Opening the Book of Revelation- part One Listen to Audio

                                        May 31, 2009

 

  To appreciate the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we must first consider some other doctrines.

 

Predictive Prophecy

1)  One of the most amazing elements in the 66 books of the Bible is the aspect of predictive prophecy, whereby events are foretold many years before and far

removed from their fulfillment.

2) The central focus of predictive prophecy is the person of Jesus Christ, Himself.

Luke 24:44, John 5:46, Acts 2:29-31—particularly, His fulfillment of OT promises

Heb. 5:5-6, 10:5-7, I Peter 1:10-11.

3) Not all predictive prophecy has been fulfilled.  Many events related to the nations, Israel and Christ Himself are yet to be accomplished in accord with OT

and NT verses.  Examples-Jeremiah 33:14-16,  Malachi 4:1-3, Titus 2:13,  

II Peter 3:12

4)  The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a book with extensive predictive prophecy-

see 1:19, ch.6 thru 22.

 

The source of predictive prophecy

  To appreciate the source of predictive prophecy (as opposed to speculative

prediction or scientific or mathmatical calculation), we must look to both the attributes  and the  plan of God.

 

1)  Attributes of God= sovereignty, righteousness, justice, love, eternal life,

omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, immutability and veracity

  The peculiar way in which these attributes intertwine themselves perfectly

reveal the amazing Person or Character of the Triune God.  Each attribute contributes to expressing His Perfection, making Him worthy of all honor,

glory and submission.  Illustration:  Righteousness prevents sovereignty from

exceeding into evil as immutability guarantees justice never is altered.

   The cohesion and consistency of these attributes make God who is He- Deut.32:4.

  a. Predictive prophecy has its initial source in God’s omniscience; that He

    knows all possibilities as well as the reality that will occur.

    Josh.22:22, Job 28:20-24, Psa.37:18, 44:21, 94:11, 139:1-4, 147:5,

     Ezk. 11;5, Amos 5:12, Luke 16:15, I Cor.3:20, II Tim.2:19, II Cor. 11:31,

     Secrets- Daniel 2:22, 29, 47, Psa. 44:21, Matt. 6:4, Lk.8:17 – see also

     Jere.16:17, Job 28:11, I Cor.4:5,

  b. Predictive prophecy can be assured of its fulfillment due to God’s

    sovereignty and omnipotence; He alone has the authority and power

    to accomplish His will that will bring glory to Him. – Josh.1:5, Psa.33:10,

    46:8-10, 47:8, 50:1-6, 59:8,13, 66:3-7, 75:7, 86:10, 89:6-9, 93:1-3, 96:4-6,

    103: 6, 19, 115:3, 135:5-6,

 

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2) Plan of God-  that God in His brilliance and wisdom has a plan is to be

   inferred from His great Person—see Rom.8:28 “according to His purpose”.

   a. Scripture points to this plan in numerous verses—

    Eph.1:11 “according to the purpose of Him”

    Eph.3:11 “according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished..”

    Isa.14:26-27- “This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth,..

      …the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it?”

    Isa.46:10-11- “declaring the end from the beginning, and from the ancient

      times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and

      I will do all my pleasure”

   b. Reason calls for it—Would a God of such magnitude NOT have a plan?

    Lacking a plan would be inconsistent with all His attributes.

   c. This plan is referred to as “the Decree” or “decrees” and is affirmed in

    Psa. 2:7 and Dan.4:17 and may be understood from references like Acts 2:23,

    I Peter 1:20, Rev.13:8, II Tim.1:9 and Titus 1:2.

      This decree has been stated as follows: the decrees are the eternal purpose

      of God, based on His most wise and holy counsel, whereby He freely and

      unchangeably, for His own glory, ordained, either efficaciously or

      permissively, all that comes to pass.

 

 Our study of Revelation will bring us to predictive prophecy which is the unfolding of His decrees, based on His omniscience and sovereignty and

expressed through His Holy written Word.  The certainty of predictive prophecy

is as sure as God’s Person Himself and should evoke a sense of awe to all

who read it.