The Possibility Of Prophecy Facts

By Barbara Martin


Facts are statements that cannot be denied. An opinion is subjective, but a fact is concrete. A prophecy is usually considered to be a prediction, a statement that will come true at a later date - if the prophetic word is a real one. Can there be 'prophecy facts'?

The Bible, which many accept as the truth, urges the reader to examine prophecies in the light of future events. If they come true, then they are really the words of God sent to men through the words and writings of a prophet. (Later letters written by Paul talk of prophecies sent to encourage the church, rather than to predict the future.) Some believe this is possible today, while others feel that it only happened in ancient times.

It could be possible to validate a 'word of knowledge' that has come true. For instance, Isaiah was considered a prophet and he lived some 400 years before the birth of Christ. Some passages in the Book of Isaiah (dated by acceptable evidence) give an accurate picture of the Lord's crucifixion, speaking of 'the one who was pierced' and telling how not one of Jesus's bones would be broken. In this case, it seems that the words of the prophet could be called fact.

Sometimes Jesus did or said something to fulfill the words of earlier prophecies. He spoke of being 'lifted up' and certainly didn't try to avoid this fate. He accepted a drink while he hung on the cross. (The writer of the gospel of John states that this was to fulfill the words of the prophet.) However, other events, such as His birth in Bethlehem and the roman soldiers casting lots for His clothing, came to pass without His aid.

There are many prophetic books in the Bible. The book of Daniel is often taken as a prediction of both ancient and future (end times) events in world history. Joseph's rise to power in Egypt is based on his successful interpretation of Pharaoh's prophetic dreams. The minor prophets and the Book of Revelation contain vivid descriptions of events that will happen at the end of the age.

In Pentecostal or charismatic churches, so-called prophets often speak over individuals, giving them words of God's love and mercy and perhaps forecasting ministries that will open up for them. These 'words' can be surprising, as in when someone has been praying over some matter and the prophet, who knows nothing about them, speaks to that topic. Other 'words' may never come true.

There are many books and websites on the subject of fulfilled prophecies. People use Old Testament passages to pinpoint Jesus as the Messiah, saying that his life (being born in Bethlehem, being greeted by two prophets in the Temple, dying on a tree) is plainly revealed centuries before His birth.

If you read history, you can find many different accounts of the same events. This is because it's hard for people to be objective and also because major events can happen on such a large scale that things get confused. Christians, moreover, are instructed to 'believe in things unseen'. No wonder it's hard to tell when prophecies become facts.




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