historic application of this passage is to Solomon.   The Messianic
application is amplified in verses 12-15 (Psalms 72).
The inhabitants of Seba and Sheba, the Sabeans, lived in Arabia.
25/941,1006 Matthew Henry says about Matthew 2:1,11 that the wise men
were "men of the east, who were noted for their ...saying (Isa. 2:6).
Arabia is called the land of the east (Gen. 25:6) and the Arabians are
called, Men of the east (Judg. 6:3).   The presents they brought were the
products of that country. . . ." 16/16

12. HEROD KILLS CHILDREN
PROPHECY
Jeremiah 31:15		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 2:16

...of Israel is spoken of in Jeremiah
31:17,18.
...(Matthew
2:17,18) or the murder of the innocents as a type of the
...?   Lae. says, "No.   Certainly not.   The entire context of
ch. 31, beginning ch. 30:20 and continuing to ch. 33:26, is Messianic.
..., of which forgiveness of sins is to be the foundation (ch.
31:31-34; a kingdom in...
(vv. 12-14,25).

151

2B. Prophecies Concerning His Nature:

13. HIS PRE-EXISTENCE
PROPHECY
Micah 5:2
(Also see Isaiah 9:6,7; 41:4;
44:6; 48:12; Psalms
102:25; Proverbs 8:22,23.)		 FULFILLMENT
Colossians 1:17
(Also see John 1:1,2; 8:58;
17:5,24; Revelation
1:17; 2:8; 22:13.)

Jewish source: Targum Isaiah says, (Isaiah 9:6). 26/32
Jewish source: Targum Isaiah states, (Isaiah 44:6). 26/148
Hen. says about Micah 5:2, "...." 15/573

14. HE SHALL BE CALLED LORD
PROPHECY
Psalms 110:1
(Also see Jeremiah 23:6.)		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 2:11
Matthew 22:43-45

Jewish source: The Midrash Tehillim, Commentary on Psalms, 200- 500
A.D., says on Psalms 21:1: "..."
(Exodus 15:3).
19/193
Jewish source: Echa Rabbathi, 200-500 (Lamentations in Large
Commentary on Pentateuch and five scrolls), on Lamentations 1:16:

152

...
(Jeremiah 23:6). 19/193

15. SHALL BE IMMANUEL (God With Us)
PROPHECY
Isaiah 7:14		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 1:23
(Also see Luke 7:16.)

Jewish source: Targum Isaiah on Isaiah 7:14 says, "...." 26/24
Del. says about Isaiah 9:6 the following, "...
of the antithesis
between El and Adam, as ch. 31:3 (cf. Hosea 11:9) clearly shows." 6/252

16. SHALL BE A PROPHET
PROPHECY
Deuteronomy 18:18		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:11
(Also see Luke 7:16;
John 4:19; 6:14; 7:40.)

Jewish source: The Jewish scholar, Maimonides, in a letter to the
community of Yemen, ...
(Isaiah 11:3). 4/221

Christ compared to Moses:

  1. He was delivered from a violent death in His infancy.
  2. He was willing to become Redeemer of His people (Exodus 3:10).
  3. He worked as mediator between Yahweh and Israel (Exodus 19:16;
    20:18).
  4. He made intercession on behalf of sinful people (Exodus 32:7-14, 33;
    Numbers 14:11-20).

153

"..." (John 4:19, KJV).
...that they expected the Messiah to be a prophet in
accordance with the promise in Deuteronomy 18, but also that He
who performed these miracles was indeed the Promised Prophet."
18/22,23
"..." (John 1:17).

17. PRIEST
PROPHECY
Psalms 110:4		 FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 3:1
Hebrews 5:5,6

Heb. 7:15,
(II Chron. 26:16-21).
Zech. 6:9-15,
11/347

18. JUDGE
PROPHECY
Isaiah 33:22		 FULFILLMENT
John 5:30
(Also see II Timothy 4:1.)

Jewish source: Targum Isaiah on Isaiah 33:22 says, ...

