Biblical prophecy is a form of revelation from God Himself as to what will happen in the future, among other things that is communicated to man. This speaking frequently foretells coming events, but it also consists in forth-telling, the declaring of God’s truth, and His commands and warnings to any given generation. The notion of prophecy in the Bible serves, in part, as a witness to the sovereign control of God, His activity in the world, and His eschatological intentions.
Abstract: This essay discusses the methods and principles that should be used when studying biblical prophecy, providing a survey of the principles for interpretation, the practical application of the principles, and mistakes that are frequently made in our study of prophecy. It considers the acknowledgment of prophetic genre, historical context, and the distinction between literal and symbolic language as keys in a responsible method. The essay also focuses on the wider theological framework of prophecy in the Christian tradition, as well as associated questions of what it is, and what it’s good for.
What Is the Key to Understanding Biblical Prophecy?
“My understanding of prophecy is that it requires a topical, top-down methodology, where process and product mutually inform and enrich one another, relating apocalyptic methods of interpretation to systematic theology. This methodology consists of a number of significant steps, each leading to a deeper and more precise understanding of prophetic literature. The proper approach for studying biblical prophecy involves an understanding of the distinctive character of the prophecy and sound hermeneutical principles.
What Are the Basics for Finding the Correct Meaning of Bible Prophecy?
The guiding rules of interpreting Bible prophecy revolve around a unified principle and consistent hermeneutic, which maintains both original textual context along with inspiration. The three main principles to interpreting sound doctrine are:
- The historical-grammatical context
- The literary context
- Progressive revelation
What Help Is Gained By Investigating The Historical-Grammatical Context?
A de-emphasis of the historical-grammatical context sets focused prophecy skimmers upon the surface, dislocated from its interpretive anchor of the hearing of the message, in the original, by us and to the original recipients. This approach requires an understanding of the time during which the prophecy was made, including the prevailing culture, the politics, and the particular facts of the prophet and his listeners. For example, grasping the nature of the Babylonian exile is necessary for interpreting the prophecies contained in books such as Ezekiel and Daniel because its message was specifically directed to the situation and future expectations of the exilic community. It is easily among the worst nonsense to believe that grammatical analysis of the original Hebrew and Greek (including verb tenses, noun forms, and sentence structure) will not lead down to specifics of what words mean. A word study on “day” in prophetic passages can also show whether it is denoting a literal 24-hour period, or a longer indefinite period of time (such as in a passage such as 2 Peter 3:8).
Why Prophetic Genre Recognition is Significant for Interpretation
The identification of prophecy as a genre is crucial for interpretation because different literary genres convey truth in different fashions and must be interpreted differently. Biblical prophecy includes a great variety of literary forms, but all forms are typically marked by a fairly consistent set of conventions.
- Oracles — which appear frequently in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah — are typically direct messages from God, either declaring judgment or promising restoration.
- Apocalyptic literature, which is most ruled by Daniel and Revelation, uses highly symbolic language, visions, and number patterns to deliver messages of cosmic drama and ultimate divine triumph. For instance, the creatures in Daniel 7 are symbols of earthly kingdoms, not actual animals.
- Poetic oracle, characteristic of much prophecy, employs figures of speech—metaphor, simile, parallelism—to appeal to emotion and intuition rather than intellectual perception.
This means that interpreters need to be able to discern when a given text uses literal language, or symbol, or some hybrid, because to mistake the mode of discourse will virtually guarantee a wrong conclusion. Broadly speaking, we can identify 3 genres or types of prophetic writing: narrative prophecy, poetic prophecy, and apocalyptic prophecy.
How is the Use of Biblical Prophecy Possible?
Approaches to the use of biblical prophecy: Our task then is to see how prophecy can be applied in the church today, without ignoring its historical fulfillment or its eschatological future. This whole matter of recreating the past is based on crowding together prophecies that have been fulfilled, those which have not yet been fulfilled, and those whose eternal/spiritual principles are currently being fulfilled.
