A Primer on Biblical Prophecy

The Bible gives at least 35 specific prophecies talking about the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled every one of those 35 prophecies perfectly within his lifetime.

The statistical probability of one man randomly fulfilling 35 prophecies perfectly is less than 1 in 34 billion.

Some Scholars say that the Old Testament gives 300 - 570 prophecies about the Messiah - depending on how specifically you divide them - Jesus still fulfilled EVERY one of them and just decreases the likelihood of coincidence.

The Bible gave at least 300 prophecies about various things, each of which have been fulfilled perfectly according to what the prophecy said would occur. The likelihood of these events randomly happening is less than 1 in 2.0 x 10 to the 90th - this means a two with 90 zeros after it. Pretty convincing odds that this didn't happen by chance.

No other religion can accurately say the same thing about the religious writings that they follow.

Biblical prophecy is accurate, it is encouraging, and it is absolutely necessary!

What is Biblical Prophecy?

Prophecy (def.) - the act, gift, or the utterance of one interpreting divine will or purpose

In application - Biblical prophecy can be either or both forthtelling or foretelling

forthtelling – explaining the present from God’s perspective and bringing strength to God’s people to overcome in the situation and move into his purposes.

foretelling - is predictive about the future. (Note- Remember, it’s what God sees and interpretation of those predictions has to belong to the Lord - Genesis 40:8)

2 Peter 1:19–21 AMP

And we have the prophetic word [made] firmer still. You will do well to pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal (squalid and dark) place, until the day breaks through [the gloom] and the Morning Star rises (comes into being) in your hearts. [Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation (loosening, solving). For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so—it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.

Why Do We Need Prophecy Today?:

1. Prophecy helps to establish the foundations of God’s church

Ephesians 2:20 NKJV

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

Luke 21:33 NKJV

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

God’s unshakable word is the foundation of His church!

2. Prophecy is a supernatural phenomenon that brings an invisible God into the realm of the visible and it helps us know that God knows what is going on, that God knows us personally, and that God knows the/our future.

John 1:46–49 NKJV

And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

3. Prophecy builds up the church and brings encouragement and comfort to believers.

1 Corinthians 12:4–7 NKJV

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

1 Corinthians 14:3–4 NKJV

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

Life is full of challenges, we NEED the encouragement & comfort of God.

How do I position myself to hear from God?:

1. Receive the minister and the Prophetic gift of God

Matthew 10:41 NKJV

He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

Honor opens the way to receive.

2. Ask God to Speak to you Prophetically (by the minister, directly from the Holy Spirit, or straight from the Bible)

Matthew 7:7–8 NKJV

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Psalm 27:4 NKJV

One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.

Remember God spoke to thousands of people simultaneously on the day of Pentecost.

God’s Spirit can speak to every one of us specifically and individually at the same time.

3. Prepare your heart in faith to receive.

Mark 11:24 NKJV

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Matthew 4:4 NKJV

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

We cannot live by the (Logos) Written Word alone, we need the (Rhema) Living God-breathed word every day.

This is the way we should ALWAYS approach the Bible and church - expecting needing and looking for the Living God-breathed word.

Just One Thing:

Get desperate to hear God speak to you!

This week place a demand on the word and the Spirit of God to speak to your spirit & prepare your heart to receive the prophetic gifting next week.

Discussion Questions:

What was your favorite game to play as a child?

What did you learn about Biblical prophecy from this sermon that you didn’t know before? How does this impact your life?

Please read Matthew 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3 and share what these passages mean to you in light of the importance of prophecy in the life of a believer.

Have you ever had an encounter with Biblical prophecy through people and/or God speaking His living Word directly to you? Share a little bit.