154

"...Judge...lawgiver...King -- perfect ideal of the theocracy, to be
realized under Messiah alone: [...] by Him in person
(Isaiah 11:4; 32:1; James 4:12)." 11/666

19. KING
PROPHECY
Psalms 2:6
(Also see Zechariah 9:9;
Jeremiah 23:5.)		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:37
(Also see Matthew 21:5;
John 18:33-38.)

20. SPECIAL ANOINTMENT OF HOLY SPIRIT
PROPHECY
Isaiah 11:2
(Also see Psalms 45:7;
Isaiah 42:1; 61:1,2.)		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 3:16,17
(Also see Matthew 12:17-21;
Mark 1:10,11; Luke 4:15-21,
43; John 1:32.)

Jewish source: Targum Isaiah on Isaiah 11:1-4a says, 26/40
Jewish source: In the Babylonian Talmud, the Sanhedrin II says, 25/626,627

155

21. HIS ZEAL FOR GOD
PROPHECY
Psalms 69:9		 FULFILLMENT
John 2:15-17

A. R. Fau. says: "... (Ps. 119:139).
... (v.7): cf. John 2:17 as a specimen of Messiah's
zeal for...." 11/245

3B. Prophecies Concerning His Ministry

22. PRECEDED BY MESSENGER
PROPHECY
Isaiah 40:3
(Also see Malachi 3:1.)		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 3:1,2
(Also see Matthew 3:3;
11:10; John 1:23;
Luke 1:17.)

Jewish source: Targum Isaiah on Isaiah 40:3 says, "...."
26/130

23. MINISTRY TO BEGIN IN GALILEE
PROPHECY
Isaiah 9:1		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 4:12,13,17

156

24. MINISTRY OF MIRACLES
PROPHECY
Isaiah 35:5, 6a
(Also see Isaiah 32:3,4.)		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 9:35
(Also see Matthew
9:32,33; 11:4-6;
Mark 7:33-35; John 5:5-9;
9:6-11; 11:43,44,47.)

25. TEACHER OF PARABLES
PROPHECY
Psalms 78:2		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 13:34

26. HE WAS TO ENTER THE TEMPLE
PROPHECY
Malachi 3:1		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 21:12

27. HE WAS TO ENTER JERUSALEM ON DONKEY
PROPHECY
Zechariah 9:9		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 19:35,36,37a
(Also see Matthew 21:6-11.)

28. "stone of stumbling" TO JEWS
PROPHECY
Psalms 118:22
(Also see Isaiah 8:14; 28:16.)		 FULFILLMENT
I Peter 2:7
(Also see Romans 9:32,33.)

157

Jewish source: Targum Isaiah on Isaiah 8:13-15 says, "....
" 26/28

29. "light" TO GENTILES
PROPHECY
Isaiah 60:3
(Also see Isaiah 49:6.)		 FULFILLMENT
Acts 13:47,48a
(Also see Acts 26:23;
28:28.)

4B. Prophecies Concerning Events After His Burial

30. RESURRECTION
PROPHECY
Psalms 16:10
(Also see Psalms 30:3; 41:10;
118:17; Hosea 6:2.)		 FULFILLMENT
Acts 2:31
(Also see Acts 13:33;
Luke 24:46; Mark 16:6;
Matthew 28:6.)

Jewish source: Fri. says, "...." 12/100
Jewish source: The Sanhedrin II, Babylonian Talmud states the
following: "...." 25/601

31. ASCENSION
PROPHECY
Psalms 68:18a		 FULFILLMENT
Acts 1:9

158

32. SEATED AT RIGHT HAND OF GOD
PROPHECY
Psalms 110:1		 FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 1:3
(See also Mark 16:19;
Acts 2:34,35.)

5B. Prophecies Fulfilled in One Day
The following 29 prophecies from the Old Testament, which speak of the
betrayal, trial, death and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ, were spoken at
various times by many different voices during the five centuries from
1000-500 B.C., and yet all of them were literally fulfilled in Jesus in one
24-hour period of time.

33. BETRAYED BY A FRIEND
PROPHECY
Psalms 41:9
(Also see Psalms
55:12-14.)		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 10:4
(Also see Matthew
26:49,50; John 13:21).

