The Good News in Prophecy Fort Bragg 11
The Good News in Prophecy Fort Bragg, 11 -10 -’ 12
How we present Prophecy • The Bible is Correct – Its about the Bible. Shouldn’t it be about God? • We are the Remnant – Its about us. Shouldn’t it be about God’s love and providence? • God’s in control – Its about God’s power. Shouldn’t it be about His grace & forgiveness? • Attack on Catholicism – Its about them… Shouldn’t it be about the virtues of His truth? Is this the Gospel?
Where is the Good News in Prophecy? Rom. 1: 16 “The Gospel IS the Power of God unto salvation” • The Gospel must inform us about God’s Character: – 1 Cor. 13 – It is the goodness of God that leads us to change – Rom. 2: 4 » We love because He first loved us – 1 John 3: 16; 4: 8, 10, 19; Rom. 5: 8; 8: 38, 39 » By meeting our Wants/Needs and Emotions we turn our hearts towards him – Jer. 32: 37 -41 • The Gospel makes us search into the heart of God – Not to look at us, other’s, or even our belief’s – Nor to look at the bible without seeing the God of the Bible – Not to be awed by Gods power, authority, or truth (detached from feelings) – But to be awed by HIM (His amazing character, love, mercy, justice)
Flood/Fire Prophecy What it meant to pre-flood world – Adam: • Adam erected 2 pillars in the land of Siriad, one brick, the other stone. Stating Adam had been informed the world would face two destructions: Josephus 1 Water/Fire. One to survive the flood the other fire. – Enoch & Methuselah: • Enoch also received information about an upcoming flood 2 • Many ancient commentators have interpreted “Methuselah” to mean: “when he dies, it shall be sent. ” 3 • Perhaps, with his sons and grandsons, helped Noah build the ark while warning the pre-flood world of the coming calamity. 4 Adam’s Predictions (Josephus) Flood Fire Fulfillment “Methuselah” “Lake of Fire” (Rev. 20: 10) When Noah Last Days
Interaction • What is the Good News about God in this prophecy? – What is God doing in prophecy? – Are prophecies to be kept secret, known to just a few privileged souls? – What is unique about the time element in this prophecy? • What lesson can we learn from that?
What it meant to Abram: • No child after close of a decade of waiting • God appears “I am thy shield, exceeding great reward…” Gen 15: 1 • Descendants will spend 400 yrs. in Egypt in servitude God Informs Abraham (Gen. 15: 13, 15) 430 yrs. in Egypt Gal. 3: 17/Ex. 12: 40 1875 BC Prophecy Begins
Interaction • Things weren’t going as Abraham hoped. – Why was God waiting so long? – God ignores his complaint, telling him instead of more problems coming – How is this good news?
What it meant to Abram: • No child after close of a decade of waiting • God appears “I am thy shield, exceeding great reward…” Gen 15: 1 • Descendants will spend 400 yrs. in Egypt in servitude What it meant to Moses: • Exile from Egypt – no intentions of returning • He would lead Israel home – 40 yrs. of extreme highs and devastating lows – Not allowed to take them in – Taken to heaven after his death… God Informs Moses (Ex. 3: 10) God Informs Abraham (Gen. 15: 13, 15) 430 yrs. in Egypt Gal. 3: 17/Ex. 12: 40 1875 BC Prophecy Begins 1445 BC Exodus
Interaction • Moses was quite sure his life was peaceful – Did God bring him Good News? – Doesn’t this depend upon when the prophecy is fulfilled? – Is this prophecy Good News?
Sacrificial Lamb Prophecy What it meant to: – Adam – Gen. 3: 15 • bruise Satan’s head/Christ’s heal – Abraham – Genesis 22 – Moses – blood on doorpost Heb. 9: 18 -22 – Jesus – Learned of his mission via the sacrificial lamb
Interaction • How did Adam regard this prophecy? – Was it Bad News or Good News? • How did Abraham regard this prophecy? – Was his first thought Good News? – What made it Good News? • Was it Good News to the Israelites? • Was it Good News for Jesus? – Is it Good News to us?
