Prophecy: A Foundation for Faith

About 750 years before Jesus was born, God chides the nation of Israel for their lack of faith in Him. They had turned their hearts to idols and served them as their gods.

As proof of His greatness compared to idols, God said the following in Isaiah 46:9, 10. "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure.'" The proof He wanted them to see is that He is capable of telling the end from the beginning - that is, He tells us of future events and they happen as He said. The idols Israel served can't even speak and were made by man's hands. God states that fulfilled prophecy is a proof, or convincing reason, why Israel should place their faith and trust in Him.

What Prophecy?

What events does God have reference to in this message to Israel by the mouth of Isaiah? He refers to their history, the "former things of old." Let's look at a few of the events He may have reference to.

The Flood

Those Jews knew about and believed in the flood. Before the flood came, God appeared to Noah. Hebrews 11:7 says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house." God warned Noah about the flood and instructed him about how to save himself and his family from the coming destruction. He foretold the future event of the flood.

Their Land & Nation

Hundreds of years before the nation of Israel came into existence, God said they would exist. Speaking to Abraham God said in Genesis 12:1,2, "Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing." God promised Abram a land and the formation of a great nation. Israel was living proof that God can "declare the end from the beginning." Both the land of Israel and their Jewish nation fulfilled those promises to Abram.

The Captivity in Egypt and Their Deliverance

Every Jew knew the history of their captivity in Egypt. God told Abraham that it would happen and how many years it would be before they were to be delivered. In Genesis 15: 13-16 God said, "Then He said to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."

This fascinating prophecy tells of the captivity in Egypt ("strangers in a land" and "serve them") that lasted 400 years ("afflicted" 400 years) and of their deliverance (remember Moses?). So 400 years before the events happen, God reveals them to Abram.

Those Jews in Isaiah's day who were serving false gods had turned their backs on the God who kept His promise, made them a great nation, gave them the land of inheritance, and delivered them from the affliction in Egypt. Isaiah is trying to call them back; to wake them up to the fact that abandoning God would cause Him to keep another promise - loss of that land and a return to captivity at the hands of another nation if they remained unfaithful. Read 1 Kings 9:6-9.

Prophecies of Jesus

I want to list here just a few of the prophecies made concerning Jesus, the Old Testament passage in which they were made, and the New Testament passages that shows their fulfillment.

Jesus Born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2 Luke 2:4-7
Jesus to be a Priest in the order of Melchizedek Ps 110:1,4 Hebrews 5:5-6
Entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey Zechariah 9:9 Mark 11:7-11
Judas paid 30 pieces of silver to betray Him Zechariah 11:12 Matt 26:14-15
30 pieces of silver used to buy a potter's field Zechariah 11:13 Matt 27:5-7
Feet and hands pierced Ps 22:15-16 John 20:25-57
Buried in the tomb of the rich Isaiah 53:8,9 Matt 27:57-60
Jesus would be resurrected Psalm 16:10-11 Mark 16:5,6; Acts 2:30

A Foundation for Faith

Many today are amazed at Leonardo Di Vinci and wonder at the writings of Nostradamus. Neither of these men predicted with the accuracy of fulfilled Bible prophecy. We recognize that if they did see the future, something was revealed to them from outside of this world. If those men fascinate you, consider the fulfilled prophecy found in the Scriptures. This blog barely touches the hem of the garment when it comes to fulfilled prophecy.

The prophets of the Old Testament did not claim any special ability apart from God. They gave credit to God as the source of all their words. It is God who should impress us, not His spokesmen. When He can tell us the "end from the beginning" then do we not believe that He is in control of "the end from the beginning?" Such ability is beyond man. It is a divine ability. As such, this should build our faith in God and cause us to submit to His will. He promises us an eternal reward that is beyond our wildest expectation.

Won't you let fulfilled prophecy be a foundation of faith for you? If you want to study this or other subjects in more depth, please contact me. We can arrange a time to consider the things of God. You can email me or click over the the Facebook page and post a request. Thanks for reading.