Psalms 41:9--"lit., ... " (Matthew 26:49: cf. the type, Jeremiah
20:10). 11/191

34. SOLD FOR 30 PIECES OF SILVER
PROPHECY
Zechariah 11:12		 FULFILLMENT
"...What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?   And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver."
Matthew 26:15
(Also see Matthew 27:3.)

35. MONEY TO BE CAST IN GOD'S HOUSE
PROPHECY
"And I took the thirty pieces of
silver, and cast them to the potter
in the house of the LORD."
Zechariah 11:13b		 FULFILLMENT
"And he cast down the pieces of silver
in the temple, and
departed...."
Matthew 27:5a

159

36. PRICE GIVEN FOR POTTER'S FIELD
PROPHECY
"And I took the thirty pieces
of silver, and cast them to the
potter in the house of the LORD."
Zechariah 11:13b		 FULFILLMENT
"And they took counsel,
and bought with them the
potter's field, to bury
strangers in."
Matthew 27:7

37. FORSAKEN BY HIS DISCIPLES
PROPHECY
Zechariah 13:7		 FULFILLMENT
Mark 14:50
(Also see Matthew 26:31;
Mark 14:27.)

Lae. says Zechariah 13:7 is "a clear prophecy of the off. taken by
the disciples when Christ was smitten.   So Christ Himself interprets these
words (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27).   They were fulfilled (see Matthew
26:56; Mark 14:50ff.).   Yet the Lord would not forsake the sheep.   The Lord
Himself, acting in and through the person of His ‘...’ (John 5:19f.,30),
...,
His ... disciples (Luke 24:4f.,11,17ff.,37; John
20:2,11ff.,19,26).   These weaklings and des.ers became the courageous,
invincible heralds of the Messiah's kingdom." 20/491,492

38. ACCUSED BY FALSE WITNESSES
PROPHECY
Psalms 35:11		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:59,60

39. DUMB BEFORE ACCUSERS
PROPHECY
"He was oppressed, and he was
afflicted,
yet he opened not his
mouth...."
Isaiah 53:7		 FULFILLMENT
"And when he was accused
of the chief priests and elders,
he answered nothing."
Matthew 27:12

160

40. WOUNDED AND BRUISED
PROPHECY
Isaiah 53:5
(Also see Zechariah 13:6.)		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:26

"... (Psalms 22:16)." 11/730
"...." 16/826

41. SMITTEN AND SPIT UPON
PROPHECY
Isaiah 50:6
(Also see Micah 5:1.)		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:67
(Also see Luke 22:63.)

Jewish source: Targum Isaiah on Isaiah 50:6 says, "I gave my back to the
smiters, and my cheeks to them that
...." 26/170
Henry states, "In this submission, He resigned Himself, (1.) To be
scourged; . . . (2.) To be buffeted; . . . (3.) To be spit upon; . . . All this
Christ underwent for us, and voluntarily, to convince us of His willingness
to save us." 16/816

42. MOCKED
PROPHECY
Psalms 22:7,8		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:31

161

43. FELL UNDER THE CROSS
PROPHECY
Psalms 109:24,25		 FULFILLMENT
John 19:17
Luke 23:26
(Also see Matthew
27:31,32.)

Evidently Jesus was so weak that, under the weight of the heavy cross,
His knees were giving way, so they had to place it on another.

44. HANDS AND FEET PIERCED
PROPHECY
Psalms 22:16
(Also see Zechariah 12:10.)		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:33
(Also see John 20:25.)

Jesus was crucified in the usual Roman manner; the hands and feet were
pierced by large dull spikes which attached the body to the wooden cross
or stake.

45. CRUCIFIED WITH THIEVES
PROPHECY
Isaiah 53:12		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:38
(Also see Mark 15:27,28.)

Bli. states, "Crucifixion was unknown in Jewish criminal law.   The
hanging on a gibbet, which was prescribed by Jewish law for idolaters
and... in accordance with Deut. 21:23 (KJV):
...." 2/247,248

162

8/253
29/262
Thus, the type of death pictured in Isaiah 53 and Psalms 22 did not come
into practice under the Jewish system until hundreds of years after the
account was written.

