Dr. Joseph Speciale, Instructor

Transcription

1 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (Matt 28:19) Dr. Joseph Speciale, Instructor A ministry of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Lee Swor, Pastor

2 Bible Prophecy Importance Of Prophecy

3 I. Introduction To Prophecy 1. The Definition Of Prophecy Our English word PROPHECY is derived from a transliteration of two Greek words, PRO ( before ) and FEMI ( to tell ), meaning to foretell While the primary definition of prophecy is to FORETELL, the Bible also uses the word in the sense of FORTHTELLING (i.e.- to preach or proclaim) The theological term for prophetic studies is ESCHATOLOGY= Gr. eschatos ( last things ) and logos ( study; word; expression) (i.e.- study of last things) 2. The Source Of Prophecy The office of PROPHET served to represent God before man as the office of PRIEST served to represent man before God As the priest brought the SACRIFICE to God, the prophet brought the WORD to man

4 Word of Word of God Prophet Man God God God Sacrifice Priest Sacrifice Man A PROPHET can be generally defined as the MESSENGER of the word of the Lord Hag 1:12-13 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD. Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.

5 The prophet s message had a PREDICTIVE (i.e.- foretelling) and/or DESCRIPTIVE (i.e.- forthtelling) aspect 1 Sam 9:6,9 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) The office of prophet and gift of prophecy (Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 12:10; 13:2) involved divine REVELATION (i.e.- disclosure) and/or divine ILLUMINATION (i.e.- discovery) 1 Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

6 The predictive aspect of the office CEASED with the complete revelation of the scriptures 1 Cor 13:8-10 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The descriptive aspect CONTINUES to this day through divinely gifted teachers and preachers (Eph 4:11; 2:20) (i.e.- MESSENGERS of the word)

7 The ultimate source of all true prophecy (past and present) is THE WORD OF GOD 2 Pet 1:18-20 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 3. The Standards Of Prophecy Prophecy must have 100% ACCURACY Deu 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

8 1 Sam 9:6 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. Prophecy must have 100% ALIGNMENT with the Bible Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Deu 13:1-4 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

9 Based on these standards, the Bible condemns the following individuals as FALSE PROPHETS: Mohammed Nostradamus Joseph Smith (and all subsequent Mormon prophets ) Mary Baker Eddy William Miller Mary Ellen White Charles Taze Russell Edgar Cayce Jeanne Dixon Many Charismatic tele-evangelists (past and present) ALL who profess to receive divine revelation outside the scriptures We are warned of the rise of many false prophets, which is one of the characteristics of the last days (Matt 7:15; 24:11,24; 2 Pet 2:1; 1 John 4:1)

10 4) The Statistics Of Prophecy Between 1/4 and 1/3 of the Bible was predictive at the time it was written Approximately 3/4 of Bible prophecy remains to be fulfilled While almost every book of the Bible contains prophecy, there are 17 prophetic books The five major prophets (Isaiah-Daniel) The 12 minor prophets (Hosea-Malachi) Revelation There are about 18 major prophetic themes (e.g.- the Jewish dispersion, the First Coming of Christ, the Tribulation, the Antichrist, the Second Coming of Christ, the regathering/restoration of Israel, the Millennium, the resurrections, the judgments, etc.)

11 II. Intention Of Prophecy 1. To Edify The Saint 1) Assurance comes through Bible prophecy 2 Pet 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 2) Purification comes through Bible prophecy 1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 3) Blessings come through Bible prophecy

12 Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 2. To Evangelize The Sinner 2 Cor 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. Jude 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 2 The 2:11-12 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 3. To Exalt The Savior/Scriptures 1) Fulfilled prophecy is proof that the Lord is the only true God Isa 41:22-23 Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together. 2) Fulfilled prophecy is proof that the Bible is the only written divine revelation Deu 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

14 Psa 19:7-9 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. Psa 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

15 The Law Of Compound Probability The probability that a single prophecy (A) will be fulfilled exactly as stated is 1 in 2 Outcome #1= prophecy A is fulfilled Outcome #2= prophecy A is not fulfilled The probability that two prophecies (A and B) will be fulfilled exactly as stated is 1 in 4 Outcome #1= prophecy A and prophecy B are fulfilled Outcome #2= prophecy A is fulfilled but prophecy B is not Outcome #3= prophecy B is fulfilled but prophecy A is not Outcome #4= prophecy A and prophecy B are not fulfilled The first number (1) represents the outcome of the entire number of prophecies under consideration being fulfilled; the second number represents the total number of possible outcomes given the number of prophecies under consideration This second number doubles with the addition of every SINGLE prophecy

16 1 prophecy (A) Outcome #1= A Outcome #2= none Probability: 1 in 2 2 prophecies (AB) Outcome #1= AB Outcome #2= A Outcome #3= B Outcome #4= none Probability: 1 in 4 3 prophecies (ABC) Outcome #1= ABC Outcome #2= AB Outcome #3= AC Outcome #4= BC Outcome #5= A Outcome #6= B Outcome #7= C Outcome #8= none Probability: 1 in 8 4 prophecies (ABCD) Outcome #1= ABCD Outcome #2= ABC Outcome #3= ABD Outcome #4= ACD Outcome #5= BCD Outcome #6= AB Outcome #7= AC Outcome #8= AD Outcome #9= BC Outcome #10= BD Outcome #11= CD Outcome #12= A Outcome #13= B Outcome #14= C Outcome #15= D Outcome #16= none Probability: 1 in 16

17 The chart below gives 30 specific prophecies regarding the First Coming of Christ that were literally fulfilled MESSIANIC PROPHECY TEXT FULFILLMENT Seed of the woman Gen 3:15 Gal 4:4 Seed of Abraham Gen 12:3; 22:18 Matt 1:1 Seed of Isaac Gen 21:12 Luke 3:23,34 Tribe of Judah Gen 49:10 Luke 3:23,33 Son of Jacob Num 24:17 Luke 3:23,34 Son of God Psa 2:7 Matt 3:17 Resurrection Psa 16:10 Matt 28:6 The cry from the cross Psa 22:1 Matt 27:46 Mocked Psa 22:7-8 Matt 27:31 Thirsted Psa 22:15; 69:21 John 19:28 Hands and feet pierced Psa 22:16 Luke 23:33 Stared upon Psa 22:17 Luke 23:35 Garments parted Psa 22:18 John 19:23-24 No bones broken Psa 34:20 John 19:33 Betrayed by a friend Psa 41:9 John 13:18 Ascension Psa 68:18; 110:1 Mark 16:19 Hated without a cause Psa 69:4 John 15:25 Offered gall and wine Psa 69:21 Matt 27:34 Born of a virgin Isa 7:14 Matt 1:18,24-25 Smitten and spat upon Isa 50:6 Matt 26:67 Despised and rejected of men Isa 53:3 John 1:11; 7:5,48 Wounded and bruised Isa 53:5 Matt 27:26 Silent before accusers Isa 53:7 Matt 27:12 Buried in a rich man's tomb Isa 53:9 Matt 27:57-60 Counted with criminals in death Isa 53:12 Matt 27:38 House of David Jer 23:5 Matt 1:1; Luke 3:23,31 Born at Bethlehem Mic 5:2 Matt 2:1 Entry into Jerusalem Zec 9:9 Luke 19:35-37 Sold for 30 pieces of silver Zec 11:12 Matt 26:15

18 The Bible records at least 300 specific and separate prophecies regarding the FIRST COMING of Christ that were literally fulfilled- these prophecies were given between 400 and 4000 years before they were fulfilled According to the law of compound probability, the probability that all 300 prophecies would be fulfilled is 1 in (i.e.- 1 with 400 zeroes after it)- this is more than the estimated number of atoms in the known universe (i.e ) There are at least 200 prophecies regarding the SECOND COMING of Christ that will be literally fulfilled also

19 Please visit our website at: for access to over 850 audio lessons 27-28