Step By Step: Old Testament 2Lesson 12: Biblical Prophecy & Isaiah

Rev. Christopher J. RespassAntioch Bible Institute

Spring 2013

The Nature of Biblical Prophecy & Prophets

I. What Biblical Prophecy Is not:

A. Fortune-Telling

B. Cryptic, encoded messages intended only for the end-time.

C. A weird message conveyed by weird and strange people.

The Nature of Biblical Prophecy & Prophets

II. What Biblical Prophecy Is:

A. Prophecy: a message from God not necessarily reserved for the end-time.

B. Prophet: a person who delivers the prophetic message with God’s authority.

The Nature of Biblical Prophecy & Prophets

C. Defining Characteristics of True and False Prophets (Deut. 18:15-22)

1. True Prophet: His words come to pass.

2. False Prophet: His words do not come to pass.

The Nature of Biblical Prophecy & Prophets

When you Think Biblical Prophecy, think………….

Forth-Telling

Major & Minor Prophets

I. Major Prophets: The first 5 books of prophecy. They are called “major” prophets because of the of length of their writings, not because their importance. The major prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel. (Note: Lamentations is included here because of its connection with Jeremiah).

Major & Minor Prophets

II. Minor Prophets: The last 12 books of prophecy. They are also referred to as “The book of the Twelve.” They are called “minor” prophets because they are shorter than the major prophetic books, not because the lack signficance. The minor prophets are Hosea, Joel Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

The Book of Isaiah

I. Author and Date. Isaiah’s ministry dated from 742-700BC. Tradition holds that Isaiah’s father was the brother of King Amaziah in Judah. Thus, Isaiah may have been accustomed to the benefits of royalty. Isaiah describes himself and his prophecy as:

“The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” Isaiah 1:1

The Book of Isaiah

II.Theme of Isaiah’s Ministry. All of Isaiah’s ministry and most of his messages concerned three political and military crises:

1. Syrian Threat & Assyrian Alliance

2. The Ashdod Rebellion

3. The Sennacherib Crisis

The Teachings of Isaiah

1. The Sovereignty of the Lord (Isa. 37:14-38).

2. The Holiness of God (Isa. 6:1-7)

Isaiah believed that God’s holiness indicated his perfect moral purity and that he was far above and beyond humanity’s ability to

comprehend him.

The Teachings of Isaiah

3. The Doctrine of Sin (Isa. 1:1-4, 11-20)

a. Sin is rebellion against God.

b. God does not accept the worship of an evil, unrepentant person.

c. Anyone who refuses to submit to God and rebels against him should not expect God’s blessings.

The Teachings of Isaiah

4. The Proper Placement of Faith (Isa. 12:1-3; Isa. 26:1-4)

Isaiah urged the people of Jerusalem to trust in God.

5. The Remnant (Isa. 6:8-13)

The “remnant” speaks of the scope of the judgment and the hope of the faithful.

The Teachings of Isaiah

6. The Messiah (Isa. 9:1-7, Isa. 53)

a. Isaiah looked for a king who would rule in righteousness and yet would be a suffering savior.

1) Isa. 9:1-7

2) Isa. 53

Questions?