- The following is an example of specific biblical prophecy and its fulfillment:
- In Ezekiel 26 we can read the following seven prophecies against the city of Tyre, written in 590 B.C.:
- 1. Nebuchadnezzar shall take the city.
- 2. Other nations shall also participate in the fulfillment of this prophecy.
- 3. The city will be made flat like the top of a rock.
- 4. It will become a place for the spreading of fishing nets.
- 5. Its stones and timbers will be laid in the sea.
- 6. Other cities will greatly fear at the fall of Tyre.
- 7. The old city of Tyre shall never be rebuilt.
- Historically, the fulfillment of this prophecy took place in the following manner. In 586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Tyre. He captured it thirteen years later in 573 B.C. However, when he finally captured the city, the inhabitants had secretly moved, with their valuables, to an island approximately one-half mile from the shore. Nebuchadnezzar could not conquer them on this island without a navy, and therefore, only captured an empty city.
- Tyre continued in this manner for 251 years, with only the first prophecy of the seven fulfilled. However, in 322 B.C., Alexander the Great wished to capture the city of Tyre because of its strategic location. He felt that he could not conquer the island city with only his navy, and therefore ordered his army to construct a causeway from the mainland to the island. In making this causeway, his soldiers took all the stones and timber from the old city and pushed it into the sea. They scraped away all of the soil, literally transforming the old city into a flat rock. With this causeway, Alexander's army attacked by land, and his navy by sea. In this manner, he captured the city. The neighboring cities were so frightened after hearing of the manner in which Alexander had conquered Tyre that they surrendered to him. Today, visitors to this place find that this flat rock area is a popular place for fishermen. They spread out their nets to dry them on this very spot. Despite its excellent location, the city has never been rebuilt.
- If God did not infallibly inspire the writing of the Bible, how could Ezekiel have prophesied so exactly what would happen to Tyre more than 250 years later?
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How does this example help illustrate the truth that the Bible's prophetical accuracy testifies of its divine authorship? |
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How does this example show that biblical prophecy is not vague or general but very clear and specific? |
