The Bible, contains a
remarkable prophecy involving the king of Persia that was fulfilled in minute detail.
About 200 years in advance—long before the king was born—the Hebrew prophet Isaiah mentioned Cyrus by name and described how he would conquer the mighty city of Babylon.
Isaiah 44:24, 27, 28: “This is what Jehovah says, . . . ‘the One saying to the deep waters, “Be evaporated, and I will dry up all your rivers”; the One saying of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd, and he will completely carry out all my will”; the One saying of Jerusalem, “She will be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Your foundation will be laid.”’”
According to the Greek historian Herodotus, the army of Cyrus diverted the waters of the Euphrates River, which flowed through the city of Babylon. Cyrus’ strategy enabled his troops to enter the city along the riverbed. After taking the city, Cyrus freed the Jews who had been captive in Babylon and allowed them to return and rebuild Jerusalem, which had been destroyed 70 years earlier.
Isaiah 45:1: “This is what Jehovah says to his anointed one, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut.”
The Persians entered the city through the massive two-leaved doors in the city wall, which had carelessly been left open. Had the Babylonians been aware of what Cyrus was planning, they could have shut all the gates that opened onto the river. But as it was, the city was defenseless.
This remarkable prophecy is but one of dozens found in the Bible that unerringly came true.
* Unlike the predictions of men, often attributed to their false gods, Bible prophecies originate with the One who proclaimed: “From the beginning I foretell the outcome, and from long ago the things that have not yet been done.”—
Isaiah 46:10.
Only the true God, whose name is
Jehovah, can make such a claim. That name evidently means “He Causes to Become.” It points to his ability to know and shape future events in harmony with his will. It assures us that he is certain to bring about all that he has promised.
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2 Timothy 3:1-5: “In the last days . . . , men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power.”
Would you not agree that such behavior is increasingly evident in people today? Have you perceived that we are surrounded by people who adore themselves, love money, and are driven by pride? Have you not observed that people are more demanding and less willing to agree with others? Surely you notice that there is widespread disobedience to parents and that people in general love pleasures more than they love God. And things are getting worse by the day.
Matthew 24:6, 7: “You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. . . . Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.”
Some estimates place the total number of deaths in wars and armed conflicts since 1914 at well over 100 million, a figure that surpasses the entire population of many nations. Imagine the tears, grief, and suffering represented by that colossal statistic. Have the nations taken note and put an end to war?
Matthew 24:7: “There will be food shortages.”
The World Food Programme stated: “In a world where we produce enough food to feed everyone, 815 million people—one in nine—still go to bed on an empty stomach each night. Even more—one in three—suffer from some form of malnutrition.” It is estimated that each year some three million children die from hunger.
Luke 21:11: “There will be great earthquakes.”
Each year, some 50,000 earthquakes are large enough to be felt by humans. About 100 bring substantial damage to buildings, and one very great earthquake occurs about every year. According to one estimate, between 1975 and 2000, earthquakes claimed the lives of 471,000 people.
Matthew 24:14: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses, numbering more than eight million, have been preaching and bearing witness to the good news of
God’s Kingdom throughout the earth in some 240 lands. They proclaim the good news in sprawling cities and remote villages, in jungles and on mountains. The prophecy foretells that when this work is completed to God’s satisfaction, “the end will come.”
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Some 2,000 years ago, the Bible foretold that the world’s troubles would climax in “the conclusion of the system of things.” (
Matthew 24:3) This does not mean “the end of the world” as people fear it. Rather, the Bible describes a pattern of events and attitudes, or a sign, that would occur during a time period called “the last days.” (
2 Timothy 3:1) Jesus told his followers that when they saw “these things occurring,” relief would soon follow. (
Luke 21:31) Consider some of the prophecies that mark our time as unique.
“Nation will rise against nation.”—Matthew 24:7.
-->Bible book of Revelation foretold, peace was taken “away from the earth so that they [mankind] should slaughter one another.”—Revelation 6:4.
“There will be food shortages.”—Matthew 24:7.
-->Famine caused more than 70 million deaths in the 20th century and continues to be a global problem.
“There will be great earthquakes.”—Luke 21:11.
-->Because more people live in earthquake-prone areas, the number of lives lost or disrupted as a result of earthquakes has sharply increased.
“In one place after another pestilences.”—Luke 21:11.
-->Despite medical advances, millions still die each year as a result of infectious diseases. International travel and the world’s growing urban population have increased the likelihood that disease outbreaks will spread rapidly.
People will “betray one another and will hate one another. . . . The love of the greater number will cool off.”—Matthew 24:10, 12.
-->Hate-fueled genocide has claimed the lives of millions. In numerous countries, armed conflicts and crime have led to cycles of increasing fear and violence.
“Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, . . . having no natural affection.”—2 Timothy 3:2, 3.
-->Our era is one of greed and a lack of moral restraint. Such attitudes have fostered numerous social problems.
“This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth.”—Matthew 24:14.
-->The Bible teaches that God’s Kingdom is a real government, ruling from heaven with Jesus as King. This heavenly Kingdom will “crush and put an end to all [human governments], and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”—
Daniel 2:44.
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https://www.jw.org/en/
