Chapter One - The Study of Bible Prophecy
1. THE MEANING OF "PROPHECY"
A prophet may be a spokesman for God, "forth-telling," announcing, declaring the will of the Lord. A prophet may also be a foreteller, describing people who have not yet been born or events before they happen. Some of God's servants were prophets in both senses of the word.
2. THE LAW OF DOUBLE REFERENCE
It is important to recognize the law of double reference. It is indispensable to a proper understanding of the Holy Spirit's usage of the Old Testament passages. This is particularly true in connection with the study of Old Testament prophecies. The principle may be defined in this way: by the law of double reference we mean that a prophecy, the complete fulfillment of which is in the remote future, may also be capable of a near and partial fulfillment.
(Source: Bible Prophecy, Lesson 5, p. 5/2, Emmaus Bible College, 1972 Edition, by C. Ernest Tatham)
Let us look at two examples of this. These should serve to clarify this rule of interpretation.
The first twelve verses of Isaiah 52 predict the glories of Christ's millennial kingdom. The passage is so obvious that it calls for no labored proof. This forecast can be made to apply to the Church or to the world today. Notice particularly verses 6 to 8. But in Romans 10:15 Paul quotes from this chapter and applies it to the present day evangelist. He argues that the gospeller cannot preach unless he is sent - "As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Paul quotes this sentence from Isaiah 52, it does not follow that all of Isaiah's prediction is fulfilled in the Church today. He is simply making an application of a millennial feature and giving it present force. It will be completely fulfilled later on.
Read Joel 2:28-32. Here we have another of those soul-thrilling previews of the glory that will come to both the land and nation of Israel during the beneficent reign of her Messiah-Jesus. We cannot apply verses 21-27 to the present order of things. It is unquestionably future. It is millennial in outlook. Then follows (v. 28-32) the prophecy of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on all flesh, which is just preceded by tremendous cataclysmic changes in the heavenly bodies. We know from other passages that these cosmic disturbances will be attendant upon our Lord's return in power to the earth (Matthew 24:29, 20). Then follows the word, "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."
Peter quotes the last five verses of Joel 2 and introduces them with the words, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16). A comparison of the passages makes it clear that Peter recasts verse 32, carefully omitting all references to salvation as being in Zion or Jerusalem or in the remnant. He simply directs the faith of his hearers to the Lord, from Whom deliverance comes. Are we to understand from Peter's words "This is that" that the entire prophecy was exhausted at Pentecost? Certainly not Peter is simply applying the prophecy to the pentecostal effusion.
3. SPHERES OF PROPHECY
The various books of the Bible were written over a period of some fifteen hundred years. Many of the earlier prophecies were fulfilled before the entire Bible was completed. Their fulfillment is a guarantee that other prophecies, relating to what is still in the future, will similarly be fulfilled.
3.1 Already Fulfilled Old Testament Prophecies
Read Jeremiah 25:11 in the light of 2 Kings 25:1-21. The prophet Jeremiah declared that the "whole land" would become a desolation, and that the king of Babyon would prove to ve a mighty conqueror. A few years later his prophecy was fulfilled: Judah was overthrown and entered upon her seventy years of Babylonian captivity. Or compare Daniel 5:27, 28 with 5:30, 31, where the announcement of the imminent transfer of Belshazzar’s Babylonian Empire to the Medes and Persians is at once followed by the statement that in that night Belshazzar was slain and Darius the Mede took possession of his kingdom.
Other Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in New Testament times. For example, Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:22, 23. The virgin birth of Christ, prophesied by Isaiah, became a reality at the advent of the son of God. Micah’s prediction (Micah 5:2) that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem was marvelously fulfilled at the Savior's birth (Compare Matthew 2:3-6). The rejection and sufferings of our Lord were foretold by Isaiah (53:3-7). His crucifixion was announced in detail by the psalmist about a thousand years before it took place (Psalm 22:1-18). His burial was described in advance by Isaiah (compare Isaiah 53:9 with Matthew 27:57-60).
His resurrection was foreseen by David (compare Psalm 16:8-10 with Acts 2:25-31; 13:35-37). His ascension was proclaimed centuries before it occurred (compare Psalm 68:18 with Ephesians 4:8). Actually, so many Old Testament prophetic utterances were fulfilled in the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Christ that, even if we had no New Testament, we could reconstruct large portions of the life of Christ on the basis of what the Old Testament prophets foretold (see Luke 24:25-27).
