Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part 1: Ancient near east -- Proposition 1: Prophecy is a subset of divination -- Proposition 2: Prophets and prophecy in the ancient near east manifest similarities and differences when compared to Israel -- Part 2: Institution -- Proposition 3: A prophet Is a spokesperson for God, not a predictor of the future -- Proposition 4: Prophecy in the Old Testament is not monolithic but developing -- Proposition 5: The classical prophets are champions of the covenant in times of crisis -- Proposition 6: Prophecy takes a variety of different shapes after the Old Testament -- Part 3: Literature -- Proposition 7: Recognition of the categories of prophetic message help us to be more informed readers -- Proposition 8: Prophets were typically not authors -- Proposition 9: The implied audience of the prophetic books is not necessarily the audience of the prophet -- Part 4: Methodological and interpretive issues -- Proposition 10: Distinction between message and fulfillment provides clear understanding of prophetic literature -- Proposition 11: Fulfillment follows oblique trajectories -- Proposition 12: The New Testament use of Old Testament prophecy focuses on fulfillment, not message -- Proposition 13: Prophecy carries important implications for understanding God and the future, but our ability to forge a detailed eschatology with confidence is limited -- Part 5: Apocalyptic -- Proposition 14: Apocalyptic should be differentiated from classical prophecy -- Proposition 15: In apocalyptic literature, visions are not the message but the occasion for the message -- Proposition 16: New Testament apocalyptic operates by the same principles as Old Testament apocalyptic -- Concluding thoughts: A reading strategy.

"Are the prophets speaking about their own times, about our present, or about some still-unrealized future? Applying his signature method, John Walton provides a clear, helpful guide to the nature of biblical prophecy and apocalyptic literature that will help us avoid potential misuse and reclaim the message of the prophets for our lives"-- Provided by publisher.