Facing the Future with Confidence & Conviction
The story is told of two men who were observing two other men, each of whom was carrying a sign. One sign read, “The world is about to end!” The other stated, “The world will never end!” Our modern dilemma! For every expert who speaks about the pending doom of planet earth, there is another, equally academically, and technologically trained who tries to argue convincing that the future never looked brighter.
Who do we believe? Who really knows the answer of what the future holds? – Listen to a few quotes from some experts from the past.
“Rail travel at high speed is not possible, because passengers unable to breath would die of asphyxia.” - Dionysius Lardner, British Scientist, 1823
“Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous fiction.” - Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse, 1872
“This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. This device is inherently of no value to us.“ - Internal Memo Western Union, 1876 - Uh – Seriously! Maybe he meant to say “that you should not text and drive.”
“Heavier than air flying machines are impossible.” - Lord Kelvin, president Royal Society, 1895
Now I tend to agree with this one – Every time I fly I think “this is impossible.” But with the law of flight – it appears that it is really possible.
“It doesn’t matter what he does, he will never amount to anything.” - Albert Einstein’s Teacher, 1895
“Everything that can be invented has been invented.” - Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, US Office of Patents, 1899 - Bored government employee.
“The problem with television is that the people must sit and keep their eyes glued on a screen; the average...family hasn’t time for it.” - The New York Times, 1939
“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” - Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943
“Man will never reach the moon, regardless of all future scientific advances.” - Lee DeForest, Radio Pioneer, 1957
Before the dawn of this new millennium many speculated concerning the future.
From the “New Age” gurus to Bible thumping prognosticators, lots of forecasts have been spread around the world.
Just few years ago the New Millennium arrived - bringing with it some of the most startling events of modern time. Along with this, millions of people developed a special interest in prophecy. They are wondering, "What on earth will happen next?" They’re asking, "Where in the world are we headed?"
So, as we look around at a world in turmoil, intelligent, thinking people ask themselves - who’s in control, what is going on - what can we expect to happen? Is there really any way of knowing? Certainly as we realize the enormity of the ever-increasing magnitude of world concerns we may wonder will there be a next century?
God doesn’t play hide and seek with us. He shares His mind regarding the future in His Holy word - the Bible. No matter how many fears and antagonism threaten our happiness and security, we can have peace, assurance, and hope based on genuine facts.
The book of Daniel reveals much of this plan. He tells us about things spoken of by Daniel the prophet – Specifically refers to the abomination of desolation. We will talk about this in a future presentation. You must here this. Jesus tells us we must. But then he says when you read what was “spoken of by Daniel the prophet,” – let him understand.
If you want to understand the end-times, you must understand Daniel’s prophecies. If you want to understand the book of Revelation, you must first understand Daniel’s prophecies. In Daniel 2 is an ancient prophecy that predicted who would rule the world, how each ruler would rise and fall, and how our world would eventually end.
It began when Daniel was alive on earth—when a king dreamed of world events that spanned 2,500 years. Those events have come to pass with such precision that only the hand of God could have been involved. It is a prophecy that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is in control of history. In fact, it is a prophecy that has been almost totally fulfilled—almost, but not quite. And when you look back over more than 2,000 years of prophecy that have been fulfilled, you can look ahead with assurance at the last little bit that remains to be fulfilled.
The Bible clearly gives us hope for tomorrow. It clearly reveals the plan of history. Here is something that we can have confidence in something that we can be assured of. This is not idle speculation.
Tonight, as we draw back the curtain we can see through the window of Bible prophecy and be informed. You can see clearly what will take place in the future of this world. Before we allow Daniel to tell us his story let’s listen to the amazing promise from God’s holy word.
Amos 3:7 NKJV - “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”
The apostle Peter echoes His assurance in these words: 2 Peter 1:19 - “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
And we have the wonderful opportunity to learn what God has revealed to us for today. Tonight, want to take you to an ancient prophetic dream in Daniel. Amazing, thrilling prophecy reveals 2500 years of history in advance. This Prophecy in Daniel 2 is the Foundational Prophecy for the study of the End-times.
