Prophecy: The High Octane Fuel of Witnessing :: By Dave Hubley

(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who might happen to read this and do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)

“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).

As time advances and world events fall more clearly in line with Bible prophecy, I am seeing something that I really find, perhaps not surprising, but disquieting.

There is a tendency for more pastors and preachers to avoid any sermons directly related to the many prophetic verses contained in the Scriptures.

Bible prophecy is like a large elephant in the room that has been snoozing in the corner but has now awakened and is growing restless.

Restless elephants cannot be ignored for long.

It is said that 25-27% of the Bible is prophetic. As I have written in past articles, I think that is somewhat of an understatement, but it is still obviously a considerable percentage.

There is a prominent (in that he has a large following) pastor, Rick Warren, who has stated in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, that Bible prophecy is “a distraction” and that anyone who lets himself get involved in distractions like studying prophecy “is not fit for the kingdom of God.”

Wow! Strong statement considering the amount of prophecy that the Holy Spirit was instructed to include in the Scriptures, and every word of it was given by Him to God’s prophets as He was instructed to according to Jesus (John 16:13).

In fairness to Mr. Warren, he is just one of a number of others who have made similar statements that marginalize so much of God’s Word. What he specifically meant by “distractions like studying prophecy,” he would have to explain, but it is pretty clear that he unwisely has a negative view of it.

When considering these statements, I am reminded of two sets of verses contained in the Book of Revelation, which were dictated by Jesus Christ Himself to the apostle John:

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near” (Revelation 1:3).

“I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19). Emphasis added by me.

By contrast, Carl Broggi (Community Bible Church) clearly understands the importance of prophecy to his church, and he has no problem with the preaching of it. He is a blessing to his flock. He delivers the entire counsel of God.

My purpose in this commentary is not to repeat what so many solid Christian writers are already making clear relative to the presence of, and rapidly approaching fulfillment of, the numerous prophecies contained in both the Old and New Testaments.

The significance of those prophecies which have already reached complete fulfillment in such detail are more than enough to validate their importance (ex: Jesus’ birth, life, death, burial and resurrection).

We should remember what Peter made clear to every believer who takes in the entire counsel of God.

“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

Numerous others, which likely have a discernable dual fulfillment awaiting completion (Ex: Psalm 83), are also. Is this prayer, in fact, a prophecy? It appears that even if Asaph did not intend it to be, God very well may have. Soon, we will know.

As to those prophecies that have not yet begun (ex: Revelation 4-22, Zechariah 12 and 14, Ezekiel 38/38, Isaiah 17), they will. These are just a few of many near-future prophecies that are now becoming visible like an image shimmering on the horizon.

God Himself is the greatest verification of the importance of prophecy in His Word; it is His signature, and He has “declared the end from the beginning” as only He can.

“Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, My counsel will stand, And I will do all My pleasure” (Isaiah 6:9-10). Emphasis added to confirm what is, in fact, prophecy.

So, what is it about God’s prophetic Scriptures that brings out denial and scoffing even in so-called evangelical churches? What is it that causes so many pastors to avoid preaching, teaching, and educating their flocks about what has clearly been proven to be necessary for their spiritual well-being, especially as deception rises in the world system?

I know most of the myriad of reasons why this happens. There are so many of them that it would require a very lengthy discussion to analyze them all, but primarily, it seems to be a fear of losing congregants because so many people attending churches today want only to hear what is “comfortable.” We are warned by the Lord Himself to “watch.” This admonition implies knowledge as to what to watch for, and that knowledge comes by hearing the whole of the Word of God, and that necessitates the teaching and preaching of prophecy. It’s really that simple, but in most churches today – it is ignored.

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!”‘ (Mark 13:35-37). Emphasis added by me.

It is certainly very common in most churches today, and I think it is the single most significant reason that explains why so many church attendees (most of whom are Christians) are completely ignorant of the true and full nature of Jesus Christ as revealed and confirmed in the prophetic and final book of God’s Word. This will become a shocking reality to a great many when He returns for His True Church to remove us from the world, bringing an end to the Church Age (the Age of Grace) and, so too, our chance to serve Him in this present time: to be a witness and to spread the Gospel.

Now to the crux of this article.

Revelation reveals Jesus Christ, the Suffering Lamb of God, in His fully revealed Glory, as the Lion of Judah. The Beginning and the End. The Alpha and the Omega.

His first advent as the Sacrificial Lamb come to offer salvation to the whole world formed the basis for His second coming. This second and final time will be as the final Arbiter to complete God’s plan: to rescue the remnant of Israel, fulfill God’s promises to them, and to judge the world of Christ-rejecting and God-denying men.

The Bible, from beginning to end, every single word, is to the Glory of God and His Son, our Savior.

The Book of Revelation is entirely prophetic. It is the terminus of God’s eternal plan.

Is all that just a “distraction”?

In my case, and the case of so many millions of my sisters and brothers all over the world, the certainty of the fulfillment of God’s prophetic Word and the certainty, as well, of the Blessed Hope, is a catalyst unlike any other, and God included it because He knew that that is what it would be to those who embrace His full counsel.

“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation” (Psalm 33:11).

The apostle Paul taught the Thessalonian Church, and therefore us at this present time as well, as He revealed God’s ultimate plan for His Church.

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Emphasis added by me.

The Blessed Hope is a prophetic revelation as well:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Titus 11-13).

The prophecies of the Word of God were PROMISED to us by Jesus Christ Himself through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit:

“However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come” (John 16:13). Emphasis added by me.

Is it any wonder that the prophecies contained in the fullness of God’s Counsel were provided by Him in order to really give us a purpose-driven life?

Is it any surprise that the inclusion of this certain prophetic knowledge is, for the believer who reads and takes them to heart, a driving force to witness to the lost and pray without ceasing?

For me, it really is the High-Octane fuel to Glorify God and spread the Gospel. I pray it is for you as well.

The special message I promised you:

For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life.

You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The peace that passes understanding.

It requires that you come before God on His terms.

And, what are His terms according to His Word?

• Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
• Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
• That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
• To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
• Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross and rose from the grave three days later, conquering death, just as He promised.
• To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.

God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.

• No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
• No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
• Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.

If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.

“Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life” (John 5:24).

There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.

The answers are in the Word of God—The Bible. If you ask God, with all your heart, He will hear you.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Pro Salvator Vigilans

To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com

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