Biblical prophecies

[PetriFB]

Link: Biblical prophecies!

Prophecies can also be a channel of guidance. We have to take some things into consideration so that we can use them in the correct way, because otherwise we can easily get on the wrong track. Make a note of the following points:



Not the most important thing in guidance. Firstly, the most important thing in the use of prophecies is that they are not the main way guidance is given, only one of them. They have to stay on the background –not in the main role - when we are searching for guidance. Neither can they steal the place of the word of God or displace it, as might easily happen.

The main rule in use of prophecies should be that they usually only confirm what we already know - it rarely brings out anything new. It is unlikely, that God would first speak to others about our guidance. He most certainly always speaks about it first to our own hearts before telling it to us through other people's prophecies. This should always be the order.

What comes to different ministries in the church, it is good to understand that if all of the ministry is led by prophecies or new revelations, we are always led astray. Most of the heresies and false movements have their beginning in the wrong emphasis and use of prophecies. They have begun, because this gift (or perhaps an imitation of this gift) has been raised to the main role, though it should only be in a secondary role.

 

[DarkMagician]

Not supposed to post recipes yet.

Sorry, jumped the gun.

 

[UndercoverElephant]

"For I [God] will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem....." (Zech 14:2)

"All that burden themselves with it [Jerusalem] shall be cut in pieces, though all the people [nations] of the earth be gathered together against it." (Zech 12:3)

 

[Tricky]

Revelations 11
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there.
2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.
6 These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

Well this sort of thing would certainly stand out. Where the hell do you go to get sackcloth these days?

 

[Brainache]

So what's the difference between a biblical prophecy and a prophecy by Sylvia Browne?

This isn't a joke. I'm curious as to why people believe one and not the other.
Is it to do with the sincerety of the prophet? Money? The antiquity?

 

[gambling_cruiser]

The bible has a head start of two millenia against Sylvia Browne.
If mankind is really unlucky Sylvia will be a goddess - in two thousand years.

 

[gambling_cruiser]

Hey Petri, I know you must have been asked before, but can you sum it up for me why should I believe anything in the bible is more true than any other holy book?

 

[Azure]

Most of the prophecies you hear today, about the Bible, come from people who deem themselves 'worthy' of understanding something that doesn't make sense, to anyone.

For example, the rapture. Anyone who has read the Bible, or has grown up in a home that had some sort of Bible influence, will certainly know what the rapture is. What they don't know, is that the whole idea of the rapture was started by a Baptist boy, who was around the age of 17 and declared that God had given him a vision of what will happen in the 'endtimes.' Just like Joseph Smith got a 'vision' from God, so did this young Baptist boy.

Well we all know that such a thing is hypicritical, and not true, but sadly, the whole evengelical world has caught on to this 'endtimes' fascination, and seems to broadcast it even louder these days, despite their own hypocricy.

Even if one does believe what the Bible says, and takes it as 'cold hard fact' it is stiill impossible to 'predict' what will happen in the end times.' Anyone who has read Revalation will understand what I am talking about.

IMO, the whole "Left Behind" series was started as a pure money-making scheme. Sadly, way to many people have fallen to believe that what the books are saying will also happen in the 'end times.'

 

[JayT]

Sylvia Brown - Prophet To The Stars

So what's the difference between a biblical prophecy and a prophecy by Sylvia Browne?

This isn't a joke. I'm curious as to why people believe one and not the other.
Is it to do with the sincerety of the prophet? Money? The antiquity?

Excellent point.

I'd like to see one that can be concretely proven to have come true without having to interpret the words in especially just the right way to make it look that way.

LOL

No difference. Except the mouth that spews them. Same observed accuracy rate.

Sylvia Browne says that she talks to spirits - so according to the bible, she must be put to death for evil magic! Oh, my!

She's lucky she wasn't alive in 1692 in Salem. OUCH! Sylvia Fried Browne.

And what about false prophets ?

The bible says to test them all and put the false prophets to death.

But that creates a BIG problem for believers.

How do we know who is a false prophet?


Ezekiel 14:9
And if a prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet.

So why should I believe ANY prophets after reading that scripture when we cannot know who to trust. How do we know which ones have been deceived?

Doesn't the bible say that God cannot and never lies also ?

It sure does!

Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which GOD, THAT CANNOT LIE, promised before the world began. (emphasis added).

So how do we tell a false prophet from one that God lied to and deceived?
And should we kill him for being wrong because God lied to him. The same God who also says to kill a prophet who is wrong?

Is Sylvia breaking out in a cold sweat?

How may false Christian prophets were put to death, as per biblical dictate, when they predicted that God told them the end of the world was at hand and they led their blind sheeple into the mountains to seek safety from his divine wrath - which predictably never came - as per their hundreds of false prophesies over the years?

