Everyone wants to know what the future holds. Most have no idea. So many are confused, not
knowing where to turn for answers to the great questions about the future!
Suppose you could know the direction and conclusion of world events—world history—before the
outcome. What if you could know the courses of nations in advance? Imagine knowing tomorrow's
biggest headlines before they come to pass, and how events will affect you, and all human
beings, personally. About one-third of the Bible is prophecy—history
written in advance. Over four-fifths of this future history is yet to be fulfilled. Tragically,
most Bible readers are unaware of awesome, impending world events, soon to involve all
nations. Vast sections of Scripture remain outside their understanding—completely hidden
to them. This broadcast covers why God records prophecy
in His Word—and the keys to unlocking it!
The World to Come. The Restored Church of God presents David C. Pack. Author of 80 books
and booklets. Editor-in-chief of The Real Truth magazine. Read by countless and growing
numbers in every nation and territory of the world. In a violent age full of war, famine,
pollution, disease, disasters and economic uncertainty, and ever-worsening bad news.
Answering life's greatest questions straight from the Bible, and announcing the wonderful
good news of the World to Come. And now, David C. Pack.
Many have opinions about Bible prophecy, but few know how to find real answers. Others
think they already understand prophecies of the Bible, but are ignorant of vital life-changing
knowledge. Any study of prophecy begins with the definition
of what it is. Most lack even this most basic knowledge. Bible prophecy is "the inspired,
divine revelation or foretelling of historical events, written in advance of those events,
pertaining to the unfolding of God's Plan for mankind." A shorter definition is "foretelling
the future." Prophecy is factual history recorded in advance!
God foretells major events before they happen. He wants His servants to know what the future
holds—what lies ahead for the world. The Bible is about 750,000 words. This means 250,000
are devoted to prophecy. With over 80% unfulfilled, many major events must yet come to pass.
Let's ask: What purpose would God have for devoting so much of His divine Word to a subject,
and then leave mankind in the dark about it? What keys unlock Bible prophecy?
The first key is that prophecy is for God's servants—no one else. Many have been taught
or believe that God's intention is to leave all prophecy sealed, closed from understanding.
Yet the introduction to the book of Revelation shows God's intent is to reveal to "His
servants" what lies ahead for all nations. The apostle John records, "The Revelation
[meaning a revealing] of Jesus Christ [not John]...to show unto His servants things which
must shortly come to pass...signified...unto His servant John: who bare record of the word
of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ...Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words
of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."
The end of Revelation states for emphasis: "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of
this book." How many have known this? More important,
how many have concerned themselves with whether or not they truly are God's servants? Be
careful assuming who is. Obviously, none can keep the prophecies of
Revelation, or any others, unless they understand them. God must provide the necessary clues
to make this possible. You are about to learn them.
Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13 are parallel accounts of what is called the Olivet Prophecy.
It puts in sequence events that span the entire almost 2,000-year period from Christ's First
Coming until His Return. Most have not understood the events of this
long prophecy because they do not know that keys unlock it—and that Jesus spoke it "privately"
only to His disciples—"His servants." This must be understood because it identifies
who can and cannot really know the future of all nations!
Matthew 24 uses the most detail. Notice: "The disciples came unto [Jesus] privately, saying,
Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the
end of the world [or age]?...Jesus answered…Take heed that no man deceive you." Jesus goes
straight to the problem that would exist at the end—there would be many deceivers at
work—today! How many people are doing what He said, and taking heed? How many are carefully
doing their homework regarding men claiming to represent God?
An ever-increasing number of prophetic deceivers are arising, exactly as Christ warned would
occur at the end of the age—three times just in Matthew 24. Also, just as He warned,
"many will be [and are being] deceived." Most are not aware of this phenomenon—and
its impact in every corner of Christianity. Verse 15 concludes referring to "Daniel
the prophet" and the admonition "whoso reads, let him understand." Most will never
understand the events soon to smash into civilization. Here is one big reason. God's servants obey
Him (Acts 5:32). Understanding flows from obedience to God. Notice: "The fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments."
Grasp this. All real understanding of God's Plan and spiritual truth comes from God. It
is only the action of His Spirit that opens one's eyes. Notice: "The God of our Lord
Jesus Christ…give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of
Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened."
