Most of this article I agree with but I would't call Israel at present a holy land because most not all of Israel is still in darkness haven rejected Jesus and a great deal of unrighteousness and sin is being practised at present in Israel, To be totally like eden only under christ reign on earth and still there will be death for the sinner. But even then gentile nation who refuse to keep the feast of tabernacles would have no rain and sinners would be accursed and die early. Isa, 65:20-22, Zec 14 , Isa 11:6-9,
Rev 20, Rev 21,
Victor's blog http://www.gospeltruthproclaimed.blogspot.com
Written by Barry L Brumfield
Prophecy Regarding Israel; God’s chosen people.
1. Jesus prophesied that the Temple would be destroyed.
Prophecy: New Testament: Matthew 24:1-2 (Recorded: About 30 AD)Leaving the Temple , Jesus’ disciples came up to him and exclaimed of the grandeur of its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
Fulfilled: 70 AD: About 40 years after Jesus was crucified by the Romans the Temple was destroyed. In the year 70 AD, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and killed an estimated 1.2 million Jews. Fire was set to the Temple during the destruction; the fire caused the gold-leaf ornamentation on the Temple ceiling and many statues to melt. The melting gold flowed down the walls and settled into crevices within the stones. The Romans pried apart the stones to remove the gold. This in fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that not one stone would be left standing on another.
The Holy Temple; dates shown are commonly ascribed by known historians:
1. The first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC and was rebuilt 70 years later. The rebuilt Temple stood for 586 years and was then destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
2. Both Temples were destroyed by the most powerful empires of their day. (Babylonian Empire in 586 BC and the Roman Empire in 70 AD).
3. After the destruction of both Temples , hundreds of thousands of Jews were slaughtered, taken as slaves and forced out of Jerusalem .
4. According to the ancient historian Josephus, both Temples were destroyed on the same day of their respective years - the 9th day of the Jewish month of Av.
2. Jesus said Jerusalem would be destroyed.
Prophecy: New Testament: Luke 21:24 (Recorded: About 30 AD)”They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
Fulfilled: 70 AD: Jesus said that the Jews soon would be forced out of Jerusalem and that the city would be destroyed. He said Jerusalem would be trampled upon by the "Gentiles" (non-Jews), and that the Jews would be scattered to all nations. All of this took place when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in the year 70, and again in the year 135. During the two destructions, the Romans killed an estimated 1.5 million Jews. Hundreds of thousands of Jews were taken as slaves to other countries, mostly throughout Europe and parts of Asia .
3. Daniel foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Daniel 9:26 (Written: about 530 BC)”After the sixty-two `sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.”
Fulfilled: 70 AD: The prophet Daniel said that a future ruler over the land of Israel would destroy Jerusalem and the Temple and that this would happen after an anointed one (messiah) is "cut off," which means "rejected" or "killed." A few centuries later, the Romans took control of the land of Israel , Jesus announced himself as the Messiah of Israel, and the Romans crucified him. Forty years later, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple .
4. Jerusalem would be destroyed and "plowed like a field"
Prophecy: Old Testament: Micah 3:11-12 (Written: between 750-686BC)”Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the Lord and say, ‘Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us’ Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.”
Fulfilled: 135 AD: The prophet Micah said that Jerusalem would be destroyed and that " Zion " - a central part of Jerusalem - would be "plowed like a field." Micah's prophecy is believed to have been delivered in about 730 BC (about 2700 years ago). Since that time, Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians and by the Romans in 70 AD, and again in 135 AD to crush a Jewish rebellion for independence. According to a text in the Gemara - a collection of ancient Jewish writings - the Romans ran a plow over Zion on the 9th day of the Jewish month of Ab. The Gemara said that Turnus Rufus, a Roman officer, plowed the area of the Temple . This prophecy was fulfilled in literal detail. Incidentally, there was a Roman coin minted during that era that shows an image of a man using a plow. The coin was intended to commemorate the founding of the pagan Roman city called Aelia Capitolina on the site of Jerusalem . The Romans sometimes minted coins showing the plowing motif as a symbol of the establishment of a new Roman city.
The Jews fast (abstain from food) on the 9th day of the Jewish month of Ab (sometimes spelled Av) in remembrance of five historic events that are recorded as occurring on that date. One of those events is the plowing of all or part of Jerusalem by the Romans.
5. Rome's destruction of Israel
Prophecy: Old Testament: Deuteronomy 28:49-52 (Written: about 1400 BC)”The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. They will devour the young of your livestock and the crops of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave you no grain, new wine or oil, nor any calves of your herds or lambs of your flocks until you are ruined. They will lay siege to all the cities throughout your land until the high fortified walls in which you trust fall down. They will besiege all the cities throughout the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Fulfilled: 70 AD: There are several Bible prophecies foretelling of various destructions of the land of Israel . From the Bible's book of Deuteronomy that foreshadowed the destruction caused by the Romans in the year 70 AD (about 1900 years ago):
"The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand … They will devour … until you are ruined. … They will lay siege to all the cities throughout your land until the high fortified walls in which you trust fall down." (Deuteronomy 28:49-52 NIV).
And as recorded regarding the year 70 AD: The Roman Empire marched an army in a formation called the "flying eagle," and destroyed Jerusalem . As was typical of that era in Rome ’s history, members of the Roman army came from many different countries.
6. Israel would become a wasteland
Prophecy: Old Testament: Deuteronomy 29:23 (Written: around 1400 BC)“The whole land will be a burning waste of salt and sulfur--nothing planted, nothing sprouting, no vegetation growing on it. It will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah , Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in fierce anger.”
Fulfilled: 135-1800s: “ Israel would become a wasteland” became a fulfilled prophecy. The land of Israel has been described many times as having been a sparsely populated wasteland, as recently as the late 1800s. American writer Mark Twain wrote this, in 1867, about the land of Israel , which at the time was called Palestine : " Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes… the spell of a curse that has withered its fields and fettered its energies… Palestine is desolate and unlovely… It is a hopeless, dreary, heartbroken land." - From Mark Twain's Innocents Abroad.
7. The people of Israel would be exiled, scorned and ridiculed.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Deuteronomy 28:36-37 (Written: about 1400 BC)”The Lord will drive you and the king you set over you to a nation unknown to you or your fathers. There you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone. You will become a thing of horror and an object of scorn and ridicule to all the nations where the Lord will drive you.”
Fulfilled: 135-1900s: The people of Israel , known today as “Jews”, have been expelled from their homeland by the Assyrians, Babylonians and Romans. And the Jews - perhaps more than any other group of people - have been subject to hatred, scorn and persecution throughout the world. From the Hasmonaean Period, more than 2000 years ago, until 1948, the Jews did not have sovereign control over any part of their homeland. Nor had Israel been a united and sovereign country for nearly 2900 years, until 1948.
8. The land of Israel would be inhabited by enemies.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Leviticus 26:31-32 (Written: around 1400 BC)“I will turn your cities into ruins and lay waste your sanctuaries, and I will take no delight in the pleasing aroma of your offerings. I will lay waste the land, so that your enemies who live there will be appalled.”
Fulfilled: 135 to today: This prophecy has been clearly documented throughout history. Each time the people of Israel were forced out of their homeland by the Assyrians, Babylonians and Romans, other people took advantage and moved in. Upon their prophesized return to their homeland during the 1800s and 1900s, the Jews had ongoing skirmishes with the Arab peoples living there, who continue to live in parts of the land of Israel till this day.
9. The people of Israel will never cease to be a nation of people.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:35-36 (Written: 626 - 586 BC)”This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar-- the LORD Almighty is his name: "Only if these decrees vanish from my sight," declares the LORD, "will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me."
Fulfilled: Today: As surely as God’s word decrees that the people of Israel will never cease to be a nation of people. God’s promise of preservation continues to be fulfilled today, as the Jewish people maintain their identity as a distinct group of people, with its own culture, religion and language. Indigenous peoples throughout the world have lost their language and culture, yet the Jewish people maintained their cultural identity for nearly two millennia, even while exiled from their homeland.
10. The exiled people of Israel would return to Israel .
Prophecy: Old Testament: Jeremiah 32:37-41 (Written: 626 - 586 BC) “I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”
Fulfilled: late 1800s to today: The prophet said the people of Israel would return to their homeland. Jeremiah lived during a time when the Babylonians were forcing the Jews out of their homeland about 2600 years ago. Many Jews later returned but were forced out again, by the Romans, about 1900 years ago. During the past 200 years, millions of exiled Jews have returned to Israel from countries all over the world. God has truly “gathered them from all the lands.”
11. The people of Israel again would be a united people.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:15-19 (Written: between 593-571 BC)”The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, `Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.' Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, `Ephraim's stick, belonging to Joseph and all the house of Israel associated with him.'
Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand. When your countrymen ask you, `Won't you tell us what you mean by this?' say to them, `This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph--which is in Ephraim's hand--and of the Israelite tribes associated with him, and join it to Judah's stick, making them a single stick of wood, and they will become one in my hand.'
Fulfilled: since late 1800s: The prophecy stated that God would make the people of Israel a united people again. The people of Israel had already divided themselves into two separate kingdoms during Ezekiel’s time. Both kingdoms had been conquered by foreign invasions, which resulted in the exile of many people. The southern kingdom, Judah , and the northern kingdom kept the name of Israel , although it was often referred to as Ephraim. The beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy began during the late 1800s. Leaders of the Zionist Movement began uniting exiled Jews around the world for the common goal of creating a new and independent Israel . The Jews had been scattered to countries on six continents, where they spoke different languages and lived in different cultures. The Zionist Movement marked the first time in many centuries that the Jews had been united to this degree.
12. Ezekiel said the Jews would return to Israel.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 20:34 (Written: between 593-571 BC)“I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered--with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.”
Fulfilled: late 1800s to today: In Ezekiel 20:34, the prophet said God would gather the people of Israel from around the world and bring them home to Israel . Forced out of their homeland in ancient times by the Assyrians, Babylonians and Romans, during the late 1800s, Jews returned by the thousands to the Holy Land . At that time the land was controlled by the Ottoman Empire , however during the early 1900s, Jews returned by the tens of thousands when the land was controlled by the British. Then, in complete of the prophecy, they returned by the hundreds of thousands after Israel had declared statehood in 1948.
13. Jeremiah said the Jews would buy back land.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Jeremiah 32:44 (Written: 626 & 586 BC)
“Fields will be bought for silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, because I will restore their fortunes, declares the Lord."
Fulfilled: late 1800s, 1900s: About 2600 years ago the prophet Jeremiah delivered a promise of restoration. At that time, Jews were being forced out of their homeland by the invading Babylonians. Many were taken as captives to Babylon . But, Jeremiah assured them that they would be able to return in the future and purchase land in their homeland. After the collapse of Babylon , many Jews returned to Jerusalem and the surrounding area, but they were forced into exile again by the Romans in 135 AD (about 1970 years ago). During the last years of the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over the land of Israel four 400 years, ending in 1918, thousands of Jews returned to their ancient homeland and bought parcels of land from absentee landlords who lived in cities such as Beirut and Damascus. The Jews were forced out of their homeland twice, and each time they returned in large numbers in fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy.
14. The people of Israel would be persecuted in many nations.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Deuteronomy 28:65-67 (Written: around1400 BC)”Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. In the morning you will say, "If only it were evening!" and in the evening, "If only it were morning!"--because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see.”
Fulfilled: 1940s, 1930s, 135 AD, 721 BC, etc: The Bible said that the people of Israel would be scattered among nations and persecuted. They were exiled and scattered from their homeland in ancient times by the Assyrians, Babylonians and Romans. The exiles were intensely persecuted in Europe and Russia during the Crusades and Pogroms.
During the Holocaust of World War II, the Nazis killed about one-third of the world’s population of Jews. The Nazis called it "The Final Solution" and their goal was to kill all Jews. Winston Churchill, a former prime minister of England , said: "The Final Solution is probably the greatest, most horrible crime ever committed in the whole history of the world."
During the mid-1900s, many Jews sought to relocate from Europe to the most distant countries in the hopes of outrunning the expansion of Nazi Germany. This led to new influxes of Jews to North and South America , Australia and even China .
Many of the exiles chose to return to their ancient homeland to escape persecution. But persecution followed. At that time, the land of Israel was called Palestine . It was controlled by the British and a majority of people living there were Arab, including the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem who urged Hitler to deal with the Palestine 's Jews with "the same method that the question is now being settled in the Axis countries. (Genocide)".
In 1948, the Jews declared independence for Israel . But, even then, the persecutions didn’t cease. Shortly after the re-establishment of sovereignty for Israel , hundreds of thousands of Jews were forced out of the Arab nations in which they had lived in exile for many centuries.
15. Isaiah said God would preserve the Jews.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 66:22 (Written: between 701-681 BC)”As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the Lord, "so will your name and descendants endure.”
Fulfilled: 1940s, 1930s, 135 AD, 721 BC, etc: The prophet said that the people of Israel would endure and survive as a people, despite the persecutions they would face, as foretold by other prophecies. Isaiah delivered this prophecy 2,700 years ago. Since then, the people of Israel , who today are commonly called Jews, have been massacred at various times by the thousands, by the hundreds of thousands, and by the millions. In ancient times, the Assyrians virtually erased from history 10 of 12 tribes of Israel . The Babylonians and Romans exacted heavy damage on what was left of the people of Israel . The Nazis, during World War II, sought to annihilate the entire Jewish race. Even so, the Nazi empire was reduced to ashes shortly before the Jews reclaimed Israel as a sovereign country in 1948. The Jews are still here. And the empires that sought to destroy them are nothing more than pages in history books.
16. Israel would be rebuilt and resettled.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 36:33-35 (Written: between 593-571 BC)"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. They will say, "This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited."
Fulfilled: 1900s: In Ezekiel 36:33-35, the prophet gave another prophecy about the re-population and rebuilding of Israel 's ruined cities. American author Mark Twain described the land of Israel as being thoroughly desolate in the late 1800s. Since then, millions of Jews have returned to Israel and have been rebuilding their ancient homeland. Some of the parched desert has been converted into productive farmland. And Israel has undertaken one of the world's largest reforestation programs. Israel 's population was 10 times larger in 1998 than it was in 1948.
17. Isaiah foretold the restoration of Israel
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-2 (Written: between 701-681 BC)”The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon ; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.”
Fulfilled: 1900s: In Isaiah 35:1-2, the prophet said that although Israel would become a desolate land, its deserts would one day bloom again. This Bible verse foreshadows the restoration of Israel that has been taking place since the early 1900s. Millions of Jews have returned to their ancient homeland and have innovated sophisticated farming techniques and extensive reforestation programs to convert parched desert into productive farmland. More than 200 million trees have been planted in Israel since 1900, according to the Jewish National Fund.
18. Israel 's land would again become fruitful.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Zechariah 8:12 (Written: between 520 - 518 BC)"The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people."
Fulfilled: 1900s: God would allow Israel to become a prosperous land again. Israel had been described as being a wasteland between the time that the Jews had been forced out of their homeland by the Romans (about 1900 years ago) and the time when the Jews began returning to and restoring Israel during the 1900s. Although the restoration continues, Israel is able to export food to many countries.
19. The people of Israel would live many days without a king.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Hosea 3:4-5 (Written: about 750 BC)”For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.”
Fulfilled: Being fulfilled since 70 AD: Hosea's prophecy, found in Hosea 3:4-5, foretells three important events:
1. The people of Israel would lose their sovereignty ("live many days without a king or prince"). A Bible scholar, named John Gill, interprets Hosea 3:4 as meaning that the people of Israel would endure a period of time "Without any form of civil government ... being subject to the kings and princes of other nations."
2. The people of Israel would lose their ability to worship in the manner in which they were accustomed. (example: "without sacrifice ... without ephod").
3. The people of Israel would return to the land of Israel and seek "David their king." (The phrase, "David their king," is often understood to refer the promised Messiah, who the prophets had said would be a descendant of King David).
Each of these three things has happened twice. The first time was about 2600 years ago when the Babylonians invaded the Holy Land, deposed the king, destroyed the city of Jerusalem , and the holy Temple , which was the center of worship for the people of Israel .
The Babylonians also forced many Jews into exile. But, after the collapse of the Babylonian empire, many eventually returned to their homeland and rebuilt Jerusalem and the Temple . A few centuries later, the second Temple had undergone a massive reconstruction, which was completed at about the time of Jesus, which was about 2000 years ago.
From a Christian point of view, Jesus, who is described as being a descendant of King David in the New Testament book of Matthew, is the Messiah who was promised when Hosea spoke of "David their king."
This prophecy is now going through its second fulfillment. During the Roman Empire era, the people of Israel had lost sovereignty over their homeland for the second time, and they had lost their Temple for the second time, when the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Since the Roman era, the majority of Jews have lived in exile, in countries around the world, where they are subject to the kings and governments of other nations. And, because the Temple has not yet been rebuilt, they continue to be unable to perform various sacred practices that are important to Judaism. (Judaism is the Jewish religion).
But some of this hardship began to change in an important way during the first half of the 1900s, when many Jews from around the world returned to the land of Israel and reclaimed independence over a portion of their ancient homeland. In the year 2004, about one-third of the world's Jewish population lives in Israel , a nation that has been governed by Jews since 1948.
