Topical Bible: Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Proof of God's Foreknowledge

◄ Prophecy: (Respecting Individuals, See Under Their Names): Proof of God's Foreknowledge ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Prophecy, within the biblical context, serves as a profound testament to the foreknowledge of God. It is the divine communication of events that are to occur, often delivered through chosen individuals known as prophets. These prophecies are not mere predictions but are declarations of God's sovereign will and purpose, revealing His omniscience and omnipotence.

Biblical Foundation of Prophecy

The Bible is replete with instances where God reveals future events through His prophets. These prophecies encompass a wide range of subjects, including the rise and fall of nations, the coming of the Messiah, and the ultimate redemption of humanity. The fulfillment of these prophecies serves as evidence of God's foreknowledge and His active involvement in the course of human history.

Key Examples of Prophetic Fulfillment

1. The Prophecy of the Messiah: One of the most significant prophetic themes in the Bible is the coming of the Messiah. The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies concerning the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For instance, Isaiah 7:14 foretells the virgin birth: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy finds fulfillment in the New Testament, as recorded in Matthew 1:22-23.

2. The Fall of Babylon: The prophet Isaiah predicted the fall of Babylon long before it occurred. In Isaiah 13:19, it is written, "And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah." This prophecy was fulfilled when Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians, as detailed in Daniel 5.

3. The Restoration of Israel: The prophets also spoke of the restoration of Israel after exile. Jeremiah 29:10 states, "For this is what the LORD says: 'When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.'" This prophecy was fulfilled when the Israelites returned to their homeland under the decree of Cyrus, king of Persia.

Theological Implications

The fulfillment of biblical prophecies underscores the reliability and authority of Scripture. It affirms that God is not bound by time and possesses complete knowledge of past, present, and future events. This foreknowledge is not passive but is intricately woven into His divine plan for creation. Prophecy, therefore, is not only a revelation of future events but also a demonstration of God's faithfulness and His commitment to His promises.

Conclusion

Prophecy stands as a compelling proof of God's foreknowledge, offering assurance to believers of His sovereign control over history. It invites individuals to trust in God's plan and to recognize the unfolding of His purposes throughout the ages. As such, prophecy remains a vital component of biblical revelation, affirming the truth of God's word and His eternal wisdom.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 43:9
Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... whatever might happen by the act of the individuals is sought for ... The argument from
prophecy. ... in the twenty-third book of the Exegetics, respecting those that ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... work in Rome: he drove out prophecy and he ... in his more rigoristic period under the
influence of Montanism he denounced most vehemently; see preceding extract ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm