This Article: (4 Pages)
- 1. Jesus ( Yahshua) Relies on... the Prophets
- 2. The Disciples Taught from... the Prophets
- 3. The Voice of the Prophets -... Common Themes
- 4. Future Peace on Earth
2) The Disciples Taught from the Prophets
In the book of Acts, the records of the work of Jesus’ Disciples’ preaching, clearly show their reliance on the writings of the Prophets, and they repeatedly refer to them. Peter in Acts 3: 18-25 gives us a clear example of this. In Acts 3: 21, he says that Jesus is the one referred to by the prophets.
He whom the heaven must receive until the times of 'restitution' of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”
The interesting phrase here is the “restitution of all things” and the comment that “all” the prophets spoke of these things. He goes on to say that all those who do not heed the prophets will be “destroyed.” Peter here refers to a restoration of certain things, which can be discovered in the writings of the Prophets. Another interesting instance of reliance on the prophets is when Philip in Acts 8: 32-35, taught the Eunuch from the prophecy of Isaiah.
The Prophets wrote of the Messiah and Israel
Paul makes many references to the Covenant or Promises that God made to Abraham and that were repeated to Isaac, Jacob and David, and then extended to the Gentiles, as seen in such places as Acts 13: 26 and Galatians 3 .
In Acts 15: 15-17, Peter again emphasized the importance of an understanding of the Prophets.
As it is written, after this I will return and build again the Tabernacle of David which is fallen down and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called.
It is interesting to note that Peter speaks of the Temple of David, not Solomon’s temple. At that time in history, Jerusalem and the Temple had not been destroyed by the Roman armies. Desolation and destruction were prophesied, but these were to be followed by restoration. This is the concept again of “restitution” and of rebuilding. This is a constant theme in the prophetic writings.
In Acts 17: 2, Paul reasoned with them out of the scriptures in Thessalonica. Only the Old Testament writings were available at that point in time, as the New Testament had not as yet been written. The Bereans (Acts 17: 11) searched the scriptures, namely the prophets, thoroughly, on a daily basis and this is presented to us as an admirable example for the faithful to follow.
In Acts 28:23, we read that Paul expounded and testified of the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, “both out of the Law of Moses and out of the prophets from morning until evening.” Obviously Paul’s instruction was extensive and thorough and out of the prophets.
The Prophets wrote of the Destiny of Israel and the Nations
The Prophets not only wrote and prophesied of the Messiah’s death and resurrection, but also of the Kingdom of God, the destiny of Israel and the other nations. A lot of what the Prophets wrote about has never come to pass, but will come to pass. If Jesus gave his followers the advice to place importance on the Prophets, it seems to automatically follow that we should also take heed to their writings. It would be unwise to discard and ignore so much of what they have written. There are so many references made by the Apostles to the Prophets, that the warning is clear. We ignore the message of the Prophets to our peril.
In Isaiah 43: 9-12, the Lord says of Israel, “Ye are my witnesses.” The nation of Israel, despite their alienation from God, stand as a sign of the Truth and Promises of the Bible. Men are always looking for signs and miracles, as confirmation of the veracity of God’s existence and truth of the Bible, but there can be no greater miracle than the survival of Israel and its revival as a modern nation. It has survived despite relentless persecution and attempts to annihilate the Jewish race by such nations as the Romans, the Russians and their pogroms against the Jews and Hitler and the Holocaust of World War 2. Romans 11 deals extensively with Israel. Romans 11:1 begins with the question, “Hath God cast away his people?” The answer is “No!” Romans 11: 25 states that “blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” When will this occur? Luke provides the answer. In Luke 21: 24, Jesus prophesied what would happen to the nation of Israel.
Israel shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captive into all nations. Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Since 1967, Jerusalem has been in the control of the Jews, for the first time in almost 2000 years and this is significant for us today as it fulfills Jesus' prophecy and endorses the many references in the prophecies of the Old Testament.
The Prophets stated that Jews would be Scattered and Regathered
If we search the prophets, we find that they all write about a regathering of the Jews, in the last days, out of all nations into which they have been dispersed. This is a constant theme in the prophets. In the prophecy of Isaiah, the return of the Jews to the land of Israel is mentioned many times.
The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob unto the mighty God.(Isaiah 10: 21)
Isaiah 56: 7-8 builds on this by referring to the 'House of Prayer for all people' when “The Lord God who gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, yet will I gather others to him.” In Isaiah 61:4 it is recorded that Israel “shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.”
This world's present generation would have to stand in the privileged position of witnessing these amazing events fulfilling prophecy. Jeremiah also makes frequent references to the return of the Jews to their traditional homeland.
I will bring them again into their land.(Jeremiah 16: 15-16)
I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them” (Jeremiah 23:3)
He that scattered Israel will gather him.” (Jeremiah 31: 10)
Ezekiel also develops this prophetic theme in Ezekiel 28:25, where it is stated, “when I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered.”
In 2 Peter 1:19-20, Peter advises, “We have a more sure word of prophecy...no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” Peter warns in 2 Peter 2:1-2 about false teachers...who privily shall bring in damnable heresies.” It is to the Word of God that we must go, not to man's vain philosophising, thoughts and feelings. Jesus endorsed the Prophets. What better example can we have? Jesus and the Apostles taught out of the Prophets and they showed that some prophecies had been fulfilled, but that also many prophecies still had to be fulfilled. In Acts 13:27, we are warned that the Jews killed their Messiah, “because they knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets.” What might we be guilty of if we heed not the words of the prophets?
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