Hi all:
The following discussion is based upon a question raised by “Larc,” under another thread posted earlier. It was interpreted that I could not answer the question. The question was then, followed up by “Circare” to the effect that I should comment upon it for the benefit of others who may be listening.
I have decided to respond.
These are the actual quotes, asked of me.
...One minor point. You said that Jehovah could have a prophecy fulfilled many times. Well, yes I supposed he could, but has he? If so, could you find a prophecy in the Bible that has been fulfilled many times and list each of the fulfillments?
To which, “Circare” made the following observations about the above question that I initially, refused to address for my own reasons.
...Larc asked a logical question that deserved an honest answer. I also wanted to know the answer to that question. Larc did not say he did not believe prophecy had merit. Larc did not say he had more faith in science than the Bible. Larc did not say he did not have faith in the bible or in God…MDS why waste time in a diatribe against Larc instead of answering the question he asked. Do you not think the answer could have been faith strengthening? (Note: I did not say ‘faith giving’ but ‘faith strengthening’)
On the above basis, I have decided to start a new thread on this very subject, since the old thread where this discussion was first brought up, was getting too long for anyone to keep up with.
My response:
Hosea 11:1 which says:
“When Israel was a boy, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”
Just that last part, the “out of Egypt I called my son” part.
How many fulfillments can we realize, by way of exercising faith, up this particular prophecy, I ask?
How many? One. Or, more than one.
The Watchtower Society has already pointed to “Two” fulfillments.
1) Exodus 4:22, 23 says: “And you say to Pharaoh, This is what Jehovah has said: Israel is My Son, my firstborn. And I say to you SEND MY SON away that he may serve me.”
Israel, the nation as a whole, is spoken of as a “son” to God, who must be sent away from Egypt.
2) Matthew 2:14,15 which says: “So he got up and took along the young child and its mother by night and withdrew into Egypt I called my son.”
Jesus, the “Son of God,” called out of “Egypt” as a child. A well-known and accepted fulfillment by many, besides the WTS.
These are the two fulfillments of the scripture, prophecy the Watchtower Society and Jehovah’s Witnesses, and many others will point to.
However, could there more?
What about this one?
3) Isaiah 11:11 which says: “And it must occur in that day that Jehovah will again offer his hand, A SECOND TIME, to acquire the remnant of his people who will remain over from Assyria AND FROM EGYPT and from pathros and from Cust and from Elam and from Shinar and from Hamath and from the islands of the sea.”
Why does the prophecy say Jehovah offers His Great Hand of deliverance, “a SECOND TIME” that’s a second time, to acquire the remnant of his people “Israel,” from … EGYPT?
Why?
Which “Israel,” which “remnant of Israel,” then, are wetalking about here?
Is there ANOTHER, modern-day “Israel,” possibly in slavery, captivity to another modern-day “EGYPT” of our times – Jehovah God, again, acts as the Great Deliverer?
Go, Jehovah, offers His Hand a “second time” … to deliver “Israel,” His “Son,” the “remnant,” from OPPRESSIVE EGYPT, the Bible says.
Is this possible?
Could there be yet, another fulfillment AGAIN, of the Grand prophecy of Hosea 11:1, all over again?
How many escapes from “Egypt” will God’s People, “Israel,” actually have?
Further, after this even, could there be even more fulfillments of that particular prophecy from Hosea 11:1?
Could there be more?
Any comments...
MDS
"...Jehovah, who has put faith in the THING HEARD (the "REPORT") by us?[/i] -- Isaiah 53:1; John 12:38 NWT Ref. Bi fnt
Edited by - MDS on 31 January 2001 19:53:12