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January 9, 2004
Prophecy
Filed under: Hot Topic
The dictionary defines prophecy as:
1a) An inspired utterance of a prophet, viewed as a revelation of divine will. 1b) A prediction of the future, made under divine inspiration. 1c) Such an inspired message or prediction transmitted orally or in writing. 2) The vocation or condition of a prophet. 3) A prediction.
2 Peter 1:20-21 says "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
This particular passage from Peter is what jumped at me the most when reading many of the passages in the Bible about prophecy. The point that "prophecy never had its origin in the will of man" is so key, and because of this, I think prophecy has kind of lost the priority it once had on us as God-followers. It is as if we see prophecy today coming from the origin or will of man and not from God that causes us to distrust or downplay its significance. And I think in and of itself that built in truth detector is a
good thing, but I also think it causes us to miss the truly divine inspired prophecies. The very definition from the dictionary says prophecy is "made under divine inspiration!"
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 says "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."
I find it interesting how Paul encourages positive things (be joyful, pray continually), but then switches up his vernacular and goes into only 2 things NOT to do (in the context of everything else TO do). He says to NOT put out the Spirit's fire and do NOT treat prophesy with contempt. This passage from Thessalonians I think is a great way for us to view prophecy today - without contempt, but to test everything. Don't take it at face value, but don't ignore it either.
My biggest reason for not trusting (if that is the right word) modern prophecy is that I think it caters more than it guides or warns. And a lot of the guiding and warning that does go on seems so irrelevant (enough about Israel already!). When I look in the Old Testament it seems as though every
prophecy - although sometimes strange - was right on with audience and context.
The 1599 Geneva Study Bible frames the concept of prophesy into the "The explaining and interpreting of the word of God."
John Wesley says that the context of prophesy in 1 Thessalonians 5:20 is "preaching; for the apostle is not here speaking of extraordinary gifts. It seems, one means of grace is put for all; and whoever despises any of these, under whatever pretence, will surely (though perhaps gradually and almost
insensibly) quench the Spirit."
I see a few categories emerging regarding the subject of prophecy.
Understanding Prophecy
Prophecy About Persons / Future
Prophecy Fulfilled
Prophecy's Purpose Today
Warnings
A.W. Tozer said, "Today we need prophetic preachers; not preachers of prophecy merely, but preachers with a gift of prophecy. The word of wisdom is missing. We need the gift of discernment again in our pulpits. What is needed desperately today is prophetic insight. Scholars can interpret the
past; it takes prophets to interpret the present."
I conclude by personal recollection of the few prophecies I have had over me. Each time they seemed to be right on in terms of the "reading my mail" factor. Yet they all seemed to have some material satisfaction attached. "You will have money, you will be successful, you will be a writer, etc." I
don't remember anything about divine instruction in the context of Scripture or warnings about what is to come. And how many accounts in the Bible are there of individual prophecies for people - outside of Kings and rulers? It seems there is something to the whole fact that prophecies were given to a people or people's leader.
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