All who yield themselves in obedience to God, wishing to be His servants will come to understand
all the great prophecies to be fulfilled in the last days—prophecies now almost upon
us! Professing Christianity refuses to obey God, rejecting His authority over them—and
remains blind as a result. No amount of puzzling over prophetic passages will unlock God's
purpose to those who ignore His commands. The great first key then to grasping the meaning
of biblical prophecies—small and large—is that they are intended for, and will only
be understood by, God's people—those who truly obey Him. All others will remain in
confusion, mangling and misunderstanding the great, world-shattering events that will soon
directly impact every person on the planet! A crucial second key must be identified by
all seeking to grasp God's end-time purpose. Without it, nations have remained in total
blindness regarding even the question of human survival. Scales cover their eyes. Of course,
unable to understand, cynics and skeptics have dismissed all the prophecies of the Old
Testament as dusty, antiquated, "old Hebrew literature and poetry, of no use to us today."
They will soon learn how terribly wrong they have been—and how they should have done
much more homework while they could! Note this second key well, for few have understood
it. Most major prophecies of the Bible have been sealed by God until the "time of the
end"—the "last days." This key speaks to the group that says prophecy is sealed.
Close to the truth, they have missed a central point. All the great prophecies are no longer
sealed! You don't need to take my word for it. The
prophet Daniel makes this point plain—for all who will believe it. Recognize as we read
in a moment that God is speaking through Daniel, rather than Daniel giving some personal opinion
about future events. Daniel's book spans over 2,500 years, detailing
the fulfillment of events then all yet to occur. Generations of Bible students, unwilling
to believe God—and of all stripes of belief and practice contrary to God—have attempted
to interpret Daniel's prophecy. All have failed, resulting in endless disagreement
and confusion. An angel instructed Daniel at the end of his
prophecy: "But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time
of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Seven times,
in just this one chapter, it speaks of the "end," "time of the end," or when
all things would be "finished.") Unsatisfied, and not grasping what he was
told, Daniel again sought to understand: "I heard [he writes], but I understood not: then
said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?"
The angel repeated: "Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till
the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked
shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."
Remember Jesus was citing Daniel when He repeated that "the wise shall understand" events
to occur at the end of the age. And also remember, God says obedience brings understanding. No
wonder Daniel adds, "none of the wicked shall understand." Any who rebel against
God's Law, regardless of how they see themselves, fall into this category.
Daniel foretells a time—now here—when "knowledge shall increase." His book reveals
the compelling—electrifying—story of what God plans to do in our time. Daniel's message
had no application for his own time! God's promise was to unseal the prophecy
when the end time arrived! (My booklet The Mid-East in Bible Prophecy opens this great
prophecy to your understanding. Take time to read it.)
So, the second vital key to properly understanding Bible prophecy is that all previous generations—of
even God's true servants—had no chance—none!—to comprehend events in Daniel's book, or passages
related to it. Beginning in the 20th century, having been
revealed and explained, the Bible's greatest prophecies now thunder a powerful warning
to all who will hear—and heed! The apostle Peter wrote how God intends that
prophecy illuminate the understanding of those who study it: "We have also a more sure
word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines
in a dark place…" This verse reveals God's purpose—His "sure word of prophecy,"
bringing "light" to "dark places"—so people will "take heed." You must be willing
to heed what is written. Now continue: "Knowing this first, that
no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." This is crucial. No single
verse—or even any two or three passages—is enough to bring full, correct prophetic understanding
on big events. Grasp this. All verses on every aspect of
prophecy must be carefully assembled first. And, building the truth begins with the most
clear and obvious passages. These are two of the greatest rules of Bible study when
exploring any of this Book's topics. Sadly, these rules, and the rest of the 12 rules
of Bible study, are not followed by, or even known to, almost any who read God's Word.
Supposed prophecy experts are no exception. Back to II Peter: "Prophecy came not in
old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit." In short, prophecy comes from God, through His servants, as He inspires them
to record His words. Many of the Bible's greatest servants were
prophets. These men held high office. In fact, most whom God worked through in the Old Testament
held this office. And their names jump from Scripture.
