Prophecy
Predictive Prophecy
God reveals the future through His prophets. (Isa 46:9,10, Am 3:7, 1Pe 1:10-12)
God reveals the future to prepare us for future events. (Mt 24:24,25, Rev 14:9-12)
God reveals the future to strengthen our faith. (Jn 13:18,19, Jn 14:28,29)
Without prophetic revelation ("vision"), we would perish. (Pr 29:18 vision)
Vision - "In Scripture, a revelation from God; an appearance or exhibition of something supernaturally presented to the minds of the prophets, by which they were informed of future events. Such were the visions of Isaiah, of Amos, of Ezekiel, etc." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Instructive Prophecy
God instructs us through His prophets. (Ac 15:32, 1Co 14:3,4)
We prosper by following prophetic instruction. (2Ch 20:20 last part)
Unconditional Prophecy
Unconditional prophecies foretell just judgments of God that are certain to occur.
Example: The end of wicked queen Jezebel (1Ki 21:23, 2Ki 9:30-37)
Example: The Babylonian destruction and enslavement of Jerusalem (Eze 24:1,2,9-14)
Example: The millennial desolation of the earth (Jer 4:23-28)
Example: The final destruction of the wicked (Rev 20:10-15)
Unconditional prophecies foretell loving acts of God that are certain to occur.
Example: The first advent of Christ
The Saviour is born of a virgin. (Isa 7:14)
The Saviour is born in Bethlehem. (Mic 5:2)
The Saviour performs healing miracles. (Ps 146:8, Isa 29:18,19)
The Saviour enters the temple. (Mal 3:1)
The Saviour is crucified for our sins. (Ps 22:14-16, Isa 49:16, Isa 53:4,5, Zec 12:10, Zec 13:6)
Example: The second advent of Christ (Jn 14:2,3, 1Th 4:16,17, Rev 19:11-16)
Conditional Prophecy
Conditional prophecies foretell events that are conditional upon obedience to God. (Dt 7:12, Dt 8:19,20, Jer 18:7-10)
Note that obedience to God is a natural consequence of love for God. (Jn 14:15,21, 1Jn 2:3)
Example: The blessings and curses pronounced from two mountains (Gerizim and Ebal) (Dt 11:26-32, Dt 27:1-26, Jos 8:28-35)
The blessings (Dt 28:2-14 examples Dt 28:7,8)
The conditional nature of the blessings (Dt 11:26,27, Dt 28:1,2,9)
Note the sacrifice on mount Ebal. (Dt 27:4-7)
Faith in the sacrifice of Jesus is the only path of atonement and blessings. (Ac 4:12)
The curses (Dt 27:15-26, Dt 28:15-68 examples Dt 28:25,30,32,64-67)
The conditional nature of the curses (Dt 11:26,28, Dt 28:15,45,62, Dt 29:18-21, Dt 29:22-27, Isa 48:17-19)
Note the law of God on mount Ebal. (Dt 27:2-4,8)
The transgression of God's law is the self-inflicted cause of the curses. (1Jn 3:4-6)
Example: The promised land (Ex 6:2,6-8, Nu 14:26-35)
Example: Eli the high priest (1Sa 2:27-31)
Example: Hezekiah (2Ki 20:1-5)
Example: Nineveh (Jnh 3:3-5,10)
Prophecy Symbols
The Bible encodes prophecies in symbols in order to protect them from the powers they identify until an appointed time. (compare Da 12:4,9)
The Bible provides its own symbol decoding.
Example: Beast/Animal - King/Kingdom/Power (Da 7:17,23, Rev 17:10,11)
Example: Day - One literal year (Nu 14:34, Eze 4:4-6)
Example: Dragon - Satan/Devil (Rev 12:9)
Example: Number 12 - God's people (Ge 49:28, Lk 6:12-16, Rev 7:4-8, Rev 12:1-5, Rev 21:2,12)
Example: Stars - Angels (messengers) (Job 38:4-7, Isa 14:12,13, Rev 1:20, Rev 12:4,9)
Note on Rev 12:1 and Rev 14:9: Angel [Gr. aggelos (ang'-el-os)] - "messenger" (Strong's Dictionary)
God's people (the church) (Ge 37:9 see Number 12, Da 12:3, Rev 12:1 see Number 12)
Example: Waters (Sea) - Peoples/Multitudes/Nations/Languages (Isa 17:12, Rev 17:15)
Prophecy Patterns
Sequential prophecy starts in the prophet's day and progresses to the end times. (Rev 1:19)
Example: The individual world powers prophecies of Daniel follow the sequential prophecy pattern.
Parallel prophecies mirror each other, with subsequent revelations providing increasing detail and end-times focus.
Example: The multiple variants of the world powers prophecies of Daniel follow the parallel prophecy pattern.
