Prophecy is a fundamental feature found throughout the Bible. It plays significant roles in both the Old and New Testaments. Biblically, Prophecy refers to a divine message or pronouncement, often of future events, given through a chosen person referred to as a Prophet. This divine communication acts as a guide, warning, or encouragement to the people it addresses.
What is the Nature of Prophecies in the Bible?
Prophecy in the Bible carries various themes, ranging from predictions of future events, exhortations to righteous conduct, warnings against disobedience, and messages of comfort in times of distress. These prophetic utterances came to the prophets in different forms such as visions, dreams, or direct communication with the divine. Critical in the understanding of these prophecies is the belief that they are not the words of the prophets but of God speaking through them. Thus, the authority and veracity of these prophecies derive from the divine and not the mortal.
Who were the Prophets in the Bible?
The bible features many prophets, each with their unique calling and message. Some of these prophets include Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, among others, who uttered prophecies concerning the nations’ future, God’s judgments, and the coming of the Messiah. The New Testament also features prophets such as John the Baptist, considered the precursor to Jesus, and the Apostle John, who received visions that form the Book of Revelation. These prophets played crucial roles in their respective societies, calling out evil, admonishing the wicked, and championing righteousness.
Where do we See Prophecy Fulfilled in the Bible?
Both the Old and New Testaments document instances where prophecy is fulfilled. Significant among these include the prophecies concerning the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Biblical accounts correlate the prophecies given in the Old Testament with the events of the New Testament. For instance, the prophecies about the birth of Christ in the line of King David, His suffering, death, and resurrection correspond with the narratives in the Gospels. These affirmations of prophecy highlight a significant aspect of prophecy in the Bible; that prophecy given is prophecy fulfilled.
Why is Understanding Prophecy Important?
Understanding prophecy in the Bible is essential as it offers a clearer picture of God’s plan for humanity and the world. Through prophecy, believers can draw comforting reassurance in times of adversity or affliction, knowing that God is at work and His plans will prevail. Moreover, Biblical prophecy serves to authenticate the Bible as a reliable and divinely inspired book. The correlation between prophecies given and their fulfillment acts as a validation of the Bible’s authenticity and, by extension, the reliability of its teachings and doctrines.
When do Prophetic Utterances Occur in the Bible?
Prophetic utterances occur throughout the Bible, beginning from Genesis where the promise of a Savior is given, to Revelation that captures the end of times. Prophets and prophetic messages were not confined to a particular period; instead, they spanned across generations and diverse contexts in Biblical history. The prophets and their messages varied, but their purpose remained the same: to convey God’s message to His people. This constancy underscores one of the enduring attributes of prophecy in the Bible: its timeless relevance.
Below is the full list of bible verses on prophecy (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Prophecy
2 Peter 1:21
“21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Related Themes: Criticism Holy Spirit Omnipresence Omnipotence
Acts 2:16-21
“16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Amos 3:7
“7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
Related Themes: Vision Revealing Secrets Communication
1 Corinthians 14:3
“3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”
Joel 2:28-32
“28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.”
Related Themes: Vision Holy Spirit Dreams Old Age
Deuteronomy 18:18-22
“18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
1 Corinthians 14:1
“1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
Related Themes: Charity Discernment
1 John 2:18
“18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
“4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit
2 Timothy 3:16
“16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
Related Themes: Criticism Education Business Education Learning
Micah 5:2
“2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Foundation
Acts 13:27
“27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.”
Isaiah 7:14
“14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
“1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
Related Themes: Rebuilding Abomination
Revelation 1:3
“3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
Isaiah 46:10
“10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Omnipotence Destiny All Things Are Possible
Hebrews 8:8-12
“8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”
Acts 2:25-28
“25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.”
Related Themes: Birthday
Luke 7:27
“27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.”
Acts 2:30
“30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;”
John 13:18
“18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.”
Luke 1:70
“70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:”
Revelation 1:1
“1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:”
Related Themes: Earth Trespassing Omnipotence Criticism Gold
Romans 11:26
“26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”
Mark 15:27-29
“27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,”
Acts 1:16
“16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.”
Zechariah 12:10
“10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Repentance Holy Spirit
Zechariah 9:9
“9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”
Related Themes: Humility
Mark 9:11-13
“11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.”