From a Christian perspective, this too is significant because we Christians believe that Jesus is to return a second time, after a significant number of Jews have returned to Israel , to establish a kingdom of righteousness on earth. From a Christian point of view, this prophecy will be completed - again - during the "last days" when Jesus returns.
20. Israel would rise again.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Micah 7:8-11 (Written: between 750-686 BC)”Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lord's wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness. Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, "Where is the Lord your God?" My eyes will see her downfall; even now she will be trampled underfoot like mire in the streets. The day for building your walls will come, the day for extending your boundaries.”
Fulfilled: Beginning late 1800s: In Micah 7:8-11, the prophet said that Israel would one day rise again. During Micah's lifetime about 2700 years ago, the Assyrians were destroying the northern kingdom of Israel . Later, the Babylonians conquered the southern kingdom of Judah . And then, the Romans brought more devastation to Judah . That led to many centuries of exile for the Jews. However, during the past two centuries, many Jews from around the world have returned to their ancient homeland and have reclaimed sovereignty for a portion of the original land of Israel. The declaration of independence in 1948 led to three major wars with the surrounding countries. Each time, tiny Israel prevailed and was able to seize additional land.
Ten Bible prophecies fulfilled in 1948; Israel became an independent, united nation for the second time in history, and for the first time in 2,900 years.
21. Jacob's descendants would regain control of Israel .
Prophecy: Old Testament: Amos 9:14-15 (Written: about 750 BC)”I will bring back my exiled people Israel ; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them," says the Lord your God.”
Fulfilled: Since 1948: In Amos 9:14-15, the prophet said that there would come a time when the exiles of Israel would again have Israel as their own land and that they would never be uprooted again. Amos lived about 2700 years ago, during a time when the people of Israel were being forced out of their homeland by a succession of foreign invasions. Despite many centuries of exile, many Jews returned to Israel and reclaimed sovereignty over a portion of their ancient homeland. This declaration of independence, in 1948, triggered a war with the surrounding countries, which objected to the presence of a Jewish state. On May 15, 1948, the day that armies from the surrounding countries invaded, Azzam Pasha, the Secretary General of the Arab League, said "This will be a war of extermination and a momentous massacre which will be spoken of like the Mongolian massacres and the Crusades." Similar quotes were uttered by others during the war of 1948-49 and during the two major wars that followed. Despite its tiny size, Israel prevailed in these wars, preventing its people from being uprooted again, as they had been in ancient times.
”I will bring back my exiled people Israel ; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.
22. Israel would be brought back to life.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:10-14 (Written: between 593-571 BC)”So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet--a vast army. Then he said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel . They say, `Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to them: `This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel . Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.'"
Fulfilled: 1948: In Ezekiel 37:10-14, the prophet receives a vision in which Israel was seen as a scattering of dried-up bones. In this vision, God tells Ezekiel that the bones ( Israel ) would be brought back to life. Just as Ezekiel had prophesized about 2600 years ago, the Jews were brought back to the land, and the country of Israel was brought back to life. Israel re-established sovereignty in 1948, a mere three years after the end of the Holocaust, during which the Nazis killed about one-third of the world's Jewish population.
23. Isaiah spoke of Israel being reborn in one day.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 66:7-8 (Written: between 701-681 BC)"Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children."
Fulfilled: 1948: In Isaiah 66:7-8, the prophet foreshadowed the re-birth of Israel in 1948. Isaiah describes a woman giving birth before going into labor, and he speaks of a country being born in one day. This accurately describes what happened on May 14, 1948 - when the Jews declared independence for Israel as a united and sovereign nation for the first time in 2900 years.
During that same day, the United States issued a statement recognizing Israel 's sovereignty. And, only hours beforehand, a United Nations mandate expired, ending British control of the land. During a 24-hour span of time, foreign control of the land of Israel had formally ceased, and Israel had declared its independence, and its independence was acknowledged by other nations. Modern Israel was literally was born in a single day.
Isaiah said the birth would take place before there would be labor pains. And that too is precisely what happened. A movement called Zionism began in the 1800s to encourage Jews worldwide to move to Israel , which at that time was called Palestine. Within hours of the declaration of independence in 1948, Israel was attacked by the surrounding countries of Egypt , Jordan , Syria , Lebanon , Iraq and Saudi Arabia .
When reading Isaiah 66:7-8, keep in mind that Israel 's status as a sovereign nation was established and reaffirmed during the course of a single day, and that it was born of a movement called Zionism, and that its declaration of independence was not the result of a war but rather the cause of one.
24. Israel would be re-established as a united nation.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:21-22 (Written: between 593-571 BC)”and say to them, `This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel . There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms.”
Fulfilled: 1948: In Ezekiel 37:21-22, the prophet said that God would one day bring the people of Israel back to Israel , as a united nation. This might have been a shock for Ezekiel. He lived about 2600 years ago. At that time, the people of Israel had already divided themselves into two separate kingdoms. And, both kingdoms had been conquered by foreign invaders, who forced many of the people, including Ezekiel, into exile. But, when Jews reclaimed sovereignty in 1948, they did so as a united people, creating one nation - Israel .
25. The second Israel would be more impressive than the first.
Prophecy: Old Testament:: Jeremiah 16:14-15 (Written: 626 - 586 BC)"However, the days are coming," declares the Lord, "when men will no longer say, `As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' but they will say, `As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' For I will restore them to the land I gave their forefathers.
Fulfilled: 1948: In Jeremiah 16:14-15, the prophet said the second Israel would be more impressive than the first. In many regards, it is. The first time that Israel was established as a country was after Moses led the descendants of Jacob (typically referred to today as Jews) out of Egypt , where they had been enslaved for 400 years. They then conquered Canaan and established Israel about 3400 years ago. But the second time that Israel was established was after the Jews had been scattered far and wide for a few thousand years. This time the Jews had to return from as far away as the United States , China , Russia and South Africa .
26. Ezekiel predicted when Israel would be re-established.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 4:3-6 (Written: between 593-571 BC)(In this Bible passage, Ezekiel is asked by God to symbolically act out the 430 years of punishment) … “Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel . "Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the house of Israel . "After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the house of Judah . I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year.”
Fulfilled: 1948: In Ezekiel 4:3-6, the prophet said the Jews, who had lost control of their homeland, would be punished for 430 years. This prophecy, according to Bible scholar Grant Jeffrey, pinpointed the 1948 rebirth of Israel . Here's a summary of Jeffrey's theory:
1. Ezekiel said the Jews were to be punished for 430 years because they had turned away from God. As part of the punishment, the Jews lost control of their homeland to Babylon . Many Jews were taken as captives to Babylon .
2. Babylon was later conquered by Cyrus in 539 BC. Cyrus allowed the Jews to leave Babylon and to return to their homeland. But, only a small number returned. The return had taken place sometime around 536 BC, about 70 years after Judah lost independence to Babylon .
3. Because most of the exiles chose to stay in pagan Babylon rather than return to the Holy Land , the remaining 360 years of their punishment was multiplied by 7. The reason is explained in Bible's book of Leviticus. (Leviticus 26:18, 26:21, 26:24 and 26:28). In Leviticus, it says that if the people did not repent while being punished, the punishment would be multiplied by 7. And, by staying in pagan Babylon , most exiles were refusing to repent.
4. So, if you take the remaining 360 years of punishment and multiply by 7, you get 2,520 years. But, Jeffrey says those years are based on an ancient 360-day lunar calendar. If those years are adjusted to the modern solar calendar, the result is 2,484 years.
5. And, there were exactly 2,484 years from 536 BC to 1948, which is the year that Israel regained independence.
27. The people of Israel would return to "their own land.”
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 34:13 (Written: between 593-571 BC)”I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel , in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.”
Fulfilled: after May 14, 1948: In Ezekiel 34:13, the prophet said that God would gather the people of Israel scattered throughout the world and bring them back to "their own land." After many centuries of dispersion, hundreds of thousands of Jews returned to their ancient homeland beginning in the late 1800s. But, millions more returned after Israel declared independence in 1948. In other words, millions of exiles returned to their ancient homeland which was now truly "their own land" in the sense that it was now a sovereign Jewish state.
28. God would watch over the people of Israel.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:10 (Written: 626 to about 586 BC)"Hear the word of the Lord, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: `He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.'
Fulfilled: 1948, etc: In Jeremiah 31:10, the prophet said that God would one day gather the Jews back to Israel and that He would watch over them like a shepherd. Believe what you wish, but there is evidence that God indeed has watched over the re-established nation of Israel . Hours after Israel declared independence in 1948, the surrounding countries attacked, hoping to replace the Jewish state with an Arab state. These countries are much larger than Israel . But tiny Israel prevailed in that war and was able to capture additional land, increasing the land size of Israel by 50 percent. Israel also prevailed in the two other major wars that followed.
