Meaning of PROPHECY

In the restricted sense of inspired prediction of the future (for a discussion of the various meanings of this term, see PROPHET), it has a unique place in the Scriptures.

The Bible is essentially a prophetic word. God transcends time and space, and can speak at the same time about the past, the present and the future.

Of the thirty-nine books of the OT, seventeen of them are "prophetic" (Jews consider others of this character), and in the NT there are several passages from the Gospels, many from the Epistles, and the book of Revelation, that have this character.

Only the Bible contains true prophecies, since it is the eternal and omniscient Word of God. He alone is the one who announces “things to come from the beginning” (Is. 46:10).

(a) CHARACTERISTICS.
The characteristics of biblical prophecy are masterfully described by Peter (1 Pet. 1:10-12; 2 Pet. 1:16, 19-21).

(A) The great theme addressed by all the prophets is Jesus Christ: his person, his coming, his atoning sufferings, his return, his glory and his kingdom (1 Pet. 1:11).

(B) To them were revealed in advance the time and circumstances of the two appearances of Christ (1 Pet. 1:11).

(C) There is perfect harmony between the prophets of the OT and those of the NT (1 Pet. 1:12).

(D) The Holy Spirit is the sole author of prophecy (1 Pet. 1:11, 12; 2 Pet. 1:21).

(E) The prophets themselves, overwhelmed by their messages, tried to scrutinize them (1 Pet. 1:10-12; cf. 1 Pet. 1:5).

(F) The same angels also desire to look into these things (1 Pet. 1:12).

(G) We consider the prophetic word sure, and it is desirable to pay attention to it (2 Pet. 1:19). Those who neglect it commit foolishness.

(H) Prophecy is “like a torch that shines in a dark place,” awaiting the dawn of the great day of the Lord. It doesn't say everything, it doesn't show the whole scene; but it is fully sufficient to show the way through precipices.

(I) No prophecy can be the subject of a particular interpretation, that is, separated from the context of all Scripture.

In the Bible the believer has everything he needs to know until his recollection with the Lord to walk perfectly (2 Tim. 3: 16-17).

He does not need, therefore, anything to know the mind of God that is not contained in the Holy Scriptures.

There is the certain fact that in the past no event of importance took place that God did not first reveal through his servants the prophets (cf. Am. 3: 7).

God always wanted to prepare the world, and especially believers. Examples include:

the Flood (Gen. 6-7),
the destruction of Sodom (Gen. 18-19),
Nineveh (Jon. 3),
Babylon (Dan. 4-5),
Samaria, Jerusalem and Israel (2 Chr. 36:15-16),

the second destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. (Luke 19:41-44; 21:20-24).

On the other hand, the first coming of Christ had been announced with extraordinary precision of detail.

In the same way, the Bible predicts the events of the end:
the signs of Christ's return (Mt. 24:3-15),

the rapture of the Church (1 Thes. 4:13-18),

the appearance of the Antichrist (2 Thes. 2:1-12; Rev. 13),

the return of Israel to Palestine, its suffering and conversion (Zech. 12-14),

the great tribulation (Mt. 24:21-30; Dan. 12:1, 7),

the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:14-16; 19:1-21),

the glorious appearance of the Lord with all his saints (Zech. 14: 3-5; Rev. 19: 11-14),

the reign of a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-10),
the final judgment before the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-15),

the eternity of blessing and cursing (Rev. 21-22).
(See corresponding articles)

Having concluded the record of his visions in Revelation, which recapitulates and completes the entire message of the previous prophets, John solemnly affirms that no one has any right to add or take away anything (Rev. 22: 18-19). .

Reverent and obedient scholars of divine revelations must assume the attitude of not disparaging prophecies (cf. 1 Thes. 5:20).