70 yrs. Captivity • What it meant to: • Jeremiah’s Prophecy (Jer. 25: 11) 605 BC Captivity Begins 70 yrs under Babylon Jeremiah
Jeremiah • “No braver or more tragic figure ever trod the stage of Israel’s history than the prophet Jeremiah. ” 1 • His voice, his lot in life throughout his long lifetime, was to declare again and again that Judah was doomed. • Throughout his life he assailed the paganism Manasseh fostered, attempting to bring revival back to both Judea and Samaria. – While false prophets (both exiles and locals) urged resistance & rebellion against Babylon, confident that God would defend Judah. (7: 4; 4: 14 ff) – And the priestly class, solidly believing God would never allow the Temple to be plundered by pagans, promised that God who frustrated Sennacherib would frustrate Nebuchadnezzer (5: 12; 14: 13) – Yet true to Yahweh’s word the Temple was looted, defiled, and the royal family taken captive. • Jeremiah endlessly sought to lead the people into a heart relationship with God. – Because of his strait forward condemnation of religious pretense, Jeremiah was hated, jeered at, ostracized (chs. 15: 10 f. , 17; 18: 18; 20: 10), continually harassed, and more than once almost killed (11: 18 -12: 6; 26; 36). He was treated as having committed treason and blasphemy. – His spirit almost broke under it, causing him to give way to fits of angry recriminations, depression, and even suicidal despair (15: 15 -18; 18: 19 -23; 20: 7 -12, 14 -18). He hated his office and longed to quit it (9: 2 -6; 17: 14 -18) but the compulsion of Yahweh forbade him to be silent (20: 9). – Offered by the Babylonians his choice of going to Babylon or staying, he stayed. But later was taken against his will by Judean zealots to Egypt, where he died. To the end he called for spiritual reform!
Jeremiah / Jesus • No other prophet has so close an analogy to the earthly life of Jesus. 1 Some saw him as Jeremiah returned (Matt. 16: 14) – Both lived just prior to the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple’s fall – Religion had become formalized vs. spiritual – Both condemned temple commercialism (Jer. 7: 11; Mt. 21: 13) – Both were accused of political treason – Both were tried, persecuted, and imprisoned – Both foretold of the Temple’s destruction (Jer. 7: 14; Mark 13: 2) – Both wept over Jerusalem (Jer. 9: 1; Luke 19: 41) – Both were rejected by their kin (Jer. 12: 6; John 1: 11) – Both were so tenderhearted, the rabbis compared Jeremiah to the Suffering Servant (Jesus) of Isaiah 53 – Both loved Israel deeply – Both experienced loneliness (Jer. 15: 10; Isa. 53: 3) – Both enjoyed unusual fellowship with God. Jeremiah was totally free and honest in his communion and conversation with God (Jer. 20: 7; cf. John 11: 41 -42) • His life was not happy, rather completely sad – a long martyrdom. His personality is more clearly portrayed than any other prophet. Openly he shows his personal feelings as he proclaims God’s message. By temperament gentle and timid, yet constantly contending against formidable forces. A seeker after love, but deprived of it by God (Jer. 16: 2).
Isaiah 53: 3 -12: He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Interaction • Where do we find Good News in the life of Jeremiah? – His empathic connection with Jesus… – Who benefited from all his suffering? • Is there a message here for us? – How can suffering be Good News?
70 yrs. Captivity • What it meant to: • Jeremiah • Jeremiah’s Prophecy (Jer. 25: 11) 605 BC Captivity Begins 70 yrs under Babylon Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar • Nebuchadnezzar had no intention of deporting the Jewish population. They were to remain in Jerusalem for their humbled and chastened leaders to return. Had they been willing to submit (Jer. 27: 1 -22), The city and its temple would have been preserved (Jer. 17: 25, 27; 38: 17) – But her stubbornness resulted in three deportations (605, 597, 586 BC) • Nebuchadnezzar was to act as God’s servant (Jer. 25: 9 -12). Who was this man? – Most of the principles found in the ancient civil codes of Hammurabi come from his ancestors. – At 20 yrs. of age his father dies, leaving him sole ruler of what would become the greatest empire. – A very humane ruler, who didn’t kill his enemies, instead he put them to work. Babylon was on the cutting edge of science, engineering, architecture, mathematics, astronomy, and government. Everyone prospered, including captives (Jewish banking). – Pride kept him from yielding fully to Yahweh. But in the end, after 7 yrs. of insanity, he yielded to God. Something the Jewish leaders wouldn’t do. Dan. 4: 34 -37; YI, Dec. , 13, 1904; RH 1 -11 -1906 • A Coincidence? King Hezekiah is told to get his house ready, he was going to die. (2 Ki. 20) He prays for more life. Isaiah returns to say to the king, he will be given 15 more years. The King insists on a sign… turning the sun dial back 15 degrees… Babylon seeing that miracle sends emissaries, instead of glorifying God, Hezekiah shows them his great wealth. 100 yrs. later those emissaries descendants return to plunder Jerusalem.
