There is a great debate about whether or not Jesus was the Messiah. Almost everybody believes that he lived, but some just want to gamble that he was a prophet and not the Son of God.
So what are the odds concerning the prophecy of the messiah in the Bible?
1. Messiah to be a descendant of Abraham Sarah Genesis 12:2-3; 17:15-17; 18:18 Fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth Matthew 1:1; Luke 3:33; Acts 3:25.
(Logic: How many 90-year-old couples have ever born a child?
) (From 1500 B.C to 1900 A.D.
) Thus...
the chance is one out of 1 million.
2. Messiah to be a descendant of Isaac Genesis 17:19 Fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:33.
Logic: Abraham had two sons. (But the other son, Ishmael, was not by Sarah). Thus .
.. the chance is one out of 2.
3. Messiah to be a descendant of Judah Genesis 49:10 Fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33. Logic: Israel (Jacob) had 12 sons who became the 12 tribes.
Thus...
the chance is one out of 12.
4. Messiah to be a descendant of David Isaiah 9:7 Fulfilled in Jesus Matthew 1:6; Luke 3:31.
Logic: David was one of eight sons. Thus..
. the chance is one out of eight.
5.
Birth-Place of Messiah, the Eternal One , to be in Bethlehem, Israel Micah 5:2 Fulfilled in Jesus Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7. Logic: How many towns have Jews lived in around the world since 1500 B.C.
? Thus..
. the chance is one out of 1,000.
6.
The time of Messiah s ministry specified Daniel 9:25. Fulfilled in Jesus (see discussion above). Logic: How many generations of Jews have there been?
Thus...
the chance is one out of 100.
7. Messiah to be born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14.
Fulfilled in Jesus Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:26-35. Logic: Though basically a miracle, there may be some small chance. (Up to 1900 A.
D.) Thus..
. the chance is one out of 1 million.
8.
Messiah flees to Egypt to live for a while, and returns to Israel Hosea 11:1. Fulfilled in Jesus Matthew 2:14-15. Logic: What percentages of Jews have ever lived in Egypt?
Thus...
the chance is one out of 1,000.
9. Messiah to be a prophet like Moses, with miracles, authority over the Scriptures Deut.
18:15. Fulfilled in Jesus John 6:14; John 1:45; Acts 3:19-26. Logic: How many Jews have major prophetic status, still recognized worldwide long after death?
The chance is one out of 1 million.
10. Messiah to enter Jerusalem triumphantly, as a King, .
..riding on a donkey Zechariah 9:9.
Fulfilled in Jesus John 12:12-14; Matthew 21:1-11. Logic: How many Jews have ever done precisely this? The chance is one out of 1 million.
11. Messiah, though innocent, is rejected and dies for our sins Isaiah 53:3-5,9,12. Fulfilled in Jesus John 1:11,29; John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; John 15:23-25; Matthew 8:16-17.
Logic: How many people (besides Jesus) are sinless? ..
.and died for the sins of others? Thus.
.. the chance is one out of 1 million.
12. Messiah to be crucified, bones disjointed, mocked, lots cast for clothing Psalm 22:6-8,16-18. Fulfilled in Jesus Matthew 27:32f; John 19:16f.
Logic: How many have been crucified, also including just these circumstances? Thus..
. the chance is one out of 1 million.
13.
Messiah s side to be pierced at the behest of the people of Jerusalem Zechariah 12:10. Fulfilled in Jesus John 19:34. Logic: The number of crucified victims at Jerusalem with a stab in the side?
Thus...
the chance is one out of 1,000.
14. Messiah s body does not decay, but is resurrected in three days Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:11.
Fulfilled in Jesus Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20; Acts 1; 1 Corinthians 15. Logic: How many people have come back to life after being dead for three days? Thus.
.. the chance is 1 out of 1 million.
15. Messiah to ascend into heaven, and rightly called Lord Psalm 68:18. Fulfilled in Jesus Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11.
Logic: Very few men have ascended into heaven without mechanical means. Thus..
. the chance is one out of 1 million.
We have talked about the probability of each individual prophecy.
So what are the odds that any other living being other than Jesus has or will fulfill all of those listed above? You tell me.
Was Jesus the Messiah?
Check your heart for the answer.
If I were a gambling man and a sinner, this is one bet that I d hate to lose.
Wesley L.
Brown, the Preacher s Kid, is a regular columnist for the Weekend edition of the Daily Herald and News Daily. He can be reached via e-mail at wesley_b_30294@yahoo.com.
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