Learning to Read Prophecy
- Groups >>
Submitted by JStaller on Thu, 2008-09-18 02:43.
The Book of Revelation stands at the end of a very long line of prophetic books. To understand the Revelator's message, it is very handy to understand the patterns and styles he is deliberately following.
These are some brief lessons that will help you orientate yourself in the world of apocalyptic prophecy. These lessons barely touch directly on the actual content of Revelation, but I highly recommend taking a look at the listed scriptures, just to get an idea of some ways the Spirit of God inspires prophecy.
Not everyone will want or need to read these posts, but if you take even just a few moments to skim the brief lessons, you will be well-prepared when we start in with the direct study.
Poetry as Prophecy
In studying Biblical prophesy, we come across prophecy in several unusual situations.
We find poetry that may or may not have originally been prophecy.
We find historical events that are elsewhere interpreted as prophecy.
We find prophecy that is fulfilled more than once in actual events.
And we find prophecies that were fulfilled, but not as expected.
POETRY AS PROPHECY:
The book of Psalms is a prime example of literature that was created as poetry and became prophecy. Consider Psalm 2:
Psalms 2
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
This psalm is littered with royal imagery. It speaks of setting an anointed king upon the holy hill of Zion. It speaks of ruling with an iron rod. It speaks of kissing the Son to assuage his anger. Many Jews and Christians consider this to be coronation liturgy, a special recitation or presentation that took place at the crowning of Israel’s kings.
Many Christians also consider this prophetic of Jesus, who was anointed, who was king, who was the Son, who was established on the holy hill of Zion. Yet originally, we can tell this was not simply a prophecy of future events; is kissing the Son going to avert his anger on Judgment Day? It may be indicative of the necessity of bowing to Christ, but it sounds also like a reference to offering tribute and respect to a monarch.
Psalms contains many such examples, as do other books. Consider this passage from the book of Job:
Job 19.23-26 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
There is no reason to assume that the events of Job did not actually happen. Still, a study of the book quickly reveals that the structure of Job is poetic—the events that are recorded there are written in an ancient poetical form. As the poet relates to us, (or at least how the translator translates it for us) Job, while completely unfamiliar with the New Testament canon, and with Revelation, somehow knew that both he and his Redeemer would stand on the earth, and that he would see God in the flesh at that time. His poetic lament was prophetic.
Justin Staller - Moderator
justinstaller@yahoo.com
Search the scriptures--for in them ye think ye have eternal life: They are they which testify of me--and ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5.39-40)