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How Do You

How Do You. Interpret Prophecy?. Introduction. Last week we studied how to handle the Bible accurately.   We should study all the Bible says on the subject, accept the Scripture at face value, and let the Bible interpret or explain itself.

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How Do You

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  1. How Do You Interpret Prophecy?

  2. Introduction Last week we studied how to handle the Bible accurately.   We should study all the Bible says on the subject, accept the Scripture at face value, and let the Bible interpret or explain itself. But still there are many who proclaim that prophecies in the OT and Revelation have not been fulfilled and will speculate about their application to modern day events. (War in Iraq and Afghanistan)

  3. How Do You Interpret Prophecy? The faithful prophets of the OT did not know how the things they were writing would be fulfilled neither did the angels. (1 Peter 1:10-12) The religious leaders failed to understand it because if they did they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Cor. 2:6-8) Even the disciples failed at times. (Lk. 24:25-27) It was a mystery until it was revealed to the inspired apostles and prophets. (Eph. 3:3-5)

  4. How Do You Interpret Prophecy? So how are modern prognisticators able to understand what they say are unfulfilled prophecies with clarity and agreement? Jesus warned that there would be many false prophets and so did the apostle John. (Matthew 7:15; 1 John 4:1) This morning we will study some Bible principles so that you can know how to interpret prophecy and not be deceived by the false prophets.

  5. Not All Prophecy Was Revealed the Same Way God spoke in the past (OT times) through many ways but now He speaks through His Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2) Some prophecies were revealed by dreams and visions. (The 4 World Kingdoms) (Daniel 2:19; 7:1; 8:1) Some prophecies were literal. (Cyrus prophesied to be king about 150 years before he lived) (Isa. 44:28; 2 Chron. 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1)

  6. Not All Prophecy Was Revealed the Same Way Some prophecies were figurative. (The highway of the Lord was not literal)(Isa. 40:3; Matt. 3:3) The past tense was used to reveal the Suffering Servant. (Isaiah 53) The present tense was used to convey the government of the Messiah. (Isaiah 9:6-7) The future tense-God would set up a kingdom which would never be destroyed. (Dan. 2:44)

  7. All OT Prophecies Have Been Fulfilled All the Law and the prophets were proclaimed until John the Baptist who preached that the kingdom of God was near. (Matthew 11:13; Luke 16:16) Jesus said that all the things written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and Psalms must be fulfilled. (His death, burial, and resurrection). (Luke 24:44) The apostle Peter said that Christ had fulfilled all that the prophets had spoken. (Acts 3:18)

  8. Accept the NT Interpretation of an OT Prophecy If some read Joel 2:28-32 and want it to refer to events today he cannot scripturally do so because the apostle Peter said that the events on the Day of Pentecost were being fulfilled then. (Acts 2:17-21) If we think an OT prophecy should be interpreted literally and the NT places a figurative explanation, we must accept it. (Restoration of David’s tabernacle- Applied to the church by James). (Amos 9:11-12; Acts 15:13-18)

  9. Accept the NT Interpretation of an OT Prophecy In the same way, if we think an OT prophecy should be interpreted figuratively and the NT makes a literal application to it, we must also accept it. (Jesus being born of a virgin- Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23) Men do not have the right to their our own interpretation (or speculation) when the inspired prophets have already spoken and say that it has been fulfilled. (2 Pet. 1:19-21)

  10. What About the Events that Jesus Spoke of in Matthew 24? Jesus warned the disciples not to be deceived by false prophets in this context. (v. 11, 24) Jesus said that all these signs surrounding the temple being torn down would be fulfilled in that generation. (Matt. 24:1, 34) It is a fact that the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70 just as Jesus had said it would happen.

  11. What About the Book of Revelation? It was written to persecuted brethren in the 1st century concerning things that were shortly to take place and it was written in figurative language. (Revelation 1:1-4; 22:10) There is no need to speculate about when Christ returns because He is going to come as a thief. (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10ff) So instead of being deceived by speculations, be ready for that day to come!

  12. Conclusion Angels and OT prophets, the religious leaders, and even the disciples did not understand how the Scriptures would be fulfilled. So how can you interpret prophecy when so many have failed to do so? You must study, learn, and grow in the grace of knowledge of Jesus Christ so that you won’t be deceived by the untaught and unstable who distort the Scriptures to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:16-18)

  13. Conclusion “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)

  14. Conclusion By His power, God has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness including his precious promises so that we can escape that corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:3-4) Trust in all of His promises and obey Him. (Proverbs 3:5-7; Hebrews 5:8-9)

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