We serve a promise keeping God. His word is absolute truth and the plans that He establishes do not fail. We are told in Isaiah 46:

“I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11)

A substantial portion of Scripture is prophetic text, disclosing God’s predetermined plan of redemption in the first and second comings of the Messiah. It is our job to study His Word and share this prophetic plan with the world around us, because too many have never heard such good news!

The Mysteries of God

“…we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.” 1 Cor. 2:7

Without the Spirit of God, man cannot understand the “depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God” (Romans 11:33). God’s redemptive storyline appears as foolishness to the natural man until the Holy Spirit guides him to the Truth and that which can only be spiritually appraised (1 Cor. 2:10-14).

Before the beginning of time, God foreknew mankind would need a Savior and all throughout the Old Testament the way was prepared for the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world.

  • After the resurrection Jesus declared, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44).
  • And a few verses before that, while traveling on the road to Emmaus, Jesus “explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27).
  • Then in Acts, Peter tells the men of Israel, “But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:18-19)

The proclamations of the prophets were fulfilled, “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19:10). And the prophetic storyline continues…

Looking for the Blessed Hope

“…until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.” Acts 3:21

Since Scripture was fulfilled literally and precisely for Jesus’ first coming, we can rest assured that He will return to fulfill the remainder of the prophetic text regarding the period of restoration of all things in which the Righteous One punishes the world “for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity” (Isaiah 13:11). Jesus came the first time as the Lamb of God but He returns as the King of kings and Lord of lords ruling over all the nations.

The entire last book of the Bible describes the second coming in great detail, and is called “the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place…” (Rev. 1:1). It goes on to say that those who read and heed this prophetic text will be blessed, as we stand ready to keep the faith in times of great persecution. But again, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to “guide [us] into all the truth…and He will disclose to [us] what is to come” (John 16:12-15).

Quickly, here are a few verses to note:

  • “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up…But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:9-13
  • “…because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:31
  • “…because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.” Luke 21:22

And as we wait for the King’s return, Scripture admonishes us to:

  • “…live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus…” Titus 2:12b-13
  • “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things [day of the Lord], be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless, and blameless…” 2 Peter 3:14
  • “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17
  • “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
  • “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.” John 16:1
  • “Do not tremble and do not be afraid;
    Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it?
    And you are My witnesses.” Isaiah 44:8

Hastening the Day of the Lord

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19

For now, we only know in part all that God has in store for the climatic finale of this age (1 Cor. 13:9-12). It is not for us to know all the details “which the Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts 1:7). But we know God’s prophetic text will not fail, at the appointed time it will certainly be fulfilled (Habakkuk 2:3). Like the prophetic word, we too are to shine God’s truth to a dark world, sharing the eternal hope of Jesus the Messiah!

 

All Scripture taken from New American Standard Bible, 1995 version. Emphasis added in bold by the author.