3.2 Not Yet Fulfilled Old Testament Prophecies
The Old Testament prophets faithfully recorded prophecies, not only concerning Christ’s sufferings on earth, but also concerning "the glory that should follow" (1 Peter 1:10, 11). The sufferings of the Son of God are past. His glory is still ahead. Read Psalm 2; Isaiah 9:7; 11:4-9; Micah 4:1-5; Zechariah 14:1-9. Such passages refer to events still in the future. Christ’s dramatic return for the dread battle of Armageddom, His glorious reign over the earth-these have not yet taken place. But they are clearly delineated in the pages of the Old Testament. And just as the Old Testament prophecies concerning our Lord’s first coming were meticulously fulfilled, so are these prophecies concerning His second coming sure of fulfillment.
3.3 Already Fulfilled New Testament Prophecies
The Lord Jesus repeatedly told His disciples that He would suffer, be killed and raised again the third day (Matthew 16:21; 17:22, 23; 20:17-19). His predictions soon came to pass. He warned that Judas would betray Him (Matthew 26:24, 25), that His disciples would all be offended (Matthew 26:31) and that Peter would deny Him (Matthew 26:34). Events proved that His words were true.
After His resurrection He told His disciples that they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). This empowering occurred at Pentecost (Acts 2:4; compare Joel 2:28, 29). He stated that Jerusalem would be destroyed (Luke 21:20-24), a tragic event which took place in AD 70, when the capital fell to the armies of the Roman general, Titus.
3.4 Not Yet Fulfilled New Testament Prophecies
Innumerable New Testament predictions await fulfillment. Christ spoke about His second coming to receive believers unto Himself (John 14:3); about Anti-Christ and the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:15, 21); and about His coming in majesty to the earth (Matthew 24:29-31). All this is still in the future. The New Testament epistles abound in prophetic statements which await fulfillment. And the Revelation is a prophetic classic replete with predictions, as yet unfulfilled, concerning dramatic events to come.
4. INTERPRETATIONS OF BIBLE PROPHECY
The area of Biblical prophecy is considered controversial. There are three main schools of interpretation among believers today:
a-millennialism;
post-tribulation rapturism; and
pre-tribulation rapturism.
By a-millennialism we mean that "...there will be no millennium other than that which supposedly is in progress at the present time...there remains no earthly kingdom reign whatever for Christ in the body. Such a theory teaches that the church is the kingdom and therefore is reigning or should be reigning now. The a-millennialist professes to find support for his position by the many New Testament quotations of Old Testament passages, where such passages, originally addressed to Israel, are applied by the New Testament writers to Christians of this Church age. Because of these quotations and applications, the a-millennialist concludes that prophecy finds exhaustive fulfillment in Christianity, and hence that the Christian Church of today is the true Israel. In the light of this conclusion he finds no room for any future national Israel or any literal kingdom to be established on a world-wide scale under Christ.
We believe that this is a serious error. While it is true that the Holy Spirit quotes certain elements of Old Testament prophecies in the New Testament and applies them to the Christian Church, it is extremely important that we distinguish between the primary interpretation and the secondary application. The primary interpretation should be accepted in the light of all the contextual elements and factors. The application of some of these experiences and blessings to believers today simply indicates that Christians already enjoy certain of the spiritual benefits that will ultimately be enjoyed by Israel and the nations when their reconciliation to God has been effected. This principle, known as "the law of double reference," has already been discussed in the above Section 2.
By post-tribulationism we mean that the Church will be caught up to be with Christ at the close of the Great Tribulation period. Pre-tribulationism asserts that the true Church, which is Christ's body, will be raptured before the outpouring of divine wrath upon the earth. This course holds to the latter view.
5. THE ORDER OF PROPHETIC EVENTS
Before we begin a detailed analysis of the leading events to come, it is wise for us to have an overall appreciation of what the future has in store. Then we can see each item in historical, prophetic persepective. The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would come into the world. Some passages said that He would suffer (Psalms 22 and 69), others told of His glory (Psalms 2 and 72). The prophets wondered how both could be true (1 Peter 1:10, 11). The explanation is that Christ came and suffered at His first advent and will come again in glory at His second advent.
