Why Prophecy Matters, Part 1

This is not all that there is Dr. Tony Evans is one reason the Bible gives us glimpses of the future and overshadow that pain with people is meant to say cheekily in times of crisis, celebrating this is the alternative Dr. Tony Abbott, author, speaker, senior pastor of Oakland Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, president of the urban alternative when you're reading a mystery you don't want anyone telling you in advance how the story turns out when you're living through tough times, knowing there's a happy ending ahead can make all the difference. Let's join Dr. Evans as he kicks off a series on prophecy in our world to see the particular that you are interested in viewing the first 15 or 20 minutes will be spent giving you previews of coming attractions are designed to entice you and motivate you to want to come to see the seller give you the when the film will be previews will give you and what you can expect to see the movie preview coming soon. You don't know the promise it will show up. We are beginning to be a series on prophecy predictions of things to come. Prophecy has to do with the future what God has given us all… Previews to know you don't want to miss the motion picture going to say to all God's prophetic program to you so that you the clips of what tomorrow will look like. Based on what God says when the movie and see the clips they have victory see things a different scenes of love and scenes of violence as we go through this prophetic journey that we begin on today to see some exciting scenes, things you don't want to mess you got to see some things you don't want to be a part of. But the only reason God will show you both seem because he wanted you to understand both sides of this equation, you're going to discover your future. Not only your future. The future of your family, you will discover throughout this series the future of this world.

Today I want to begin a series by giving you the six reasons why prophecy matters reasonable one. Prophecy matters because the case the ability already, and inerrancy means without error of the Bible really matters is that it is proof perfect that the Bible is exactly what it is declared to be the absolute mistake proof word of God, the Bible made up of 66 books covering 1600 unions written by 40 different authors is read and one of the perfection is its prophetic accuracy. You may hundred percent right. All could be a false document. No other book can likely to prophetic perfection in second Peter chapter 1 verses 19 to 21.

Reread some of the prophetic word made more sure what you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your note. Let's first of all that know Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke God says God's prophetic word is shown. You can buy what the Bible says is going to happen tomorrow. Give me come up with mercy about what it said yesterday that has already occurred because the prophecies that were prophesied yesterday has occurred, the prophecies from tomorrow. Sure, making the Bible a perfect prophetic document goes all the way back to Genesis chapter 3 verse 15, where God said the woman.

The seed of the woman would destroy the seed of the serpent, but in the Bible. The woman never seen the man had seen the seed of the man because this woman's baby would have no human father. He uses the word seed only other woman with mail being chapter 7 verse 14 a project before the birth of Jesus Christ with the book of Isaiah was written.

It says and that will be a merger will give birth to a baby boy you will call his name Emmanuel well meaning God is the birth of Jesus Christ.

That would be the prediction of a virgin birth, something that has never happened before then and Micah chapter 5 verse two it says this baby that would be born will Israel would be born in a little no-name town called Bible is so precise it would take one of the communities existing in Israel. Like finding a needle in a haystack and try out the baby would be born, and it was not knowledge that would leave the wisemen to look for this baby location because of the prophecy in the old testament to the birth of Christ, the prophecies in Scripture I have to do so in human history. God prophesied in the book of Daniel that the nation of Babylon, headed by Nebuchadnezzar would be over by a twofold nation. Historians will the fact that Don was conquered by the Medo Persian Medo Persian Empire be overcome by an empire that was destroying it quickly. Historians will tell you that the Medo Persian Empire. The way by Alexander the great says that that nation would split up and be overcome by military force that would bring it to its knees and secular historians will show you that it was the Empire and its military might to upon brief and destroyed it and became worldwide dominant power words, the Bible will tell you what happened before it happened you watching in history is his story working itself out. Historians thought they had the Bible because Babylonian records had no name belt to shop. That was no records. They had a record of Nebuchadnezzar, but that was no record of Delta shadows. You see the Bible is incorrect giving personalities that existed yet when the archaeologist Begin because whenever God says just keep digging when the archaeologist kept digging and digging, they came upon a plat that was dictated to the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar called Bill to show what it looks like God is wrong because the Bible will always declare itself directly with word of God, something document can claim Jesus said in Matthew 24 and 25 with his people rejected him. He says because of your rejection is going to fall and not one stone will be left in this temple that was before Jesus died 3031 32 A.D. and 78. The tightest job on the second story and schoolteacher Titus and the Roman soldiers came into the world destroyed the city ransacked the temple so that not one stone upon because when God makes a statement in his word. You can bank on its infallible accuracy. So the first thing you need to know is that God's prophetic word is perfect so and everything we talk about will happen exactly as God because it always happen that way. Revelation 22 verses 18 and 19 is what it says.

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part in the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. Translations don't mess with God's prophetic word because you will discover use, not him. It will happen precisely as he declares it to be because it always happen as precisely as he declared, so you hold in your book prophetic document one fourth of the Bible prophecy books written about Daniel Revelation is a prophetic book talking about the future of the world and the future of your life.

Dr. Evans will come back in a moment with more on why prophecy matters including a look at the strength it gives us to hold on during hard times.

As will be seeing over the next several broadcasts. The Bible has a lot to say about what's coming up in the future. Sometimes the language in the images don't seem clear at first, Dr. Evans explains it all in his current two volume series prophecy, and our world. You get a deeper understanding than ever before of terms like the rapture, the tribulation, the second coming, and more. There are also messages on what happens when we die and what it's really like in heaven or in hell that here's the best part. If you contact us right away. You can get all 12 messages in volumes one and two of this powerful series is or thank you gift when you make a contribution to help keep Tony's teaching coming your way, and as an added bonus will also include a copy of Tony's powerful book prayers for victory in spiritual warfare and it Dr. Evans explains why we need to turn to God for help winning the invisible spiritual battle going on around us, and include specific prayers for people fighting against substance abuse, sexual or emotional problems, relational issues and more at this special keepsake addition even includes a luxury cover that looks and feels like leather to contact us right away before time runs out and request your copy of prophecy, and our world and prayers for victory in spiritual warfare.

