BIBLE PROPHECY

2 PETER 1:1

A. GOD REVEALED HIMSELF
  1. In creation:
    1. Genesis chapters one and two
    2. Creation is the key to the knowledge of His eternal power and Godhead - Rom. 1:20
    3. It is a declaration of His glory and majesty - Ps. 19:1-6; 111:1-9
  2. In and through His only begotten Son, who is the express image of His person: Heb. 1:3; John 1:18
  3. Through the written word: John 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:15
B. BIBLE PROPHECY IS STILL ANOTHER SOURCE OF THE REVELATION OF GOD
  1. It brings to light God's hand in the affairs of men:
    1. The story of the human race - Gen. 1:26, 27; Ps. 8:4-9; Acts 17:26
    2. Nothing happens in the world but what God reveals things to His servants, the prophets - Amos 3:7, 8; Jer. 13:18-22
  2. Bible prophecy outlines God's plan beforehand:
    1. Consider the history of the great nations - Dan. 2; 7; 8; 11; Rev. 12; 13; 15; 16
    2. It portrays the great conflict between Christ and Satan - Rev. 12
  3. It gives glimpses of coming glory:
    1. Rev. 21:1-17
    2. 1 Cor. 2:9-11
    3. Isa. 65:17-20; 66:22, 23
  4. It gives full assurance of faith's final reward:
    1. Isa. 34:16; 55:10-13
    2. Rev. 22:1-17
    3. Isa. 35:1-10
  5. It holds the key to an intelligent understanding of current events:
    1. Amos 3:7
    2. Isa. 60:1-5
    3. 2 Pet. 1:19, 20
  6. It alone can lift the curtain from what the world of tomorrow has in store for the human race:
    1. Isa. 43:18, 19
C. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD BIBLE PROPHECY
  1. The unbelieving world:
    1. 2 Pet. 3:1-13
    2. Matt. 23:1-18; Luke 17:26-28; 21:25-30
  2. God's people:
    1. Heed the words of the prophets - Isa. 8:16, 20; 2 Chron. 36:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:19, 20
    2. They are guided by the message of the prophets - 2 Chron. 20:20; 1 Thess. 5:20; 2 Pet. 1:19, 20
    3. They joyfully believe God's prophets - 2 Chron. 20:20; Luke 24:25-28; Acts 24:27
  3. Blessing of Bible prophecy:
    1. It is a bright light that shineth in a dark and sinful world - Isa. 60:1-6; 2 Pet. 1:16-20; 3:1-13
    2. If heeded, it will bring spiritual prosperity - Isa. 7:9; 2 Chron. 20:20
    3. It will open up to our faith vistas of eternal glory - 1 Cor. 1:9-11; Rev. 22:1-6
  4. The prophetic gift is, in fact, the eyes of the church:
    1. "Where there is no vision the people perish" - Prov. 29:18
    2. Spiritual drought prevailed among God's people when there was no vision - 1 Sam. 3:1-6; 2 Chron. 15:3
    3. That was true during the dark ages, when the written word was unknown to the common people; and the two witnesses had to prophecy in sackcloth - Rev. 11:1-11
    4. That will be true just prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ; when the world, at large, will reject Bible prophecy - Isa. 60:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; 4:1-6
    5. How wonderful it is to have the Light of Bible prophecy at a time like this -
      1. It is as light upon our path in a dark and sinful world! Ps. 119:105
      2. It will give us a wonderful view of things to come in the world of tomorrow! 1 Cor. 2:9-11
    6. Dear Reader, shall both of us be more eager to study Bible prophecy, as the noble Bereans did? Acts 17:11


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