With regard to Christ’s first coming, one prophet said that He would come to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and another said that He would come to Jerusalem, riding on an ass (Zechariah 9:9). Both of these were literally fulfilled (Matthew 2:1; 21:1-11). With regard to the second coming, some verses speak of His coming for His saints (John 14:3), while others speak of His coming with His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13). Thus, there must be a time lapse between the two advents. We shall consider coming events in their chronological order.
5.1 Preparation for Christ's Return
The way will be paved for the coming of the Savior. The "signs of the times" which indicate the imminence of His return. Sin, unbelief, formalism, false cults, indifference and callousness will abound. And certain specific historical events will take place. God’s discerning people may behold some of these predicted events occurring today.
5.2 The Rapture of the Saints / Church
This is the first event in the prophetic program. All believers will be caught up to meet their Savior (1 Corinthians 15:51-56; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We learn that the Lord will descend with a shout; believers already dead will rise first from the dead; living believers will be changed and given a new body; they will be caught up into the air and all this will be sudden. When will this take place? The Lord would have us to be ready and watching for Him at all times; thus no dates are given.
5.3 The Judgment Seat of Christ
They will receive their rewards at His judgment seat and be forever with Him. The term "judgment seat" (Greek, bema) suggests rewards, not punitive judgment. "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10). Believers will not be judged for their sins at this event because "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). At the judgment seat of Christ rewards will be given to believers for faithful, sacrificial service (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).
5.4 The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
When rewards for faithful service have been given, the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place (Revelation 19:1-8). The Lord and His own will enter into inexpressible joy.
5.5 The Great Tribulation (The Time of Jacob's Trouble)
Earthquakes, storms, famines and epidemics are the common experience of mankind, and wars have caused the death of millions throughout the history. But the Bible speaks of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:14). In Matthew 24 Jesus taught about a coming period of trouble known as "the beginning of sorrows." This will be followed by the greatest tribulation the world has ever known (Matthew 24:8, 21). Many more details are given in pictorial, apocalytic form in Revelation 6-18. God will punish the Jewish nation for crucifying His Son, and so will allow them to be persecuted. Jew-hating Gentiles will go too far, and the wrath of God will for this and other reasons be poured out on the nations as well. At first men will be filled with fear (Revelation 6:15-17), but they will nevertheless refuse to turn to God in repentance (Revelation 9:20, 21; 16:9, 11).
The Great Tribulation will come after the Church is taken away (Revelation 3:10), and before Christ returns in glory. Daniel the prophet spoke of seven years of desolation (Daniel 9:27). The first three and one-half years may be calm and prosperous, but the last half will be terrifying. God will raise up witnesses (Revelation 11:3-12) to the truth during the tribulation also and many Jewish people will be converted and saved (Revelation 7:1-8) and many Gentiles will also be converted and saved (Revelation 7:9-17).
Antichrist will be revealed (Revelation 13:1-6, 11-18). The Great Tribulation will smite-the most intense, excruciating period of suffering ever known. If you are not yet a believer, put your trust in Christ at once. Then you too may escape the horrible agony which will grip the apostate earth culture from which the true Church will have been removed.
5.6 The Return of the King with His Church (The Revelation of Christ)
This is one of the crowning events of Biblical prophecy. The Lord Jesus will return to earth in power and great glory at the conclusion of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:29, 30). He comes with the saints of the church, raptured seven years before, to bring deliverance for Israel which is being oppressed by the Antichrist. Israel will mourn as they remember how their nation rejected the Messiah (Zecharizh 12:10). The battle of Armageddon will be fought. Antichrist, the coming world dictator, will be overthrown. Christ will triumph over the massed military might of earth. He will demonstrate that He is King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-21).
5.7 Resurrection of Old Testament Saints and Tribulation Martyrs
Jewish believers from Old Testament times (Daniel 12:2) and the tribulation martyrs are to be raised at the close of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 20:4). The unbelieving dead will remain in the graves for another 1000 years (20:5). Their resurrection and judgment at the end of the Millennium is described in Revelation 20:7-15, and noted in the last phrase of Daniel 12:2.
5.8 Binding of Satan
Satan will be bound and completely restricted from exercising any influence during Christ's millennial rule (Revelation 20:1-3). He will be cast into the "bottomless pit."
