Prophecy?

[Vinayaka]

I read topics about prophecy, and it seems that for some, it's just such a basic tenet ... so basic it's presented as fact.

Personally, I don't believe in prophecy, the concept. The idea that someone can predict the future with any accuracy at all just seems odd to me. Sure, some stuff is obvious. We're all going to die. The sun will come up tomorrow. The weather changes.

But things like end time, the next coming of a prophet, avatar, all that, well, it seems a bit of a stretch. And often it seems folks, wishing to believe such a thing, go back and alter the wording, or scripture, using creative license, just to make it look like somebody somewhere made an accurate prediction. Then there are the arguments about it, seemingly endless arguments. I see little use in that too. Whatever will be will be.

I loved a teen novel called Dragonwings. In it a Chinese character often used the phrase ... "Maybe. Maybe not." That seems far more realistic to me. I'm happy with whatever future happens on this planet, and being a Hindu, this soul (certainly not this ego/personality) will likely see it.

If someone could accurately predict the future, why not go to the race track, and make yourself a bundle, then put it to charity? (just an example, but there would be some positive uses.)

So ... why do you believe in prophecy, as a concept? Or not, like me?

 

[Brickjectivity]

So ... why do you believe in prophecy, as a concept? Or not, like me?

I used to believe that prophets were people who predicted the future in order to prove that they were legitimately connected to the divine. Now I understand that to be a misunderstanding that is merely convenient for con artists and booksellers.

A prophet is someone who is moved very deeply by moral issues at times when most people don't notice those issues. If, for example, you have a society that regularly mistreats children, a prophet is someone who notices that and cannot accept it; and they will speak out against it to the point of getting themselves into lots of trouble. They are inconsolably moved and grieved by some wrongs. They are driven and will make waves and annoy people. They have difficulty accepting evils in society, somewhat like whistle blowers -- like our man Snowden from the USA. He just wouldn't shut up about something that was wrong even though everybody else was playing along.

 

[sooda]

I read topics about prophecy, and it seems that for some, it's just such a basic tenet ... so basic it's presented as fact.

Personally, I don't believe in prophecy, the concept. The idea that someone can predict the future with any accuracy at all just seems odd to me. Sure, some stuff is obvious. We're all going to die. The sun will come up tomorrow. The weather changes.

But things like end time, the next coming of a prophet, avatar, all that, well, it seems a bit of a stretch. And often it seems folks, wishing to believe such a thing, go back and alter the wording, or scripture, using creative license, just to make it look like somebody somewhere made an accurate prediction. Then there are the arguments about it, seemingly endless arguments. I see little use in that too. Whatever will be will be.

I loved a teen novel called Dragonwings. In it a Chinese character often used the phrase ... "Maybe. Maybe not." That seems far more realistic to me. I'm happy with whatever future happens on this planet, and being a Hindu, this soul (certainly not this ego/personality) will likely see it.

If someone could accurately predict the future, why not go to the race track, and make yourself a bundle, then put it to charity? (just an example, but there would be some positive uses.)

So ... why do you believe in prophecy, as a concept? Or not, like me?

There were schools for prophets all over Israel from about the time of Samuel.

Three of these schools, one at Gilgal, one at Bethel, and one at Jericho, are mentioned in the record.…

Most prophecy like Isaiah and Daniel were written after the fact. Vaticinium ex eventu is what its called.

Prophets weren't so much predictors as they were the conscience of the people.. Reminding them of a truth. .. and some must have been keen observers and political analysts.

 

[Vinayaka]

There were schools for prophets all over Israel from about the time of Samuel.

Three of these schools, one at Gilgal, one at Bethel, and one at Jericho, are mentioned in the record.…

Most prophecy like Isaiah and Daniel were written after the fact. Vaticinium ex eventu is what its called.

Prophets weren't so much predictors as they were the conscience of the people.. Reminding them of a truth. .. and some must have been keen observers and political analysts.

Thank you for the additional information on the second meaning, which is more like 'wise one'? Too bad there's two meanings.

