1. Interpreting Prophecy

2. What is a prophet? Basic level – someone sent from God with a message from God (Jer. 1:4-10; Matt. 23:34) Hebrews 1:1 describes past biblical authors as prophets Schools of prophets are described (1 Kings 18:4; 2 Kings 2:3-7) In NT, all God’s people are prophets to some degree because we have God’s word on our heart and speak it to our neighbor (Heb. 8:11; Acts 2:16-18) Still remains a unique gift of prophecy (Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor 12 and 14)

3. What is a prophet? In the OT, the Spirit came on prophets when they spoke and departed from them afterward (1 Sam 10:10, Ps. 51:11) Read Deut 18:15-22 for God’s teaching on prophets. – Passage describes OT prophets, but also points to Jesus as the Son of God who spoke the very words of God (John 3:34) – False prophets were real, and continue to come

4. Guidelines for Interpreting Prophecy Investigate the book’s background, date, author, and audience – think of Israel’s warnings of exile if they disobeyed God. Look at context Expect figurative language. Prophecy is the language of judgment, anguish, longing, and celebration. It contains strong emotions. Distinguish conditional and unconditional prophecy – Unconditional Gen. 12:1-3 – Conditional/warnings Jonah 3:4. Also Jer. 18:7-10

5. Guidelines for Interpreting Prophecy What is the author trying to convey to the original audience? Ultimate accountability of wayward nations, preservation of a remnant, delay in judgment of wicked people? Have later biblical passages shown the fulfillment of the prophecy? Acts 2:17-21; 15:16-18; Heb. 8:8-12; Is. 53