The Prophecy Books

The use of the Old Testament in the New is a premier issue at the forefront of New Testament studies. This collection of essays pertains to how OT prophecy functioned within the NT. Craig A. Evans' indispensable introduction for beginning students surveyed such issues as what constituted OT scripture, versions of Scripture, Jewish interpretative approaches, and cognate literatures. Bruce Chilton maintained that the NT writers might have been influenced by some targumic understandings of the OT. Evan's lengthy essay identified sixteen terms or phrases included in the Targum Psalms that carry a potential influence on certain NT passages. Rikk E. Watts contributed an outstanding essay examining Isa. 7:14-17 to indicate how "Immanuel" functioned in Matthew's infancy narrative. Robert F. Shedinger's essay contended that the NT Greek text could be used as a "significant source of text-critical evidence relating to the HB" (p. 114). Simon J. Gathercole's essay argued against the New Perspective on Paul by comparing Jewish writings to a number of NT passages indicating a legalistic understanding of Lev. 18:5b within Judaism. Michael Labahn's, "The Significance of Signs in Luke 7:22-23 in Light of Isaiah 61 and the Messianic Apocalypse," posited that Q contains eschatological sayings. In "`No One Has ever Seen God': Revisionary Criticism in the Fourth Gospel," A. J. Droge posited that the FG is a blatant criticism and radical revision of the OT Scriptures. Veteran scholar, James C. VanderKam, suggested that story of Pentecost deliberately drew upon traditions concerning the Festival of Weeks. James L. Kugel asserted that the misquotations of the HB in Stephen's speech stemmed from Jewish exegetical concerns. Brigitte Kahl presented a feminist interpretation of Paul's allegory about the free and slave women in Galatians. Gary A. Anderdson intended to elucidate 1 Tim. 2:9-15 by examining the question of Eve's guilt in the pseudepigraphal Life of Adam and Eve. James A. Sanders concluded this book with some comments on the nature of the Torah and interpretation during the Second Temple period.

A number of the essays yielded potential insights with implications for exegesis. For example, concerning Isa. 6:9-10 in Mk. 4:11-12 Chilton showed that according to the Targum Isaiah the Greek hina clause in the Aramaic is read as "so that" rather than "in order that." Therefore, If Jesus' followed the targumic form his use of parables was not to cause misunderstanding, but instead misunderstanding resulted from the hearer's own hard heart (p.26). Evan's, likewise, offered an interesting insight into the quotation of Ps. 91:11-12 in Matt. 4:6. By juxtaposing the MT and Targum of Ps. 91:5-6, 9-10 he observed how the Aramaic reflects an interest in angels and demons during the Second Temple period by adding the phrases "terror of demons," "arrow of the angel of death," "band of demons," and "no plague or demon." The fact that Satan quotes this Psalm is significant, but instead of applying this observation exegetically, Evans proceeded to cite several sources supporting a tradition portraying Solomon as an exorcist. While interesting, these traditions and magical incantation are seemingly irrelevant to Matt. 4:6.
Rikk E. Watts essay on Isa. 7:14 in Matt. 1:23 is an exemplar model for the value of reading an OT quotation in its context when interpreting its presence in the New. He argued that Matthew's citation of Isa. 7:14 is not a proof text, but rather it constitutes a warning to Israel if it does not respond to Jesus in faith. The implication is that the names "Jesus" and "Immanuel" are therefore programmatic for the gospel's larger literary and theological schema (p. 93). He demonstrated a contextual link between Isaiah 1-9 and the entire book of Matthew, of which Isa. 7:14 is used to denote judgment for unbelieving Israel and salvation for the faithful remnant.
Several essays served as excellent examples of how Jewish exegesis and extra-biblical parallels can significantly enhance NT interpretation. Gathercole convincingly demonstrated how Lev. 18:5b was viewed in Second Temple literature in terms of a "works righteousness" view of salvation. He also included references overlooked or ignored by Sanders and Dunn that contradict their hypotheses concerning covenantal nomism. Also, both VanderKam and Kugel illuminated how Jewish exegetical techniques influence and underlie the quotations and allusions to OT texts in Acts.

On the other hand, some essays seem arguably misplaced in this volume. If the book's purpose is to explore the function of the OT in the NT as it relates to the fulfillment of prophecy, then a few essays fall short. For example, Shedinger's contention that a variant reading of "king" instead of "ruler" in both the Hebrew and Greek text should be adopted for Micah 5:1 and Matt. 2:6 fails to reveal the function of the OT in the NT. One may also question his use of mid-to-late second century Greek writings as a text-critical source for the original Hebrew. Moreover, Labahn's essay could more appropriately be renamed by replacing Lk. 7:22-23 with Q 7:18-23. Out of twenty-two pages, only three of them explicitly pertain to an actual OT text (pp. 150-52). Apparently he is more concerned with the function of Q in Luke rather than the function of the OT.

Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the use of the OT in the New. The beginning student may struggle over some of the concepts, arguments, and use of Hebrew and Aramaic. This work is not the best introductory reference to this subject because it presupposes some basic knowledge in this field. Also it excludes many portions of the NT (i.e. large sections of the gospels, the general epistles, and Revelation). Aside from the essays on the use of the Targums, nothing particularly new or innovative is advanced. However, all the essays are well researched, informative, and helpful to anyone studying a NT quotation of the OT.

