Prophecy is typically perceived as a prediction of future events, and religion certainly promotes that perception by the way it perceives the OT prophets. Almost without exception, religion primarily perceives the prophets as predicting the future of Israel, and the future coming of the messiah. Notably, religion also perceives that the prophets predict the future blessings for Christians, yet those vague predictions will be disputed later. So, do you similarly perceive the prophets as being ancient people who were given the ability to predict what would happen in this world? What should be considered so that we understand how scripture depicts the concept of prophecy?
Consider how scripture states that the legitimacy of a prophet is determined by whether the word comes to pass or is true, therefore prophecy is related both to the prediction of future events, and to the revelation of “truth” (Deut 18:22; Jer 28:9). Presumably, many people concede that prophecy consists of more than just the “foretelling” of the future, and that the concept also includes the “forth-telling” of truth statements. Yet, do the prophets primarily predict the future events of the world around you, or the future events of the world inside you? And, do the words of the prophets reveal the truth of the world around you, or the truth of the world inside you? Importantly, do you perceive that the prophets are depicting insights into the knowledge of the mysteries such that you can perceive the answers to the great questions of life?
Arguably, the success of my entire effort is solely dependent on your perception of the concept of prophecy. Because, if you continue to perceive that the prophets are predicting the future events of the world around you, then you will continue to be blind to the significance of the biblical concept of prophecy. Sadly, as I once did, you will continue to perceive that the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah are depicting the future events for Israel, and that their truth statements are for the people being addressed by the prophets, such that their words were intended for them, to them, and all about them; and that we are to somehow “apply” those truths. Consequently, instead of the perception of “absolute” truths that exist regardless of time and place, the truth statements become “relative” to our time and circumstance. Arguably, you will never be able to perceive the nature of the truths being conveyed by scripture unless you reconsider your perception of the concept of prophecy.
Consider how Paul is the primary source of understanding regarding the concept of prophecy; yet, does anyone consider his thoughts on the concept (1 Cor 12-14)? Oddly, while Paul encourages everyone to earnestly desire the gift of prophecy more than any other spiritual gift, I suspect that few Christians have ever professed “prophecy” as being their greatest desire. So, why do you have no desire for a spiritual gift that Paul and Moses wanted their people to desire more than any other gift (Num 11:29). Presumably, either you do not correctly perceive Paul’s thinking regarding the concept, or you perceive that the gift of prophecy was only for certain people in past times. Arguably, your religion is perhaps your biggest obstacle to a correct perception of the biblical concept, because no preacher, nor teacher, has ever encouraged you to seek the spiritual gift of prophecy. Why not?
My intent in this section is not to restate all of Paul’s thinking regarding prophecy, rather to simply focus on the necessity of prophecy in order to perceive the hidden wisdom within God’s Word. Frankly, until recently, my perception of prophecy was limited to just the aspect of gaining knowledge; however, I now perceive how prophecy will also be the means for delivering the land of promise into our life. So, recognizing the limited scope of this discussion, what should be considered such that we better understand the gift of prophecy?
Perceiving hidden wisdom
Consider how Paul states that, by being spiritual, we thereby gain a knowledge that comes from the spirit, and not from someone’s (i.e. man’s) own understanding (also 2 Pet 1:20-21). Arguably, gaining the knowledge of the mysteries of God is a gift from God, and not a consequence of man’s intelligence. Importantly, this “gift” of knowledge is not depicted as being given in a moment by osmosis, rather scripture consistently depicts that the knowledge of the mysteries is given to those who “persistently” seek the knowledge.
Consider how Paul is depicted as a Pharisee, and he even depicts himself as the son of a Pharisee, so he is certainly being depicted as having a natural mind better than most, and as an expert of scripture. Notably, he is depicted as spending three years in the desert for Jesus, not man, to reveal to him a deeper understanding of the kingdom of God (Gal 1:1; 1:12). However, does Paul ever refute an OT truth, or that the Jewish religion no longer applies, such that now he will teach you a new religion? So, does Paul create a set of new truths, or does he employ the OT images to reveal the hidden wisdom?
Arguably, all of Paul’s doctrine and the many mysteries that he discusses originate from the spiritual truths hidden in the OT. Notably, he tells Timothy that the “holy writings” alone can give wisdom for salvation through faith in Jesus (2 Tim. 3:15); and, that the mystery of “Christ in you” is revealed by those writings (Col 1:25-27; Eph 3). Yet, can that mystery, and all the other mysteries of God which are hidden in the OT, be seen or heard by our natural eyes and ears, or must their perception be solely a gift from God? And, if you only perceive that the OT depicts images of the world around you, then do you think you can ever deeply understand what God has done, is doing, and will do inside you? What “mysteries” could ever be revealed by a literal interpretation of the historical record of a past people?
