| The Importance Of Bible Prophecy |
"Why study Bible prophecy. It's so impractical. No one knows what it means anyway. It's not important to our faith. All that matters is whether we're saved or not."
Although this line of reasoning appears to be quite valid; it's actually quite dangerous. Take for an example this guy --> Ex-Christain Support Group
Now I ask you. Do you think this guy's church taught prophecy? Would he have been able to reason his way out of so much had he'd been in a church that taught prophecy. He's "freed" himself alright.
I'd almost be inclined to believe him if it weren't for one thing...
Prophecy
Like for instance:
I know that Israel was scattered among the nations and just as predicted they came back.
This verse speaks of an enemy:
- (JPS) Ezekiel 38:8
- After many days thou shalt be mustered for service, in the latter years thou shalt come against the land that is brought back from the sword, that is gathered out of many peoples, against the mountains of Israel, which have been a continual waste; but it is brought forth out of the peoples, and they dwell safely all of them.
(JPS) Jeremiah 32:37
- Behold, I will gather them out of all the countries, whither I have driven them in Mine anger, and in My fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them back unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely;
I know that the restored Israel was predicted to speak one language and because they came from so many countries and spoke so many different languages it was easier for them to learn one common language.
- (JPS) Zephaniah 3:9
- For then will I turn to the peoples a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent.
I know that Israel was to be restored in a time when cities had no walls. A recent development, because modern weapons made walls meaningless.
Again speaking of an enemy:
- (JPS) Ezekiel 38:11
- and thou shalt say: I will go up against the land of unwalled villages; I will come upon them that are at quiet, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates;
I know that Jerusalem was prophecied to be a cup of trembling to the whole world and the whole world would be against it.
- (JPS) Zecharaih 12:2
- Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of staggering unto all the peoples round about, and upon Judah also shall it fall to be in the siege against Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a stone of burden for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.
I know the names of the nations that were predicted to be against Israel.
- (JPS) Psalms 83:2-4,5-8
- For, lo, Thine enemies are in an uproar; and they that hate Thee have lifted up the head. They hold crafty converse against Thy people, and take counsel against Thy treasured ones. They have said: 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.'
For they have consulted together with one consent; against Thee do they make a covenant;
The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites;(Jordan, Saudi Arabia or Arab-Muslim world)
Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;(Jordan, nomadic tribes, Palestinians, Lebanon )
Assyria also is joined with them; they have been an arm to the children of Lot. Selah. (Syria, Iraq, Iran)
I know there would be a revived Roman empire one day.
That comes from the book of Daniel where a statue is used to portray all the kingdoms of the world through history until the time of the end. (Daniel 2:36-45)
Of the toes of that image, that spring from the iron legs of a Rome that had two capitals:
- (KJV) Daniel 2:41,44
- And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, ...
...in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed...
And as we all know, we've got the European Economic Community now and their Euro. Europe hasn't had a common currency since Roman times.
I know that in our day the technology is now becoming avaible to implement a prohecied mark that will be used to track and regulate all buying and selling in our world.
- (KJV) Revelation 13:16-17
- And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receivea mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
I know we've had an explosion in knowlege. We went from the first airplane flight in 1903 to the moon landing in 1969. They say the world's accumlated knowlege is doubling every 18 months. The bible predicted this.
- (KJV) Daniel 12:4
- But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
And with all our biotechnology and nuclear weapons we are the first generation to be able to literally fulfill this verse:
- (KJV) Mark 13:20
- For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
So, knowing all the prophecies the way I do and how they are all coming true, I know the bible is not just some made up story. Something to be explained away or ignored. The being who inspired it has left his signature on it in a very indelible way.
- (KJV) Isaiah 46:9-10
- Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
These prophecies can't be reasoned away. So when someone comes along claiming they've dethroned the bible, I know they are speaking from ignorance.
Our freind here doesn't know this. He wasn't given a chance. Arguments came against him and he was unprepared.
You see, his church wasn't grounded. They didn't think prophecy was important. They built their house on sand.
- (KJV) Matthew 7:27
- And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
And as you can see, by the fate of our freind here, they didn't know just how much can be explained away by a willing mind.
- (KJV) Jeremiah 17:9
- The heart is deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Oh, I'm sure for that for most of their followers, it wouldn't have made a difference. But it's a shame this one guy is now going around decieving people because he never knew the truth. He built a case on a house of cards becuase he didn't have all the evidence.
I'm sure his arguments look very enlightened and to anyone reading them that does not know about bible prophesy they would be very impressive indeed. In fact, if they were thinking of giving christianity a try, they certainly wouldn't be by then.
And all this because some church made the judgement that prophecy was not important.
Of course it goes without saying that believing this way questions the very wisdom of the creator who put it there.
But they are still grandstanding on:
- (KJV) John 20:29
- Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
They forget that Thomas was still saved.
And while they are still trying to prove how special they are, they forget:
- (KJV) Revelation 19:10
- ...the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
1/3rd of the bible is prophecy and Jesus commanded us to know the times.
- Matthew 24:32-34
- Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
If they had seen the importance of prophecy in Jesus day, they would have known who he was and expected him.
- (KJV) Matthew 16:3
- O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
"Why are you so concerned about Jesus. He'll come when he comes."
Jesus commands to watch and to look for him. Why would he give us information about the future if we were not to look for him.
- (KJV) Luke 21:28
- And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
(KJV) Luke 34-35
- And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Our freind has really gotten lost because he didn't have anything to stand on. He wasn't able to defend anything he knew. How sad for him that what he needed the most was the very thing he didn't get.
He would have been able to resist the crafty arguments of long dead minds that gave up the truth long ago.
- (Twenty) Romans 1:24-25
- Therefore God abandoned them to impurity, letting them follow the cravings of their hearts, till they dishonored their own bodies; For they had substituted a lie for the truth about God, and had reverenced and worshiped created things more than the Creator, who is to be praised for ever. Amen.
And of their wisdom?
- (Twenty) 1 Corinthians 1:27-28
- But God chose what the world counts foolish to put its wise men to shame, and God chose what the world counts weak to put its strong things to shame, And God chose what the world counts poor and insignificant--things that to it are unreal--to bring its 'realities' to nothing,
But alas, his church didn't think prophecy was important.
Instead, they were still trying to prove their superiority to other Christians who they thought were "weak" because of their interest in bible prophecy. If they hadn't been grandstanding, perhaps they would have been able to save this man. Oh well, I guess in order to smite a few fellow Christians, it's worth losing a few souls.
Cause afterall, it's all about proving we're better then someone, isn't it.
And all the members of this church have the same vunerability. They are relying on theology and philosophy while ignoring what could be the greatest witness to the veracity of the bible.
So in their stubborness to not give Prophecy the attention it's due, they have left their members open to all sorts of attacks. Because the same forces that drug this man away could just as easily drag them away as well.