Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: the “Logos Reftagger” scripture links are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), when finished reading, hover your cursor off the scripture reference link. If the Reftagger pop-up doesn’t show all the verses, left click on the “More” button in the Reftagger pop-up window and it will take you to the online bible. If RefTagger pop-ups don’t work on your computer, that’s OK, try right clicking the link then open in new tab or window; or if that doesn’t work, you can always use your Bible to look up the verses. Word or Phrase definition links may not have a website that opens.
Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word
Before we begin, only if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life) John 3:16, John 6:47 as a few examples; it is very important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so the Holy Spirit can teach you as to what your reading or hearing is true or false. To be taught by the Holy Spirit you must be filled with the Holy Spirit which means abiding in Christ. To place yourself in fellowship with God the Holy Spirit [also called abiding in the Christ], take a moment to simply name, cite or acknowledge [confess] your known unconfessed sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father). Why? Because you cannot grow spiritually if you’re not abiding in Christ [in fellowship with Him] when you take in bible truth.
1 John 1:9, says: “If we confess [meaning to simply name, cite or acknowledge to God the Father] our sins [known unconfessed sins], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins [known sins] and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [all unknown and forgotten sins];” NKJV (New King James Version); we call this REBOUND; read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. Left click the following link to learn more and fully understand the doctrine of Rebound; which answers the question, why do I need to keep confessing my sins all the time? REBOUND
If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to simply exercise faith alone in Jesus Christ alone eternal life; when you do, you will instantly receive Eternal Life: John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47, 20:30, 31.
John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life." NKJV
Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.
John 3:14-15, 16, 17, 18, says: "14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV
Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:
Study to show yourself approved to God!
Grace Bible Church
Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
STUDY TITLE:
Weekly Bible Study – January 31, 2022; Prophecy Is Another Divine Stamp Of Authenticity.
Grace Bible Church
Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
STUDY TITLE:
Prophecy Is Another Divine Stamp Of Authenticity.
Week Ending 05/30/2021
This week we are continuing our study of Prophecy which is undertaken in support to the study of the Rapture which will resume very soon when the Lord restores Pastor McLaughlin to full health so that he can return to the pulpit. God’s plan is perfect, His timing is perfect. Thank you all for your patience and faithfulness as we press on toward the goal and supply sound bible teaching to the hungry.
In this lesson:
-Purpose of prophecy
-Value of studying prophecy
-Prophecy #3 – Jesus would be forsaken by disciples (Zec 13:7)
-The sin of fear and God’s solution
-Prophecy #4 – The price of betrayal (Zec 11:12)
-Background and significance of 30 shekels
-Prophecy #5 – The potter’s field (Zech 11:13)
-Akeldama aka the field of blood
As we start to turn the page from Our current study of Dispensations, the subject of the Rapture, until Our Pastor gets back with us; it has led us to look at Prophecy and some of the Messianic prophecies that where fulfill, and more yet to be fulfill following the Rapture. We will be seeing the importance that Prophecy plays in Scripture. Prove the Truth of Christianity, which is ultimately our Hope & Faith in Him.
Today we hear many people get excited and become captivated by the subject of Prophecy; however, many are led away by false doctrine, people with mystical revelations, and unprepared teachers that do not correctly interpret the Prophecies and Why we have them. Those without the correct understanding are defenseless against false teachings because they have no basis on which to recognize them as false or refute them. Sensationalism, emotionalism, celebrity endorsements, laser light shows, Christian rock concerts…….all of these things serve as a lure to attract the ignorant into cosmic commercial churches which are much like a venus fly-trap for hapless believers without sound teaching. They will often even be taught that learning the Word of God is not important, but feelings and activism and human works systems is what it’s all about.
As Believers, if we do not understand the meaning and purpose of prophecy, we could fall into the same trap that many are coming under, which is the great deception from Satan through his minions and cronies (as I like to refer to them).
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Prophecy, itself, makes up about 25-30% of Scripture or the Word of God. That is a little less than one third of the Holy Bible! Prophecy is mainly found in the OT. Remember the saying from last time: “the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.”
