Why we study the Prophets

Why we study the ProphetsNKJ

Gayle [email protected]

678-517-8534

First, What is a prophet?1. Defined and regulated by scriptures. Deut 18 2. 2. Appointed by God.. I.e.. At Horeb—”like Moses”

3. A clear role in Gods social strategy Priest/Prophet 4. Must be 100% accurate 5. A forth teller and a fore teller

Time?

AuthenticatedJohn 2:22

2 Peter 3:1-13

John 2:22

New King James Version (NKJV)22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them;[a] and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

Prophets of Israel

900 BC

800 700 600 500

Fall of Israel Fall of Judah

Isaiah-40 YrsJeremiah 30 Yrs Lamentations

Ezekiel 22 yrs

The Chinese invent printing.

Greeks adopt coins and alphabet

Iron allegedly discovered in China.

Rome is founded 100 years later

Daniel explains it all and Christ with dates.

Why should you study Prophecy?

WHY WE SUDY Prophecy:

1. Revelation ends the story God that begins in Genesis. God is Sovereign. In Revelation God stays with the Jews. The bible is made up of a long term strategy, a short term illustration to teach us of God and His name

It gives us advice,

and gives us doctrine to clarify us on God’s thinking.

Prophecy is God’s tactical strategy and final strategy. Ref 2 Peter 3:1-13


2. This ongoing prophetic saga confirms the validity of the Word and stimulates Hope . Fulfilled prophecy affirms the Word. And our Hope keeps us going.—

our Hope is dependent upon the validity of the scriptures and its promises--

Finishing Strong

NT references John 16:33 Jesus Romans 12:21 Us 1 John 2:13 UsDefinition: victor, prevail, conquer

One who stays the course and serves and obeys Christ to the end.

Overcomer:

Overcomer in Revelation

2:7,11,17,26 & 3:5,12,21 & 21:6,7

Revelation verse Promise

2:7 Jesus will grant us to eat of the tree of life

2:11 We will not be hurt by the 2nd death

2:17 Jesus will give us hidden manna a white stone and a new name on that stone

Overcomer

3:5 Dress us in white garments name will not be erased from book of life Jesus will confess us at the throne of God

3:12 We will be a pillar in the new temple

3:21 We will sit down with him at the throne

Overcomer

21:6,7 We will inherit the things of God and have His name

Overcomer

To become an overcomer and finish strong we must have hope and have the right kind of hope

Do these rewards motivate you???

Eternal Hope

Or Eternal Hope

DespairWell Being

AGE

Temporal Hope

Loss of job, Set Backs, Deaths, Dollars, Illness…etc.

Eternal HopeH

OPE

Old age

Why we study Prophecy:

3. Teaches us the character of God**** Nahum 1:1-4, Ez 24:14, 36:22

I, the LORD, have spoken it;It shall come to pass, and I will do it;I will not hold back,Nor will I spare,Nor will I relent;According to your waysAnd according to your deedsThey[a] will judge you,”Says the Lord GOD.’”


4. Our eschatology (study of end times) determines our ecclesiology( study of the church). Our ecclesiology determines our view of ministry(our role for this life).

The end of the story tells me how it ends or “adds up”. I now know how all the first parts of the story of man adds up.

If I know the end of the story—then my job is not to the give my life to shaping the finish but to pick and choose the right “dots” to connect in light of the finish.

I have no power over the ending, it is in the hand of the author.

Illustration:

Question---Where is evangelism in your in your life and ministry Two possible Answers—Lets look at our objectives

OR 2nd Answer? 1. Winning the lost… while.. 2. Helping the poor, 3. Social Reform 4. Abortion

1st Answer? 1. Helping the poor 2. Social Reform 3. Abortion termination 4. and Winning the Lost

5. The Day of the Lord- What our perspective should be!!

2 Peter 1: 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.[c] 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

6. 2Peter 1:13 . Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells

Hope and anticipation…Expectation…Something to look forward to over the world’s promise and noise…Eternal hope..All that we have and had.

Application:

Pray ever day for the return of our Savior and King—Jesus Christ…

And let this determine your hope and your emphasis in life

Stay close to the Word.

Pick carefully those who influence you.

Documents

Why we study the Prophets