 

[sooda]

Thank you for the additional information on the second meaning, which is more like 'wise one'? Too bad there's two meanings.

Brickjectivity's anwer was good.

 

[Vinayaka]

Brickjectivity's anwer was good.

Yes, it explains what a prophet is, but the OP was about prophecy, not that type of prophet. But for the record, I don't believe in prophets either, similar to a recent thread I made on infallibility. Frankly, I find it very bordering on superstition.

 

[sooda]

Yes, it explains what a prophet is, but the OP was about prophecy, not that type of prophet. But for the record, I don't believe in prophets either, similar to a recent thread I made on infallibility. Frankly, I find it very bordering on superstition.

I don't believe in prophets either... Worst case scenario they are con artists.

 

[Jainarayan]

I think there are people who are very astute and observant, maybe even in touch and in tune with things the rest of us are not. But actually predicting the future? Nah.The second and proper definition of a prophet, as used in the Bible and the Greek Oracles, to speak for the Gods, I'm not so sure about that either.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I read topics about prophecy, and it seems that for some, it's just such a basic tenet ... so basic it's presented as fact.

Personally, I don't believe in prophecy, the concept. The idea that someone can predict the future with any accuracy at all just seems odd to me. Sure, some stuff is obvious. We're all going to die. The sun will come up tomorrow. The weather changes.

But things like end time, the next coming of a prophet, avatar, all that, well, it seems a bit of a stretch. And often it seems folks, wishing to believe such a thing, go back and alter the wording, or scripture, using creative license, just to make it look like somebody somewhere made an accurate prediction. Then there are the arguments about it, seemingly endless arguments. I see little use in that too. Whatever will be will be.

I loved a teen novel called Dragonwings. In it a Chinese character often used the phrase ... "Maybe. Maybe not." That seems far more realistic to me. I'm happy with whatever future happens on this planet, and being a Hindu, this soul (certainly not this ego/personality) will likely see it.

If someone could accurately predict the future, why not go to the race track, and make yourself a bundle, then put it to charity? (just an example, but there would be some positive uses.)

So ... why do you believe in prophecy, as a concept? Or not, like me?

For me, time is an illusion of maya, therefore, prophesy is also illusory.

But your question does venture into free will and determinism argument. I am of the thought that a jivanmukta can see outside of time; outside the illusion of maya, and would have some idea that the perceived future is causal as a result of choice.

 

[Vinayaka]

For me, time is an illusion of maya, therefore, prophesy is also illusory.

But your question does venture into free will and determinism argument. I am of the thought that a jivanmukti can see outside of time; outside the illusion of maya, and would have some idea that the perceived future is causal as a result of choice.

Thanks. Yes, I agree with the second part as well. But it would just be a natural siddhi and rather unimportant to the siddhar (jivanmukti) himself. Not something he'd make a show about.

 

[Audie]

I read topics about prophecy, and it seems that for some, it's just such a basic tenet ... so basic it's presented as fact.

Personally, I don't believe in prophecy, the concept. The idea that someone can predict the future with any accuracy at all just seems odd to me. Sure, some stuff is obvious. We're all going to die. The sun will come up tomorrow. The weather changes.

But things like end time, the next coming of a prophet, avatar, all that, well, it seems a bit of a stretch. And often it seems folks, wishing to believe such a thing, go back and alter the wording, or scripture, using creative license, just to make it look like somebody somewhere made an accurate prediction. Then there are the arguments about it, seemingly endless arguments. I see little use in that too. Whatever will be will be.

I loved a teen novel called Dragonwings. In it a Chinese character often used the phrase ... "Maybe. Maybe not." That seems far more realistic to me. I'm happy with whatever future happens on this planet, and being a Hindu, this soul (certainly not this ego/personality) will likely see it.

If someone could accurately predict the future, why not go to the race track, and make yourself a bundle, then put it to charity? (just an example, but there would be some positive uses.)

So ... why do you believe in prophecy, as a concept? Or not, like me?