Rom 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Prophecy, which is what God purposely intended, gives us (in the written Word) some indication of what His plan and purpose is for the human race (resolution to the Angelic conflict – Ultimate glorification). The revelation of prophecy in general throughout Scripture serves as evidence.
Prophecy = Evidence that the Word of God is accurate and was written by authors which were inspired by Holy Spirit. This allows the Prophecies that have been fulfilled to give credit of the future prophecies that are to be fulfilled.
Prophecies can be conditional (carry out by an event being put into motion) or unconditional; meaning they will be regardless of any human response.
As we said earlier, Prophecy in mainly in the OT [Old Testament], and in the book of Revelation, which points to the future events.
Peter writes about being an eyewitness to TLJC in: 2 Pe 1:16-20
2 Pe 1:16 “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”
Peter’s intent here is to verify that the former prophecies of the OT (which we are going to look at) have been confirmed in the person and work of Jesus Christ and thus can be relied on. (Accurate and True) Peter was one disciple that witnessed Him go up to heaven, at His ascension (Peter, James, John) and therefore, could come to the conclusion that He witnessed Christ fulfill the Scripture (including the Law). And He did, completely
So, as mentioned on Sunday, and being Spirit led, we are going to look at some of the Messianic Prophecies surrounding the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We have a list of 29 with Scriptures of prophecy and the fulfillment.
29 Prophecies fulfilled by our Lord on the Cross
1. The first prophecy, the oldest of all, had been given by God at the time of Adam and Eve’s sin.
Prophesied: Gn 3:15 Fulfilled in Jn 12:31-33
2. The betrayal of Jesus by Judas was foretold by David. Prophesied: Psa 41:9, Fulfilled: Mk 14:10-11
3. Jesus Christ would be forsaken by His disciples, as prophesied by Zechariah. Prophesied: Zec 13:7, Fulfilled: Mk 14:50
4.The price of His betrayal (30 pieces of silver) was also foretold by Zechariah. Prophesied: Zec 11:12, Fulfilled in total accuracy: Mat 26:15
5. Zechariah also foretold what would be done with the betrayal money. Prophesied: Zec 11:13, Fulfilled: Mat 27:3-7
6. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus Christ would be sacrificed as the Passover Lamb of God.
Prophesied: Isa 53:7. Fulfilled: 1Co 5:7, 1Pe 1:18-20
7. Isaiah also prophesied the scourging and mocking and physical abuse that He would suffer.
Prophesied: Isa 50:6, Fulfilled: Mat 27:26-30, Mat 26:67
8. David would also prophesy His physical abuse, Prophesied: Psa 22:17, Fulfilled: Mat 27:26
9. David prophesied the shame and dishonor that Jesus would suffer, being condemned as a criminal. Prophesied: Psa 69:9, Psa 19-20, Fulfilled: Mat 26:55
10. There would also be cruel and lying witnesses against Him. Prophesied: Psa 35:11, Fulfilled: Mark 14:55-57
11. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would not make an effort to defend Himself at His trial.
