Posted on 01/29/2022 10:06:33 PM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal” (Proverbs 30:1 KJV).
Now we don’t know who Ithiel and Ucal are, we really nothing next to nothing about this gang of three. Whoever they are, they have some pretty good things to say. The KEY of this chapter 30 is the word prophecy. There are probably more things on prophecy in chapter 30 than any of the other 30 chapters of Proverbs. We’ll see some applications to future events as we go through the chapter. Antichrist is found in the chapter in numerous places.
Not only that, but prophecy itself is more than just truth-saying or future forecasting: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2Pe 1:20-21 KJV).
There is a sense in which all Scripture, and that is what we are talking about here, Peter says we “have a more sure word of prophecy,” talking about the Bible, “whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place.” There is a sense in which every verse in your Bible is prophecy.
Look in I Corinthians chapter 14, and you’ll notice that prophecy deals with telling the truth and teaching. Now, if we really understand that, we’ll understand why it is called ‘prophetic.’ You see, if someone teaches you something, and you learn it, what does that do? That guides you into the future. Even though we apply a present truth to a present situation, that will change your future. And if you reject it, that will change your future. Whether you receive it, or reject it, that will have an effect upon your future. So, in that sense, all Scripture is prophetic because it deals with our future, as to what we will do with the Word of God.
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort” (1Co 14:3 KJV).
“to edification,” that is to teach.
“and exhortation,” that is to exhort to get out and do something, because you need to get going while you have the time
“and comfort,” the Scriptures comfort us—knowing what is coming up, giving us assurance—those things comfort us.
So, prophecy is more than just talking about the Antichrist, and talking about the second coming, because prophecy also deals with the present now and now. In Proverbs 31, when King Lemuel steps up to platform his prophecy statements are all statements that deal with the present—how to have a good wife by staying away from bad women and wine, and how to run a good government, and how to find that good wife—the characteristics of a virtuous woman—the perfect woman. Those deal with the now, not the ten-toed federation of the end time one-world government.
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