Does anybody see a problem in the fact that Cyrus the Great was shown

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Bryan

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the prophecies in Isaiah before hand? A critical claim to Christianity is divine prophecy and in the book of Isaiah a major prophecy is made. Cyrus the Great is mentioned by name to free the Jews, etc. It is known fact that Cyrus was shown these prophecies in Isaiah and acted on them because he thought he was carrying out the divine work of God. This is recorded by the Jewish historian Josephus who we can be assured is trustworthy. This makes two questions, the first being doesn't this discredit the prophecy? Of course, when you are told you are carrying out God's will you will follow it. Also, was Cyrus a common name among Persians? If so this prophecy is not so prophetic.
Yes I know the naming is quite interesting but you did not answer the second part of the question... is Cyrus a common name
 
the problem is cyrus was no great, Pahlavi regime's propaganda made him great! he was a shepherd child and a gay subject, being saved and fed by a dog when he was a baby, and suffered a horrable fate in the hand of aryans!
 
it is indeed sad when we put so much efforts into creating a great question and just be ignored or answered by few, most of whom does not really address the question in hand.

"guilty as charged"
 
Cyrus, meaning "sunlike" is a two-fold prophecy, as many are messianic in foreshadowings. And yes, he could have acted out what he saw was already written. But what he could not have acted out was his mother naming him Cyrus- the very name Isaiah foretells. He did not become King of Persia to please Isaiah. He didn't become king over the very empire Isaiah foretold to issue the decree, to please Isaiah or God. Isaiah foretold which kingdom would have the power to do so. So this doesn't negate the fact that the prophet foresaw a Persian king named Cyrus coming to power at the right time. Had the king, who was entitled "king of kings" had not been born and made ruler and acted in accordance, then you would be making a very valid point to disclaim prophecy. There comes another Sun of Righteousness which will issue the decree to rebuild Jerusalem and set the captives free. The Messiah.
 
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