If I can prove that even ONE biblical prophesy was false, does that justify doubting the rest of the prophesies in the bible? And if not, why?

Joshua 17:18:
But the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.

Judges 1:19:
So the Lord was with Judah. And they drove out the mountaineers, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the lowland, because they had chariots of iron.


The LORD WAS WITH THEM but even He couldn't drive them out BECAUSE they had chariots of iron? He promised he would THOUGH THEY HAVE IRON CHARIOTS.

Not to worry, if there is a direct contradiction, apologists will invent a fantasy or twisted interpretation to get around it as usual.

"These two passages have several plausible ways of reconciliation. And, please remember that the exact way to reconcile any contradiction need not be pinpointed, as long as a possible way can be provided."

Apologetics Press :: Alleged Discrepancies

Translation:
This means that IF any possible excuse exists, we WILL find it or invent it rather than admit to any contradiction under ANY circumstances.

Plausable means something that merely sounds reasonable and believable, but has no obligation of being true and accurate - just seeming that way. Whether 'believable' or not depends on the gullibility of the person hearing the excuse. Intelligent people may differ on if or not something is plausible.

There are so many proven failed prophesies they could fill a book on their own!

Several lands He promised they would conquer were never conquered or even invaded at all and now those countries do not even exist anymore - that defines a failed prophesy.

And the plot thickens.

 

[Foster Zygote]

So what's the difference between a biblical prophecy and a prophecy by Sylvia Browne?

This isn't a joke. I'm curious as to why people believe one and not the other.
Is it to do with the sincerety of the prophet? Money? The antiquity?

Considering the number of people who believe Sylvia Browne and Bible prophecy I'd say the difference is minimal.

Steven

 

[Ossai]

Is it time for recipes yet?

 

[Meffy]

Revelations 11
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there.
2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."

n+1 And lo! It was seen that the number of days in a month was equal to the count of the fingers of both hands multiplied by the ancient Hebrew value of pi.
n+2 Yea, even six of one unto half a dozen of the other did I compare, and saw that they were as like as two mustard seeds;
n+3 Or if thou hast no mustard, ketchup seeds will do.

 

[Foster Zygote]

n+1 And lo! It was seen that the number of days in a month was equal to the count of the fingers of both hands multiplied by the ancient Hebrew value of pi.
n+2 Yea, even six of one unto half a dozen of the other did I compare, and saw that they were as like as two mustard seeds;
n+3 Or if thou hast no mustard, ketchup seeds will do.

That's the most confusing recipe I've ever read.

Steven

 

[HeyLeroy]

(snip)

The main rule in use of prophecies should be that they usually only confirm what we already know - it rarely brings out anything new. It is unlikely, that God would first speak to others about our guidance. He most certainly always speaks about it first to our own hearts before telling it to us through other people's prophecies. This should always be the order.
(snip)

That's the problem. You're saying that we can't understand a 'prophecy' until it's happened.

But who is to interpret?

Where in the bible does it explicitly mention, by name, Hitler or Napoleon? Nuclear bombs? The 11 September attacks?

Tell you what: Find a 'prophecy' that hasn't yet happened. Interpret it as you see fit, being as explicit with details as you possibly can. Date, time, place, names of those involved, etc.

When your prophecy has come to pass exactly as you've interpreted, you'll have made a convert out of me.

Didn't Jesus himself prophesy that the world would end soon after his death? All we've heard since is crickets.

 

[Meffy]

That's the most confusing recipe I've ever read.

You've not read my "Macaronic Verse" then. =^_^= Originally posted to the alt.callahans newsgroup:

Here is what the term macaronic verse means: http://www.quinion.com/words/weirdwords/ww-wei1.htm


-=( VERSUS MACARONICUS )=-

Per elboni farinae commencet pulmentum:
Caseo et botiro compaginatum.
Veritas! Grossum, rude, et rusticanum
Est baked macaroni and cheese.

Instructiones sunt breva: con whisk or con beata
Preparo un roux. Lactus add to make sweeta.
Unciae hexadecim comminutae Velveeta?!
They call that macaroni and cheese?

Quod reciptum! Optaro caseo cheddaricus.
In salsarum admixum pulvero mustardicus.
Particulae panae, papriqua hungaricus
Top my real macaroni et cheese.

Emplacere in panni or in suitable potto --
In caminus coqandi. Temperature moderato.
Bake adusque completo. Beware! Est per hotto!
Rufissimus macaroni and cheese.

Nunc patientia habere -- tepesco permissi.
Sed oportet non cunctatio nimiumissi
Pro eo populi te appello un sissi.
En patella! Macaroni et cheese.

Offero donum ad totus Callahandi.
Singularum vel garniti del iamboni fumandi,
Comestibilum plurimusus dandi --
Est meus macaroni and cheese.

[Victus servandum est.]

Meffius Ellius
____________________________________________

"Translation"
(doesn't rhyme worth a wet noodle;
doing that once was more than enough, believe me)

With wheat elbow pasta begins the savory dish:
Cheese and butter bound together
Truth! Fat, coarse and rustic
Is baked macaroni and cheese.

The instructions are brief: with a whisk or a beater
Prepare a roux. Add milk to make it sweeter.
Ounces sixteen of chopped-up Velveeta?
They call that macaroni and cheese?!

What a recipe! I prefer cheddar cheese.
Into the sauce I mix powdered mustard.
Breadcrumbs and Hungarian paprika
Top my real macaroni and cheese.

Place it in a pan or in a suitable pot --
In an oven cook. Moderate temperature.
Bake until done. Beware! Hot, very hot!
Red hot macaroni and cheese.

Now have patience -- let it cool.
But you must not delay too long,
Because of the fact folks will call you a sissy.
On your plate! Macaroni and cheese.

I offer my gift to all Callahaniacs:
Alone or garnished with smoked ham,
That edible most dandy --
It's my macaroni and cheese.

[Food is served.]

 

[JayT]

The Prophesies of the Wizards of Woo

That's the problem. You're saying that we can't understand a 'prophecy' until it's happened.
...
Tell you what: Find a 'prophecy' that hasn't yet happened. Interpret it as you see fit, being as explicit with details as you possibly can. Date, time, place, names of those involved, etc.

When your prophecy has come to pass exactly as you've interpreted, you'll have made a convert out of me.

Didn't Jesus himself prophesy that the world would end soon after his death? All we've heard since is crickets.

That's a point that I've made many times. And the prophesy of Jesus isn't the only one of the many that obviously failed. And prophets who fail are to be put to death, according to the same book. No wonder the prophesies are for beyond their lifetimes in most cases and often expressed in terms of cryptic nonsense with as many alternative interpretations as there are readers thereof.

As often with the so-called prophesies of Nostradamus, AFTER some event happens then the woos all claim it was predicted - by distorted retrofitting.

The same prophesies have often been used over and over again to predict several different events throughout history. So what value are such 'prophesies'?

Why can they never interpret them accurately in advance?

Why good are prophesies and what worthy purpose do they serve if one can't even understand their bizarre language and what the author is talking about?

I have a significant list of proven false prophesies. It only takes one proven falsehood in any so-called holy book to cast valid doubt on all the rest of the tripe contained within it and there are many, many that failed.

 

[JayT]

The Prophesies of the Wizards of Woo

That's the problem. You're saying that we can't understand a 'prophecy' until it's happened.
...
Tell you what: Find a 'prophecy' that hasn't yet happened. Interpret it as you see fit, being as explicit with details as you possibly can. Date, time, place, names of those involved, etc.

When your prophecy has come to pass exactly as you've interpreted, you'll have made a convert out of me.

Didn't Jesus himself prophesy that the world would end soon after his death? All we've heard since is crickets.

That's a point that I've made many times. And the prophesy of Jesus isn't the only one of the many that obviously failed. And prophets who fail are to be put to death, according to the same book. No wonder the prophesies are for beyond their lifetimes in most cases and often expressed in terms of cryptic nonsense with as many alternative interpretations as there are readers thereof.

As often with the so-called prophesies of Nostradamus, AFTER some event happens then the woos all claim it was predicted - by distorted retrofitting.

The same prophesies have often been used over and over again to predict several different events throughout history. So what value are such 'prophesies'?

Why can they never interpret them accurately in advance?

Why good are prophesies and what worthy purpose do they serve if one can't even understand their bizarre language and what the author is talking about?

I have a significant list of proven false prophesies. It only takes one proven falsehood in any so-called holy book to cast valid doubt on all the rest of the tripe contained within it and there are many, many that failed.

 

[Kopji]

Ok, a review.

A prophecy does not need to be true.
or predict the future,
but only makes us feel good about what we are doing.

got it.

 

[Aoidoi]

Ok, a review.

A prophecy does not need to be true.
or predict the future,
but only makes us feel good about what we are doing.

got it.

Sounds like the love life of a friend of mine...

 

[JayT]

Huh ???

Ok, a review.

A prophecy does not need to be true.
or predict the future,
but only makes us feel good about what we are doing.

got it.

I hope you are not serious.
LOL

If a prophesy is not true and does not predict the future, then what does prophesy mean?

If the bible is supposed to be true, then by definition, a prophesy must be true and come to pass as fortold.


prophecy // n. (pl. -ies)
1 a prophetic utterance, esp. biblical. b a prediction of future events (a prophecy of massive inflation).

2 the faculty, function, or practice of prophesying (the gift of prophecy).



prophet // n. (fem. prophetess)
1 a teacher or interpreter of the supposed will of God, esp. any of the Old Testament or Hebrew prophets.

2 a person who foretells events.