Prophecy
Also known as: Nevu'ah, Wahy, Nubuwwah
Prophecy
The divine communication of God’s message to humanity. While a prophet is the person who receives and delivers the message, prophecy is the phenomenon itself—the act, content, and nature of divine revelation.
Nature of Prophecy
Prophecy involves:
- Revelation: God initiating communication with humans
- Inspiration: The means by which the message is conveyed (dreams, visions, direct speech)
- Content: What is revealed (warnings, promises, laws, future events)
- Purpose: Guiding humanity toward God’s will
In Judaism
Jewish tradition distinguishes levels of prophecy:
Mosaic Prophecy
Moses experienced the highest form—direct communication “face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10). The Torah is the product of this unique prophetic experience.
Classical Prophecy
Other prophets received revelation through dreams and visions (Numbers 12:6). The prophetic books (Nevi’im) contain their oracles.
Cessation
Rabbinic tradition holds that prophecy ceased with the last biblical prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi). The “bat kol” (heavenly voice) replaced direct prophecy. Some traditions anticipate prophecy’s return in the messianic age.
Content
Biblical prophecy included:
- Calls to repentance and covenant faithfulness
- Warnings of judgment
- Promises of restoration
- Messianic expectations
In Christianity
Christianity affirms the Hebrew prophetic tradition while adding distinctive elements:
Fulfillment
The Old Testament prophecies find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection are seen as fulfilling prophetic expectations.
Christ as Prophet
Jesus is the ultimate prophet—the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14). He speaks not just for God but as God.
The Spirit of Prophecy
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out, and prophecy became available to all believers (Acts 2:17-18). The gift of prophecy operates in the church (1 Corinthians 12-14).
Scripture
The New Testament is understood as divinely inspired, completing the prophetic revelation. The canon is closed, though the gift of prophecy continues in subordination to Scripture.
In Islam
Islam has a highly developed theology of prophecy (nubuwwah):
Wahy (Revelation)
God communicates through:
- Direct inspiration (ilham)
- Speaking from behind a veil
- Sending an angel (Gabriel)
The Quran was revealed to Muhammad through Jibril over 23 years.
Chain of Prophecy
Prophets were sent to every nation (Quran 16:36). Major figures include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad.
Seal of Prophecy
Muhammad is the “Seal of the Prophets” (Quran 33:40)—the final messenger. With him, prophetic revelation is complete. The Quran is the final, preserved scripture.
Preservation
Unlike previous scriptures (which Islam teaches were corrupted), the Quran is preserved exactly as revealed—the literal word of God in Arabic.
Types of Prophetic Content
| Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Forthtelling | Declaring God’s will for the present | Moral exhortation, calls to repentance |
| Foretelling | Revealing future events | Messianic prophecies, eschatological visions |
| Law-giving | Establishing divine commands | Torah, Sharia |
| Wisdom | Revealing divine truth | Proverbs, parables |
Authentication
All three traditions address how to discern true from false prophecy:
- Judaism: Fulfillment of predictions, consistency with Torah (Deuteronomy 18:21-22)
- Christianity: Consistency with Scripture, fruit of the Spirit, confession of Christ (1 John 4:1-3)
- Islam: Consistency with Quran, moral character of the messenger
Theological Significance
Prophecy establishes: