Learning to Read Prophecy
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.
Prophecy, in Brief
We see then that prophecy can be true in more than one way.
Prophecy can be a both a reference to something that happened in the past and at the same time be a reference to something that will happen in the future.
Prophecy can be fulfilled in ways we are not anticipating, in ways that are true to the intent of the author and true to the intent of God, but not true to the expectations of the interpreters.
We see that prophecy can be fulfilled more than once in future events, just as there was more than one Branch in prophecy.
We also see that prophecy can originate as poetry, a language of symbols, and come to take on a special meaning—just because something is poetry doesn’t mean it isn’t also prophecy
Justin Staller - Moderator
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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)