Duality In Bible Prophecy

[Christina]

Duality in Bible ProphecyProphetic statements sometimes apply to more than one fulfillment, a principle we could call "duality." A prime example of duality is Christ's first coming to atone for our sins and His second coming to rule as King of Kings.Such dual themes are common in Bible prophecy. Jesus specifically alluded to the dual application of some prophecies in Matthew 17:11-12. Asked about the prophecy of "Elijah," who would precede the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5), Jesus responded: "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already …" (Matthew 17:11-12).The disciples understood that the "Elijah" who had come already was John the Baptist (verse 13). Jesus Himself explained that John, already dead when Christ uttered these words, was a first fulfillment of Malachi's prophecy.But Christ's clear implication is that another Elijah will precede His second coming, announcing His return just as John the Baptist preceded Christ's first coming. John no longer could do anything in the future. But as a forerunner, John had fulfilled, at least in part, Malachi's prophecy. Another prophecy with dual application is Jesus' Olivet prophecy (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21), so named because He gave it on the Mount of Olives or Mount Olivet, overlooking Jerusalem. Many conditions described in this prophecy existed in the days leading up to the Romans' siege and destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. But Christ makes it clear that similar conditions would prevail shortly before His return.Another example of dual fulfillment is in references to the "Day of the Lord" such as in Isaiah 13:6: "Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty."Verse 1 of that chapter identifies the time setting as when the Babylonian Empire threatened the kingdom of Judah (Babylon invaded Judah and captured Jerusalem in 586 B.C.), and it is in this setting that Isaiah wrote that "the day of the LORD is at hand!"However, he again mentioned the Day of the LORD in verse 9: "Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it." His subsequent inspired words, though, show that he is writing about the time of the end:"For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine."I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, a man more than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts and in the day of His fierce anger" (verses 10-13).We must carefully examine the context of prophecies to understand their meaning and discern whether the prophecy seems incomplete after its first fulfillment. It is equally important to avoid reading duality into passages that do not support such interpretation. We should take great care to properly discern whether duality is a factor in any particular prophecy. Often we may recognize a prophecy's fulfillment only after it is well under way or already has taken place. The Bible is not a history book alone all fulfilled while we just sit around and wait many dual and unfulfilled Prophecies are still to unfold in this generation.

 

[shepherdsword]

In Biblical Hermeneutics it is termed the law of double reference.http://www.biblicalresearch.info/page57.htmlsix one way half a dozen the other

 

[shutin45]

Christina -While we might disagree on some subjects, your knowledge of the Bible, posting all the Scriptures as you do in your posts, and your desire to enlighten others and/or bring them to the knowledge of the Truth is to be commended.We are to give honor where it is due, so kudos to you for that and thank you.

 

[shepherdsword]

QUOTE (shutin45 @ Feb 21 2009, 03:56 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=69609
Christina -While we might disagree on some subjects, your knowledge of the Bible, posting all the Scriptures as you do in your posts, and your desire to enlighten others and/or bring them to the knowledge of the Truth is to be commended.We are to give honor where it is due, so kudos to you for that and thank you.
She need a little guidance into truth herself( as well all do) so don't give her the big head.

 

[shutin45]

QUOTE (shepherdsword @ Feb 22 2009, 02:24 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=69645
She need a little guidance into truth herself( as well all do) so don't give her the big head.

ShepherdswordAmen on us all needing it. Part of the reason I'm here.I felt afterwards like there were many others here who were due the same commendation. Mentioned it today on a different topic post -http://www.christianityboard.com/index.php...10413&st=50I feel it's part of my calling to help others via encouragement and edification (and when needed loving rebukes accompanied by relevant Scripture) to help heal them, to help them better convey their Revelations and convictions to others, so that they will be become better Christians, and whatever else God wants me to do it for.Like my strange burden that Jews come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, rather than just seeing Him as a Prophet, I don't understand it, but I'll do it and leave the outcome to God.Thanks for commenting on my post. I need the very things I mentioned above and feedback helps. All the Verses and related comments you all have posted on this website are INVALUABLE too.May God bless you and your loved ones and I hope you've had a great weekend!!Jim