Can I Really Know The Future? Series

Listen, the fact that there are a number of different interpretations about end time events does not mean there is not one that is correct. We even say at times---well I have the freedom to interpret the Bible as I choose. You can do that but that doesn’t mean that every interpretation is correct of course.

2nd Peter 1:20-21 says (NIV) 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

4. Bible prophecy has nothing to do with everyday life. I think that all of us would agree that we are not nearly as concerned about the mark of the beast in Revelation as we are the beast we work for 5 days a week. With all of the tribulations I face daily why do I want to know about the great tribulation described in the Bible. I’ve had enough.

Let me quickly give you 3 reasons why Bible prophecy matters.

1. Bible prophecy is a major theme in the Bible. In Bible study there is a principle referred to as the Law of Proportion. It simply means that you can tell the importance of a certain subject by how much space is devoted to it.

27% of the Bible is devoted to Bible prophecy. For every prophecy in scripture concerning the 1st coming of Christ, there are 8 on the 2nd coming.

2. You will never understand the Bible unless you understand prophecy. In the weeks to come I will give you many examples of this principle.

3. An understanding of Bible prophecy will motivate us to be more like Jesus.

2nd Peter 3:11-12 LB

Billy Graham tells of an incident where former President Eisenhower was on vacation in Denver. His attention was drawn to an open letter in a local paper. Six year old Paul Haley, dying of cancer had expressed a wish to meet the president of the United States.

At that moment, Eisenhower made a spontaneous decision to grant the little boys request. So one Sunday morning in August a big limousine pulled up outside the boy’s home and out stepped the President of the U.S. Eisenhower walked up to the door and knocked. Mr. Haley, the father, opened the door. He was wearing blue jeans, an old shirt and he hadn’t shaved.

Behind him was his little boy, Paul. Both of them stood there in amazement. The president said, Paul I understand you wanted to see me. The president shook his hand—they took a short walk together and talked. The Haleys and their neighbors talked about it for years after that. They were all so happy----all of them, except Mr. Haley. He could never forget how he was dressed when he opened the door. Old jeans, a faded shirt, unshaven. What a way to greet the president of the U.S.

But I can tell you something that will be much worse. One day the sky will part, the trumpet will sound and Jesus will suddenly appear. Unfortunately many of us will not be properly dressed for His return. We will be all wrapped up in materialism and personal ambition instead of the clothes of righteousness the scripture describes.