Examples: The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation concerning the false church system and its persecution of the true church parallel each other.
Historical foreshadowings record actual historical events that foreshadow corresponding end times events.
Examples: The historic chapters of Daniel foreshadow the end times experience of the remnant church.
Time prophecies provide starting point, ending point, and duration clues to a future event.
Example: The 1260 days of Daniel chapters 7 and 12, and Revelation chapters 11, 12, and 13.
Example: The 2300 days of Daniel chapter 8.
Example: The seventy weeks of Daniel chapter 9.
End Times Prophecies
Many of the prophecies of Daniel are end times prophecies. (Da 2:28, Da 8:17, Da 10:14)
The book of Revelation parallels (continues and expands upon) the book of Daniel. (compare Da 12:4,9 and Rev 10:1-11)
Prophetic Highlights of Daniel
Daniel Chapter 1 (Historical Foreshadowing Prophecy)
Daniel purposes not to defile himself with the king's meat and wine.
God's servants obey His health laws.
God's servants maintain clarity of mind.
Only those who are able to pass the small tests are be able to withstand the larger ones.
Daniel Chapter 2 (Sequential Prophecy)
The image of metals
Head of gold - Babylonian empire, Nebuchadnezzar
Chest and arms of silver - Medo-Persia empire, Cyrus
Belly and thighs of bronze - Greco-Macedonian empire, Alexander the Great
Legs of iron - Roman empire, the Caesars
Feet of iron mixed with clay - Divided Europe
The stone that fills the earth - Future second advent of Christ
Daniel Chapter 3 (Historical Foreshadowing Prophecy)
Image of gold - Foreshadows the image of the beast
Fiery furnace - Foreshadows the death decree for failure to worship the image of the beast
The Son of God - Foreshadows the second advent of Christ
Daniel Chapter 4 (Historical Foreshadowing Prophecy)
Nebuchadnezzar's salvation
Foreshadows the spread of the gospel to all nations
Foreshadows God's call to come out of Babylon
Daniel Chapter 5 (Historical Foreshadowing Prophecy)
Pagan worship using the vessels of Gods temple - Foreshadows the apostate, fallen state of modern Babylon
The hand writing on the wall - Foreshadows the judgment of modern Babylon
Daniel Chapter 6 (Historical Foreshadowing Prophecy)
The lion's den
Foreshadows the death decree to prohibit true worship and force false worship
Foreshadows God's remnant people being faithful unto death
Daniel Chapter 7 (Sequential and Parallel Prophecy)
The four beasts
Lion with wings - Babylon
Bear raised on one side - Medo-Persia
Leopard with 4 heads and 4 wings - Greece
Beast with great iron teeth - Rome
The 10 horns - Divided Europe
The little horn with the eyes of a man, a mouth speaking great things, and making war with the saints - The Roman Church
The Son of man - Jesus
Daniel Chapter 8 (Sequential and Parallel Prophecy)
The ram with two horns - Medo-Persia
The soaring goat - Greece
The little horn - The Roman Church
The Prince of the host - Jesus
Daniel Chapter 9 (Time Prophecy)
The seventy weeks and Messiah the Prince
Foretells the exact time of Jesus' baptism and crucifixion
Daniel Chapter 10
The great, spiritual realm controversy between good and evil
Michael, one of the chief princes - Jesus
Note: The other chief prince is Satan.
Daniel Chapter 11 (Sequential and Parallel Prophecy)
Pagan Rome, the Roman Church, and modern Babylon
Daniel Chapter 12
The time of great trouble
The second advent of Christ
Prophetic Highlights of Revelation
Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 (Sequential Prophecy)
Letters to 7 churches - The 7 church ages
The Church of Ephesus - Early/Apostolic Church
The Church of Smyrna - Persecuted/Martyred Church
The Church of Pergamos - Compromising/Apostate Church
The Church of Thyatira - Dark Ages/Wilderness Church
The Church of Sardis - Reformation Church
The Church of Philadelphia - Advent Awakening/Commandment-Keeping Church
The Church of Laodicea - Modern/Materialistic Church
Revelation Chapter 6 (Sequential Prophecy)
The 4 horsemen of the apocalypse - The 4 church environments
The rider on white horse - Christ and His righteousness
The rider on red horse - Satan and his persecution
The rider on black horse - The Roman Church and its eclipse of the gospel
The rider on pale horse - The Roman Church and its deadly doctrines
Revelation Chapter 7
The 144,000 - The true church
Revelation Chapter 10 (Parallel Prophecy to Daniel)
The little open book - The advent awakening
Revelation Chapter 11
The two witnesses - The Bible (old and new testaments)
Revelation Chapter 12
The pure woman
The wilderness church
The remnant church
Revelation Chapter 13 (Parallel Prophecy to Daniel)
Beasts
The sea beast - The Roman Church
The earth beast - The United States of America
The image of the beast - A worldwide, ruling confederation of church and state
The mark of the beast - Enforcement of a counterfeit Sabbath
Revelation Chapter 14
The 3 angels' message
First angel - Worldwide preaching of the gospel
Second angel - Worldwide revelation of the false and fallen state of modern Babylon
Third angel - Worldwide warning against receiving the mark of the beast
Revelation Chapter 16
The 7 last plagues
The 3 frogs (unclean spirits) that lead the attack on truth
First frog out of the mouth of the dragon - Satan and his fallen angels (demons)
Second frog out of the mouth of the beast - The Roman Church system
Third frog out of the mouth of the false prophet - The apostate Protestantism system (combined with the United States government)
The spiritual battle of Armageddon
Revelation Chapter 17
Modern Babylon - The false church
"MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH"
Modern Babylon makes war with the Lamb - The final battle against Jesus and His remnant church
Revelation Chapter 18
God calls His people out of modern Babylon
"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."