This "mini-book" is a tremendous introductory tool into the realm of understanding personal prophecy and how to properly relate to it. This book shares vital prophetic principles for properly responding to God's voice in personal prophecy.

Having the right attitude
Record, Read and Meditate
Witness to your prophecy
War a good warfare
Do nothing different unless definitely directed
Understanding God's universal divine principles
Paperback 49p

This is an exciting book. It reads very well and I couldn't put it down in anticipation of what would happen next. I highly recommend this book to any one interested in the workings of today's religous right and the implications and effects of growing up as a Evangelical in the bible belt today.

When you learn there is a microchip in existence that can track you anywhere in the world, when you learn that the same microchip can be used to keep track of every person in the world, when you learn that the technology for good and evil are the same, it makes you think.

The fiction writing that brings the truth to life in this book is fabulous. Every Christian needs to read this book to understand where technology is today, where it's going, and how to view it in the context of a Christian existence. If you have a techy or Treky kind of friend, you have to buy it for them...especially if they are not a Christian.

Cecil Sanders presents a wonderful account of the amillennial perspective. He plainly shows from the scriptures how the amillennial position is scriptural and correct. At times he compares amillennialism against other well known positions. It is rich with scripture and doctrine, yet easy to read. I recommend this book to everyone.

Very interesting; easy to understand.

I had been waiting anxiously for this book to be published, and it didn't disappoint me. I think this is indeed the strongest work in the Real Prophecy Unveiled series. In fact, it is more concise and right on target. It more thoroughly explains the biblical prophecies of the "one to come," the "son of man." It provides a very interesting and informative history of the Western esoteric teachings based on Ageless Wisdom. It discusses how most of the founding fathers (of the U.S.A.) were influenced as much by those teachings as they were anything else, which is why the Great Seal of the United States (as seen on the dollar bill) is very masonic in character.

This book discusses the Holy Qabalah and the Keys to Ageless Wisdom. It shows how they are the root of ancient Judaism and Christianity, and correspondent and compatible with the Holy Bible and the core universal and eternal truths common to all religions. It also continues the discussion of how right-wing "fundamentalist" Christians, Jews and Muslims are blind to these truths and betray God/Allah and their religions.

Very appropriately and deservedly, this book also provides a devastating exposé of right-wing conservative politicians, particularly George W. Bush & Company, and right-wing Republicans in general. It reveals the true motivation behind Bush's war in Iraq, exposes the lies and hypocrisy of he and his lieutenants, and provides more evidence of how and why they serve themselves and their wealthy supporters at the expense of everyone else in this country and the world.

This book further explains how and why the U.S. now best represents the "Babylon" of prophesy, the "divided fourth kingdom." But it also explains what Babylon really is, not a particular place but merely the symbol of the great military empire that lives by the sword (gun and bomb). It explains how the prophesied "fall" of Babylon will not be due to any war or external catastrophic event, but by a reformation of religion and government which will finally enable the people to fulfill their destiny ... to establish government that is really of, by and for the people.

Best of all, in my view, there is an author's note at the end which reveals his strikingly honest and humble thinking about himself. He confesses that he still worries at times that his work may have been in vain and for nought, even though Isaiah predicted it. But he states that: "...even though I worry about the content and tone of my work, and especially about its impact, I have complete faith in God. I know that the prophecies about the world and humanity will be fulfilled. I know that the greedy people who have gained excess power, wealth and domain at the expense of others will be leveled by having to pay their karmic debt. I know that the proud and militant will be brought low so the humble and meek may inherit the earth. I know that we the people will, in due time, be able to govern ourselves and share the throne as equal joint heirs to God's new 'kingdom.' I know that, and have no doubt whatsoever."

I found this book provocative and easy to read. A must read for every believer who is interested in end times prophecy. A soul searching event in the reader's life.

Once again Khalil has done it. This author continues to push the envelope on traditional views about religion, culture and the dangers of brainwashing, through age-old dogmas and belief systems. Anyone looking to truly free their minds from bondage will love this work. A must read for all religious buffs!

This book tells the story of Jeane Dixon, a devout Catholic, who was probably one of the greatest clairvoyants the world has ever known. She lived most of her adult live in Washington, D.C., to where she moved with her husband at the start of World Was II. There, she became the toast of the town. She made so many accurate predictions that it was mind boggling. Yet, she never asked for money for a reading, as she considered it an act from God. On the other hand, she never had to consider that as an option, as she lived a privileged life, having grown up in a wealthy household in Wisconsin and, later, marrying a very well to do business man.

The numbers and accuracy of her predictions are startling. Moreover, many of them were made years in advance of their occurrence. The one that gained the most notoriety was the prediction of President Kennedy's assassination, which is fully discussed in the book. The book also discusses Mrs. Dixon's thoughts on the issue of conspiracy behind the assassination. Given her track record, it is quite an interesting discourse.

The author of the book, an investigative reporter and friend of Mrs. Dixon, gives an excellent account of her predictions and, often, the context out of which they arose. She describes how the predictions came about. While many of the predictions involved well known individuals, Mrs. Dixon also made many predictions for people with whom she came into contact in her everyday life. All in all, this is a memorable book about a most remarkable woman who, indeed, had the gift of prophecy.