Ancient Hebrew Scriptures Compared to New Testament Scriptures
Copyright © October 7, 2019 by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.
All Rights Reserved.
All Scripture Verses are from the New International Version (NIV) of the Holy Bible.
Introduction
In the year 2019 there now exist more than 12,500 copies of the ancient Hebrew manuscripts that contain the various books of the Old Testament. Some of these manuscripts can be dated back to approximately 300 B.C. These manuscripts were handwritten in several different languages, including Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. Because they were written in different languages, and because today we lack the precise knowledge of what a few of the words may have meant when they were originally written, there are some minor differences among the many different manuscripts when they are translated into a single language and then carefully compared. However, the differences account for only about 2 percent of all the words, and those minor differences do not impact any major religious concept or doctrine.
For more than 3,000 years Jews have been satisfied that their Holy Books were genuine, and that they were inspired by God, and that they were written by the people that they were ascribed to, and that they were substantially without error, with the possible exception of an occasional copying error that had no relevant impact on religious doctrine or beliefs.
Although the dates when some of the books of the Hebrew Canon were originally written are being debated by scholars worldwide, the current evidence is that none of the books were written after approximately 300 B.C. Therefore the Hebrew Canon has been in its current finished final form for approximately 2,300 years. In other words, according to the Jewish faith, God has not seen fit to add anything to His Holy Words for the past 2,300 years. This could be legitimately interpreted in either of the following ways:
- God's original Holy Words were perfect exactly as they were written and God did not need to add anything to His original Words. This is a real possibility and it should be carefully considered, and it should not simply be ignored as being unlikely, or because we personally don't agree with this statement.
- God may have ordained some other prophets to record His Words during the past 2,300 years but the Jews have decided not to acknowledge those Words as being the Words of God. This is not unusual for the Jews because the original Hebrew Canon contains many books that were written by prophets who were rejected by the Jews while they were still alive, and their writings only become "inspired" long after the death of the prophet.
Let's begin by examining the first statement above. The original Hebrew Canon contains lots of prophecies that have already been fulfilled and those fulfilled prophecies have been carefully recorded in other books in the current Hebrew Canon and those other books were written after the original prophecies were revealed.
However, the Hebrew Canon also contains prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled based on the existing books in the Hebrew Canon. A brief summary of some of those unfulfilled prophecies will be reviewed next. In addition, a possible fulfillment of each of those prophecies will also be considered.
Discussion
The exact dates that the books of the Holy Bible were written have been a subject of debate for a very long time. Carbon dating of the ancient scrolls found in the Dead Sea Scrolls cave has revealed that most of the Dead Sea Scrolls, including Isaiah, were written prior to 100 B.C. In addition, the text of the Dead Sea Scrolls are in substantial agreement with other copies of the ancient manuscripts that have been preserved from other sources.
The dates shown below are being provided to show approximately how much time elapsed from when specific prophecies were made in the Old Testament and when those prophecies were actually fulfilled in the New Testament.
- The Old Testament dates are the approximate dates the Old Testament books were written.
- The New Testament dates are the approximate dates when Jesus Christ began fulfilling the prophecies during His lifetime and also after His resurrection.
The Promise of a Messenger who will Precede a Future Prophet Who will also be God
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 680 B.C. - Isaiah 40:3 - A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
About 425 B.C. - Malachi 3:1 - "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 28 A.D. - Mark 1:1-4 - The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" -- "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "
And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
About 28 A.D. - Matthew 3:1 - In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "
About 28 A.D. - John 1:6-9 - There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
The Promise of Future Prophet/Ruler Who will Perform Signs, Wonders, and Miracles
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 1,400 B.C. - Deuteronomy 18:15 - The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.
About 1,400 B.C. Deuteronomy 34:10-12 - Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt -- to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 29-33 A.D. - Acts 3:22-23 - For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.'
About 29-33 A.D. - Acts 7:37 - "This is that Moses who told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.'
About 29-33 A.D. - Acts 2:22 - "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
About 31-32 A.D. - Matthew 11:2-6 - When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
About 31-32 A.D. - John 14:11 - Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
Bethlehem, Birthplace of the Future Ruler
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 710 B.C. - Micah 5:2 - "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
About 680 B.C. - Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 6-5 B.C. - Matthew 1:18-25 - This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" -- which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
About 4-3 B.C. - Matthew 2:1-6 - After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' "
The Future Ruler will be a Descendent of King David
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 680 B.C. - Isaiah 11:1-5 - A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD -- and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
About 570 B.C. - Jeremiah 23:5-6 - "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
About 570 B.C. - Jeremiah 33:15- - " 'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.'
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 5-4 B.C. - Romans 15:12 - And again, Isaiah says,
"The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."
About 5-4 B.C. - Matthew 1:1 - A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:
About 31-32 A.D. - Matthew 9:27-30 - As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored.
About 31-32 A.D. - Mark 12:35-37 - While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
" 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." '
David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?"
The large crowd listened to him with delight.
