Does prophecy support the Bible

The admin closed down the thread why does Jesus misquote the Old Testament before I had a chance to reply to the posts put up last night. Anyway if there were 50 hits in one day we must have been talking about something interesting even if it was off the original topic. So why not start a new topic and maybe we can continue.I did find some answers last night to Dan’s objection to this Generation this is one of the sites in the bible (King James Version) I looked up an explanation last night and found that the Hebrew word for Generation can actually be translated to mean race or Family This interpretation seems to be more likely since in Mark 13:10 it says Now obviously it would have been impossible to preach (as I have sometimes seen it) or publish the Gospel to all nations during Christ’s time or a literal interpretation of generation. But if it can be translated to say race then that would make sense. The Jewish race is still here and the prophecies are now coming true about them.

And if you'll recall, a major component of that thread was that the Bible is so chock-full of bad translations that it's nigh-on impossible to take it literally.As I was saying then... there are two options here:1) Attempt to read the Bible literally, as it stands in English. This is a terrible idea for Christians because, as you say, it makes it outright impossible for the Bible to be true.2) Futz around with metaphor and different translations, until you glean what meaning you can from the Bible. However, if you go this road, you will have to accept that it is your interpretation, no more or less valid than anyone else's. It is just as subject to human error as anything else, because it is a product of human reasoning and interpretive skills. In other words, "the Bible says" becomes "I think the Bible says".So before we continue, which do you want to go with? 1 or 2?[This message has been edited by Dan Carroll, 11-21-2003]

The bible can be translated, from the language it was written in. There are several ways some words can be translated so most good study bibles will explain alternative ways the bible could be interpreted. Obviously in this case the word generation had multiple interpretations but when you look at the context it makes sense. So I would say we can still interpret those parts of the Bible which are meant to be taken literally, literally. And the parts used as metaphors, like the parables, as metaphors.If The word generation can be interpreted as meaning race then the prophecies about Israel still fall within the time frame given.I also am posting this in response to someones post about Israel not occupying the land they were promiced. I don’t even find this in the bible. I did several searches. What I did find was this Also this about the 1967 six day war
Israel's victory was extremely devastating to the arabs, who expected victory for themselves. The fact that the war took only 6 days shows that Hashem is with Israel. The arab forces lost almost their entire air forces, and much of their armed weaponry. 10,000 Egyptians were killed in Siniai and Gaza alone, compared to the 300 Israeli casualties on that front. In all, Egypt lost about 11,000 troops, Jordan lost about 6,000, Syria lost about 1,000, and Israel lost about 700. Israel gained all of Jerusalem, The Golan Heights, Siniai, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank.http://members.aol.com/RChera/aftermath.htmlThis map shows all the lands that Israel gained after the war. Everything colored in yellow is what Israel gained.Israel was forced out of the land which was prophicied. Israel didn’t follow the Lord with all their heart so they were removed from the land they were promised.[This message has been edited by keith63, 11-21-2003]

We can take it literally. Jesus didn't think it important to explain the period of the generation. Also your not taking into account the other quotes we have looked up for you. Quite a few agree with our interpretation. But your right Dan we can take the words as they are written in english, and many many people see them as true.I think confusion starts when we start 'seeking' different hebrew words. No one here is probably hebrew so they probably just look for what will support their argument. Nevertheless I think your clinging on to the 'generation' argument, and ignoring our other quotes. Preaching to all the nations is a very good example.

Hello keith63,Mark 13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

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Originally posted by keith63
. . . if it (genea) can be translated to say race then that would make sense. The Jewish race is still here. . .

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However, this would also imply that the Jewish race will not be here once these things are finally done.Namaste'Amlodhi

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The bible can be translated, from the language it was written in.

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Then find a copy of the new testament, in the original hebrew, and we'll work from there.Until then, we have no way of knowing the exact original words.

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Obviously in this case the word generation had multiple interpretations but when you look at the context it makes sense.

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It also makes sense with the word "generation". It would just mean that Jesus was wrong.Same context, two different meanings.

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We can take it literally. Jesus didn't think it important to explain the period of the generation.

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You'd think he would, if he wanted his prophecies to be taken seriously.Wasn't he supposed to be all-knowing? Didn't he realize that bad translations would cause his prophecy to be misunderstood, unless he clarified?

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But your right Dan we can take the words as they are written in english, and many many people see them as true.

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Are bats birds?You can think they are all you want. A literal reading would demand that you think they are. Doesn't make it so.

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Nevertheless I think your clinging on to the 'generation' argument, and ignoring our other quotes.

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You can present an unending number of quotes, and it won't matter if the translation renders them meaningless.

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Preaching to all the nations is a very good example.

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Not really. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Christ says, "this will be preached to all nations." Those who believe in Christ's divinity say, "come on, let's go preach to all nations, so the prophecy will be true!" And lo and behold, it is preached to all nations.[This message has been edited by Dan Carroll, 11-21-2003]

Since these prophecies talk about the end of the age,"heaven and Earth will all pass away", then I would say ultimately you are right. But actually when all these things happen all the nations will gather to make war with Israel and will ultimately be defeated. The stage for this is already being set and even though it hasn't happened yet, it should be quite obvious that the way the world is now it would not be hard to imagine the world being against Israel. Except for the US there doesn't seem to be many friends left.

Never before possible until international travel, TV, Radio and the internet. We are just now to the point that every nation on earth can hear the good news of the gospel.

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Never before possible until international travel, TV, Radio and the internet. We are just now to the point that every nation on earth can hear the good news of the gospel.

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This doesn't even come close to addressing my point.

Not if you take the entire passage into consideration. It should be obvious which interpretation is correct when you look at the accompanying verses. Jesus, being all knowing, certainly would have known the bible couldn't possibly be preached to all the nations on earth before that generation passed away.

Sure it does. You said it was a self fulfilling prophecy and I said it could never have been fulfilled until now.

Were do you see this? I did a search and I can't find it. Give me a verse.

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Not if you take the entire passage into consideration. It should be obvious which interpretation is correct when you look at the accompanying verses.

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Why is that?Several possibilities:1) Jesus predicted correctly, but missed the mark by 2000 years.
2) Jesus was guessing, based on obvious predictions. (See Rei's posts in the other thread.) It didn't happen as fast as he thought.
3) Jesus was dead-on correct, and the rapture is nigh.You've made your interpretation clear. But it is your interpretation.

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Jesus, being all knowing, certainly would have known the bible couldn't possibly be preached to all the nations on earth before that generation passed away.

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The people of ancient Israel were not aware quite how many nations there actually were on the planet. He could easily have thought it would be possible.

That just begs the question. What you're saying is that he couldn't have intended to convey a relatively short duration since it happend in a relatively long duration and since Jesus must be omniscient he would've known that already. But the point is that we're calling into question the idea that Jesus is omniscient. You can't assume that he is as a basis for your argument.[This message has been edited by ::, 11-21-2003]