Prophesied: Isa 53:7, Fulfilled: Mat 27:13-14
12. Isaiah also foretold Jesus Christ’s crucifixion as the sin offering for the world.
Prophesied: ISA 53:4-6; 10-11, Fulfilled: Jn 19:16-19
13. Isaiah had prophesied that He was numbered among the transgressors or lawbreakers.
Prophesied: Isa 53:12, Fulfilled: Luk 23:32-33
14. David prophesied that His hands and His feet would be pierced.
Prophesied: Psa 22:16, Fulfilled: Mk 15:25, Jn 20:25-27
15. The parting of His garments was also prophesied by David. Prophesied: Psa 22:18, Fulfilled: Jn 19:24
16. David prophesied that they would give Him vinegar to drink. Prophesied: Psa 69:21, Fulfilled: Mat 27:34
17. David also prophesied that many would be watching Jesus during the crucifixion.
Prophesied: Psa 22:17, Fulfilled: Mat 27:36, Lk 23:48
18. The Bible says that among those watching would be our Lord’s family and friends, who would stand at a distance. Prophesied: Psa 38:11, Fulfilled: Lk 23:49
19. Some of His observers would shake their heads at Him. Prophesied: Psa 109:25, Fulfilled: Mat 27:39-40
20. The words of His enemies were prophesied by David. Prophesied: Psa 22:8, Fulfilled: Mat 27:43-44
21. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would make intercession for sinners. This intercession began even during His crucifixion. Prophesied: Isa 53:12, Fulfilled: Lk 23:34
22. David prophesied the thoughts of Jesus at the height of His suffering. Prophesied: Psa 22:1, Fulfilled: Mat 27:46
23. Zechariah taught that His body would be pierced with a spear. Prophesied: Zec 12:10, Fulfilled: Jn 19:34-37
24. David prophesied that Jesus would commit His spirit to God. Prophesied: Psa 31:5, Fulfilled: Lk 23:46
25. David also prophesied our Lord’s last words on the cross. Prophesied: Psa 22:1, Fulfilled: Jn 19:30
26. As no bone of the Passover lamb was to be broken (Exo 12:46), not a bone of His would be broken. Prophesied: Psa 34:20, Fulfilled: Jn 19:32-36
27. His burial in the tomb of a rich man was foretold by Isaiah. Prophesied: Isa 53:8-9, Fulfilled: Mat 27:57-60
28. Nailing of Jesus’ hands and feet; Prophesied: Zec 13:6, Fulfilled: Jn 20:27
29. Jesus would ride into Jerusalem on a colt (donkey); Prophesied: Zec 9:9, Fulfilled: Mk 11:7-11
Let’s continue in those 29 prophecies now. We are on #3 after review of 1 & 2.
3). Jesus Christ would be forsaken by His disciples, as prophesied by Zechariah.
Prophesied: Zec 13:7
Fulfilled: Mk 14:50 ; Mat 26:56
Zec 13:7 “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, And against the man, My Associate,” Declares the Lord of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones.”
Fulfilled:Mk 14:50 “And they all left Him and fled.”
Mk 14:26-27 “After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED.’
Mat 26:31 contains the same statement from Jesus as Mk 12:26-27. Satan and his cosmic system always wants to weaken God’s people and attempts to disrupt His plan by sowing discord and division among God’s people and creating counterfeit gospels and doctrines. Disrupt, divide, and conquer. This strategy is seen in almost any arena of human activity. This is because it is very effective!
One of the reasons we study prophecy and eschatology is so that we cannot be so easily waylaid by false teachings, false interpretations or timelines, fear, confusion and doubt, and demoralization which sideline the believer and take them out of God’s plan, even co-opting them into the service of the kingdom of darkness. We must have unity through humility and submission to divine authority, national authority, Pastoral authority, parental authority, marital authority, and sound, exegetical teaching of systematic theology. But here we see that the devil was able to “scatter the sheep.” Yet God uses it as a way to demonstrate the veracity of His Word to us through the fulfillment of prophecy. Efficient!
Now this type of personal prophecy that Jesus gave to Peter was recorded down in the NT after the events took place, 4 authors of the Gospels. However we see the prophecy was recorded down by Zechariah, from some 540-550 yrs before it happened. We know this to be true, Due to the fact that Zechariah was in the new temple at the time of his writing, which having been constructed in 515 BC (as history records) and was in operation.
What an awesome God we serve!
Now these disciples, were not the brightest bulbs, or all the smartest. But they could have and should have been prepared with what Jesus taught them for the past 3 years, and on this very night repeated that His hour had come, and the betrayer was near, saying “you will all leave or be scattered.” It just shows how hard it is to live according to faith (“faith is the evidence of things unseen” Heb 11:1) and not according to the immediate empirical perception of every day reality. Even those people who lived with Jesus and learned right from him daily had a hard time and struggled to abandon the default setting – human viewpoint. Take heart so that you do not faint!