Interaction • What role did Nebuchadnezzer play in bringing Good News? – What kind of man was he? – How did God use him? – What was the end result of his life? • Is it Good News knowing the historical connections linking cause with effect? • Is it Good News to know how God works among none Israelites?
70 yrs. Captivity • What it meant to: • Jeremiah • Nebuchadnezzar • Jeremiah’s Prophecy (Jer. 25: 11) 605 BC Captivity Begins 70 yrs under Babylon Belshazzar Feast of Belshazzar (Daniel 5) 536 BC Liberation
Belshazzar • Not long before this Babylon itself lay in ruins thanks to the Assyrians. Nebuchadnezzar accepted the surrender of Jerusalem when Neo Babylonia was a mere 20 yrs. old. Her new king Nabopolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzar started on an ambitious plan to make Babylon the greatest City/empire on earth. • Yet in less than 50 yrs. from burning Jerusalem, Babylon itself is conquered by the Persians. • Belshazzar was the son of Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter, and the eldest son of Nabonidus (the heir apparent). – Belshazzar (36 yrs. old) knew of Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity/humility (see. Dan. 5: 22). He would have been a lad of just 7 at the time and 14 when the great king’s mind returned to him. – Nabonidus was cruel to the citizens of Babylon, forcing them to work in labor gangs, and taxing them heavily. So when his troops met the forces of Cyrus 115 miles north of Babylon, they rebelled against him. – A portion of the forces fled to Babylon with Belshazzar. On Oct. 12, 539 (from the Nabonidus Chronicle), they were celebrating a feast in Babylon, probably using vessels of gold and silver taken from Solomon’s temple. Perhaps the lampstand from the Holy Place lighted the room. • When suddenly a bloodless hand writes on the wall… • Daniel, about 80 yrs. old at the time was called upon to read the handwriting on the wall. • Greek historians tell us the Euphrates was diverted allowing the soldier access to the city. • Belshazzar was slain because he resisted the conquest.
Interaction • Where is Good News in this story? – Was there any Good News for her rulers? – Was there any Good News for her people? – What was God doing?
70 yrs. Captivity • What it meant to: • Jeremiah • Nebuchadnezzar • Belshazzar • Jeremiah’s Prophecy (Jer. 25: 11) 605 BC Captivity Begins 70 yrs under Babylon Cyrus Feast of Belshazzar (Daniel 5) 536 BC Liberation
Cyrus the Great (580 -529 BC): • Named 133 yrs. before his conception. Told what his life work would be 175 yrs. after his conception! (Isa. 44: 28; 45: 1 -5) • Ecbatana, Iran, kingdom of the Medes, nestled below a 12, 000’ mountain range filled with rich forests with fragrant scents. • Twice in the same night King Astyages dream about a vine and later a flood of water (both of which would cover the earth), coming from Mandane, his beautiful daughter, betrothed to Cambyses of Persia. – Astyages’ advisors suggested this meant their offspring (his grandchild) would rule the world. – There was only one thing to do – destroy the child at birth! • After they were married, the king made his son-in-law promise to bring Mandane back to Ecbatana for his grandson’s birth. • After Cyrus was born he further persuaded his daughter and son-in-law to leave the child with them for awhile to comfort the Queen grandmother.
