Greg - "So unless you can shed some real mathematical light on the subject"
Would you like to try these mathematical probabilities on for size?
The birth of Jesus Christ and his life on earth fulfilled hundreds of prophecies proclaimed 100's and 1000's of years before his birth. Since you were a potential mathematician at one time, let me give you a few examples that you may find interesting.
1. The Messiah be born in Bethlehem probability: 1 in 200
Prediction: Micah 5:2
Fulfillment: Matthew 2:1
2. Be preceded by a messenger probability: 1 in 20
Prediction: Isaiah 40:3
Fulfillment: Matthew 3:1-2
3. Enter Jerusalem on a colt probability: 1 in 50
Prediction: Zechariah 9:9
Fulfillment: Luke 19:35-37
4. Be betrayed by a friend probability: 1 in 10
Prediction: Psalms 41:9
Fulfillment: Matthew 26:47-50
5. Have His hands and feet pierced probability: 1 in 100
Prediction: Psalm 22:16
Fulfillment: Luke 23:33
6. Be wounded and whipped by His enemies probability: 1 in 25
Prediction: Isaiah 53:5
Fulfillment: Matthew 27:26
7. Be sold for thirty pieces of silver probability: 1 in 100
Prediction: Zechariah 11:12
Fulfillment: Matthew 26:15
8. Be spit upon and beaten probability: 1 in 10
Prediction: Isaiah 50:6
Fulfillment: Matthew 26:67
9. Have his betrayal money thrown in the Temple and given for a potter's field.
Probability: 1 in 200
Prediction: Zechariah 11:13
Fulfillment: Matthew 27:5-7
10. Be silent before His accusers probability: 1 in 100
Prediction: Isaiah 53:7
Fulfillment: Matthew 27:12-14
11. Be crucified with thieves probability: 1 in 100
Prediction: Isaiah 53:12
Fulfillment: Matthew 27:38
(This last prediction of the Messiah being crucified was predicted 100's of years before the Romans even invented execution by crucifixion.)
The combined probability (or chance) of one man fulfilling 11 of these detailed prophecies is equal to: 1 in 10 to the 19th power, that's 1 chance in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000. And remember, Jesus fulfilled over 200 of these prophecies. Since God is the only one that knows the future, He has demonstrated that His Word (the Bible) is reliable and trustworthy through these prophecies and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came down to earth to die for all of our sins.
Jesus Loves You Greg!
Andretti |