46. MADE INTERCESSION FOR HIS PERSECUTORS
PROPHECY
Isaiah 53:12		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:34

"This office He began ... (Luke 23:34), and now continues in
heaven . . ." (Heb. 9:24; I John 2:1). 11/733

47. REJECTED BY HIS OWN PEOPLE
PROPHECY
Isaiah 53:3
(Also see Psalms 69:8;
118:22.)		 FULFILLMENT
John 7:5,48
(Also see John 1:11;
Matthew 21:42,43.)

"This was fulfilled in Christ, whose brethren did not believe on Him (John
7:5), who came to... (John 1:11),
..., whom He had been free with as
His brethren." 16/292

48. HATED WITHOUT A CAUSE
PROPHECY
Psalms 69:4
(Also see Isaiah 49:7.)		 FULFILLMENT
John 15:25

163

49. FRIENDS STOOD AFAR OFF
PROPHECY
Psalms 38:11		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:49
(Also see Mark 15:40;
Matthew 27:55,56.)

... (Matthew 26:56;
27:55; Luke 23:49; John 16:32). 11/184

50. PEOPLE SHOOK THEIR HEADS
PROPHECY
Psalms 109:25
(Also see Psalms 22:7.)		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:39

... (Job 16:4; Psalms 44:14). 10/148
... (Psalms 22:7; Matthew 27:39). 10/345

51. STARED UPON
PROPHECY
Psalms 22:17		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:35

52. GARMENTS PARTED AND LOTS CAST
PROPHECY
Psalms 22:18		 FULFILLMENT
John 19:23,24

... until we look at the account at the scene of the cross.   The
garments were parted among the soldiers, but the vesture was awarded
to one by the casting of lots.

164

53. TO SUFFER THIRST
PROPHECY
Psalms 69:21
(Also see Psalms 22:15.)		 FULFILLMENT
John 19:28

54. GALL AND VINEGAR OFFERED HIM
PROPHECY
Psalms 69:21		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:34
(Also see John
19:28,29.)

[omit]

55. HIS FORSAKEN CRY
PROPHECY
Psalms 22:1a		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:46

Psalms 22 --"...."
11/148
This cry turned the attention of the people back to Psalms 22.   Christ was
quoting the first verse of the psalm, and that psalm is a clear prophecy of
the crucifixion.

165

56. COMMITTED HIMSELF TO GOD
PROPHECY
Psalms 31:5		 FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:46

57. BONES NOT BROKEN
PROPHECY
Psalms 34:20		 FULFILLMENT
John 19:33

....
1. ... (Psalms 22:14).
2. ... (Psalms 22:17).

58. HEART BROKEN
PROPHECY
Psalms 22:14		 FULFILLMENT
"But one of the soldiers
with a spear pierced his side,
and forthwith came there
out blood and water."
John 19:34

The blood and water which came forth from His pierced side are
evidences that the heart had literally burst.

59. HIS SIDE PIERCED
PROPHECY
Zechariah 12:10		 FULFILLMENT
"But one of the soldiers
with a spear pierced his
side...."
John 19:34

The. Lae. writes:
"...
(Num. 25:8; Judg. 9:54; I Sam. 31:4; I Chron. 10:4; Is.
13:15; Jer. 37:10, ‘wounded’; 51:4; Zech. 12:10; 13:3); it occurs once as

166

..." (Lamentations 4:9). 20/483

60. DARKNESS OVER THE LAND
PROPHECY
Amos 8:9		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:45

....

61. BURIED IN RICH MAN'S TOMB
PROPHECY
Isaiah 53:9		 FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:57-60

4A. PROPHECIES FULFILLED CONFIRM JESUS AS THE MESSIAH, THE
       CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD

1B. Objection: Fulfilled Prophecy in Jesus Was Deliberate
       Answer: The above objection might seem plausible until we realize that
       many of the prophecies concerning the Messiah were totally beyond the
       human control of Jesus, such as --

  1. Place of birth (Micah 5:2).
  2. Time of birth (Daniel 9:25; Genesis 49:10).
  3. Manner of birth (Isaiah 7:14).
  4. Betrayal.
  5. Manner of death (Psalms 22:16).
  6. People's reactions (mocking, spitting, staring, etc.).
  7. Piercing.
  8. Burial.