Acts 3:19 to 21 shows prophets announce the coming kingdom of God. Every prophetic Old
Testament book records something about God's coming kingdom, with only one exception, Jonah.
Most prophets also delivered powerful warnings. Prophecy can be summarized as having four
distinct purposes. All four must be understood. But first comes necessary setup.
Ever-more people are seeking psychics, channelers, tarot card and palm readers, fortune-tellers,
astrologers, crystal ball gazers and every other medium to tell them what is going to
happen. But no human being operating on his own power
can foresee the future. Historians can only record what has already happened. Meteorologists
can forecast the weather with some accuracy. But even these predictions become unreliable
more than about a week ahead. Psychics and seers can sometimes see elements
of the future, because they are connected to the wrong side of the spirit realm. So
their visions invariably have errors alongside any correct elements. (For example, mediums
have on some occasions predicted an earthquake would occur at a certain place and time, and
a quake did strike—but a day earlier or later than predicted, or on the right day
but in a different place.) Few go to the one infallible source, which
foretells—and with astounding, absolute accuracy—all the important events that will
soon come upon the entire world! So plain is the proof, you can easily learn
it! And afterward, you can rest assured that what you have learned will occur—that it
is no less certain than tomorrow's sunrise. You need never again doubt the authority of
anything in the Bible—including all subjects discussed in its other half million words.
So then, the first purpose is that, when proven to have been fulfilled, prophecy becomes undeniable
evidence of the existence and power of God. God alone can fulfill prophecy. No human being
has even the knowledge of what are world-shattering future events, let alone the power to bring
them to pass centuries or even millennia beyond his lifetime. For this reason, it has been
said that prophecy is the challenge skeptics dare not accept!
How true!
The World to Come will continue after this brief message. Discover more from David C.
Pack! Visit our website worldtocome.org. See The World to Come broadcasts, read and order
books, booklets and articles, all free of charge. To continue learning about the topics
covered in this broadcast, visit worldtocome.org today! Now back to David C. Pack.
God openly taunts skeptics. This is from Moffatt's translation: "The Eternal cries, bring your
case forward, now, Jacob's King [God] cries, state your proofs. Let us hear what happened
in the past, that we may ponder it, or show Me what is yet to be, that we may watch how
it turns out; yes, let us hear what is coming, that we may be sure you are gods; come, do
something or other that we may marvel at the sight! You are things of naught, you can do
nothing at all!" This passage is God's challenge to disbelievers.
Now another bold statement in Isaiah: "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new
things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."
God is careful to ensure the credit for foretelling events goes to Him alone, not any false prophet
or false god. Again from Isaiah: "I have declared the former things from the beginning;
and they went forth out of My mouth, and I showed them; I did them suddenly, and they
came to pass. Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew,
and your brow brass; I have even from the beginning declared it to you; before it came
to pass I showed it you: lest you should say, My idol has done them, and…has commanded
them." God does not guess the future. He is not just
a good or the best forecaster or prognosticator. Acting deliberately, He brings to pass what
He says will happen. If He tells us something—anything—is to occur, it will occur! Moffatt renders verse
3, "What has occurred I foretold long ago; it fell from My lips, I predicted it, then
suddenly I acted—it was done." Now Isaiah once more: "Remember the former
things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like
Me. 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."
Prophecy is simply God telling human beings what He will do!
