In the Bible Prophecies why do Apologetics always say 'the prophecy is yet to come' whenever a failed prophecy answers clearly show that it failed?

Answer 1

There will always be those who deny prophecies, especially the predicted return of Jesus Christ in the last days (which is what we are in now):-

2Pe 3:1 The False Teachers' Denial of the Lord's Return

Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder:

2Pe 3:2 I want you to recall both the predictions foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.

2Pe 3:3 Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges

2Pe 3:4 and saying, "Where is his promised return? For ever since our ancestors died, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation. [In other words, they are saying creation is still going on, but calling it 'evolution'.]"

2Pe 3:5 For they deliberately suppress this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water.

2Pe 3:6 Through these things the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water.

2Pe 3:7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

2Pe 3:8 Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief [ie suddenly and unexpectedly]...

This denial of prophecy and lack of understanding is itself prophesied:-

Mat 13:13-15 LITV Because of this, I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. [v. 14] And the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled on them, which says, "In hearing you will hear and in no way understand, and seeing you will see yet in no way perceive. [v. 15] For the heart of this people has grown fat, and they heard heavily with the ears, and they have closed their eyes, that they not see with the eyes, or hear with the ears, and understand with the heart, and be converted, and I heal them." (from Isa. 6:9, 10)

Prophecy comes from God via His Holy Spirit:-

2Pe 1:20-21 MKJV [v. 20] knowing this first, thatno prophecy of the Scripturecame into being of its own private interpretation. [v. 21] For prophecy was not borne at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spokebeing borne along by the Holy Spirit.

It does not come from man:-

2Pe 1:20-21 NET Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet's own imagination, [v. 21] for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, mencarried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

It is God who gives the Holy Spirit:-

1Th 4:8 Therefore, the one that despises does not despise man, but God, even He giving His Holy Spirit to us [ie Christians].

If you don't have the Spirit of God you will simply not be able to understand spiritual things[eg prophecy] because it is spiritually discerned:-

1Co 2:11-14 LITV For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of a man within him? So also no one has known the things of God except the Spirit of God. [v. 12] But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit from God, so that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. [v. 13] Which things we also speak, not in words taught in human wisdom, but in Words taught of the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. [v. 14] But a natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

If you don't have God's Holy Spirit of course you'd believe prophecies have failed because you can't understand them anyway.