Destruction of Jerusalem
605 BC — Jerusalem
Fulfilled
God told Jeremiah to announce Jerusalem's coming destruction by invaders from the north.
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Reality: Fulfilled with Babylon's attacks, total destruction of Jerusalem and temple in 586 BC.
70 Years of Babylonian Captivity
605 BC — Jerusalem
Fulfilled
This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation for their guilt.
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Reality: The Babylonian captivity lasted from approximately 605 BC to 535 BC — about 70 years. Babylon fell to Persia in 539 BC, and Cyrus allowed Jews to return.
Righteous Branch of David
600 BC — Jerusalem
Fulfilled
The days are coming when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. He will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.
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Reality: Christians believe Jesus, born of David's line, is the righteous Branch and eternal King prophesied by Jeremiah.
Return from Babylonian Exile
597 BC — Jerusalem
Fulfilled
When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you — plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
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Reality: After 70 years, Cyrus the Great issued a decree in 538 BC permitting the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.
Prophecy Against Elam — The Breaking of Iran's Power
597 BC — Jerusalem
Partial
This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning Elam: "I will break the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might. I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of heaven; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam's exiles do not go. I will shatter Elam before their foes. I will bring disaster upon them, even my fierce anger. I will pursue them with the sword until I have made an end of them. Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come." (Jeremiah 49:34-39). Elam corresponds to southwestern Iran, precisely where the Bushehr nuclear reactor is located today. The Iranian diaspora of 5+ million scattered across the world may represent a partial fulfillment of "scattered to the four winds." This is the only biblical prophecy that specifically mentions Elam/Iran in the context of the last days.
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The New Covenant
590 BC — Jerusalem
Fulfilled
The days are coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
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Reality: Christians believe Jesus established the New Covenant through his death and resurrection, replacing the Old Covenant of the Mosaic Law with grace.
Rachel Weeping for Her Children
590 BC — Jerusalem
Fulfilled
A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.
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Reality: King Herod ordered the massacre of all male infants in Bethlehem after learning of Jesus' birth, fulfilling this prophecy of mourning.
