Have you taken a good look at your Bible lately? Many of the headlines that we see today across newspapers and social media are straight from the prophecies and Scriptures of the Bible.
I believe that the Bible is the authoritative word of God given to men and women inspired and filled with the Holy Spirit. It is a divine book whose message is consistent across time. It presents both the good and evil of the past. It doesn't gloss over the difficult details, but gives us a hopeful future which all points toward Christ. The Bible has been proven to be a historical record and continues to be a #1 best seller.
Scholars say that almost 30% of the Bible or about 1,800 prophecies are presented in the Old and New Testaments. "Prophecy" can be defined as an inspired message or divine revelation by God given to men. Many of these prophecies have already been fulfilled and are evidence of the reliability of Scripture. Some prophets lived to see the "word, warning, or revelation" that God gave them come to pass, others did not. There are still numerous prophecies in Scripture that have yet come to fruition. You can rest assured, however that "God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said it, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken it, and will He not fulfill it?" (Numbers 23:19)
In Hebrews 4:12, it says, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Because the Bible is a Living Word, as you read it you are interacting with a Living Being. You are able to engage with the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you are reading. God doesn't mind our questions about His Word. He will give you eyes to see and ears to hear. Many years ago I read a prophecy given by Jesus to His disciples. In Matthew 24:12 He says, "And because lawlessness is to be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold." Jesus was referring to signs at the end of this age before He returns. At the time I was studying this scripture, I wasn't quite sure what "lawlessness" meant or even looked like. Today, I am quite sure of what "lawlessness" means because I see it all the time on the news as bandits of people go into stores and steal without conscience, as looting and destroying property has increased, as murders and mass shootings have intensified, as lying is normalized, and as perversion permeates our society.
It is in this Living Word that I have found the answers I sought from the LORD. Likewise, Jesus pointed to the Scriptures after He was resurrected. In an encounter on the way to Emmaus, Jesus drew near to two travelers who were discussing the crucifixion and the women who had seen a vision of angels which said He was alive. "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:25-27) Like those men, the Scriptures need to be "opened" to us in order to see and understand them fully. Have you asked God to give you a revelation of His Word?
Most church goers today are satisfied with a watered down version of the Bible. They are content to hear an inspiring, motivational sermon without questioning the validity of what is being said. While there are some great, authentic Bible teachers and preachers in the world, there are also many false teachers and preachers. Jesus cautioned us in Matthew 24:11, "And many false prophets shall arise and deceive many." The Apostle Paul met a group of Berean Jews who actively cross-examined Paul's message about Jesus with the Bible. They gathered daily in the synagogue to search Scriptures. Wouldn't it be beneficial to us to be so diligent?
I met a young man recently who said He believed in God, but didn't read the Bible. He appeared confused about many things and rejected the instruction/counsel of those who were assigned to help him. The young man talked about an out-of-body experience he had which secured his belief in God, but did not give him an understanding of God nor a revelation of Jesus. God does indeed give us "encounters" with His divine presence. Those encounters, however, should always be tested against what is written in Scripture. Jesus who was sent into the wilderness had an experience with the tempter, Satan. Jesus' response to Satan's three temptations were to refer back to the Scripture. "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:1-10) The fact is that Satan is a counterfeiter, a deceiver, and a liar. One of his main goals is to keep you away from the Truth. Thus, the distractions you face that prevent you from reading, studying, and meditating on God's Word is a set-up for your destruction.
The benefits of establishing a consistent routine for Bible study are numerous. The first reward is peace. There is something about God's Word that just seems to settle your soul from the chaos of life. Likely it's the drawing near to God through His word that deflects the fiery darts of the enemy. Secondly, you will begin to understand the times we are living in and see how practical and valuable God's Word is for your current situation. A third result in your pursuit of God through His Word is that your fears diminish. As you begin to see the character of God as Father, you can rest in His promises and take delight in His desire for a personal relationship with you. While the benefits are limitless, the intimacy that you develop with God will open your eyes of understanding and give you a sweet communion with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:17 says, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions (divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [divinely suggested] dreams."
You need to discipline yourself and make a concerted effort to get into the Word daily. The Bible is not a prop to put on a shelf or mantle. Now is the time to wipe off the dust and put your face in the BOOK. You'll be glad you did when the Word becomes ALIVE to you!
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