Now before I present this thread to you, I must say that this work was researched by a fine gentleman by the name of Dr. Douglas Winnail, I can't claim to be this smart, or even half as smart.
So, all that aside and said, let's look at a few points first. If this is the word and authority of the creator of the universe and everything in it, his book must prove itself to be a book of biblical proportions.
For as long as the bible has been in existence, the Catholics have tried to destroy it and change it to suit their own human doctrines, Athiests and evolutionists have tried to discredit it, yada yada yada.
To my knowledge, no man has ever been able to prove the bible false and in fact the bible is held as an authority of historical record and reference by archiologists.
If you look at even the earliest authentically verified original copies which exist today in the national museum in Jerusalem, the word of God today is exactly identical as it was over 2000 years ago.
The plain teachings of the Bible stand in striking contrast to what many religious leaders preach today. The Apostle Paul did not encourage first century Christians to "just believe" in Jesus and merely accept the teachings of the Bible and Christianity "on faith." Instead, he told his audiences, "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Surely, as mentioned we can see the Bible contains dozens of prophecies that are coming alive today! Bible prophecies explain the real significance of global events making headlines everytime we watch the news or step outside the door for that matter. Bible prophecies also reveal what is ahead for major nations of our modern worldand for the human race!
No other book, religious or secular, does this with such accuracy and detail! Prophecy is clearly the Bible's most striking feature!
Notice this amazing statement by Dr. Gleason Archer, a renowned Old Testament scholar: "The Holy Bible is like no other book in all the world. It is the only book which represents itself as the written revelation of the one true God, intended for the salvation of man, and demonstrating its divine authority by many infallible proofs. Other religious documents, such as the Muhammadan Koran, may claim to be the very word of God, but they contain no such self-authenticating proofs as does the Bible (for example, the phenomena of fulfilled prophecy)" (A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, Archer, p. 9).
Being able to predict the future accurately and consistently is simply not a human trait. Even the best strategic planners acknowledge that detailed prediction of future eventsespecially geopolitical eventsis difficult in the short term, and practically impossible in the long term, at least at any level of detail. Yet the Bible repeatedly predicts the rise and fall of prominent individuals, nations and empires with amazing accuracy and in remarkable detail! Bible scholars have determined that more than one quarter of the Bibleabout 27 percentis devoted to prophecy, and that the Bible contains more than 1,800 predictions, many of which are very specific.
Hundreds of specific prophecies, given centuries before their exact fulfillment, are undeniable evidence that an all-powerful God is alive and in control of future events!Let's go straight to some examples which if any one of us were to check out in the history section of the local library, it could easily be confirmed as factual history and fulfilled prophecy. Please excuse the length of this post but the subject matter cannot be condensed any more than it already is.
The Bible contains more than 1,500 prophecies that foretell in remarkable detail the future of prominent cities, kings and kingdoms. Fulfilled prophecies about the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre stand as a sobering testimony to the power and accuracy of Bible prophecy. When Ezekiel recorded his prophecies (around 585bc), Tyre was one of the great cities of the ancient world. It was situated on an island at the center of a maritime trading network that controlled Mediterranean commerce.
Tyre was a wealthy emporium of goods, surrounded by 150-foot-high walls that were considered impregnable. The Bible reports that Tyre's citizens rejoiced when Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian army conquered Jerusalem; they anticipated gaining access to valuable inland trade routes passing through Jerusalem. In response, God delivered a series of specific prophecies of Tyre's future devastation. Ezekiel wrote that, "because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, 'Aha! She is broken who was the gateway of the peoples' Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up. And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers; I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. It shall be a place for spreading nets in the midst of the sea they will lay your stones, your timber, and your soil in the midst of the water you shall never be rebuilt, for I the Lord have spoken, says the Lord God'" (Ezekiel 26:214).
To appreciate the power and scope of Ezekiel's prophecies, picture someone trying to predict what will happen to New York or London over the next 2,500 years! Yet history records how Ezekiel's predictions have come to pass. In 585bc, Nebuchadnezzar began a 13-year siege against Tyre. His was the first of many nations that would come like waves against Tyre. Around about 530bc, the Persians gained control of Tyre. In 332bc, Alexander destroyed the mainland portion of Tyre and threw the debris into the sea to build a causeway for assaulting the island city. When Alexander conquered the island fortress of Tyre, he battered down the walls and reduced the city to ruins.
As Phoenician specialist Glenn Markoe wrote, "The conquest of Alexander marked the beginning of the end for Tyre and Phoenicia Tyre would soon recover commercially yet it would never fully reclaim the pride of place it had enjoyed" (Phoenicians, Markoe, p. 61). Greeks and Romans later dominated what remained of the city. In 638ad, Muslim armies captured Tyre. Crusaders recaptured the city in 1124, and used it as a staging area for military operations. In 1291, the Muslims retook Tyre and laid it in ruins, "after which she never again regained any importance" (Geisler, p. 870).
Today, there is a small fishing village near the ruins of the once proud city of Tyre, but the city's ancient power and splendor, and its extensive trade network, are gone. The site of one of the wealthiest cities in the ancient world has become "a place for spreading nets," just as the Bible predicted.
The Bible contains prophecies about other cities near Tyre that would have a bloody history but a different future. Sidon, an idol-worshiping Phoenician city about 20 miles north of Tyre, was noted for artistic metalwork and fine cloth. Bible prophecies reveal that Sidon would have a bloody history and suffer from pestilence, but would come to "know that I am the Lord" (Ezekiel 28:2123). Nowhere did God prophesy total destruction or oblivion for Sidon. History records that the Assyrians destroyed Sidon in 678bc, but the city was rebuilt, and it submitted to Nebuchadnezzar after suffering from a devastating pestilence. Persians burned the city in about 351bc.
Syria and Egypt fought over Sidon, and it became a free city under Roman rule. The Bible indicates that Jesus may have visited Sidon (Matthew 15:21) and that Sidonians heard Jesus preach the gospel (Mark 3:78). The Apostle Paul also visited Sidon (Acts 27:3).
Today, modern Sidon is known for its gardens and orange groves. Bible prophecy outlined a very different future for Tyre's sister city Sidonand it came to pass, just as Scripture predicted!
I actually know two people who visited the ancient site of Tyre and indeed as propesy said it would, a fishing village stands there today.
We read in the word of God a tribulation is soon coming as was never in history seen of the like before and never will be again.
WAKE UP BOYS and GIRLS. Don't leave it to the last minute to hear His voice, obey His instructions and walk with HIM.
For many are called, but few are chosen.
Mathew 22:14
I believe the correct translation is, many are called, but few choose.
Do not be as the 5 foolish virgins
and the door was shut.
11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us! 12 But he answered and said, Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.
With love
Muzza
So, all that aside and said, let's look at a few points first. If this is the word and authority of the creator of the universe and everything in it, his book must prove itself to be a book of biblical proportions.
For as long as the bible has been in existence, the Catholics have tried to destroy it and change it to suit their own human doctrines, Athiests and evolutionists have tried to discredit it, yada yada yada.
To my knowledge, no man has ever been able to prove the bible false and in fact the bible is held as an authority of historical record and reference by archiologists.
If you look at even the earliest authentically verified original copies which exist today in the national museum in Jerusalem, the word of God today is exactly identical as it was over 2000 years ago.
The plain teachings of the Bible stand in striking contrast to what many religious leaders preach today. The Apostle Paul did not encourage first century Christians to "just believe" in Jesus and merely accept the teachings of the Bible and Christianity "on faith." Instead, he told his audiences, "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Surely, as mentioned we can see the Bible contains dozens of prophecies that are coming alive today! Bible prophecies explain the real significance of global events making headlines everytime we watch the news or step outside the door for that matter. Bible prophecies also reveal what is ahead for major nations of our modern worldand for the human race!
No other book, religious or secular, does this with such accuracy and detail! Prophecy is clearly the Bible's most striking feature!
Notice this amazing statement by Dr. Gleason Archer, a renowned Old Testament scholar: "The Holy Bible is like no other book in all the world. It is the only book which represents itself as the written revelation of the one true God, intended for the salvation of man, and demonstrating its divine authority by many infallible proofs. Other religious documents, such as the Muhammadan Koran, may claim to be the very word of God, but they contain no such self-authenticating proofs as does the Bible (for example, the phenomena of fulfilled prophecy)" (A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, Archer, p. 9).
Being able to predict the future accurately and consistently is simply not a human trait. Even the best strategic planners acknowledge that detailed prediction of future eventsespecially geopolitical eventsis difficult in the short term, and practically impossible in the long term, at least at any level of detail. Yet the Bible repeatedly predicts the rise and fall of prominent individuals, nations and empires with amazing accuracy and in remarkable detail! Bible scholars have determined that more than one quarter of the Bibleabout 27 percentis devoted to prophecy, and that the Bible contains more than 1,800 predictions, many of which are very specific.
