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Restoration: Why Prophecy?by Darris McNeelyThis 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). When man chooses disobedience, God says the consequence is "terror... wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart" (verse 16). Choices have consequences, and God makes it very clear which way we should choose. He shows in advance—that is, He prophesies—the consequences of our behavior. Finally, prophecy shows God will restore us upon repentance. It is not His desire that men suffer. At the end of a chapter of pleading with Israel to return to obedience, God says: "'Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways... Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions, which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die...?'" (Ezekiel 18:30-31). Prophecy is an urgent means of teaching the right way to live, showing the benefits of God's way and seeking to correct behavior that leads to suffering and sorrow. It is the loving response of a God who cares about His creation. It is God's way of shaping and molding these lumps of clay into His image—the family of God. Prophecy, when properly used, tells the truths at the heart of the gospel message. The world of man's creation is racing headlong toward a time of distress and trouble. It is a frightening thing to look at what lies ahead. The aim of our articles each month is to help you understand the real meaning behind the headlines and their true significance in the light of Bible prophecy. But look carefully at all that we say. We also point you to the hope, the only hope any of us have, that God will intervene in history and bring a time of true and lasting peace to all peoples. The apostle Peter sums it up. He asks, in light of the tragedy of end-time events, "What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?" (2 Peter 3:11). Therein lies an answer to our question, "Why prophecy?" It is to motivate us to good works. May it be so for you. WNP |
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