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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.

What we do find in prophetic Scripture is consistent with the fact that it is the product of the one divine Spirit; viz. a unified plan which is gradually unfolded throughout the centuries, in which each successive installment stands upon those preceding, progressing from the general to the specific as the full and final fulfillments draw near. The first great promise of the protoevangelium in Genesis 3.15 contains the whole of revelation in embryo, which proceeds thence through Scripture to mature and develop, filling out details as to person, place and the other particulars. So it is that the general promise of a victorious seed made to Adam becomes to Abraham particular as to human family, specific in terms of Kingship to David, definite with regard to priestly sacrifice to Isaiah, and so on.

The progressive and consecutive character in prophecy is manifested by the ways in which the historical elements, e.g. the life of David, serve to connect prophecy with fulfillment. These connections are never abandoned throughout Scripture but rather made rich and full as their fulfillments appear. Thus we have in the New Testament Christ as the Son of David, believers in Christ as Abraham’s children, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as that which was spoken of by Joel, God’s Church as the temple of the Living God, et al. New revelation is given against the backdrop, and in the context of what has gone before, as the fulfillment of that previously spoken. Thus the entire unified body of biblical prophecy, which came through so many different men in varied times and circumstances, bears clear testimony to the single plan and purpose of its divine Author.