Did you know that Mel Gibson's new movie, The Passion, is loaded with fulfilled prophecy? Today I will be talking about some of these prophecies from the Old Testament as portrayed in this movie.

It's violent, it's honest, it's powerful...

The Passion of the Christ

The Passion of the Christ is a graphic and violent depiction of the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life including His brutal crucifixion.

After seeing the previews or hearing about the movie many may feel too squeamish or nervous about viewing such a violent movie -- only you can be the judge whether or not this is a movie you should see.

But it's not about gratuitous violence but about an honest portrayal of the life-changing sacrifice made for us at the cross.

Many people leave the movie in tears when they realize the agony that Christ endured for our sins. And that's what this movie is really about.

Powerful Message of the Cross

Never before has such a vivid and honest depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus been put on film. While it's true that this is a violent movie, it carries with it a powerful message. The pages of the Bible almost come to life when you are watching The Passion... it almost feels real, as if you are a witness to the events.

Through the power of the cross each one of us now has hope for the future and the opportunity to accept God's free gift of salvation. If you have never accepted Jesus into your heart, click here to learn how you can be assured of your eternal destiny.

Powerful Film, Great Opportunity

I commend Mel Gibson for putting together such a powerful piece of work. Many people are saying this is the best film ever made about Jesus. People have commented that this is a film that will impact you and stay with you for the rest of your life...

The images are very powerful and will definitely help people realize the incredible sacrifice our Lord made on the cross.

Other people have negative things to say, but what's great, is that people are talking. There seems two be to very different viewpoints. Christians, for the most part, whole-heartily accept the film, while many, who do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, criticize the film.

This is perhaps one of the most talked about films of all time. While the media may get it wrong at times, the fact that they are even talking about Jesus and this movie is very exciting. It will likely go on to be the best evangelistic film created so far!

And this presents a great opportunity...

Share The Passion With Friends

If you haven't already... I recommend you get a copy of this film (Parents who are concerned about their children viewing the movie, should watch it first, then decide if it's right for them).

Go to this movie not only to support such a powerful film but also because it is a great evangelistic opportunity you can use immediately!

It could open the door to talk to friends and family who you couldn't talk with before about Jesus. You may want to give them a copy of this movie, they may have their eyes opened about why the death and resurrection of Christ is so important. Whatever opportunity comes up, embrace it, God may use you to touch the life of someone you know.

Prophecy In The Gospels

You may want to read the Gospel of John before going to see this film... or if you have already seen The Passion... you will probably read the Gospels in a whole new way.

John is an excellent book to read, especially for the new believer. For those who have read it a thousand times, this film may help you see aspects you've never considered before. John talks about the life of Jesus, some of the miracles he performed, lessons he taught, His claims to be the Messiah, the reaction of the people to Jesus' claims, His crucifixion, resurrection and more.

The Gospels, including John, also cover many of the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled.

Let's take a closer look....

The biography of Jesus Christ was recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but did Bible prophecy tell of His first coming to earth?

The answer is, absolutely! Christ's First Coming will remain the greatest fulfilled prophecy until His return. Those who knew Bible prophecy from the Old Testament could have recognized Jesus as the true Messiah. Yet Jesus Christ was rejected as the Son of God and He was eventually crucified for His claims.

All of this was recorded in the Old Testament ahead of time!

The Greatest Fulfilled Prophecy

Yes, there's a great number of prophecies from the Old Testament that tell of the life, death, and resurrection of a Messiah.

Each and every prophecy was completely fulfilled to the letter by only one person, Jesus Christ.

Prophecies About Jesus Christ

Amazingly, the death of Jesus on the cross was prophesied before He was ever born -- by about 1000 years in fact. And, to add to that, at the time the prophecy was written, crucifixion did not even exist, yet we read specific details about Christ's death on the cross.

Throughout the Old Testament we see many prophecies about Christ and some of these prophecies were presented in The Passion... let's take a quick look at a few of the prophecies about Jesus (in chronological order):

1. He would be rejected by Israel:

Prophecy: Isaiah 49:7; 53:3
Fulfillment: John 1:11; 5:43; Luke 4:29; 17:25; 23:18

2. He would triumphantly enter Jerusalem (seen briefly in The Passion):

Prophecy: Zechariah 9:9
Fulfillment: John 12:12-14; Matthew. 21:1-11;

3. He would be betrayed by a friend (Judas Iscariot):

Prophecy: Psalm 41:9
Fulfillment: Mark. 14:10, 17-21; 43-45; Matthew 26:14-16, 47, 50;

4. He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver:

Prophecy: Zechariah 11:12, 13
Fulfillment: Matthew 26:15; 27:3-10

5. He would be accused by false witnesses:

Prophecy: Psalm 27:12; 35:11
Fulfillment: Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:57-59

6. He would be silent when accused:

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:7; Psalm 38:13, 14
Fulfillment: Matthew 26:62, 63; 27:12-14

7. He would be smitten and spit upon:

Prophecy: Isaiah 50:6
Fulfillment: Mark. 14:65; 15:17; John. 19:1-3; 18:22

8. He would be hated without cause:

Prophecy: Psalm 69:4; Psalm 109:3-5
Fulfillment: John 15:23-25

9. He would obey God and be subject to suffering:

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:4-8,12
Fulfillment: Matthew 8:16, 17; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3

10. He would be crucified with sinners:

Prophecy: Isaiah 53:12
Fulfillment: Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27, 28; Luke 23:33

11. His hands and feet would be pierced:

Prophecy: Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10
Fulfillment: John 19:37; 20:25-27

12. He would be mocked and insulted:

Prophecy: Psalm 22:6-8
Fulfillment: Matthew 27:39, 40-44; Mark 15:29-32

13. He would be given vinegar on the cross:

Prophecy: Psalm 69:21
Fulfillment: John 19:29; Matthew 27:34, 48

14. He would hear His prophetic words repeated in mockery:

Prophecy: Psalm 22:8
Fulfillment: Matthew 27:43

15. He would pray for His enemies:

Prophecy: Psalm 109:4; Isaiah 53:12
Fulfillment: Luke 23:34

16. His side would be pierced:

Prophecy: Zechariah 12:10
Fulfillment: John 19:34

17. Soldiers would cast lots for His coat:

Prophecy: Psalm 22:18
Fulfillment: Mark 15:24; John 19:24

18. His bones would not be broken:

Prophecy: Psalm 34:20
Fulfillment: John 19:33, 36

19. He would be resurrected from the grave:

Prophecy: Psalm 16:10
Fulfillment: Matthew 28:9; Luke 24:36-48

20. And finally, (though not pictured in the movie) His ascension to heaven where He now sits at the right hand of God:

Prophecy: Psalm 68:18
Fulfillment: Luke 24:50, 51; Acts 1:9

Every prophecy of the First Coming of Jesus Christ to earth has been fulfilled perfectly. These prophecies are extremely detailed even down to the sentence. In Psalm 22:1 we read the exact words that Jesus spoke on the cross "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" which we find fulfilled in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34.

Not even one prediction has been wrong, not one. I wish I had room to go into even greater detail... but what's truly amazing is that these predictions were made long before Jesus Christ was ever born. Wow!

Prophecy Proof of God

So what does all of this prove? The only possibility is that a divine God had to inspire every one of these future predictions. We read in 2nd Peter 1:21:

For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.

Prophecy proves the unequaled power and accuracy of the inspired Word of God. Who else but God alone can make such stunning predictions? Truly the "testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10).

So, now that we know that Old Testament prophecies predicted with 100% accuracy the First Coming of Christ, can't we assume that the prophecies telling of His Second Coming are equally accurate?