Prophecy (700-681 B.C.)
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3 (NKJV)
Fulfillment
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD . . .” Matthew 3:1-3 (NKJV)
Comment
John the Baptist began his ministry before Jesus Christ started His ministry. He was the forerunner of Jesus Christ telling the crowds that the Messiah was coming. Flavius Josephus states that John “commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism” (Flavius Josephus. The Wars of The Jews. Book 5. Section 17). This prediction was given by the prophet Isaiah in 700-681 B.C. History tell us that John the Baptist did in fact come preaching repentance and baptism. The gospels tell us that John Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1-5).