There are many prophecies in the bible. Then why did God record many prophecies in the bible? What is the purpose of the prophecies of the bible? 2000 years ago, Jesus came to fulfill all the prophecies of the Old Testament. And he gave many prophecies concerning his second coming and the end of the age. Matthew 24 records the prophecies of the end time that Jesus gave 2000 years ago. Also he prophesied about his dying on the cross in advance.
Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
In this teaching, he prophesied what would happen to him later such his dying on the cross and his resurrection in three days. And the prophecies got fulfilled as he foretold in advance. And also he taught the reason why he gave the prophecies.
John 14:29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.
He teaches that he gave the prophecies in advance so that we might believe. In other words, he gave the prophecies so that we can have faith in him and the words of God in the bible.
If we look at the bible, we can see many prophecies such as the prophecies of kingdoms which was to come in the Book of Daniel, and the prophecies about the appearance of the Devil in the last days. And God fulfilled all the prophecies without missing anything.
Then what is the reason? It is because he wanted to give us firm faith in him and the prophecies of the bible. Just as the prophecies got fulfilled without any fail up until now, the rest of the prophecies which have been left unfulfilled will come true at God’s appointed time. And we have to believe that the remaining prophecies will be fulfilled too.
We should listen to the earnest voice of God and have faith in them that they will come true according to the prophecies of the bible. And we have to obey the words of God which God gave us for our salvation.
The reason we study the bible is because we can have knowledge of salvation through the bible.
2 Timothy 3:14 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The bible clearly says that we can have wisdom for salvation through the Scriptures, that is, the bible. And it means we can be “thoroughly equipped” with all the knowledge about salvation through the bible, including the knowledge about the Savior.
Jew’s Rejection of Jesus
2000 years ago, one of the reasons Jews rejected Jesus was due to his name, Jesus because the name itself is not recorded in the bible as the name of the Savior. To the Jews of the time the name of the Savior was God the Father Jehovah since the name Jehovah is testified all throughout the bible. And they accepted the name Jehovah since they accepted the Scriptures.
However, Jesus was not the name recorded in the Scripture as the name of the Savior. For this reason, they could not accept the teachings of Jesus Christ and ultimately rejected him even though he was the true savior.
The bible says that it contains all the wisdom and knowledge for the salvation. Then why did the Jews fail to recognize Jesus as their Savior even though there were many who had knowledge of the bible in those days? It is because the bible does not specify the name of the Savior directly. Then how can we have the knowledge and wisdom about the Savior through the bible?
The Prophecies of the Bible
The answer is in the prophecies of the bible. Even though the bible does not record the name of the Savior directly, it gives the prophecies about the Savior. It tells about the time frames, the place, the signs about the Saviors so that we can have all the information about the Savior and match them with the one who fulfills all the prophecies. If the match is 100%, then we can be sure that he or she is the Savior even though their names are not in the bible.
Let us take a look at some of the prophecies about Jesus as examples:
Prophecies of Jesus’ Birth
His birth is already prophesied in the bible.
Isaiah 7:14 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: The virgin[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Prophecies of Jesus’ Ministry
Also the bible prophesies about his ministry as below:
Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Prophecies about Jesus’ Sufferings
It also prophesies about his sufferings for the sins of his people.
Isaiah 53:4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
These are only some of the examples of the prophecies about Jesus Christ. The bible also foretold his death on the cross, his entering Jerusalem on a donkey, his work of establishing the new covenant, etc.
Even though his name was not recorded in the bible, through the fulfillment of the prophecies of the bible we can know Jesus was the Savior that appeared according to the prophecies of the bible.’
Christ Testified in the Bible
John 5:39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.
Second Coming Christ and a New Name
Then how about the Second Coming Christ? How can we have the knowledge and wisdom about the Second Coming Christ? It is also through the prophecies of the bible. And the bible testifies that he will appear to us with a new name.
Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.
Revelation 2:17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
What is the name of the Holy Spirit that would be written on a white stone?
Prophecies of the Bible and the New Name
According to the prophecies of the bible, Jesus already foretold that he would come for the second time. (Hebrews 9:28) And when he comes, he would come with a new name, which means he would appear with a different name. It means he is not come with the name Jesus anymore. Instead he comes with a name not known to anyone or anywhere in the prophecies of the bible.
Then if this is the case, how can we know the true Christ. The knowledge and wisdom is in the prophecies of the bible. Just like the first coming Christ, the Second Coming Christ is in the bible in the form of prophecies: his birth, the place of his coming, his work, the sign he brings. Everything is written in the bible.
Conclusion
Today there are so many who are calling out, “Only Jesus”, which is not the will of God or Jesus Christ. Rather, if we have faith in Jesus, now we have to find out the new name of Jesus through the prophecies of the bible. Then we will be “thoroughly equipped” with all the knowledge and wisdom for our salvation.