Revelation Chapter 19
The Rider on a white horse - The second advent of Christ
Revelation Chapter 20
Post advent events
The Millennium - Satan chained during the investigative judgment of the wicked
The great white throne judgment - The executive judgment of the wicked, the second death
Revelation Chapters 21 and 22
New Jerusalem - Paradise restored
The Gift of Prophecy
Prophecy is one of the gifts of the Spirit. (1Co 12:10,28, 1Co 14:1, Eph 4:11-13, 1Th 5:19-22)
True prophecy is revealed by the Holy Spirit (Spirit of Christ). (1Pe 1:10,11, 2Pe 1:20,21)
Both men and women can be prophets. (Joel 2:28,29)
Examples (men): Moses, Nathan (2Sa 7:2), Elijah (1Ki 18:36), Elisha (Lk 4:27), Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, John the Revelator
Examples (women): Miriam (Aaron's sister, Ex 15:20), Huldah (2Ch 34:22), Anna (Lk 2:36-38)
A prophet does not have to write a portion of the Bible.
Examples: Miriam, Anna, Nathan, Elijah, Elisha
The gift of prophecy will function in the end times. (Joel 2:28-32)
False Prophets
False prophets have appeared throughout history. (Jer 29:9, Eze 13:1-7)
False prophets will continue to appear with great deceptions. (Mt 24:24,25, Rev 19:20)
False prophets are sent by Satan to establish false doctrines. (Rev 16:13,14 compare Rev 12:9)
Identification Marks of a False Prophet
False prophets contradict the word of God. (Isa 8:20)
False prophets do not exhibit genuine righteousness. (Mt 7:15-20)
False prophets do not agree that Jesus overcame the fleshly nature, and that Jesus wants us to do the same. (1Jn 4:1-3) (compare Jn 16:33, Ro 12:21, 1Jn 2:1-6, Rev 3:21, Rev 21:7)
False prophets seek to turn our focus to a created being, rather than God the Creator. (Dt 13:1-11)
God's messages do not come via sorcery or astrology. (Isa 47:1,9,12-14)
God's messages do not come via supposed contacts with the dead. (Dt 18:9-12)
Identification Marks of a True Prophet
True prophets receive God's messages in dreams and visions. (Nu 12:6, Da 2:17-19, Da 7:1, Da 8:1, Ac 11:5-18)
Note that God is not the source of most dreams. (Ecc 5:3,7, Isa 29:8, Jer 23:32, Jer 29:8,9, Zec 10:2)
The reception of the message may be accompanied by physical signs.
The prophet may fall prostrate as in a deep sleep. (Da 10:9, Rev 1:17)
The prophet may have no strength at first. (Da 10:8)
The prophet may be given strength. (Da 10:10,18,19)
The prophet may stop breathing. (Da 10:17)
All of a true prophet's predictions come true. (Dt 18:19-22, Jer 28:9)
A true prophet's message uplifts Jesus. (Rev 19:10 compare Rev 12:17)
A true prophet's message builds up the church. (1Co 14:3,4)
Note on 1Co 14:3,4: Edify - "To build, in a literal sense. To instruct and improve the mind in knowledge generally, and particularly in moral and religious knowledge, in faith and holiness." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
A true prophet's message is given in an orderly and peaceful manner. (1Co 14:31-33)
True prophets manifest the fruit of the Spirit. (Mt 7:15-20 compare Gal 5:22,23)
True prophets humbly point to God as the source of their messages. (Da 2:26-30)
Difficult
Can a true prophet give a prophecy that is a lie? (1Ki 13:7-26) (No)
The old prophet that lied was a false prophet from Satan.
God spoke through this false prophet only one time: to condemn the disobedience of the man of God.
God never sends us a lie. (Heb 6:17,18)