Topical Bible: Prophecy: God Gives, Through Christ

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Prophecy, as a divine communication, is a significant theme throughout the Bible, serving as a means by which God reveals His will and future plans to humanity. In the Christian tradition, prophecy is understood as a gift from God, often delivered through chosen individuals, and ultimately fulfilled in and through Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament is replete with prophetic messages, delivered by prophets who were called by God to speak His words to the people of Israel. These messages often included calls to repentance, warnings of judgment, and promises of future restoration. Key prophetic figures include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, among others. Isaiah, for instance, prophesied about the coming of the Messiah, saying, "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 7:14).

The Role of Christ in Prophecy

The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. The Gospel of Matthew frequently highlights this connection, emphasizing that Jesus' life and ministry were in accordance with what was spoken by the prophets. For example, Matthew 1:22-23 states, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel' (which means, 'God with us')."

Jesus Himself affirmed His role in fulfilling prophecy. In Luke 4:17-21, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue, declaring, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21). This proclamation underscores His identity as the promised Messiah and the ultimate revelation of God's prophetic word.

The Apostolic Witness

The apostles, in their preaching and writings, continued to affirm that Jesus was the fulfillment of God's prophetic promises. Peter, in his sermon at Pentecost, cites the prophet Joel, explaining that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was a fulfillment of prophecy (Acts 2:16-21). Furthermore, the apostle Paul, in his letters, often refers to the prophetic nature of Christ's work, emphasizing that the mystery of the Gospel was revealed through Him (Ephesians 3:4-6).

The Gift of Prophecy in the Church

The New Testament also speaks of prophecy as a spiritual gift given to the Church. In 1 Corinthians 12:10, Paul lists prophecy among the gifts of the Spirit, and in 1 Corinthians 14:1, he encourages believers to "eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy" . This gift is intended for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the Church (1 Corinthians 14:3).

The Eschatological Dimension

Prophecy in the New Testament also has an eschatological dimension, pointing to the return of Christ and the consummation of God's kingdom. The Book of Revelation, a prophetic text, provides a vision of the end times, emphasizing the ultimate victory of Christ and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1-4).

In summary, prophecy in the Christian tradition is a divine gift that reveals God's will and purposes, ultimately centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, the promises of God are fulfilled, and the prophetic word continues to guide and edify the Church as it awaits His return.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Unity of Revelation. 1 "Known unto God are all his Works from ...
... Earlier prophecy is, at least in many cases, framed with a view to the subsequent
development of ... A single passage of God's word occasionally gives us a ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvi the unity of.htm

Prophecy was not Only from the Father and the Son but Also from ...
... to another divers kinds of tongues, to another prophecy." [1225] So ... as the Father,
and the Son also gives them. ... you overseers to rule the Church of God." [1226]. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiii prophecy was not.htm

How Great are the Benefits Conferred on Man through the Advent of ...
... in creation, salvation, beneficence, legislation, prophecy, teaching, we ... to a pious
and good child gives gentle counsels ... in all things, follows God, obeys the ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter xi how great are the.htm

God his Own Interpreter.
... pledge. Hence, the prophecy speaks of the thing as done, since God has promised
to do it. Seven ... itself. It gives no uncertain testimony. ...
/.../x god his own interpreter.htm

V. ...
... the power of Christ's kingdom now proceeds; now He gives the word ... and you may be
certain that we have God's word ... why does he say we have a sure word of prophecy? ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter i v 2.htm

The Church of God.
... No one elder gives orders to all these different sects.1 ... nor of "working of miracles,"
nor of "prophecy," nor of ... is the only entrance into the church of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vii the church of.htm

The Last Word of Prophecy
... led to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God. ... more directly Messianic
part of this prophecy is closed ... a great saying, which at once gives the reason ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the last word of prophecy.htm

The Prophets Bore Witness to Christ and Foretold Many Things ...
... of equal importance would be left to prophecy, inspired as ... Me, and I am witness,
saith the Lord God, and My ... The Saviour gives the name of martyr to every one ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/28 the prophets bore witness.htm

The New Sinai
... On the whole, the world gives us back, as a mirror ... the witness that he is called
by God His child ... This appends a calm prophecy, which must have shattered many a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the new sinai.htm

Claiming.
... in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the ... When God gives him a definite
promise for some definite ... of faith, is abundantly clear from the Book of God. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter xiii claiming.htm