A
theist website claims a list of 10 fulfilled prophecies on the the state of Israel. The author claims Israel's independence and its millitary victories as evidence for their fulfilment. These prophecies are now subject to your interpretation.
1. Israel will prevail over its enemies
Claim: Fulfilled: late 1900s
My Response: The claim here is that since Israel’s independence in 1948 Israel has prevailed over its enemies. The problem here is that Israel is surrounded by Arab nations and since 1948. Israel has been involved in several conflicts. Even though Israel has so far prevailed over its enemies (Owing much to support from the United States) it is still surrounded by Arab nations the situation is far from over.
2. The ruins of Israel would be rebuilt
Claim: Fulfilled late 1900s
My response: Israel has been conquered by many different armies and nations, culminating with the Ottoman empire. The problem I find here is that to me Israel has never been destroyed, and the evidence the author provides for the rebuilding of Israel comes in the form of advanced farming techniques which have been almost universal in application throughout the developed world. Nothing special in Israel’s case.
3. Ezekiel prophesied prosperity for modern-day Israel
Claim: fulfilled late 1900s
My response: The claim here is that Israel is enjoying prosperity since it has the highest GDP/capita of any nearby country. However Israel has a lower GDP/capita than the UAE and Israel’s statistics pale in comparison to largely secular countries such as Sweden.
4. Trees again would grow in Israel
Claim: fulfilled late 1900s
My response: Did they ever stop growing?
5. Isaiah said Israel's fruit would fill the world
Claim: fulfilled late 1900s
My response: It’s hard to narrow down the biblical definition of the word ‘fruit’ however since the author thinks that Israel’s fruit filling the world has to do with Christianity’s spread throughout the world. I’ll use that. Even though Christianity is the worlds largest religion secularization is ever increasing throughout the world. So Israel’s fruit has not entirely filled the world.
6. Jerusalem would become the world's most important religious site
Claim: Fulfilled Today
My response: For Jews, Muslims and Christians this point is hard to refute however I will point out that for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs their important religious sites may be located on the other side of the earth.
7. Egypt would never again rule over other nations
Claim: Fulfilled: 1967, etc.
My response: This is a hard one to refute since during these days of globalization it is very unlikely Egypt will have any incentive to attempt to conquer another nation (It would be too costly in terms of interdependence and loss of trade)
8. Zechariah prophesied the Jews return to Jerusalem
Claim: Fulfilled: 1967, etc.
My response: Many Jews returned to Israel when the Catholics in the 12th century began killing them. Today Jews are found throughout the world. Jews have been coming and going from Jerusalem for hundreds of years. Not all the Jews have returned.
9. Israel's deserts will become like the Garden of Eden
Claim: Being fulfilled now
My response: The garden of Eden is meant to be an untouched paradise where Adam and Eve once roamed, it had talking snakes and a tree that contained knowledge of good and evil. I’ve never been to Israel but doubt it bares much resemblance to it.
10. Isaiah foretold of the worldwide return of Jews to Israel
Claim: Fulfilled: late 1900s
My response: See 8
I’d be very interested to see if any of the theists on this board believe that any of these prophecies can be validated, maybe through a different interpretation of a quote, or by providing a different date for when the prophecy was fulfilled. Similarly I’d like to hear sceptics responses to these prophecies and their thoughts on their accuracy.
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