Why didn't Jesus fulfill this propehcy?

Question

"Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall man learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4)

If you say he will fulfill these in the second coming, then explain why you think so.

Also, he's supposed to be called Immanuel and he never is. He's supposed ot be a descendant of David but he can't be because it was a virgin birth.

Zechariah 9:10-13 shows he will be a military leader but he was not.

So if he hasn't fulfilled all of the prophecies yet, then how do you know he's the real messiah? Shouldn't you withhold judgement until you see them all fulfilled?

Answer 1

1) JESUS DID NOT FULFILL THE MESSIANIC PROPHECIES

What is the Messiah supposed to accomplish? The Bible says that he will:

A. Build the Third Temple (Ezekiel 37:26-28).

B. Gather all Jews back to the Land of Israel (Isaiah 43:5-6).

C. Usher in an era of world peace, and end all hatred, oppression, suffering and disease. As it says: "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall man learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4)

D. Spread universal knowledge of the God of Israel, which will unite humanity as one. As it says: "God will be King over all the world -- on that day, God will be One and His Name will be One" (Zechariah 14:9).

The historical fact is that Jesus fulfilled none of these messianic prophecies.

Christians counter that Jesus will fulfill these in the Second Coming, but Jewish sources show that the Messiah will fulfill the prophecies outright, and no concept of a second coming exists.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2) JESUS DID NOT EMBODY THE PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF MESSIAH

A. MESSIAH AS PROPHET

Jesus was not a prophet. Prophecy can only exist in Israel when the land is inhabited by a majority of world Jewry. During the time of Ezra (circa 300 BCE), when the majority of Jews refused to move from Babylon to Israel, prophecy ended upon the death of the last prophets -- Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.

Jesus appeared on the scene approximately 350 years after prophecy had ended.

B. DESCENDENT OF DAVID

The Messiah must be descended on his father's side from King David (see Genesis 49:10 and Isaiah 11:1). According to the Christian claim that Jesus was the product of a virgin birth, he had no father -- and thus could not have possibly fulfilled the messianic requirement of being descended on his father's side from King David!

C. TORAH OBSERVANCE

The Messiah will lead the Jewish people to full Torah observance. The Torah states that all mitzvot remain binding forever, and anyone coming to change the Torah is immediately identified as a false prophet. (Deut. 13:1-4)

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus contradicts the Torah and states that its commandments are no longer applicable. For example, John 9:14 records that Jesus made a paste in violation of Shabbat, which caused the Pharisees to say (verse 16), "He does not observe Shabbat!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3) MISTRANSLATED VERSES "REFERRING" TO JESUS

Biblical verses can only be understood by studying the original Hebrew text -- which reveals many discrepancies in the Christian translation.

A. VIRGIN BIRTH

The Christian idea of a virgin birth is derived from the verse in Isaiah 7:14 describing an "alma" as giving birth. The word "alma" has always meant a young woman, but Christian theologians came centuries later and translated it as "virgin." This accords Jesus' birth with the first century pagan idea of mortals being impregnated by gods.

B. CRUCIFIXION

The verse in Psalms 22:17 reads: "Like a lion, they are at my hands and feet." The Hebrew word ki-ari (like a lion) is grammatically similar to the word "gouged." Thus Christianity reads the verse as a reference to crucifixion: "They pierced my hands and feet."

C. SUFFERING SERVANT

Christianity claims that Isaiah chapter 53 refers to Jesus, as the "suffering servant."

In actuality, Isaiah 53 directly follows the theme of chapter 52, describing the exile and redemption of the Jewish people. The prophecies are written in the singular form because the Jews ("Israel") are regarded as one unit. The Torah is filled with examples of the Jewish nation referred to with a singular pronoun.

Ironically, Isaiah's prophecies of persecution refer in part to the 11th century when Jews were tortured and killed by Crusaders who acted in the name of Jesus.

From where did these mistranslations stem? St. Gregory, 4th century Bishop of Nanianzus, wrote: "A little jargon is all that is necessary to impose on the people. The less they comprehend, the more they admire."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4) JEWISH BELIEF IS BASED SOLELY ON NATIONAL REVELATION

Of the 15,000 religions in human history, only Judaism bases its belief on national revelation -- i.e. God speaking to the entire nation. If God is going to start a religion, it makes sense He'll tell everyone, not just one person.

Judaism, unique among all of the world's major religions, does not rely on "claims of miracles" as the basis for its religion. In fact, the Bible says that God sometimes grants the power of "miracles" to charlatans, in order to test Jewish loyalty to the Torah (Deut. 13:4).

