How many Christian theologians, preachers and prophets predicted it would happen the way if did before it actually happened?
Tons of them, including Sir Isaac Newton in 1704.
In Newton’s day, the nation of Israel did not exist. Nevertheless as Newton studied end-time prophecy, he realized Israel’s restoration as a nation was a critical sign post to the end of the world.
In his commentary on the Book of Revelation, Newton wrote, “the ruin of the wicked nations, the end of weeping and of all troubles, the return of the Jews (from) captivity and their setting up of a flourishing and everlasting kingdom.”
“At that time is also predicted the end of the king of the North, the fall of the great Apostacy, the return of the Jewish captivity and the great tribulation…” he added.
The other end-times writers of Newton’s day also believed Israel needed to be restored, but predicted it would happen within the 17th or 18th century. Newton based on his study said it would not happen until much later.
Newton’s prediction, of course, proved true and the Jews were restored to the Promised Land two centuries later with the setting up of the nation of Israel on May 14, 1948.
Another of my favourite prophecy teachers from back in the day, Sir Robert Anderson, wrote this, 125 or so years ago:
The main stream of prophecy runs in the channel of Hebrew history. This indeed is true of all revelation. The Scriptures teem with promises and prophecies in favor of that nation, not a tithe of which have yet been realized.
The minds of most men are in bondage to the commonplace facts of their experience. The prophecies of a restored Israel seem to many as incredible as predictions of the present triumphs of electricity and steam would have appeared to our ancestors a century ago.
While affecting independence in judging thus, the mind is only giving proof of its own impotence or ignorance. Moreover, the position which the Jews have held for eighteen centuries is a phenomenon which itself disposes of every seeming presumption against the fulfillment of these prophecies.
And if in fact the Church did corectly predict it, why aren't we reminding the world of it as evidence that we truly know the one true God?
The Church didn't predict anything. The Bible did. It's still there, and it still stands. Just because people choose to ignore what it says, doesn't mean it hasn't been said.
