What is…
prophecy

prediction of future events

This was one of the functions of the prophet. It has been defined as a “miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture.” (See PROPHET.)

Is there prophetic evidence that the Bible is God’s Word? Answer

Prophecies about the Messiah

The great predictions which run like a golden thread through the whole contents of the Old Testament are those regarding the coming and work of the Messiah. The great body of Old Testament prophecy relates directly to the advent of the Messiah, beginning with Genesis 3:15, the first great promise, and extending in ever-increasing fulness and clearness all through to the very close of the canon. The Messianic prophecies are too numerous to be quoted here.

“To him gave all the prophets witness.” (Compare Micah 5:2; Hag. 2:6-9; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6, 7; 11:1, 2; 53; 60:10, 13; Psalm 16:11; 68:18.)

See: MESSIANIC PROPHECIES

Prophecies by Christ

Many predictions also were delivered by Jesus and his apostles. Those of Christ were very numerous. (Compare Matthew 10:23-24; 11:23; 19:28; 21:43, 44; 24; 25:31-46; 26:17-35, 46, 64; Mark 9:1; 10:30; 13; 11:1-6, 14; 14:12-31, 42, 62; 16:17, etc.)

The great use of prophecy was to perpetuate faith in His coming, and to prepare the world for that event. But there are many subordinate and intermediate prophecies, also, which hold an important place in the great chain of events which illustrate the sovereignty and all-wise overruling providence of God.

Prophecies about Israel and its people

Then there are many prophecies regarding the Jewish nation, its founder Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 13:16; 15:5; 17:2, 4-6, etc.), and his posterity, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants (12:7; 13:14, 15, 17; 15:18-21; Exodus 3:8, 17), which have all been fulfilled.

The 28th chapter of Deuteronomy contains a series of predictions which are even now in the present day being fulfilled. In the writings of the prophets Isaiah (2:18-21), Jeremiah (27:3-7; 29:11-14), Ezekiel (5:12; 8), Daniel (8; 9:26, 27), Hosea (9:17), there are also many prophecies regarding the events which were to befall that people.