Maimonides states (Foundations of Torah, ch. 8):

The Jews did not believe in Moses, our teacher, because of the miracles he performed. Whenever anyone's belief is based on seeing miracles, he has lingering doubts, because it is possible the miracles were performed through magic or sorcery. All of the miracles performed by Moses in the desert were because they were necessary, and not as proof of his prophecy.

What then was the basis of [Jewish] belief? The Revelation at Mount Sinai, which we saw with our own eyes and heard with our own ears, not dependent on the testimony of others... as it says, "Face to face, God spoke with you..." The Torah also states: "God did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us -- who are all here alive today." (Deut. 5:3)

Judaism is not miracles. It is the personal eyewitness experience of every man, woman and child, standing at Mount Sinai 3,300 years ago.

See
"Did God Speak at Mount Sinai" for further reading.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5) CHRISTIANITY CONTRADICTS JEWISH THEOLOGY

The following theological points apply primarily to the Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian denomination.

A. GOD AS THREE?

The Catholic idea of Trinity breaks God into three separate beings: The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).

Contrast this to the Shema, the basis of Jewish belief: "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is ONE" (Deut. 6:4). Jews declare the Shema every day, while writing it on doorposts (Mezuzah), and binding it to the hand and head (Tefillin). This statement of God's One-ness is the first words a Jewish child is taught to say, and the last words uttered before a Jew dies.

In Jewish law, worship of a three-part god is considered idolatry -- one of the three cardinal sins that a Jew should rather give up his life than transgress. This explains why during the Inquisitions and throughout history, Jews gave up their lives rather than convert.

B. MAN AS GOD?

Roman Catholics believe that God came down to earth in human form, as Jesus said: "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30).

Maimonides devotes most of the "Guide for the Perplexed" to the fundamental idea that God is incorporeal, meaning that He assumes no physical form. God is Eternal, above time. He is Infinite, beyond space. He cannot be born, and cannot die. Saying that God assumes human form makes God small, diminishing both His unity and His divinity. As the Torah says: "God is not a mortal" (Numbers 23:19).

Judaism says that the Messiah will be born of human parents, and possess normal physical attributes like other people. He will not be a demi-god, and will not possess supernatural qualities. In fact, an individual is alive in every generation with the capacity to step into the role of the Messiah. (see Maimonides - Laws of Kings 11:3)

C. INTERMEDIARY FOR PRAYER?

The Catholic belief is that prayer must be directed through an intermediary -- i.e. confessing one's sins to a priest. Jesus himself is an intermediary, as Jesus said: "No man cometh unto the Father but by me."

In Judaism, prayer is a totally private matter, between each individual and God. As the Bible says: "God is near to all who call unto Him" (Psalms 145:18). Further, the Ten Commandments state: "You shall have no other gods BEFORE ME," meaning that it is forbidden to set up a mediator between God and man. (see Maimonides - Laws of Idolatry ch. 1)

D. INVOLVEMENT IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD

Catholic doctrine often treats the physical world as an evil to be avoided. Mary, the holiest woman, is portrayed as a virgin. Priests and nuns are celibate. And monasteries are in remote, secluded locations.

By contrast, Judaism believes that God created the physical world not to frustrate us, but for our pleasure. Jewish spirituality comes through grappling with the mundane world in a way that uplifts and elevates. Sex in the proper context is one of the holiest acts we can perform.

The Talmud says if a person has the opportunity to taste a new fruit and refuses to do so, he will have to account for that in the World to Come. Jewish rabbinical schools teach how to live amidst the bustle of commercial activity. Jews don't retreat from life, we elevate it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6) JEWS AND GENTILES

Judaism does not demand that everyone convert to the religion. The Torah of Moses is a truth for all humanity, whether Jewish or not. King Solomon asked God to heed the prayers of non-Jews who come to the Holy Temple (Kings I 8:41-43). The prophet Isaiah refers to the Temple as a "House for all nations."

The Temple service during Sukkot featured 70 bull offerings, corresponding to the 70 nations of the world. The Talmud says that if the Romans would have realized how much benefit they were getting from the Temple, they'd never have destroyed it.

Jews have never actively sought converts to Judaism because the Torah prescribes a righteous path for gentiles to follow, known as the "Seven Laws of Noah." Maimonides explains that any human being who faithfully observes these basic moral laws earns a proper place in heaven.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7) BRINGING THE MESSIAH

Maimonides states that the popularity of Christianity (and Islam) is part of God's plan to spread the ideals of Torah throughout the world. This moves society closer to a perfected state of morality and toward a greater understanding of God. All this is in preparation for the Messianic age.

Indeed, the world is in desperate need of Messianic redemption. War and pollution threaten our planet; ego and confusion erode family life. To the extent we are aware of the problems of society, is the extent we will yearn for redemption. As the Talmud says, one of the first questions a Jew is asked on Judgment Day is: "Did you yearn for the arrival of the Messiah?"

