Dr. Peter W. Stoner published a book called “Science Speaks” in 1969, and based on his background, he was an extremely accomplished and experienced mathematician. He was the Chairman of the Departments of Mathematics and Astronomy at Pasadena City College until 1953 and then became Chairman of the Science Division at Westmont College.
Although there are many Messianic prophecies; Dr. Stoner is perhaps best known for his analysis of just eight of them from his book “Science Speaks”. As he applied the modern science of probability to these eight prophecies regarding Christ, he says, “The chance that any man might have …fulfilled all eight prophecies is one in 10 to the 17th. That would be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.” (One hundred quadrillion).
The following is a great illustration of the magnitude of this number. Stoner suggests that “we take 10 to the 17th. silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now, mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly… Blindfold a man and tell him he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up (that one marked silver dollar.) What chance would he have of getting the right one?” Astronomically and unequivocally unlikely.
Stoner then concludes, “Just the same chance that the prophets would have had of writing those eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man…providing they wrote them in their own wisdom.”
Let me say it this way —– The fulfillment of Bible prophecy in the life of Jesus proves that the death, burial and resurrection occurred, and that Jesus is God in the flesh. Accept it, receive it, and believe it.
Dr. Stoner also analyzed major Bible prophecies and associated probability calculations concerning cities and nations. These included Tyre; Samaria; Gaza and Ashkelon; Jericho; Moab and Ammon; Edom; and Babylon. Again, the probability calculations for prophecy fulfillment are ‘staggering above staggering’.
Dr. Stoner even analyzed how the Bible was devoid of scientific error. He pointed out that his copy of Young’s “General Astronomy”, released in 1898, was full of errors. I say that because the Bible was written ‘hundreds of years ago’. Consider that the shape of the earth (Isaiah 40:22); gravity relevance (Job 26:7); atmospheric circulation (Ecclesiastes 1:6); ocean currents (Psalm 8:8); hydraulic cycle (Ecclesiastes 1:7, Isaiah 55:10); and thermodynamics (Psalm 102:25-26, Romans 8:1) are referred to, or supported by scripture. How long did it take man to figure out that the earth was circular, or that the scientific law of gravity existed? Dr. Stoner also understood that atomic physics proved that energy can be turned into matter, and matter into energy, and thus, he makes an exceptionally strong case for special creation with his well-developed information.
Let me say it this way —– The Bible is divinely inspired from the hand of God. Accept it, receive it, and believe it.
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ETERNITY AWAITS ALL MANKIND. LIVE LIFE IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY. DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST NOW AND IN ETERNITY YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID. —– TRUTH IS ABSOLUTE AND IT ALWAYS PROVES ITS COURSE.