The Word Keeps The Word !!!

THE WORD KEEPS THE WORD

First things first. What is the main purpose of man’s existence on earth? It is to worship God, and to enjoy him forever so says the Westminster Catechism, one of the Revered documents of Christendom. I concur. When it comes to worshipping God, quite often extolling Him for the good He does to us is mistaken to be worship. No, that is PRAISE NOT WORSHIP, which is good in itself but worship is an altogether nobler activity which lifts us to a loftier plane. True worship is one that flows spontaneously out of our awe of His personality. Simply put, worship is magnifying Him just for what He is and not for the blessings, He pours into our lives!

Even working for the Lord in the list of priorities comes only after worship. Only that work, which emanates as a result of worship, would be as fragrant as incense to Him. While on the subject, ever wondered why the Scripture says that Wise King Solomon carved figures of cherub, palm trees and open flowers (in this order) in the inner and outer walls of the temple (I Kings 6:29)? Cherubs are symbols of worship, for them worship is life and life is worship. Next only are the oh-so-useful Palm trees. It is said that a palm tree can be put to a staggering number of uses…360 to be precise! There is a lesson for all of us here. If we are genuine worshipping Christians, the good Lord may use us for…opps… 360 (read many) laudable purposes. The result of work done with an adoring, worshipping heart is that our efforts would be like an open flower emitting sweet fragrance to the Almighty and to those around us… may I add even after we depart from the scene! Are not worship, work and fragrance all embodied in one memorable act of Mary of Bethany when she anointed the Lord with costly nard (John 12:3)? These days, when perfume manufacturers in cut throat competition times, blow their own trumpet about the odor of their scent lasting for many hours, tell me is not the sweet aroma from Mary’s work of fervent worship still not emanating even after 2000 years? Hallelujah…YES!

In this Sermon, I would like to focus upon one unique attribute of our God. That is THE WORD (another Name for Him-John 1:1) keeps the word always (Isa 46:9-10)! Be it in blessing the obedient (Joshua 21:45) or judging the disobedient (II Chronicles 36:21). Do you know that the Laws of probability (mathematical science very much in vogue in the modern-day Insurance sector) can also be utilized for “scientifically assessing” some of the Biblical prophecies? We shall use the same all for the purpose of being further awe-struck by His nature of forever keeping HIS Word!

Whilst applying the “Probability principles” let’s consider “both sides of the coin” so to speak…prophecies of curse and those of universal blessing respectively. Firstly the 6th century B.C. prediction of the overthrow of the city of Tyre (Ezek. 26:1-21). Seven specific things were predicted, and each was later fulfilled to the letter during the 4th century B.C. The mathematical probability of this happening by mere chance has been calculated to be 1 in astounding 75,000,000.

Now coming to those of universal blessing…perhaps the most amazing series of prophetic fulfillments involves the numerous Messianic predictions concerning Christ. The Old Testament contains 332 specific prophecies which were fulfilled by Christ. These not only bear proof of His divine authenticity, but they also help substantiate the divine authorship of the Bible.

In the book, Science Speaks, Professor Peter Stoner used "the Law of Compound Probability," to assess some of the prophecies relating to Christ. Simply stated, this law is used to calculate the odds against a "chance" fulfillment of such predictions when compounded by a specific set of conditions, requirements, or qualifications. His findings were carefully evaluated by the American Scientific Affiliation, and were found to be sound and convincing. By this method, he was able to show evidence that would rule out coincidence, chance or human manipulation in the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.

Stoner started by calculating the probability of one individual who could precisely fulfill only eight prophecies relating to Christ. He computed the odds at 1 in 10 (17th power), the same as 1 followed by 17 zeros. This is the equivalent of covering the entire state of Texas 2 feet deep in silver dollars, specially marking one of them, and instructing a blindfolded man to pick the right silver dollar on the first try!

Dr. Stoner then computed the odds of one individual that could fulfill just 48 prophecies relating to Christ. He calculated the odds at 1 X 10 (to the 157th power) — or 1 followed by 157 zeros. This figure is astronomical and beyond human comprehension, but Christ fulfilled over 300 distinct prophecies, written by different men of different professions (from a shepherd to a King) living at different times, over a time period of 1400 years, in three different languages from 2 continents! Oh Boy, the harmony of the Scriptures when it comes to pointing to the COMING SAVIOR and its eventual fulfillment (I Coming) is jaw-dropping!