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This chapter is from a copyright book, 100 Prophecies, by Ray Konig. It is reprinted here with permission from the author. The new and expanded version of this book, now called 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies, is available at Amazon.com.
This chapter offers commentary on a selection of prophecies that Jesus gave during his public ministry, about 2,000 years ago.
Bible passage: Matthew 24:1,2
Written: During the first century AD, about 2,000 years ago
In Matthew 24:1,2, Jesus prophesied that the Temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed and that its destruction would be so complete that not one stone would be left standing on top of another. This prophecy was fulfilled about 40 years later.
During a war between the Jews and the Romans that ended in 70 AD, the Temple was set on fire and was torn down. The event was recorded by a Jewish historian named Josephus. He wrote that the Temple's demolition was so complete that even the foundation was destroyed:
And I cannot but wish that we had all died before we had seen that holy city demolished by the hands of our enemies, or the foundations of our holy temple dug up after so profane a manner.
- Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, Book VII, Chapter 8.
Prior to the time of Jesus, the Temple had a long history. The first Temple was built during the time of King Solomon, about 3,000 years ago. It was destroyed by the Babylonians about 2,600 years ago. The Jews later rebuilt the Temple, as a modest structure. Centuries later, King Herod commissioned a project to upgrade the Temple into a magnificent structure.
If we accept commonly assigned dates for milestones involving the Temple's history, the first Temple was destroyed in 586 BC and was rebuilt and re-consecrated about 70 years later. The second Temple stood for about 586 years and was destroyed in 70 AD.
Since the time of the destruction that Jesus had foretold, the Temple has never been rebuilt. In fact, its destruction more than 1,900 years ago was so complete, as Jesus had indicated in Matthew 24:1,2, that its exact location is still debated today.
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Here is Matthew 24:1,2 (KJV):
1And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Bible passage: Luke 21:24
Written: During the first century AD, about 2,000 years ago
In Luke 21:24, Jesus prophesied that the Jews would be exiled from their land. This prophecy was fulfilled, beginning about 40 years later.
The Jews fought two wars against the Romans in the hopes of reclaiming independence for their homeland. The first war ended in 70 AD and the second war ended in 135 AD. In both wars, the Jews were defeated and forced into exile.
Josephus, the Jewish historian who witnessed the fall of Jerusalem during the first century, claimed that nearly 100,000 people were forced into exile:
Now the number of those that were carried captive during this whole war was collected to be ninety-seven thousand;
- Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, Book VI, Chapter 9.
The conquest during the second century culminated with another exile, as well as a decree prohibiting the exiled Jews from returning to Jerusalem:
When the siege had lasted a long time, and the rebels had been driven to the last extremity by hunger and thirst, and the instigator of the rebellion had suffered his just punishment, the whole nation was prohibited from this time on by a decree, and by the commands of Adrian, from ever going up to the country about Jerusalem. For the emperor gave orders that they should not even see from a distance the land of their fathers. Such is the account of Aristo of Pella. And thus, when the city had been emptied of the Jewish nation and had suffered the total destruction of its ancient inhabitants, it was colonized by a different race, and the Roman city which subsequently arose changed its name and was called AElia, in honor of the emperor AElius Adrian.
- The Church History of Eusebius, Book IV, Chapter 6.
The extent to which the decree was enforced is unclear. Some Jews later returned from exile. Today, according to some estimates involving the world's Jewish population, about one-third are residing within the modern state of Israel and about two-thirds are residing in communities all over the world.
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Here is Luke 21:24 (KJV):
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Bible passage: Luke 19:41-44
Written: During the first century AD, about 2,000 years ago
In Luke 19:41-44, Jesus prophesied that Jerusalem would be destroyed because the people "did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
Although some people accepted Jesus as the Messiah, many rejected him. The rejection was strong enough that Jesus was crucified a short time later.
The destruction of Jerusalem followed about 40 years after the crucifixion, when the Romans suppressed a Jewish uprising for independence.
The Romans surrounded the city, cutting off its food supply and forcing the people within the city into starvation. These events were described by Josephus, a Jewish historian who lived during the first century, in The Wars of the Jews, Book V, Chapters 11 and 12.
