The Prophecies of the Prince

New believers in Christ might not know this but the life of Jesus was predicted long before he was born. Even the location and circumstances of his birth were predicted centuries before Mary and Joseph became betrothed to each other.

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) is perhaps the most descriptive of these prophecies. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

This verse also shows Christ's deity as "mighty God." The next time Jehovah's Witnesses confront you, direct them to this verse which shows that Jesus IS God.

Isaiah also foretold how Christ would be born of a virgin, something biologically impossible by human means at that time. Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) reads, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

And here's another verse to show Jehovah's Witnesses. Matthew 1:23 (KJV) states plainly that Jesus was, is, and always will be divine. "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

We also find Christ and his birth place mentioned in Micah 5:2 (KJV). "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

But not everybody realized who Christ was. His coming from Nazareth confused some Judeans. As John 7:42 (KJV) quoted them as saying, "Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"

The fact that so many ancient prophecies were fulfilled with such exactness proves the Bible's accuracy. This is one point I'll stress in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Many nominal Christians and cults claim the Bible was tampered with but these prophecies and the Dead Sea Scrolls prove that it came down to us intact.

On Thursday, I'll post about the wonder of God becoming a human. Many religions and sects don't except this but it's true.