But sitting at the top of Mount of Olives also gives us pause to reflect on the story of Jesus riding humbly on the donkey in that very spot. In the middle of that fascinating event, the Bible says when Jesus saw that same view of Jerusalem, he wept bitterly.
 |
Dome of the Rock with
Mt. Olives behind |
"When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.... because you did not recognize the time of your visitation." Luke 19:41-42, 44
Jesus did more than weep. In English we would say "He sobbed." Jesus sobbed over the fact that the Jews missed the day that was fulfilled exactly as prophesied by Daniel.
Jesus held the Jews accountable for knowing their Bible, and specifically that He would come into Jerusalem on a
donkey exactly 173,880 days (483 years) from the command to rebuild Jerusalem. Dan 9:24, Ezra 1:2, Zech 9:9
That was one incredibly specific prophecy. Jesus fulfilled it to the exact day. And the Jews missed it. It was there to read, and they missed it.
Jesus continued to fulfill numerous other very specific prophecies like:
OT Prophecy/NT Fulfillment
>He was hated for no reason - Ps 35:19 /Jn 15:24
>He was betrayed by a friend - Ps 41:9/Lk 22:47
>Betrayed for 30 silver coins - Zech 11:12/Mt 26:15
>Crucified among criminals - Is 53:12/Mk 15:27
>Pierced in hands and feet - Zech 12:10/Jn 20:27
>His clothing gambled away - Ps 22:17/Mt 27:35
>No broken bones - Ps 34:20/Jn 19:32
>Pierced through His side - Zech 12:10/Jn 19:34
>Buried with the rich - Is 53:9/Mt 27:57-60
In all there are some 300 prophecies regarding the first coming of the Messiah and they were all literally fulfilled exactly as written. Proof positive that the Bible can be trusted as God's Word.
There are also scores of prophecies regarding Israel's future in the latter days. Consider these seven prophecies:
1) Israel would return to their homeland after being scattered for about 2000 years. Hos 6:1-2
2) They would remain a pure racedespite being scattered all over the earth. Ezek 38:8
3) They would take over their land in a day. Is 66:8
4) They would have a mighty army. Ezek 37:10 
5) They would have nuclear weapons. Zech 14:12; Ezek 39:11-16
6) That the regathered nation would be a problem to the whole world. Zech 12:3
7) That the generation that saw the above prophecies come together would see the Messiah's return. Mt 24:34
Well, that "generation" would be us. We saw those things come together. This generation today will see the Messiah return. Awesome!
There are also prophecies about what it will be like just before the end of the Church Age. The Church Age is defined as the time between the arrival (Pentecost) and departure (Rapture) of God's Holy Spirit Who permanently indwells Believers.
Those latter day prophecies include:
>World moving toward a one-world government. Rev 13:12
>Television/Images of one person can be seen worldwide. Rev 13:15
>Knowledge will be increased. Dan 12:4
>Persia (Iran) and Gog (Russia) will be Israel's enemies possessing nuclear weapons. Ezk 38,39
>The account of God's creation in Genesis will be scorned. 2 Pet 3:4-6
>Moving toward a cashless society. Rev 13:16
>Israel will be a burdensome stone. Zech 12:3
>Emphasis on worldly riches. James 5:1-5, 2 Tim 3:2
>Ten countries of the Old Roman Empire will come together again. Dan 2:28, 41; Rev 17:12
>Self will be more important than God. 2 Tim 3:2-4
>Worldwide interconnected economy. Rev 18:11
These are just a few of the prophecies concerning the days dead-ahead.