God has a steady hand in the affairs of men. He is capable of thwarting and overthrowing
the purposes of governments and nations. Notice: "The Eternal wrecks the purposes of pagans,
He brings to nothing what the nations plan; but the Eternal's purpose stands forever,
and what He plans will last from age to age…The Eternal looks from heaven, beholding all mankind;
from where He sits, He scans all who inhabit the world; He who alone made their minds,
He notes all they do." Yes, men may have their plans about how to
solve the big, complex problems facing civilization, but God "wrecks" them, "bringing them
to nothing." God has plainly told us how He plans to do this at the end of 6,000 years
of human affairs. A second purpose for prophecy is to encourage
Christ's true followers. Jesus understood that the Christian way involves trials and
difficulties throughout life. This is an inescapable fact for those in whom God is working. These
are essential to the character-building process. One of these trials is persecution. Just before
His crucifixion, Jesus warned, "The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have
persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." He had just reminded His disciples, "I have
chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." Of course, Jesus was persecuted,
horribly tortured and crucified. The apostle Paul recorded, "All that will
live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." "All" means what it says! Jesus said His
servants would be hated! But He reassured them, "I am with you always, even unto the
end of the world." Another element of encouragement flows from
prophecy itself. Some may assume that all biblical prophecy
is "gloom and doom" and "fire and brimstone." This is not true! In fact, far from it. The
ultimate message of prophecy is the most positive news in all history. Hundreds of verses preview
a time of universal peace, prosperity and happiness—drawing closer daily—that all
people will have an opportunity to experience. Those who choose to yield to God and learn
His way of life now look forward in a special way, and draw encouragement from these prophecies.
A careful study of the Bible demonstrates that God always warns before punishment—whether
it be the destruction of cities such as Nineveh, or Sodom and Gomorrah—or of individuals
such as wayward kings of Israel and Judah—or of the whole inhabited world before the Flood.
God gives us this certain promise of what will happen in advance of events He intends
to fulfill: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He reveals His secret unto His
servants the prophets." God keeps His promises. He always reveals major events before they
happen. And they are recorded in the prophets. So a third purpose of prophecy is that a loving
God gives human beings—free moral agents who must choose between right and wrong—space
to repent. Ancient Israel has been the main recipient
of such admonitions. Notice: "If My people…shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their
sin, and will heal their land." When giving the prophet Ezekiel his commission,
God stressed what His servants were to do: "Son of man, I have set you a watchman unto
the house of Israel [these are today modern nations descended from ancient Israel]; therefore
you shall hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. When I say unto the wicked,
O wicked man, you shall surely die; if you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way,
that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand.
Nevertheless, if you warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from
his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul."
It has been my long and sad experience that most people will not truly listen to what
God says. They cannot seem to make themselves take seriously His commands, instructions
and warnings. With each warning through the ages, some few
do heed and repent. Those who do not—having been warned!—bear responsibility for their
choices and actions. A fourth purpose of prophecy is to motivate
those who wish to seek God and claim His promise of protection. Knowledge of what is ahead—both
the terrible and wonderful elements—motivates true Christians to serve God more fully.
The most serious events just before Christ's Return will descend like a snare on an unsuspecting
world—except for those who "watch," "pray" and "escape." Let's read:
"As a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." It
becomes clear then that a group is promised to be protected during the times just ahead.
Paul wrote this sobering warning: "Of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have
no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you,
brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Therefore
let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
Those who take the Bible seriously know what is coming, and live their lives accordingly.
Isaiah explained that God's Word is written, "Precept upon precept, precept upon precept;
line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little…" Nowhere is this Bible
pattern more true than of prophecy. The passage continues with God explaining why His Word
is this way: "That they [readers] might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and
snared, and taken." Again, Revelation is written to God's servants—to
show them—not others—what must "shortly come to pass." Isaiah underscores that prophecy
cannot be understood by those who do not seek to serve and obey God. God has scattered bits
and pieces of information on prophecy (and all other subjects) throughout His Word in
a way that will cause the mere casual reader to "fall backward, be broken, snared, and
taken"—how?—by false understanding! They will not comprehend. Start with these
three booklets, but then look at all the other titles we offer just on prophecy—the truth
of prophecy, and that are all free—not the confusing gobbledygook by so many who write
books for sale—for money—who pretend to understand prophecy in order to make a living.
These men do not know what they are talking about and do not speak with God's authority.
In under 30 minutes, you have learned more about prophecy than most will ever know.
This broadcast ought to sober the viewer, who should now be asking, "How serious am
I about understanding—and acting on—Bible prophecy?" Now is the time to consider this
question. Until next time, this is David C. Pack saying,
"Goodbye, friends."
This program was made available by Restored Church of God members and donors from around
the globe. Explore our vast library of literature and other World to Come programs which
are all made available free of charge. To order literature featured in this program,
call toll free: 1-855-828-4646. That number again, 1-855-828-4646.
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