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In some circles it is popular to
explain away the fulfillment of
prophecy in Jesus' life as the
result of very careful planning,
a "plot" if you will.
Such a theory may seem possible
until you really think it
through.
Remember, to have a plot you
must have plotters. There is no
historical evidence of this.
And, the plotters must find a
central individual willing to go
along with the plot. It can't be
just anybody. They would have to
find someone of Davidic
ancestry, born in Bethlehem,
etc.
And, if they could find such a
person, what is the probability
that he would join them in their
plot?
Can you imagine how the offer
might have gone?
"OK, here's the deal. If you go
along with our plan, you've got
to spend 3 1/2 years wandering
around the countryside. Much of
the time you will be homeless.
You will be ridiculed, nearly
stoned to death, spit upon, etc.
And, there's no pay.
"But, then we come to the
difficult part. You have to hang
on a cross and die. And you will
be brutally beaten and made to
parade through the streets of
Jerusalem prior to death. But,
don't worry, after hours of
agony and suffering, you could
just close your eyes and pretend
to be dead. We'll get you
down...the nails will be pulled
from your wrists and feet. How
soon? Well, pretty soon, right
after a Roman soldier thrusts
his spear into your side and he
sees the flood flowing from the
large gaping open wound in your
side. But, don't worry, it could
heal. And, don't wince or show
any reaction when he does that.
If you do, it would spoil the
whole thing.
"After all that, we'll give you
three days to rest up. Make the
most of it, because then we will
have you appearing all over the
countryside claiming to be
resurrected with a new
completely healthy body.
"So, what do you say? Do you
think you could do that for us?"
Is it reasonable to propose that
such a thing would happen?
Hardly.
The plot would have to be
widespread involving Roman
officials and leaders from the
Temple.
Hundreds of people throughout
the area would have to be
recruited to "fake" miracles.
All the while, the plot would
have to remain secret.
One false step, failure to
fulfill one prophecy to the
letter, one mistake, one miscue,
one person spilling the beans,
would discredit the whole plan.
It is easier to believe that
there is a God. He loves us.
And, He cam
The fulfillment of prophecy
tells us who Jesus Christ really
is.
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