"Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto
his servants the prophets." Amos 3:8
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ABSTRACT
The Church at present times experiences confusion regarding prophecies
in Old Testament prophetic books. This confusion has arisen due to
misconception of original inspiration of the prophets, which
majority of prophecy experts assume to be mechanical neglecting the
prophet's mental state, his location and circumstances that prevailed at
the time of the prophecy. Departure from original meaning of prophecies
of Old Testament prophetic messages is also common in present
interpretations which take atomistic- catch phrase approach,
taking ahistorical perspective. New Testament interpretation of
prophetic scriptures, explanation of prophetic fulfillment by coming of
Jesus as Messiah and acknowledgement of salvation through Him is
cited as a sound basis of interpretation. Present interpretations need to
be in the same light. To understand prophetic messages, prophets' job
titles, job transitions and job expectations must be understood. These
prophetic messages respond to various covenants God made with his people
for the sake of humanity. We as Christians today are people of the
Covenant, watchmen of the people and must know our job
expectations and perform it to the letter.
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Keywords: Â Covenant, Salvation.
1. INTRODUCTION
Misconception of prophetic messages has resulted in confusion of
meaning and distortion of original messages. Proper exegesis should focus
on the search for historical period and theme signified by prophetic
messages (1 Peter 1:11; Daniel 12: 8; Isaiah 7:17). Since these messages
were meant for the people of God, and were secrets God revealed (Amos
3:8), their interpretations should be dependent on God's purpose and will
for His people
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Examples of interpretations of prophetic scriptures are found in New
Testament. These had Jesus Christ as the Centre of prophetic messages.
Dr. Luke (Luke 24:25-26) notes Christ reminding the disciples o the
sufferings he had to face to enter glory saying "O fools, and slow of
heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken". Dr. Luke
further notes in his treatise to Theophilus that Apostle Peter, on the
Day of the Pentecost, spoke of David foretelling the resurrection of
Christ saying "His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did
see corruption" (Acts 2:31). Numerous New Testament interpretations
relied on the Authority of the prophetic scriptures to explain prophetic
fulfillment with Jesus as the Messiah (John 12:39-40; Luke 24:27;
Jeremiah 31:31; Luke 22:20).
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In order to redeem man, God had a plan, process and destiny for all
humanity. He made covenants with Adam (Genesis 1:33), Noah (Genesis 8:21-
22; 9:1), Abraham (Genesis 15 and 17), Moses (Exodus 19 to 24), David (2
Samuel 7; Psalms 89; Psalms 132) and the New Covenant through Christ
Jesus (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 34:25; Luke 22:20).
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The process of redemption of mankind as prophesied in the Hebrew
prophetic scriptures was inaugurated by the death of Jesus Christ on the
cross, and this is salvation, in the Covenant, by faith in Jesus as the
last Adam (Romans 5:18; Hebrews 5:7-10; Isaiah 53:5-6; John 15:6).
2. JOB OF OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS
Old Testament prophets were referred to by different titles depending
on their job at their times. Some of the job titles were: seers (1 Samuel
9:9; 2 Samuel 24:11) because they were known to "look at heaven";
watchmen (Ezekiel 3:17) since they were regarded as people "who
keep guard"; messengers (Haggai 1:13) as people sent by God;
men of God (2Kings 1:12) among other titles.
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Through a period of history, prophets' job underwent various
transitions. Their roles in pre-monarchy, monarchy,
exile and post-exile periods changed. Before monarchy,
there were few prophets and variety of their services was temporary.
During the monarchy, there were changes in roles of prophets and they
were numerous. Most of the prophets gave service to the king and they
warned of corruption (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). Nathan warned David, Oded
warned Ahaz and Elijah was to Ahab. When Israel and Judah was exiled,
there were few prophets and God gave messages of hope of restoration.
Prophets of this time were Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In the post-exile period
there was potential monarchy and few prophets. They offered formal
service, and the main purpose was restoration and reconstruction of the
temple. This is the time of Haggai, Zechariah, Zephaniah and
Malachi.
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Covenant Model is used to help understand prophets' job expectations,.
This model is founded on the understanding of historical context of
treaties (Suzerain-Vassal Treaties) that were in force during that time.
The treaties were so serious that breach of expectations spelt in them by
the weaker party would mean destruction. Similarly, God's Covenant is
serious and places great expectation on His people. Covenant violation is
condemned; but there is a promise of blessing for Covenant keepers.
Prophets as God's emissaries to the people had to explain the terms of
the covenant just as the Suzerain's emissaries to the Vassal at that
historical period. The prophet has to be fully in his role and has to
submit himself to it. He is to receive vision from God (Isaiah 6:1-5),
must be cleansed (Isaiah 6:6-7) and must be convicted to God's mission
(Isaiah 6:8-13).
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3. PEOPLE OF THE COVENANT
3.1. HUMANITY IN COVENANT
The covenant that included all humanity is also called Universal
Covenant. It was made by Adam, Noah, Abraham and finally fulfilled
by Christ Jesus. These covenants human destiny (Genesis 9:11; Isaiah 25:
6-8; Jeremiah 3:17), divine patience (Genesis 8:21) and put on man due
responsibility (Genesis 1:26).
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3.2. ISRAEL IN COVENANT
The physical aspect of Abrahamic Covenant was meant to Israel as
chosen people and there was promise of many descendants and land
(Canaan) (Genesis 15 and 17). Mossaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24) was also
for Israel and the main feature was the law; it contained curses for
disobedience and blessings for obedience. Physical aspect of Davidic
Covenant (2 Samuel 7; Psalms 89; Psalms 132) was for Israel.
3.3. MESSIAIC COVENANT
This is covenant through Christ Jesus; and is a fulfillment of
prophetic promise of God to save humanity (Jeremiah 31:31; Ezekiel 34:25;
Luke 22:20). It is Salvation through faith, or removal of foreskins of
the heart (Jeremiah 4:4); God did not intend man to die so he planned for
salvation of humanity.
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Only the elect "faithful remnant" who have washed their garments by
the Blood of the Lamb will be saved. Presently there is election to
covenant blessings (Isaiah 14:1). Secure destiny of salvation is kept
until the end (Romans 9:6-7).
4. THE PRESENT CHURCH
Isaiah 59:14-16 reads "And judgment is turned away backward and
justice stands afar off, for truth is fallen in the street and equity
cannot enter. Yes, truth fails and he that departs from evil makes
himself a prey: and the LORD saw it and it displeased Him that there was
no judgment. And he saw there was no man and wondered that there
was no INTERCESSOR: therefore His arm brought salvation to him
and His righteousness it sustained Him.
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We current believers must realize the heavy covenant responsibility
and terms placed upon us. We must know that God has great job
expectations of us as Kingdom heirs. We are Christ's emissaries to
the world and have a definite duty of witnessing and building Christ's
body, the Church. God sought us to stand in the gap between Him and the
people as he did to Ezekiel for Israel: "I sought for a man among
them that would make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me for the
land, that I should not desytroy it,..." (Ezekiel 22:30). Christ is
our Mediator between us and God, and He is the Head and we are the body.
We have to work with Christ in accomplishing the entire goal of Salvation
of mankind. We are the watchmen of this time, the prophets (Joel 2:28);
and messengers of God to the people.
5. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions can be drawn from the above:
Covenant Model interpretation of Old Testament prophetic scripture is
a reliable basis for understanding the prophetic books;
New Testament Messiaic and Apostolic interpretations form exemplary
model for interpretation by the current Church;
Current believers should realize their prophetic mission in this age
of the New Covenant.
Time of the end is near, let all believers hold fast to their
Heavenly Mission, crown is waiting.
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