What is Bible prophecy?

Bible prophecy is the content spoken by a prophet, whether that content foretells a future event or state of being, or reveals the heart and mind of God concerning something past or present. It declares how God feels about a thing, what His intent is, and what He will do. This is why prophecy is not only prediction; it is primarily a declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means, a revealing of the Father's heart, mind, and will to His people.

Prophecy did not come by the will of man. Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and this is why no scholar or minister is permitted to interpret prophetic scripture by private interpretation. The Bible interprets itself, and true prophecy must be understood within that boundary rather than through the traditions or errors that have crept into much of the church's teaching on the end times.

Bible prophecy also carries eternal weight because the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy. It is God revealing Himself to all who will hear, and it is fulfilled not only in spoken predictions but in the holy, consecrated life of believers who manifest the life of Christ in the earth.

Because a large portion of scripture is prophetic in nature, understanding it requires careful attention to timing and order. Landmark scriptures help reveal the chronological order of prophetic events so that the major events of Bible prophecy can be placed correctly, which is essential for a right understanding of what God has declared will come to pass.