Introduction
What in the World is Happening?
Prophecy Session Notes by Cindy Miller

Purpose: To “understand the times, to know what [we] ought to do”
(1 Chronicles 12:32)

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:11-12 )

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14) (We will be healed in Christ's coming millennial reign!)

We should be encouraged, not frightened, as we see prophecy fulfilled. It proves the Bible is the Word of God. We know how it all ends. Our faith is not in vain. Science and philosophy have declared God is dead, but God is speaking to our skeptical world in a big way – by fulfilling His ancient prophecies.

Prophecy in Scripture: Understanding prophecy requires knowing three things:

1. Bible - Read God's Word in context, like the news or a novel, not just one verse at a time. Know the whole counsel of God's Word, to avoid being easily deceived. And remember Revelation 19:10b, “For the tesitmony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

2. History must be viewed in light of Scripture. God is Author of both. A basic knowledge of both Biblical and World History is necessary to understand prophecy.

3. Current Events must be known, and the media is not reporting them. Media coverage of political infighting and scandals, celebrity crimes, and the latest salacious murder trial are not helpful. Some Internet websites help us put news in perspective and gain knowledge of what is happening in fulfillment of prophecy.
A little basic background information will also help to understand prophecy.

Foreshadows – All Scripture applies for all time. In that sense it is all prophetic. Many OT stories are foreshadows of later historic events, and contain lessons that apply today and always.

For example, the life of Joseph was a type of Christ. The book of Esther is a micro-picture of history from heaven's perspective. Haman, Hitler, and Hussein have all been foreshadows, or 'types' of antichrist.

Some prophecies have several foreshadows, which have been viewed as actual fulfillments. This leads to skepticism that 'there have always been claims' of prophetic fulfillments that have not led to the Lord's return. Others claim all prophecy has already been fulfilled, such as in 70 AD when Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple.

However, this view lacks understanding of Primary & Secondary fulfillments. Prophets were tested to see if they were true of false. The test was simple. If his prophecy came true, the prophet was of God. If they did not come true, he was false.

This test could not be applied to prophecies of thousands of years in the future. There had to be a 'primary' fulfillment to prove the prophecy was true. For example, Isaiah 7:14 'a virgin (young woman) shall conceive' had a primary fulfillment in Isaiah 8:3-4. The 'secondary' fulfillment was the actual final one the prophecy pointed to. (Christ's birth)

”Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. . . .Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:15-18,20)

Check out these 6 Misconceptions about prophecy:

fulfilledprophecy.com/mis..._menu.html

And look at these 8 Keys for studying it:

fulfilledprophecy.com/keys_menu.html


Heaven

Now as we continue this study, remember we need to be excited, not scared, as we see what is happening in the world.

Compared to heaven, the most perfect place on earth is a cesspool of sin, corruption, and pollution. God made it perfect, but man has ruined it, and now it stinks.

Heaven's aroma is wonderful. It is unimaginably beautiful, and full of music, mansions, rivers, trees, horses, and angels.

There we will see Jesus face to face and be like Him as we continually worship God in perfect eternal fellowship with Him.

We will be known by name, recognize everyone there, and know infinately more than we do now.

We look forward to heaven where there is no more sin, sorrow, pain, or death.

Now look at what is happening in the world, and look up, for your redemption draws near! (Luke 21:28)

great encouragement Cindy .

Many thanks .....

RC says:

"Foreshadows – All Scripture applies for all time. In that sense it is all prophetic".

Many good Christians would disagree with this statement...

I have not gone over this in detail, but I think that statement tends to be a large blanket.

The word of God is eternal, and must therefore apply at all levels in all generations. It (truth) is louvred to the hearing ear in every generation. I would say a caveat would obviously be that things of a historical context can be taken in the gate of the years in which they occured. But God does say, Ecc 1:9 The thing that hath been, it [is that] which shall be; and that which is done [is] that which shall be done: and [there is] no new [thing] under the sun. Ecc 1:10 Is there [any] thing whereof it may be said, See, this [is] new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.


Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me, Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Isa 46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed [it], I will also do it.

Thank you Miki and Mazinaw. Perhaps I was trying to be a little too succinct. Need to edit 'applies.' Appreciate your excellent exegesis on this, Mazanaw.

Here is edit of that paragraph:

Foreshadows – All Scripture is relevant for all time. In that sense it is all prophetic. We no longer practice OT law, but it still points us to Christ when we study it. Many OT stories are foreshadows of later historic events, and contain lessons that apply today and always.

Thank you.

~ Cindy