5.9 The Judgment of the Living Nations / Gentiles and Establishment of the Kingdom
Then will come the judgment of the living nations (Matthew 25:31-46). Gentiles who have shown their faith in God by helping His people, the faithful Jewish remnant, will be admitted to Christ’s kingdom. Others will be led away to eternal punishment. When all evil elements have been purged, Christ will set up His earthly kingdom. The boundaries of the nation of Israel, "from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates" (Genesis 15:18), will have to be defined. This will not be difficult at the time, however, with all opposing powers now defeated and Christ in complete authority over the world. In addition, appointments of glorified saints to their respective positions of rule will be made.
5.10 The Millennium
With these matters effected, the glorious period of the millennium will begin. Old Testament prophecy tells of a golden age in the future, when the Messiah will reign as King over the whole earth. In Revelation 20:4 He is seen reigning for a thousand years. The earth was put under a curse because of Adam’s sin (Genesis 3:17, 18), and the ground now produces thorns and weeds. Paradise will be restored (Revelation 2:7) and the desert will "blossom like the rose" (Isaiah 35:1). Wild animals will be tame (Isaiah 65:25), and all creation will be delivered from suffering (Romans 8:19-22). There will be no war (Isaiah 9:7) and crime will be at a minimum.
In Revelation 17 and 18 we see the end of commercialized religion. A simple spiritual order will suffice in the millennium. Sickness and death will be the exception rather than the rule. People will live to a great age (Isaiah 65:20). Those who are spared to enter the millennial kingdom may not be many in number but the world’s population will increase, and the Christ the King will provide for all. All who enter the kingdom will be sons of God (Matthew 25:34). Their children born during the millennium will have the opportunity of being born again, and many will be. Satan will be bound (Revelation 20:2) and his hosts of evil spirits will also be restrained. In Isaiah 60:12 we see that Israel will be the leading nation of the world. This place will be given to her by the King of Israel, the Lord Jesus Christ. The twelve apostles will join the Lord Jesus in ruling Israel (Matthew 19:28). Christians are members of Christ’s body, they will go wherever He goes (John 14:3).
5.11 The Loosing and Doom of Satan
During the millennium, with Christ on the throne, all men will be forced to obey. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed for a time (Revelation 20:3). He will gather an innumerable army for the last great effort to overthrow the throne of God. This army will all be destroyed by fire from heaven (Revelation 20:9); Satan will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10) and all resistance to the reign of God will be over forever.
5.12 The Judgment of Unbelievers at the Great White Throne
Then will come the Second Resurrection. We have oberved that the dead in Christ rise from among the dead at the rapture, before the kingdom is set up but the resurrection of Christ guarantees that all men will rise again (1 Corinthians 15:22). Every non-believers will stand before God complete with body, soul, and spirit. Only the unsaved will appear at the Great White Throne, where the books will be opened and every man judged according to his works. The Lord will sit on the throne as Judge (John 5:22). There is no salvation for those who have rejected Christ in this world (Revelation 20:11-15).
5.13 The Eternal State (New Heaven and New Earth)
Time is like a tiny beach surrounded by an infinite ocean of eternity. Before the creation of the world there was a measureless period called eternity. When time ceases to be measure, we will come to the eternity of the future. "From eternity to eternity thou art God" (Psalm 90:2). The word "eternity" means an endless period of time. This universe, defiled by sin, will be destroyed by fire, and God will create new heavens and a new earth (2 Peter 3:10-13). Isaiah says the old will not be remembered (65:17). John had a vision of the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1). During the millennial period of the present earth, righteous shall rule (Isaiah 32:1), but in the new earth righteousness shall dwell (2 Peter 3:13). Redeemed man in eternity will not be as limited as he is now (note: even better than Adam in the time period at the Garden of Eden!) The reign of believers will be forever (Revelation 22:5). We will be with Christ (John 17:24). We will be joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). We will be like Christ (1 John 3:2). We shall at His right hand for evermore (Psalm 16:11)!
6. ACCURACIES OF BIBLE PROPHECY
The remarkable precision with which Biblical prophecies have already been fulfilled fortifies our conviction that the Word of God is sure and that the prophetic picture of the future is accurate and trustworthy. Those who have not yet trusted Christ as Saviour should sense, as they study things to come, that Christ’s return may be very near and that they should turn promptly and humbly to Him for salvation before it is everlastingly too late.