SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL PROPHECY
This article is based on Derek Prince's book called "Prophetic Guide to the End Times", published in 2008. This is the title of chapter three that starts on page 32. We will look briefly at each of these principles, which I think are very well balanced, and based solidly on scripture.
1/ Some Prophecies Will Remain Secret--- This one is based on (Deut 20:29) "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law". God has secrets that are none of our business, and we should not try to find out about them. For example the exact time of the second coming of Christ Jesus! We have to resist the temptation to try and find out these secrets, and anyone who pretends to know is a false prophet!
2/ Prophecy Is Given for A Reason---The purpose of prophecy is meant to give us things to do. Derek tells of one day in Kenya when they lived there in 1958, he had to go to another town to have his car serviced. He had a long list of things he wanted done to the car, and also a list of things he wanted to do in town. As he left the service station he says the Lord spoke to him about him needing "servicing", as well as the car. So instead of going shopping, he spent the day quietly on the beach fellowshipping with the Lord. As he opened his NT it fell open to (Matt 24:14), after spending some time meditating on this scripture that day, this book was a result many years later.
3/ Prophecy Is Given For A Specific Time And Situation---God does not always save us "from" things, but "out" of things. It is important to realize that, and not have unrealistic expectations.
4/ Prophecy Is Given For Guidance---If God has declared that a thing will not happen, it is a waste of time to pray that it will happen, or try to make it happen!
5/ The Spirit Of Prophecy Focuses On Jesus---(Rev 19:10) states "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Scripture here is talking about the spirit of prophecy and not the words of prophecy. Any prophecy that glorifies man, and not Jesus, is not real prophecy!
6/ Prophecy Means What It Says---Every prophecy concerning the first coming of Jesus was fulfilled literally. Although some prophecies may be allegorical, most are not, and must be understood to mean what they say. For example the church is not Israel, and Israel is not the church!
7/ God Has Total Sovereignty---He is sovereign and totally just and true. He has never said anything that is not true, and has never made a mistake!
If we keep these things in mind we are not so apt to be led astray be the many false prophets who are operating in the Body of Christ in our day. Jesus warned us of these men in (Matt 24:4, 5, 11, 24)!!
Sincerely submitted.
Dave Jam
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