The Purpose of Prophecy Part #4

Prophecy Strengthens Faith
The metal image in Daniel 2 is an incredible prophecy. It outlines the kingdoms of the world in perfect order—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, the divided Roman Empire, and ultimately the Lord's coming. To date, it has happened exactly as God said it would.

It is simply not possible for a person, in their own power, to predict which nations of the world are going to rule over others, especially hundreds of years from now. We might suggest that Daniel wasn't pressed too hard when he mentioned Medo-Persia as the next global empire. Everyone could see it was a rising power in those times. But Greece was just a country of warring tribes, and the Romans were nothing more than a virtual village. It must have been a ridiculous notion to even Daniel, who was faithful enough to report it nonetheless. And yet it came true, even down to the important details, such as each one lasting successively longer than the one before and the divisions of the Roman Empire.

How does that make you feel about God and His Word? It strengthens your faith. It certainly gives me courage! It suggests that other Bible prophecies can be trusted, and that God's Word does not fail. Jesus said, “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he” (John 13:19). In short, Jesus gives prophecies so that you will believe in Him. We have something to cling to so that our faith will remain strong even as tribulation comes.

Prophecy's Ultimate Purpose
Revelation can be such a perplexing book. I've known a few dear souls who don't even like to glance over it because it intimidates them. But while most people know Revelation as a powerful yet cryptic book penned by John on the island of Patmos, they skip right over the most telling part of the book—the first verse.

It reads, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” That's enough, really, to get to the ultimate purpose of prophecy. Whether you're reading prophecies found in Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, or Genesis, never forget that Jesus is the focus. He's the ultimate point. Just read Isaiah 53 to see what I mean, and if you still don't believe me, trust what Jesus did: “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

In John 5:39, He says, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” Jesus is in the warp and woof of every fiber of Scripture; all true prophecy ultimately points to Christ. He is the fulfillment of the Word. More than 300 Old Testament prophecies deal with Christ's first coming alone.

Given time, a Bible, and a person who is honest and logical, I've always believed that I can convince a searching soul that the Bible is true based on the fulfillment of its prophecy. In fact, I used to be that person—an atheist who thought the Bible was nothing but a sad joke on deluded people. But we know that the prophecies in the Old Testament were written long before Christ appeared on the scene, and they came true. The timing of His birth, the place, the mother, and all the details of His ministry—His betrayal, His death, and His burial—were spelled out in amazing detail long before Jesus was born.

And if the Bible is right about the when, the where, the how, and the why, then we can also trust that it is right about the who. Jesus is the Savior, the only way to the Father.

The Principal Principle
The ultimate message of prophecy is redemptive. The reason that God tells you the future is not so you will know when to take your money out of the bank or so you can know when you're supposed to run for the hills and stock up on food.

He tells you all this more than just to let you know when Christ will come the first time or the second time—or what happens during the millennium. He tells you so you will know He is God and to help you allow Him to come into your heart. And that's true whether you are familiar with the many secrets of Revelation or whether you are just beginning to read the Bible. The joy and peace you feel when you know that God has a plan for you is one of the most faith-building experiences you can have.

Yes, He has numbered every star in the universe and knows what's going to happen in the ceaseless ages to come. Yet despite this infinite knowledge of God, He has a hope and a plan just for you.