Understanding prophets

[Winslow89]

Prophecies can be tricky because they mix immediate historical events with foreshadowing of ultimate spiritual realities. So it’s difficult for me to know when they are talking about something in their day, and then in that same chapter pointing toward the future. Any advice?

 

[Dino246]

Prophecies can be tricky because they mix immediate historical events with foreshadowing of ultimate spiritual realities. So it’s difficult for me to know when they are talking about something in their day, and then in that same chapter pointing toward the future. Any advice?

Start by understanding the historical context of each prophecy. When was it spoken (written), what was happening at the time, and who was the target audience? This information can be gleaned from Scripture. What was the religious context? Was the target audience serving God faithfully? What was the culture of that time and place? You might need to do some research with extra-biblical sources for this.

Many prophecies were for their own time and place, some for the (then) future. If you have a study Bible, you might look at the notes to see where events in the NT were prophesied in the OT, and try to find others.

There is a danger in trying to find current (or still-future) fulfillment of prophecies. It's good to assume that they have been fulfilled and look for their fulfillment in relevant history (much of which is in Scripture). Where you don't see something has been fulfilled, ask more knowledgeable believers as they may have done more research.

Depending on how new you are to the Bible, you might consider finding a book specifically on the prophecies about Jesus. That might help to show you how to interpret prophecy in general.

 

[Winslow89]

Start by understanding the historical context of each prophecy. When was it spoken (written), what was happening at the time, and who was the target audience? This information can be gleaned from Scripture. What was the religious context? Was the target audience serving God faithfully? What was the culture of that time and place? You might need to do some research with extra-biblical sources for this.

Many prophecies were for their own time and place, some for the (then) future. If you have a study Bible, you might look at the notes to see where events in the NT were prophesied in the OT, and try to find others.

There is a danger in trying to find current (or still-future) fulfillment of prophecies. It's good to assume that they have been fulfilled and look for their fulfillment in relevant history (much of which is in Scripture). Where you don't see something has been fulfilled, ask more knowledgeable believers as they may have done more research.

Depending on how new you are to the Bible, you might consider finding a book specifically on the prophecies about Jesus. That might help to show you how to interpret prophecy in general.

Is this a correct understanding?

“Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets (Mt. 5:17). The promises made to Israel under the law is fulfilled and found in Christ, spiritually. The physical to the spiritual. The promises to Israel is spiritually found and inherited in His church/body. They were foreshadowing and pointing towards the spiritual reality and the fulfillment.”

 

[Dino246]

Is this a correct understanding?

“Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets (Mt. 5:17). The promises made to Israel under the law is fulfilled and found in Christ, spiritually. The physical to the spiritual. The promises to Israel is spiritually found and inherited in His church/body. They were foreshadowing and pointing towards the spiritual reality and the fulfillment.”

Yes and no.

We need to be careful about assuming the word "all" in Matthew 5:17. Not every prophecy is fulfilled "in Christ"; some were fulfilled before He came in the flesh, and some not until after. Many were literally fulfilled by Him in some way. Most OT prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled in Him. There remains debate on some of them. Some were not written until after He ascended (Revelation).

 

[Winslow89]

@Aussie52, I see you gave my comment a dislike. That’s fine, as I’m not an expert or deeply versed in the prophets. I’m not intending to argue on here, as it gets nowhere. I’m simply trying to understand what I’m able to, and if I’m not, then that’s fine and dandy, as nowhere in the Bible does it say you must know what the prophets are saying or meaning to be saved, as that would have salvation based upon knowledge instead of grace. My intention is to try and understand God’s word to the best of my ability. Not everyone has the same knowledge or understanding as others, nor have they had the same kind of teaching. Good day to you.

 

[Lafftur]

Hello Winslow89

God sees you searching the scriptures wanting to understand and He loves you very much and will answer you.

The One that will unlock and open your understanding of the scriptures and the prophecies contained within is God’s Holy Spirit, the Promise of the Father.

Ask Jesus Christ for the Father’s Promise of the Holy Spirit to open your understanding…

Luke 24:44-49
Then He said to them, “These the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and Prophets and Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” And you are witnesses of these things.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passag...Luke.24.47,Luke.24.49,Luke.24.48&version=NKJV

The Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you into all Truth… He is your Teacher, Counselor, Guide, Comforter, the part of God that is with you, inside you on the Earth.

