VI. Jesus Enunciates the Guiding Principle

The basic principle of contemporary perception of the progressive fufillment of prophecy was enunciated by Jesus on the night of the last supper: “I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” John 14:29. Three times, in varying forms, Jesus repeated this basic principle, so there can be no question as to His fundamental intent. The other two declarations are: “I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am He” (John 13:19), and, “These things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them” (John 16:4).PFF1 144.1

This primary function of interpretation—the recognition of fulfillment at the very time of fulfillment—was evidently intended to:PFF1 144.2

(a) create assurance as to the divine inspiration of the prophecy itself;PFF1 144.3

(b) establish confidence in the infinite foreknowledge and power of performance on the part of the Author of prophecy;PFF1 144.4

(c) reveal one’s own time and place in the fulfilling prophecy, and therefore the particular relationship, message, and emphasis due at each stage of development. The general course is thus discernible from the prophetic forecast, though not the precise processes of fulfillment.PFF1 144.5