To often we have allowed others to characterize Christianity as a group of followers of an incredible myth. Little do many realize that Christianity, the Bible, and the story of the Bible will stand up to honest, even hostile, scrutiny.
Christianity is not Blind stupid faith! It is the only sensible way to approach life and the God who created it! Today we’ll look at one segment of proving this to be so.
I am 52 years old and I won’t blindly follow anyone anywhere without a real reason to do so…. I don’t expect you to either! That said, the Bible is the Word of God!
The story of Jesus: Was it a Myth or can we prove Jesus to be the true focus of all of human history?
Answer: Yes, a Christian can prove that Jesus is the focus of all of human history!
We live in a world where folks repeat questions as if those questions have no answers. Atheistic college professors pat each other on the back… but never get around to asking the right people to get their questions answered. It is generally a shock to realize that the majority of sermons summarized in the New Testament texts are focused on “proving” Jesus to be Messiah as their base.
Today, we cannot claim to follow the teaching of the apostles, unless we follow their lead in “how” to lead others to Jesus. Honestly, it makes little difference what the Bible says if it didn’t come from God… if there is a God! So… step 1 is to make the case for the Bible being the Word of God. If the Bible is the word of God, by default we have shown that there is a God.
Do you know the difference between the faith of an adult and the faith of a child?
You can tell a child anything, but an adult will not blindly follow anyone anywhere… hopefully!
If they do, we call it naiveté
The apostle Peter wrote what today is known as the book of II Peter in order to say goodbye to the church when his martyr’s death appeared eminent. Consider Peter’s parting words addressed to us . . .
II Peter 1:13-21
I consider it right, as long as I am in this {earthly} dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my {earthly} dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"-- and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. {So} we have the prophetic word {made} more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is {a matter} of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.Note the Peter sets forth three major points here:
- He makes us a promise that after he is dead, we would be able to remember. Through the Bible he (and others) kept that promise.
- Human eyes (Peter’s eyes) witnessed and evaluated miraculous things.
- Scripture was overseen, directed by and protected by the Holy Spirit (God).
Today’s article will set about to prove that Peter’s incredible assertion is so. Our approach will be to note the fact that all of human history focuses simply on the coming of Jesus. The human calendar is divided by Jesus. It is not a fluke, but was in the purposed will of God.
The Bible boldly makes this assertion!
“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5You might wish to read Galatians 4:1-9 to catch the context. This claim that the coming of Jesus is a prepared, expected event is not unique. There are similar descriptions scattered through the Bible, for example…
“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6In fairness, I suppose it is natural that Christians would feel like the coming of Jesus was unique, but our question today is do Christians have a right to feel this way? Can it be established from history that the coming of Jesus was “prepared for?” In other words, was it in fact the “fullness of time”, or the “right time,” rather than just “any time?”
Both, Muhammad and Joseph Smith just arrived and said, “Here I am…” But not Jesus! Others announced Jesus. An entire nation (that had been scattered over the entire world) was looking for Jesus!
Ok, the task before us is now clear. Let’s make our case.
I would begin by noting God’s ancient explanation of “why” He established the nation of Israel. The Jews claim God gave them the nation of Israel. Christians claim God gave them the nation of Israel. Today people are still arguing over it all.
So, let’s ask God, “Why? Why did you establish Israel?”
Did you know that almost every relevant question that you frame within your mind is answered somewhere in scripture? No, the Bible doesn’t address every question of the secular world. But the questions that matter… will generally be addressed somewhere in scripture in almost the same words you might wish to ask them.
I would recommend that you read Psalm 78:1-7 for a more complete answer. For the purposes of this study, I will concentrate on the punch line.
“For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children, That the generation to come might know, {even} the children {yet} to be born, {That} they may arise and tell {them} to their children.” (Vs 5-6)Hmm… God’s ancient explanation has to do with preserving His testimony for future generations of what He has done. The Bible really must have been “overseen” as Peter said.
Now, we must ask… What testimony was so crucial that an entire nation was established (and other nations had to be uprooted) for it’s preservation? What testimony was so essential that the future of the world depends on it? What testimony was so incredible that even His enemies would end up becoming powerful witnesses to its truth?
“ And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” Luke 24:44-45
Jesus is the focus of human history!
Consider Balaam and Balak. An ungodly man that wanted to be paid to testify falsely and yet could not. God intervened and would not let him. There have been many copycat Balaams through the years. God will often cast aside or ignore their puny efforts to counterfeit what God has done. God made His point with Balaam.
Balaam went to Balak hoping for a charlatan’s wage… but when he opened his mouth the truth came pouring out!.
“He took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, And the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, The oracle of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered. I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.” Numbers 24:15-17Depending on the dating system you use, Balaam (an enemy) prophesied of Jesus here in 1500 BC (give or take 200 years). The “He” or “Him” i.e. the Messiah that was coming was attested by friend and foe alike.
The oldest known prophecy of Jesus is from the Garden of Eden,
“The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life. And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." Genesis 3:14-15This “He that is coming” became more and more clear as time went on. Looking for “Him” eventually became looking for “Messiah.” Over the millennia “He” became clearer and clearer.
In roughly 740 BC, King Ahaz’s behavior was being challenged by God. God challenged Ahaz to choose a test by which God could prove God’s own claim to be the God of Israel! It was almost like writing a blank check! Ask anything you want…. "Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; make {it} deep as Sheol or high as heaven." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!" Isaiah 7:11-12
Ahaz in his stubbornness lost out on an opportunity afforded to only a very few men in history. So Isaiah looks to the future and gives another people in another time the blessing that Ahaz lost out on.
“And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:13-14
Very few people realize that perhaps the most famous of the Old Testament prophecies is actually set with a foolish king thumbing his nose at the God who created him. Let us not make the same mistake. Isaiah began his ministry with the challenge…
“Come now, and let us reason together,” saith the Lord. Isaiah 1:18
Throughout his ministry Isaiah continued to lay out what would become the greatest intervention of God into human history. The sending of His only begotten Son. . .
“ 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, Counseller, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.” Isaiah 9:6-8 (approximately 700 BC)Almost none realize that virtually all of Jesus’ life was recorded before his birth… and that history relentlessly moves toward “Him.” The seeming contradictions of the coming Messiah become clear with the "key." I.E. From where Jesus was to come …
Jesus was to come from Galilee…
"Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." Isaiah 9: 1-2But I thought Jesus was born in Bethlehem? Actually He was. This is a section of Jesus’ life that is very familiar even to non Christians. Most do not realize that it is meticulously described in prophecy.
Jesus is eternal yet coming from Bethlehem . . .
“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.” Micah 5: 2.
But, it also says Jesus is from Egypt?
"When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." Hosea 11: 1.
Note that at the time of Jesus, these NT authors took pains to sort this out for us. They were intimately familiar with these Jewish flags for the Messiah.
"When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son." Matthew 2: 14-15
Note that it was as it is supposed to be, at just the right time… Other inspired men were then also given to help us connect the dots of this Jewish testimony. Note that the testimony of a friend is important, but the unwilling corroborative testimony of an enemy is powerful! Do you think as you put all this together that God did not know these people would reject then crucify His Son? He told them how they would react as a people.
God in His wisdom did not send Jesus to a people that would “cover-up” anything for him. He sent Jesus to a people that would expose every flaw… if there were any to expose!
"But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." Matthew 2:22-23.Well let’s see, a Nazarene? It appears to be a play on words. In Isaiah 9, Jesus’ would come from Galilee and in Isaiah 11 He is called the branch. In Hebrew it is rhythmic play on the sounds of the words. So Isaiah describes the Galilean (Isaiah 9) known as the branch (Isaiah 11) the Nazarene.
Both the Nazarene and the Egyptian prophetic references note bring us back to the use God put to ancient Israel. He had them do things to play out the coming sacrifice of His son. Through their behaviors and inferences, you wind up with substantive quotes the give us a powerful testimony once connected together. Remember that this is God’s stated reason for creating Israel. (Psalm 78)
As we were going through the prophetic descriptions of the coming of Jesus, that demonstrated and absolute knowledge of all future events… Did you consider that that He knew all about you also? He didn’t tell the whole world about you, like He did Jesus, but claims similar knowledge about your birth???
