A Sure Word of Prophecy

~ Gareth

A large proportion of Bible content is prophecy, much of which has been fulfilled in precise detail, often against all human odds and expectations. This striking fact places the Bible in contrast to the attempts of human beings, such as Nostradamus, to predict the future. Fulfilled prophecy is powerful evidence that a supernatural God exists, who can not only predict the future, but actually controls the future. This is His claim in Isaiah 46v9-10 (ESV):

I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.

Isaiah 46v9-10 ESV

One of the most remarkable prophecies is found in Daniel Ch. 2, describing a dream experienced by Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful emperor of Babylon around 600 BC. Over 2,500 years of world history in advance is depicted in an image of a human body comprised mainly of different metals.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Image

The interpretation, given by God through the prophet Daniel is illustrated in the diagram. The metals stood for the succession of powerful empires that would particularly affect the history and destiny of Israel. History testifies to the uncanny accuracy of this prophecy.

The image was destroyed by a stone which struck the image on its feet, pulverising it into fragments blown away by the wind. The stone then grew to fill the whole earth.

The interpretation of this detail is startling. The stone represents the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will displace all human governments and set up the worldwide Kingdom of God on earth. The fulfilled part of the prophecy is an assurance that the return of Christ is soon to become a reality.

The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever… The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.

Daniel 2v44-45, ESV

All you need is love…

~ Gareth

The origins of Valentines day have been lost in the mists of time but still it remains with us for better or for worse as a celebration of all things romantic, an opportunity to profess our love for our significant other or a cynical commercial ploy depending on your point of view.

What is much clearer is the emphasis on love in the Bible.  Time and time again love is described in scripture as the pinnacle of Christian endeavour, the thing to aim for above all else.  It is the first and second greatest commandments, as defined by the Lord Jesus himself when questioned by a lawyer:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

Matthew 22v37-39 MKJV

Of course, the kind of love being described here is not of the hearts and flowers variety, it is what is sometimes called “divine” love, or “agape” love (from the Greek word it is translated from in the New Testament, as opposed to “eros” which refers to what we might want to politely call “romantic” love).

Jesus tells us to show this sort of love to everyone, including most famously our enemies.  He says:

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them

Matthew 7v12 ESV

This “divine” love is so called because it is something that God Himself has.  In fact, it was His love for humanity which motivated Him to send his only Son to die so that we could live, as this most well-known of Bible verses says:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3v16 MKJV

Bible Reading Planner

~ Gareth

‘Seek the Lord while He may be found’ – Isaiah 55v6
‘Delight in God’s Word and meditate upon it’ – Psalm 1v2

You may have set yourself many different goals in the past and wondered why some of them were so hard to keep… the trick is to set out some realistic and achievable steps to follow.  If you do this, you will find it much easier to keep to your goal.

Here are 5 steps to help you achieve your new goal:

  1. Set aside some time to read the Bible every day, even for just 10 minutes or so…
  2. Find a Bible or download a Bible app onto your phone.
  3. If you like to have something to follow, you could use the Daily Reading Planner (see below) or you could choose a book of the Bible to read through at your own pace. 
  4. Read carefully and meditate on what you have read.  Think about the meaning… what is God trying to say to you? 
  5. Put what you learn into practice – live your life as a follower of Christ.

‘Receive the word with all readiness of mind… search the scriptures daily’ – Acts 17v11

The FREE Bible Reading Planner suggests a chapter for each day and includes helpful notes.

To request your free copy email: info@bibleinfo.org.uk

Tension and Conflict in the Middle East: Bible Prophecy Fulfilled

~ Gareth

May 2018 saw the 70th anniversary of the Declaration of the State of Israel on the 14th May 1948.  It was a hugely significant moment for the Jewish people who were returning to their original homeland of Israel nearly 2000 years after being removed from that land by the Romans.

Last year saw the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, and Britain’s influential hand in initially facilitating the return of the Jews to what was then Palestine. Then followed the Nazi persecution and the Holocaust, prompting an exodus of Jews from Europe to Palestine, at the time opposed by Britain with its Mandate to govern Palestine.  The end of this Mandate, and subsequent Declaration of the State of Israel, was a controversial move which infuriated the Arab nations of that area and immediately sparked off the 1948 Arab-Israeli war in which five neighbouring countries launched an assault on the brand-new state of Israel, in an unsuccessful attempt to wipe it off the map.

During the seventy years, there has been many conflicts including the politically momentous Six Day War in 1967, the Yom Kippur War in 1973, wars in Lebanon and the Gaza strip. Despite the involvement of the United Nations and World powers such as the EU, the US and Russia, peace initiatives have come and gone. Tensions between Israel and its neighbours continue unabated and our news routinely includes coverage of the often violent clashes that result.  Indeed, the eyes of the world are on this country the size of Wales.

What is less well known is the way in which so much of this was predicted in the Bible thousands of years ago by the prophets who described in advance both the scattering of the Jews around the world and their eventual regathering to the land of Israel which continues to this day.  The prophet Ezekiel who himself was taken captive from Israel to Babylon, modern day Iraq, almost 600 years before Jesus was born:

Therefore say, So says the Lord GOD: Though I have sent them (the Jews) far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the lands, yet I will be to them as a little sanctuary in the lands where they had gone.  Therefore say, So says the Lord GOD: I will even gather you from the people and assemble you out of the lands, in those where you were scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.

Ezekiel 11v16-17