Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

How many Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled?

The number of fulfilled Old Testament prophecies is a matter of interpretation. It depends on how one counts them, but key figures often cited include around 2,000 general prophecies and over 300 specific Messianic prophecies. Scholars differ on how to categorise and count prophecies, with some identifying between 300/450 verses related to the Messiah. 

J. Barton Payne's Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy lists 1,239 prophecies in the Old Testament alone.

Many sources suggest that approximately 2,000 prophecies have already been fulfilled, with the remaining few hundred about future events. 

Some examples of Bible prophecies fulfilled:

The descendants of the faithful man Abraham would become a great nation, later called the nation of Israel.​—Genesis 12:1, 2.

Abraham's descendants would return to the land of Canaan after living in a foreign land for four generations.​—Genesis 15:13, 16.

Abraham's descendants would take possession of "the entire land of Canaan."​—Genesis 17:8.

Genesis 49:10 Judah made the royal tribe of Israel
(1 Chronicles 5:2; Hebrews 7:14)

Zephaniah 2:13, 14 Nineveh desolated in about 632 B.C.E.
Jeremiah 25:1-11; Jerusalem's conquest begins 70-year
Isaiah 39:6 desolation (2 Chronicles 36:17-21;
Jeremiah 39:1-9)

Isaiah 13:1, 17-22; Cyrus conquers Babylon; Jews return to
Isa 44:24-28; 45:1, 2 homeland (2 Chronicles 36:20-23;
Ezra 1:1-4; 2:1)

Daniel 8:3-8, 20-22 Medo-Persia overthrown by Alexander the Great and Grecian Empire divided.

Because the Israelites rebelled against God, he would allow them to be conquered and taken captive.​—Jeremiah 25:8-11.

God would restore the Jews to their homeland after they spent 70 years in captivity.​—Jeremiah 25:12; 29:10.

The Babylonian world power would be overthrown, and in time, Babylon would become rubble.​—Isaiah 13:19, 20.

Prophecies about the Messiah and his followers:

The Messiah would appear 483 years after "the going forth of the word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem." That word was given in 455 B.C.E.​—Daniel 9:25.
The Messiah, or Christ, would stem from the family line of King David.​—Isaiah 9:7.
Isaiah 7:14; Jesus was born of a virgin in Bethlehem
Micah 5:2 (Matthew 1:18-23; 2:1-6)
Daniel 9:24-26 Anointing of Jesus as Messiah (29 C.E.)
(Luke 3:1-3, 21-23)
Isaiah 9:1, 2. Jesus' enlightening ministry starts in
Galilee (Matthew 4:12-23)
Isaiah 53:4, 5, 12 Death of Christ as ransom sacrifice
(Matthew 20:28; 27:50)
Before his execution, the Messiah would be severely flogged.​—Isaiah 50:6.
Psalm 22:18 Casting of lots for Jesus' garments
(John 19:23, 24)
The Messiah would be executed as a despised criminal, yet he would be buried with "the rich class."​—Isaiah 53:9.
Psalm 16:10; Resurrection of Christ on the third day
Matthew 12:40 (Mark 16:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
Christ's followers would spread his message throughout Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the known world.​—Acts 1:8.
Christians would be persecuted.​—Mark 13:9.

Luke 19:41-44; 21:20-24 Jerusalem's destruction by Romans (70 C.E.)
Luke 21:10, 11; Unparalleled warfare, famine, earthquakes,
Matthew 24:3-13; pestilences, lawlessness, and so forth,
2 Timothy 3:1-5 signifying "the last days"
Deceitful and oppressive individuals would infiltrate the Christian congregation, causing many to become apostate.​—Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Peter 2:1, 2.

Prophecies about the last days: The time of the end would be marked by…

Worldwide preaching of the "good news of [God's] kingdom."​—Matthew 24:14.
Warfare, even on a global scale.​—Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:4.
Food shortages.​—Matthew 24:7.
Great earthquakes.​—Luke 21:11.
Terrible diseases.​—Luke 21:11.
Hatred and violence.​—Matthew 24:10, 12.
Greedy, self-centred people and money lovers.​—2 Timothy 3:1-5

It is said that the remaining 500 or so unfulfilled prophecies generally pertain to future events, such as the second coming of Jesus, the final judgment, and the eternal Kingdom of God.

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