2B. Objection: Fulfilled Prophecy in Jesus Was Coincidental, an Accident
       "Why, you could find some of these prophecies fulfilled in Kennedy, King,
         Nasser, etc.," replies the critic.

       Answer: Yes, one could possibly find one or two prophecies fulfilled in
       other men, but not all 61 major prophecies!   In fact, if you can find
someone, other than Jesus, either living and dead, who can fulfill only half
of the predictions concerning Messiah which are given in Messiah in Both
Testaments by Fred John Mel., the Chr. Vic. Publishing
Company of Denver is ready to give you a $1,000 reward.

167

H. Har. Hartzler, of the American Scientific Affiliation, Goshen
College, in the foreward of....

The following probabilities are taken from Peter Stoner in Science Speaks
to show that coincidence is ruled out by the science of probability.   Stoner
says that by using the modern science of probability in reference to eight
prophecies (1. -- No. 10; 2. -- No. 22; 3. -- No. 27; 4. -- No. 33&44; 5. -- No.
34; 6. -- No. 35&36; 7. -- No. 39; 8. -- No. 44&45 [crucified]), ". . . We find
that the chance that any man might have lived down to the present time
and fulfilled all eight prophecies is 1 in 1017."

168

3B. The Time of Messiah's Coming

1C. THE REMOVAL OF THE SCEPTER
"" Genesis 49:10
... (see Ezra 1:5,8).

Thus, according to this Scripture and the Jews of their time, two signs
were to take place soon after the advent of the Messiah:

  1. Removal of the scepter or identity of Judah.
  2. Suppression of the judicial power.

The Sanhedrin, however, retained certain rights:

  1. Excommunication (John 9:22).
  2. Imprisonment (Acts 5:17,18).
  3. Corporeal punishment (Acts 16:22).

The Talmud itself admits that ....

169

... 21/28-30

Josephus, who was an eye-witness of this decadent process, says, ...

The Jews, in order to... 21/30-33

The Talmud (Bab., ...) says, ".... " 25/346

170

[...]

2C. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE
Malachi 3:1
This verse, along with four others (Psalms 118:26; Daniel 9:26;
Zechariah 11:13; Haggai 2:7-9), demands that the Messiah come
while the temple at Jerusalem is still standing.
""
Daniel 9:26

  1. Messiah comes (assumed).
  2. Messiah cut off (dies).
  3. Destruction of city (Jerusalem) and sanctuary (the temple).
    ...in 70 A.D.;

4B. Fulfilled Prophecy
In Daniel 9:24-27, a prophecy is given in three specific parts concerning
the Messiah.   ...,
....   For
further study on this prophecy in Daniel, see Chronological Aspects of the
Life of Christ. 17

1C. THE TEXT

    "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

171

    "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
    "And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
    "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
    Daniel 9:24-27

2C. INTERPRETATION OF THE PROPHECY

1D. Main features of this prophecy
(Taken from ... class notes, Tal. The.
Sem., Cal.)
Concerns Daniel's people, Israel, and Daniel's city, Jerusalem
(v.24)
[See paper ]

2D. Time measure indicated by 70 weeks:
Jewish concept of week

  1. The Hebrew word for "week" is shabua and literally means a
    ....
  2. The Jews were familiar with a .... 22/13
  3. Leviticus 25:2-4 illustrates the above fact.   Leviticus 25:8
    shows that there was a multiple of a week of years.

172

  1. ... in the chapter (Daniel 9:1,2).
  2. ...was
    violated 490 years (Leviticus 26:32-35; II Chronicles 36:21
    and Daniel 9:24).
  3. ...and makes sense when we
    understand the 70 weeks as years.
  4. in Daniel 10:2,3. .... If
    Daniel meant days in 9:24-27, why don't we find the same
    form of expression as that in chapter 10?   Obviously, years
    are meant in chapter 9.

3D. Length of prophetic year
The calendar year used in the Scriptures must be....

