PURPOSE OF PROPHECY

PURPOSE OF PROPHECY

1Timothy [GW] 6:11b-12 Pursue what God approves of: a godly life, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the Christian faith. Take hold of everlasting life to which you were called and about which you made a good testimony in front of many witnesses.

  What is the primary purpose of prophecy? How do we prepare for what is going to happen? Two questions that I’ve been asked.

  First, what prophecy is essentially not: To give us a vast educational knowledge of things to come.

  Prophecy’s intent is to: 1.) Reveal, honor and glorify God. 2.) Motivate believers to Biblical maturation with a repentant heart, lovingly serving God and man, honoring and glorifying Him. This being preparation.

  Jesus’ parable recorded in Luke 19:11-28 is significant in understanding the purpose of prophecy:

Jesus was getting closer to Jerusalem, and the people thought that the kingdom of God would appear suddenly. While Jesus had the people's attention, he used this illustration. He said, "A prince went to a distant country to be appointed king, and then he returned. Before he left, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten coins. He said to his servants, 'Invest this money until I come back.' [occupy engagingly until my return.] "The citizens of his own country hated him. They sent representatives to follow him and say to the person who was going to appoint him, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' "After he was appointed king, he came back. Then he said, 'Call those servants to whom I gave money. I want to know how much each one has made by investing.' "The first servant said, 'Sir, the coin you gave me has earned ten times as much.' "The king said to him, 'Good job! You're a good servant. You proved that you could be trusted with a little money. Take charge of ten cities.' "The second servant said, 'The coin you gave me, sir, has made five times as much.' "The king said to this servant, 'You take charge of five cities.' "Then the other servant said, 'Sir, look! Here's your coin. I've kept it in a cloth for safekeeping because I was afraid of you. You're a tough person to get along with. You take what isn't yours and harvest grain you haven't planted.' "The king said to him, 'I'll judge you by what you've said, you evil servant! You knew that I was a tough person to get along with. You knew that I take what isn't mine and harvest grain I haven't planted. Then why didn't you put my money in the bank? When I came back, I could have collected it with interest.' The king told his men, 'Take his coin away, and give it to the man who has ten.' "They replied, 'Sir, he already has ten coins.' "'I can guarantee that everyone who has something will be given more. But everything will be taken away from those who don't have much. Bring my enemies, who didn't want me to be their king. Kill them in front of me.'" After Jesus had given this illustration, he continued on his way to Jerusalem. (GW)

  As illustrated, God equips us to live now, therein being prepared for the future. How so? The answer is not at all mystical nor a puzzle: 1.) We’re indwelt with His Holy Spirit (Jn.14:16-17 <> 1Thes.5:19). 2.) Have His Word to guide us (Rom.12:1-3; 2Tim.3:16-17 <> Rom.12:3; 2Tim.2:15-16). 3.) And are bestowed with functional spiritual and ministry gifts (1Cor.12:1-7 <> Lk.19:20; 1Thes.5:19).

  For me personally the most concisely stated motivational prophecy is found in Hebrews, “People die once, and after that they are judged. Likewise, Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of humanity, and after that he will appear a second time. This time he will not deal with sin, but he will save those who eagerly wait for him.” (GW 9:27-28; also note prophecy in Isaiah 53:1-12)

  Prepare, live accordingly. 

EBB4   Thursday, May 31, 2018