The Word Of Prophecy

"We have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts" (2 Peter 1.19).

The word "prophecy" means "speaking forth". Not always is prophecy predictive, it is the forth-telling of the will of God whether in reference to the past, the present, or the future. Nevertheless, there is a great body of prophecy in Scripture which, when written, had to do with future events. Some of this has already been fulfilled, for history is fulfilled prophecy. Here we will use the word "prophecy" in the limited sense of that part of the prophetic word which awaits fulfilment.

It will be observed from the Old Testament writings that some of the greatest revelations of God's future purposes were given in times of spiritual declension. Thus the Spirit of God lifted the hearts of the faithful and gave them the sure hope of a glorious future. In spite of the boastings of men who speak as though they controlled the world, the prophetic word is a constant reminder that God is sovereign in His universe and works all things after the counsel of His will. The purpose of prophecy, then, was spiritual. There is a morbid, unhealthy interest in Biblical prophecy which is divorced from godly living and spiritual edification. Many present-day cults are prophecy-mongers. So called Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelpheans, Seventh-Day Adventists, British Israelites and Mormons all have extravagant and conflicting theories which they confidently claim to be based on the prophetic word. Prophecy testifies to the divine origin of Scripture, but these cults bring the true study of the prophetic word into disrepute. "Prophecy is not given to enable us to prophesy but as a witness to God when the time comes" (Pusey). "I tell you before it come to pass," said our Lord, "that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am He" (John 13.19).

These cautions against the dangers of spurious prophetic speculation are not with the object of discouraging the true study of prophecy but rather to encourage it. Large areas in the treasury of Scripture relate to things to come. We need the uplift and spiritual vision they will bring to us. Let us then, remembering that the Spirit of truth is the Spirit of prophecy, turn with greater diligence to the prophetic word, and, "When the plain sense of Scripture makes commonsense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning, unless the facts of the context indicate clearly otherwise" (Cooper).

unknown | Feb 1969
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