Saturday, April 7, 2012

Prophetic Fulfillment Of Jesus' Last Days

The biblical scriptures pertaining to the death and resurrection of Jesus are found in all of the Gospels but Luke's account provides for a fascinating and detailed view of these events, particularly in terms of what transpired just after the resurrection. Two stories which are found in Luke 24 are of great interest.

In Luke 24 we see the story of the two men walking to Emmaus, three days after the events of the cross (just after the resurrection of Jesus, of which they were unaware). It doesn't take much imagination to read into their despair, as they mentioned that they had "hoped" that Jesus would have redeemed Israel (Luke 24:21) and seemed disappointed that things didn't work out as they had envisioned - thus the walk to Emmaus.

It was at this time that Jesus appeared to these two men - only Jesus hid his identity from them and appeared as a stranger to them while they continued their journey to Emmaus. It quickly became apparent to Jesus that these two men had no understanding of what had just taken place in Jerusalem - specifically - the events around His life, death and resurrection. Let's see what Jesus had to say:

"How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself." (Luke 21:24).

There are several points to be made from this passage:

Jesus was explaining that the prophetic scriptures were fulfilled by these events. Importantly (especially for "prophecy scoffers") - Jesus declared that these men were "foolish" and "slow of heart" for not having understood the prophecies as pertaining to His death and resurrection.

That is a serious accusation. Jesus clearly felt that the men should have read and understood these prophecies.

Is it any different today? Would Jesus give people in our generation a pass for not understanding today's prophecies as they pertain to the modern day era?

Note also that Jesus declared that the men were "slow of heart". Not slow of intellect. Not slow of brain power. Not lazy. But slow of heart.

Why? It begs the question of "Why do we study prophecy?" Is it an intellectual exercise?

No. It is most definitely a matter of the heart.

We study prophecy because it tells us that we are that much closer to being in the presence of Jesus. Being with Jesus should be an all consuming passion - and fulfillment of modern-day prophecies tell us that it will happen soon.

How can someone profess to love Jesus - but not have any care or concern about that approaching moment of being in His presence?

This is why it is a matter of the heart - as Jesus explained.

Also note what else Jesus said to these two men: "And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself".

For someone who doesn't believe that the prophetic scriptures are important, I would ask them to turn to this particular scripture. Just moments after Jesus' resurrection, He felt it necessary to teach these men "all the (prophetic) scriptures concerning himself". That must have taken hours upon hours. It was obviously of great importance to Jesus.

The next scene described in Luke's account is Jesus appearing before His disciples. So what was on His mind? Below we see what Jesus said to this gathering:

"This is what I told you while I was still with you: 'Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the prophets and the psalms.' Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures. He told them, 'This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.'"

The phrase "Law of Moses, the prophets and the psalms" is a way of stating all prophecies pertaining to Jesus.

As stated in "Signs of the Coming Christ", we can make the following observations about Luke 24:

Lessons from Luke 24: 1) Jesus explains that they are foolish for not understanding the prophecies. 2) Jesus explains that they should understand ALL of what the prophets have spoken. 3) Jesus took significant time explaining the prophecies regarding His coming and most of His last words on earth were about prophecy. 4) Jesus explains that everything written by the prophets must be fulfilled.

In fact, you could push this point to see how Jesus staked His claim as the long awaited messiah based on the fulfillment of prophecy.

And this idea takes us to the next point and that point is described in the title above:

"Prophetic Fulfillment of Jesus' Last Days". This is good time to review the prophecies which were fulfilled during passion week. Just in this one week we see at least 17 specific prophecies which were fulfilled.

The fact that only Jesus could confirm these prophecies screams to the world that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah and Son of God.

