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Prophecy is a thread that runs throughout the Bible from beginning to end. God says that prophecy is one of the greatest proofs of His existence. Notice His challenge in Isaiah 44:6-8 to those who doubt His existence:
"Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened ... , and what is yet to come -- yes, let them foretell what will come ... Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?" (New International Version, 2011).
Nothing can compare to God, who declares what will happen long before it comes to pass! History and Scripture bear witness that God foretold events many centuries before they happened, then brought them to pass just as He said.
Among all the purported holy books of the world's religions, the Bible alone records many specific prophecies and their fulfillment -- and many more prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled. The God of the Bible alone not only reveals the future, but has the astounding power to bring to pass what He has foretold!
"Remember the former things, those of long ago," He says. "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come... . What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do" (Isaiah 46:9-10, NIV 2011).
We live in a time of dramatic and sudden change. Our world is being transformed before our eyes. The world order most of us grew up with is slipping away, being replaced by -- what? No one seems to know. Today's news anchors and analysts seem to have no clue. Where can we look for answers?
At Beyond Today magazine and TV, we know where to look, and that gives us the answers as to where the world is headed and why. We look to God's Word, the Bible -- studying, applying and living by it. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," the Bible tells us in Psalms 111:10. "A good understanding have all those who do His commandments."
Because we teach and strive to live by God's commandments, we've received an understanding of today's society and culture sadly lacking in most media. We have the "good under-standing" God promises to those who fear and obey Him.
Because of this, we understand a principle largely forgotten in today's world -- the principle of cause and effect or, as the Bible puts it, reaping what we sow (Galatians 6:7).
This applies to both individuals and nations. Two lengthy chapters in the Bible -- Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 -- make this clear. They're commonly called the "blessings and curses" chapters because they describe what happens when a nation obeys and honors God (bringing blessings) and what happens when a nation rejects God and disobeys Him (resulting in curses).
And this brings us to a key reason that prophecy should matter to you. Much of Bible prophecy is sobering and frightening -- particularly that which describes the times just ahead. But God wants the best for you. He doesn't want anyone to suffer. A key purpose for prophecy is that God wants us to repent so we are not caught off guard once these terrible event come!
Through the great biblical prophet Ezekiel, He tells us one of the key reasons for Bible prophecy: "'As I live,' says the Lord God, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die ... ?'" (Ezekiel 33:11).
Frightening and dangerous times lie ahead. But the message of Bible prophecy is that if you listen to God, heed His warnings and turn wholeheartedly to a life of surrendering to and obeying Him, you can be spared those times and begin living a life of hope.
Are you willing to take that step?
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Keywords: prophecy counsel God, judgment of blessings God's chosen Bible prophecy
Prophecy, understanding: