January 14, 2004.
Predictions and their fulfillments are an integral and major part of Scripture from Gen. 3:15 to Rev. 22:20. The study of these Bible prophecies is more than an attempt to gratify idle curiosity. It is more than a grasping after the unknowable.
The prophet Isaiah asked: “Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently unto Me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live” (Isaiah 55:2-3). Our soul needs to listen carefully to God so we can delight in what truly satisfies.
Listen to what? Delight in what? These verses are surrounded by prophecy! Who does not know Isaiah 53, which precedes it? It is perhaps the greatest prophecy of the Old Testament. In addition, verse 3 then predicts an everlasting covenant (New Testament). The context of Isaiah 55:2-3 is saying that God’s prophecies satisfy! They fill a spiritual need as bread fills a physical need.
The study of prophecy brings blessings from God. Many think that the prophecies of the book of Revelation can simply be ignored by the Christian since they are so difficult to understand. However, the book of Revelation begins with these words: “Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein” (1:3).
When we hear, read, and keep the word of prophecy, we invite the blessing of almighty God upon our souls. Read Revelation from beginning to end and see how much there is that can be understood and how much there is that can be obeyed. This book is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1). It is a message from our Savior and King Jesus.