----------

PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT OF JESUS LAST DAYS:

1. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey:
Given: Zechariah 9:9.....fulfilled: Matthew 21:5-7

2. Jesus betrayed by a friend:
Given: Psalm 41:9.....fulfilled: Mark 14:17-18

3. Jesus betrayed for 30 pieces of silver:
Given: Zechariah 11:12.....fulfilled: Matthew 26:14

4. 30 Pieces of silver to be used for the "Potter's Field":
Given: Zechariah 11:13.....fulfilled: Matthew 27:3-5

5. Jesus accused by false witness:
Given: Psalm 109:2.....fulfilled: Matthew 26:59-60

6. Jesus stood silent before His accusers:
Given: Isaiah 53:7.....fulfilled: Matthew 27:12

7. Jesus Beaten and whipped:
Given: Isaiah 50:6.....fulfilled: Matthew 27:26

8. Jesus hands and feet pierced:
Given: Psalm 22:16.....fulfilled: John 19:37; 20:27

9. Peter's denial of Jesus:
Given: Mark 14:30.....fulfilled: Mark 14:66-72

10. Jesus garments divided:
Given: Psalm 22:18.....fulfilled: John 19:23

11. Jesus mocked as He died:
Given: Psalm 22:7-8.....fulfilled: Matthew 27:39-40

12. Jesus cried out to God at the cross:
Given: Psalm 22:1.....fulfilled: Matthew 27:46

13. Jesus offered vinegar on the cross:
Given: Psalm 69:21.....fulfilled: John 19:28

14. Jesus bones not broken on the cross:
Given: Psalm 34:20.....fulfilled: John 19:32-33

15. Darkness would cover the earth while Christ crucified:
Given: Amos 8:9.....fulfilled: Matthew 27:45

16. Jesus burial in a rich man's grave:
Given: Isaiah: 53:9.....fulfilled: Matthew 27:57-60

17. Jesus resurrected in 3 days:
Given: John 2:19-21.....fulfilled: Acts 10:40

Some authors point to the fulfillment of these prophecies and declare it a "fingerprint" which points to Jesus and only Jesus who could and did fulfill these prophecies.

Author Grant Jeffery, who conducted a similar exercise - looking at fulfilled prophecies pertaining to Jesus and estimated that the odds of such prophecies having this specific fulfillment are approximately:
1 chance in 480,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.

As stated in his book "The Signature of God", Mr Jeffery says the following:

"Regardless of the size of the estimates for probability you assign to these individual predictions, you will be confronted with a combined probability so staggering in its magnitude that it will be impossible to convince yourself that these things occurred by chance."

Indeed.

Perhaps more importantly, the apostle Peter put things in perspective regarding Jesus death and resurrection. Lets recall Peter - who had only days earlier denied his relationship with Christ - who - like the other apostles was cowering in hiding - in fear prior to Jesus' resurrection.

Then, after seeing the resurrected Jesus, this fearful, hiding individual was suddenly and boldly declaring to the Roman soldiers (and anyone else who would listen) that Jesus is indeed the Messiah: This same Peter, who had been in hiding behind locked doors - completely fearful of being arrested and put to death - suddenly loses all fear and suddenly has no concern of the Roman soldiers and what they could do to him.

Why?

What happened to suddenly give Peter such boldness in proclaiming the gospel?

We can easily see what happened in 2 Peter 1:16:

"We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty"

In other words, Peter saw the resurrected Jesus with his very eyes. And as a result, changes from a scared, cowardly individual who was in hiding - to someone boldly proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God without any fear whatsoever - despite the strong possibility of experiencing a gruesome death just as Christ had experienced.

Only that level of assurance - having seen a resurrected Jesus - could Peter have alleviated these fears and subsequently boldly proclaimed the Gospel to anyone willing to listen.

And similarly - we can never forget the promises assured to us. Not only the promises of salvation - made possible by what Jesus did on the cross - but also the promises given to the prophecy watchers who have such a deep love for Jesus that we care enough to watch the signs of His coming:

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8)

We will all stand before Christ - and that moment appears to be rapidly approaching.
And when that moment does arrive, we can stand before Jesus and tell Him that we loved Him enough to care about His coming. It mattered to us. It mattered enough to watch the signs diligently - daily - because we desperately want to be in His presence. Our love dictates such. The signs tell us that we will be with Him soon. In His paradise. The paradise that He created just for us. Our eternal home.

We now turn to the very last words in the Holy Bible:

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.'
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people.
Amen."

24 comments:

Ed said...

Scott-
You always bring things back to the heart of the matter: Jesus. I'm so eager to see Him and for all of us to be together.

Come quickly, Lord!
-Ed

WVBORN56 said...

Thanks Scott. I am so glad discerning the times in which we live requires "heart" and not "intellect". I think that is right on. That gave me a much better chance to receive the crown of righteousness. I do long for his appearing. Whatever good things we have in this life will be multiplied 100 fold when we are in heaven with Jesus.

Don't delay putting your complete trust in Jesus. You will not be disappointed.

Romans 10:9 "If you confess with you mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved."

Even so come Lord Jesus!

Ally said...

Oh Scott, thank you so much! I get so frustrated dealung with all the intellectual mumbo jumbo even or especially within the church system. My heart is what loves the Lord and Im withEd and Wv on this one!
My heart breaks daily over the things if this world vs the things of Christ!
Simple enough for a child to understand.
Complex enough, s lifetime of study and we still cant understand it all!
Dimly lit mirror ya know?
I love you all so much!
The war between darkness n light is starting to get really intense now. We are going to see unimaginable things between now and the end of the year! Scott, I hope you are right and we are outta here by years end!
I read once, from a girls diary she kept on the oregon trail, a quote, which had stuck with me always. She said "if the oregon trail didnt build character, it ceratainly revealed it" and I have a strong awareness that we are stepping over the threshold currently into a character revealing world!
I believe this is the last easter/passover we will be celebrating in freedom (in our current physical bodies) and whatever and however you choose to interpret that, you may! Im not neccessarily saying we will be raptured by then, tho im hoping!
Maranatha!

Dutch Treat said...

Scott, thank you so much for getting to the heart of the matter. I'll be the first to admit I'm not the brightest bulb in the room; and I like to keep things simple and basic. (Romans 10:9, John 3:16 etc.). As Ally alluded, sometimes we look for such deep hidden meaning that we overlook the simple; and just need to trust that it will happen as He said it would. So I would like to take this moment to wish you all a joyous Resurrection Day; and am really looking forward to the next one. At the first resurrection no one knew about it when it happened. At the next resurrection, the whole world will know it when millions ofus will disappear at the twinkling of an eye. I hope and pray that everyone reading this blog will be included in it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Scott,
I am from Malaysia. I have been following this blog for over a year now. Though I don't write comments on this page, it had been my habit to daily read your posts.
I don't have much Christian frds over here. My only encouragement is to read this blog and the comments of other prophecy watchers and to know that you are all my brothers and sisters.

If I may, I have a prayer request. I have read a comment here some weeks ago, a brother who has similar problem as me. I understood then how much the evil one is working against Christians using the spirit of homosexuality. I am too very much disturbed by the thought of homosexuality. I have been a Christian since I am 12 and now I'm in my 30ties. This thought of homosexuality is pressing me since couple of years ago. I consider myself as a grown up Christian and of strong faith but the evil one is doing all it can to bring me down. I can't share this problem to anybody else. I will very much appreciate anyone who would pray for me.
Hope to see you all soon in our new home. God Bless.
-Anne-

Scott said...

Anne - thanks for the very kind words. I'm so glad this site can be of help, and it makes the work worthwhile to hear comments like yours, so thanks again. And don't forget, we're all sinners and if you have sinned one sin, you have sinned them all. But I know - along with myself - you'll be in our prayers.

Helen said...

Scott thank you for bringing us to the heart of the matter.

God bless everyone here and have a lovely Resurrection day.

Helen

Caver said...

Anne, rest assured there will be prayer from the Caver household.

And welcome!

Happy Resurrection Day from our house to all of you.

David Down Under said...

G'day Scott, and everyone else.
Scott thanks for the time and effort you put into today's blog. So often when reading the bible I get so self centered after a while and think the bible is all about little ol me. But its not. At the end of the day it's all about Jesus Christ and his work, past, present and future.

Boy o boy we can get so selfish and think everything is here for us. Yea sure the bible is written for us by God but the content is written so we can take our minds off us and our wretchedness and look to Jesus Christ who is the burden bearer of our sins. But it doesn't just stop there. As the icing on the cake he also leads us through our wilderness and into the promised land if only we will take our minds off self and focus on that cloud going before us to lead us to that place of glory. Only in that mighty name of Jesus do we have a strong fortress to wage war against the evil one and break down his strongholds. Only in the name of Jesus do we have forgiveness of sins. Only in Jesus do we apply the armour found in Ephesians 6 to give protection against the enemy and their temptations.

Rest assured, Satan is scared stiff of the name of Jesus Christ. When a Christian gets complacent in resisting evil, the devil sets up shop with that person and goes to town driving that person to despair in the sin that so easily pulls them down, especially the ones we secretly treasure in our heart. But James says to draw close to God, resist the devil and he !WILL! flee from us. We are not to draw close to our sin but God. Set our minds on God and where Jesus is seated next to Him all the while putting to !DEATH! thats right, to !DEATH! the passions and feelings of the body, Colosians 3. I know what it's like living in the aftermath of failing in my duties to resist temptation. God gets a hold of you and uses people, and various other things of the world as His whipping stick to discipline us and bring us back to Holyness and purity of heart and mind and its not pretty, it hurts. WOE UNTO US IF WE LET THE DEVIL WIN!!!

But thanks be to God who will heal the land of our being if only we will be honest and upfront and tell Him, "father I'm being hounded by this sin, I really don't want to do this, please help me". Or, "in Jesus name I resist you devil and cast out these thoughts, destroying this stronghold which has taken hold in my mind. I am free in the mighty name of Jesus, amen".

God bless all
Dave Down Under

David Down Under said...

The first thing I try to put into my heart in the morning is Jesus Christ.
Into my heart,
Into my heart,
Come into my heart , Lord Jesus,
Come in today,
Come in to stay,
Come into my heart Lord Jesus.

I'll then read a small passage of scripture and ask God questions about it and how it relates to Jesus and what Ge wants me to do.

Throughout the day I simply believe in, trust in and call upon the name of the lord.
Rely upon the Holy Spirit to take deaden any passions that rise up within my mind. When that happens I obey that given strength and rise above the temptation and claim victory in jesus name in that skirmish.
I also rely upon the Holy Spirit to change me into a Christ like David.

The Holy Spirit is the strength of my life in the name of Jesus Christ. It's the Holy Spirit who gives us desires opposite to what the flesh wants. All I have to do is obey the Holy Spirit desires and like a bike, get on and peddle like my life depends on it.

Dave.

your friend said...

Friends, if Obama is re-elected in 2012, the US is finished.

Obama's agenda: Overwhelm the system - Opinion - ReviewJournal.com
------------------------

http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/obama-s-agenda--overwhelm-the-system-95716764.html

Dylan said...

Dave, you're right. We all have different weaknesses when it comes to temptation. Anne, I will pray for you to stand firm in your temptation.

Anyways, my friend's kidney surgery went well. She'll be able to go home in the morning. Her back is in a bit of pain. Thanks for the prayers.

Anonymous said...

anyway, all quiet this weekend...
no trading, Easter SUNDAY dead
ahead. Should see more info out
on SUN nite as to the reaction
of the GOOD FRI employment report.

A spot check of EU ZONE markets
seem to indicate BIG PROBLEMS...

it appears that Spain, Greece,
Portugal, and Italy stock markets
will SOON BE MAKING new lows...
Spain has already done so last week.

NOT GOOD news for bulls.

There was an incident where a
77 year old man killed himself
with a GUN in front of the Greek
Parliment on WED of this past week.

and to think Wall Street bulls
could care less, enjoying all
their fat little bonus checks.
and steak dinners, ect ect...

This person had JUST LOST HIS
entire pension. and he had NO
future left. due to the so called
austerity cuts going on in the EU.

This incident has IGNITED more riots in Greece of course, people
are really ANGRY at the cuts.

Greece is basically in depression
now, and the OTHER nations just
mentioned are CLOSE behind.

Budget cuts are just making matters
much much worse. The moment the
PAIN crosses the Atlantic, and it
will, Wall Street will crash.

Stephen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Di B said...

Thank you Scott for your encouraging words. Have a blessed Easter. di

Scott said...

Di - God Bless - Hope you have a deep, spiritual, meaningful Easter too. A time of reflection and prayer.

GG said...

Hi Dylan~

Glad to hear that all went well. I will be praying for a speedy recovery without further complications for her. Let her know we are thinking of her from here.

God Bless!!

GG

Cary said...

Just got an angry e mail from a very close friend of mine. When I sent out the link for this blog to my family and friends (as I do often) he got included.

I think I see Gods hand at work here since this man is unsaved. I also think it hit a very big nerve! He thought the blog was depressing and had a few ideas of how I should be spending my time.

Please pray for this male friend of mine (as I have long prayed for him) since I have a very good idea of how he will be spending eternity .......

Cary

Scott said...

Its always interesting to me how people can get angry at these kinds of things...I mean, if it doesn't matter, or if its untrue, or whatever - then what is there to get angry at? Food for thought...Deep down I believe that everyone knows that God is real - they construct a deep paradigm of denial that they know is built on a deck of cards, and anything that comes along and makes them question that deck of cards foundation makes them angry. Its an interesting thing IMO.

Theoretically, it shouldn't elicit anger...
For instance, if someone directed me to some new age site that discussed 2012, or some kind of "awakening" or whatever - it wouldn't make me "mad" in the least....I'd simply shrug my shoulders and move on....or I;d just chuckle and shake my head, and again, move on...

Anger? No way....

So why does the 'other side' always and predictably get angry at "our stuff'? That is the root of the issue right there....what is it that makes them so angry at the truth?

cary said...

Scott,
For the last few months he has amused himself by asking me how many "saint like men" I have found.

He cannot stop laughing at me for not involving myself with unbelievers.

But, the anger I think springs from his fear. I think he hears that still small voice that was speaking to him way back five or six years ago when he as almost completely disabled. He knows I know how frightened he was back then.

But, his pride is never going to let him admit or accept or bend the knee to anyone other than his own ego. Especially now that he is back on his feet with no problems.

All I can do is continue to pray. I wonder if God ever gets tired about the same name coming before Him again and again..

Much love to all my brothers and sisters out there...Cary

David Down Under said...

Lol, I think the same way Cary. Sometimes I think God must get soooo annoyed with me. Especially lately, my wife and I have had to do a mutually agreed separation for 6months. And I can see my fault in all of this but I also think God is getting so annoyed with me coming to him with these faults/sins and asking forgiveness all the time.

But my father is merciful and ready to forgive....at least I keep telling myself that. My house is so busy with a thousand kids in it and problems coming out my ears, but God will help us through.

Dave

Cary said...

Hello David, I hope you can work things out with your wife.
I regret my divorce to this day.
Hind sight is something else.
I really do believe God hates divorce.
Because of my impatience and unwillingness to forgive I threw my now ex husband under the bus.

And I (unto whom much is given..) had the greater knowledge at the time and should have waited as I knew the Lord was telling me.

Dumb, Dumb...I regret it to this day. And he is now re married to the person who caused all the problems and from all accounts MISERABLE. MEA CULPA. So now what?

I remember in the middle of everything asking him if he ever prayed about our problems and he told me that God was not listening to him. Instead of helping him my pride told me to walk. And I did just that. Me put up with that?? I had other options..what and idiot.. Something I will regret for the rest of the time left here for us.

I know pray for this man every night ... praying I have not caused him to be lost to God ..

Will always miss him calling the office askig to speak to "my beautiful bride"...

Hope things work out for you...nothing out there worth your family ... trust me..Cary

Will pray for you my brother..

David Down Under said...

Thanks for your understanding Cary. The great thing is we're still for each other. We both just need time to de-stress before taking that deep breath and plunging back in.
Your in my prayers to.

Dave

Diane said...

We must all pray for
the Grace not to
abandon our spouses
unless or until Christ
abandons His.
And we know that He
never has and never
will abandon His
Bride the church ,
no matter what we do .

Although God forgives
our sins, we know that
divorce saddens His
heart , especially
among His people,
who are His witnesses
in the world.

He really uses our
spouses to mold us.
Just as the pearl
must first cause the
oyster much irritation
as a grain of sand, so
God uses our families to
make us into His image.
If He does not use a
spouse, rest assured
that He will bring
someone or something
else into our lives.

After many years of
having temper tantrums
when God did not do
what I thought He
should, I have come to
the realization that
He owes us nothing
really, and that all
He gives us is by
His Mercy and Grace.

This life is a
preparation, or as
Andrew Murray wrote,
a schooling for
the next. It is like
a "blip on the radar
screen" of Eternity.

"Why, you do not
even know what will
happen tomorrow.
What is your life?
You are a mist that
appears for a little
while and then
vanishes." James 4:14

I pray for all of us
who are married, to
have God's Grace to
keep His Covenant
of marriage.
God bless, Diane

Caver said...

Dave, we are praying Brother.

And yes, I agree. I'm so thankful He never asked of me the patience He has shown me.