Search Our SitesPeople can do some pretty squishy things with numbers (especially with a last name like that), so it’s important to note that Stoner’s work was reviewed by the American Scientific Association, which stated, “The mathematical analysis … is based upon principles of probability which are thoroughly sound, and Professor Stoner has applied these principles in a proper and convincing way.”[8]
With that as an introduction, let’s add six more predictions to the two we’ve already considered, giving us a total of Professor Stoner’s eight:
Prophecy: The Messiah would be from the lineage of King David. – Jeremiah 23:5 – 600 B.C.
Fulfillment: “Jesus … the son of David …” – Luke 3:23, 31 – 4 B.C.
Prophecy: The Messiah would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. – Zechariah 11:13 – 487 B.C.
Fulfillment: “They gave him thirty pieces of silver.” – Matthew 26:15 – 30 A.D.
Prophecy: The Messiah would have his hands and feet pierced. – Psalm 22:16 – 1000 B.C. Fulfillment: “They came to a place called The Skull. All three were crucified there-Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side.” – Luke 23:33 – 30 A.D.
Prophecy: People would cast lots for the Messiah’s clothing. – Psalm 22:18 – 1000 B.C. Fulfillment: “The soldiers … took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said, ‘Let’s not tear it but throw dice to see who gets it.’ ” – John 19:23-24 – 30 A.D.
Prophecy: The Messiah would appear riding on a donkey. – Zechariah 9:9
– 500 B.C.
Fulfillment: “They brought the animals to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.” – Matthew 21:7 – 30 A.D.
Prophecy: A messenger would be sent to herald the Messiah. – Malachi 3:1 – 500 B.C. Fulfillment: John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not know.” – John 1:26 – 27 A.D.
The eight prophecies we’ve reviewed about the Messiah were written by men from different times and places between about 500 and 1,000 years before Jesus was born. Thus there was no opportunity for collusion among them. Notice too, the specificity. This is not the genre of a Nostradamus prediction-“When the moon turns green, the lima bean will lie cloaked by the roadside.”
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