Prophecy

Prophecy
It has been estimated by various Bible scholars that somewhere between 25% – 33% of the entire Bible is prophetic; a few estimate an even higher percentage. 
The main reason that there are differing opinions is that different guidelines for identifying what is a prophecy and different approaches for counting them are employed. 
For one thing, many of the prophecies are repeated more than once and by more than one author (the Greater Son of David motif for example); some people count the individual prophetic theme or event only once, while others include every mention separately.

Also, some prophecies are recorded as types and foreshadows contained within historical incidences (the life of Joseph, the offering of Isaac, the marriage of Isaac and Rebecca, the Bronze Serpent, etc.); while still others are prefigured in rituals (the Passover Lamb, the Scapegoat, etc.).
Prophecy is found in the Law, the Prophets and the in the Psalms (at least 16 of the Psalms are Messianic and still others are prophetic in other ways); again; there are differences of opinion as to what should be counted as prophetic and how.

The “Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy” states that there are 1,817 prophecies in the Bible comprising 8,352 verses out of 31,124 for a total of 26.8%.
One thing is for sure; the Bible contains prophecy; it is filled with claims to be able to predict the future (Is.46:10; etc.) and it makes hundreds of bold predictions.

Secondly; it can be demonstrated that many (if not most) of the predicted events have already come to pass with incredible accuracy (Ezek.26:3-14, 19; etc).
In fact, the Bible sets the required standard of accuracy at 100% for itself (and for others) concerning the fulfillment of prophecy; far above the realm of probability or the capacity of human reason.

No other so called prophet or prophetic source comes close to achieving that level of accuracy; the Bible does.
The Old Testament contains over 1,000 prophecies (some say 1,239). As stated before, a great number of them have already been fulfilled; many concerning ancient Israel and the gentile nations.

The remaining ones, yet to be fulfilled, concern the end of the age and the second coming of Christ. They will be literally fulfilled just as accurately in their time.
Over 300 of the O.T. prophecies were fulfilled at the 1st coming of Jesus Christ; 29 in just one day (Good Friday). This statement is not a matter of opinion; it is documented history.
Contrary to popular anti-christian myth, many of the events and details concerning the life and times of Jesus Christ are recorded by others outside of the Bible.
At least nine secular historical sources can be cited that verify the Biblical outline of the life of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible.
They agree with the essential facts concerning His life, His travels, His teachings, His disciple’s beliefs concerning Him, and His crucifixion.

Many of these extra Biblical historians (while they may not accept prophecy or recognize Christ for who He Is), record details of Jesus’ life that were prophesied hundreds of years before His birth (where He lived, His popularity, His death on Passover, etc.).

No other book is like the Bible. Inerrant prophecy is exclusive to the Bible.
The New Testament contains over 500 prophecies (an estimated 578).
As with the O.T. many of the N.T. prophecies have already been fulfilled; more than 50 of which concerning the 1st coming of Christ and the events surrounding His life and death were fulfilled literally during His lifetime (not allegorically or spiritually or in some secret coded kind of way that requires special definitions or re-definitions for common terms; Jesus is Jesus, Israel is Israel, Jews are Jews, the Church is the Church, is is is).

The remaining prophecies, like those yet to come to pass in the O.T., concern the end times and the 2nd coming of Christ; these too will be fulfilled in like manner, literally as predicted.
We will look at these over the next few weeks as we take an overview of prophecy.