types symbols, and prophecy part 2

Question 1

why is the gap principle important to biblical interpretation

Answer 1

prophecy in the OT that we know to be partially fulfilled either have to be completely fulfilled or the have not yet happened

Question 2

give a brief description of each the following views

Answer 2

• millennialism: teaches that the millennium is allegorical or spiritual and refers to the church age
• postmillennialism: the church will gradually bring about social and political change and at the end of a lengthy period, Christ will return.
• premillennialism: recognises there is a lengthy gap between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel and that at some point in the future, Jesus will return before a literal 1000 reign.

Question 3

list six unique features of prophecy

Answer 3

• figurative language and symbols
• typology
• double references
• idealised pictures
• culturally relative terms
• fulfilment does not have to be in the exact form of the prophecy.

Question 4

give a reason for why scripture was written in prophetic form other than predict future events

Answer 4

not all prophecy is predictive - written in the prophetic form to serve an instruction and not meant to be predictive of future events

Question 5

what is the main purpose of prophecy

Answer 5

to prove God’s nature, to encourage the faithful and to warm the unrighteous of impeding judgement

Question 6

how did the NT authors use the OT

Answer 6

they quoted from the OT to prove their doctrine such as examples to explain or illustrate points they are making