Understanding Prophecy

 The Bible is filled from cover to cover with prophecy. Prophets spoke, and prophetic utterances were given, and there were dreams and visions. All of these are ways for the Lord to tell us what is coming in the future.

Prophecy, to make it easier to understand, is a snapshot of a future event. Like any picture, it gives us detail about one moment in time. Prophetic pictures tell of one moment in time for a future event or day. We can try to figure out the where and when of prophecy by looking for details, like looking for clues to identify where and when a picture was taken. One thing though that is absolutely true, one day that event will happen and someone in tune with the Holy Spirit can see it and say, this is that!

"But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:" Acts 2:16

Peter recognized that the picture that Joel had seen was then and there coming to pass.

There is a present aspect to prophecy, that it is happening now. And there is often a still future aspect to prophecy, something will happen in days, months, or years from now. But it will happen just as it was prophesied.

You can look at an old photograph and figure out when and where and who. Men of God can look to the word of God and figure out when and where and who too.