How clear is biblical prophecy?

[xdisciplex]

I have not really gotten into biblical prophecy because when I read these prophetic books I would even come to those conclusions which others come to, this is why I ask myself how clear these prophecies really are. People always point out to all the biblical prophecies which were fulfilled but how clear are they? Could one not also interpret stuff in the bible or could a prophecy not have several meanings?
For example the stuff with Israel being collected again and getting their own state back. How clear are these prophecies or could they also have meant something else? And how likely is it that the jews still exist after 2000 years? There are christian books which calculate the chances of such prophecies being fulfilled. I wonder how do you calculate the chance of the jews still existing after 2000 years and getting their state back? How do you do that?

And I also read that Israel being founded was mainly because of zionists. Does this mean that it is possible that these people simply founded Israel because they had the power to and God had nothing to do with it?

 

[genesis12]

A person not well-grounded in the faith can interpret the Bible anyway he or she wants to. The variety of interpretations abounding today are shining, negative examples of that truth. Bible prophecy is clear to those who are well-grounded in the faith. It is spiritually discerned, not mentally, not intellectually.

Zionists are Jews who want to reclaim the land God promised them in Genesis 12 and Genesis 15. There's nothing negative about being a Zionist. The negative aspect is the so-called "Roadmap" supported by the ill-informed western powers. Jews inhabited Canaan 4,000 years ago, following God's promise to Abraham. They lost "the land of milk and honey" through their unbelief in the promise of God to sustain them there. We don't calculate the possibility that Jews still exist; we read the Bible, including God's promise. Israel will again occupy all of the land described in the Genesis references, in spite of the foolishness of politicians.

 

[BobRyan]

I have not really gotten into biblical prophecy because when I read these prophetic books I would even come to those conclusions which others come to, this is why I ask myself how clear these prophecies really are.

Rule #1.
It is very EASY to read Bible prophecy and simply "make up a story" that goes with it.

And many do.

Rule #2.
Exegesis is very objective, very methodical, very accurate and FEW will engage in it -- prophecy or not.

Hint: It is much easier to simply engage in gratuitous "Story telling" than to exegete the text.

#3. Bible prophecy - especially apocalyptic writing -- uses keys or rules.

See Daniel 8 and you will see one rule explained clearly - "beasts" represent "nations" in Bible prophecy.

See Rev 17 and you will see another rule explained literaly "Seas" represent many nations kindreds tounges and peoples in apocalyptic literature.

In Christ,

Bob

 

[drfuss]

genesis writes:
"Bible prophecy is clear to those who are well-grounded in the faith. It is spiritually discerned, not mentally, not intellectually."


If Bible prophecy is so clear, why do we have pretrib, midtrib, posttrib rapture beliefs? Some even believe we are in the thousand year reign now. Perhaps the ones with each belief think his belief is clear to him.

Looking back at fulfilled prophecy is certainly more clear than looking forward.

 

[Jim1999]

It is as clear as mud. Just when you think you have it all worked out, someone stirs the pond and raises the mud again.

I know that Jesus is coming again,,,,the rest is His business. My business is to be ready.

Having said that, I am amil to-day!

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Eric B]

Zionists are Jews who want to reclaim the land God promised them in Genesis 12 and Genesis 15. There's nothing negative about being a Zionist. The negative aspect is the so-called "Roadmap" supported by the ill-informed western powers. Jews inhabited Canaan 4,000 years ago, following God's promise to Abraham. They lost "the land of milk and honey" through their unbelief in the promise of God to sustain them there. We don't calculate the possibility that Jews still exist; we read the Bible, including God's promise. Israel will again occupy all of the land described in the Genesis references, in spite of the foolishness of politicians.

And prophecy also says it will be God's doing, not man's. A major part of the problem is how/why the West got involved in the first place. We thought we were fulfilling the prophecy by moving Israel over there, and pushing out those who were already there, and it all stemmed from the English beating the Ottomans, who had had control over the land. Ultimately, we may had even more ulterior motives, as we wanted a foot in the area to get the oil. Now, we can deal with the Arabs directly and no longer need Israel, plus some realizing the wrongs often committed against the Palestinians; hence our seeming to "turn our back on Israel". But it was all humanly contrived all along. Imagine if someone came and took our land, claiming it was given to them in some ancient prophecy. This has often been misused int he past for such conquests. So we cannot just blame modern politicians and their "roadmap". We never should have gotten our hands in it in the first place.
Now, God may still use that as part of the fulfillment of prophecy, but that does not mean the way we did it was right, or that only modern pols withdrawing support are wrong.

 

[DeafPosttrib]

Jim1999,

Amen! Well saying! :saint: :thumbs: We as Christians know that Jesus is coming again. We do not know when. Let's God do His own business. We are get to be busy get ready for His coming. By the way I am amill today.

In Christ
Rev. 22:20 - Amen!

 

[BobRyan]

Eric -
And prophecy also says it will be God's doing, not man's. A major part of the problem is how/why the West got involved in the first place. We thought we were fulfilling the prophecy by moving Israel over there, and pushing out those who were already there, and it all stemmed from the English beating the Ottomans, who had had control over the land. Ultimately, we may had even more ulterior motives, as we wanted a foot in the area to get the oil.

I can't believe you really think that - let alone that you would post it.

How in the WORLD do we "GET OIL" out of Israel???!!!

What Arab country EVER said "OH WOW you are friends with Israel -- well that changes everything - take all the oil you want for free -- we won't SELL to YOU as we do to others since YOU are friends with Israel!"

 

[Eric B]

No, no, no; the Arabs have the oil, and we're trying to get it from them. Israel was being used to try to get a foothold in the area.