Biblical Genres: Prophets & Apocalypse
This is a continuation of our series on Biblical Hermeneutics.
God, it seems to me, enjoys puzzles. Not in a malicious way, as though He’s trying to hide truth from us for the sake of confusion, but in a relational and purposeful way. He draws us closer by requiring our effort, engagement, and humility.
Many Christians today, perhaps unknowingly, expect God to communicate with the clarity of a recipe book or the directness of a road sign. But Scripture reveals a God who invites His people into a journey of discovery. He doesn’t simply hand us all the answers; He invites us to seek Him, to wrestle with His Word, and to grow in faith.
It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings to search things out.
Proverbs 25:2
God’s truths are treasures, not trinkets. They are hidden, not to frustrate but to draw us nearer. This is not some arbitrary divine riddle; it’s the way of a God who desires a relationship over robotic compliance.
Nowhere is this seen clearer than in the often-overlooked biblical genres of prophecy and apocalypse. These sections of Scripture are not merely confusing texts relegated to the fringe of our Bibles—they are divine invitations. Layered with meaning, filled with rich symbols, and bursting with truths both profound and practical, these genres are a testament to God’s desire to draw us into deeper fellowship with Him.
Prophecy and apocalypse require effort to understand because they are designed to engage us fully—our minds, hearts, and spirits. They challenge us not only to seek understanding but also to wrestle with the mysteries of God in humility and dependence. This effort is not meant to frustrate but to sanctify. As we grapple with their meaning, we are drawn closer to the Author Himself, who delights in revealing His glory to those who earnestly seek Him. They are treasures hidden in plain sight, requiring diligence, reverence, and faith to uncover. For those willing to seek, the rewards are extraordinary. Prophecy and apocalypse reveal the heart of a God who is not only sovereign over the future but also intimately involved in the present. They unveil His justice, mercy, and faithfulness in ways that deepen our awe and trust. These genres remind us that the Bible is not just a book to be read but a revelation to be experienced—a divine puzzle that draws us into the mind and heart of our Creator.
God Speaks in Puzzles
When we consider the way God communicates, it’s clear that He often chooses veiled language and layered truths. His Word isn’t a cheap manual tossed into our laps; it’s a treasure chest that requires digging.
God’s truths are not scattered pearls to be trodden underfoot but treasures buried deep, awaiting the diligent seeker. This isn’t about God playing hard to get; it’s about God valuing effort and reverence in those who seek Him. Take, for example, the parables of Jesus. These weren’t just simple stories to entertain or teach moral lessons. They were puzzles—designed to reveal truth to the humble while concealing it from the proud.
To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
Matthew 13:11
John Calvin commented on this dynamic, noting, “The same Word of God is, according to the way it is received, a savour of life to some, and a savour of death to others.”1 In other words, God’s truth is accessible to those who approach with humility and faith but remains hidden from those who approach with arrogance.
Even the structure of Scripture itself reflects this.
The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
The reader is the one being read. When you read the Bible, it is the word of God that reads your thoughts and intentions. It exposes your motives and reveals whether you’re seeking God out of pride or genuine faith.
God Draws the Humble Seeker
God’s methods are not our methods.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
isaiah 55:8
What we often expect from God—immediate clarity or straightforward answers—is far from how He operates. He draws us in through riddles and veiled truths, requiring us to trust Him.
Thomas Watson captured this well when he said, “God’s blessing is not to be expected without labor. He that will not work shall not eat. God doth not shower down manna, as at the first, but gives it to industry.”2 God’s Word is meant to be sought, wrestled with, and cherished. It’s not designed for the lazy or the indifferent.
Consider the resurrection of Christ. If God had wanted to overwhelm His enemies with proof, Jesus could have announced His resurrection in the temple courts. But instead, He appeared first to women—socially marginalized witnesses in that culture. He walked with disciples on the road to Emmaus without revealing His identity immediately. These were not random decisions; they were deliberate acts designed to create faith. Faith, after all, is not born from overwhelming evidence but from hearts that diligently seek God.
Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6
This search requires humility. It’s not about intellectual brilliance or theological expertise but about a heart willing to bow before God. Jesus praised this humility in Matthew 11:25: “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.” It’s not about how high you can climb; it’s about how low you’re willing to bow.
The Overlooked Genres
This brings us to the often-neglected genres of prophecy and apocalypse. These portions of Scripture have been misunderstood, misused, and sometimes ignored altogether. For many, they feel too complex or too controversial to engage with. But these genres are critical—they pull back the curtain to reveal God’s cosmic plans and unshakable promises.
What is Prophecy?
