Opening – Review of prophecies, probabilities, what this means to us.
Text: Luke 2:1-14 “Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis”
Prophecy:
When we examine the prophecies of the Old Testament that find fulfillment in the person and life of Jesus Christ, we are confronted not only with theological depth but also with statistical improbability, if viewed merely through our human understanding.
To give you a sense of prophecies, let us consider just a few examples:
- Birthplace (Micah 5:2), that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
- Manner of death (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53), crucifixion, described centuries before Rome employed it.
- Betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12–13), an explicit detail.
- Piercing of hands and feet (Psalm 22:16), again, long before such executions were practiced.
- Burial among the rich (Isaiah 53:9), fulfilled when Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man, provided his own tomb.
Why is this important?
Either Jesus Christ is who He said He is or He is not. Either the prophecies of His birth are true or they’re not.
Let’s look first at a few non-scriptural comments on if Jesus existed at all:
1. Tacitus (Roman historian, c. AD 56–120)
In his Annals (Book 15, chapter 44), Tacitus speaks of “Christus,” who suffered under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius. He also testifies to the spread of the Christian movement in Rome. These words come from a man known for his disdain toward the Christians, thus unlikely to invent such a figure – negative testimony about a person or situation is often the hallmark of truth.
2. Flavius Josephus (Jewish historian, c. AD 37–100)
In Antiquities of the Jews (Book 20), Josephus mentions “James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ.” Though debates persist over another passage (the Testimonium Flavianum), this reference to James is widely accepted by historians as authentic. A Jew would likely not have a positive testimony of Jesus Christ.
3. Pliny the Younger (Roman governor, c. AD 61–113)
In a letter to Emperor Trajan, Pliny reports that Christians gathered to sing hymns “to Christ as to a god.” Though not describing Christ directly, Pliny confirms that early Christians worshiped Him as a real historical person, not a mythic invention. A Roman would not have reason to testify to this unless he was giving a historical account in his region.
4. Suetonius (Roman historian, c. AD 69–122)
In his Life of Claudius, Suetonius mentions disturbances in Rome caused by “Chrestus,” which many interpret as a confused reference to Christ or His followers. Though vague, it reflects Roman awareness of the Christian movement early in the first century.
5. The Babylonian Talmud (Jewish rabbinic text)
Compilations from later centuries preserve earlier traditions noting a man named Yeshu who was executed, though described with hostility. Such references, even when antagonistic, show that Jesus was acknowledged by Jewish tradition as an historical person. They hated Him – not love Him, but they acknowledged His existence.
Eight Major Old Testament Prophecies Concerning Christ’s Birth
| Prophecy | Scripture | Fulfillment in Christ | Approx. Date Written | Probability (estimated by modern statisticians) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Messiah born in Bethlehem | Micah 5:2 | Matthew 2:1 | ~700 B.C. | 1 in 100,000 |
| 2. Born of a virgin | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:22–23 | ~700 B.C. | 1 in 1,000,000 |
| 3. Descendant of Abraham | Genesis 12:3 | Matthew 1:1 | ~2000 B.C. | 1 in 100 |
| 4. Of the tribe of Judah | Genesis 49:10 | Luke 3:33 | ~1400 B.C. | 1 in 1,000 |
| 5. From the line of David | 2 Samuel 7:12–13 | Luke 1:32–33 | ~1000 B.C. | 1 in 10,000 |
| 6. Slaughter of infants after His birth | Jeremiah 31:15 | Matthew 2:16–18 | ~600 B.C. | 1 in 100,000 |
| 7. Flight into Egypt | Hosea 11:1 | Matthew 2:14–15 | ~750 B.C. | 1 in 10,000 |
| 8. Time of His birth linked to the Roman census (Daniel’s prophecy) | Daniel 9:24–26 | Luke 2:1–2 | ~500 B.C. | 1 in 1,000,000 |
The chance of all 8 being fulfilled at the right time by the same person is 1028. A 1 with 28 zeros. One in 100 Quadrillion. There are 300 prophecies concerning Jesus Christ in the Old Testament:
1. The Number of all 300 prophecies coming true at their specific times:
10200 means: 1 followed by 200 zeros
That is:
100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
This number is so large that:
• The total number of atoms in the observable universe is estimated around 10??.
• Thus, 10200 is 10120 times greater than the total atoms in all stars, planets, gas, and dust in existence.
So to speak of a 1 in 10200 chance is to describe something so improbable that, for all practical purposes, it is impossible by random occurrence.
So – what does this mean for me today?
- The LORD God – the same one who condescended and stooped in Eden into the dirt to breathe into the nostrils of Adam (Genesis 2), condescended AGAIN to leave heaven and become a human man.
- That a Redeemer is spoken of in the chapter 3 of Genesis, means that not only is God’s creation special, but so is His special redemption plan.
- Secular history reveals Jesus Christ is a real person.
- Biblical history not only reveals Jesus Christ as a real person, but dozens of prophecies speak of a Redeemer and other historical minute details thousands of years before His birth!
- The statistical probability of Christ being a random happening is impossible.
- Since these things are true (and they are), what does that mean to me – here today? Repent and believe the Gospel. Afterwards, don’t I owe Him my love and obedience?
Verses in the Old Testament Order Concerning the Birth and Office of Jesus Christ:
1. Genesis 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
2. Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
3. Genesis 17:19 “God said, ‘No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.’”
4. Genesis 17:21 “But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”
5. Genesis 26:4 “I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.”
6. Genesis 28:14 “Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”
7. Genesis 49:10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”
8. Genesis 49:8–12 “Judah, your brothers shall praise you… The scepter shall not depart from Judah…”
9. Numbers 24:17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel…”
10. Deuteronomy 18:15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen.”
11. Psalm 2:7 “I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.’ ”
12. Psalm 72:10–11 “May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute… May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!”
13. Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”
14. Isaiah 7:14 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
15. Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…”
16. Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God…”
17. Isaiah 9:6–7 “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end…”
18. Isaiah 9:7 Included above “to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness…”
19. Isaiah 11:1 “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse…”
20. Isaiah 11:10 “In that day the root of Jesse… of him shall the nations inquire…”