This publication
is all about Bible prophecy and how today's news shows that this world is
on the path to a rendezvous with God. In light of a high interest in prophecy
and the fact that some misunderstand why the Bible contains a great deal on
the subject, it may be helpful to look at some basic purposes of this important
subject.
Keep in mind that prophecy
is not only news in advance but is also a key way God deals with humans in
His quest to bring many sons to glory. Prophecy shows us the grand purpose
of our lives and motivates us to right conduct as we move toward that goal.
First, prophecy tells us
there is a God. By directing the course of events, that is, by telling us
in advance what will happen and then following through to make it so, God
proves His sovereignty over this world. Fulfilled prophecy is also a proof
the Bible is His revealed Word to mankind. By foretelling what will happen,
God proves He is.
I have a good friend who
grew up in an atheist home, taught there was no God. Yet he was a keen student
of history, and when he began to read the Bible and understand that it had
something to say about history, he saw that many events God foretold did come
to pass. This helped him to see that the Bible revealed a Creator who controlled
human destiny. So prophecy played an important part in his coming to know
God.
A second reason for prophecy
is to understand God's covenant with the faithful, to bless them so long as
they live as He said to live. God clearly lays down specific expectations
for human behavior in the Bible. Those expectations are spelled out, along
with the consequences for obedience and disobedience to His instructions.
Leviticus 26 is one chapter
that explains this principle in more detail. God shows the rich blessings
that come from obedience to His teachings and laws. "Obey Me," He says, and
"I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and
the trees of the field shall yield their fruit" (Leviticus 26:4).
