PROPHECY

The importance of Biblical Prophecy cannot be overstated - but it is often understated. It is the God of the Bible (and ONLY the God of the Bible) who "tells the end from the beginning", meaning that He can tell something before it happens - and ALWAYS be right! This is NOT fortune telling, astrology, etc. God warned the people of Israel that if a "prophet" declares something and it does NOT happen, that prophet should be killed! (Deut. 13:5; Deut. 18:20-22)  Is prophecy serious? You bet it is! Furthermore, the Bible warns that there are, and will be, MANY false prophets! (1 John 4:1)  God warned the people of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah that certain "prophets" would come to the people telling them certain things. God said, "I did not send them"! (see Jeremiah chapters 14, 23 and 27). How many modern day "prophets" pass the Biblical test for calling themselves God's prophets ?  

We need to have understanding and to be discerning.

Why is prophecy so important? Here are several reasons. 

Fulfilled prophecy is very important because it validates for us that God is real, that God is powerful, etc., that God keeps His promises and does what He says He will do - and He indeed is able to do so. It builds our confidence and trust in God by knowing these things. There were SO many prophecies fulfilled when Jesus came to earth, lived, died and rose again, and all of those help us to believe that Jesus was indeed that promised Messiah, the Christ of God, that had been foretold many times, in many ways, in many places over many years - long before it happened. As Paul wrote - "when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth His Son..." In John 13 we read the account of the passover meal which became the "Lord's Supper". In verse 19 of that chapter Jesus says to his disciples, "Now, I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He." 

Future prophecy - given in the past but not yet fulfilled - will, if positive in nature, produce hope and encouragement and other good things; and, if negative in nature, serves to warn in order to help us re-direct our paths, change our direction,  and to inform us of the consequences of our course if left unchanged (reaping what we sow). It is the faithful and true word of God Himself, reinforced by His track record of already-fulfilled prophecies which convince us that every future God-given prophecy will ultimately be fulfilled just as God said it would.  1 Peter 1:19-21 says: "And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God[c] spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

GOD'S WORD - 

One particularly significant aspect of Biblical Christianity is the importance of God's Word. His Word represents His power. We understand and believe that God's Word IS powerful and that His Word is backed up by His ability to do all that He says.

First, we have the Biblical account of creation in the opening chapters of Genesis. According to that record, God SPOKE things into being - e.g. God SAID, Let there be light, and there WAS light! 

Second, there were promises (words) given, such as to Noah after the flood - that God would never again destroy the entire earth with a flood. Words of promise are empty unless there is also the ability to perform. God places great importance on His promises, His word is always true, and He is always able to do what He said He will do.

Third, God gave laws (words). Laws are empty without truthful (a) disclosure of consequences for disobeying the law and (b) ability to enforce the laws. God was very clear to Israel in the giving of the law that there were consequences for disobeying (and He often told just exactly what those consequences would be). Furthermore, God proved His ability to enforce His laws when He showed Israel such a great deliverance from Pharaoh (as we read about in Exodus 12 and subsequent chapters).

Fourth, God sent His prophets many times over many years to TELL (words) to the people - what they needed to do, what they needed to change, what He was going to do, etc. Many of these prophets were ridiculed, imprisoned, beaten, mocked and even killed - all over "words".

Fifth, Hebrews 1 opens this way: " God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son...".

Sixth, Jesus demonstrated His deity as He had total command over His natural creation. We read in Mark 4:39 "Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm."

Seventh, The Gospel is God's good news (again, His Word). Paul said in Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...". Paul, speaking again in Romans 10:17 says that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Also in Romans, Paul reminds us that "For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness'.” (Romans 4:3)

The list could go on and on! 

Do you believe God?
Do you believe what He said in the past that has already happened?
Do you believe what He said in the past about that which is yet to happen?
You MUST believe God!

If we can help you to know what God says so that you can believe God, we would be pleased to have you contact us.