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Creative Bible Study
FIVE: THE CONDITIONAL NATURE OF PROPHECY
Much Bible prophecy is conditional in nature. This means that God says He will do certain things based on the response of man. IF man does NOT listen to God's message, certain things will happen. IF man HEARS God's message and RESPONDS properly to it, then something else will happen.
God said:
At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
IF that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it,
IF it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. (Jeremiah 18:7-10)
In much Bible prophecy, you must continue studying in order to discover man’s response to it because the fulfillment of prophecy is often conditional upon man's response. For a good example of this principle read the book of Jonah. The Prophet Jonah revealed that God would destroy Ninevah in three days IF they did not repent. The destruction never came. The reason was that Ninevah responded properly to the message of God and repented of their sins.
OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY
Prophecy in the Old Testament centers on:
1. The people of Israel which was the nation God raised up through which to reveal Himself to the world. During the period of time when Israel was divided into two kingdoms this prophecy is directed to Israel and Judah. An example of prophecy to Israel is the book of Hosea. An example of prophecy to Judah is the book of Joel.
2. Prophecies to the nations surrounding the people of Israel. For example, prophecies are given regarding Babylon, Egypt, Tyre, Edom, etc. An example is the prophecy of Obadiah directed to the nation of Edom.
3. Prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. These are not contained in any one prophetic book. They are scattered throughout the Old Testament. A good example is Isaiah 7:14.