What does the word 'prophesy' mean in the Bible?
In Scripture, the word prophesy can mean either telling the future or speaking forth the Word. It is not limited to predicting events; it can also describe proclaiming God's message. For instance, the early church's gift of prophecy involved speaking forth the Word, not necessarily foretelling future things.
Les explains that in Revelation 11:3 God gives power to His two witnesses, and they shall prophesy. He notes the word prophesy in Scripture can mean either telling the future or speaking forth the Word. The early church had men with the gift of prophecy, but that gift was for speaking forth the Word, not necessarily foretelling the future, because the printed page had not yet come out. So the two witnesses are not necessarily predicting future events; they are speaking the Word as His witnesses. They will minister primarily in Jerusalem to the nation of Israel for 1,260 days, or three and one-half years. Les points out this is not the last three and one-half years, because at the end of their ministry they hear a voice from heaven, ascend, and a great earthquake follows; that is the middle of the tribulation, not the end.