Prophetic Perspective
The following article is found in the Lutheran Study Bible and a full citation is found at the bottom of the page.
Figuring out prophetic passages of Scripture can be quite confusing. A major problem is that we would like the Bible to read like an encyclopedia or a popular novel. It does not. One helpful way to understand some difficult prophetic passages is the following.
Often, the writers of Scripture present the workings of God like pictures of a landscape. In a landscape picture, you might have some people in the foreground, some animals grazing off in the distance, and a huge mountain looming in the background. Many miles may separate the objects in reality, yet all of the objects appear right next to each other on the picture’s surface.
In a similar way, a single prophecy often shows numerous events separated from one another not by space but by time. (See “God and Time,” p 2167.) From our perspective looking at the text, the events can seem to occur in close succession. To make sense of these “pictures” in Scripture, we must consider what connects the different events. Once we understand the main theme of the section, the different “objects” in the text may be recognized more easily, and application of the message can be made to our lives.
Examples of Prophetic Perspective
Jer 31:31–34 presents a classic example. In vv 31–33, the prophet announces the coming of the new covenant, which is fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus (Heb 8:8–12; 10:16). But in v 34, Jeremiah speaks as though there will be no need to teach the faith, which surely does not apply to our era (cf Mt 28:19).
What has happened? The prophecy in vv 31–33 stands toward the “foreground” of what Jeremiah prophesied and was fulfilled first, as the New Testament demonstrates. But v 34 stands toward the “background” and will reach fulfillment only when the Lord returns on the Last Day. Though these two aspects of the prophecy stand right next to each other in the text, they are fulfilled many years apart.
Another classic example is Jl 2:28–32, which prophesies the day of Pentecost in vv 28–29 but then prophesies about the last judgment in vv 30–31. We see the first fulfillment in Ac 2 but await the second fulfillment when Jesus comes again.
The Right Focus
Because of these features of biblical prophecy, readers need to exercise great patience, focusing on the Law and the Gospel of the passages rather than using such prophecies to concoct some timetable of world events. (On the disastrous history of such interpretations, see p 307.) The apostle Peter tells us that the prophets themselves—even the angels—could not fully understand the timing and fulfillment of what God was telling them (cf Ac 1:6–7).
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. (1Pt 1:10–12)
Though we can readily look back upon both the Old Testament and New Testament and see many prophecies fulfilled, we must also await the fulfillment of many things the Lord has promised. Like the prophets, carefully investigate what God has foretold. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help. Revel in His Word. Yet bear in mind prophetic perspective. Read and apply prophecies with patience and forbearance, while taking comfort in the salvation already revealed.
Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 1258.
