Fulfilled Prophecy & Inspiration of Scripture

  Now that we've determined that the Bible is indeed of supernatural inspiration and we can trust it fully, we'll start looking at specific details of Scripture.  Today's topic is a look at some of the fulfilled prophecies.

 From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament abounds with anticipation of the coming Messiah.  Numerous predictions---fulfilled in their entirety in the Old and New Testament---predict Jesus' birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and glory.  These fulfilled prophecies constitute a powerful apologetic for the inspiration of Scripture.

 The New Testament writers showed that Christ specifically fulfilled Old Testament messianic prophecies.  For example, Jesus was to be the seed of woman (Genesis 3:15), virgin born (Isaiah 7:14), born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and preceded by a messenger (Malachi 3:1).  He was to have a ministry of miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6), be betrayed and sold for 30 shekels (Zechariah 11:12), have His hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16), be crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12), have no bones broken (Psalm 22:17), suffer thirst on the cross (Psalm 69:21), and then be gloriously resurrected from the dead (Psalm 16:10).

 These prophesies were written many hundreds of years before they were fulfilled.  Their fulfillment could never have been predicted by natural means and their fulfillment depended on factors outside human control.  And they were all fulfilled precisely.  Obviously Scriptures have a divine origin and are not simply man-made.

(From 5 Minute Apologetics for Today - Ron Rhodes)