Just visit Tony Evans.org or call our resource request line at one 800 832, 22, were we have team members standing by day and night to help you again 1-800-800-3222 right now. Let's pick up where we left off in our message. Here's Dr. Evans the second benefit of studying the series on prophecy not only authenticates the Bible but it validates the character of God. One of God's claims to fame is his truth only declares himself to tell the truth.

He declares he is the truth.

In other words, truth in him go together.

The question is can the God of the Bible be trusted because we've established prophetically that the Bible is true, but God is also true because of his very nature.

Isaiah chapter 46 versus 8 to 11 reads as follows. Remember and be a short recall it to mine you transgressors remember the former things long past God and there is no other God and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times, things which have not been done saying my purpose will be established and I will accomplish all my good pleasure.

Guess what God says about himself. He says I the end from the beginning to be in to do a job you see how this all will work out. So while you waiting for tomorrow. He's already been there and come back. So wait to see whether what he said in his eternal existence is we can't make a mistake because it is his reality not only like him around, I know my true God is because everything is and now he can declare the beginning of wait for it to occur and so that means that God can perfectly about every subject can be trusted you look up Raven. You see this man comes by that man comes by using the floats come by. You can look a little bit down the swim way you can see some of the parade within the purview of your capacity to see in your peripheral visit. What you don't sleep if you're standing on the street as was coming from around the corner because you have a limited site God of my side. I see the whole parade. So when he tells you that this man coming from the school is around the corner.

You can disagree with him because he's already seen it many times we told the children when you have kids you have kids teenage and anyone tell you what to do and I want tell you what what you don't know that they know a name in here. Long but you know they know they know they know now course you already been there and come back but you have to give you rage against so you know what the issue is because you with explaining the different parts doing with you because they think they know what you think God must be when, where, informing him that information we have with the college mission. Omniscience is a word that means all knowing something wish for things to happen.

He knows the end from the beginning and the beginning you can bank your bottom dollar even though you do not see it. The Bible validates indicates reveals God's all-knowing character and therefore his trustworthiness. But here's one number three study of prophecy you get with this thing grabbed right series, it will produce stability, particularly in times of crisis, prophecy is meant to stabilize you when things appear to be out of control regularly throughout Scripture the prophetic word is brought in during times of difficulty.

Jesus told his disciples in John St. John chapter 14 verse one, not your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in me and my house are many mansions. If it was not so I would've told you. I go to prepare a place for you if I go to prepare a place for you, I shall come back and receive you and myself, that where I am, you may be also.

So, so don't be too trouble is no when you understand God's prophetic program, even when you're frustrated you can be frustrated with Paul writes in first Thessalonians chapter 4 1318 people lost their loved ones. He says you do not sorrow as those you cry because death is not the end he says while you wait.

Get your appraisal is not as old as it looks. When loved ones who are committed to Christ the Lord wants you to understand that there is a small role not merely a hopeless, because nothing feels more hopeless. Good to know and take notice and help you with your fear of death is fear of death is a natural thing, particularly when you surround somebody you know you love dies creates a fear within you see is good to know prophetically when you die, not dead long enough to know you to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord is no everybody else is at your funeral except you just know but if you don't understand that prophetic word and you give you give me way down and distance not to hot but suggested that the thing sinks and you have the assurance then of course it brings hope during times of trouble. Paul said in Romans 818. He said that the suffering of this present time is not worthy to be compliant to the glory that shall be revealed to me every time you write down. To be so. But, he says, but because suffering because I refuse to renege know I got more way for us with the pain of my real is not all that there is an prophecy helps you to grasp that it brings stability in the midst of difficulty actually playing out precise plan if you're ready to embrace the same focus, hope, and reward that Paul discovered here's Dr. Evans with the word on how to get started. If you've never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior you can do that right now. Simply go to him and acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and that your transferring your trust to him alone because of his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. In fact, I'm going to say little prayer you can repeat after me just have to meet it for yourself.

Heavenly father, I know I'm a sinner and that I can't save myself. I believe Jesus Christ your son died on the cross in my place four months in and I know and trusting him alone to forgive me and to give me the gift of eternal life that he promised to give to anyone who came to him for it. Thank you for saving me and help me from this day forward to live a life pleasing to you.

Congratulations welcome to the family. God bless you, if you prayed that prayer for the first time today. We invite you to visit our website Tony Evans.org and click on the link that says Jesus you find free resources to help you start your new life and why you're there you can get more details on that special double offer. I mentioned earlier, the two-volume 12 part audio collection about the Bible and the unfolding of time called prophecy in our world, along with the popular keepsake edition of Tony's book prayers for victory in spiritual warfare. Both of these helpful resources are yours with our thanks when you make a contribution toward Tony's ministry, but only if we hear from you before the special offer runs out. Make the arrangements@tonyevans.org or get some help by calling our resource request line at 1-800-800-3222 day or night. That's 1-800-800-3222 one next time, or from Dr. Evans on why prophecy matters including a look at why knowing about tomorrow makes us more effective witnesses today. I hope you will be with the alternative with Dr. Tony have turned celebrating 40 years of faithfulness, thanks to the generous contributions of listeners like you