Jesus said the hairs of your head are numbered.
It is obvious all of this is true.
"Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139: 16.
If this interests you, you might wish to read the 139th psalm. It is an essay on this very thing.
In the case of Jesus… God simply pre-recorded His life for us as a testimony of His knowledge and power. He demonstrated that history, all of human history, revolves around Jesus and His coming.
But you, He knows intimately. We know this claim is true, because He told us all about Jesus!
By God’s clearly laying out Jesus’ life in advance, our faith is reassured that He really is concerned about you as an individual of eternal importance before God . . .
When was Jesus to come?
Yes, the “right” time was clearly foretold.
Nebuchadnezzar had been sent by God to punish the Israelites, but Nebuchadnezzar didn’t realize he was being used for this purpose. Therefore a fascinating drama plays out in the book of Daniel. First God sent a series of troubling dreams to the Babylonian king. Then, God sends Daniel to interpret those dreams.
"As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass." Daniel 2: 29.
(You might like to read the entire story in Daniel 2:28-45.)
Here is the bottom line. He describes a series of succeeding world empires starting with the current Babylonian empire then the Persians, the Greeks, and finally the Romans. As he completed the description of the Romans Daniel describes something incredible to Nebuchadnezzar.
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” Daniel 2:44-45
Yes, it is cryptic, but Jesus will set up this worldwide empire during the days of the Romans. The Romans will pass on into history, but Jesus’ kingdom will not. Note that this is being spoken as the first vestiges of the Roman republic are being established in far away Rome. The Roman empire will not be established for nearly another 500 years! Yet its’ rise and fall are being described by God.
Many have tried to destroy Jesus’ kingdom. It has turned out to be a spiritual kingdom. It is defended by peace, but it is incredibly powerful. Every kingdom that has tried to make war against it has beat itself up trying.
Today even in Muslim realms, you will find Christians. The Soviet Union tried to obliterate Christianity. What happened to them? Christianity is not defended by guns and bombs, it may seem a little strange, but each time someone decides to war against Christianity…. What is the result? It pretty much comes out as Daniel described it in 600 BC doesn’t it?
So… out of all of human history, this kingdom, defended by peace, was to break out onto the world stage during the Roman period. (Daniel’s prophecy coupled with Isaiah’s.)
From where was the revolution of peace to begin?
The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord." Isaiah 2:1-5
So… The revolution of peace was to go forth from Jerusalem.
After Jesus’ resurrection, He prepared the disciples to break out from Jerusalem. They didn’t see the significance but Jesus did. He put them where the belonged… Not only the right time was essential but also the right place. The right place of His birth was now history. The right place for the beginning of his conquest of the kingdom of darkness was about to begin . . .
“To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.” Acts 1:3-4Note the kingdom was their topic of conversation and He commanded the Apostles to stay put. That it was coming and they needed to be at the right place at the right time. Sound familiar? No other place at no other time would do. It was all prepared beforehand. And must be….as it was supposed to be!
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1: 8.
Isaiah (700 BC) had prophesied at length concerning “where.”
Daniel (600 BC) had told them “when.”
Jesus saw to it that “they” were “there” “then!”
On the day of Pentecost it all began… Jesus had paid for and all of history came together and the world changed. The kingdom of peace exploded onto the world stage, and the combined forces of the spirit realm and this world were powerless to stop Him.
Jesus' rebuke stung some of them….
"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken ." Luke 24:25
The power of the prophecies was undeniable and would continue to be an obvious means to make the case for Jesus down to this day. Let's not underestimate the power of Bible prophecy. God forbid Jesus would call any of us fools…
“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:” Acts 2:16-17
Again and again the prophecies of Jesus and His kingdom would pour forth from the lips of His servants. 700 years earlier Isaiah had set the stage by saying,
“And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” Isaiah 44:7-8
Peter sums up the matter for us…
“Searching what, or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” I Peter 1:11-12
Hi I am glad you stopped by our blog. These articles are from an emailing that we did several years ago. Today most of our work is on facebook
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Be well
Jerry Blount