Consider what Jesus told Nicodemus, “the” teacher of Israel, someone Jesus presumably considered an expert on the OT (John 3). Jesus states that unless one is born again (i.e. born from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God. Arguably, this scene with Nicodemus is also intended to depict that the OT alone provides the understanding of what it means to be born again, and an understanding of the kingdom of God. Yet, can you perceive the OT as providing a meaningful understanding of those concepts? Some of today’s teachers claim that Jesus is rebuking Nicodemus for not understanding a single verse, such as Ezek 36:26, but arguably Jesus is striking a stern rebuke for him not properly perceiving the meaning of all of scripture. However, did Nicodemus even recognize that he was blind?
Perhaps we should each seriously consider the significance of Isa 6:9. Can a person truly recognize that they are blind if they never experience sight? How do you know if you have received new eyes and ears?
New eyes and ears
Consider how Jesus, when completing His parables, often makes a statement such as “he who has ears, let him hear” (e.g., Matt 13:9). He even tells His disciples that it had been “granted” to them to know the mysteries, but not the others; and, that more would be given, but that those who do not have, even what they have will be taken away (Matt 13:11-12). So, what is being given, and what do people have that will be taken away? Arguably, the role of prophecy is more than just the means to gain knowledge, but in just that limited sense, spiritual knowledge is being given, and natural knowledge is being taken away; which is the same truth that Paul depicts by the image of the renewing of the mind.
Consider how there is often the depiction of becoming blind before sight is given. Jesus states that He came such that “those who do not see may see, and that those who do see may become blind” (John 9:39). Also, when the Pharisees asked if they were blind, Jesus answered oddly “If you were blind, you would have no sin, but now you say ‘we see,’ your sin remains” (John 9:40-41). And, of course, Paul is depicted as losing his sight, yet the scales fell from his eyes such that he could see. Arguably, these images, and many similar images, all depict how our old natural understanding must first be relegated before any new spiritual understanding is gained. Importantly, I can relate to that image; can you relate to becoming blind?
Arguably, what you believe does not change the truth; yet, should perceiving the truth change what you understand? If so, have your perceptions changed over time, or do you still only perceive the things as understood by your natural mind? However, if what you understand does not change or grow, then should you be concerned? How would you define what it means to grow in understanding, and do you even sense that there are spiritual truths that are meant to be understood? Again, which is more likely; that your loving father gave you a history book to serve the eyes and ears of your natural mind, or a symbolic story of your eternal life to serve the eyes and ears of your new mind in Christ? Do you sense that you could be simply forming your unique perception of a young woman, while God wants you to seek His perception of an old woman? Arguably, while many people could accept the reality that their spiritual life does not cease to exist when their body dies, no religion based on man’s wisdom has the ability to grow their understanding into a meaningful perception of that life.
Consider what God declared would be the result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:17-18). So, are the results the same today? Arguably, if religion cannot reasonably explain the images depicting sons, daughters, and bond slaves who prophesy, or young men who see visions, or old men who dream dreams, then why should you concede that religion provides any meaningful understanding of Pentecost? Of course, Peter’s quotation of Joel causes great confusion for religion, because he clearly depicts that these are the “last” days; but, how could he claim that those days are the last days, and how could John depict that he was living in the “last hour” (1 John 2:18)? Notably, Peter depicts a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and not an hour is like thousands of years. Arguably, you must either perceive that Peter and John were false prophets about the timing of future events, or that your perception of the images is not correct.
Consider how prophets are depicted as being present in the NT (Acts 11:27; 13:1; 15:32; 21:9-10). So, are there prophets today? If not, what changed? If so, what is a prophet? And, should you be listening to a prophet now (Deut 18:18-19; Acts 3:23)? What knowledge should you expect a prophet to reveal to you today; a new understanding, or a deeper understanding of scripture?
Arguably, a primary image depicted by both Paul and Jesus is that you must have ears that hear, and eyes that see, such that you can receive His knowledge of how to do (i.e. His law), and His desires to do (i.e. His spirit), His works of righteousness (i.e. His body) prepared in advance for you to walk in your life. Therefore, prophecy is first required to perceive the truth, and prophecy is required to be perceive how to manifest the truth. As depicted by scripture, prophecy is related both to the truth, and to (your) future events.