  1. Historically -- Compare Genesis 7:11 with Genesis 8:4, and
    the two of these with Genesis 7:24 and Genesis 8:3.
  2. Prophetically -- Many Scriptures refer to the great
    tribulation under ....
    Daniel 9:27 -- (KJV)
    Daniel 7:24,25 -- (KJV)
    Revelation 13:4-7 -- (KJV)
    Revelation 12:13,14 -- (KJV)
    Revelation 12:6 -- (KJV)

4D. Beginning of 70 weeks
These are:

  1. The decree of Cyrus, 539 B.C. (Ezra 1:1-4).
  2. The decree of Darius, 519 B.C. (Ezra 5:3-7).
  3. The decree of Artaxerxes to Ezra, 457 B.C. (Ezra 7:11-16).
  4. The decree of Artaxerxes to Nehemiah, 444 B.C. (Nehemiah
    2:1-8). 17/131ff.

173

And, as we read, he was sent, and he rebuilt Jerusalem.
"....
This decree of Neh. ii is
the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem; no other
decree gives any permission to restore the city.   All other decrees
refer to the building of the temple and the temple only." 29/141,142

  1. ... (Nehemiah 2:1).
  2. Artaxerxes' accession was in 465 B.C.
  3. ...
    the date is understood as the first day of the month, which
    would be Nisan 1, 444 B.C.
  4. March 5, 444 B.C. is our corresponding calendar date.

5D. Way-mark of the first seven weeks

  1. It took 49 years to restore the city (v.25).
  2. The close of Hebrew prophecy and of the Old Testament
    canon in Malachi is noteworthy, marked 49 years after 444
    B.C.
...is the presentation of Christ
Himself to Israel as the Messiah as predicted in Zechariah 9:9.
" " 17/138

6D. Interval between weeks 69 and 70
After the termination of the 69 weeks and before the
commencement of the 70th week, two events had to occur.

  1. The ‘cut[ing] off’ of the Messiah (Daniel 9:26).
    Christ was crucified April [1], A.D. 33, the Wednesday following His
    triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
  2. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (Daniel 9:26).

174

"... in the destruction of Jerusalem, 70 A.D."
29/148,149

3C. SUMMARY
Time line:

[Graphic]

175

So Daniel prophesies accurately concerning the Messiah in his
prophecy of the 70 weeks.
They include:

  1. The coming of the Messiah.
  2. The death of the Messiah.
  3. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.

The third part of the prophecy pertaining to the 70th week is yet
to occur.

4A. OLD TESTAMENT PREDICTIONS WHICH WERE LITERALLY
FULFILLED IN CHRIST
"... for the statement that
there are in the Old Testament 332 distinct predictions which were literally
fulfilled in Christ."

1B. His First Advent
The fact. Genesis 3:15; Deuteronomy 18:15; Psalms 89:20; Isaiah 9:6;
   28:16; 32:1; 35:4; 42:6; 49:1; 55:4; Ezekiel 34:24; Daniel 2:44; Micah
   4:1; Zechariah 3:8.
The time. Genesis 49:10; Numbers 24:17; Daniel 9:24; Malachi 3:1.
His Divinity. Psalms 2:7,11; 45:6,7,11; 72:8; 102:24-27; 89:26,27; 110:1;
   Isaiah 9:6; 25:9; 40:10; Jeremiah 23:6; Micah 5:2; Malachi 3:1
Human Generation. Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 21:12; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14; 49:10;
   II Samuel 7:14; Psalms 18:4-6,50; 22:22,23; 89:4; 29:36; 132:11;
   Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15.

2B. His Forerunner
Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; 4:5.

3B. His Nativity and Early Years
The Fact. Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Jeremiah 31:22.
The Place. Numbers 24:17,19; Micah 5:2.
Adoration by Magi. Psalms 72:10,15; Isaiah 60:3,6.
Descent into Egypt. Hosea 11:1
Massacre of Innocents. Jeremiah 31:15.

4B. His Mission and Office
Mission. Genesis 12:3; 49:10; Numbers 24:19; Deuteronomy 18:18,19;
   Psalms 21:1; Isaiah 59:20; Jeremiah 33:16.
Priest like Melchizedek. Psalms 110:4.
Prophet like Moses. Deuteronomy 18:15.
Conversion of Gentiles. Isaiah 11:10; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalms 18:49;
   19:4; 117:1; Isaiah 42:1; 45:23; 49:6; Hosea 1:10; 2:23; Joel 2:32.
Ministry in Galilee. Isaiah 9:1,2.
Miracles. Isaiah 35:5,6; 42:7; 53:4.
Spiritual Graces. Psalms 45:7; Isaiah 11:2; 42:1; 53:9; 61:1,2.
Preaching. Psalms 2:7; 78:2; Isaiah 2:3; 61:1; Micah 4:2.
Purification of Temple. Psalms 69:9.

