God Exists & the Bible is His Book—Part V: Christ or Coincidence?

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet….” Matthew 1:22

The Laws of Probability prove the random chances of a single event occurring is 1:5 (1 out of 5). The probability of a second event occurring is 1:10. Chances of both events occurring in sequence is 1:50 (1 in 50). Keep this in mind as we look at the Scriptures….

Following Grant Jeffrey’s method, I’ll focus on 17 prophesies the Old Testament gives of Jesus being the Son of God. When you think about the Probability of Chance that Jesus Christ fulfills these 17 ancient predictions, any reasonable person will conclude He indeed is the Son of God, the Messiah, our Savior. If you’d like to see the exact way these calculations are arrived at, see The Signature of God, by Grant R. Jeffrey (Chapter 8). Respecting the brevity we try to attain in Bread devotionals, I’ll only give you six (6) of the biblical predictions within the body of today’s Bread below, but will list predictions 7 through 16 at the bottom (as a large footnote) for anyone who wishes to see all 17 in detail…

1st Prediction: The Son of God will be born in Bethlehem from the Tribe of Judah. Micah 5:2 predicts this; Mt. 2:1 records its fulfillment. Probability calculates to 1:2,400 (i.e., 1 chance out of 2,400 times). There were 12 tribes so the odds are 12:1 that Moses’ prediction would be correct. There were over 2,000 villages allotted to Judah. Conservatively calculating, the odds of Jesus both being born in Bethlehem plus being form the tribe of Judah are 1 in 2,400.

2nd Prediction: The Son of God will be preceded by a messenger. Is. 40:3 predicts it; Mt. 3:1-2 records its fulfillment. Conservatively calculating, the odds of this happening are 1:20. Thus, the odds of these first two predictions occurring simultaneously are 2,400 times 20: which is 1 in 48,000!

3rd Prediction: The Son of God will enter Jerusalem on a colt. Zech. 9:9 predicts this. Lk. 19:35-37 records its fulfillment. Conservatively calculating, the odds of this happening are 1:50. There is no record of a king ever entering his capital on a colt. The combined odds of these first three predictions occurring simultaneously are (50 x 48,000) 1 in 2,400,000!

4th Prediction: Jesus would be betrayed by a friend. Ps. 4:19 predicts it; Mt. 26:47-48 records its fulfillment. Kings were often betrayed by close associates, but history doesn’t record a religious leader being betrayed close associates. The combined probability of these first four predictions occurring simultaneously are (10 x 2,400,000) 1 in 24 million!

5th Prediction: His hands and feet will be pierced. Ps. 22:16 predicts it; Lk. 23:33 records its fulfillment. The odd of this happening are 1:100. The combined probability of these first five predictions occurring simultaneously are (100 x 24 billion) 1 in 2.4 billion!

6th Prediction: He would be wounded by His enemies. Is. 53:5 predicts; Mt. 27:26 records its fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:10. The combined probability of these first six predictions occurring simultaneously are (10 x 24 million) 1 in 24 billion!

Predictions 7 through 16 are at the bottom of the page for anyone who wishes to see all 17 in detail… 17th Prediction: Darkness will cover the earth. Amos 8:9 predicts it; Mt. 27:45 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:1,000.

The combined chances of these 17 things happening together are 1 in 480,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000! Or 1 chance in 480 billion x 1 billion x 1 trillion! And remember, these calculations are made with the most conservative assumptions.

Do you believe Jesus Christ is the prophesized Son of God, the Messiah, our Savior??

Blessings Always in All Ways,
Steve
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The Signature of God, by Grant R. Jeffrey (Chapter 8)

7th Prediction: His betrayal for 30 pieces of silver. Zech. 11:12 predicts it; Mt. 26:15 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:10. The combined probability of these first seven predictions occurring simultaneously are (10 x 24 billion)1 in1 trillion & 200 billion!

8th Prediction: He will be spit upon and beaten. Is. 50:6 predicts it; Mt. 26:67 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:10. The combined probability of these first seven predictions occurring simultaneously are (10 x 1 trillion, 200 billion) 1 chance in 12 trillion!

9th Prediction: His betrayal money would be thrown into the Temple and then given to buy a potter’s field. Zech. 11:13 predicts it; Mt. 27:5-7 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:200. The combined probability of these first nine predictions occurring simultaneously are (200 x 12 trillion!) 1 in 2,400 trillion!

10th Prediction: (He would remain silent against His accusers, etc.). Is. 53:7 predicts it; Mt. 27:12-14 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:100. I won’t continue giving individual odds of probability but will give you the final calculation at the end.

11th Prediction: He would be crucified with thieves. Is. 53:12 predicts it; Mt. 27:38 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:100.

12th Prediction: People would gamble for His garments. Ps. 22:18 predicts it; Jn. 19:23-24 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:100.

13th Prediction: His side would be pierced. Zech. 12:10 predicts it; Jn.19:34 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:100.

14th Prediction: None of His bones would be broken. Ps. 34:20 predicts it; Jn. 19:33 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:20

15th Prediction: His body would not decay. Ps. 16:10 predicts it; Acts 2:31 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:10,000.

16th Prediction: His burial in a rich man’s tomb. Is. 53:9 predicts it; Mt. 27:57-60 records the fulfillment. The odds of this are 1:100.