The Interpretation of Prophecy Part One Introduction

In this preliminary chapter, Patrick Fairbairn sets forth his purpose and objectives in presenting his work. He observes that prophecy is a unique species of writing in Holy Scripture that requires careful discrimination to arrive at principles which will yield true and faithful interpretation. The lack of these principles will inevitably produce mistaken views, and potentially dangerous results. [Aside: As Fairbairn was vexed by this in his own time, so we are in ours. In the preface he refers to several pre-millennial, date-setting, anti-christ naming situations which immediately call to mind Hal Lindsey, et al.]

The exegete must therefore labor to understand what are the special characteristics of prophecy as a whole, and also the peculiar qualities which are present in some prophetic writing, and absent in others. The absence of these kind of principles, widely accepted and applied, is the cause of many diverse views among Christians which have and do cause trouble and confusion in the Church.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part One Chapter 1

In this chapter Fairbairn sets forth what is the proper calling of a prophet, and the essential nature of prophecy. A prophet in Scripture is one who receives and communicates a message from God, which message is not necessarily predictive in nature. The first person so designated in Scripture is Abraham, from whom no foretelling words are recorded. Whatever is uttered by the prophet in fulfillment of this calling is prophecy. The leading themes in biblical prophecy are the matters of truth and righteousness, rather than predictions of the future.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part One Chapter 2

Fairbairn now addresses the interdependence between prophecy and history. Prophecy is interwoven with history and moves with it to its ultimate terminus. As we trace the prophetic stream from its beginning we find that it is at first broad and general, but then as God’s plan unfolds over the centuries the prophetic word correspondingly becomes clearer and more explicit. The protoevangelium of Genesis 3.15 projects the entire conflict between God’s chosen and the devil, but without much in the way of specifics. As history proceeds to its conclusion, the river of revelation gradually swells, growing in definiteness, until we hear such imminent pronouncements as Malachi 3.1 “And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple.”

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part One Chapter 3

Having traced the connection between history and prophecy, Fairbairn now shows that the target audience of the prophetic word is properly the Church, and not the world. According to Psalm 25.14 God reveals His secrets “to them that fear Him.” The primary purpose of prophecy is not to satisfy idle curiosity regarding future events, or even to provide evidential argumentation to the unbelieving world. Rather it is intended by God its author to provide light, encouragement and hope to His people, especially in times of darkness and distress, that they might live faithfully in their present circumstances.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part One Chapter 4

In this chapter Fairbairn addresses the question of men’s responses to God’s prophetic words, and particularly to what extent His words are absolute or conditional in their declarations. There have been subscribers to both extremes on this question, viz. Olshausen, et al. holding that all prophecies are more or less conditional, and Hengstenberg, et al. maintaining that all are essentially absolute and unalterable. The author considers that both of these positions generalize too far, and that it is more helpful to recognize three broad distinctions in the nature of prophecy.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part One Chapter 5

Fairbairn now embarks upon an analysis of the style and diction of prophecy, presenting his researches under five headings. First he explores negatively the character of prophetic style and diction, what it is not, by way of refutation. Next he discusses positively what it is, and finally he examines three distinctives of style and diction: poetical elevation, figurative representation and the presentation of events in relation to one another, rather than as linked to definite historical periods.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part One Chapter 6

Fairbairn concludes this first half of his work, in which he has sought to set forth the principles involved in the interpretation of prophecy, with an elucidation of the inter-connected, consecutive and progressive nature of prophecy in Scripture. The practical importance of this principle is evident from the many erroneous and harmful interpretations that have resulted from taking prophetic texts in isolation, without due consideration of the contiguous stream and flow of prophecy throughout Scripture.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part Two Chapter 1

Having investigated and set forth the principles involved in the interpretation of prophecy, Fairbairn in the second half of his work addresses himself to the faithful and consistent application of these principles. He begins with an analysis of the value of prophecy in apologetics, handled under the four categories of the enemies of Israel, Israel herself, the Messiah, and the destruction of Jerusalem.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part Two Chapter 2

With the principles for the sound interpretation of prophecy which he investigated and set forth in the first half of this work, the author now labors in their application to the future of the Jewish people as delineated in Biblical prophecy. In exploring this critical area of hermeneutics, he identifies the following three prevalent modes of interpretation: the Jewish, the Semi-Jewish, and the Spiritualistic.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part Two Chapter 3 Section 1

The author divides his final chapter on the prophetical future of the Church and the Kingdom of Christ into four sections. In the first section he discusses the Church in her relations to the kingdoms of this world. Scripture deals with this conflict in both general terms, as in Psalm 2, and also very specifically in select prophecies in the books of Daniel and the Revelation. It is to this latter class of writings that the author addresses himself in this section.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part Two Chapter 3 Section 2

In the second section of four in his final chapter on the prophetical future of the Church and the Kingdom of God, Fairbairn examines prophetic Scripture as it portrays the Church in conflict with the antichristian apostasy. Through a full comparative study of both Old and New Testament texts, he shows what is the essential nature of antichrist, and what was, is and will be the nature of the struggle between the Church and antichrist. Finally he shows us how and by what means the will Church triumph.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part Two Chapter 3 Section 3

In the third section of four in his final chapter on the prophetical future of the Church and the Kingdom of God, the author presents a synopsis and explanation of Revelation 5 -19. His stated purpose is to help his readers better comprehend the books’ overall plan, purpose and conclusion. In this undertaking he focuses particularly on the character and import of the visions of the seven seals, the seven trumpets and the seven bowls.

The Interpretation of Prophecy Part Two Chapter 3 Section 4

In the fourth and final section of his chapter on the prophetical future of the Church and the Kingdom of God, the author concludes his work with an examination of the culminating events of human history: the millennium, the second advent of our Lord, the final judgment, and the entrance of the redeemed into the eternal state of perfection. He particularly addresses the nature of the millennial reign and where it stands in relation to the physical return of Christ.