• The nefarious plot: – Astyages entrusts the task of killing his grandson to his trusted prince Harpagus, telling him of his dreams and that on a certain date little Cyrus would be delivered to him to be destroyed. – He tells no one but his wife, who urged him to “refuse to be party to this deed. If he must die, let him be killed by the hands of another than by my noble lord Harpagus. ” – Accepting her counsel he thought of his chief shepherd, who would certainly do his bidding. When the time came Mitradates came, even though his wife as about to deliver their own child. – The prince handed over to him the infant with instructions he take him into the hills and leave him to be devoured by the wolves. As soon as the child was dead he was to inform Harpagus of the fact in a sealed statement. – Sunned the shepherd dared not reply, but left immediately with the baby in arms. In the days the child was in his charge, a bond was created. Upon arriving home he learns his own child had been born only to die 4 days later. – Both Mitradates and his wife knew what they must do – keep the live child as theirs, expose their own dead child to the wolves, and inform Harpagus that the deed had been done!
– Mandane and Cambyses were told their child had taken ill and died. – Soon after, a child was born to Astyages. That child (a frail small boy) was named Exis. Physicians suggested he be sent to the hill country in the service of the chief shepherd to improve his health. – 10 yr. old Cyrus and the prince would play “Who wants to be King. ” Cyrus won but Exis refused to pledge allegiance to Cyrus. For that he was smartly punished. – Word reached the king who felt Darce (Cyrus) should be punished. However, when standing before the king Darce handled himself so well it startled the king. The king thought “This child is no ordinary child. ” Looking directly at Mitradates, he asked “Is this your son? ” – The shepherd knew he must answer honestly – the whole story came out. Both Darce and the king turned pale. Convinced destiny had overruled his scheme he confessed what he had done and restored Cyrus to his parents. • Cyrus guided his kingdom to world-wide prominence, only Babylon stood in his way. In 539 he peacefully entered Babylon to the cheers of the Babylonians. Known as a great conqueror, he is best remembered for his unprecedented tolerance and magnanimous attitude towards those he defeated. Isaiah was already informed!
Interaction • Where’s Good News in this story? – God working behind the scenes, far ahead of time, to provide for his people. – What was God doing? • Is God working behind the scenes in our lives? – Has he already written how our story ends? – What about the timing? – Is that Good News?
Bible full of Prophecies • Start your own journey studying them while looking for the Good News in them: – Ask yourself: • What is God doing… – How does he surprise us… – What is he telling us about himself… • How is he using people… • What is going on behind the scenes… • What patterns can we detect in what he does…
The End
Prophecy What it meant to: • The Captives • In Babylon • Returning home Jeremiah’s Prophecy (Jer. 27: 1 -22) 605 BC Captivity Begins 70 yrs Babylonian Captivity Cyrus’ Fulfillment (2 Chron. 36: 22, 23) 536 BC Liberation
Prophecy What it meant to: – – Cyrus King of Mede’s Jew’s in Captivity His World
Prophecy What it meant to: – – Daniel’s Prediction (Dan. 8: 20 -27; 9: 22 -27) 457 BC Freedoms Restored Messiah 490 yrs Daniel John the Baptist Disciples Israelite Nation Fulfilled by Christ on Earth (Matt. 1: 23; 3: 17; Jn. 1: 29) 27 31 34 AD Freedoms Gained/Lost
Prophecy What it meant to: – – – Daniel’s Prediction (Dan. 8: 14) 457 BC 27 31 34 AD Judgment 2300 yrs Daniel Heaven Satan Us All of History Fulfilled by Christ in Heaven (Heb. 4: 14 -16) 1844 AD
Prophecy What it meant to: – Each Empire – All of History – Saints Babylon Medo-Persia Greece 605 BC 539 331 Rome 168 BC Divided Rome 476 AD Kingdom of Saints ?
What is the Greatest Truth in Prophecy? • It’s about God… – His grace – Giving us the benefits of HIS victory – Keeping us informed all along the way (Amos. 3: 7) – His mercy – Patiently giving us chance after chance… – His love • How far He will go in – Controlling the affairs of Nations – Using everyone to accomplish his purposes – Blessing them in their punishment
Prophecy What it meant to: – Moses • As Shepherd – knew people’s faults – understood how God would resolve there faults • Saw the BIG picture – saw Jesus – understood what he would do • Enabled Him to place his full trust in God
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