That war lasted about 3.5 years, ending in 70 AD, with a Roman victory and a total destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. According to Josephus, 1.1 million Jews died during the war and thousands of others were forced into exile.
During the second century of this era, when the Jews staged another uprising against the Romans, Jerusalem again was destroyed.
Cassius Dio, a Roman historian who lived during the second and third centuries, claimed that the destruction of the Jewish homeland was complete enough to embolden wild animals that otherwise would shy away from human settlements:
Thus nearly the whole of Judaea was made desolate, an event of which the people had had indications even before the war. The tomb of Solomon, which these men regarded as one of their sacred objects, fell to pieces of itself and collapsed and many wolves and hyenas rushed howling into their cities.
- Roman History, Book 69, as translated by Herbert Baldwin Foster.
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Here is Luke 19:41-44 (KJV):
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Bible passage: John 15:20
Written: During the first century AD, about 2,000 years ago
Among the prophecies that Jesus gave to his followers was one in which he forewarned that they, like him, would face persecution. In one example, Jesus said:
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; . . . (John 15:20a, KJV)
The Bible records several persecutions of Christians. Here are some examples from the book of Acts, which is a part of the Bible that describes events after the resurrection of Jesus:
• The Apostles Peter and John were jailed after preaching about the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 4:1-4).
• The Apostles were arrested and jailed after performing miracles in which people were healed of various ailments (Acts 5:12-18).
• Many of the Christians in Jerusalem were persecuted and scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, preaching wherever they went. (Acts 8:1-4).
• King Herod (King Herod Agrippa I, grandson of King Herod the Great) persecuted Christians. He arrested Peter and executed James the Apostle. (Acts 12:1–4).
• Paul and Silas were jailed in Philippi (Acts 16:16-40). Paul also was arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-36), imprisoned in Caesarea (Acts 23:23-26:32), and placed under house arrest for two years in Rome (Acts 28:16-31).
Outside of the Bible, there are many other examples of writings depicting the persecutions of Christians. During the first three centuries of its existence, Christianity was not a legally recognized religion within the Roman Empire, and Christians often fell prey to persecutions.
One example is expressed in the writings of Pliny the Younger, who was governor of the Roman province of Bithynia, which is now part of modern-day Turkey. He wrote letters to Roman Emperor Trajan, seeking advice on how to govern. In about the year 112 AD, he wrote the following in requesting advice on how to persecute Christians:
It is my constant method to apply myself to you for the resolution of all my doubts ; for who can better govern my dilatory way of proceeding, or instruct my ignorance? I have never been present at the examination of the Christians [by others,] on which account I am unacquainted with what uses to be inquired into, and what, and how far, they used to be punished ; nor are my doubts small, whether there be not a distinction to be made between the ages [of the accused]? and whether tender youth ought to have the same punishment with strong men? Whether there be not room for pardon upon repentance? Or whether it may not be an advantage to one that had been a Christian, that he hath forsaken Christianity? Whether the bare name, without any crime besides, or the crimes adhering to that name, be to be punished?
In the meantime, I have taken this course about those who have been brought before me as Christians. I asked them whether they were Christians or not? If they confessed that they were Christians, I asked them again, and a third time, intermixing threatenings with the questions. If they persevered in their confession, I ordered them to be executed ; for I did not doubt but, let their confession be of any sort whatsoever, this positiveness and inflexible obstinacy deserved to be punished.
- Pliny's Epistle to Trajan, About A.D. 112, as translated by William Whiston.
Bible passage: John 16:2-3
Written: During the first century AD, about 2,000 years ago
In John 16, Jesus forewarned his followers that there would come a time when their persecutors would think that they were doing God's work by killing Jesus' followers:
2 . . . the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (John 16:2-3, KJV)
The Bible's book of Acts records the deaths of some of the first Christians, including Stephen (Acts 7:1-8:3) and James the Apostle (Acts 12:1–4).
