Home More advice Religion, Spirituality & Folklore
Through the prophet Isaiah, who lived in the eighth century B.C.E., Jehovah foretold that the city of Babylon would be destroyed. (Isaiah 13:19; 14:22, 23) Details were given to show just how this would happen. Invading armies would dry up Babylon’s river and march into the city without a battle. That is not all. Isaiah’s prophecy even named the king who would conquer Babylon—Cyrus.—Isaiah 44:27–45:2.
Some 200 years later—on the night of October 5/6, 539 B.C.E.—an army encamped near Babylon. Who was its commander? A Persian king named Cyrus. The stage was thus set for the fulfillment of an amazing prophecy.
The Babylonians were holding a festival that night and felt secure behind their massive city walls. Meanwhile, Cyrus cleverly diverted the water of the river that flowed through the city. Soon the water was shallow enough for his men to cross the riverbed and approach the walls of the city. But how would Cyrus’ army get past Babylon’s walls? For some reason, on that night the doors to the city were carelessly left open!
Regarding Babylon, it was foretold: “She will never be inhabited, nor will she reside for generation after generation. And there the Arab will not pitch his tent, and no shepherds will let their flocks lie down there.” (Isaiah 13:20) This prophecy did more than predict a city’s fall. It showed that Babylon would be desolated permanently. You can see evidence of the fulfillment of these words. The uninhabited site of ancient Babylon—about 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq—is proof that what Jehovah spoke through Isaiah has been fulfilled: “I will sweep her with the broom of annihilation.”—Isaiah 14:22, 23.
A case in point is the prophecy regarding the fall of Babylon, which is recorded in the Bible book of Isaiah. Some 200 years before this event took place, the prophet Isaiah predicted in a detailed and accurate way the overthrow of Babylon by Medo-Persia. The prophecy disclosed that the conqueror would bear the name Cyrus, and it revealed the very strategy of drying up a moatlike river defense and entering a fortified city through open gates. All of this was accurately fulfilled. (Isaiah 44:27-45:2) It was also correctly prophesied that Babylon would eventually be totally uninhabited.—Isaiah 13:17-22.
The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David. (Isaiah 9:7) Jesus was indeed born in David’s line.—Matthew 1:1, 6-17. Micah, another prophet of God, foretold that this child would eventually become a ruler and that he would be born in “Bethlehem Ephrathah.” (Micah 5:2) At the time of Jesus’ birth, there were two towns in Israel that were named Bethlehem. One was situated near Nazareth in the northern region of the country, and the other, near Jerusalem in Judah. Bethlehem near Jerusalem was formerly called Ephrathah. Jesus was born in that town, exactly as the prophecy foretold!—Matthew 2:1. Another Bible prophecy foretold that the Son of God would be called “out of Egypt.” The child Jesus was taken into Egypt. He was brought back after the death of Herod, thus fulfilling the prophecy.—Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15.
XOXO Heidi
I do not know the real answer to your question. My totally biased answer would be that some of the people in the stories may have been real, but the stories themselves are horribly dramatized and stretched to fit the religion. An example, Jesus may have been a real man, but I do not believe that any of his acts that are against the rules of nature are true. Some advice when looking for answers to this question; make sure your source is as unbiased as possible. A believer will most likely look for evidence that fits his belief, a nonbeliever will most likely be looking for truth in the stories, not in the magic. (Example, the new research on David) There are many arguments about many of the different stories. A historian or archeologist author would be a good place to start, the hard part will be finding an unbiased source until more evidence is available. One last piece of advice, which I don't really think you need ;) ; always ask for evidence! Hope somebody else can be more helpful than me, and good luck in your searching!
