~ History... Current History... Prophecy ~
(past, present, future)
Prophecy can be described as the totality of God's Purpose
encompassed within one grand act of vision.
"No prophecy of Scripture is of any private (personal) interpretation,
for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke
as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
(2 Peter 1:20-21)
(past, present, future)
Prophecy can be described as the totality of God's Purpose
encompassed within one grand act of vision.
"No prophecy of Scripture is of any private (personal) interpretation,
for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke
as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
(2 Peter 1:20-21)
*Three types of prophecy: 1) Divine/perfect; 2) general/indefinite; 3) false/wrong
...God's omniscience lends to His prophetic nature which could lead one to conclude that God's philosophical perspective concerning Creation is also of a prophetic nature. It follows then that as one experiences greater intimacy with God, then one's own philosophical perspective concerning their place in Creation would trend toward a prophetic nature. This "philosophy of prophecy" is simply a byproduct of the Christian experience as one strives to become ever more Christ-like. "Living prophetically" keeps our lives focused on Christ.
...King Solomon condensed this idea profoundly when he said, "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man..." (Ecclesiastes 12:13). French philosopher Jean Bodin (ca. 1500's) elaborated in agreement with Solomon's words: "We have come into this theater of the world for no other reason than to understand the admirable power, goodness, and wisdom of the most excellent Creator of all things, to the extent that this is possible, by contemplating the appearance of the universe and all His actions and individual works, and thus to be swept away more ardently in praise of Him."
...While some seek to know God by strictly intellectual, religious, or scientific ventures, the true disciple seeks Him in His Word coupled with prayer; this then serves to ground and enhance the intellectual and scientific methods. And since humanity is limited in its ability to "discover" God, humanity must be told Who and What God is, thus His Word was given to us, both written and Living.
P4: Prophetic Perspective Promotes Purpose
...As with logic, we utilize general prophecy regularly, for we are future-minded (planning for tomorrow, next week, next year, etc), but not often in a manner that provokes spiritual maturity. Almighty God offers humanity future insight through His perfect Divine prophecy purposing to steady the Church amidst severe persecution and an increasingly corrupt culture. Such Divine prophecy is borne of His love and yields a new perspective that liberates the soul by altering a worldview, and thus a lifestyle (confidence is gained by confidence proven)....God's omniscience lends to His prophetic nature which could lead one to conclude that God's philosophical perspective concerning Creation is also of a prophetic nature. It follows then that as one experiences greater intimacy with God, then one's own philosophical perspective concerning their place in Creation would trend toward a prophetic nature. This "philosophy of prophecy" is simply a byproduct of the Christian experience as one strives to become ever more Christ-like. "Living prophetically" keeps our lives focused on Christ.
...King Solomon condensed this idea profoundly when he said, "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man..." (Ecclesiastes 12:13). French philosopher Jean Bodin (ca. 1500's) elaborated in agreement with Solomon's words: "We have come into this theater of the world for no other reason than to understand the admirable power, goodness, and wisdom of the most excellent Creator of all things, to the extent that this is possible, by contemplating the appearance of the universe and all His actions and individual works, and thus to be swept away more ardently in praise of Him."
...While some seek to know God by strictly intellectual, religious, or scientific ventures, the true disciple seeks Him in His Word coupled with prayer; this then serves to ground and enhance the intellectual and scientific methods. And since humanity is limited in its ability to "discover" God, humanity must be told Who and What God is, thus His Word was given to us, both written and Living.
General and Special Revelation
God chooses to be known and makes this possible through self-disclosure in both nature and human history. And such revelation through self-disclosure implies more than imparting "mere knowledge of God," but rather "a personal relationship with God." Moreover, this is what God desires.
*Nature (general revelation): All of creation gives theological foundation to the idea of a "natural knowledge of God." If God created the world, it should have His signature; this is what we observe when not blinded by pride.
*Scripture/human history (special revelation): The Bible records God's interaction with and direct influence upon human history from the Beginning, with the specific purpose of revealing Who He is and who we are. Prophecy is the tool used to systematically promote this revelation, i.e. prophetic revelation.
*Nature (general revelation): All of creation gives theological foundation to the idea of a "natural knowledge of God." If God created the world, it should have His signature; this is what we observe when not blinded by pride.
*Scripture/human history (special revelation): The Bible records God's interaction with and direct influence upon human history from the Beginning, with the specific purpose of revealing Who He is and who we are. Prophecy is the tool used to systematically promote this revelation, i.e. prophetic revelation.
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