Lesson 16: More Prophecies Fulfilled

Nineveh is not the only fallen nation predicted in the Bible. The Book of Isaiah predicted that the nation of Babylon would specifically be overthrown and attacked by the Medes. Their gates would open for a man named Cyrus, and they would be reduced to swampland. Did God get it right? Of course, God is Wise. Today it is common knowledge that the Medes joined with the Persians and conquered Babylon. Despite Babylon's incredible defenses, history records that Cyrus diverted the flow of the Euphrates River and marched into the city in the riverbed, and archaeological excavations reveal that parts of Babylon cannot be dug up because it is now under the water, making it swamp-like.

The Books of Ezekiel and Amos predicted that the city of Tyre would be attacked by many nations. Its fortresses would fail, their stones, timber and soil would be thrown into the sea, and the remains of the city would be used "to spread fishing nets." Did God get it right? Of course! God is Wise. Babylon was the first to overthrow the city of Tyre, but the people retreated to an island fortress away from the mainland escaping total destruction. Did God get it wrong? No, He was not done yet. Almost 250 years later, Alexander the Great attacked the city of Tyre. When he did, the people did the same thing. They ran out to their island fortress. But as history records, Alexander the Great took the rubble from Tyre's mainland ruins, "the stones, timber and soil," cast them into the sea to make a land bridge to the island and conquered the people. In fact, the city Tyre was repeatedly destroyed by the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Crusaders, and even the Muslims. And today Tyre is nothing but a barren flat rock that people only use "to spread their fishing nets."


 There is no way somebody could know in advance all that specific information about the rise and fall of all a nation without some outside help. The only way they could know is if somebody who was above and beyond time and knew the beginning from the end, personally told them about it. Wonder who that might be? A Wise God!

The second fulfilled prophecy showing us that God is Wise concerns the coming of the Messiah.

Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

We have all heard Isaiah's prophecy. We hear about it every Christmas. In fact, we hear about it so much that we may have lost its significance. As amazing as the virgin birth is, it is only one of hundreds of prophecies Jesus fulfilled proving that He was indeed the Messiah. Here are just thirty of them:

Born of a virgin
 Born of the seed of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
Descended from the tribe of Judah
 Heir to the throne of David
 Born in Bethlehem
 Slaughter of the innocents
 Flight to Egypt
 Preceded by a forerunner
Declared the Son of God
 Galilean ministry
 Came to heal the brokenhearted
 Rejected by His own
Triumphal entry
 Betrayed by a friend
 Sold for 30 pieces of silver
 Accused by false witnesses
 Silent to accusations
Spat upon and smitten
 Hated without reason
Hands pierced
 Crucified with transgressors
Scorned and mocked
Given vinegar and gall
 Prayer for His enemies
Soldiers gambled for His coat
No bones broken
 Side pierced
 Buried with the rich
Rose from the dead
Ascended to God's right hand
* What does fulfilled prophecy mean to your life today?