About 33 A.D. - 2 Timothy 2:7-8 - Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.
About 95 A.D. - Revelation 22:16 - "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
The Mission of the Ruler: To Bring Salvation to Everyone including Jews and Gentiles
(Note: Gentiles refers to all Non-Jewish People)
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 680 B.C. - Isaiah 42:6-9 - "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."
About 680 B.C. - Isaiah 49:6 - "I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
About 680 B.C. - Isaiah 49:22 - This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 5-4 B.C. - Luke 2:21-32 - On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord" ), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
About 31-32 A.D. - Matthew 4:12-16 - When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles -- the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
About 46-47 A.D. - Acts 13:26 - "Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.
About 46-47 A.D. - Acts 13:47-48 - For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' "
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
The Ruler will Enter Jerusalem Riding on a Donkey
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 470 B.C. - Zechariah 9:9-10 - Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 33 A.D. - John 12:14-15 - Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."
About 33 A.D. - Matthew 21:1-9 - As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
The Future Prophet/Ruler will be Rejected
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 950 B.C. - Psalm 118:22-23 - The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
About 680 B.C. - Isaiah 28:16 - So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 31-32 A.D. - Matthew 21:42 - Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes' ?
About 31-32 A.D. 1 Peter 2:4-8 - As you come to him, the living Stone -- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him -- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message -- which is also what they were destined for.
The Ruler will be Betrayed for 30 Pieces of Silver
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 470 B.C. - Zechariah 11:12-13 - I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter" -- the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter.
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 33 A.D. - Matthew 26:14-16 - Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
About 33 A.D. - Matthew 27:3-10 - When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.
"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
The Ruler will be Executed and His Body Pierced but None of His Bones will be Broken
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 970 B.C. - Psalm 22:1 - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Psalm 22:7-8 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."
Psalm 22:14-18 - I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
About 950 B.C. - Psalm 34:19-20 - A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
About 950 B.C. - Psalm 31:5 - Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.
About 680 B.C. - Isaiah 53:5-11 - But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
About 470 B.C. - Zechariah 12:10 - They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 33 A.D. - Matthew 27:33-54 - They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" -- which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
About 33 A.D. - Luke 23:46 - Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
About 33 A.D. - Mark 15:22-38 - They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.
It was the third hour when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!"
In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" -- which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."
One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
About 33 A.D. - John 19:23-24 - When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it."
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said,
"They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing."
So this is what the soldiers did.
About 33 A.D. - John 19:31-37 - Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
The Resurrection of the Ruler
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 970 B.C. - Psalm 16:9-11 - Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 33 A.D. - John 20:24-31 - Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
About 33 A.D. - Acts 2:22-36 - "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him:
" 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
" 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." '
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
About 33 A.D. - Acts 13:32-41 "We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:
" 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father. '
The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words:
" 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.'
So it is stated elsewhere:
" 'You will not let your Holy One see decay.'
"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
" 'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.' "
About 33 A.D. - 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Future Event - Revelation 1:7 - Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
The Descendent of David will Rule Forever
Old Testament Prophecies:
About 980 B.C. - 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 16-17 - That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying:
"Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says:
. . .
Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.' "
Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.
About 980 B.C. - Psalm 89:34-37 - I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.
Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness -- and I will not lie to David --
that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun;
it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky."
New Testament Fulfillment of the Prophecies:
About 33 A.D. - Matthew 28:16-20 - Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
About 33 A.D. - Acts 5:29-32 - Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead -- whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
About 34 A.D. - Acts 7:55-56 - But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
About 57 A.D. - Romans 8:34 - Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
About 95 A.D. - Revelation 1:4-5 - Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Conclusion
The above scripture prophecies from the Old Testament (prior to 300 B.C.) were fulfilled by Jesus Christ in the New Testament (approximately 5 or 4 B.C. to approximately 33 A.D.).
As previously mentioned at the beginning of this article, the prophecies mentioned above are just some of the many prophecies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled by Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
It should also be mentioned that the evidence from many other ancient books other than the Holy Bible testify to the accuracy of the facts as recorded in the Holy Bible.
Jesus Christ, who is the one and only Son of God, healed people who were blind, deaf, lame, diseased, demon possessed, and who had withered limbs. He also raised three people from the dead -- the widow's son in Nain (Luke 7:11-15), the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue (Mark 5:35-43), and Lazarus (John 11:1-44). Then Jesus was crucified and after He was dead His heart was pierced with a spear by a Roman soldier to verify that He was dead. Then He was buried in a borrowed tomb on Friday evening. On Sunday morning Jesus rose from the dead and Jesus was seen by more than 500 people during the next 40 days (1 Corinthians 15:6).
While we are alive here on this earth each one of us must make a decision to either believe or not believe that Jesus is the one and only Son of God.
If you believe and you call on the name of Jesus in repentance and faith then you will have your sins forgiven and you will live forever in heaven.
About 590 B.C. or Before - Joel 2:32 - And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved;
About 33 A.D. - Acts 2:21 - And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
About 57 A.D. - Romans 10:13 - "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
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