How is Literal and Symbolic Language in Prophecy Differentiated?
Literal and symbolic prophetic language is distinguished one from the other by the same commonsense rules of interpretation that one uses elsewhere in scripture to examine the context or to compare scripture with scripture.
- Straightforward, factual language (such as is used in prophecies, e.g., of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem in Micah 5:2) is called literal.
- On the other hand, symbolic language employs figures of speech, metaphors, allegories, and visions to communicate deeper truths, sometimes representing symbolic points of doctrine or future events. For example, the “lamb” in Revelation 5:6 represents Jesus Christ and His sacrificed atonement, not an actual animal.
The context of the book will sometimes be a guide; if a literal interpretation would not make sense or would violate other clear teaching of Scripture, a symbolic interpretation is probably better. Also, the knowledge of familiar biblical symbols, for example, “Water” symbolizes the Holy Spirit or cleansing, helps in discerning its accuracy. There are 2 types of prophetic language: literal and symbolic.
How Does Progressive Revelation Help Interpret Prophecy?
Progressive revelation serves in part to illustrate the organic development of God’s truth that takes place, point by point, as scripture unfolds, and with each later revelation building on and further explaining its predecessors. This principle teaches that God didn’t reveal all His truth at one time, but progressively to match man’s ability to understand it. For instance, the first prophecy of the “seed” crushing the head of the serpent in Genesis 3:15 is further explained through the promises of the seed of Abraham, descendant of David, and fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This understanding helps to avoid misinterpretation, which may occur if a single prophecy is picked out from the complete canvas and interpreted independent of the whole. It also demonstrates the singleness and coherence of the plan of God throughout various times and writers. There are 3 stages of progressive revelation concerning prophecy: initial promises, Old Testament expositions, and New Testament fulfillments.
What Mistakes Do People Make When Studying Prophecies?
Some traps to avoid in prophecy studies: speculating dates, applying an allegorical interpretation of every prophetic passage, disregarding historical or literary context, and sensationalizing the future. Such mistakes can result in misunderstandings, discouragement, and a misperception of God’s own person and activities.
Date-Setting
Date-setting, in my opinion, is a major pitfall, and this is date-setting in relation to particular dates that are set in the time-space continuum for future prophetic fulfillments, notably the second coming of Christ, or the end of the world. History reveals that it is an exercise in futility which undermines belief in Bible prophecy and causes believer disillusionment. For instance, many predictions over the years concerning the specific day of Christ’s impending return have clearly turned out to be mistaken, despite Biblical admonitions against doing this as given in, for example, Matthew 24:36.
Uncalled-for Allegorization
Another fault is that of interpreting all prophetical texts as allegories in which the whole is a type, and each several portion of a type, thus negativing literal meaning where literal meaning is the design. Though there is much symbolic language used in prophecy, not everything is. This method will produce subjective interpretations, for what is not grounded in the text is open to the whims and notions of men, as when interpreters spiritualize allusions to Israel or definite areas of the earth.
Disregard for Context
To ignore historical and literary context is to snatch prophecy out of its context and its purpose to impose anachronism on the material. Prophecies were written to people in particular times and places and we must first understand what it meant to them before we know how it applies to us today. Translating language about Israel in the Old Testament through the New Testament is as if a “word” from God is put through a “word” processing machine: it usually distorts the original meaning. For example, learning the Old Testament in light of New Testament revelation without understanding what it meant to Israel is a prescription for error.
Sensationalism
Preoccupation with future happenings – too much interest in dramatic indications or the “end of the world” without concern for the moral and spiritual dimensions – can really lead people’s minds away from the true goal of prophecy. The aim of prophecy is not merely to show what the future holds, but to warn believers to repent of their sin, to believe in Christ, and to live a holy lifestyle in light of God’s ultimate purpose.