Consider why Paul depicts that prophecy will be done one day (1 Cor 13:8). Of course, religion cannot explain the end of a concept when it cannot even reasonably explain its existence. However, I hope that you will keep this question in mind, such that by the end of this effort you can perceive how this image makes sense in the symbolic story of Jesus coming into the life of Israel. Because, ultimately my entire argument is proven by the fact that all of these difficult questions are simply resolved by making an overall adjustment in your approach to God’s Word. Again, whereas religion wants you to first approach every image literally, and subjectively chose to form a symbolic meaning if needed, we should instead approach every image symbolically, and discern how it fits within a consistent overall perspective of the story of Israel. Instead of debating what God is trying to depict, always assume that He is depicting a story.
Do you despise prophecy?
Consider whether you are quenching your own internal prophetic voice and despising prophecy (1 Thes 5:19-20). Obviously, the very fact that Paul senses the need to warn others about despising prophecy should cause great concern if you do not even understand what you could be despising. Again, I now sense a deeper understanding of what Paul is depicting by despising prophecy, and by the quenching of the Holy Spirit; yet, arguably the natural mind despises prophecy because it does not like being called blind of sight, or deaf of hearing, so it considers prophecy to be foolishness (1 Cor 2:14). Notably, people typically respond with laughter, or other forms of mockery, in response to my symbolic perceptions of God’s Word. Perhaps I could claim to know what Paul is depicting, or what Jesus is depicting by the image of a prophet who is not welcome in his own household, or his own city; however, my perception is that I will also battle the same character flaws they both are depicting, so the warnings apply the same to me.
Consider why your belief system does not encourage prophecy, and why it probably even strongly discourages prophecy. Understandably, since each man-made Christian religion is built upon a particular man’s own understanding of scripture as discerned by the man-made rules of interpretation, no “practical” religion wants their simple message of salvation challenged by a “spiritualist” who perceives the images symbolically. Yet, should your religion despise the greatest spiritual gift that Paul and Moses wished everyone possessed? If you deny spiritual understanding, or minimize its importance, then will you ever seek it earnestly?
There are two types of responses to prophecy. Unfortunately, the natural responses from those with a worldly perspective are: “I don’t understand, but I will blindly trust God;” or “God’s way are higher than mine; perhaps I will understand it in heaven if it is important;” or “don’t confuse me or challenge me with facts; I know what I believe.” The desired response to prophecy is “you make me think.” Hopefully, at that point, the Holy Spirit can lead that thinking to other scripture that reveals spiritual understanding. Arguably, no one can truly obtain spiritual understanding from others, but rather it is only revealed through the direct interaction of both God’s Word and the divine priestly prophet within their unconscious spiritual nature. And that revelation only happens when there is an earnest desire to diligently seek Him in His Word, because casual study will not bring spiritual understanding.
Clarity versus confusion
The primary reason I believe that the spiritual perspective is God’s intent is because the approach leads to simple answers. Whereas before I was constantly confronted with confusing and even contradictory images, now the images make sense, but in a totally new way. Certainly, everything is not deeply understood; far from it. There are many areas within the picture of the “old woman” that I keep close to my heart, and invariably I am led to a deeper understanding elsewhere in scripture. And, that is the big difference between approaching God’s Word with a literal historical perspective as taught by man, versus a symbolic perspective as taught by Jesus. Frankly, when I started my journey, I had no perception of the gift of prophecy, rather I experienced the effects of prophecy before I understood the truth of its existence.
In my first appendix, I will try to recall the evolution of my thinking over the course of of my journey. Suffice it to say, what I perceive now is significantly deeper than when I started, but the pertinent point is that my first profound event was when I began to perceive the parables of Jesus as depicting in some manner the life of a believer. My first exegetical paper in seminary discussed a parable unique to Mark, and I realized that the parable had to be perceived in the context of the series of parables, which evolved into a line of thinking that depicted the life of a believer. Subsequently, after spending three years digging into the OT, I had a similar experience when a study of Matthew led to the series of parables in Matthew 13. Frankly, by that time, it was easy to perceive the “spiritual” nature of the parables instead of the typical perceptions of hell. So, while I had not yet perceived the truth of the gift of prophecy, I was still extremely thankful for the new eyes and ears.
Prophecy is partly a gift from God that enables you to perceive the biblical images as depicting the spiritual world within you. Notably, instead of relying on your own, or someone else’s, perceptions of scripture, the biblical images are built upon and clarified by the many inferences of understanding, and I have come to perceive these inferences as the “pearls” of wisdom that explain the mysteries of God. So, do you perceive that God’s intent is to reveal the mysteries of the temporal world around you, or the mysteries of the spiritual world within you? Importantly, if you are seeking man’s wisdom of this world, then can you even begin to perceive God’s intended wisdom? Obviously, Jesus understood the heart of man; so, do you think He wants you to have the same knowledge? Arguably, the gift of prophecy is the only means to the correct perception of the nature of man, and the kingdom of God within you.