Know Your Bible Welcome to Week 6 Prophecy

What is prophecy? God’s message to His people – forthtelling, proclamation Includes ‘edification, exhortation and consolation’ (1 Corinthians 14:3) May include predicting the future – foretelling, prediction

What is prophecy? Three contexts : the immediate the future – some already fulfilled, some relevant for today the distant future – yet to be fulfilled, e.g. Christ’s return – see Revelation Many prophets point forward to Jesus.

Major and Minor Prophets Major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel Minor prophets (shorter books): Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Prophecy – Distinct Periods Four distinct periods: 1.The divided kingdom and Israel’s fall (930 – 722 B.C.) 2.The fall of Judah (722 – 587 B.C.) 3.The exile (605 – 537 B.C.) 4.The restoration ( B.C.)

Some key scriptures 1: Isaiah 61 What does it say about: God’s heart? God’s priorities? The prophet’s response? Our relationship with God? Fulfilment: Luke 4:18 2: Amos 8:4-7 What does it say about social and economic justice?

Some predictive prophecies: ProphecyFulfilment Micah 5:2 ………………Matthew 2:6 Isaiah 11:1 …………….. Luke 3:23,32 Jeremiah 23:5………….Luke 3:23,31 Isaiah 53:5 …………….. Matthew 27:26 Isaiah 50:6 …………….. Matthew 26:67 Psalm 22:2-8…………..Matthew 27:31 Psalm 69:21…………..Matthew 27:34 Psalm 34:20…………..John 19:33

Amos 8:9……………..Matthew 27:45 Jeremiah 31:28-32…….Luke 22:20 Joel 2:28-32……..…….Acts 2:17-21 Zechariah 9:9…………...Matthew 21:5 Some predictive prophecies: Plus….. story of Jonah often seen as foretelling the resurrection of Jesus. Daniel 9:24 predicts the precise timing of the coming of the Messiah.

The test of a true prophet Deut 18:22 discounts false predictions, but even if true… Deut 13:1 Jeremiah 23: Loyalty? Morality? Call to holiness?

Prophecy in New Testament To be tested (1 Cor 14:29-33); Not to be despised (1 Thess 5:19-21).

Five further tests: – Conformity to teaching of scripture; Fruit – does it glorify Jesus and edify His church?; Consensus of recognised prophets/elders (1 Cor 14:32); Consistency with other utterances in body of Christ; Confession that Jesus is Lord (1 Cor 12:23) and came in the flesh (1 John 4:1-3). Prophecy in New Testament

Next week: The Gospels – Miracles and Teaching