Friday Night Message: Understanding Biblical Prophecy - Part VIII

 

Feb. 3, 2023

Good evening brethren,

How can we better understand Prophecy?

We continue tonight 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

4. National Identity

5. Principles of Time

6. Watching World News

7. Obedience

The seventh and final key has to do with obeying God.  The spirit of God can reveal the meaning of prophecies to the human mind.  Those who have been imbued with God’s spirit are granted special insight, and therefore can know and follow God’s law.  

Acts 5:32 – We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.

So God gives His spirit to those who obey Him.  A verse in the book of Daniel makes a connection between obedience to God and prophecy.

Dan. 12:8-10 – ….Daniel said, My Lord, what shall be the end of these things?  And God said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.  Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand.

Notice in this passage that the contrast is between the wicked and the wise, not between the wicked and righteous, or between the foolish and wise.  Essentially the Bible is saying that the wicked are foolish, and that the wise are wise because they are obedient to God.

 So the Bible equates wisdom with obedience to God’s law.  If you really want to understand prophecy better, then you should obey God’s commandments more faithfully, and thereby receive more of His holy spirit so that you can comprehend more about such spiritual things as Biblical prophecy.

Ps. 111:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; wicked.  A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.

Have a great Sabbath,

Fred