An understanding of this will prepare us to study the book of Revelation more thoroughly and completely. Prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation are companion volumes.
Let’s take our Bibles and turn to Daniel the second chapter.
As a young man, Daniel, taken captive from city of Jerusalem to Babylon.
Ancient Babylon located area called Iraq today. Let’s listen to Daniel tell his story: Let’s read Daniel 2:1-3 - Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him.
Daniel 2:2 NKJV - Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
Daniel 2:3 NKJV - And the king said to them, "I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.”
Nebuchadnezzar was the king who ruled the great Babylonian Empire from the massive walled city of Babylon, more than 600 years before Christ. Babylon was quite an impressive city of ancient times. The city was built on both sides of the Euphrates River. This river flowed under the walls and through the city.
Babylon – 10 Miles around. Rome was 6 miles and Athens 4 miles. So, no doubt it was indeed a Very significant city. Babylon was located in the area of the world known as the Fertile Crescent, which had an intricate system of canals that irrigated lush crop lands.
Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar is the ruler who built the luxurious Hanging Gardens—one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world—for his wife who had been brought up in the mountains and now missed her homeland. In these terraced gardens, flowers and fruit trees blossomed as they were watered by an extremely advanced system of irrigation and drainage.
At the center of great Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar built a 300-foot shrine to the pagan god Marduk. The Temple of Marduk was 300 Ft high. Outside it was covered with blue glazed tile. Inside, it was overlaid with Gold. He covered the walls and roof of the building with gold.
The altar was solid gold. Archaeologists estimate Nebuchadnezzar used eight and a half tons of gold in his shrine to Marduk.
Now, one ingenious archaeologist says first thing ancient king did each morning was to greet his royal subjects with a kiss. I really don’t know if that is true or not. But I don’t believe he was in kissing mood this certain morning in the 2nd year of His reign in 602 BC.
Amid all of this opulence, success and power, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream he could not fully remember much less understand. I’m sure you can relate to Nebuchadnezzar’s experience—waking up in the morning, knowing that you had a dream and trying in vain to remember it.
But I doubt if you ever took it to the extreme that Nebuchadnezzar did. He was determined that he would not be satisfied until he discovered the meaning and application.
The Bible tells us that he called together his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and Chaldeans and asked them to tell him what he had dreamt. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, as we shall see, portrays the rise and fall of empires. It takes us from Daniel’s day down the corridors of time to the age we are living and further predicts what will take place in the future of planet earth.
So the King called for his most educated men, fortune tellers, astrologers, psychics and so forth. The so-called wise men of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar makes strange demand. Daniel 2:3- 4 – 6
Daniel 2:3 NKJV - "And the king said to them, "I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.“
Daniel 2:4 NKJV - "O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation."
Daniel 2:9 NKJV - Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation.”
He knows that if they can’t tell him what he dreamed – then how can he trust the interpretation.
Can you tell that these guys are in trouble? It’s going to get worse before it gets better.
The King say “Nothing doing” and gets furious. They answer by saying – tell us what you dreamed and we will interpret!
Daniel 2:10 NKJV - The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, "There is not a man on earth who can tell the king's matter.
And do you know something? – He was dead right. But – This King is dead serious and is not about to back off. So he issues a death decree. King says: “Look I pay you a good salary…Your heads going to roll.” Execute Them!
As this decree was issued Daniel requested time to ask God for help. Daniel prayed earnestly for the God of heaven to reveal the king’s dream and its meaning. God answered His prayer. And He will answer yours. But we must come in humble faith and believe like Daniel.
Daniel was overwhelmed by this amazing revelation of God’s mind and purpose with its tremendous implications for future. So he thanks the God of heaven.
Daniel 2:23 NKJV - "I thank You and praise You, O God of my father’s; You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king's demand.“
Shortly after this Daniel is ushered into throne room of King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel comes face to face with greatest ruler of ancient times. Then follows most dramatic interview ever recorded.
Imagine how prophet and king thrill with emotion as the curtain of the future is suddenly rolled back – allowing man to see across century after century of unborn years to the close of time.
Notice first thing Daniel said - Daniel 2: 27 - Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, "The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. “The wise men cannot ...”
The very same thing could be said today concerning all these “New Age” Chanellors, Spiritualists, etc.
Now let’s read verse 28 - But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. “There is a God in heaven....” This is where we need to look.
Let’s look closely at the dream – Daniel 2: 31-35
Daniel 2:31 NKJV - "You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome.
Daniel 2:32,33 NKJV - This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.
Daniel 2:34 NKJV - You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
Daniel 2:35 NKJV - Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors;
Daniel 2:35 NKJV - The wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
Tells of a Great metallic image of gold, silver,… Can you just see Nebuchadnezzar exclaim, “That’s what I saw.”
Now at this point like to introduce some vital principles in understanding prophecy.
3 basic steps to follow.
First –
- Read the prophecy
I know this sounds simple – And it is – Want to keep it this way.
But you see – There is much misunderstanding today because we read what someone said or wrote or preached about the prophecy.
Matt 24:15 NKJV - “… spoken of by Daniel the prophet, … whoever reads, let him understand.” We must read it in order to understand it. That presents a problem in our modern culture. One of our problems today is that many do not read the Bible anymore.
We know all our Fantasy Football players and movie celebrities. Have a million movies. – Don’t seem to be able to find the time to spend reading God’s Word. One of our problems today is that many do not read the Bible anymore. We know all our Fantasy Football players and movie celebrities. Have a million movies. – Don’t seem to be able to find the time to spend reading God’s Word.
The AP Writer was writing about report from George Barna - The Bible is being reduced to the status of an icon with little practical value in the homes of many Americans, according to a researcher taking the religious pulse of the nation. In a series of polls in recent years, George Barna found that more than 90 percent of Americans own a Bible. In fact, those households have an average of three Bibles. However, many of them may be gathering dust on coffee tables or bookshelves.
Man – I hope you will take the time during this series. – It could save your life.
2. We must discover the Biblical interpretation of the prophecy. Not Robert Wagley’s or some churches either.
Listen - it doesn’t make much difference what I personally think or some Christian Author. Suppose I asked, “What do you personally thing this means? And everybody gave his answer and then I gave mine. Who is to say who is right or wrong?
When we study the Bible - we must turn to the Bible itself. God instructs us to do this.
He wants us to hear what He is saying in His Word!
Now step #3
- Find how the interpretation that God gives is fulfilled in history.
Much of Bible prophecy was history in advance – we can look back on history – see what has already transpired in the historical prophetic timeline – this gives us confidence. So we read the prophecy – lets discover the Bible’s interpretation and the historical fulfillment
Daniel 2:36-38
Daniel 2:36 NKJV - "This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king.
Daniel looks the king directly I the face and declared, “Your kingdom represents this head of gold.” What a thrilling and accurate picture of the first world empire! Head of gold - represents Babylon – the golden city of the ancient world.
So the head of gold represents Ancient Babylon. We have already told you much about this great city of antiquity that Kind Nebuchadnezzar had built. Many historical and other facts verify the greatness of this ancient kingdom.
For instance: Archeology confirms the greatness of the kingdom of Babylon. A letter by the King carved in stone tells us that “the whole earth lay prostrate at her feet.”
Now of course this king wanted his kingdom to last forever. No doubt this was his ambition – Another inscription in a stone brick reads “May it last forever.” But the prophecy tells us it would not. Daniel must have surprised the inquisitive monarch when he conveyed to the king that his mighty empire would eventually be overthrown and succeeded by later kingdoms that would arise after the fall of ancient Babylon.
In this great prophecy – God said No! Another kingdom will arise. Babylon ruled world from 605 to 539 BC. But Babylon passed away and Medo-Persia became the 2nd world empire!
The prophecy said in Daniel 2:39 - At the time Nebuchadnezzar had this dream, he was secure as the world leader. There was no reason to suspect that it would not always be so.
But he was to be overthrown by a kingdom represented in Daniel 2:32 as “the chest and arms of silver.”
Back then just as today, silver is inferior to Gold. Just a few pages ahead in your Bible, in Daniel 5:28, the next world-ruling power is referred to as the Medes and the Persians.
Daniel 5:28 NKJV - PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
Again, this is a fitting symbol: the two arms joined at the chest to show two kingdoms—Medes and Persians. The Medes and Persians ruled the world from 539 BC to 331 BC.
I want to tell you again – The Bible is not a human book! It is a divine book!
It predicts the rise and fall of mighty empires.
The Bible even named Cyrus the general who overthrew Babylon 150 years in advance!
Let’s go see what the Prophet Isaiah has to say:
Isaiah 45:1 NKJV - "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held — To subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:
Here the prophet tells us not only who but how Babylon would fall. Mentions opening “the double doors” – And that “the gates would not be shut.”
Let’s look at some history:
On that fateful night as the Babylonians were throwing a drunken party – A bloodless hand appeared and wrote on the wall the words recorded in Daniel 5:28
Daniel 5:26 NKJV
MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it;
Daniel 5:27 NKJV
TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;
Daniel 5:28 NKJV
PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
While the Babylonians were partying Cyrus diverted the Euphrates River out of its path into a old lake bed and was then able to march his army right under the walls of the city.
But there were still gates inside that would have kept them out of the inner fortified city.
They would have marched in one side of the city and out the other. – But as God had promised the two-leaved gates were open. In the arrogant confidence the Babylonians had left the inside gates open while they partied the night away – their world as they had known it came to an abrupt end.
These facts are widely known and documented.
Again Archeology Confirms the Biblical account – with the Cyrus Cylinder. God’s word reliable, it foretells the future!
Let’s continue on with the king’s prophetic dream in:
Daniel 2:39 NKJV - …then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.
Further along in the sequential prophecies of Dan – Daniel 8:21 tells us which kingdom this represents
Daniel 8:21 NKJV - And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king.
This is amazing! Everyone today knows who this king was “Alexander the Great.” Once again, we have another very appropriate representation.
A powerful well trained army of Greco-Macedonian troops led by a famous great and skillful leader defeated the Persians on the plain of Gaugamela near the town of Arbela in 331 BC.
The Greek army was led by Alexander the Great – He was a young man who marched his men 11,000 miles, conquering almost all the then-known world before he died of malaria at the age of 33. History of course confirms his greatness – Many of you may have seen the recent movie or the History channel special on this great General of Antiquity. And history once again confirms God’s word.
It is very interesting to note what Alexander’s men wore into battle. Historians point out that they actually wore bronze or brass - Bronze breastplates, bronze helmets, bronze shields, bronze swords. In fact – they were the first to do so.
In describing Alexander and his great conquests historians tell us: “I am persuaded that there was no nation, city, nor people… where his name did not reach… “There seems to have been some divine hand presiding both over his birth and actions. Historical Library, Book 16, Chap. 12
Once again, God chose a fitting metaphor to describe the kingdom that would rule the world from 331 BC to 169 BC.
But history doesn’t end with this third kingdom. – Greece did not rule the world forever.
Our 4th world kingdom was the Roman Empire represented in dream by iron legs of metal man.
Daniel 2:40 NIV says: Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron…
You don’t have to have a Masters Degree in History to know that the Roman Empire is the 4th world kingdom – represented by the legs of iron - Ruled 158 BC to 476 AD. So inescapably did the prophetic portrayal correspond to its historical fulfillment that the great English historian Edward Gibbon uses the Bible’s prophetic language.
