KNOWING THE FUTURE GODS PROPHETIC PLAN FOR MAN

KNOWING THE FUTURE GOD’S PROPHETIC PLAN FOR MAN

“What is going to happen in the future? ” • In 2011 as the threat of war in the Middle East and global instability looms large this question is foremost in a large number of our minds. • DO WE TRUST NOSTRADAMUS? • IS THERE A RELIABLE SOURCE?

WHO KNOWS THE FUTURE? • God is outside time and so He knows it perfectly • Because God is not only All Knowing but also All Powerful the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy is absolutely sure!

HOW DO WE TEST THIS? • To test the accuracy of Biblical prophecy we can see how well the prophecies of the Bible have been fulfilled so far in history. • Study shows that they have been fulfilled perfectly

IMPORTANCE OF PROPHECY • A review of the Bible shows about 1 verse in 25 deals with prophecy. • God therefore thinks that this subject is very important for us to know about.

DIVISIONS OF PROPHECY • Prophecy is divided into two • Prophecy that has been fulfilled • Prophecy yet to be fulfilled

BIBLICAL PROPHECY SUBJECTS • THE LORD JESUS CHRIST • ISRAEL AND THE GENTILES • ANCIENT TOWNS AND CITIES • THE FUTURE

FULFILLED AT 1 ST ADVENT • • Born in Bethlehem – 1 in 2400 Gambling for his garments – 1 in 100 No bones broken – 1 in 20 Darkness over the earth at midday – 1 in 1000 Crucified with thieves – 1 in 50 His side pierced – 1 in 100 Hands and Feet Pierced – 1 in 50 Entering Jerusalem on a colt – 1 in 50

FULFILLED AT 1 ST ADVENT • Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver - 1 in 50 • Betrayed by a friend – 1 in 10 • Betrayal money to buy a potters field - 1 in 200 • Silent before his accusers – 1 in 100 • Buried in a rich man’s tomb – 1 in 100 • Body would not decay – 1 in 10, 000 • Wounded by his enemies – 1 in 10 • Preceded by a messenger – 1 in 20

ACCURACY OF PROPHECIES • Unlike the Holy Books of any Religion Biblical Prophecies are specific as to time and place • A prime example was that the Lord Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on precisely the day prophesied by Daniel 9: 24 -27

CHANCES OF FULFILMENT • What is the chance of the fulfilment by a single person of the 16 prophecies previously cited as being fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ at His 1 st Advent? • • 1 in 10 to the 28 th power •

CHANCES OF FULFILLMENT • If one assumes that the universe is 15 billion years old the number of seconds from the start of the universe is only • 1 in 10 to the 15 th power!

GOD’S FUTURE PLAN • From Here to Eternity • • 1 2 3 4 – – Rapture of the Church The 7 year Tribulation The Second Coming of Christ the Millennial Reign of Christ

THE RAPTURE • The Rapture is the removal of all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ at the end of the Church Age. • John 14: 1 -3 • 1 Corinthians 15: 51 -57 • 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 -18

THE TRIBULATION • A period of 7 years following the Rapture of great judgments also known as the time of Jacob’s Trouble or Daniels 70 th Week • Predicted Daniel 9: 24 -27 • Fulfilled Revelation Ch 6 -18

THE SECOND ADVENT • The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is at the end of the Tribulation and prevents the total destruction of humanity. • Revelation Chapter 19

THE MILLENNIUM • The 1000 year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ as the King of the Jews which terminates in the final Triumph of Christ and the Last Judgment for unbelievers • Revelation 20

PROPHECY OF THE FUTURE • There are many prophecies of the Tribulation, Second Advent and Millennium but none to be fulfilled before the Rapture. • We therefore view our situation in relation to the Tribulation

TRIBULATIONAL PROPHECIES • Prophecies relating to the Tribulation can be divided into three categories • 1 Prophecies already fulfilled • 2 Prophecies which we may see • 3 Prophecies not seen

PROPHETIC TRENDS • There are some 60 trends which are developing simultaneously at this time. Various categories include • • • 1 One World Trends 2 Political Spheres of Influence 3 Man Made Trends 4 Natural Trends 5 Trends involving Israel [see book 120 on CD EBCWA]

FULFILLED TRENDS -1 • Trends already fulfilled or seen • • • 1 2 3 4 5 World Wars Israel as a nation Jerusalem controlled by Israel Increased Earthquakes Increased Famines

FULFILLED TRENDS - 2 • Fulfilled prophecies or trends • • • 6 Increase in knowledge 7 Increase in Travel 8 Economy and Identification 9 Communications 10 The Third Temple Preparation

TRENDS WE MAY SEE • These trends are very evident at the moment and we may see these prophecies fulfilled • One World Government • Ten Region Global Division • The Third Temple built

TRENDS NOT SEEN • These prophecies we will not see fulfilled while we are here • The start of the Tribulation • The Identity of the Antichrist

A FINAL PROPHECY • Luke 21: 29 -33 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

CHRONOLOGICAL SIGN • Jewish Rabbis have believed that there would be a period of 6000 years of history for man and a golden age of 1000 years of the reign of the Messiah • We are close to man’s 6000 th year. Look upward for the Messiah! •

WHAT IS MAN’S REACTION? • Man now lives in a “Global Village” • Man is surrounded by fears • Man looks to government for solutions • The main media is controlled • The solution - Antichrist

MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY • What is our response going to be to this evidence? • Are you ready for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ? • Are you related to Him? • Have you personally trusted in Him?

MAN’S PROBLEM • God is perfect, man is imperfect. • Therefore God and man can have no relationship together • We cannot please God with our works. • Man is helpless.

GOD’S SOLUTION • What hope is therefore for mankind? • Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. Acts 16: 31 • For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3: 16

THE BELIEVER AND THE FUTURE • We are ambassadors for Christ • These prophecies will be fulfilled in the near future • The trends show us that we are the Rapture Generation • Let us be busy about our Master’s business till he comes.