Friday Night Message: Understanding Biblical Prophecy - Part V

Jan. 13, 2023

Good evening brethren,

How can we better understand Prophecy?

We continue for another few weeks with our focus upon one very important aspect of prophecy… specifically how to understand prophetic material in the Bible.

Dan. 12:4 – But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.

Is it really possible to comprehend Biblical prophecy?  How can we hope to understand it when sometimes the prophets themselves were “left in the dark”?  Well, there are some basic principles that, when applied, can unlock vast portions of prophecy to our understanding.

1. Symbolism

2. Duality

3. Blessings and Curses

This third principle is simply acknowledging cause and effect, the understanding that prophecy is conditional.  Sin brings about God’s punishment, both on an individual level, and on a national or global scale.

4. National Identity

A fourth key to understanding prophecy is to know what are the Biblical identities of modern nations.  A thorough study of ancient history as well as the Bible will lead you to believe that the major nations of our modern world are indeed prominent amongst the prophecies of the Bible.

Consider the significant prophecies given by God when He initiated His plan of salvation for all:

Gen. 12:1-3 – Now the Lord had said to Abram; Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

This prophecy is most likely focused upon spiritual matters:

John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

But other passages in the Pentateuch seem to include physical blessings as well:

Gen. 35:11-12 – God said to Jacob I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body.  The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land

Both Deuteronomy and Leviticus contain long prophecies regarding the Israelites, revealing the judgment that will come upon God’s enemies, and the incredible blessings that Israel will inherit for obedience.

Specifically, the COG believes that this verse is describing the United States of America (the greatest single nation the world has ever known), and that the “company of nations” is describing the British Commonwealth.  

Bible verses mentioning the nation of Judah occur frequently throughout the Bible.  The modern day country of Israel is populated primarily by descendants of Judah.  But most think of modern day Judah as being descended from all of Israel’s tribes.  I don’t have time or space to explain in detail here, but I will give you one interesting tidbit.

The very first time the term “Jews” occurs in the Bible, the nation of Israel is at war against the Jews.  All Jews are Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews.

Many in the COG also believe that they we have properly identified other nations in modern NW Europe which descended from the Twelve Tribes of Israel. I believe that additional research is needed to relate each and every tribe of ancient Israel to their modern-day counterparts, but for the most part, I do believe that the church is generally correct in its conclusions about America and western Europe, especially in regards to Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh.

So then, knowing the identity of major nations is important, as it enables you to identify “key players” in so many Biblical prophecies. 

Just two days ago Sue and I received the JAN-FEB 2003 issue of the Beyond Today magazine.  May I recommend that you use part of your Sabbath reading the BT? 

Next week we will consider a fourth principle of understanding prophecy, which is timing.

Have an excellent Sabbath,

Fred