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There are two facets of the prophet’s message, not
two separate facets but one facet that involves the other. Prophets are forthtellers; they are preachers, telling forth the word of the LORD.
Their message primarily calls sinners to repentance. It is in the context of Israel who lives
under the Mosaic and Abrahamic covenants so the call to repentance is in that
context. Sin involves judgment, judgment
that was predicted step-by-step in Moses’ writings. Yet it is judgment that will never totally cast
out the nation because of God’s faithfulness to Abraham. Thus their message involves promises of
restoration as well as of coming judgment.
In that facet prophets are foretellers;
they speak of future events, sometimes specifically giving years or names while
at other times simply saying in that day and at that time. They are not foremost predictors of the future. Rather
they are primarily preachers who predict the future as the word of the
LORD requires.
Interpretation
of Prophecy: We have published on our blog an excellent article by Jewish
Christian commentator Viktor Buksbazen entitled Some Guidelines to the Interpretation of Prophecy (in 4 parts, July
15,22,29; Aug. 5, 2017; at www.ronandcindy.blogspot.com). What we share here are brief reminders.
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Interpret literally. Inspiration is what we call verbal (to the very words) plenary (completely, without
exception). Thus we need to understand
the prophet’s words in their original, historical context. Remember: even the foretelling (predictions of the future) have been fulfilled
literally.
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Interpret harmoniously. As 2 Pt. 1:20-21 indicates, Scripture is the
best interpreter of Scripture. The word of the LORD is a whole,
including what He gave to every individual prophet.
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Interpret perspectively. There are gaps in prophecy. Someone has said, “Prophecy sees together
what history sees separate.” A profound
illustration of this is in Isa. 61:1-3.
Jesus quotes half of this in Luke 4:18, the half that applied to His
incarnation. The other half applied to
His return and reign and is still future.
Thus He left it unsaid. Often the
illustration is used of two mountain peaks.
From a distance they seem together; but if you climb one you see a big
gap between them. This is critical.
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Interpret Christologically. 1 Pet. 1:10-11 reminds us that often, the
prophets did not understand what they said and wrote. Having Christ in our rear view mirror we are able to understand some of what they
couldn’t see. Remember: the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy (Rev. 19:10). The word of the Lord is God’s message
that reveals how He exalts His Son. The word of God is the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:2).
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