Principle– Fear has a way of bringing out the worst in us, if we are not grounded in Bible Doctrine. BUT, the positive believer, who does not fear, can take full advantage of a “more abundant” life, through Christ, who gives him or her strength (Php 4:13).
Our goal is to be so grounded in doctrine, so occupied with Christ, through His word circulating in our stream of consciousness at all times, that instead of human viewpoint dominating with periods of fellowship and divine viewpoint, fellowship and divine viewpoint dominate with periods, smaller and smaller, of human viewpoint and/or carnality. Now you can see why it is absolutely vital that we take in doctrine DAILY, consistently, and why doctrine must be priority #1 (or else we won’t). But we must not only take it in but believe it absolutely and live in it. It must be more real to us than our sensory experience.
Fear is not only something that is harmful but it is a sign of malfunction in the spiritual life of the believer. This is why it is a sin. Some say “the Bible says ‘Do not fear’ 365 times”. While this is clever and I get what they mean, it actually says it over 200 times. But, I think that is more than enough to make it clear that we are not to live in fear!
Everyone is afraid sometimes, but if we have residence and status quo function in the PPOG [predesigned plan of God] and 10 PSD’s [the problem solving devices], our immediate response (not reaction!) to experiencing fear should be to rebound, faith-rest, and recover, until this becomes automatic. Persistent fear is a sin because it means we aren’t living inside God’s plan. We either aren’t learning, metabolizing, or applying doctrine on a consistent basis. When God says to do something or not to do it, it isn’t a suggestion, it is a command. Disobeying that then is a sin. God gave us a way to overcome fear, and if we are using it, we can do so. Simple as that! When the sheep were scattered, it was because they were afraid and failed to respond with doctrine, instead reacting with emotion and panic. Let this be a lesson!
Our Lord shared with the disciples, through His teachings, that this is what was going to happen, but panic set in FEAR took over. It was fear that caused Peter to deny the Lord three times even thought he had swore he wouldn’t, and I’m sure he was sincere, but he was speaking from a calm mind at that moment. But in the chaos and shock and danger, fear took over.
Emotion and thinking are mutually exclusive. You are either thinking or emoting. As soon as emotion takes over, as soon as you allow it to take over, thinking is disabled. It’s like a circuit-breaker: once it’s flipped, you’re operating on primitive self-preservation, you’re operating on the amygdala and limbic system, for the neuroscience nerds. Those are the so-called “primitive regions”. It’s what you operate on when you’re panicking or hysterical, or when you’re drunk. You aren’t thinking critically or rationally, if at all, so you definitely aren’t thinking doctrine. That’s all out the window. No matter how much you have or how many years you have been studying, it’s simply inaccessible. This is why we have to train and condition like the Olympic athletes (1 Tim 4:7-8), and we have to train hard, so that when the unexpected happens we don’t lose our RMA and resort to “mob mentality” along with everyone else.
We all like to think we would never do like Peter did, but how do we really know? Have we really been tested? Spiritual maturity is never more visible than in a major crisis. This is our best time to glorify God in the sight of others, to show the unbelievers and casual believers that doctrine DOES work, that the Word of God IS alive and powerful!
Hard lesson for Peter – If the Lord says something is going to happen, it will happen.
Prophecy: stated in His Word … Do not doubt it, stay alert and be prepared.
For we know: The Lord is ALWAYS Faithful! His faithfulness takes up the slack when ours fails.
2 Thes 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
1 Cor 1:9 “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Ps 100:5 “For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.
Here is #4: and we are staying with Zechariah.
4). The price of His betrayal was also foretold by Zechariah.
Prophesied: Zec 11:12
Fulfilled: Mat 26:15
Zec 11:12 “And I said to them, ‘If it is good in your sight, give {me} my wages; but if not, never mind!’ So, they weighed out thirty {shekels} of silver as my wages.”
The new shekel in Israel right now is worth about $0.31 US dollars so that would mean about 30 shekels would be close to $10 dollars… wow, doesn’t seem like much.
