Prophecy, Why
Given
The Giving of
Prophecy
Why were the Sacred
Writings given?
“For everything
that was written in the past was
written to teach us, so that
through endurance and the
encouragement of the Scriptures we
might have hope.” Romans
15:4.
What by means is
all Scripture given?
“All scripture is
God breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, so that
the man of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work.” 2
Timothy 3:16.
For what is it
profitable?
“Useful
for teaching, rebuking,
correcting, and training in
righteousness” Verse 16.
How was the
prophecy given?
“For prophecy
never had its origin in the will of
man, but men spoke from God as
they were carried along by the Holy
Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21.
Secrets of the
Future
What is the Lord
able to do regarding the future?
“See, the former
things have taken place, and new
things I declare; before they
spring into being I announce them to
you.” Isaiah 42:9.
How far-reaching is
God’s ability to reveal the
future?
“Remember the
former things, those of long ago; 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. I say: My
purpose will stand, and I will do all
that I please.”
Isaiah 46: 9, 10.
Note – Since God
knows all things; the future is
present with God. More, perhaps, than
any other one thing, the prophecies
of the Bible and their fulfillment
bear witness to its divine
inspiration.
To whom does God
reveal the secrets of the future?
“Surely the
Sovereign Lord does nothing without
revealing his plan to his servants
the prophets.” Amos 3:7.
To whom do the
things which have been revealed
belong?
“The secret
things belong to the Lord our God,
but the things revealed belong to
us and to our children forever,
that we may follow all the words of
this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29.
More
Certain Than Sight
What testimony did
the Apostle Peter bear concerning his
experience on the Mount of
Transfiguration?
“We did not
follow cleverly invented stories
when we told you about the power and
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but
we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
2 Peter 1:16.
When
did he say he saw the majesty of
Christ and heard the voice from
heaven?
‘We ourselves
heard this voice that came from
heaven when we were with him on the
scared mountain.” Verse 18.
How
does he emphasize the reliability of
prophecy?
“And we have the
word of the prophets made more
certain. Verse 19
Note
– Every fulfillment of prophecy
is a confirmation of the truthfulness
and reliability of prophecy.
What
admonition is therefore given?
“And you will do
well to pay attention to it, as a
light shining in a dark place, until
the day dawns and the morning star
rises in your hearts.” Verse 19.
Jesus
and the Theme of Prophecy
What has ever been
the theme of God’s prophets?
“For you are
receiving the goal of your faith, the
salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the
prophets, who spoke of the grace that
was to come to you, searched intently
and with the greatest care.” 1
Peter 1: 9, 10.
Whose
Spirit inspired their utterances?
“Trying to find
out the time and circumstances to which
the Spirit of Christ in them was
pointing when he predicted the
sufferings of Christ and the glories
that would follow.”
Verse 11.
In
what prophecy did Christ recognize
Daniel as a prophet?
“So when you
see standing in the holy place
‘the abomination that caused
desolation,’ spoken of through the
prophet Daniel – let
the reader understand – then let
those who are in Judea flee to the
mountains.” Matthew 24:15.
To what time were
the prophecies of Daniel, as a whole,
to be sealed?
“But you, Daniel,
close up and seal the worlds of the
scroll until the time of the end.
many will go here and there to
increase knowledge.” Daniel
12:4.
What assurance was
given by the angel that these
prophecies would be understood in the
last days?
He replied, “Go
your way Daniel, because the words
are closed up and sealed until the
time of the end. Many will be
purified, made spotless and refined,
but the wicked will continue to be
wicked. None of the wicked will
understand, but those who are wise
will understand.” Verses 9,
10.
What is the last
book of the Bible called?
“The
Revelation of Jesus Christ, which
God gave him to show his servants
what soon must take place. .He made
it known to his servant John.”
Revelation 1:1.
What is said of
those who read, hear, and keep the
things contained in this book?
“Blessed
is the one who reads the words of
this prophecy, and blessed are those
who hear it and take to heart what is
written in it, because the time is
near.” Verse 3.
The Book of Books
Within this ample
volume lies
The mystery of
mysteries.
Happiest they of human
race
To whom their God has
given grace
To read, to fear, to
hope, to pray,
To lift the latch, to
force the way;
But better had they
ne’er been born
That read to doubt or
read to scorn.
-Sir Walter Scott.