Hundreds of specific prophecies, given centuries before their exact fulfillment, are undeniable evidence that an all-powerful God is alive and in control of future events!Let's go straight to some examples which if any one of us were to check out in the history section of the local library, it could easily be confirmed as factual history and fulfilled prophecy. Please excuse the length of this post but the subject matter cannot be condensed any more than it already is.
The Bible contains more than 1,500 prophecies that foretell in remarkable detail the future of prominent cities, kings and kingdoms. Fulfilled prophecies about the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre stand as a sobering testimony to the power and accuracy of Bible prophecy. When Ezekiel recorded his prophecies (around 585bc), Tyre was one of the great cities of the ancient world. It was situated on an island at the center of a maritime trading network that controlled Mediterranean commerce.
Tyre was a wealthy emporium of goods, surrounded by 150-foot-high walls that were considered impregnable. The Bible reports that Tyre's citizens rejoiced when Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian army conquered Jerusalem; they anticipated gaining access to valuable inland trade routes passing through Jerusalem. In response, God delivered a series of specific prophecies of Tyre's future devastation. Ezekiel wrote that, "because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, 'Aha! She is broken who was the gateway of the peoples' Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up. And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers; I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. It shall be a place for spreading nets in the midst of the sea they will lay your stones, your timber, and your soil in the midst of the water you shall never be rebuilt, for I the Lord have spoken, says the Lord God'" (Ezekiel 26:214).
To appreciate the power and scope of Ezekiel's prophecies, picture someone trying to predict what will happen to New York or London over the next 2,500 years! Yet history records how Ezekiel's predictions have come to pass. In 585bc, Nebuchadnezzar began a 13-year siege against Tyre. His was the first of many nations that would come like waves against Tyre. Around about 530bc, the Persians gained control of Tyre. In 332bc, Alexander destroyed the mainland portion of Tyre and threw the debris into the sea to build a causeway for assaulting the island city. When Alexander conquered the island fortress of Tyre, he battered down the walls and reduced the city to ruins.
As Phoenician specialist Glenn Markoe wrote, "The conquest of Alexander marked the beginning of the end for Tyre and Phoenicia Tyre would soon recover commercially yet it would never fully reclaim the pride of place it had enjoyed" (Phoenicians, Markoe, p. 61). Greeks and Romans later dominated what remained of the city. In 638ad, Muslim armies captured Tyre. Crusaders recaptured the city in 1124, and used it as a staging area for military operations. In 1291, the Muslims retook Tyre and laid it in ruins, "after which she never again regained any importance" (Geisler, p. 870).
Today, there is a small fishing village near the ruins of the once proud city of Tyre, but the city's ancient power and splendor, and its extensive trade network, are gone. The site of one of the wealthiest cities in the ancient world has become "a place for spreading nets," just as the Bible predicted.
The Bible contains prophecies about other cities near Tyre that would have a bloody history but a different future. Sidon, an idol-worshiping Phoenician city about 20 miles north of Tyre, was noted for artistic metalwork and fine cloth. Bible prophecies reveal that Sidon would have a bloody history and suffer from pestilence, but would come to "know that I am the Lord" (Ezekiel 28:2123). Nowhere did God prophesy total destruction or oblivion for Sidon. History records that the Assyrians destroyed Sidon in 678bc, but the city was rebuilt, and it submitted to Nebuchadnezzar after suffering from a devastating pestilence. Persians burned the city in about 351bc.
Syria and Egypt fought over Sidon, and it became a free city under Roman rule. The Bible indicates that Jesus may have visited Sidon (Matthew 15:21) and that Sidonians heard Jesus preach the gospel (Mark 3:78). The Apostle Paul also visited Sidon (Acts 27:3).
Today, modern Sidon is known for its gardens and orange groves. Bible prophecy outlined a very different future for Tyre's sister city Sidonand it came to pass, just as Scripture predicted!
I actually know two people who visited the ancient site of Tyre and indeed as propesy said it would, a fishing village stands there today.
We read in the word of God a tribulation is soon coming as was never in history seen of the like before and never will be again.
WAKE UP BOYS and GIRLS. Don't leave it to the last minute to hear His voice, obey His instructions and walk with HIM.
For many are called, but few are chosen.
Mathew 22:14
I believe the correct translation is, many are called, but few choose.
Do not be as the 5 foolish virgins
and the door was shut.
11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us! 12 But he answered and said, Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.
With love
Muzza