176

5B. His Passion
Rejection by Jews and Gentiles. Psalms 2:1; 22:12; 41:5; 56:5; 69:8;
   118:22,23; Isaiah 6:9,10; 8:14; 29:13; 53:1; 65:2.
Persecution. Psalms 22:6; 35:7,12; 56:5; 71:10; 109:2; Isaiah 49:7; 53:3.
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Psalms 8:2; 118:25,26; Zechariah 9:9.
Betrayal by Own Friend. Psalms 41:9; 55:13; Zechariah 13:6.
Betrayal for Thirty Pieces of Silver. Zechariah 11:12.
Betrayer's Death. Psalms 55:15,23; 109:17.
Purchase of Potter's Field. Zechariah 11:13.
Desertion by Disciples. Zechariah 13:7.
False Accusation. Psalms 27:12; 35:11; 109:2; Psalms 2:1,2.
Silence under Accusation. Psalms 38:13; Isaiah 53:7.
Mocking. Psalms 22:7,8,16; 109:25.
Insult, Buffeting, Spitting, Scourging. Psalms 35:15,21; Isaiah 50:6.
Patience Under Suffering. Isaiah 53:7-9.
Crucifixion. Psalms 22:14,17.
Offer of Gall and Vinegar. Psalms 69:21.
Prayer for Enemies. Psalms 109:4.
Cries Upon the Cross. Psalms 22:1; 31:5.
Death in Prime of Life. Psalms 89:45; 102:24.
Death With Malefactors. Isaiah 53:9,12.
Death Attested by Convulsions of Nature. Amos 5:20; Zechariah 14:4,6.
Casting Lots for Vesture. Psalms 22:18.
Bones Not to Be Broken. Psalms 34:20.
Piercing. Psalms 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; 13:6.
Voluntary Death. Psalms 40:6-8.
Vicarious Suffering. Isaiah 53:4-6,12; Daniel 9:26.
Burial With the Rich. Isaiah 53:9.

6B. His Resurrection
Psalms 16:8-10; 30:3; 41:10; 118:17; Hosea 6:2.

7B. His Ascension
Psalms 16:11; 24:7; 68:18; 110:1; 118:19.

8B. His Second Advent
Psalms 50:3-6; Isaiah 9:6,7; 66:18; Daniel 7:13,14; Zechariah 12:10;
   14:4-8.
Dominion Universal and Everlasting. I Chronicles 17:11-14; Psalms
   72:8; Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 7:14; Psalms 2:6-8; 8:6; 110:1-3; 45:6,7.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
  1. Berean Mission, Inc. ....
  2. .... The Trial of Jesus. ...,
    1959.
  3. Bow., Joh. The Targums and Rabbinic Literature. London: Cam.
    Uni. Press, 1969.

177

  1. Cohen, A. ....
  2. Coo., Dav. L. "God...." Los Angeles: Biblical Research
    Society.
  5. The Encyclopedia Americana. Vol. 8. Americana Corp., 1960. ....
  6. The Encyclopedia Americana. Vol. 16. Americana Corp., 1960. ....
  11. .... The Liturgical Press, 1956.
  13. Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible. Vols. I,II.
    Wilmington: Sovereign Grace Publishers, 1972.
  18. ....
    Nashville: Southern Methodist Publishing House, 1886.
  19. McClain, Alva J. Daniel's Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks. Grand Rapids:
    Zon. Pub. Hou., 1972. ....
  20. McD, Josh. Class notes.
  24. Stoner, Peter W. Science Speaks. Chicago: Moody Press, 1963. ....
  25. Unger, Merrill F. Unger's Bible Dictionary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1971. ....
  26. Wil., Jos. D. Did Daniel Write Daniel? New York: Cha. C. Cook, n.d.

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