But we must take it for when the Scritpure was written and in the times of Christ being betrayed.
During this time, 1st century, it was said to be fragments of silver. So, not like today, when we have 1 troy oz coins or even fractional coins (those that collect precious metals). The shekel in weight and value, is important for us to understand that Christ was sold out for a “robbers price”. This is cool stuff here! This is where you really begin to see how amazing the Bible is, and the divine origin of it becomes clearer.
What do I mean by robbers price? They would take what they could get, even if it was a nominal value. Usually they would bargain or haggle when they would pawn-off the stolen goods, or in this case the betrayal of Judas giving up Jesus Christ.
½ shekel annually tax paid for the upkeep and maintenance for the Temple and was common in 1st century. Incidentally, this was in addition to the various tithes which were also for Temple maintenance and were a kind of tax which was enforced. Tithing was for Jews only as part of the Mosaic Law, and was for the physical Temple. Modern impositions of such tithes upon Church Age believers is not Biblically legitimate as we are not under the law and there is no physical Temple. Now, this is the same type of coin that Peter found in the fish’s mouth of Mat 17:24-27.
This same shekel payment was said to be a slave’s wage; for unskilled labor. Now that is important, as we will see in just a moment.
With all this in mind we come to the conclusion that the 30 pieces or shekels of silver are approx 12 – 15 oz of silver, or worth about 300-325 dollars in those days. Now just remember that may have seemed more valued at that time, which became a sure baiting that Judas would take when we see the fulfillment. ( I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse! – Godfather style)
But let’s go back and see the Prophecy in Zechariah 11:4-14
Zec 11:12 “And I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give {me} my wages; but if not, never mind!” So, they weighed out thirty {shekels} of silver as my wages.”
In the prophecy of Zecariah 11, he was to be Shepherding the “doomed flock of Israel”.
Zec 11:4 “Thus says the Lord my God, ‘Pasture the flock doomed to slaughter.’”
God knew that they would reject the Messiah and were facing doom to the point of betrayal. They were turning their back on God, an obstinant kind of people. But out of mercy God tried to provide for them, they did not want to hear or accept the shepherd God sent them – due to Negative volition!
The flock, or nation, even though they got the Temple complete and operating (finally), would not receive Zechariah as their shepherd. However, as a shepherd, Zechariah was entitled to ask for his wages or pay, since they were collecting money from people for this reason. But they showed their arrogance and contempt for him – and God by proxy – by paying him a standard slave’s wages. It’s almost like leaving a waiter or waitress a penny tip to show them that their service was unacceptably poor. It’s a deliberate message. But again, they see only the man, they do not see God. But it is God whom they are disrespecting.
Zechariah was so taken back and disgusted for being given “a slave’s wage”, (remember I said we would get to that), He, along with the Lord in Zec 11:13, said ‘throw it back at them.’ Refuse it, and very sarcasticlly:
Zec 11:13 “Then the LORD said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.’”
Reminds us of an important principle:
1Ti 5:17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
1 Ti 5:18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
We will see in the next prophecy, what Zechariah did with the money, but you know the story, right … He threw it back into the house of the Lord (for the potter). Should ring a bell….
Zec 11:12 prophecy
Fulfilled in total accuracy: Mat 26:14-15
“Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me to deliver Him up to you?’ And they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver.”
Now, like most people that God brings in to fulfill prophecy, they do not even realize they are doing so. If the Pharisees realized this was all a fulfillment of scripture which would add evidence to the truth and veracity of Christ’s claim, they surely would have changed the price! But that is the glory of our God – even what His enemies do in their efforts to thwart His plan only acts to further it, in spite of them, including Satan. God always wins and His plan is always accomplished, to His good pleasure (Isa 46:10).
