Bible Prophecy Series

BIBLE PROPHECY

2 PETER 1:19

A. GOD REVEALED HIMSELF

1. In creation:

a. Genesis chapters one and two

b. Creation is the key to the knowledge of His eternal power and Godhead - Rom. 1:20

c. It is a declaration of His glory and majesty - Ps. 19:1-6; 111:1-9

2. In and through His only begotten Son, who is the express image of His person: Heb. 1:3; John 1:18

3. Through the written word: John 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:15

B. BIBLE PROPHECY IS STILL ANOTHER SOURCE OF THE REVELATION OF GOD

1. It brings to light God’s hand in the affairs of men:

a. The story of the human race - Gen. 1:26, 27; Ps. 8:4-9; Acts 17:26

b. Nothing happens in the world but what God reveals things to His servants, the prophets - Amos 3:7, 8; Jer. 13:18-22

2. Bible prophecy outlines God’s plan beforehand:

a. Consider the history of the great nations - Dan. 2; 7; 8; 11; Rev. 12; 13; 15; 16

b. It portrays the great conflict between Christ and Satan - Rev. 12

3. It gives glimpses of coming glory:

a. Rev. 21:1-17

b. 1 Cor. 2:9-11

c. Isa. 65:17-20; 66:22, 23

4. It gives full assurance of faith’s final reward:

a. Isa. 34:16; 55:10-13

b. Rev. 22:1-17

c. Isa. 35:1-10

5. It holds the key to an intelligent understanding of current events:

a. Amos 3:7

b. Isa. 60:1-5

c. 2 Pet. 1:19, 20

6. It alone can lift the curtain from what the world of tomorrow has in store for the human race:

a. Isa. 43:18, 19

C. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD BIBLE PROPHECY

1. The unbelieving world:

a. 2 Pet. 3:1-13

b. Matt. 23:1-18; Luke 17:26-28; 21:25-30

2. God’s people:

a. Heed the words of the prophets - Isa. 8:16, 20; 2 Chron. 36:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:19, 20

b. They are guided by the message of the prophets - 2 Chron. 20:20; 1 Thess. 5:20; 2 Pet. 1:19, 20

c. They joyfully believe God’s prophets - 2 Chron. 20:20; Luke 24:25-28; Acts 24:27

3. Blessing of Bible prophecy:

a. It is a bright light that shineth in a dark and sinful world - Isa. 60:1-6; 2 Pet. 1:16-20; 3:1-13

b. If heeded, it will bring spiritual prosperity - Isa. 7:9; 2 Chron. 20:20

c. It will open up to our faith vistas of eternal glory - 1 Cor. 1:9-11; Rev. 22:1-6

4. The prophetic gift is, in fact, the eyes of the church:

a. "Where there is no vision the people perish" - Prov. 29:18

b. Spiritual drought prevailed among God’s people when there was no vision - 1 Sam. 3:1-6; 2 Chron. 15:3

c. That was true during the dark ages, when the written word was unknown to the common people; and the two witnesses had to prophecy in sackcloth - Rev. 11:1-11

d. That will be true just prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ; when the world, at large, will reject Bible prophecy - Isa. 60:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; 4:1-6

e. How wonderful it is to have the Light of Bible prophecy at a time like this -

(1) It is as light upon our path in a dark and sinful world! Ps. 119:105

(2) It will give us a wonderful view of things to come in the world of tomorrow! 1 Cor. 2:9-11

f. Dear Reader, shall both of us be more eager to study Bible prophecy, as the noble Bereans did? Acts 17:11

Illustration:

It is recorded in history that some years ago a man was condemned to be put to death. When he came to lay his head on the block, the prince who had charge of the execution asked him if there was any one petition that he could grant him. All that the condemned man asked was a glass of water. They went and got him a tumbler of water, but his hand trembled so that he could not get it to his mouth.

The prince said to him, “Your life is safe until you drink the water.”

He took the prince at his word and dashed the water to the ground. They could not gather it up, and so he saved his life.

By taking God at His word, we can have life’s greatest treasure—peace of mind—for the asking.—By Kenneth J. Holland, These Times, August 1951.

My prayers are that the Lord will help you, by given you the strengh that you need to take Him at His word.