There are 4 dangers in the study of prophecy:
- Date-setting
- Uncalled-for allegorization
- Disregard for context
- Sensationalism
What Is the Parent Theme of Prophecy in Christianity?
The parent topic of Christian prophecy in the Bible is theology, which takes as a starting point the study of the last things or ultimate purpose. Eschatology is a means to understand biblical prophecy as a part of God’s purpose and His plan in creation and history, for the end of the world and salvation of mankind with His Kingdom. This branch of theology studies the correlation of prophetic topics or themes through the entire course of the Bible (from Genesis to Revelation), and seeks to understand God’s work in the past, present, and the times to come. It sets individual prophecies in the larger context of salvation history, showing how they work together to create a broader understanding of God’s nature and His ultimate victory over evil.
All Prophecy In The Bible Is Future-Focused, Really!
Not all biblical prophecy is about the (distant) future; a lot of it is about what should be in the present – i.e., the ‘forth-telling’ (as opposed to ‘fore-telling’) of God’s will & truth to the current audience, often as warnings, commands/exhortations. Prediction of future events is only one aspect of prophecy; many of the prophetic messages dealt with the present situation of Israel or non-Israelite nations and concerned themselves with calling people to repentance or pronouncing judgment. For instance, much of the prophecies of Jeremiah related to the imminent Babylonish invasion, and not to future events far-off.
What is the Connection Between Prophecy and God’s Sovereignty?
Prophecy serves God’s sovereignty by His providential control over the future and His capacity to announce the future with unerring precision, establishing His power and prescience. The fulfillment of prophecy is a testimony that God is fulfilling His plans and that His eternal will cannot be hindered by human events or natural processes. Prophecy demonstrates the sovereignty of God in 2 basic ways: through His foreknowledge and in His ability to perform His expressed intent.
What Does the Bible teach about Prophecy?
The role of prophecy in the Bible serves various purposes including the revelation of God’s nature, confirming His word, calling to repentance and hope, and to warn believers of future events. Prophecy is to inspire faith, give perseverance, and show the right way of life in light of the final end of all things. We can better understand the purpose of prophecy from the scriptures where there are 5 primary purposes for biblical prophecy:
- Revelation
- Confirmation
- Exhortation
- Hope
- Preparation
Sign Gifts: Prophetic Gifts Today?
There are spiritual gifts as described in the New Testament that do include prophecy today, with this understood to include the Spirit-empowered speaking forth of God’s truth for the building up, encouragement, and comfort of the church: such prophecy does not take the form of scriptural ‘I foretell the future’ prophecy, in that sense of the word from the days of old. This modern prophetic gift does not extend or surpass the inspired collection that makes up the whole of Scripture, but it does apply divine truth to the current moment in the church. The 3 main features of modern-day prophecy are:
- Edifying
- Exhortation
- Comfort
Prophecy and the Christian Hope
New Testament prophecy is that it fulfills the Old Testament theme of prophecy. To prophecy points ahead to the New Testament age, which continues on from Pentecost and then finds its fulfillment at the coming of Jesus Christ and it fulfills the people of God in this sense that He enables them to understand what they’re waiting for so that they can now have a certain hope. The first advent prophecies concerning Jesus that were fulfilled serve as a down payment or “earnest” (cf., 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14) on the redemption and restoration of all things in Jesus at His second advent (cf. Romans 3:21–22; 8:22–24; Revelation 21–22) and give believers a sure foundation on which to build our future hopes. There are 2 primary means by which prophecy encourages Christian hope: fulfilled promises and future guarantees.
What Are Some Examples of Prophecies Which Were Fulfilled in the Bible?
There are a whole lot of fulfilled prophecies in the Bible, when it came to the first coming of Jesus Christ, showing how exact and true God’s word is. There are approximately 300+ messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus. These all would include His prophecy of His coming to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), His being born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), His suffering and death as a payment for sin (Isaiah 53:5-9), His rising from the dead (Psalm 16:10), and His being betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12, 13).
