
Originally Posted by
ForHisglory
Sorry, but this is where you are plainly wrong.
The general principle of Bible prophecy is that WITHIN the prophecy there is cohesion.
Sensationalistic-style speculation is usually created by linking passages which may or may not have any connection at all.
The hardest prophecy I have ever encountered is one that is explained in Matthew 1:22 & 23 which is quoting from Isaiah 7:14.
All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
From Isaiah 7:10 - 17
10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your[f] God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 And he[g] said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.[h] 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 17 The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria.”
Contextually there is nothing in this passage which speaks of a coming Messiah, except within the name Immanuel. For Isaiah and Ahaz it was about the coming destruction of Israel.
I personally can't find a Biblical principal which would cause me to see this passage as being a prophecy of the Messiah.
However Matthew has that it is about this thing.
Perhaps it is not as a prophecy, though Matthew's wording does suggest this.
Most other prophecies actually DO have a meaning which is ONLY found in the future and for the present hearers was beyond understanding as to what is meant.
For example Daniel 7 was basically meaningless. It speaks of the next kingdoms UNTIL the Messiah's kingdom is established and given to the saints.
Possibly they would get the first kingdom as the Persians under Cyrus, however after that...
It is because Biblical prophecy is NOT about the present generation alone, or even mainly about the present generation, that it is worth understanding, but requires maturity.
When Jesus spoke about the temple being destroyed, many of the disciples were dead. Those who had heard Him preach in the temple were dead. It was for a future generation.
It made sense, but only in a limited way.
Those however who were to live through it, saw and understood.
This was true of the prophecies of the time when the Messiah Jesus was to come. Many did not get it, and even living through it were not sure.
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