When you read the Bible, constantly ask the Holy Spirit questions, He is right there with you. He’ll answer you in your thoughts and teach you.

1 John 2:26-27
These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1John.2.26,1John.2.27&version=NKJV

His answers will amaze you, you’ll be in awe of God, full of life, His wisdom will humble you, you’ll delight in His ways… you’ll have a wonderful time with God’s Word and God’s Holy Spirit!

Enjoy!

 

[Winslow89]

God sees you searching the scriptures wanting to understand and He loves you very much and will answer you.

Yes, ma’am. Completely agree. He knows the difference between a seeker of truth and one who is not genuinely seeking. He knows the heart/mind of the student. Blessings!

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

A good rule of thumb IMO is to first look for historical natural fulfillment. If there is one it's pointless and missing the mark to project fulfillment into the current time. If a historical fulfillment cannot be found then look for a fulfillment in Christ and his kingdom.

Also, it is important to not carnalize the spiritual and to not spiritualize the carnal, which are attributing carnal qualities to spiritual realities, and vice versa. For example, carnalizing the spiritual would be assuming that all prophecies about Israel pertain to natural Israel, ie, an earthly nation ruled by men. However, many times prophecies are referring to spiritual Israel, ie, the holy nation ruled by God (kingdom of God), and these are discerned by judging spiritual words with a spiritual mind, rather than with the carnal mind. If a spiritual fulfillment does exist, then it's pointless and missing the mark to project fulfillment onto something natural, ie., carnal.

For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words taught in man's wisdom, but in words taught of spirit judging spiritual with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:11-13​

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[Roughsoul1991]

Prophecies can be tricky because they mix immediate historical events with foreshadowing of ultimate spiritual realities. So it’s difficult for me to know when they are talking about something in their day, and then in that same chapter pointing toward the future. Any advice?

I believe we can learn from the disciples. Some of the OT prophecies were obvious and people like Peter knew that Jesus was the Messiah. While others were not so obvious and came to pass later as in Jesus on the cross.

For the non-obvious, it is more of a wait-and-see. Take what is clear and anything that sounds future, hold on to it but don't build any doctrine on it.

There are so many conspiracies or false predictions when people take the unclear and try to predict future outcomes.

 

[Aaron56]

My encouragement to you @Winslow89 . The Father will always grant wisdom to those who love the truth.

Never let differing opinions trouble you. And, whenever possible, always permit the scriptures to interpret the scriptures.

 

[Winslow89]

Never let differing opinions trouble you.

Any advice for that?

 

[Aaron56]

Any advice for that?

Practice. Always choose the challenging road if given a choice. By that you will learn that the Lord will never leave you.

 

[Avery]

Any advice for that?

Yes. Pick your battles. Some topics are worthy of discussion and some will be debated through eternity.

 

[awelight]

Yes. Pick your battles. Some topics are worthy of discussion and some will be debated through eternity.

No Avery, there will be no debates through eternity. Once a person steps into eternity and is face to face with the Lord, all debates will cease.

 

[awelight]

Is this a correct understanding?

“Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets (Mt. 5:17). The promises made to Israel under the law is fulfilled and found in Christ, spiritually. The physical to the spiritual. The promises to Israel is spiritually found and inherited in His church/body. They were foreshadowing and pointing towards the spiritual reality and the fulfillment.”

No my friend, the promises that belong to Israel, are Israel's. God will fulfill those promises literally; they do not belong to the church. Do not be swayed by the modernist teachings of "Replacement theology".

You may want to look at these passages closely:

Old Testament -
(Isaiah 11:11, 12; Jeremiah 30:8-10; 31:7-12; 32:37-44; 33:14-16; Ezekiel 37:21-28; 38:8-16; 39:25-29; Amos 9:11-15; Zechariah 12-14).

New Testament -
(Romans 9-11)

 

[Avery]

No Avery, there will be no debates through eternity. Once a person steps into eternity and is face to face with the Lord, all debates will cease.

Yes. Pick your battles. Some topics are worthy of discussion and some will be debated through eternity.




i didn’t mean that literally. I only meant that the debate never seems to end so pick your battles. Sheesh…