Power of Prophecy

Some Christians have an appetite for biblical prophecy to gain understanding of future events.  Some enjoy observing what is happening in the world with the aim of connecting what they see with what the Bible says.  Given a bit of time, this often proves to be a highly speculative practice.  If people were to dig out dusty paperbacks from the 70's and 80's, there undoubtedly would be suggestions based on current events at the time that sound quite silly now.  A problem I have with those who have a prophetic sweet tooth that springboards off current events is the quick discarding of claims that proved erroneous to make way for new speculations that pose as revelations--without damaging the credibility of those who made false claims previously.

I am convinced God has revealed Himself to mankind through His word for the purpose of us knowing Him, that we would be saved and sanctified by Him.  This is true concerning poetry, prophecy or any book of the Bible.  God has spoken through historical narrative, through prophets and His Son Jesus so we would be transformed inside and out.  On the subject of God being our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, the sons of Korah sang prophetically in Psalm 46:10-11:  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! ¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah"  To people who looked around at the desolations of the earth and justified being afraid, God commanded His people to stand still and know the LORD of hosts is God.  Knowledge of God's power and presence was intended to shift the perspective of God's people from their enemies or troubles to their God who will be exalted.  God's word ought to change our outlook, thinking, words and actions.

At the conclusion of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ Revelation 22:10-11 says, "And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. ¹¹ He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."  The words of prophecy spoken through the apostle John were relevant for the 1st century Christians and remain important to this day.  The words were not to be sealed because they were intended to be heard and responded to by faith through obedience.  Those who refused to heed God's word would remain unchanged in their sinfulness, and those made righteous by faith in Jesus would listen to and obey His word.  This exhortation is not to encourage unjust and filthy living, but it shows how our response to God's pure and holy word will be reflected in our actions.  Sin and righteousness each have their own final reward from God:  death or life.

The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary said this:  "No worse punishment can God lay on ungodly men than to give them up to themselves. The solemn lesson derivable from this verse is, Be converted now in the short time left (Rev 22:10, end) before “I come” (Rev 22:7, 12), or else you must remain unconverted for ever; sin in the eternal world will be left to its own natural consequences; holiness in germ will there develop itself into perfect holiness, which is happiness."  One thing that rings true from reading the Bible is it never comforts or exhorts people to remain as we are, for unconverted sinners and redeemed saints are both called to repentance and to follow Jesus.  We come to Jesus as we are, and as a potter fashions clay so God works in and through us to accomplish His pleasure as vessels sanctified for His honour.  The power of prophecy is not knowing when or what will happen in the future but by the transformation God brings about in us when we submit and entrust our lives to Him by faith and obedience.