And, Paul, while he was evangelizing in Lystra, was attacked by a mob to the extent that it was assumed that he was dead (Acts 14:8-20).
Before Paul became a Christian, he too participated in the persecution of Christians, some of whom were executed. Paul admitted this in Acts 26:
9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. (Acts 26:9-11, KJV)
Note: the word strange in this context means foreign.
Outside of the Bible, some early Christian writers also wrote that some of Jesus' disciples were persecuted to the point of death. One example can be found in the writings of Clement, who lived during the first century. Clement wrote that Peter, Paul, and other early Christian evangelists died as martyrs, due to the "envy" of their persecutors:
Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours and when he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.
- The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, Chapter V.
Bible passage: Luke 20:9-19
Written: During the first century AD, about 2,000 years ago
During the course of Jesus' public ministry, the chief priests and other influential community members in Jerusalem often challenged Jesus and plotted against him.
One example can be found in Luke 20, where Jesus' authority was being questioned. Jesus then gave a parable in which he foretold that he would be rejected. In verse 19, Luke wrote that it was understood by the chief priests and scribes that the parable had been spoken against them.
Some examples of Jesus being rejected can be found in Matthew 26:57-68 and Matthew 27:11-31.
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Here is Luke 20:9-19 (KJV):
9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
Bible passage: John 12:20-26
Written: During the first century AD, about 2,000 years ago
In John 12:20-26, Jesus, referring to himself as the "Son of man," prophesied that his death would have an impact:
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:23-24, KJV)
Christianity teaches that through the death of Jesus, our sins are atoned for (1 John 2:2). And, that by believing in Jesus, we are given eternal life in heaven with God (John 3:16). After the death and resurrection of Jesus, evangelists traveled throughout the world to tell others about Jesus and the salvation that is found in him.
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Here is John 12:20-26 (KJV):
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Bible passage: John 2:18-22
Written: During the first century AD, about 2,000 years ago
As mentioned elsewhere in this book, the Apostles of Jesus were able to see whether the prophecies that Jesus gave about himself were fulfilled. John recorded an example of this in John 2:18-22.
In those verses, Jesus gave a prophecy foretelling his death and resurrection. Later, after Jesus had been executed, the Apostles were able to see that Jesus had been resurrected, three days after the crucifixion. John noted this in verse 22.
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Here is John 2:18-22 (KJV):
18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
Bible passage: Matthew 24:14
Written: During the first century AD, about 2,000 years ago
In Matthew 24, Jesus promised that the Gospel would be preached to people throughout the world:
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14, KJV)
The word Gospel means "good news." It refers to the good news that by the grace of God our sins are removed because of the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.
The good news of salvation in Christ, as expressed in John 3:16 and elsewhere in the Bible, has been taught to people throughout the world, and evangelists continue to teach people about the good news of salvation.
Bible passage: Luke 21:33
Written: During the first century AD, about 2,000 years ago
Jesus, who had given prophecies about the demise of the Temple and about the end of the world, also prophesied that his words would never pass away:
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:33, KJV)
Of the hundreds of millions of people who have ever lived, the words of only a small percentage are remembered beyond the generation that follows them. But, 2,000 years later, after Jesus had spoken the prophecy in Luke 21:33, the words of Jesus are everywhere, having been taught to people all over the world.
The words of Jesus are recorded in the Bible, especially in the Gospels, which are the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Bible, by the way, is said to be the most published book of all time. By some estimates, including one published in the book, the Top 10 of Everything 2007, by Russell Ash, the Bible has been printed at least 6 billion times throughout history. That would represent, at minimum, about one copy for every man, woman, and child alive today.
The Bible was one of the first books to be produced on the movable-type printing press that was invented during the 1400s by Johannes Gutenberg.
As of 2006, portions of the Bible, ranging from one part of the Bible to the whole Bible, have been translated into more than 2,400 languages, according to the 2006 Scripture Language Report, which was published by the United Bible Societies. According to that report: "By the time UBS celebrated the bicentenary of the Bible Society movement in 2004, 95 per cent of the world's population theoretically had access to Scripture in a language they could understand, although not necessarily their first language."