Some Characteristics Of Biblical Prophecy

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY
Biblical Prophecy is Historically Relevant to the Time of the Writing.

Even though the fulfillment might not take place for over 2000 years, the prophecy is written to a particular group of people living in the prophet's own lifetime. This means we ought not to ignore the context in which the prophecy was given. At the same time, we can realize that a prophecy given for one period may not see the completed fulfillment for a very long time.

Biblical Prophecy sometimes contains Multiple Fulfillments. This has also been termed the “Law of Double Reference.” It means that the prophecy often contains a fulfillment in the days of the prophet but also carries a reference to an event which is to take place far in the future. For example, Isaiah 7:14-16 gives a prophecy to Ahaz, the king of Judah concerning a young maiden who shall give birth to a son. Then, in Isaiah 8:1-4, we see what seems to be the immediate fulfillment as we read of someone named Immanuel. However, Matthew 1:23 reveals that there was ultimately a second fulfillment of this verse that is to be found in the birth of Jesus.

Another example is seen in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 which gives the prophecy of David's son, Solomon. But there is within this prophecy a further reference to a future son of David which is fulfilled in Jesus. This is seen in the words of Hebrews 1:5 which cites the words of 2 Samuel 7:14, echoing the words, I will be a Father to Him And He shall be a Son to Me and pointing out that it was indeed fulfilled in Jesus.

Time Gaps are Not Always Indicated.

Prophecy often has its own peculiar time perspective. Certain high points of future history are seen while certain “valleys” are often hidden. An example of this is seen in Luke 4:16-21 where Jesus reads a passage from the book of Isaiah and states that it had been fulfilled in Him. An examination of Isaiah 61:1-2 will reveal that the remainder of this passage deals with the Day of God's Judgment which presumably shall take place at the Second Coming of the Lord.

Biblical Prophecy is Sometimes Conditional. A prophecy is sometimes dependent upon the resulting reaction on the part of the hearer. There may be varying levels of conditionality and the conditions might not be specifically stated within the actual prophecy. This can be seen when Jonah prophesied of the destruction of Nineveh. The prophet stated in no uncertain terms that it was to take place within 40 days (Jonah 3:4). When the people of Nineveh repented, their city was spared. Evidently, this prophecy was conditional on the attitudes of the people of the city. The use of conditional prophecy is a demonstration of the sovereignty of God. The Lord points this out in Jeremiah 18:7-10 where He gives a vivid parable involving a potter at his wheel. Just as the potter has the right to work on a pot and then change midway, either setting the pot aside or using it for some other purpose, so also God is able to supersede His own prophecies.

Prophetic Fulfillment can be Literal, Figurative, or Spiritual. An example of a literal fulfillment of prophecy is seen in the case of Ezekiel 26:1-14 which gives a very detailed account of the several falls of the city of Tyre. The prophecy took place very literally, the city being actually thrown into the sea. Similarly, we can compare Zechariah 9:9 with Matthew 21:5 where the Messiah rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. However, the context of that prophecy is anything but clear, demonstrating that elements of a prophecy might have a literal fulfillment while other elements of that same prophecy might not be seen to be fulfilled at that time or in the same manner. On the other hand, there are times when the language of a prophecy is clearly figurative and not meant to be taken literally. For example, in John 2:19 Jesus stands in the Temple in Jerusalem and says, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” We read in John 2:21 of that same chapter that “He spoke of the temple of His body.” Many more examples of this phenomenon can be observed:

Compare Psalms 118:22 with Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:7 where Jesus is the stone which the builders rejected.

Compare Isaiah 22:22 with Revelation 3:7 where the key is a representation of the authority of Jesus.

Compare Zechariah 13:7 with Matthew 26:31 where Jesus is seen to be the shepherd that was smitten.

There are also occasions in which we find a spiritual realization. In these cases, what seemed to be a literal prophecy is later seen to have a spiritual fulfillment. An example of this is Jeremiah 31:31-34 which promises the New Covenant with Judah and Israel. This covenant is said to be fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 8:12; Hebrews 10:15-17). Similarly, Isaiah 2:2-3 speaks of the mountain of the house of the Lord being established and raised above the hills. This passage is echoed in Hebrews 12:22 which shows that this is a picture of people turning to Christ in this age. Amos 9:11-12 tells how God will “raise up the fallen booth of David, and wall up its breaches” and “raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old.” Rather than pointing to the erection of a literal tabernacle, James used this same passage to refer to the Gentiles coming into the New Testament Church (Acts 15:13-18).