How can we hasten the coming of the Messiah? The best way is to love all humanity generously, to keep the mitzvot of the Torah (as best we can), and to encourage others to do so as well.

Despite the gloom, the world does seem headed toward redemption. One apparent sign is that the Jewish people have returned to the Land of Israel and made it bloom again. Additionally, a major movement is afoot of young Jews returning to Torah tradition.

The Messiah can come at any moment, and it all depends on our actions. God is ready when we are. For as King David says: "Redemption will come today -- if you hearken to His voice."

Answer 2

I'm no expert on prophecy. Obviously, this prophecy has not happened yet. Therefore, it must happen after Jesus second coming, because before Jesus comes again, there will be wars and rumors of wars. Matt 24:6-8.

Jesus is a descendant of David. Matt 1:1, Luke 3:31. It's my understanding that Matthew lists Joseph's lineage and Luke lists Mary's lineage.

Also, I've heard Jesus called Emmanuel quite often. There are Christmas songs called "Emmanuel". Emmanuel means, "God with us" and that's exactly what Jesus was when He was on earth.

Jesus coming fulfilled many prophecies. He was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and died around A.D 30 (Dan 9:25-26) for example. Those 2 right there narrow it down quite a bit.

Answer 3

He’s fulfilling ALL the prophecies, just not all at the same time.

(Isaiah 2:4) : That will be completely accomplished until he gets rid of his enemy (the Devil), which is still in the future (Revelation 20:1-3 and 21: 3, 4)

David’s linieage: He did come from David. Mary (like Joseph) were ancestors of King David….as for her being a virgin, that is true, but god had to use one of her own “egg” from her ovaries to complete the conception but protecting his perfection with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35)


Zechariah 9:10-13 - military leader : Also in the Future, That’s one of the reason some people didn’t believe in him in the 1st century. They were expecting a Big Military figure that would deliver them from the bondage of the Roman Empire. Boy where they wrong. His military or battle position would take place in the future, and not just against the romans (which are long gone) but his real enemy (you know who!!). (Revelation 16:16 and 19:11, 14.)

Immanuel – you mean what’s stated in Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23:
Immanuel means “God is with us”, this was not his true name as stated already in Luke chapter 1 , Immanuel served more as a title that represented what Jesus would accomplish for God and all Humanity.

Great questions!!!

May the force be with you..

Answer 4

Oh, what a point my friend. He came as a savior the first time. He will come will full power next time. He will be that military leader, not at teh rapture but after the Tribulation Period. Read the Left Behind series, its a Hollywood version of the tribulation period. He will fulfill these prophecies. And He has told us that it will be later. And when He rules for the 1000 years, there will be no war, until at the end of the 1000 years, then that will be the Final War of all time. Why do I believe this? Well, he fulfilled the earlier prophecies, why would he not fulfill these? He was crucified, He ressurrected. He did miracles and He was born from a virgin.

Answer 5

When someone don't know the answer to something or don't understand something this is why we are here to help; so if some one thinks a question is not a good one be wise and show respect; use wisdom, also when given answers. It is said that we should not debate religion or beliefs. To answer your question all of the prophecies in the bibles have not come to pass because if so the word would have come to an end already, not to say that it is not it 's just not time and in this life time timing is everything(meaning that it is important).There is a time and season for everything.

Answer 6

Gen. 49:10 Born of the Matt. 1:2-16; Luke 3:23-33
tribe of Judah

Ps. 132:11; From the family Matt. 1:1, 6-16; 9:27;
Isa. 9:7 of David Acts 13:22, 23
the son of Jesse

Mic. 5:2 Born in Bethlehem Luke 2:4-11; John 7:42

Isa. 7:14 Born of a virgin Matt. 1:18-23;
Luke 1:30-35

Hos. 11:1 Called out of Egypt Matt. 2:15

Isa. 61:1, 2 Commissioned Luke 4:18-21

Isa. 53:4 Carried our Matt. 8:16, 17
sicknesses

Ps. 69:9 Zealous for Matt. 21:12, 13;
Jehovah’s house John 2:13-17

Isa. 53:1 Not believed John 12:37, 38;
Rom. 10:11, 16

Zech. 9:9; Hailed as king Matt. 21:1-9; Mark 11:7-11
Ps. 118:26 and one coming
in Jehovah’s name

Isa. 28:16; Rejected but becoming Matt. 21:42, 45, 46;
Ps. 118:22, 23 chief cornerstone Acts 3:14; 4:11;
1 Pet. 2:7

