Topical Bible: Prophecy: Given from the Beginning

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Prophecy, as a divine communication, has been an integral part of the biblical narrative from the very beginning of creation. It serves as a testament to God's sovereign plan and His intimate involvement in the affairs of humanity. The concept of prophecy is woven throughout the Scriptures, revealing God's purposes and His unfolding plan for redemption.

The Genesis of Prophecy

The earliest instance of prophecy can be traced back to the Book of Genesis. In Genesis 3:15, often referred to as the Protoevangelium or "first gospel," God declares to the serpent, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." This prophetic utterance foreshadows the ultimate victory of the Messiah over Satan, setting the stage for the redemptive narrative that unfolds throughout the Bible.

Patriarchal Prophecies

The patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were recipients of divine promises that carried prophetic significance. God's covenant with Abraham included the promise that "all the families of the earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3). This prophecy pointed to the coming of Christ, through whom the blessing of salvation would extend to all nations.

Jacob, in his final blessings to his sons, prophesied over Judah, saying, "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to Him will be the obedience of the peoples" (Genesis 49:10). This prophecy anticipated the rise of a royal line culminating in the reign of the Messiah.

Mosaic Prophecies

Moses, as a prophet, delivered God's law and foretold the coming of a future prophet like himself. In Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses declared, "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him." This prophecy is understood to refer to Jesus Christ, who would fulfill the role of the ultimate prophet, priest, and king.

Prophetic Voices in Israel

Throughout Israel's history, God raised up prophets to speak His word to the people. These prophets, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, delivered messages of warning, judgment, and hope. Their prophecies often contained both immediate and future fulfillments, pointing to the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom.

Isaiah's prophecies are particularly rich with messianic themes. In Isaiah 7:14, he foretold 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." Isaiah 53 provides a vivid portrayal of the suffering servant, a prophecy fulfilled in the life and death of Jesus Christ.

The Role of Prophecy in the New Testament

The New Testament writers frequently reference Old Testament prophecies to demonstrate their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Matthew, for instance, emphasizes how Jesus' life and ministry fulfilled specific prophecies, underscoring His identity as the promised Messiah.

In the Book of Acts, Peter, in his sermon at Pentecost, cites the prophecy of Joel, declaring, "In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people" (Acts 2:17). This event marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the inauguration of the church age, fulfilling Joel's ancient prophecy.

The Continuation of Prophecy

The New Testament also speaks of the continuation of prophecy within the church. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, discusses the gift of prophecy as one of the spiritual gifts given for the edification of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-5). This ongoing prophetic ministry serves to build up the church and provide guidance and encouragement to believers.

Eschatological Prophecies

The Bible concludes with the Book of Revelation, a prophetic vision given to the Apostle John. This apocalyptic prophecy unveils the ultimate triumph of Christ, the final judgment, and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth. Revelation 19:10 affirms, "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy," highlighting the centrality of Christ in all prophetic revelation.

From Genesis to Revelation, prophecy serves as a divine thread that reveals God's redemptive plan and His faithfulness to His promises. Through prophecy, God has communicated His will, provided hope, and assured His people of His ultimate victory over sin and death.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:70
As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the First Prophecy, which is that of the Seals; and in the ...
... THE FIRST PART Of the first Prophecy, which is that ... circumscribe these periods within
a certain beginning and end ... is sufficient at present to have given a hint ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the first prophecy which.htm

Exposition of the Prophecy of Isaiah Quoted by Jesus.
... The passage in Isaiah from the beginning is thus, "Be ye ... the spirit of stupor, which
shall be given to them ... among them, just as there is no prophecy; but God ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/11 exposition of the prophecy.htm

The Date of the Beginning of Noonday.
... not fix this date (311) as the beginning of the ... given to hospitality, apt to teach;
"not given to wine ... How true the Savior's prophecy: "The moon shall not give ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter i the date of.htm

Assumptions Concerning the Book of Isaiah.
... prophecy, "declaring the end from the beginning." (Isaiah 46 ... Immanuel." Matthew affirms
that this prophecy was fulfilled ... the name "Jesus" was to be given to the ...
/.../vi assumptions concerning the book.htm

It is a Ground for Thanksgiving that During the Last Three or Four ...
... people, for they are the principal subjects of the prophecy. ... that their history would
have been given minutely and consecutively from its beginning to its ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/it is a ground for.htm

He Illustrates the Same Doctrine by Passages from the New ...
... by fresh ones, and the support of the new preaching is given to the ancient prophecy. ...
high." But John says: "That which was from the beginning, which we ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter vi he illustrates the.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... To complete the picture of desolation, it is added in the beginning of the fourth ...
No date is given for the fulfilment of the prophecy, nor any exact ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Philosophy is Knowledge Given by God.
... For prophecy is full of knowledge (gnosis), inasmuch as it was given by the ... after
which comes action;) knowledge turns out the beginning and author of ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter viii philosophy is knowledge given.htm

Grace and Graces
... grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us ... be more accurately exchanged
for 'has been given,' and that ... Paul exhorts us to do in the beginning of this ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/grace and graces.htm

Even if the Permission had Been Given by St. Paul in the Sense ...
... Even If the Permission Had Been Given by St. ... withal "was not from the beginning""
without deserving ... somewhat) to abrogate; the New Prophecy (abrogates) second ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter xiv even if the permission.htm