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Day 31

Luke 2 : 1-7 "THE PROPHETIC WORD"

Day 31 – Luke 2

Text: Luke 2 : 1-7

THE PROPHETIC WORD

One of the most fascinating things to study in the Scriptures must be “Prophecy”. Of course, it is not easy to master the subject of prophecy. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most powerful reasons why we must hold fast to our profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!

There are many prophecies relating to the Birth, Life, Ministry, Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ! A true prophecy must be fulfilled to the letter! A general statement may not be regarded as true prophecy!

This is what God had to say concerning the concept of the true prophetic word. Isaiah, as a spokesman-prophet of God, challenged those who practised idolatry on the issue of prophecy, as proof of true Deity. If idols are true Deity, then the idols would be able to come up with true prophecies!


“Present your case, ” says the Lord.
“Bring forth your strong reasons,”
Says the King of Jacob (Reference to God, not the human king)
“Let them bring forth and show us what will happen;
Let them show the former things what they were,
That we may consider them,
And know the latter end of them;
Or declare to us things to come.
Show the things that are to come hereafter
That we may know that you are gods…
Indeed, you are nothing,
And your work is nothing…” Isaiah 41:21-24

The true prophetic word reveals much about God! The following features about God stand out:-

1. God has true and full foreknowledge (Thus He distinguishes Himself from man).

2. God is true Deity.

3. He proves Himself to be who He says He is.

4. He has power not only to predict, but also to bring to pass whatever He declares

5. The true prophetic power is exclusively God’s!

6. The Scriptures contain many prophetic Word! How we must rejoice that we read and understand prophetic literature.

THE PROPHECY CONCERNING THE CITY OF DAVID Luke 2:4

The birth place of David, king of Israel was called Bethlehem. It was just a small and insignificant place in itself. It became famous because it was the birthplace of David. Bethlehem became known as “the city of David”.

What is even more interesting and significant is that this little town of Bethlehem was mentioned prophetically. The prophet Micah had this to say about Bethlehem:


“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting” Micah 5:2

Names of cities change from time to time. Nobody can predict how a neighbourhood will change, let alone the name of a small, insignificant city! Nevertheless, the name of Bethlehem was uttered prophetically. (There were two Bethlehems. The smaller one was called Ephrathah ; this was the birth place of David and of the Lord Jesus Christ).

Hundreds of years passed! Israel had gone away into captivity. Israel was restored by Cyrus, no less. He was the one who issued a decree that the Jews were allowed to rebuild their cities, and they could rebuild their Temple.

Would Bethlehem have a change of name? God’s prophetic word is at stake! God’s power, God’s Name – they are all at stake!

The prophecy is that the Ruler of Israel would be born in the city of David! “His goings forth are from of old, from everlasting…” There is only ONE person whose birth would fulfil Biblical prophecy – the Lord Jesus Christ!

LET US RENEW OUR FAITH IN THE PROPHETIC WORD OF GOD

This is what the Apostle Peter had to say about the prophetic word:-


Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture
is of any private interpretation,
For prophecy never came by the will of man,
But holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:20-21

As we take time to read the Scriptures, let us be challenged to believe with an even deeper faith the prophetic Word of God. Therein the power of God is revealed! Let us desire to hide His Word deep in our hearts!