I am pondering how most pastors in the churches throughout America won’t touch prophecy. The book of Revelation is shunned like the plague. Yet it is clearly a message from Jesus Christ.
Paul made it very clear in the book of Acts that giving the world the whole picture was important!
Acts 20: 26 thru 27
(26) Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
(27) For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
When Paul wrote the above scripture he knew that you had to know your Bible from cover to cover. If you didn’t understand how the Bible was compiled. You would not grasp the truth of the gospel at all.
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by about 40 authors, in three different languages, on three different continents, over approximately 1600 years. Paul knew this because he certainly had read the following scripture.
Isaiah 28: 10
(10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
What one author was inspired by the Holy Spirit. That author only wrote what the Holy Spirit gave him to write. Then another wrote something else that would bring sharper focus to give the reader a more clear understanding of the subject. So if you didn’t really want to know the whole picture, you would certainly not. God expects us to be on fire for Him. If you think not take a look at what Jesus said.
The following scripture makes it very clear that some in the church. Will find themselves outside the ark when they stand at judgment.
Revelation 3: 14 thru 16
(14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
(15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
(16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
In this scripture makes several things clear. First of all He is saying, you aren’t very excited about God and Godly things. Second He blows a hole in the idea that once you accepted Him as your savior, you can never be lost. He is saying you are in me and I will spit you out because you are lukewarm!
I believe God says what He means and means what He says. Furthermore He has said something else we should take to heart.
Matthew 5: 48
(48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
1st Peter 1: 15 thru 17
(15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
(16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
(17) And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Matthew 24: 13 thru 15
(13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
(14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(15) When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
God does not expect us to be perfect when we come to Him. But He expects you to grow as the days and years go by. He knows we will make mistakes and He made a way to handle them. Plus how important to take you spiritual life very seriously.
Matthew 6: 14 thru 15
(14) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
(15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Ephesians 5: 27
(27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
At the beginning of the Bible most all of it was prophecy. As the years have past by they have been fulfilled to the letter. Now we are at a point in time when under standing prophecy is essential for us to know what is coming. More in another post.