The Genre of The Genre of Prophecy/ApocalypticProphecy/Apocalyptic

The Purpose of ProphecyThe Purpose of Prophecy Prophecy Comforts – 1 Thessalonians 4:18, John Prophecy Comforts – 1 Thessalonians 4:18, John

14:114:1 Prophecy Calms – 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Titus 2:13Prophecy Calms – 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Titus 2:13 Prophecy Converts – Acts 3:12-26, 17:31-34, Prophecy Converts – Acts 3:12-26, 17:31-34,

28:30-3128:30-31 Prophecy Cleanses – Titus 2:14, Ephesians 5:26-Prophecy Cleanses – Titus 2:14, Ephesians 5:26-

27, 2 Peter 3:14, 1 John 3:2-327, 2 Peter 3:14, 1 John 3:2-3 Prophecy Compels – 1 Corinthians 15:52-58, 2 Prophecy Compels – 1 Corinthians 15:52-58, 2

Corinthians 5:10-14Corinthians 5:10-14 Prophecy Confirms – Revelation 22:18-19Prophecy Confirms – Revelation 22:18-19 Prophecy Centers on Jesus Christ – The RevelationProphecy Centers on Jesus Christ – The Revelation Prophecy is NOT for CuriosityProphecy is NOT for Curiosity

The End TimesThe End Times Identify the Event and List one Scripture Verse Identify the Event and List one Scripture Verse

that coincides with the Eventthat coincides with the Event1. Rapture – 1 Thes 41. Rapture – 1 Thes 42. Bema Seat – 2 Cor. 52. Bema Seat – 2 Cor. 53. Marriage – Rev. 193. Marriage – Rev. 194. Beginning of Tribulation – Dan 94. Beginning of Tribulation – Dan 95. Middle of Tribulation – Dan 95. Middle of Tribulation – Dan 96. Second Coming – Rev 196. Second Coming – Rev 197. Armeggedon – Rev 197. Armeggedon – Rev 198. Judgment of the Nations – Matt 258. Judgment of the Nations – Matt 259. Binding of Satan – Rev. 209. Binding of Satan – Rev. 2010. Millennial Kingdom – Rev 2010. Millennial Kingdom – Rev 2011. Final Conflict – Rev. 2011. Final Conflict – Rev. 2012. White Throne Judgment – Rev 2012. White Throne Judgment – Rev 2013. Heaven and Eternity – Rev 21-2213. Heaven and Eternity – Rev 21-22

General Guidelines for Reading General Guidelines for Reading ProphecyProphecy

Always follow the normal principles of Always follow the normal principles of interpretation. Apply the basic historical, interpretation. Apply the basic historical, grammatical, literary interpretation.grammatical, literary interpretation.

Recognize that the symbolism is not to be Recognize that the symbolism is not to be dissected for purposes of application. dissected for purposes of application.

View prophecy as primarily focusing on View prophecy as primarily focusing on the Messiah and His eventual reign on the Messiah and His eventual reign on earth.earth.

Recognize the principle of Recognize the principle of “foreshortening.”“foreshortening.”

The Concept of OT and NT The Concept of OT and NT PromisePromise

1.1. The Abrahamic Covenant: Genesis 15The Abrahamic Covenant: Genesis 15• Personal promises to Abraham – Gen 12:2-3; 13:14-17; Personal promises to Abraham – Gen 12:2-3; 13:14-17;

15:4-7; 17:4-815:4-7; 17:4-8• National promisesNational promises

Nation – Gen 12:2Nation – Gen 12:2 Land – 12:7; 13:14-15; 15:18-21; 17:8, 19Land – 12:7; 13:14-15; 15:18-21; 17:8, 19

Universal Promises – Gen 12:3; 22:18; 28:14 Universal Promises – Gen 12:3; 22:18; 28:14

2.2. The Palestinian Covenant: Deut 29The Palestinian Covenant: Deut 29 God will re-gather all of Israel to the promise land. (vs. God will re-gather all of Israel to the promise land. (vs.

30:3-4)30:3-4) God will cause Israel to possess all the land that was God will cause Israel to possess all the land that was

promised to the patriarchs. (v.5)promised to the patriarchs. (v.5) God will regenerate the whole of Israel. (v.6)God will regenerate the whole of Israel. (v.6) God will completely judge Israel’s enemies. (v. 7)God will completely judge Israel’s enemies. (v. 7) God will cause national obedience. (v. 8)God will cause national obedience. (v. 8) God will cause national prosperity. (v. 9)God will cause national prosperity. (v. 9)

The Concept of OT and NT The Concept of OT and NT PromisePromise

3.3. The Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7The Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7 David’s lineage will never be cut off. (v. 16)David’s lineage will never be cut off. (v. 16) David’s kingdom will be established forever. (v. 16)David’s kingdom will be established forever. (v. 16) David’s throne will be established forever. (v.16)David’s throne will be established forever. (v.16)

4.4. The New Covenant – Jer 31:31-34; Eze 16:60-63; The New Covenant – Jer 31:31-34; Eze 16:60-63; Rom 11:26-29Rom 11:26-29

• The Lord will cause Israel to repent and to be obedient to The Lord will cause Israel to repent and to be obedient to Him.Him.

1)1) By writing the Law on their heartBy writing the Law on their heart2)2) By creating in them a new heart By creating in them a new heart 3)3) By granting them the knowledge of the Lord By granting them the knowledge of the Lord

• God will cleanse and forgive IsraelGod will cleanse and forgive Israel• The Holy Spirit will permanently indwell themThe Holy Spirit will permanently indwell them• Israel will be permanently established as a nation in their landIsrael will be permanently established as a nation in their land• God will be worshipped by Israel as their God and that He will God will be worshipped by Israel as their God and that He will

fix His presence among them foreverfix His presence among them forever

The Coming PromisesThe Coming Promises

The Promised Realm – The complete land as The Promised Realm – The complete land as guaranteed by God to Abrahamguaranteed by God to Abraham

The Promised Ruler – A king of the lineage of The Promised Ruler – A king of the lineage of David who would politically overthrow their David who would politically overthrow their enemies and sit on the throne of Davidenemies and sit on the throne of David

The Promised Reign – A position of world The Promised Reign – A position of world dominance when all Gentiles would dominance when all Gentiles would acknowledge Jerusalem was the capital for acknowledge Jerusalem was the capital for all eternity.all eternity.

The Promised Regeneration – Every member The Promised Regeneration – Every member of ethnic Israel will be convertedof ethnic Israel will be converted

General Characteristics of Apocalyptic General Characteristics of Apocalyptic LiteratureLiterature

Pessimism – Exile and BondagePessimism – Exile and Bondage Promise – Land and KingdomPromise – Land and Kingdom Providence – God’s PresenceProvidence – God’s Presence Sovereignty – Control and CertaintySovereignty – Control and Certainty Dualism – Good and EvilDualism – Good and Evil

Formal Feature of Apocalyptic Formal Feature of Apocalyptic Literature Literature

Revelatory ContentRevelatory Content Angelic PresenceAngelic Presence Discourse CyclesDiscourse Cycles Ethical DiscourseEthical Discourse Highly SymbolicHighly Symbolic Recital of HistoryRecital of History