29. Israel 's army would be disproportionately powerful.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Leviticus 26:3, 7-8 (Written: around 1400 BC)"If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, … You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you."
Fulfilled: 1948-49, 1967, etc: In Leviticus 26:3, 7-8, the Bible says that the army of Israel would have a supernatural power to prevail during times of conflict, if the people are obedient to the Lord. This Bible passage says that 5 people would be able to chase away 100 people, and that 100 would be able to chase away 10,000. Is there any proof to this incredible claim? Judge for yourself:
Example 1: Within hours of Israel 's declaration of independence in 1948, Egypt , Syria , Jordan , Iraq , and Lebanon invaded Israel . The combined population of those countries was at least 20 million at that time. Israel had fewer than 1 million Jews. Even so, the Jews won the war and expanded the size of Israel by 50 percent.
Example 2: During the War of 1967, Israel attacked the air force bases of the surrounding countries and took control of Jerusalem for the first time in about 2000 years. They also seized additional territory. That war lasted a mere 6 days.
Example 3: On Oct. 6, 1973, Israel was attacked by Egypt and Syria . Other countries later joined the attack. But the Jews were able to push back the attacking armies and occupy land outside of Israel 's borders.
"If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you."
30. The fortunes of the people of Israel would be restored.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Deuteronomy 30:3-5 (Written: 1400 BC)
” then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. He will bring you to the land that belonged to your fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers.”
Fulfilled: 1948, etc: In Deuteronomy 30:3-5, the Bible said the Jews would be scattered worldwide and that they later would return to their homeland and have their fortunes restored. This prophecy began to be fulfilled in modern times during the late 1800s when many Jews returned to Israel , from as far away as China and the United States , Russia and South Africa . Israel declared independence in 1948. Today, Israel is among the world's most prosperous countries. In 1999, for example, Israel 's per capita Gross Domestic Product was twice as prosperous as the neighboring countries.
Prophecies fulfilled after 1948
Ten Bible prophecies fulfilled after 1948; Israel became an independent country for the second time in history. These prophecies find fulfillment in Israel 's stunning military victories and in its transition from a desert wasteland to a prosperous nation.
31. Israel will ultimately prevail over its enemies.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 41:12-14 (Written: between 701-681 BC)Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel , for I myself will help you," declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Fulfilled: late 1900s: The prophet proclaimed that the tiny nation of Israel ultimately will prevail over its enemies, and that although its enemies will cease to exist one day, Israel will survive. This prophecy is interesting from an historical perspective. The country of Israel has been conquered and destroyed at different times by very powerful nations and empires, such as Assyria, Babylon and the Roman Empire . Those conquests led to the exile and worldwide dispersion of the people of Israel , and to the desolation of the land of Israel . Even so, Israel is again a sovereign nation today, and the empires of Assyria, Babylon and ancient Rome have vanished long ago. The Nazis tried to destroy the people of Israel during the 1940s. But that decade saw the rebirth of the county of Israel and the destruction of the Nazi empire. From the perspective of various Christian scholars, this prophecy has found partial fulfillment so far, and will be completely fulfilled in the future when all enemies of Israel are destroyed.
32. The ruins of Israel would be rebuilt.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Amos 9:11, 13 (Written: about 750 BC)"In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be,'' … "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills."
Fulfilled: late 1900s: In Amos 9:11, 13, the prophet said that God would restore the land of David . King David ruled Israel from about 1010 BC to about 970 BC. During that time, Israel was a united and sovereign nation. Afterwards, the land was divided into two kingdoms and later conquered by a succession of world powers. For much of the past 2000 years, the people of Israel have been living in exile in countries around the world, and the land of Israel has been in a state of ruin. During the past two centuries, however, many Jews have returned from exile and have rebuilt and reconditioned much of the land of Israel . The soil is again productive, producing food exports for many countries. And the nation is again sovereign and united.
33. Ezekiel prophesied prosperity for a restored Israel.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 36:11 (Written: between 593-571 BC)”I will increase the number of men and animals upon you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
Fulfilled: late 1900s: In Ezekiel 36:11, the prophet said that there would come a time when Israel would be more prosperous than it was in the past. The Bible describes Israel as being a prosperous nation during the time of King David and King Solomon about 3000 years ago. But, Ezekiel knew a very different Israel . In Ezekiel's day (he lived about 2600 years ago), the northern part of the land had been decimated by the Assyrians, and the southern part, called Judah , was being destroyed by the Babylonians. The land of Israel suffered greatly, falling into a state of poverty and desolation that would last for many centuries. But today, Israel again is a sovereign nation. And it is a prosperous nation. In 1999, Israel had the highest per capita Gross Domestic Product of any nearby country, even though the surrounding countries have many oil resources.
34. Trees would flourish again in a desolate Israel.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 41:18-20 (Written: between 701-681 BC)” I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.”
Fulfilled: late 1900s: In Isaiah 41:18-20, the prophet's talk of a future restoration of Israel coincides with an occurrence in modern Israel - the construction of a vast irrigation system to improve farming. The lack of available water, including rain, is one reason why Israel had been a desolate, unproductive land during much of the past 2000 years. But, during the 1900s, when many Jews returned to their ancient homeland, they built a network of irrigation systems. And during the past century, more than 200 million trees have been planted in Israel .
35. Isaiah said Israel 's fruit would fill the world.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 27:6 (Written: between 701-681 BC)”In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.”
Fulfilled: late 1900s: In Isaiah 27:6, the prophet said Israel would one day blossom and fill the world with fruit. This prophecy has been at least partially fulfilled so far, literally and spiritually. Today, the land of Israel , which had been barren for centuries, is a leading producer of agricultural products, exporting food to many countries. This prophecy also has been fulfilled spiritually with the worldwide spread of Christianity, which began with Jesus in Israel .
36. Jerusalem; world's most important religious site.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Micah 4:1 (Written: between 750-686 BC)”In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.”
Fulfilled: Partially in modern times: In Micah 4:1, the prophet said that the Temple mount in Jerusalem would become the focal point of the world. Various Christian scholars regard this as a prophecy that is to be fulfilled in the future. But it is interesting to note that Jerusalem is, and has been for centuries, the world's most important religious site. Christians and Jews have always regarded the city as important. Followers of Islam later adopted Jerusalem as an important city in their beliefs. No other city in the world is a religious focal point to as many people.
37. Egypt would never again rule over nations
Prophecy: Old Testament:: Ezekiel 29:15 (Written: between 593-571 BC)”… I will make it so weak that it will never again rule over the nations.”
Fulfilled: 1967, etc: In Ezekiel 29:15, the prophet says that Egypt would recover from a desolation (perhaps Babylon 's attack about 2600 years ago), but that it would never again rule over other nations. Up until the time of Ezekiel , Egypt had been a world power for centuries, dominating many nations, including Israel . But for most of the past 2500 years, Egypt has been controlled by foreign powers, including the Romans, Ottomans and Europeans. Today, Egypt is an independent nation again. In 1948, 1967 and 1973, Egypt tried to dominate Israel but was unsuccessful each time, despite the fact that Egypt is 10 times larger than Israel . Egypt today, in many respects, is an impressive nation. But since the time of Ezekiel, it no longer rules over other nations.
38. Zechariah prophesied the Jews return to Jerusalem
Prophecy: Old Testament: Zechariah 8:7-8 (Written: between 520 - 518 BC)”This is what the Lord Almighty says: "I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem ; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."
Fulfilled: 1967, etc: In Zechariah 8:7-8, the prophet said God would bring the Jews from exile back to their homeland (Israel) and that they would be able to live in the city of Jerusalem again. This prophecy has been fulfilled more than once. About 2600 years ago, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took many Jews as captives to Babylon . But many Jews later returned from Babylon . The Jews rebuilt Jerusalem but the city was destroyed about 1900 years ago by the Romans. The Romans killed more than 1 million Jews and forced many more into exile. And, the Romans banned Jews from living in Jerusalem . More than 1800 years passed before the Jews had control of Jerusalem again. They reclaimed control of their ancient capital during the Six Day War of 1967.
39. Israel's deserts will become like the Garden of Eden.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 51:3 (Written: between 701-681 BC)”The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden , her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.”
Fulfilled:Being fulfilled now: In Isaiah 51:3, the prophet said that God will restore Israel and make it a paradise, like the garden of Eden. This foreshadows what is currently happening in Israel . The Jews have been irrigating, cultivating and reconditioning the land during much of the 1900s. Many of the country's swamps, which had been infested with malaria, have been converted into farmland. And water from the Sea of Galilee has been channeled through portions of the deserts, allowing some of the deserts to bloom. Much work remains, but parts of Israel are blooming again. Although it was described as a wasteland as recently as the late 1800s, Israel is now a food source for many countries. And at least 200 million of trees have been planted there during the past century.
40. Isaiah foretold of the worldwide return of Jews to Israel
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 43:5-6 (Written: between 701-681 BC)"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, `Give them up!' and to the south, `Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth…"
Fulfilled: late 1900s: In Isaiah 43:5-6, the prophet said that the people of Israel would return to their homeland from the east, the west, the north and the south. Isaiah lived 2700 years ago. Beginning at that time, a succession of empires conquered the land of Israel and forced many into exile. This led to a worldwide scattering of Jews. But, during the past century, millions have returned to Israel .
From the east: Many Jews living in Middle East countries moved to Israel during the 1900s. After Israel reclaimed independence in 1948, more Jews moved to their ancient homeland after being forced out of various Arab countries in which they had been living for centuries.
From the west: During the mid-1900s, hundreds of thousands of Jews living in the West (Europe and the United States) began moving to Israel to escape various persecutions, most notably, the Holocaust in Nazi Germany.
From the north: Hundreds of thousands of Jews living in the former Soviet Union have moved to Israel since the 1980s.
From the south: During the 1980s and 1990s, Israel struck a deal with Ethiopia 's communist government to allow Jews of Ethiopia to move to Israel . On the weekend of May 25, 1991, for example, 14,500 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted to Israel .
Isaiah's prophecy was also correct in saying that the north ( Russia ) and the south ( Ethiopia ) would have to be persuaded to allow their Jews to move to Israel . Many countries pressured Russia for years before it began to allow its Jews to leave. And Ethiopia had to be paid a ransom to allow its Jews to leave.
Isaiah's prophecy was also correct in saying that the Jews would return "from the ends of the earth," and Isaiah said that many centuries before the Jews had been scattered to the ends of the earth. During the past 100 years, Jews living as far east as China, as far west as the West Coast of the United States, as far north as Scandinavia, and as far south as South Africa, Australia and South America, have moved to Israel.
Ten prophecies being fulfilled today:The following 10 Bible prophecies made it clear that Israel would become a country, that it would be destroyed, that its people would be scattered worldwide and persecuted, that they would have a worldwide impact, and that they would return to Israel. Each of these prophecies has been fulfilled or is being fulfilled.
41. Abraham's descendants would have their own country
Prophecy: Old Testament: Genesis 15:18 (Written: around 1400 BC)”On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the
river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates …"
Fulfilled:1400 BC and in 1948: The Bible’s book of Genesis explains that about 4000 years ago, the Lord found a man who had strong faith. That man’s name was Abraham. In Genesis 12:1-3, the Lord calls out to Abraham and chooses to reward him.
In Genesis 15:18, the Lord said that Abraham’s descendants would have their own country, and that this country would be between the river of Egypt and the Euphrates River . (People sometimes call this the Promised Land.)
Genesis also explains that this promise of land to the descendants of Abraham was inherited by Abraham’s son, Isaac, and then by Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. Jacob is the father of the 12 Tribes of Israel. (This web site uses the terms Jews, Israelites, people of Israel , and Hebrews, interchangeably.)
This prophecy of nationhood has been fulfilled more than once. About 3400 years ago, the Hebrew descendants of Abraham first established Israel . The Bible’s book of Joshua explains how Joshua led the Israelites into the land that had been promised to them, as descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and established the nation of Israel .
The nation of Israel was later divided into two kingdoms, called Judah and Israel , about 2900 years ago. The kingdom of Israel lost its independence when it was conquered by Assyria about 2700 years ago. Judah lost its independence about 2600 years ago when it was conquered by Babylon .
Then, about 2000 years ago, the Romans scattered the Jews (or Israelites, or Hebrews) throughout the Roman Empire .
But, in 1948, after many Jews from around the world had returned to the land of Israel , the Jews issued a declaration of independence.
That was the first time in 2900 years that Israel was both united and independent.
42. Jacob saw a vision of Israel 's future.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Genesis 28:10-15 (Written: around 1400 BC)”Jacob ... had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: "I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Fulfilled: Throughout history: The Bible says that Jacob, who lived about 4000 years ago, received a vision from God about the future of his descendants (the Israelites, who today are commonly called "Jews"). The vision accurately foretold their future. Here is our summary:
1. Jacob's descendants would have Israel as their own country. (Gen. 28:13). This was fulfilled about 3400 years ago when the Israelites first established Israel .
2. The Israelites would be like dust, spreading out to the east, west, north and south. (Gen. 28:14). Throughout history, the Jews have been scattered worldwide. They are the first and only group of people to be scattered worldwide.
3. The Israelites would have a worldwide impact. (Gen. 28:14). Jews have had a tremendous worldwide impact in science, art, literature, economics, music and theology. The worldwide spread of Christianity began 2000 years ago by Jews who were followers of Jesus.
4. Jacob’s descendants would be brought back to Israel . (Gen. 28:15). This began to be fulfilled during the late 1800s when many Jews worldwide began returning to their ancient homeland. They re-established Israel 's independence in 1948.
43. Abraham's descendants would be like counting the stars.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Genesis 15:5 (Written: around 1400 BC)He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
Fulfilled: Throughout history: In Genesis 15:5, the Bible said that Abraham would have many descendants and that counting them would be like counting the stars. Today, scientists say it is impossible to count the stars because the universe is too vast. Today, we also know that counting Abraham's descendants is also impossible. There are about 20 million Jews in the world today. But, it is impossible to know how many other people today are descendants of Abraham because many of the Israelites were scattered by Assyria during ancient times and history has lost track of them.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this prophecy is that Abraham, today, is still widely revered as being the father of many descendants. That in itself is unusual. Very few, if any, other people from ancient times are still revered today by their descendants.
44. The people of Israel would be scattered worldwide.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Deuteronomy 28:64 (Written: perhaps 1400 BC)” Then the Lord will scatter you among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other. …”
Fulfilled: 721 BC, 586 BC, 70 AD, 135 AD, modern times: In Deuteronomy 28:64, the Bible said the Jews would be scattered worldwide. This prophecy has been fulfilled in detail. Take a look at the explanation of the Jewish "Diaspora," which means "scattering," from the Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition: "… by 70 A.D. Jewish communities existed in Babylonia, Syria, Egypt, Cyrene, Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. Jews followed the Romans into Europe and from Persia and Babylonia spread as far east as China . In modern times, Jews have migrated to the Americas , South Africa , and Australia . The Jewish population of Central and Eastern Europe , until World War II the largest in the world, was decimated in the Holocaust. Despite the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, the vast majority of the Jewish people remains in the Diaspora, notably in North America, Russia , and Ukraine ."
45. God will never forget the children of Israel
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 49:13-1 (Written: between 701-681 BC)”Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Your sons hasten back, and those who laid you waste depart from you. Lift up your eyes and look around; all your sons gather and come to you. As surely as I live," declares the LORD, "you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride.”
Fulfilled: Throughout history: In Isaiah 49:13-18, the Lord makes it clear that even though the people of Israel are to be exiled from their land, the Lord will not forget them, and they will brought back to their land.
Isaiah lived about 2700 years ago. At about that time, the Assyrians invaded the northern part of the land of Israel and had scattered many of the people. More than a century later, the Babylonians would do the same to the people in the southern part of the land of Israel .
Many returned after the fall of Babylon , but the Romans later exiled and scattered the people again. And many remain scattered throughout the world today. Given the exile, the scattering, and the persecutions of the past 19 centuries, it is easy to understand the sentiment of Verse 14 (NIV translation): "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."
But Verses 15 and 16 show that the Lord will never forget. In fact, it says that even if a mother could forget her child, the Lord will not forget his children, for they are "engraved" on the palms of His hands. Verses 17 and 18 show that the sons of Israel will return to Israel .
Although there has always been at least a small number of Jews living in the land of Israel , millions have returned from around the world during the past 2 centuries, allowing Israel to reclaim independence in 1948, a few thousand years since the previous time that the nation had independence.
46. The people of Israel would have a worldwide impact.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Genesis 12:2-3 (Written: around 1400 BC)"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. “
Fulfilled: Throughout history: In Genesis 12:2-3, and in Genesis 28:10-15, the Bible said that the descendants of Abraham and the descendants of Abraham's grandson, Jacob, would be a blessing for people worldwide. Jacob is the father of the 12 Tribes of Israel (the Jews). In 1898, Mark Twain wrote an essay for Harper's New Monthly Magazine that discussed how the Jews have had an impact on the world:
" … the Jews constitute but one percent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of stardust lost in the blaze of the Milky Way. Properly, the Jew ought hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of. He is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his commercial importance is extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk. His contributions to the world's list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine, and abstruse learning are also way out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers. He has made a marvelous fight in this world, in all the ages; and had done it with his hands tied behind him. He could be vain of himself, and be excused for it. The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Roman followed, and made a vast noise, and they are gone. Other peoples have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all… All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?"
