Interpreting and Studying Prophecy - Christian Hjortland AFCOE Europe 2014

Definition of Bible Prophecy ”An inspired utterance of a prophet, viewed as a revelation of divine will. A prediction of the future, made under divine inspiration.” American Heritage Dictionary

Definition of Bible Prophecy More than 300 prophecies about Jesus in the OT. What is the probability that so many prophecies is fulfilled in one person?

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Definition of Bible Prophecy Photo: Joiseyshowa

Definition of Bible Prophecy

Definition of Bible Prophecy ”Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” Isaiah 46:9-10

Why we need to study Prophecy

1. To understand God's plan and that He is in control ”Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7

2. It will increase our faith ”And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” John 14:29

2. It will increase our faith 1/3 of the Bible is Prophecy Photo: celalteber.com

2. It will increase our faith ”And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.... 32: And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? Luke 24:27,32

3. So that God can save us and make us prosper Jonah 1-2, 3:3-5,10 (Jer 18:8-10) Matthew 24

3. So that God can save us and make us prosper ”And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15 2 Chronicles 20:20

3. So that God can save us and make us prosper "When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart." - Testimonies to Ministers, p. 114.

4. Jesus encourages us to study it ”When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand) Matthew 24:15 ”Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7

5. To be able to finish our mission “…We have a special work to do to prepare the people for the greatest event the world has ever seen. The books of Daniel and Revelation are of great consequence to us, and should be studied with great earnestness.” Review and Herald, June 21, 1898

6. To get to know Jesus Jesus appears in Prophecy. He is coming back soon. Ellen White's first vision.

Why we need to Study Prophecy 1. To understand God's plan and that He is in control 2. It will increase our faith 3. So that God can save us and make us prosper 4. Jesus encourages us to study it 5. To be able to finish our mission 6. To get to know Jesus (and believe that He is coming soon)

Interpreting Prophecy ?

Interpreting Prophecy The main principle of interpreting prophecy: 2 Peter 1:20-21 ”But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:14 Isaiah 28:10

Interpreting Prophecy

Interpreting Prophecy Preterism, futurism and historicism?

Preterism Emphasis on the past. First systematic preterist exposition: Jesuit Luis del Alcasar Counter Reformation (1545-1563) Spreading to Protestantism

Futurism Emphasis on the future. Jesuit Francisco Ribera, 1590.

Futurism Futurism...“argues that Revelation looks beyond the first century to the period immediately before the end times. Thus the book was not written for those who received it, but for those living much later. Jesuit scholars after the Reformation refined this approach to prove that current attempts to identify the Pope as the Antichrist could not possibly be true since the Antichrist will not be revealed until far into the future, just before the Parousia (Christ’s Second Coming)." Jerry L. Walls, The Oxford handbook of eschatology (Oxford University Press, 2007)

Pushing a switch of focus Futurism and preterism – developed as a result of the Reformation. The view on antichrist. Nero 68AD 7 years of tribulation

Historicism Puts prophecy on a timeline, some in the past, some in the future. Continuous historical view. Majority of the reformers. (Calvin) What about Daniel and Revelation? Photo: Flemish school

Historicism “In the Revelation are portrayed the deep things of God. . . . Its truths are addressed to those living in the last days of this earth's history, as well as to those living in the days of John. Some of the scenes depicted in this prophecy are in the past, some are now taking place; some bring to view the close of the great conflict between the powers of darkness and the Prince of heaven, and some reveal the triumphs and joys of the redeemed in the earth made new. The Acts of the Apostles, p. 584

Historicism Classical Prophecy – contemporary issues Apocalyptic Prophecy (outline Prophecy) - Deals more with the future - Lots of symbolism

Reading Prophecy Different mindset in the western world. Cause – effect/result. Micah 1 Symbolic vs. literal? Photo: greschoj

Chiasm χ - chi

Chiasm Unique repetition pattern Repetition of ideas in reverse order Quite common in the OT. Benefits

Chiasm A: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, B: and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, X: and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: B:and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, A: and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Chiasm A B C C B A A B X B A

Chiasm “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24 What's the chiasm, here?

Chiasm A: No man can serve two masters B: for either he will hate the one C: and love the other C: or else he will hold to the one, B: and despise the other. A: Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24 What's the center point?

Chiasm in Daniel

Chiasm in Daniel A. Daniel 2 – Prophecy about the rise and fall of kingdoms B. Daniel 3 – Persecution of God's people C. Daniel 4 – Prophecy about fall and rise of a king C. Daniel 5 – Prophecy about the fall of a king B. Daniel 6 – Persecution of God's people A. Daniel 7 – Prophecy about the rise and fall of kingdoms

Chiasm in Revelation Prologue: 1:1-8 Epilogue 22:8-17 Testimony of Jesus 1:2 I, Jesus, sent the testimony 22:16 Blessed is he who reads 1:3 Blessed is he who keeps 22:7 Behold he is coming 1:7 Behold I am coming soon 22:12,20 I am the Alpha and the Omega 1:8 I am the Alpha and the Omega 22:13 7 Churches: 1:10-3:22 New Jerusalem: 21:9-22:9 Christ walks among 7 lamps 2:1 Christ is the eternal lamp 21:23 Tree of life 2:1 Tree of life 22:2 Open door 3:8 Gates never closed 21:25 Christ sits on His Father's throne 3:21 Throne of God and of the Lamb 22:1,3 New Jerusalem comes down from Heaven 3:12 New Jerusalem comes down f. h. 21:10 I am coming soon 3:11 I am coming soon 22:7

Chiasm in Revelation 7 Seals: 4:1-8:1 Millenium: 19:11-21:8 Heaven opened 4:1 Heaven opened 19:11 Rider on white horse followed by other Rider on white + colored horses 6:2-8 riders on white horses. 19:11-16 Souls of martyrs under altar asks for Souls of martyrs resurrected and enthroned judgement. 6:9-10 as judges 20:4-6 White robes 6:11, 7:9-14 White robes 19:14 Kings, etc. asks to be killed 6:15-16 Kings, etc. are killed 19:17-21 7 trumpets: 8:2-11:18 7 last plagues: 15:1-16:21 Earth 8:7 Earth 16:2 Sea 8:8-9 Sea 16:3 Rivers and fountains 8:10-11 Rivers and fountains 16:4 Sun, moon, stars 8:12 Sun 16:8-9 Darkness, bottomless pit, locusts 9:1-11 Darkness of throne of the beast 16:10-11 River Euphrates 9:13-21 River Euphrates 16:12-16 Loud voices, Christ receives kingdom 11:15-18 A loud voice: It is done! 16:17-21

Chiasm in Revelation Great controversy 11:19-14:20 Fall of Babylon: 17:1-19:10 True mother dressed in white 12:1-2 False mother, dressed in purple 17:4 Her children keep the commandments 12:17 Her children are harlots 17:5 Woman in wilderness 12:14 Woman in wilderness 17:3 Beast with 7 heads and 10 horns 12,3-13:1 Beast with 7 heads and 10 horns 17:3 Fallen is Babylon 14:8 Fallen is Babylon 18:2 Testimony of Jesus 12:17 Testimony of Jesus 19:10

Chiasm in Revelation 7 Churches: 1:10-3:22 New Jerusalem: 21:9-22:9 7 Seals: 4:1-8:1 Millennium: 19:11-21:8 7 trumpets: 8:2-11:18 7 last plagues: 15:1-16:21 Great Controversy 11:19-14:20 Fall of Babylon: 17:1-19:10