Recently I was asked about my view of prophecy and how the original author viewed it and whether or not some prophecies like Matthew 24 and The Revelation had already been fulfilled or if it was still to come. Below is my response to the question.
My view on prophecy is this. The best way to explain it is to give you a picture. When you look at a mountain range that keeps getting taller and taller, you see each peak, but you can't tell how far each peak is from each other or if they are separate peaks at times. But if you could look at them from the side or from the top you could see the peaks and the distance between them. Biblical prophecy is much the same way. One prophecy may have many different fulfilling's and when and how they are fulfilled the multiple times, we cannot say or tell. For example, Isaiah 7:14 says "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and his name will be called Immanuel." Now traditionally we see this prophecy as the birth of Jesus. But if you read the context of Isaiah 7, you will see King Ahaz is facing battle and wants to hear from God. Right after that verse (not a different topic but continuing) Isaiah says that the before the boy gets to a certain age, the land will be laid waste. A virgin not only meant a girl that had not 'known' a man, but it had another meaning, a young woman. So this prophecy had not one but two fulfilling's. At the time it was given, I am sure Isaiah had no idea he was talking about his present time and a time yet to come, but God gave him the words and God knew what He meant. Also, Ecc. 1:9 says "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again" There is evidence all through the Bible that this has happened. You can look at any history book and see it as well. The term "History repeats itself" has biblical roots and like the mountains has repeating peaks. The best way to see that prophecy has been fulfilled is to look back. (Hind sight is 20/20)
So, your friend may be totally correct that Revelations and Mathew 24-25 have been fulfilled, but most reputable Biblical scholars believe that and also believe that it also looked forward to a much further time. Will what scholars think be what those times in the future really look like? (i.e. The Left Behind Series, along with other works as well as commentaries) Maybe, but probably not. If prophecy being fulfilled was easy to spot, then people in Jesus day would have recognized Him instead of looking for someone else. They expected the prophecy to be fulfilled in a much different way than it was. So shall it be at the end of the age.
But at the same time, if your friend does not want to see or believe that Revelations is looking at time to come, (I do believe that it has more than one meaning as well), then there is nothing you can do to convince him otherwise. My idea of prophecy, especially Revelations and the future, is that I may discuss it but I will NEVER argue with someone about it. My philosophy is that the main things of scripture are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things. Those are non negotiables (such as salvation, creation, Jesus coming as a baby, etc.) Everything else is up for discussion. How you believe about the other things, may not be how I believe and until God shows each of us where we are wrong or right, or until it happens, then we will be able to know for sure.
I know I didn't talk about the specifics about what your friend said but this is how I view Revelations and Matthew 24-25. But there are things in Revelations that I will argue about, such as Revelations 4 ( clear picture of the throne room of God and His Majesty), and Revelations 22:18-20: "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.…"
As to WHEN Revelations was written, I tend to agree with most scholars that it was written in the AD 90's. Many reputable Scholars argue amongst themselves, and even with their own thinking, that Revelations was either written in the 60's or 90's. That would make the destruction of the temple (AD 70) either not happened yet, or old OLD news. If it hadn't happened yet, it makes sense it wasn't included, if it was Old News, it also makes sense why it wasn't included. But here is the biggest catch, Revelation 19:10 "Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he *said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (NASB) This means that no matter what the prophecy says, or whether it is foretelling or forth telling, it MUST point to Jesus and bring honor and glory to Him. No matter your current view on prophecy and end times, this must be the central focus. No matter your view, keep Jesus the Son of God the central focus and worship God. If you do this, you cannot be wrong.
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