47. Israel would be partitioned by other nations.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Joel 3:2 (Written: about 400 BC)”I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat . There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel , for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. (NOTE: "Jehoshaphat" means "the Lord judges.")
Fulfilled: 1900s: In Joel 3:2, the prophet said that the nations of the world will be judged for having scattered the people of Israel and for having "divided up" (or "parted" or "partitioned") the land of Israel. Christian scholars believe that this is a prophecy that will be fulfilled during the End Times. But portions of the prophecy already have been fulfilled. The Jews have been scattered to nations throughout the world, and the nations of the world have divided up the land of Israel . On November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly approved a motion to partition the land into two separate states, one for Jewish people and another for Arab people.
48. Israel would be restored and repopulated
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 36:8-10 (Written: between 593-571 BC)"`But you, O mountains of Israel , will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel , for they will soon come home. I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole house of Israel . The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.
Fulfilled: late 1900s: In Ezekiel 36:8-10, the prophet Ezekiel said that the people of Israel would return, rebuild and repopulate their fallen cities. Ezekiel, according to the Bible, lived about 2600 years ago during the time of the Babylonian Captivity, when many Jews, including Ezekiel, were taken as captives to Babylon . After the Babylonian Captivity ended, many Jews returned to their homeland. But about 1900 years ago, the Jews again were forced into exile, this time by the Romans. However, since the late 1800s, millions of Jews have returned to their ancient homeland. And, once again, they have been rebuilding and repopulating their ancient cities. In 1948, there were about 600,000 Jews living in Israel . Today there are about 6,000,000.
49. Jesus' life was foreshadowed by the prophet Isaiah.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 42:1-9 (Written: between 701-681 BC)"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. … In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. … "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."
Fulfilled: About 2000 years ago: In Isaiah 42:1-9, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a servant of God who will be a light to the Gentiles (non-Jews) and bring justice to the world. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of this promise. Jesus' teachings govern the lives of Christians throughout the world. Some estimates claim that there are as many as 2 billion Christians worldwide. More people follow the teachings of Jesus than those of any other person in history.
50. Jesus said His words would never be forgotten.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Luke 21:33 (Written: about 30 AD)” Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
Fulfilled: At this very moment: In Luke 21:33, Jesus said that regardless of what happens to the world, His words will never be forgotten. Here we are 2000 years later and the words of Jesus are all around us: Christianity has spread to people around the world and the Bible is the world's most circulated book. Of all the people who have ever lived, can you think of a single person who could have made this claim more effectively than Jesus - that his words would never be forgotten?
Ten prophecies fulfilled long ago:
These 10 Bible prophecies were fulfilled about 2500 years ago by the destruction of the ancient kingdoms of Babylon and Nineveh , which was the Assyrian capital at that time. According to the Bible, these empires were destroyed because they had sought to destroy the Holy Land of Israel and the people of Israel (the Jews).
51. Babylon would rule Judah for 70 years.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Jeremiah 25:11-12 (Written: 626 - 586 BC"…This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt," declares the Lord, "and will make it desolate forever."
Fulfilled: about 609 BC to 539 BC: In Jeremiah 25:11-12, the prophet said that the Jews would suffer 70 years of Babylonian domination. Jeremiah also said Babylon would be punished after the 70 years. Both parts of this prophecy were fulfilled. In 609 BC, which is about 2600 years ago, Babylon captured the last Assyrian king and took over the holdings of the Assyrian empire, to which the land of Israel previously had been subjugated. Babylon later asserted its domination by taking many Jews as captives to Babylon , and by destroying Jerusalem and the Temple . The domination ended in 539 BC, when Cyrus, a leader of Persians and Medes, conquered Babylon and brought an end to its empire. Cyrus later offered the captive Jews the freedom to return to their homeland. The prophecy also might have been fulfilled in another way too: The Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem 's Temple in 586 BC, and the Jews rebuilt it and consecrated it 70 years later, in 516 BC. Having the Temple again showed, in a very important way, that the effects of Babylonian domination truly had come to an end.
52. Babylon 's gates would open for Cyrus.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 45:1 (Written: between 701-681 BC)"This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut.”
Fulfilled: 539 BC: In Isaiah 45:1, the prophet said God would open the gates of Babylon for Cyrus and his attacking army. Despite Babylon 's remarkable defenses, which included moats, and walls that were more than 70-feet thick and 300-feet high, and 250 watchtowers, Cyrus was able to enter the city and conquer it. Cyrus and his troops diverted the flow of the Euphrates River into a large lake basin. Cyrus then was able to march his army across the riverbed and into the city.
53. Babylon 's kingdom would be overthrown, permanently.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 13:19 (Written: between 701-681 BC)” Babylon , the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the Babylonians' pride, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah .”
Fulfilled: 539 BC: In Isaiah 13:19, the prophet said Babylon would be overthrown, permanently. History confirms that when Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC, it never again rose to power as an empire. Before the time of Cyrus, however, Babylon had been defeated by the Assyrian Empire but was able to recover and later conquer the Assyrian Empire. However, like Isaiah said 2700 years ago, the Babylonian Empire never recovered from Cyrus' conquest.
54. Babylon would be reduced to swampland.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 14:23 (Written: between 701-681 BC)"I will turn her into a place for owls and into swampland; I will sweep her with the broom of destruction," declares the Lord Almighty.
Fulfilled: 539 BC: In Isaiah 14:23, the prophet said that Babylon , which had been a world power at two different times in history, would be brought to a humble and final end. It would be reduced to swampland. After Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC, the kingdom never again rose to power. The buildings of Babylon fell into a gradual state of ruin during the next several centuries. Archaeologists excavated Babylon during the 1800s. Some parts of the city could not be dug up because they were under a water table that had risen over the years.
55. The Jews would survive Babylonian rule and return home.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Jeremiah 32:36-37 (Written: 626 - 586 BC)"You are saying about this city, `By the sword, famine and plague it will be handed over to the king of Babylon'; but this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety.
Fulfilled: 536 BC: In Jeremiah 32:36-37, the prophet said that the Jews would survive their captivity in Babylon and return home. Both parts of this prophecy were fulfilled. Many Jews had been taken as captives to Babylon beginning around 605 BC. But, in 538 BC, they were released from captivity and many eventually returned to their homeland.
56. Nineveh would be destroyed, permanently.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Nahum 3:19 (Written: 614 BC)”Nothing can heal your wound; your injury is fatal. Everyone who hears the news about you claps his hands at your fall, for who has not felt your endless cruelty?”
Fulfilled: 612 BC: In Nahum 3:19 (and 1:9), the prophet said that Nineveh , which was the Assyrian Empire's capital and perhaps the most powerful city of the ancient world, would suffer a wound that would never heal. In 612 BC (about 2600 years ago), a coalition of Babylonians, Scythians and Medes conquered the heavily fortified city. According to the Bible, Nineveh was to be punished for the empire's inhumane treatment of Israel . It is unknown as to when Nahum delivered this prophecy - some scholars speculate that it was delivered a few years before the conquest. But, it is known that Nahum was correct - Nineveh and the Assyrian empire never did recover from their defeat. (Incidentally, the Assyrian empire had conquered Babylon many years beforehand, but Babylon was able to recover from that defeat).
57. Nineveh 's army officers would desert.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Nahum 3:17 (Written: 614 BC)”Your guards are like locusts, your officials like swarms of locusts that settle in the walls on a cold day-- but when the sun appears they fly away, and no one knows where.”
Fulfilled: 612 BC: In Nahum 3:17, the prophet said Nineveh 's army officers would flee rather than fight. Babylonian records claim that Assyrian army members did flee from the battle.
58. Ninevites would be drunk in their final hours.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Nahum 1:10 (Written: 614 BC)”They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will be consumed like dry stubble.”
Fulfilled: 612 BC: In Nahum 1:10 and 3:11, the prophet said that during the final hours of the attack on Nineveh , the Ninevites would be drunk. There is evidence that this prophecy was fulfilled. According to the ancient historian Diodorus Siculus: "The Assyrian king gave much wine to his soldiers. Deserters told this to the enemy, who attacked that night." Siculus compiled his historical works about 600 years after the fall of Nineveh .
59. Nineveh would be destroyed by fire.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Nahum 3:15 (Written: around 614 BC)”There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and, like grasshoppers, consume you…”
Fulfilled: 612 BC: In Nahum 3:15, the prophet said that Nineveh would be damaged by fire. Archaeologists unearthed the site during the 1800s and found a layer of ash covering the ruins. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica: "… Nineveh suffered a defeat from which it never recovered. Extensive traces of ash, representing the sack of the city by Babylonians, Scythians, and Medes in 612 BC, have been found in many parts of the Acropolis. After 612 BC the city ceased to be important…"
60. Ninevites would be wiped out.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Nahum 1:14 (Written: 614 BC)”The Lord has given a command concerning you, [ Nineveh ]: "You will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the carved images and cast idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile."
Fulfilled: 612 BC: In Nahum 1:14, the prophet said Nineveh would have no descendants to carry on the prestige of Nineveh . Nineveh 's destruction in 612 BC marked a permanent end to the Assyrian Empire. The city itself never again rose to any significant importance. Today, Nineveh is an archaeological site in Iraq .
10 Bible prophecies fulfilled between 2100 years ago and 2300 years ago; the destruction of Edom and of Phoenician Tyre . According to the Bible, these nations were destroyed because they had sought to destroy the Holy Land of Israel and the people of Israel (the Jews).
61. Daniel predicted the four great kingdoms.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Daniel 2:32-33 (Written: about 530 BC)
”This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly
and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.”
Fulfilled: Throughout history; to be completed during End Times: In Daniel 2:32-33, there is a passage that symbolically identified the four great kingdoms that would rise up and control much of world, beginning in Daniel's lifetime. The passage uses symbolic imagery:
1. The head of gold, as Daniel explained, refers to the Babylonian empire that ruled much of the world about 2600 years ago.
2. Daniel said that the head-of-gold empire would be followed by an empire symbolized by arms of silver. Christian scholars have often interpreted this to refer to the Medo-Persian empire which later conquered the Babylonian empire. The scholars say that the two arms refer to the two groups - the Medes and the Persians - who comprised the Medo-Persian empire.
3. The third kingdom was symbolized by the statue's belly and thighs of brass. Some scholars believe that this is a reference to the Grecian empire, which conquered the Medo-Persian empire. The symbol of a belly and thighs of brass suggests that the kingdom was to start out as a united empire but end up as a divided empire. Under the leadership of Alexander the Great, the Grecian Empire was a united empire. But after Alexander's death, the empire was divided into four parts and was later reduced to two parts.
4. The fourth symbol - that of iron legs and feet that were part iron and part clay - has often been suggested to be a reference to the Roman Empire , which later conquered the Grecian Empire. The Roman Empire was very powerful, but it was also very diverse, claiming dominion over a wide variety of different nations. That diversity later contributed to the downfall of the empire.
These four kingdoms ruled over much of the world, and each of the four ruled over the land of Israel during times in which a significant number of Jews - and perhaps a majority of Jews - were living in their homeland. Before the collapse of the Roman Empire, Jerusalem was destroyed and hundreds of thousands of Jews were forced into exile. Even today, a majority of Jews still live outside of Israel . Many Christian scholars suggest that the Roman Empire will be revived and will once again seek to control Israel .
62. Tyre would be attacked by many nations.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 26:3 (Written: between 587-586 BC)”therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the sea casting up its waves.
Fulfilled: 573 BC, 332 BC, 1291 AD: In Ezekiel 26:3, the prophet said that Tyre, the Phoenician Empire's most powerful city, would be attacked by many nations, because of its treatment of Israel. At about the time that Ezekiel delivered this prophecy, Babylon had begun a 13-year attack on Tyre 's mainland. Later, in about 332 BC, Alexander the Great conquered the island of Tyre and brought an end to the Phoenician Empire. Tyre later fell under the rule of the Romans, the Crusaders and the Moslems, who destroyed the city, again, in 1291.
63. Tyre 's fortresses would fail.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Amos 1:9-10 (Written: about 750 BC)This is what the Lord says: "For three sins of Tyre , even for four, I will not turn back [my wrath]. Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom , disregarding a treaty of brotherhood, I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre that will consume her fortresses."
Fulfilled: 333-332 BC: In Amos 1:9-10, the prophet said that God would cause Tyre 's protective fortresses to fail, as punishment for the way that Tyre treated Israel . That prophecy was fulfilled in 586-573 BC when Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar attacked the mainland of Tyre , and in 333-332 BC when Alexander the Great conquered the island of Tyre . Alexander's army built a land bridge from the mainland to the island so that they could use a battering ram to break through the island's fortress.
64. Tyre's stones, timber and soil would be cast into the sea.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 26:12 (Written: between 587-586 BC)”They will plunder your wealth and loot your merchandise; they will break down your walls and demolish your fine houses and throw your stones, timber and rubble into the sea.”
Fulfilled: 333-332 BC: In Ezekiel 26:12, the prophet said that Tyre 's stones, timber and soil would be thrown into the sea. That probably would have been a fitting description of how Alexander the Great built a land bridge from the mainland to the island of Tyre when he attacked in 333-332 BC. It is believed that he took the rubble from Tyre 's mainland ruins and tossed it - stones, timber and soil - into the sea, to build the land bridge (which is still there).
65. Tyre would lose its power over the sea.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Zechariah 9:3-4 (Written: 520 - 518 BC)” Tyre has built herself a stronghold; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets. But the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.”
Fulfilled: 333-332 BC: In Zechariah 9:3-4, the prophet said that the Phoenician city of Tyre would lose its status as a powerful nation on the Mediterranean Sea . Today there is a city called Tyre that is either on, or near, the original Phoenician site. But this Tyre is a small city in modern-day Lebanon . It is certainly not the powerful nation that it was in the days of Zechariah.
66. Tyre would never again be found.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 26:21 (Written: 587-586 BC)”I will bring you to a horrible end and you will be no more. You will be sought, but you will never again be found, declares the Sovereign Lord."
Fulfilled: after 332 BC: In Ezekiel 26:21, the prophet said that the Phoenician city of Tyre would be brought to an end and would never again be found. When Alexander the Great destroyed the city in 332 BC, he brought an end to the Phoenician Empire. The Empire was never revived or "found" again. As for the city itself, it has been torn down and built upon by a succession of world powers. Today, finding artifacts from the original Phoenician Tyre is difficult. Many of the original buildings were destroyed by Greeks, Romans, Crusaders and Moslems. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition: "The principal ruins of the city today are those of buildings erected by the Crusaders. There are some Greco-Roman remains, but any left by the Phoenicians lie underneath the present town."
67. Tyre would never be rebuilt.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 26:14 (Written: 587-586 BC)”I will make you a bare rock, and you will become a place to spread fishnets. You will never be rebuilt, for I the Lord have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Fulfilled: 332 BC: In Ezekiel 26:14, the prophet says the Phoenician city of Tyre would be destroyed and never be rebuilt. This was fulfilled when Alexander the Great conquered Tyre in 332 BC. His conquest brought an end to the Phoenician Empire. The empire never recovered from the attack. And so, it could never rebuild Tyre . Other nations and empires have built cities on or near the original Phoenician site.
68. The Jews would avenge the Edomites.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Ezekiel 25:14 (Written: between 593-571 BC)”I will take vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel , and they will deal with Edom in accordance with my anger and my wrath; they will know my vengeance, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Fulfilled: about 100 BC: In Ezekiel 25:14, the prophet said that the Jews would one day take vengeance on Edom, a nation that had often warred with the Jews. When Ezekiel delivered this prophecy, he and many other Jews were living as captives in Babylon . They didn't have control of their own country, let alone anyone else's. But, about 400 years later, Jews regained independence for Jerusalem and the surrounding area during the "Hasmonaean Period." During this time, the Jewish priest-king John Hyrcanus I defeated the Edomites. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition: "Edomite history was marked by continuous hostility and warfare with Jews… At the end of the second century B.C., they were subdued by Hasmonaean priest-king John Hyrcanus I…"
69. Edom would be toppled and humbled.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Jeremiah 49:16 (Written: 626 - 586 BC)”The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle's, from there I will bring you down," declares the Lord.”
Fulfilled: about 100 BC: In Jeremiah 49:16, the prophet said that Edom , a long-time enemy of Israel , would be destroyed. Edom 's capital city, Petra , was carved out of a mountain side and had great natural defenses. Nonetheless, it was destroyed and the kingdom of Edom no longer exists. Today, Petra is part of Jordan . The city was conquered by the Romans in the year 106 AD but flourished again shortly after that. But a rival city, Palmyra , eventually took most of the trade away and Petra began to decline. Moslems conquered Petra in the 7th Century and Crusaders conquered it in the 12th Century. Petra gradually fell into ruin.
70. Nations would seek the counsel of Jesse's descendant.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-10 (Written: between 701-681 BC)” 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. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.”