One thing that you must realize about the bible is that it has undergone thousands of changes since it was first formed somewhere between 300 and 400 AD. before that time, there were thousands of christain writings out there but there was yet to be a bible. then during the time of the formation of the bible, there were many different minor sects of christianity that had radical ideas that were very different than the catholics beliefs. the catholics had then gathered as many of the religious writings as they could and they chose which ones that they believed would allow them to gain more loyal followers. they would alter small parts of the text to make the different books match up more and that has been happening since. there are even christain writings that were taken out of the bible as recently as the late 19th century. one other thing is that they had a much more limited vocabulary. they would have to use animals or objects to describe much more complex objects of events
As I said, the portion of the book of Isaiah which discussed Cyrus was not written 200 years before his lifetime, as most scholars now agree. It was written much later, most likely while Cyrus was actually alive. The Romano-Jewish historian Josephus even suggested Cyrus was aware of the Jewish prophecies concerning him and they influenced his actions. The Bible does not record anywhere the details concerning Babylon's fall. I must repeat that Isaiah 44:27-45:2 is referring to JERUSALEM, not Babylon. Also, Babylon was not abandoned permanently as a result of the Persian takeover (an event which was NOT predicted by the book of Isaiah, since that book said the city would fall to the Medes). Babylon would remain an inhabited city for years later. Simply repeating a belief does not affirm its truth.
Isaiah did not predict the details of Babylon's fall or the rise of Cyrus centuries before it all happened. Scholars have long known Isaiah was written by multiple authors, and chapters 40-55 were written in the later part of the Babylonian captivity, probably during Cyrus' lifetime. Isaiah 44:27-45:2 is talking about waters drying up for the rebuilding of Jerusalem; it makes no reference to Babylon or the capture of it. Isaiah 13 is prophesying the Medes would take Babylon, but they did not; it makes no reference to the Persians.
All of the Bible is true. All of the prophecies about Jesus' life came true while He was here on earth, and look around you! The endtimes are happening now! So I believe that all the prophecies that were put down by the prophets have either come true, and you can research them in the Bible and cross-reference it with other writings, and all the prophecies that have not occured yet will, and soon!
There are several references to real people and events in the Bible. A good example is the Battle of Carchemish around 600 BCE, which reshaped much of the power structure in the Middle East. But certainly, archaeology has either disproven or failed to support many events in the Bible, such as the siege of Jericho, the Exodus from Egypt, and the existence of Solomon's Israel as a regional power.
It has nothing to do with belief. My response was based largely on taking the time to read the Bible verses you mentioned. If you pay closer attention, some of those verses do not say what you claim they say. Others require a greater literary analysis which you don't bother to give either. The words of the Bible have been twisted to support all kinds of views, and this is yet another example.
There is no mention of Jesus in any written record outside the Gospels, which were not eye-witness accounts, nor were they based on eye-witness accounts. The only outside source thought to mention Jesus was the Roman-Jewish historian Josephus, and his account has been corrupted beyond recognition. So, the existence of Jesus has never been established as historical fact.
And alllll you are doing is showing immaturity. Grow up! I noticed that you have alot of time on your hands,....maybe you should go do something prductive. ---that doesn't involve being a butthole. :D
Immaturity? First you say Jesus's existence has been proven, then you say it was just a random answer then you call me a 'butthole' XD you like to continuously embarrass yourself don't you?
It was a random answer. I didn't think about when I wrote it. Butttt.. I do know that He's real. So, whatever you all ant to believe---go right ahead! You're just wasting your time,btw.
Hey. Maybe Tiff was actually answering, and you guys arent being very nice about it, so she backed off and said she didnt care. Maybe she does, but try to be nice about it :)
I don't have to be nice to people who put stupid or random answers. And I don't give a f*ck whether she cares or not. I laughed because her answer was funny. :)
Jesus rising from the dead, Three days later Jesus healing the blind Jesus turning water in wine Jesus multiplying a little boys bread and fish
If that's what you want to believe than fine, no need to argue. But you should read the bible before you get your info from somewhere else(:
im being a butthole.. please leave. and yes, i do have a lot of time on my hands.. the problem?
I think that everything that was put in the bibble is true, all of it, or will become true.
Yeah, it doesn't matter. I just put random answers on different questions. no biggy
LOL. This was over 8 days ago. So let it goooooooo~
My mistake...I was wrong to take you seriously :)
well she can leave, as simple as that. :)
ok ok ok ok ok. I REALLY DONT CARE :)
that hasnt been proven..
Jesus being born,etc.
Jesus being born,etc.
Hahaha you fail Tiff.
Hahahahaha Tiff
lol. It has.
All of it
Top 7 Mindfulness and Spiritual Principles in Business Negotiations
What Do Religious People Have in Common?