Page 128 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

Why study Prophecy
The study of Prophecy is important because:
a. 20 to 25% of the Bible was Prophecy when written.
b. Prophecy demonstrates the faithfulness, sovereignty and supernatural power of God.
c. Prophecy encourages believers to have hope.
d. Prophecy motivates believers to godly living.
e. Prophecy discloses God’s truth and the nature and consequences of sin, especially
disobedience to God’s word.
f. Prophecy reveals God’s eternal plan and purpose.

Nature of God’s Prophecy
A Prophet is one who announces—A person designated by God to speak to men on behalf of
God as God’s mouthpiece or spokesman.

Characteristics of true Prophet (see Deut. 18:14-22). There have always been false and true
Prophets. Scripture show us how to evaluate if a Prophet is true or false. A true Prophet:
a. Is called by God and speaks for God, i.e. Yahweh’s words (Jer. 1:9-10)
b. Always has 100% of his Prophecies come true
c. Needed no Props because his prophecy was based on divine revelation
d. Always had his prophetic word confirmed—many time by miracles.
e. Functioned in the power of the Spirit (Isa. 61:1)
f. Was a man of consistent godly character

Message of Prophets (Verbal, Visual and written)
While the message of the Prophets may be in the form of: drama, object lessons, acted out
sermons.
It was basically two fold—(condemnation and consolation)
Prophecy is used in two senses:
a. Foretelling the future (foresight )
b. Telling forth the truth (insight)

Thus, the Prophets of God would speak the truth about:
a. Current spiritual condition and
b. Coming significant events

In the process the Prophet would:
a. Proclaim moral/ethical truth and expose sin

Often Prophecy was in the form a warning (condemning sin, calling for repentance and cautioning about
disobedience). The goal was to turn people from there sin and back to God.
1) Pronounce judgment (emphasizing reaping/sowing and consequences of sin)
2) Predict and preview the future (provide blessing and hope for comfort).
a. The prophet would:
i. Reveal God’s word (message)
ii. Predict the messiah (Savior)
iii. Preview the millennial kingdom

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