Though not a Christian or Bible-believer himself, wittingly or unwittingly he used scriptural language in his monumental History of the Decline and fall of the Roman Empire when he wrote: Gibbons, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - “…the images of gold, of silver, or brass, that might serve to represent the nations and their kings, were successively broken by the iron monarchy of Rome.”
The mighty Roman Empire – the 4th world kingdom ruled from 158 BC to 476 AD. World history had reached legs of iron when Jesus Christ was born and lived 1900 years ago! By the time Jesus was born, most of the then-known world was under Roman rule. You will remember that Joseph and Mary were on their way to pay taxes to the Roman ruler, Caesar Augustus, when Jesus was born.
Just as legs form the longest part of the body, Rome had the longest reign of any other of the world powers. Little by little, Rome rose to power, fighting many wars and enslaving many people. Rome ruled world with an iron fist. This kingdom of iron was foreseen in king’s dream!
But Rome as a great world kingdom would also come to an end. We see the ancient ruins of this once mighty world power all over Europe and parts of Africa and Asia today.
Now notice what prophecy says happens to Rome:
Daniel 2:41 NKJV - “Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided.”
So God foretold the great Roman Empire would not be conquered by another 5th world kingdom – but rather it was to be divided when it would come to an end!
Toes of image represent breakup of Rome and nations that arose. Just as there are ten toes on the feet so ten nations arose out of the divided Roman Empire
The Ten nations are:
Anglo-Saxons – English
Franks – French
Alamanni – Germans
Suevi – Portuguese
Visigoths – Spanish
Lombards – Italian
Burgundis – Swiss
Ostrogoths - Extinct
Heruli – Extinct
Vandals - Extinct
Ten Nations - These would eventually become the modern nations of Europe.
Ten is not a coincidence – The God of the Bible looked down through the ages of history and foresaw this division of ten. Now we need to note that 3 of the original ten no longer exist – they are extinct – We will discover how and why as we continue our series together.
Bible predicted 10 European nations coming out of the breakup of Rome as represented by the 10 toes on the feet of iron and clay.
But never, never again will they unite into single world empire! This is not the end of the vision – There is more to come. Here are some powerful words of Bible prophecy:
Daniel 2:43 NKJV - “As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.”
Through the centuries military leaders, kings and emperors have wanted a united Europe!
Daniel 2:43 NLT - “This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other through intermarriage. but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.”
“They will not adhere to one another” These 7 words have stopped some of the most powerful men of history in their tracks - Charlemagne, Napoleon, Kaiser Whilhem, Mussolini, Hitler, all tried and failed. Anyone who tries will also fail.
“They will not adhere to one another.”
Did you notice the emphasis on marital alliances? - “Forming alliances with each other through intermarriage.” Daniel 2:43 NLT
At one time almost all the royal courts of Europe had intermarried in order to bring Europe together. You can go and see – The Fredricksborg Castle in Denmark – It helps confirm the Bible’s accuracy.
Inside this beautiful castle there are wall hangings that reveal how people tried to unite Europe through intermarriage. Picture painted on the wall shows the family tree of King Fredrick and Queen Diana. Record of the different marriages - Shows all the various unions through the years in man’s failed attempts to defeat the prophetic word of God.
As I mentioned – Great leaders have tried as well.
There was Napoleon - Napoleon tried to unite Europe and was doing quite well until he met his Waterloo. The great Battle of Waterloo proved to be his Achilles Heel. Or was it actually the Prophetic Word of God?
Notice what history records about this battle. “What was the principal adversary of this tremendous power? By whom was it checked and resisted, and put down? - By none and by nothing but the direct and manifest interposition of God.
Lectures on Modern History, Lecture 3
Story: A story is told about a Christian nurse who served Adolf Hitler during a very serious illness. She read Daniel 2 to him – when came these 7 words he jumped out bed shouting, “I will win, I will win!”
