Prophecy Basics

Things to come or the Doctrine of Last Things. Lesson 1 May 30

Introduction.

1. Eschatology is the theological term; escatoj logoj words about last things;

How is it possible for us today to have a BD of future events?

a. To the man on street the answer is we can't!

When man predicts the future it is based on one of 2 things.

The operation of certain laws;

Or it can be based on another premise and that of probability.

b. However the picture changes when God is the source, the answer is absolutely yes!

It is possible for us to know about future events if 2 things are true.

1. If God is big enough; looking at His essence and character.

2. Even though its true that God is big enough to predict and to carry through on them but we cannot relate to that unless He chooses to do something else, to tell us about it! To reveal it.

There is an attitude among many believers today that says I'm not really sure I'm all that interested in future events, in prophecy.

- Does 2 Tim 3:16 say "Some Scripture is God-breathed and profitable?" Not at all, It is ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable.

The understanding of future things should have a direct impact on the life of the believer; how we live day by day. Prophecy is an important motivator of living today.

Some Examples:

- 1 Ths 5:2-6

- 1 Jn 3:2-3

- 2 Pet 3:10-14

2. What is a basic feature of prophecy.

- There is a coming a time of justice, peace and prosperity with God ruling.

- This is the theme of the prophets over and over again. Isa 2:1-5; 9:6-7; 11:6-9; Jer 23:5-6

We have all kinds of different teaching dealing with prophetic themes; many different names given to these different conclusions of prophecy.

- premillennialist; post-millennialist; amillennialist;

- pretribulational premillennialist;

- post tribulational premillennialist

Why and how are do all these differing viewpoints result??

So that the real issue that must be dealt with is; do these passages mean what they say, do we take them literally, or normally?

Ever since Augustine the pattern has been in much of Christendom not to take prophetic truth as it stands written, literally or naturally.

How are these prophetic passages taken??

1. Prophecy should not be taken literally or normally.

2. Prophecy should be taken literally but those prophecies were conditioned on Israel's obedience, she blew it therefore they are no longer pertinent.

3. Prophecy is to be taken literally because it is not dependant on man, and they will be fulfilled at Christ's return.

So the question is how are you going to handle the passages we just read?

The method of Bible interpretation that allows this, to keep these passages and to not take them literally is called the "allegorical" method.

That is the normal meaning of words is only a means for expressing a deeper meaning.

Ex: Gen 2:10-14 (early church father, Origen)

Allegorical interpretation is imagination going wild, you can make the Bible mean whatever you want it to!