How many prophecies are there in the Bible?

This answer is contributed by Ray Konig, the author of Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Prophet, Jesus the Miracle Worker, and 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies.

By Ray Konig
Published: December 30, 2002.
Revised: August 17, 2024.

Question: A reader asks: "How many prophecies are there in the Bible?"

Response: The Bible has 1,817 prophecies, as in predictions about the future, according to J. Barton Payne in his book the "Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy." He breaks it down as 1,239 prophecies in the Old Testament and 578 prophecies in the New Testament, involving a total of 737 separate subjects. He identifies 8,352 verses of the Bible's 31,124 verses as containing prophecy, meaning the Bible is 27 percent prophecy.

Of all the books that have ever been written -- and by some estimates that amounts to more than 100 million since the dawn of writing -- the Bible stands alone as uniquely associated with predictive prophecy.

Many of the Bible's prophecies already have been fulfilled. The remaining prophecies are to be fulfilled in the future, when the Messiah arrives for the second time, for Judgment Day and to preside over the eternal Kingdom of God, which also is known as the Kingdom of Heaven.

The prophecies of the Bible cover topics such as the destruction and restoration of the land and people of Israel, the rise and fall of empires, and other milestones involving God's plan of salvation, culminating with the Messiah who is anointed to bring God's salvation to people throughout the world.

According to many commonly given estimates, there are at least 300 prophecies in the Bible about the Messiah. These are called Messianic prophecies, and you can learn more about them in my book Jesus the Messiah, or online at aboutbibleprophecy.com and about-jesus.org.

As for an overview of the various kinds of prophecies in the Bible, you can learn more about them in the book 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies, or online at Bible prophecies sorted by theme.

Also, you can learn more about the prophecies that Jesus, as a prophet, gave about himself, his followers, the land and people of Israel, Christianity, and how the world as we know it will come to an end when Jesus returns in the future for Judgment Day, in the book Jesus the Prophet, by Ray Konig, or online at Jesus' prophecies and Prophecies given by Jesus Christ.

© 2024 Ray Konig.

Ray Konig is the author of Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Prophet, Jesus the Miracle Worker, and 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies.

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