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Why Prophecy?
Why Prophecy?
We strive for security, long for
stability and dream of a glowing and predictable future for ourselves and our posterity.
But for most of us these hopes and desires are far from certain to be realized. Our
world is filled with rapid and often perilous change.
We could easily fall victim to an accident, act of violence, debilitating disease
or natural disaster. The turbulent winds of economic and social change threaten our
financial stability. Wars and acts of terrorism threaten to endanger the fabric of
society and make even more elusive the security we seek.
Uncertainty is a way of life.
No confidence
Consider today's youth. A lack of confidence in the future is a major cause of anxiety
among teenagers. Thousands are convinced the good life will evaporate before they're
old enough to enjoy it. They crave assurance and purpose. Nihilism-the absence of
confidence and hope in anything-is epidemic. The staggering number of teen suicides
illustrates their disillusionment. Some vent their anger and frustration by setting
up an alternative society of gangs.
But teens aren't the only ones anxious about their future. Adults turn to psychics
and astrological readings in unprecedented numbers, attempting to peer into the murkiness
of the future. Books about the future are best sellers. Millions of people long for
reassurance that some kind of light shines at the end of the tunnel. King Solomon's
observation, that "man is greatly troubled by ignorance of the future"
(Ecclesiastes 8:7, Revised English Bible), holds true today.
Why is our world so uncertain? Have we no alternative? Is nothing predictable? Must
we live in ignorance of our future? Can we discover a source for information about
where this world is headed?
Indeed we can, and it tells us a great deal about what lies ahead. We can also know
the cause of our uncertainty and the amazing turn of events that could change
it for the better.
Where can we find answers?
The answers have been waiting for us all along. They're in the pages of the Bible.
The Bible is unique among all literature. Though penned by many writers from
varied cultures over a span of 15 centuries, it is the masterpiece of a single author,
the Creator of the universe.
Bible students for centuries have marveled that so many writers, from strikingly
dissimilar backgrounds, could maintain the consistent message and purpose to be found
in the pages of Scripture. No other compilation of writings from such varied authors
could compare with the Bible's continuity and harmony.
This consistency gives the Bible unrivaled distinction among literary works. This
constancy is one of the proofs of its divine inspiration. As the Bible itself powerfully
proclaims about its origin: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God
. . ." (2Timothy 3:16, emphasis added throughout).
Much of this remarkable book is prophetic. Its prophecies reveal crucial information
about the future of mankind. When we realize that the Bible is the inspired Word
of God, then we begin to realize the significance of its prophecies. They are reliable
because God Himself inspired them.
What does the Creator tell us about Himself and the future? ". . .
I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and
from ancient times things that are not yet done . . . Indeed I have spoken
it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it"
(Isaiah 46:9-11). God not only claims to reveal the future, He has the power to bring
to pass what He has predicted!
The apostle Peter advises us to pay attention to the words of the biblical prophets.
"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed . . .;
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 spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit" (2Peter 1:19-21).
The Prophet of prophets
A prophet is one through whom God speaks, one appointed to reveal the will of God
to His people. One of the greatest of these prophets was God's own Son, Jesus Christ:
"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, whom He has appointed
heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2).
People seldom think of Jesus Christ as a prophet, but a prophet He was (Luke 13:33;
24:19; John 6:14). His message-"the Gospel of the Kingdom of God" (Mark 1:14)-is filled with prophecy. His message explains and clarifies the destiny of
mankind, revealing the way God will accomplish His master plan.
The record of Jesus Christ's birth, life, ministry and death is one of history's
most powerful confirmations of the reliability and accuracy of Bible prophecy.
Precise details about Jesus' birth, ministry and crucifixion were accurately foretold
hundreds, even thousands, of years before He was born. Specific events and circumstances
foretold centuries earlier came to pass exactly as the Hebrew prophets had predicted,
providing compelling evidence of their credibility and substantiating the accuracy
of their messages.
Could their words hold meaning for us today? Did you know those same prophets tell
us what Jesus Christ has planned for the future-your future?
You probably already know that Jesus promised to return to earth. That promise is
an excellent example of prophecy. He also promised to finish the work He began at
His first coming. Throughout the Bible the life and mission of the Messiah, Jesus
of Nazareth, are depicted as examples of His devotion to the welfare of people. Many
prophecies yet to be fulfilled are directly related to the future work and mission
of Jesus Christ.
A right perspective
Many people regard prophecy as mystical, strange and unreal, with no relevance to
their lives. They have almost no understanding of what prophecy is all about. Others,
having encountered grossly distorted interpretations of Bible prophecy, have grown
skeptical and disillusioned.
However, when properly understood, the Bible speaks with a clear, consistent and
reliable message that is just as appropriate for us as it was for the people of ancient
Israel.
Whether you are unsure of the value of the Bible's prophecies or regard them with
deep respect, this booklet is meant to help you accurately understand prophecy.
We want you to see the true scope of prophecy-how it links mankind's past, present
and future. A knowledge of prophecy can provide you with a balanced perspective revealed
by the Creator.
God's promises: foundation of prophecy
Prophecy is not merely a series of unrelated predictions randomly scattered throughout
the Bible. It has a structure; it is set on a firm foundation. To understand the
foundation, we must realize the overall purpose of the Bible, its themes and the
threads of its stories.
One overall theme is that the Bible is the tale of two families. The first is the
family of Adam, the human father of all mankind. The second is the family of Abraham,
the father of those who are faithful to God (Romans 4:9,11). God regards people
who become, in a spiritual sense, like faithful Abraham as His own personal family,
His sons and daughters (2Corinthians 6:18).
The Bible begins with the creation of the universe and a world fashioned to support
Adam's, and then all humanity's, existence. The story of Scripture will not be complete
until all of the descendants of Adam receive an eternal inheritance in refashioned
heavens and earth or-if they unequivocally refuse God's way of loving others as themselves-eternal
death in the final judgment (Revelation 20:14-15).
It is to Abraham and his descendants that God gave the promise of an eternal inheritance.
Only members of the family of Adam whom God grafts into the family, or "seed,"
of Abraham (through the sacrificed Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth) may partake of that
eternal inheritance (Galatians 3:29).
Between the creation of Adam and God's final judgment is the story of God's relationship
with us, His creation. The Bible, in its account of Adam, explains the reason for
our nature. It tells us how and why sin, evil and suffering entered the world and
reveals God's solution to that problem. It reveals the purpose of our existence while
explaining why God made human beings and the incredible future He has in store for
them.
At the heart of God's plan for us are many amazing promises. In a greater sense,
God offers us one magnificent promise, which He first expressed to Adam and Eve and
amplifies and expands throughout the Bible. God promises He will make available everything
we need to establish and maintain an eternal relationship with Him as His children-that
our salvation will always be His greatest concern.
In this booklet you will learn how prophecy fills in the details of God's wonderful
plan for humanity. You will discover the reason people suffer and the lessons they
should learn from it. You will see that God, who inspired prophecy, cares for people,
that He has designed a logical and realistic master plan for solving the suffering
and dilemmas that (as history well shows) we cannot resolve on our own.
You will also learn why the life, work and mission of Jesus, as the Messiah, was
planned even before the universe itself was created-and why His continuing efforts
are crucial to the success of God's plan and purpose for our future.
Come with us on a journey to explore and understand Bible prophecy.
©1999 United Church of God, an International Associtaion
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