In this daily Bible reading is the account of the King of Assyria marching on Jerusalem, intending to capture and destroy the city. The Assyrian army greatly outnumbered the army of Judah. They had defeated other nations, including Israel’s 10 northern tribes. Now, Assyria was intending to defeat Jerusalem.
Hezekiah was King of Judah at that time. King Hezekiah’s response to the threat was to turn to God for protection. So, Hezekiah humbled himself and prayed for God’s help. God spoke to Hezekiah through Isaiah the Prophet and said that Assyria would not prevail over Judah. Furthermore, not even a single arrow would be fired at Jerusalem.
Isaiah’s prophecy was precisely fulfilled. Not a single arrow was fired at Jerusalem. God’s angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers during the night before they were to attack. This incident saved Jerusalem. It also validated Isaiah as a true Prophet in Judah.
Isaiah related God’s message to Judah and spoke of future events. The Bible says that the test of a true Prophet is the fulfillment of prophecies. It is not possible to test a Prophet’s distantly future prophecies. However, it is possible to judge a prophet who prophesy’s local events. The Assyrian threat was a local event which validated Isaiah’s standing as a true Prophet.
Isaiah’s prophecies also include God’s future judgment on the entire world, and Jesus Christ returning to King of the Earth for 1000 years. Isaiah was proven to be a true Prophet. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that God’s judgment and Jesus’ return will happen as prophesied.
