GENTLE BREEZE
By NELLY FAVIS-VILLAFUERTE
Nelly Favis Villafuerte
Biblical prophecies are always favorite topics of discussion not only for Bible-believing Christians but even for skeptics, agnostics, atheists, occultists, and even fortune-tellers. What fascinates and puzzles many of us is the mystery behind the amazingly perfect predictions in the Holy Bible which come to pass with a 100 percent accuracy, without error down to the minutest detail. God’s messages are spoken through men who are called prophets.
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At least one fourth of the Holy Bible deals with prophecy. Of the 31,124 verses in the Holy Bible, 8,352 refer to prophecies. And out of about 590 significant events predicted to happen, all except 20 have been fulfilled.* * *
The great mystery of prophecies is not just the p accuracy of the predictions but their relevance not just for a particular generation but for all times. And so, prophecies in the Old Testament still have meaning for this generation. In the Book of Zechariah of the Old Testament, the prophet Zechariah predicted a catastrophe that would cause the consumption of the flesh, eyes, and tongues before the victims can run for cover. On August 15, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped in the Japanese city of Hiroshima and in less than 60 seconds, the city was burned and about 100,000 people living within a radius of one mile from the center of the explosion suffered – human flesh disappeared, eyes melted, and tongues dissolved as after-effects of a nuclear blast. Before the mid-20th century, anybody reading Zechariah’s prophecy in the Holy Bible would not have been able to comprehend what Zechariah was saying.* * *
More than a week ago, an article was published on Breaking News Israel about frolicking foxes being sighted in the Temple Mount. To quote excerpts of the report:“Lamentations: Foxes on the Temple Mount a Precursor to Return
“The article, the most-read Breaking Israel News article of the year, reports that visitors to the area of the Temple Mount observed a group of about a dozen foxes in the southwestern area of the Western Wall for the last three days in the early hours of the day. The image of foxes on the Temple Mount was described in the Book of Lamentations, which some Biblical scholars believe was written by the Prophet Jeremiah. (Reference: www.breakingisraelnews.com)”
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Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, as many of us know, is venerated as a holy site in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike, There are many bible prophecies fulfilled and unfulfilled on the subject of the Temple Mount. There was a first temple built by King Solomon that was burned down by the Babylonians in 423 BC. There was a second temple built by King Herod but destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. The temple was destroyed twice in Biblical history and to this day the Jewish people, especially the rabbis, say that “the foxes on Temple Mount are signs of Jerusalem returning to its former glory, in other words, a sign that foretells the construction of the Third Temple.Let me quote an excerpt from another news report in the same incident:
“Biblical prophecy fulfilled as foxes play on Temple Mount
“A scene from the Bible came to life this week in Jerusalem, when a group of foxes evoked a well-known scene from the Book of Lamentations.
What could be better than seeing a group of cute foxes, frolicking together freely? How about seeing that group of foxes cavorting next to the Temple Mount, creating an image that seemed to jump right off the pages of the Bible.
Indeed, the Book of Lamentations refers to a time in which the ground on which the Jewish Temples stood will be so “desolate” that “foxes will prowl over it.” (Lamentations 5:18) The Talmud elaborates on this passage noting that if the prophecies of destruction are fulfilled, then so too Zechariah’s prophecy regarding the Third Temple’s construction will also be fulfilled.“ (Reference: www.charismanews.com )
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Biblical prophecy is simply history written in advance. How else can we describe the absolute accuracy with which Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection was narrated in the Holy Bible. In the Old Testament there are about 37 prophecies relating to the anticipated Savior that were fulfilled by our Lord while upon this earth. Some of these prophecies are: that He would be born of a virgin; that He would be born in Bethlehem and be presented with gifts by the magi; that He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver; that He would be crucified between two thieves; that His garments would be parted and gambled for; that He would be raised from the dead; and that He would ascend to Heaven.* * *
May this article strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ. May we be inspired and stimulated to read the Holy Bible and know more about our living and loving God who is in control of everything. And may this account of Biblical prophecies confirm once again the omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence of our Almighty and sovereign God now and forever.* * *
This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis Villafuerte, 5233 Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred.Be joyful and forgiving!
(Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: [email protected].)