Understanding Prophecy

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Preparing for the End of Time

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Why study prophecy?

  • Provides a cement to faith making it stronger.
  • Gives hope and encouragement for the future.
  • Prepares the believer for final events.
29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
John 14:29
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Peter 1:19-21
Revelation opens and closes with a blessing on those who study the prophecies.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Revelation 1:3
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Revelation 22:7
Prophecy fills the Bible. There is much more than the books of Daniel and Revelation. The Saviour gave significant prophecies in Matthew 24. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others contain many prophecies.

Prophecies are often mysterious and confusing because many describe people, times, and events using symbols. There are often multiple applications of a single prophecy. Prophecy is truly understood looking back on fullfilments. The guidance of the Holy Spirit is required to understand the word of God and especially prophecy.

Beware that Satan uses prophecy as one of his tools to deceive, divide, and corrupt the children of God. Satan creates his own prophecies and revelations. Satan uses dispute over Biblical prophetic interpretation to destroy faith.

Spiritual Warfare

The purpose of prophecy is not to predict the future. God is telling us what His plan is for the future. We are to be prepared for events when they happen.

7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7

The Prophecy Code seminar and online video presentations are an excellent presentation of the prophecies. There are also excellent outlines and lesson studies.

Common Symbolisms

There are many common symbols throughout prophecy that need to be understood for interpretation. A comprehensive list of Prophetic Symbols can be found at the Prophecy Code website. These are some of the most important ones.

Time

Time in prophecies has a common symbolism. A day in prophecy represents a year.
34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
Numbers 14:34
4 Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity. 5 For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. 6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.
Ezekiel 4:4-6
The prophetic month is 30 days. A prophetic year is 360 days. It has been speculated that these were the orbital periods of the moon and earth at creation. There are three indications of possible orbital changes in the Bible.
  1. The flood of Genesis 7:17 about 2347 BC. Probably a comet impact.
  2. Long day of Joshua 10:13 about 1510 BC. Note meteorite impacts in verse 11.
  3. Sundial moves back in II Kings 20:11 about 651 BC.

Animals

Animals and beasts in prophecies have a common symbolism. They represent kingdoms and political powers.

17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Daniel 7:17
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Daniel 7:23
10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
Revelation 16:10
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Revelation 17:12

Women

Women in prophecies have a common symbolism. They represent churches.

A pure woman represents the true church of God. See Revelation 12.

Prostitutes and other vile women represent the fallen and corrupt churches. Compare Revelation 17.

Of particular interest is the abominable desolate (abomination of desolation). An evil, broken, spiritually corrupt, barren, widowed woman. She does not see herself that way.

7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Revelation 18:7

Next: Understanding Daniel

Revised 2005-03-08