A person who believes in prophecy does not
understand or does not believe in cause and effect.

 

[Neuropteron]

I read topics about prophecy, and it seems that for some, it's just such a basic tenet ... so basic it's presented as fact.

Personally, I don't believe in prophecy, the concept. The idea that someone can predict the future with any accuracy at all just seems odd to me. Sure, some stuff is obvious. We're all going to die. The sun will come up tomorrow. The weather changes.

But things like end time, the next coming of a prophet, avatar, all that, well, it seems a bit of a stretch. And often it seems folks, wishing to believe such a thing, go back and alter the wording, or scripture, using creative license, just to make it look like somebody somewhere made an accurate prediction. Then there are the arguments about it, seemingly endless arguments. I see little use in that too. Whatever will be will be.

I loved a teen novel called Dragonwings. In it a Chinese character often used the phrase ... "Maybe. Maybe not." That seems far more realistic to me. I'm happy with whatever future happens on this planet, and being a Hindu, this soul (certainly not this ego/personality) will likely see it.

If someone could accurately predict the future, why not go to the race track, and make yourself a bundle, then put it to charity? (just an example, but there would be some positive uses.)

So ... why do you believe in prophecy, as a concept? Or not, like me?

Prophecies serves tor the benefit of both those initially hearing it and those in all future periods who would put faith in God's promises.
These prophesies assured them and us (since many Bible prophecies are being fulfilled in our time) that the passing of years and even centuries have not caused God to waver in his purpose of holding firm to his covenant and promises.

 

[Vinayaka]

Prophecies serves tor the benefit of both those initially hearing it and those in all future periods who would put faith in God's promises.
These prophesies assured them and us (since many Bible prophecies are being fulfilled in our time) that the passing of years and even centuries have not caused God to waver in his purpose of holding firm to his covenant and promises.

Why do you believe in these prophecies? You have some personal experience?

 

[sooda]

Prophecies serves tor the benefit of both those initially hearing it and those in all future periods who would put faith in God's promises.
These prophesies assured them and us (since many Bible prophecies are being fulfilled in our time) that the passing of years and even centuries have not caused God to waver in his purpose of holding firm to his covenant and promises.

Which prophecies specifically?

 

[sooda]

Why do you believe in these prophecies? You have some personal experience?

Encyclopedia Britannica has a very good article on the prophet jeramiah.

 

[sooda]

Jeremiah | Hebrew prophet

Good article on prophet Jeremiah

 

[loverofhumanity]

I read topics about prophecy, and it seems that for some, it's just such a basic tenet ... so basic it's presented as fact.

Personally, I don't believe in prophecy, the concept. The idea that someone can predict the future with any accuracy at all just seems odd to me. Sure, some stuff is obvious. We're all going to die. The sun will come up tomorrow. The weather changes.

But things like end time, the next coming of a prophet, avatar, all that, well, it seems a bit of a stretch. And often it seems folks, wishing to believe such a thing, go back and alter the wording, or scripture, using creative license, just to make it look like somebody somewhere made an accurate prediction. Then there are the arguments about it, seemingly endless arguments. I see little use in that too. Whatever will be will be.

I loved a teen novel called Dragonwings. In it a Chinese character often used the phrase ... "Maybe. Maybe not." That seems far more realistic to me. I'm happy with whatever future happens on this planet, and being a Hindu, this soul (certainly not this ego/personality) will likely see it.

If someone could accurately predict the future, why not go to the race track, and make yourself a bundle, then put it to charity? (just an example, but there would be some positive uses.)

So ... why do you believe in prophecy, as a concept? Or not, like me?

Thanks for bringing up this topic. You know my views so I don’t need to elaborate. Personally I’ve found prophecies a thrilling exploration of how God makes and keeps His Promises which I believe are relevant to us as far as guidance for this age.