When Paris fell, Hitler visited Napoleon’s tomb and he scoffed at Napoleon and called him a fool. He said,”I will win where you failed!” If he visited tomb today he could only say “Napoleon move over – let another fool lay beside you.” Anyone who tries to go against God’s Word and will is a fool. – Just as foolish not to take the time to know it.
So far the prophecy of Daniel 2 has accurately predicted the rise and fall of the world empires….
Now – Lets go back and look at a very important part of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Here is the most amazing part of the prophecy!
Daniel 2:34 NKJV - You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
Daniel 2:35 NKJV
Here’s planet earth’s grand climax! This ancient prophecy has passed test of time! The rock cut out without hands smote the image and ground it to powder and filled the earth represents Christ’s soon coming eternal kingdom!
Oh, friends, I’ve got good news for you! The world will soon see Christ’s Kingdom coming!
Jesus is coming to put an end to all hunger and starvation and turmoil and conflict.
Here’s a promise which God will soon fulfill -
Daniel 2:44 NKJV - And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; Days of what kings? – The divided nations of Europe. And the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
Friends, we are not living in days of head of gold nor chest and arms of silver not hips of brass, nor legs of iron, but in the toes right down at end of time!
The Rock represents Christ’s soon coming eternal kingdom!
Oh, friends, I’ve got good news for you! The world will soon see Christ’s Kingdom coming!
Do you remember those first words that Daniel the Prophet to King Nebuchadnezzar that we read in Daniel 2:28.
Daniel 2:28 NKJV - But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.
The most important application of the prophecy is for those living in the last days. No doubt this was important for the King to understand and to know that God was directing in the affairs of men – but the prophecies are more applicable to you and I than the Ancient King of Antiquity.
Why is it important that you know about the dream of an ancient king? Simply this—the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream portrayed the time line of history down to our day. Once you realize that the Bible can be trusted with the past, you will know without a doubt that the Bible can be trusted with things still to come.
And you can prepare for the final most dynamic event that is portrayed in the prophetic vision.
Notice the significant words of Daniel 2:45
Daniel 2:45 NKJV - “The great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”
Every part of this prophecy has come to pass except for one. History has followed this prophecy like a blueprint and will continue to do so. The political workings of this planet are not random. God has been guiding and controlling it all along. And only one kingdom remains to rule the world—God’s kingdom. That rock, cut out without hands, is the one kingdom, which will rule forever.
John, in Revelation speaks about this coming kingdom:
Revelation 11:15 NKJV - Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!“
Today we can have hope, because tomorrow is in the hands of the same God who has been guiding history from one end of the time line to the other. History has played itself out. There is only one kingdom left to be established. Soon Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the one who paid such a remarkable visit to this planet 2000 years ago, is going to pay us another visit.
And then He is going to set up his eternal kingdom. Are you ready for Jesus to come?
Revelation 22:7 Jesus said:
Revelation 22:7 NKJV - Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Do you see why it is important to know and understand Bible prophecy? Actually there are many reasons – let me sum it up for us tonight.
Above the roar and confusion of our earth there sits a God who loves and guides and even controls the affairs of men. You are not here by accident! Divine prophecy demonstrates that our world is under His control. And that our individual lives may sense His controlling and abiding presence.
Five Major Reasons for Prophecy
- Evidence for the existence of an omnipotent and sovereign God.
- Evidence that the Bible is reliable Word of God.
- Evidence that past is explained and future is foretold.
- Unfolds the Creator’s secrets to have joy forever.
- To know Jesus intimately as we prepare for His 2nd Coming and God’s eternal kingdom.
It’s coming! I plan to be a part of God’s Eternal Kingdom. He wants all to be a part of it – And has done all He can for all to be a part of it. We just have to be committed to Jesus so that you will be part of it. Would you like to raise your have and say that you want to be a part of God’s eternal Kingdom?