Ps. 41:9; One apostle Matt. 26:47-50;
109:8 betrays him John 13:18, 26-30

Zech. 11:12 Betrayed for 30 Matt. 26:15; 27:3-10;
pieces of silver Mark 14:10, 11

Isa. 53:8 Tried and condemned Matt. 26:57-68;
27:1, 2, 11-26

Isa. 53:7 Silent before Matt. 27:12-14;
accusers Mark 14:61; 15:4, 5

Ps. 69:4 Hated without cause Luke 23:13-25;
John 15:24, 25

Isa. 50:6; Struck, spit upon Matt. 26:67; 27:26, 30;
Mic. 5:1 John 19:3

Ps. 22:18 Lots cast for Matt. 27:35;
garments John 19:23, 24

Isa. 53:12 Numbered with sinners Matt. 26:55, 56; 27:38;
Luke 22:37

Ps. 69:21 Given vinegar and Matt. 27:34, 48;
gall Mark 15:23, 36

Ps. 22:1 Forsaken by God Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34

Ps. 34:20; No bones broken John 19:33, 36
Ex. 12:46

Isa. 53:5; Pierced Matt. 27:49;
Zech. 12:10 John 19:34, 37; Rev. 1:7

Isa. 53:5, 8, Dies sacrificial Matt. 20:28; John 1:29;
11, 12 death to carry Rom. 3:24; 4:25
away sins

Isa. 53:9 Buried with the rich Matt. 27:57-60;
John 19:38-42

Jonah 1:17; In grave parts Matt. 12:39, 40; 16:21;
2:10 of three days, 17:23; 27:64
then resurrected

Answer 7

1) Perhaps the time has not come for that prophecy. Sometimes they predict way into the future and what is time to Jesus, he's God's son, and hence forth the word prophecy.
2) Mary was descended from the house of David. She was a veil maker in the temple when God saw her and thought her beautiful (spiritually, guys) for her purity of heart and strength of character.

Answer 8

Military leader? That's what people expected but His Kingdom is not of this world. Second coming because it hasn't happened yet. Mary was a decendant of David.

Answer 9

Go Jewsay! You rock! As to the virgin birth, there was no such prophecy. The original wording does not mean virgin, it means young woman. Even if it did say virgin though, the scripture clearly points out that the birth would take place during a certain period long before the jesus of the nt showed up.

Answer 10

Sometimes the answer you are seeking is in the actual passage you are questioning. Many have taken one verse or a part of a verse and based their statements or beliefs on just that part, but when you look at the entire verse and the verses before and after sometime you will find the whole meaning or answer you are looking. In Isaiah Chapter 2:1-5 you can tell Isaiah is talking about Christ time during HIS second coming.


Isaiah 2 (New International Version)
The Mountain of the Lord

1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

2 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established
as chief among the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.

3 Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

5 Come, O house of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.


Isaiah 2 (New Living Translation)
The Lord’s Future Reign



1 This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

2 In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
will be the highest of all—
the most important place on earth.
It will be raised above the other hills,
and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
3 People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
his word will go out from Jerusalem.
4 The Lord will mediate between nations
and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore.


Isaiah 2 (The Message Bible)
Climb God's Mountain

1 -5 The Message Isaiah got regarding Judah and Jerusalem: There's a day coming when the mountain of God's House Will be The Mountain—
solid, towering over all mountains. All nations will river toward it,
people from all over set out for it. They'll say, "Come,
let's climb God's Mountain,
go to the House of the God of Jacob. He'll show us the way he works
so we can live the way we're made." Zion's the source of the revelation.
God's Message comes from Jerusalem. He'll settle things fairly between nations.
He'll make things right between many peoples. They'll turn their swords into shovels,
their spears into hoes. No more will nation fight nation;
they won't play war anymore. Come, family of Jacob,
let's live in the light of God.


I am not a bible scholar, just a sinner saved by grace trying to live one moment at a time in a Christ like way. I fail daily and many times in that day, but I do read his word and have to read many translations some times in order to understand what he is say. I also follow through be reading any scripture listed as footnotes for further research.

Answer 11

That prophecy woudl be completed when he was king. He was never king while on earth, so he didn't get the chance to fulfill it. Even his apostles expected for Jesus to come a second time. As Matthew 24 shows, the apostles were asking for how they could know if he was present again. Thus, when Jesus comes the second and final time, the wars will finally end.

Immanuel is not a name, its a title, like prince of peace. He wasn't supposed to be named Immananuel, he was supposed to be named Jesus.

Both his mother and his adoptive father were descendants of David and Solomon.

For those who say the second coming is not biblical, please state the verse that says "the second coming is a false bible teaching", or the verse that says "the messiah will not come twice."