Why is Prophecy Controversial?
Many feel Biblical prophecy is too controversial and so is not worth studying. Yet, when one looks at Biblical prophecy, there are basically three types of prophecy: 1) things which were supposed to happen immediately [e.g., the prophet Micaiah prophesied against Ahab stating he would die that day in battle (1Ki 22:28); Elijah prophesied of no rain for three years (1Ki 17:1)]; 2) short term prophecy which was to happen relatively soon [e.g., captivity of Israel (Is 8:1-10, Ho 9:1-17; captivity of Judah (Jr 25:1-14)], and 3) long term prophecy which was to happen in the distant future [e.g., reign of Messiah (Is 9:6-7; 60:1-22)]. Also, a prophecy could have a combination of any of these. The reason for this is the understanding of the purpose of Biblical prophecy.
All prophecy had an immediate meaning and purpose for the people of the day in which it was given. Prophecy was never given for prophecy sake. It was never simply to let those who lived in later years to know what was going to happen. While we can certainly benefit from this information which was provided, we must remember that prophecy was first and foremost about changing people’s hearts. God has a future for both individuals and for kingdoms and wants us to be a part of his designed future. Therefore, he has given us glimpses of what that future might be like. Yet, his main goal was to change the hearts of people to respond to him in the right way.
The main purpose of prophecy also answers the question to our post. Prophecy becomes controversial when one tries to view it differently than its original intent. In almost every case where a prophecy of doom was given, it was followed with a prophecy of hope. The hope was usually of a future event. That is why we can be assured these are tangible future prophetic events: for the simple reason they were to instill hope. If hope is not tangible, it is not hope. How can one inspire someone on allegory? It is impossible. Only the promise of tangible events can inspire hope. For example, God showed Ezekiel he was removing his Spirit from the temple before it was to be taken and destroyed by the Babylonians (Ek 10-11). Of course, Ezekiel wanted to know if and when God would return. Therefore, God gave Ezekiel specific details of a new temple which would come where he would dwell with his people (Ez 40-43). If this had been allegory, this would not have produced the hope for which Ezekiel sought.
In order to understand prophecy which is not provided chronologically, there are a few things we must keep in mind. We have already covered one important one: the events are tangible. In addition, one prophecy cannot contradict another. While not provided in chronological order, we can place them in chronological order if we keep the following additional things in mind. First, they all refer or involve the nation of Israel. Second, their fulfillment will follow the pattern of those already fulfilled. For example, the prophetic significance of the feasts of Israel not yet fulfilled (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot) will follow the same pattern as those already fulfilled (e.g., Pesach/Matzah/Bikkurim: death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; Shavuot: gift of the Holy Spirit to all believers, both Jew and Gentile). Third, the prophecy in the New Testament will not contradict the prophecy in the Old Testament. As all ancient Jews knew, the culmination of prophecy was the dwelling of their Messiah with his people forever. Therefore, these prophecies will have a chronological order to them with a Jewish basis but will have tangential benefits for Gentiles as well.
This is also why God included the Sabbath as part of the feasts he mentioned in Leviticus 23 and why he concluded the feasts with Jubilee. As it was in the beginning so will it be in the end. God started with perfection and will end with the same. And the good part is that he has prepared a way for all of us to be a part of his eternal perfection. Isn’t that wonderful. Isn’t God good?
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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens