Evidences for the Inspiration of the Bible – Part 2

Evidences for the Inspiration of the Bible – Part 2
Prepared by: Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

Bold Defense of God's Word
In a world where the Bible is mocked as outdated, dangerous, or full of myth and error, Christians must be equipped to respond. First Peter 3:15 commands us to “always be ready to give a defense.” In Part 1 of this lesson, we saw that the Bible claims inspiration in over 2,500 places and contains a unified message about salvation across 66 books written over 1,500 years. Its scientific accuracy, as shown in Isaiah 40:22 describing the earth as a sphere, impressed even explorers like Columbus. Tonight, we continue our defense of the Bible’s divine origin with two more powerful areas of evidence: archaeology and fulfilled prophecy.

Archaeological Evidence Confirms the Bible
Archaeology repeatedly validates Scripture. Genesis 40 tells of Joseph interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker, involving the pressing of grapes into Pharaoh’s cup. For years, skeptics claimed this was an error—insisting there were no grapes in Egypt during that era. Ancient historians Herodotus and Plutarch both denied grape cultivation existed in Egypt in Joseph’s day. But archaeological discoveries have proven otherwise. Wall paintings from Egyptian tombs show grape harvesting and wine-making as early as 2500 BC. George Rawlinson of Oxford confirmed this with evidence from ancient monuments. Once again, archaeology affirms Scripture and disproves man’s claims. The Bible gets even the smallest details right—like grapes and camels—details often dismissed as unimportant, yet consistently vindicated.

Fulfilled Prophecy Proves Divine Origin
Perhaps the most powerful evidence for inspiration is fulfilled prophecy. Isaiah 41:23 challenged false gods to “show the things that are to come… that we may know you are gods.” Only the true God can foretell the future in detail. The Old Testament contains over 300 prophecies about Christ alone—all fulfilled exactly. But let’s consider two striking examples of non-Messianic prophecy.

The Fall of Tyre (Ezekiel 26)
Ezekiel 26 predicted the destruction of the powerful city of Tyre. The prophecy said many nations would attack it (v.3), its walls and towers would fall (v.4), its rubble would be cast into the sea (v.12), and it would become a place for spreading nets (v.5). These events unfolded in two waves: Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged Tyre around 585 BC, and 200 years later, Alexander the Great completed its destruction using ships from many nations. History records how Alexander literally scraped the city’s remains into the sea to build a causeway to the island fortress—fulfilling Ezekiel’s prophecy in every detail. Today, fishermen dry their nets where Tyre once stood. Who but God could foresee such specifics?

The Destruction of Edom (Jeremiah 49:16–18)
Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of Edom and its fortress city of Petra, carved into sandstone cliffs. In Jeremiah 49:16, God says, “You who dwell in the clefts of the rock… I will bring you down.” Petra seemed impregnable, nestled in mountains and accessible only through narrow passages. Yet it was overthrown—just as prophesied. God declared it would be uninhabited, and to this day, Petra remains a ghost city. Like Tyre, Edom’s fall was exact and total, proving divine foreknowledge.

Why This Matters
Fulfilled prophecy isn’t just fascinating—it is evidence that demands faith. Hundreds of prophecies, given centuries in advance, came true in perfect detail. This cannot be explained by chance or human prediction. God alone knows the end from the beginning. The Bible is not man's creation—it is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). When we read it, we are reading His Word.

Conclusion
Scripture is inspired, unified, accurate, and trustworthy in every way. From grapes in Genesis to kingdoms in Jeremiah, the Bible proves itself. And most importantly, it shows us how to be saved. James 1 says the implanted word can save your soul. Don’t let the world erode your confidence in it. Honor it. Believe it. Obey it.

Sermon Outline: Evidences for the Inspiration of the Bible – Part 2

• Introduction: Review of Part 1 – Bible’s unity, scientific accuracy, claims of inspiration
• Archaeological Evidence
  • Genesis 40:9–11 – Grapes in Egypt
  • Wall paintings and Egyptian tombs confirm cultivation
  • George Rawlinson, Oxford – Grapes and wine-making present since 2500 BC
• Fulfilled Prophecy
  • Isaiah 41:23 – Only God can predict the future
  • Ezekiel 26 – Prophecy of Tyre
    • Specifics: many nations, destruction by sea, site for spreading nets
    • Fulfillment: Nebuchadnezzar & Alexander the Great
  • Jeremiah 49:16–18 – Prophecy of Edom/Petra
    • Destruction of rock fortress
    • Fulfillment: abandoned to this day
• Why It Matters
  • Over 300 prophecies about Christ alone
  • The Bible is from God—not man
  • James 1:21 – It can save your soul

Call to Action
Do you believe this Book came from God? Then let it change your life. Study it. Share it. Submit to it. It holds the answer to your salvation, and every fulfilled prophecy is a call from God to believe. If you need to obey the gospel or ask for prayers, now is the time.

Scripture Reference List
Genesis 40:9–11
Isaiah 40:22
1 Peter 3:15
2 Timothy 3:16
Ezekiel 26
Jeremiah 49:16–18
Isaiah 41:21–23
James 1:21