The Holy Books are spiritual Books written in heavenly language and so many meanings were buried beneath symbols and metaphors. To discover that the Book Of Revelation has an entire chapter mentioning Muhammad and the Twelve Imams and even the duration of Islam, and the connected prophecies of all Faiths all point to a Figure Who at the end of the age would bring new guidance to humanity is indescribable.

I believe, many have tried to unseal the meanings of the books but have failed however in this day the seals have been broken so it’s very exciting to be able to finally understand all these prophecies.

It is my personal belief they lead in a direction. That they lead us to guidance for this age and how we can best solve many of our problems. The prophecies point is to assist us. And they do I believe but this is a very deep subject so that’s all I can mention in a short post.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Prophets and the one who gives them this power - God, both are products of human imagination. But I think answers from Brickjectivity and Sooda are good. Yes, If psychologists could help a person, why not a prophet trained in a school. The shamans and witch doctors, also belong to this group having practiced under masters for a long duration of time as apprentices before starting on their own. So what if one was supposed to give gifts to these "theyyars", don't we pay fee to a psychologist?

 

[wizanda]

why do you believe in prophecy, as a concept?

We shouldn't do beliefs down here in the Maya, as it leads to delusions, as they always contain a lie; knowing is subjective, thus we need to be able to show it objectively to be rational.

If someone could accurately predict the future, why not go to the race track, and make yourself a bundle, then put it to charity?

Prophecy isn't something self driven; it is given by the Source of reality to see what is going to occur.

When we learn to correlate future events by many references i.e. Mahapralaya, Frashokereti, Judgement Day, The Day of Lord, etc, which means exegetically assessing each, so we understand each context to correlate them, we can start to use objective data, as they're independent witnesses of the same event.

That one is more complex as it hasn't happened yet; whereas stuff that has happened we can itemize all the prophetic statements, and then correlate if it took place historically as written (exegesis).

Many people lead from eisegesis, as rather than accept reality for what it is, and recorded as (exegete), they make it become their belief; thus His-Story is a collection of people's beliefs about the past.

But things like end time, the next coming of a prophet, avatar, all that, well, it seems a bit of a stretch.

Because with out looking nothing becomes clearer.

In my opinion.

 

[Shantanu]

I read topics about prophecy, and it seems that for some, it's just such a basic tenet ... so basic it's presented as fact.

Personally, I don't believe in prophecy, the concept. The idea that someone can predict the future with any accuracy at all just seems odd to me. Sure, some stuff is obvious. We're all going to die. The sun will come up tomorrow. The weather changes.

But things like end time, the next coming of a prophet, avatar, all that, well, it seems a bit of a stretch. And often it seems folks, wishing to believe such a thing, go back and alter the wording, or scripture, using creative license, just to make it look like somebody somewhere made an accurate prediction. Then there are the arguments about it, seemingly endless arguments. I see little use in that too. Whatever will be will be.

I loved a teen novel called Dragonwings. In it a Chinese character often used the phrase ... "Maybe. Maybe not." That seems far more realistic to me. I'm happy with whatever future happens on this planet, and being a Hindu, this soul (certainly not this ego/personality) will likely see it.

If someone could accurately predict the future, why not go to the race track, and make yourself a bundle, then put it to charity? (just an example, but there would be some positive uses.)

So ... why do you believe in prophecy, as a concept? Or not, like me?

How long does one wait to see whether ones prophecy has come true or not. I made a few prophetic pronouncements 20 years ago and I am still waiting to see them realised. I cannot wait forever. I had visions of things to unfold in my life and they did but the outcome has not materialised. So I am against any idea of prophets and avatars who do good things as alluded to by a poster. That means that while God exists He does not have any mission for mankind to engineer the future. Never has done and never will as far as my knowledge is concerned. We humans attribute things to God's intervention and indeed revelation when it is all in our own minds and imaginations, even wishful thinking and delusions of grandeur of becoming a prophet or a messiah figure in history.

As far as my Hinduism is concerned I survive and exist in harmony with my fellow human beings and doing the right thing from day to day unconcerned about the future. That dharma will have to be enough whether or not it leads to salvation in the material world or spiritually.