Fulfilled: 538 BC: In Isaiah 11:1-10, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a ruler who would be a descendant of Jesse. Jesse was the father of ancient Israel 's great King David. This descendant would rule with true justice and true faith, and he would establish true peace. This peace would be so great that even wild animals would be able to lie down next to one another. This descendant would also become a standard for people throughout the world. And, this descendant would be sought by people throughout the world.
This is an important prophecy for Christians because we believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of this Old Testament promise. Jesus, as explained in the New Testament, is a descendant of Jesse. And Jesus has become a standard for peoples throughout the world. In fact, Christianity is the first religion to spread to every country in the world. The words of Jesus, which speak of true justice, true faith and true peace, have been taught to people in every country in the world. We Christians also believe that Jesus will return in the future to establish a kingdom on earth, a kingdom of justice and righteousness.
End time prophecies.Ten Bible prophecies from Jesus, Zechariah and the Bible's book of Revelation deal with the End Times, Apocalypse, or Last Days, when Jesus is to return and judge the living and the dead.
71. Jerusalem would become an international problem.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Zechariah 12:1-5 (Written: 520 - 518 BC)This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel . The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares: "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem . On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness," declares the Lord. "I will keep a watchful eye over the house of Judah , but I will blind all the horses of the nations. Then the leaders of Judah will say in their hearts, `The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.'
To be fulfilled: End Times: In Zechariah 12, the prophet said that there would come a time when the surrounding nations would besiege Jerusalem and Judah (the area around Jerusalem ), and that all the nations of the world would gather against Jerusalem , but that God ultimately would save the city and its people. This is widely regarded as an End Time prophecy to be fulfilled in the future.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this prophecy is that it is predicated on Jerusalem being a city of critical interest to the rest of the world. And it just so happens that Jerusalem is the only city in the world that is of interest to the rest of the world.
For Jews, it is their ancient capital, founded by King David about 3000 years ago. Many Arab Moslems, however, believe that the city should be part of an independent state for Palestinian Arabs. The issue of who should control Jerusalem has been a cause of the Arab-Israeli wars during the past century.
And, the conflict between Arabs and Jews has been a primary reason as to why the international community has taken an interest in Jerusalem . In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly approved a plan to carve up the ancient land of Israel into a state for Jews and another for Arabs. This plan would have established Jerusalem as an international city to be governed by the United Nations.
This extremely unusual proposal, suggesting that a city be governed by the United Nations, simply shows the unique status that Jerusalem already has in the world: It is the only city in the world that is of interest to the rest of the world.
Given the history of the city, the volatile conflict between Israel and the surrounding Arab nations, and the unusual interest that the international community has shown in regards to Jerusalem , it seems clear that the groundwork for the future fulfillment of this prophecy is in place.
72. When Israel blooms again, the Kingdom of God will be near.
Prophecy: New Testament: Luke 21:29-31 (Written: about 30 AD)”He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”
To be fulfilled: End Times: In Luke 21:29-31, Jesus said that when the fig tree blooms again, people will know that the End Times and Kingdom of God is near. Some Christian scholars believe that the fig tree represents the nation of Israel . This passage is sometimes interpreted to mean that the End Times would not begin until sometime after the nation of Israel regains sovereignty. When Jesus delivered this prophecy about 2000 years ago, Israel was ruled over by the Roman Empire . The people of Israel did not have sovereignty over their own land during that era. But, after centuries of exile, the Jews were able to return to Israel and reclaim sovereignty, in 1948.
73. The Messiah will appear after the Jews return to Israel.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:3-6 (Written: between 626 - 586 BC)"I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the Lord. "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.
Fulfilled: end times: In Jeremiah 23:3-6, there is a prophecy that indicates when the Messiah is to appear in the land of Israel . Jeremiah said that it would be after the exiled people of Israel return to their homeland. From a Christian point of view, this is of special interest because Jesus is supposed to appear twice. And this coincides with the fact that the people of Israel have been expelled from their homeland twice, and that they are currently in the process of returning after the second expulsion.
More than 2500 years ago, the Assyrians and Babylonians forced the people of Israel out of their homeland. Many returned during the centuries that followed and then Jesus appeared, about 2000 years ago, and announced that he is the Messiah. Later, the people of Israel were again forced out of their land (by the Romans in 135 AD) and scattered to countries throughout the world.
But, during the past few centuries, millions of exiled Jews around the world have returned to their ancient homeland. And this is one of the reasons why Christians say that the world is being prepared for the return of Jesus Christ. Because, as Jeremiah had prophesied long ago, the Messiah is to appear after the people of Israel return to their land.
The phrase, in Jeremiah 23:5, "I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King," refers to the Messiah, and that he will be a king and a descendant of King David, who reigned over Israel about 3000 years ago. Christians believe that when Jesus returns, he will establish a kingdom of peace and righteousness.
74. The Gospel will be preached to the entire world.
Prophecy: New Testament: Matthew 24:14 (Written: about 30 AD)”And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
To be fulfilled: End Times: In Matthew 24:14, the Bible says that the Gospel (the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) will be preached throughout the world. The Bible also says that after this happens, the end times will come. The Bible has been preached throughout the world for a long time. But now, with the increasing worldwide availability of television and the Internet, there is greater potential for the Gospel to be preached to everyone, everywhere.
75. The world would be able to simultaneously witness events.
Prophecy: New Testament: Revelation 11:9-10 (Written: 54 and 95 AD)”For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.”
To be fulfilled: End Times: In Revelation 11:9-10, the Bible gives a prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled, at least not in a literal sense. But, perhaps for the first time in history, it can be fulfilled. The prophecy says that people all over the world will be able to simultaneously witness a particular event (the death of two prophets). This of course would have been difficult before the popularization of television and the Internet. But it is now common for people worldwide to simultaneously witness events via television and the Internet.
76. Zechariah foreshadowed modern warfare.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Zechariah 14:12: (Written: 520 – 518 BC)This is the plague with which the Lord will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem : Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
To be fulfilled: End Times: In Zechariah, chapter 14, the prophet says a time will come when nations gather to attack Jerusalem . In Zechariah 14:12, the prophet says the nations that attack Jerusalem will be struck with a "plague" that will cause their flesh to rot while they are still standing. This might be a fitting description for modern warfare if it were described by a person who lived 2500 years ago, as Zechariah did. Chemical weapons are capable of causing rapid deterioration of flesh. And a blast of heat from a nuclear weapon could have a similar affect. Some Bible scholars, however, believe that this plague could refer to a supernatural event from God to protect the Holy Land .
77. Many people will go to Jerusalem to seek God's favor.
Prophecy: Old Testament: Zechariah 8:22 (Written: 520 and 518 BC)”And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him."
To be fulfilled: End Times: In Zechariah 8:22, the prophet said 2500 years ago that a time will come when many people go to Jerusalem to seek and honor God. This prophecy has been at least partially fulfilled already. The Jews recaptured Jerusalem during the Six Day War in 1967. Since then, people from around the world have toured Jerusalem to visit various sites that are important to the history of Judaism and Christianity. Jerusalem is also an important city to Moslems.
78. Book of Revelation envisioned an army of 200 million.
Prophecy: New Testament: Revelation 9:16: (Written: between 54 - 95 AD)”The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.”
To be fulfilled: End Times: In Revelation 9:16, the Bible says that an army of 200 million will one day march toward Israel . Of course, this prophecy hasn't been fulfilled yet, at least not literally. But, as the world's population rises above 6 billion, it is increasingly possible for a coalition of countries to amass an army of 200 million, and this would have been unthinkable even 100 years ago.
79. The troops would cross the Euphrates.
Prophecy: New Testament: Revelation 16:12: (Written: 54 - 95 AD)The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates , and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.
To be fulfilled: End Times: In Revelation 16:12, the Bible says there will come a time when the Euphrates River becomes dry so that an army can cross it and march into Israel. When the book of Revelation was written 1900 years ago, it would have taken a great natural disaster, or a great amount of labor to divert the flow of the Euphrates so that an army could cross it. (In 539 BC, Cyrus and his army diverted the flow so that his troops could march across the riverbed and conquer Babylon ). But, today, there are a series of dams that would make it much easier to divert the flow of the powerful river.
80. People would be forced to receive the mark of the beast.
Prophecy: New Testament: Revelation 13:16-18: (Written: 54 - 95 AD)”And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” (KJV)
To be fulfilled: End Times: In Revelation 13:16-18, the Bible says that there would come a time when a powerful leader would force people to receive a "mark" on or in their right hand or forehead, and that no one would be able to buy or sell unless they had that mark. When the book of Revelation was written about 1900 years ago, it would have been nearly impossible for a world leader to force everyone to receive such a mark. But, today, with modern technology, it would be much easier. Today, for example, it would be possible to implant under a person's skin a small microchip that could be used like a credit card.
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