There are two types of prophecy acknowledged by most scholars and pastors; these are forthtelling and foretelling. Forthtelling is what a preacher does from his pulpit when he speaks in generalized terms with the language of God. Dr. Heiser quotes scholar’s estimates of 80% as the frequency of forthtelling prophecy in churches compared to the foretelling type [1]. Forthtelling preachers do it for the very specific reason that shows their responsibility to enforce the covenant relationship between God and the people given to the preacher to shepherd.
Often, Christian Pentecostal churches practice forthtelling tongues at the beginning of their church services. These public pronouncements by individuals who sometimes both speak and interpret themselves often relay God’s disappointment in the world’s conduct with promises of revival or punishment soon to be delivered for their obedience/disobedience. They are usually generalized points of promised deliverance or planned retribution, and seem to be spoken to the congregation to encourage participation with their church in doing the visible works of God. Sometimes forthtelling prophecy can be called “Word of Knowledge” that TV preachers sometimes receive to communicate seemingly secretive messages to one specific viewer, usually about a health problem and potential healing. Though this type is more specific in nature for forthtellings, it still falls within the category of general forthtelling prophecy moments.
The other well-known prophecies among scholars are those that are “foretelling.” These are the instances in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, that tell of a future event beforehand. The Prophet of God communicates a divine message to disclose hidden things that will happen as they lift the veil off of specific future events. Prophets are sensitive to the things of God and must pronounce His prophecies with direct, unchanged, undiluted words spoken by Him to the audiences they are directed. Those prophecies of foretelling always unfold exactly as God has told, and there is no prophecy yet realized from the Word of God that was not exactly as it was presented by Prophets. There are some foretold prophecies that have not yet been realized within the Word of God, and those sometimes complicate modern day Christian belief through the introduction of Apocalyptic Prophecy through the hands of uneducated or fervent conspiracy theory adherents that like to prepare for the end of the world, without bowing a knee to God.
As Professional Theologists you are very likely to run into one other kind of prophecy that is generally misunderstood, ignored, or unknown to some pastors and most scholars. Those Christians that walk in the world and through life with the timing of God, and have an active relationship with the Lord are warned by Him or His Angels to duck, move, wait, respond, listen and a myriad of other actions that will save their lives, further their works, or help others to come closer to God. This type of prophecy can be called “forcetelling.” It notifies Christians with God’s timing when trouble is on the way. It is not a magical genie type of thing, however, and Professional Theologists must ensure that those mature Christians that experience such a thing understand it is relationship, not magical thinking or excessive religious stance that creates the potential for forcetelling.
There is one important stance that all Professional Theologists are encouraged to enforce; they must focus on the presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and move away from presenting Apocalyptic Prophecy to young Christians. The very nature of a Professional Theologist’s job takes place in the marketplace; the marketplace in modern day is on the Internet and other popular visual and audio mediums. All of these mediums allow all kinds of information, wrong as well as right, to be spread to the masses. Usually, the less educated a person is, the more reliance upon social news with analysis based upon popular doomsday scenarios. The focus upon “End Times,” especially with regards to apocalyptic dangers that require stockpiling of weapons and food and protection of their loved ones in advance of the predicted catastrophes stirs many to preparedness. Sadly, this preparedness takes place without the things of God being considered fully. Thus, the popular end-of-the-world scenarios and conspiracy theories directing the lives of many uneducated loners, immature Christians, or even educated dystopian hoarders has forced such an intense preparation that the Word of God and His things are completely overrun.
Professional Theologists will find many advocates of preparedness, especially amongst the religious extremes. The Internet fosters a tremendous interest of Apocalyptic Prophecy, with more and more religious leaders and popular authors focusing upon those topics to gain more attention to their ministries and sale quotas. Even those leaders that present measured proportion of Apocalyptic Prophecies to their followers run the risk of encouraging the wrong attention to End Times. Simply put, Professional Theologists must teach those brought to them about the LORD God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As they mature, more in-depth teachings of spiritual growth can be presented through Paul’s teachings and the other apostolic writings. Strong Christian leaders must refuse to focus upon Apocalyptic Prophecy, and guide the discussion of Christians back to Christ.
Professional Theologists will quickly lose the interest of many of their followers by refusing to present the newest opinions on Apocalyptic Prophecy. Many will leave; when the excitement of guns and survival are removed from the equation, the appeal of Christ is not there. And if there is not a zealousness for Christ, then faith has not been bestowed upon them by God. If faith is not present in those desiring to know the End Times prophecies, to feed them with the information Professional Theologists have through the Word of God is equivalent to giving advanced notice to the enemies of God. Until Christian Leaders, especially Professional Theologists, stress the need to put down the overzealous possession of guns and stockpiled food and seclusion of families and pick up their Bibles, the less opportunity there is to teach the things of God.
End Times is going to happen, in our lifetime or generations from now, whether we are talking about it or not. Mature Christians need to be aware of Apocalyptic Prophecy, and prepare their people as guided by God. But, for the general audience of Professional Theologists, they must not be pummeled with the Coming of Christ with fear-creating tactics; rather, they should look to His Coming as a great blessing of promise given to them. People cannot recognize the blessing of Christ’s Coming unless they know Him and His Gospel. That must always be the focus of Professional Theologist’s teachings; to stray from the Gospel towards the Apocalyptic Prophecy creates unproductive drama that inhibits spiritual growth. This is hoped for by the devil to move people away from God’s Truth as they prepare their individual families to survive the coming Apocalypse recorded in Revelation without need to bend a knee to the Lord. Professional Theologists should try to prevent that by maintaining a solid focus upon teaching the Word of God without an unreasonable emphasis upon Apocalyptic Prophecy that tickles the ears of those that have no desire to develop a true relationship with the Lord.
Bibliography
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Links
About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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