In chapter 41 of the book of Isaiah, God challenged the false gods of the nations to prove their deity. It was a simple test. He said,
Is. 41:22-23 Let them bring forth and declare to us what is going to take place; As for the former events, declare what they were, that we may consider them and know their outcome. Or announce to us what is coming; Declare the things that are going to come afterward, that we may know that you are gods..."
Then, in the first eight verses of chapter 42, God foretold of His Servant, Jesus Christ. He described His gentle nature, and His miraculous works of giving sight to the blind.
God points back to all of the prophecies that He'd made that came to pass. He tells the Israelites, "Behold." In other words, "Take a look at what I've said in the past. It all happened, just as I said it would, didn't it?"
This is what Peter said was a huge basis of believing the Word of God. He said that even more certain than eyewitness testimony was the prophetic Word of God:
2Pet. 1:19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
And because of God's history of prophetic accuracy, we can trust that what He tells us about the future will be just as accurate.
I believe that the things God proclaims to us in advance are especially important. What exactly has God promised regarding the future?
Certainly, He has told us of world-wide trends and events. The trends include...
- the apostasy of the church (2Thes. 2:3), and
- the corruption of the teaching ministry (2Tim. 4:2-4).
2Tim. 4:2-4 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
The events He's told the world to expect include...
- the rapture of the church (1Cor. 15:52; 1Thes. 4:14-17),
- the seven-year Tribulation period, and the rise and rule of antichrist (Rev. 13).
- the return of Jesus Christ and defeat of the nations' militaries (Rev. 19:11-21)
- judgment of the nations and the subsequent Millennial Kingdom (Matt. 25:32-46; Rev. 20:4)
- a new heavens and earth (Isa. 65:17; Rev. 21:1)
Each of these trends and events are important to expect and understand, because God has told us about them before they spring forth.
God has also spoken prophetic words to ministries and individuals. I shared with you during our study of chapter 41 the specific things that God spoke to us in prophecy regarding the planting and ministry of Calvary Chapel here in Cheyenne.
Many of those things have come to obvious fruition, and we anticipate that in 2006, the Lord will continue to bless us with people coming to Christ, being discipled, and raised up in ministry.
We also actively seek the Lord for new vision, direction, and prophecy. The Lord has begun to formulate in my heart direction for new freedom as a fellowship.
I believe that He has also personally ministered to me things that I will be treasuring in my heart to see if they come to pass. That is the determination to see whether or not it is truly coming from God.
Deut. 18:21-22 “You may say in your heart, ‘How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’ When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken...
There have been many things in the past two decades that I thought were from God. Most of those things came to pass. But others were revealed to be mistakes of my own flesh. I'm glad that I didn't speak many of them as words of prophecy! And I'm really glad that we don't live under the standard of stoning someone to death when they speak presumptuously in the name of God!
Since you have become a Christian, what things has God spoken to you? Have they come to pass? Since it's January 1st, it's a great time to reflect on the former things that have come to pass. And then, look at what new things God has declared. Has He placed in your heart vision for new ministry? Leading you in a new direction? Exhorting you in a new fervor and fire to grow in His Word, or to walk in His Spirit.
Psa. 37:3-5 Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it.
Today is a great day to hear the Word of God to you:
Is. 42:9 “Behold, the former things have come to pass, now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”
Let's take some time to reflect on our past with God, and then move into the future with Him...