AUGUST 8, 2009
DELAYED DOES NOT MEAN DENIED
The prophecies of the Old Testament, concerning the coming Messiah, were not proved or understood fully until after Jesus' incarnation, which was hundreds and even thousands of years after the prophecies were made.
The prophecies of the book of Revelation will not be proved or understood fully until after the Rapture takes place (after Revelation 4) and the Tribulation begins. However, as with Old Testament prophecy, Revelation was given in order to announce coming events. Therefore we accept the literal interpretation of Revelation, even though we do not understand how those things can happen.
PROGRESSIVE
The Bible is a progressive revelation. Each addition to the Old Testament gave a fuller understanding of God. The New Testament made the Old Testament more understandable. This is why people say, "The New (Testament) is in the Old (Testament) concealed and the Old is in the New revealed." However, God has not given any new Scripture since the book of Revelation, and there will not be anything added to the Bible. Though there is no new revelation, our understanding of the Bible increases with the passing of time and with growth in grace.
For instance, when John wrote Revelation, the world community could not have looked at a live image in the streets of Jerusalem. In fact, it could not have happened until 1962, when Telstar was launched, with the capability of transmitting live images around the world. But God knew the future and showed such a scenario to John.
Revelation 11:9
(9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
We should not be concerned that there are seemingly fantastic things found in the Revelation and we should not be concerned that those prophecies have not yet been fulfilled.
2 Peter 3:4-10
(4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
(5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
(6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
(7) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
(8) But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
(9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
When these events take place, it will prove the Divine origin of the prophecy.
END TIME NATIONS
Some of the events that are taking place today are of great interest. The Bible said that specific nations or peoples would be active in the end times. Russia, Iran, Lybia, Syria and Turkey are mentioned, as enemies of Israel during the end times. This is especially interesting, since Israel ceased to exist as a nation for about two thousand years, only to be reborn in 1948. In fact, contemporary news only makes sense when viewed through the lens of Bible prophecy.
Launch Out and Hold Fast,
Pastor David L. Gould