With this in mind, remember that: Judas manages the disciples’ finances, which gives him ample opportunity to steal (Jn 12:6). Judas’ personal choices (all of which are foreknown by God) make him the perfect candidate for the job, and so God has placed him in the company of the disciples. God’s perfect plan without violating Judas’ free will. God doesn’t make Judas to be this way, rather, He gave Judas free will even knowing that Judas will use his for evil purposes, but God’s perfect plan has a purpose for ALL things and makes all things to work together for His own glory. He never needs to violate free will, He just providfes the opportunities and lets us follow our volition in the predictable ways. That is His incomparable genius! Prophecy really gives us an insight into this.
Acts 1:16 “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.”
At this point, Judas is thinking I’ll seek whatever I can get, this guy is going to eventually get killed and I don’t want to be associate with Him. Judas has invested time and already getting to steal from being in charge of the finances (John 12:6), but he still needs to get something out of it and Judas just cannot walk away.
Judas plays his part according to his greedy and petty nature, and while it is all part of God’s plan, this does not mean that he has not committed a monolithic wrong. He will suffer for it under the law of volitional responsibility.
Mat 26:24 “The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”
Interesting fact that: “Judas” is the Latin form of the Greek translation of the Hebrew “Judah.”
Here is one more thing about this prophecy that I saw in Zec 11 that will lead us into another one of the prophecies as we will see:
In Zec 11 – We had the mention of 2 different staffs that would be broken by the prophet.
The first one was called “Favor” when it was broken, that Which represents that Israel is no longer in favor of God.
The second, called “Union”, was broken and represented the brotherly (or friend) relationship between Judah and Israel (Judas and Jesus). Fractured kingdoms but also Judas’ separation from Israel or God’s chosen people, solidifying His betrayal of Jesus Christ and Judas being the Son of Perdition.
5.) Then, Zechariah also foretold what would be done with the betrayal money.
Prophesied: Zec 11:13
Fulfilled: Mat 27:3-7
Zec 11:13 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter, {that} magnificent price at which I was valued by them.’ So I took the thirty {shekels} of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord.”
Mat 27:3–8 records that after condemning Jesus, Judas “changed his mind” and tried to return the thirty pieces of silver the high priests had paid him to betray Jesus. The priests did not want to return the “blood money” to the treasury, so they used it to purchase a place to bury foreigners; thus, it “has been called the Field of Blood to this day” (Mat 27:8 ESV). The cemetery existed at the time of Matthew’s writing and that people in Jerusalem associated it with those who had died in unfortunate ways (though it was used to bury foreigners).
“Akeldama ( Hak-el-da-mach). A field outside Jerusalem that Judas purchased with the 30 pieces of silver he received for betraying Christ and that received its name (meaning “field of blood”) from its being the site of Judas’ suicide (Acts 1:19).
Akeldama appears as the name of a field in both Matthew and Acts. In contrast to Acts 1:19, where the Aramaic name is transliterated, Mat 27:6–19 gives only the Greek translation of the place name—”Field of Blood” (ἀγρὸς αἵματος, agros haimatos)—without the added appellation of Akeldama (Ἁκελδαμάχ, Hakeldamach)
.
Location and History
Eusebius and Jerome both mention the field and locate it south of the Valley of Hinnom southeast of Jerusalem. Elsewhere, Eusebius places it north of Mount Zion, but Jerome later places it south of the mountain. This traditional location south of the Valley of Hinnom would place the field near where the Valley of Hinnom and the Kidron Valley come together. The field, made of red clay, was called the “Potter’s Field.”
During the 12th century ad Crusades, the fifty or more patients who died each day in the Knights Hospitaller hospital in Jerusalem were buried in the field. The hospital, now a ruin, is on the south side of the Valley of Hinnom; it covers several natural grottoes that were once used as sepulchers. On the northern end a large ditch—68 feet long, 21 feet wide, and 30 feet deep has been dug; the bones and rubbish, accumulated there over centuries, form a layer approximately 10 to 15 feet thick.
Today, Akeldama is a square sepulcher. The southern half is formed from excavated rock, while the other half is masonry. A pillar of rough and polished stones stands in the center. Most of the clay was hauled away by Empress Helena and other Christians in order to make sarcophagi.
The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.
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