- 2 And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.
3 Then he took up his oracle and said:
“The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor,
The utterance of the man whose eyes are opened,
- 4 The utterance of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Who falls down, with eyes wide open: (Numbers 24:2-5)
- “Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy. (Daniel 9:24)
Prophecy is God’s mouthpiece, the foretelling of future events, using man by initiating and revealing visions, speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues.
Some believe in it and some people just smile and laugh it off as another way to scam innocent people.
However, below is an article that clarifies it’s importance for understanding it, hope in it’s promised destiny in eternity, highlighting comfort and encouragement and faith in God’s Word.
It dictates God’s sovereignty, His mercy, His compassion, rewarding His elected faithful, and providing for His people, as a Just and Righteous God.
It states why prophecy, it’s accuracy, and reasons to believe:
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Bible Prophecy: Why Should We Care?
In a Peanuts cartoon, Peppermint Patty reminds Charlie Brown, “You heard what that speaker said, Chuck. He said we’re in the last days!” Charlie Brown responds with: “I know. I heard him say the world is coming to an end.” In the third frame, Peppermint Patty continues with: “Marcie said the world can’t end today because it’s already tomorrow in Australia.” In the final frame, we see this final interaction, as Charlie Brown begins with: “Maybe we should go to Australia.” Finally, Peppermint Patty retorts: “Don’t make jokes, Chuck.”
For many, Bible prophecy is understood no better than it seems to be by Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty. It is like the definition of eschatology (the study of future things) given by a confused student who wrote: “It is the study of eschats.”
Bible prophecy buffs do not seem to help the clarity of this study when they are all over the map with their “understandings” of the issue. Neither do they help people take Bible prophecy seriously due to some of the embarrassing predictions that have been proclaimed in recent years.
As a result, most do not see the importance of understanding Bible prophecy. This is a tragedy, because God assigns it much importance for us. How do we know that? One-fourth of God’s written communication to us-the Bible-deals with the future. Clearly, the massive amount of material God has given to us about the future broadcasts importance.
But there are also other important reasons why Christians should seek to understand Bible prophecy. For example, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 indicates that understanding prophecy produces strength and stability in a Christian’s life. An uncertain future will produce uncertainty and instability in our lives now; however, a certain future, which an understanding of Bible prophecy can produce, will grant the Christian confidence and strength in facing the future.
Of course, certainty and stability in our lives begin with knowing where we will spend eternity. Fortunately, Jesus clearly presents how to know for sure you will be with God forever. In the Gospel of John (which was written to show readers how to receive eternal life, life with God forever-see John 20:31 for the purpose statement), Jesus proclaims that anyone who simply believes Him for His offer of eternal life has it, from the moment the person believes Him for it (e.g., John 3:16-18; 5:24; 6:47; 11:25-26, etc.).
Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (especially verse 18), we learn that a proper understanding of Bible prophecy brings encouragement and comfort to the Christian. For example, understanding that deceased Christians are not only very much alive in heaven right now, but will have an awesome future can provide us with much comfort concerning our loved ones who have passed on.
In addition, Bible prophecy can be a great tool for evangelism, as indicated by its usage by the apostles Peter and Paul (see Acts 3:16-26 and 17:2, 31-34). That is, it can be used to show people the importance of believing in Jesus for their eternal destiny.
Bible prophecy can also be a great encouragement for the Christian to remain faithful to Christ (see 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, especially verse 58). In fact, properly perceived, Bible prophecy is one of the greatest motivations there is for Christian living. For example, via eschatology, we see that it will be well worth remaining faithful to Christ through difficult times, as He will eternally reward our faithfulness.
Furthermore, prophecy can confirm our faith in God’s word (cf. Deuteronomy 18:21-22).
Based on the thousands of predictions in the Bible that have already been fulfilled-perfectly, to the very letter of each detail-prophecy provides us with great confidence in God’s word; it strengthens our faith in it and in Him.
Bible prophecy also teaches us much about God; and the more we understand about God and how He works, the greater will be our encouragement, comfort, and confidence in facing life. Understanding Bible prophecy can enable us to learn about God’s immeasurable love for people. For example, the Bible shows us that God will continue to reach out to an unbelieving world in the future, seven-year tribulation period (the final seven years before the return of Christ to the earth).
In addition, information about the future informs us of God’s magnificent mercy. We see that at the Judgment Seat of Christ (the future assessment of believers in Christ to determine kingdom reward) God will extend great mercy toward those who showed mercy toward others (see James 2:12-13). Those who did will receive a very merciful assessment (cf. Matthew 5:7) and far greater eternal reward.
Of course, the future also teaches us about God’s justice. For example, the Bible presents three future judgments that will take place. One will assess Christians (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10), one will assess unbelievers (Revelation 20:11-15), and one will judge survivors of the future tribulation period.
No doubt, Bible prophecy informs us of God’s sovereignty. In fact, that prophecy is fulfilled (100% of the time) demonstrates that God is in control. He is the God of the future, as well as the God of the present. That should bring us great comfort, especially when life seems out of control. It can quiet our hearts and strengthen our faith knowing God has it all in control.
We also learn from Bible prophecy that God is a rewarder of the faithful (see Hebrews 11:6). This shows us that living in obedience to Christ will be well worth it. It gives us hope and purpose for life now.
Understanding the future gives us great confidence of God’s faithfulness to provide for our every need. For example, we see that while Jewish followers of Jesus will be on the run, with no possessions other than the clothes on their backs for the last three and a half years before the return of Christ, God will provide for their every need each and every day! Realizing that strengthens our faith to trust God with our situations. As a result, we have greater confidence to face the future, no matter how bleak it may look, because we know God will faithfully provide for our needs as we trust Him for them.
Bible prophecy also shows us that this is not all there is. God has an immensely better future in store for those who have believed in Jesus Christ for their eternal destiny. We will one day soon be rid of the pain and suffering, the heartache, and all of the other problems, including death, that sin causes. That fact alone can help us to face another day, realizing that as we do, we are one day closer to a much better future.
There are many other benefits for studying Bible prophecy, but, hopefully, these will stir you to take eschatology seriously and allow it to bring benefits into your own life.
About this Author
Doctoral work, Phoenix Seminary; Th.M., New Testament Greek, Dallas Theological Seminary; B.A., English, University of Northern Iowa
Author; Conference Speaker
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Claeys
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SeashoreMary
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