Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - HIS TRUTH

                                                                         

                                          HIS TRUTH

At this time of year, we often hear of the prophecies that predated the birth of Christ. We hear of Micah, the prophet, who, approximately 750 years before Christ, wrote that:

“…Bethlehem Ephrethah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from old,

From everlasting.”

(Micah 5:2)

And we often hear about what Isaiah prophesied when he said:

   

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given…

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, 

Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6)

…He will teach us His ways,

And we shall walk in His paths…

He shall judge between the nations,

And rebuke many people… 

(Isaiah 2:3-4)

We hear much less about prophecies such as the one in Daniel:

“I was watching…and behold, One like the son of Man,

He came to the Ancient of Days…

Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

Which shall not pass away,

And His kingdom the one

Which shall not be destroyed 

(Daniel 7:13-14)

The prophecies regarding the birth of Christ are ones which are frequently repeated in churches at this time of the year. But the others are often not mentioned as much at this or any other time of the year, and this is unfortunate because understanding the prophetic nature of scriptures can lead to a greater awareness of the full meaning of the Bible itself. After all, it is estimated that there are over 1800 prophetic utterances in Scripture and the likelihood of these being fulfilled entirely by chance is staggeringly small. In fact, it has been estimated that Christ fulfilling only 17 of the prophecies relating to the Messiah by chance and not by being who He said He was is in the range of 480x10 to the 30th power.*

When you consider this it really does give one something to think about.

*Adapted from The Signature of God chapter 8 by Grant R. Jeffery