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The prophetic verses appear confusing for a variety of reasons. First of all, many of the verses simply do not "look" like prophecies, but simply seem to be stating something, and how would one distinguish one of these statements from thousands and thousands of other statements in scripture? Many references speak in the past tense as if referring to events that have already happened with no clue that they were referring to the future. Many of the verses which are clearly references to the future, use such mysterious symbolism that there would be no way to figure out what in the world they mean. And some seem to refer to the writer rather than to someone else (17:3) The prophetic references, moreover, appear to be as contradictory as they are confusing. Thus, Christ is portrayed as both the "desire of all nations" , whom the people shall praise "for ever and ever" , and before whom "all kings shall fall down" , while at the same time He is "a reproach of men", and "despised of the people" . He is both "leader and commander" , "ruler in Israel" , and "The mighty God" , while being "smitten", "afflicted" , and spat upon . He is "fairer than the children of men" , yet possesses neither "beauty" nor "comeliness" ; He is the "Holy One of Israel" , and a "worm"
(17:4)
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