Isaiah's
Fourteen Aims of Prediction

by Yair Davidiy

As seen in the Book of Isaiah

The aim of Prophecy is to induce people to repent and to draw him closer to God. Biblical Prophecy predicts and these predictions can be categorized under distinct headings. Don Isaac Abarbanel was responsible for such a categorization.
Don Isaac Abarbanel (1437-1509) at various times was a minister and advisor to the several governments of his age in Europe (Spain, Portugal, Naples, Apulia, Corfu, Venice). He admired England which at that time was still only a small, sparsely populated country - the USA did not then exist. He was also a prominent Jewish religious authority and philosopher and a foremost Biblical commentator.  He considered the Book of Isaiah to be the most important of the Prophetical books in the Bible. In his opinion the Biblical Prophecy has 14 goals.  Isaiah addresses all 14 goals of Prophecy whereas each of the other Prophets deal with only part of them: each one having his own speciality.

The 14 goals to predict

1.  That God will take revenge from those who harmed Israel.
Cf. Isaiah 18;1.
 Iran has just falsely convicted a whole group of Jews of spying. Iran openly calls for the destruction of Israel. China and Korea appear to be helping Iran attain nuclear capacity. All the Moslem nations in effect believe in destroying the State of Israel. The American administration is pressuring Israel to commit suicide. The present Prime Minister of Israel appears to be assisting them in their anti-semitic efforts.

2.   That vengeance be taken against Edom and "Batsra" (i.e. Bosrah cf. Isaiah 34;6). Edom traditionally means Germany and Rome. "Batsra" was a major city of Edom. "Batsra" was often taken to mean Byzantium. Byzantium was located on the site of present-day Istanbul where Turkey meets Europe. Byzantium -Istanbul was also known as Constantinople. The Roman Emperor Constantine for administrative purposes divided the Empire making Byzantium the capital. Later Rome retained control of the western section of the Empire and Byzantium of the eastern. The eastern section used Greek (instead 0f Latin) and was dominated by Greek culture. Christianity also divided along Greek-Latin lines. Russia was converted from the Greek side. The Moslem Turks eventually overran Byzantium and so Russia came to regard itself as the guardian of Greek Orthodox Christianity and the Russian Tsars as heirs to the Eastern Roman Empire of Byzantium. cf. Isaiah 34;1 63;1

3.   The Salvation and Redemption of Israel and the ingathering of the exiles.
Isaiah 11;11  18;1 26;1 35;2  40;  49;8   51;12  60;1 65;8 66;1

4. THAT IN THE FUTURE REDEMPTION THE TEN TRIBES WILL RETURN. These had been exiled by the Assyrians and did not return in the Second Temple Era. Isaiah 11;11  24;16 [but stay tuned: In addition to the above quite a large portion of Isaiah will be seen to concern the Lost Ten Tribes].

5. The future redemption will be similar in many aspects to the Redemption from Egypt
 Isaiah 11;11 51;9

6. There is a time limit after which Redemption has to come, deserved or not. If we merit redemption sooner we will obtain it. Isaiah 34;8  35;841;28, etc.

7.  That the Redemption will occur a very long time after the Exile. Isaiah 49;14.

8.  In the time of Redemption the Divine Presence and Prophecy will once again be found amongst the Israelites.  Wisdom and knowledge will increase. Isaiah 11;9 18;4  40;5 60;1

9.  In the Future Redemption all the sinners of Israel who left Judaism and assimilated amongst the Gentiles (whether by coercion or through seduction) will repent and return unto the God of their fathers. Isaiah 43;2  59;20 60;21

10.   A king from the House of David will rule and be recognized as descended from David. He will possess wisdom and judgement. Isaiah 11;1  42;1

11.  After the final redemption there will be no additional exile. God will change human nature. Isaiah 51;22  52;1  60;18

12.  After the final redemption most of those nations who remain will accept the God of Israel and turn to Zion for instruction. Isaiah 2;2  2;3  18;1, 19;1.

13.  There will be universal peace. This will be a true peace and not like the "peace" that has become a curse word due to evildoers. Isaiah 2;4 11;6  19;23  65;25

14.   Resurrection of the Dead Isaiah  24;1  49;14  66;10


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