I.  Jesus said He was the fulfillment of prophesy.  Luke 24:44
 II. Why is prophesy a true witness?
      A.  We are familiar with foretelling and planning for the future, ie. stock market, health.
      B.  Prophesy can be examined and compared to actual events.
III. How reliable is Biblical prophesy?
     A.  Old Testament prophesies
          1.  There are over 70 prophesies about other issues than Jesus.
          2.  Here are some examples.
               a.  Amos prophesied two Jewish exiles 40 years before Assyrian captivity
and nearly 200 years before Babylonian captivity.
               b.  Hosea prophesied that Israel would be captured but Judah would be
spared for a season. (Judah  was taken captive 150 years later.)
               c.  Jeremiah said that Judah would be captured for
                    70 years.  (607 BC - 537 BC)
               d.  Isaiah said that a man named Cyrus would allow
                    the Jews to return and rebuild the temple.  Isaiah 44:28
                    Ezra 5 tells about Cyrus giving the decree.
      B.  Prophesies about Jesus
           1.  There are over 300 Old Testament Prophesies about Jesus.
           2.  Isaiah 53 has 25 prophesies.
                a.  Jesus was pierced.
                b.  Jesus was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
                c.  Jesus was killed with criminals.
                d.  Jesus was put into a rich man's tomb.
           3.  Psalm 22 prophesies
                a.  "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
                b.  Jesus was thirsty in death.
                c.  Jesus' killers cast lots for his clothing.
                d.  Jesus' last words were "It is finished'.
IV. Take Homes
      A.  Prophesies tell us:
           1.  Who Jesus was.  Isaiah 7:14
           2.  What Jesus' life was like?  Psalm  41, 78, Zachariah 9
           3.  When Jesus would come.  Daniel
           4.  Where Jesus would come.  Micah 5:2
           5.  Why Jesus would come.  Isaiah 53:11, II Corinthians 521