Prophecy is not a spiritual weather report, predicting the storms and sunshine of human history with detached precision. It is far more dynamic and transformative. In its biblical sense, prophecy is neither a dry recitation of future events nor an abstract declaration meant to perplex or impress. Instead, it is a powerful, active force—a divine call to action and faith. Prophecy operates on two levels: forth-telling and foretelling. It addresses the immediate needs of God’s people while pointing them to eternal realities, making it a genre rich in theological depth and practical application.
Forth-telling: Declaring God’s Truth for the Present
Forth-telling is the prophet’s immediate task, to declare God’s truth to the people in their current circumstances. Acting as God’s spokesperson, the prophet delivers divine verdicts on the moral and spiritual condition of His people. For instance, in 2 Samuel 12, Nathan rebukes David after his grievous sins of adultery and murder, declaring, “You are the man!” This was not merely a casual observation but God’s judgment, delivered directly and without compromise. Today, forth-telling continues through Scripture and faithful preaching, exposing sin, calling for repentance, and guiding believers in righteousness.
Foretelling: Revealing God’s Plans for the Future
Foretelling, on the other hand, unveils what is yet to come. Often conveyed through symbolic language and vivid imagery, it points to the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan across history. Isaiah 53, for example, describes the suffering servant, foretelling the Messiah who would bear the iniquities of God’s people. Written centuries before Christ, this prophecy was fulfilled in His atoning death and resurrection. Foretelling assures believers of God’s sovereignty and the certainty of His promises. It encourages trust in His ultimate victory, even when history seems chaotic.
The Purpose of Prophecy
Covenant Faithfulness
At its core, prophecy is a call to return to covenant faithfulness. Prophets act as covenant prosecutors, confronting God’s people with their breaches of His Law and urging them to repent. Prophecy lays bare the seriousness of sin and the dire consequences of turning away from God. For example, in Jeremiah 2:13, God rebukes Israel: “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” This serves as a sobering reminder of our own tendency to wander and of God’s steadfast love that calls us back. Prophecy warns against complacency and idolatry, urging us to examine our lives and renew our commitment to God.
Hope and Redemption
While prophecy warns of judgment, it also brims with hope. It lifts our eyes to the horizon, where God’s promises shine brightly. Prophecy points to the restoration of all things through the coming of the Messiah and the ultimate renewal of creation. For instance, Micah 5:2 foretells the Messiah’s birthplace in Bethlehem, reminding God’s people that deliverance is on the way. Such prophecies assure believers of God’s faithfulness and encourage them to persevere through suffering, clinging to His promises with unwavering faith. The prophetic office, therefore, was often offensive, challenging both the complacent and the rebellious, yet offering hope to the repentant.
What is Apocalypse?
If prophecy is a call to action and faith, apocalypse is prophecy amplified. The word “apocalypse” derives from the Greek apokalypsis, meaning “revelation” or “unveiling.” This genre peels back the curtain of history to reveal the cosmic battle between good and evil, the sovereignty of God, and the ultimate triumph of His Kingdom.
Characteristics of Apocalypse
Apocalyptic literature is marked by symbolic imagery, cosmic conflict, and the assurance of victory. Its vivid symbols—beasts, horns, stars falling from the sky—are not riddles for the overly clever but are divine pictures designed to communicate eternal truths. Apocalypse frames earthly struggles within the larger narrative of spiritual warfare, reminding us that our battles are not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Most importantly, the apocalyptic message assures us that Christ wins. Revelation 5 depicts Christ as the Lamb who is worthy to open the scroll, guaranteeing the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. No matter how grim the present appears, the ultimate victory belongs to Him.
How to Approach Prophecy and Apocalypse
1. Understand the Historical Context: These texts were written to real people in specific situations. Understanding their original audience helps us apply their truths faithfully.
2. Recognize Symbolism: Apocalyptic literature, in particular, uses vivid symbols that require careful interpretation. These symbols aren’t random but are rooted in the themes and imagery of Scripture.
3. Use Scripture to Interpret Scripture: The best way to understand challenging passages is by comparing them with clearer ones. The Bible is its own best interpreter.
4. Keep Christ at the Center: All prophecy and apocalypse ultimately point to Jesus—His first coming, His ongoing reign, and His future return.
5. Approach with Humility: These genres are not puzzles to solve for the sake of pride but mysteries to engage with for the sake of worship. As James 4:6 reminds us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Conclusion
God’s puzzles are not meant to frustrate but to sanctify. Prophecy and apocalypse, with all their complexity and mystery, are invitations to trust God more deeply and to worship Him more fully. They remind us that God’s plan is unfolding, that His promises are unshakable, and that His victory is certain.
As we wrestle with these texts, let us do so with hearts of humility, minds fixed on Christ, and lives ready to reflect His glory. For the God who hides His treasures is also the God who reveals them to those who seek with diligence and faith. Let us be those seekers, ever looking to the Lamb who was slain and who now reigns victorious.
