The Nature of Biblical Prophecy: Mark 1:2-3
“2) As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way; 3) The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’ ” Mark 1:2-3
This text illustrates the prophetic nature of the Bible. Hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament have been exactly fulfilled. Over three hundred of those relate to the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Messiah. Some like this one, pointed to the forerunner ministry of John the Baptist. (See Isaiah 40:3-4; Malachi 4:5-6)
The biblical frequency and exact fulfillment of prophecy puts the Bible in a category all of its own among ancient writings both religious and secular. No other writings come close.
There were periods of significant fulfillment of prophecy. For example, the ministry of Jesus Christ, giving of the a Holy Spirit and establishment of the church represents one of those prophetic events. The four gospels and the book of Acts sight many fulfilled prophecies. The book of Matthew points to many. That time frame marked the beginning of a new epoch of biblical history. (See Acts 1:7)
Then there were years and even centuries of prophetic silence. Very little was prophesied about the time span from AD 100 up to around AD 1800. Some see the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 providing significant prophetic insight of the condition of the church through these ages.
I had a professor in Bible college fill me with awe and wander as he used the seven letter from the book of Revelation to tell the story of church history. He was an accomplished historian and biblical scholar. Day after day I emerged from his class glorifying God for the prophetic details of His Word.
We are again in a period of rapid fulfillment of prophetic Scripture. With the dawn of every new epoch comes rapid fulfillment of biblical prophecy. It announces that God is at work announcing the dawn of a new age.
From the time of the industrial revolution to present, the momentum of fulfilled biblical prophecy has been building. As we approach these end times, the eyes of the world are again captivated by biblical prophecy.
Ironically, it’s the Bible world religious leaders and secular historians alike are turning to for clues about an apocalyptic end of the world. But their eyes are blinded unless the Spirit of God uses this to draw them to salvation.
But for the Christian, biblical prophecies from both the Old and New Testaments are screaming with revelation in these days. It is almost like a script unfolding about current events. These truly are amazing times to be alive and see the promises of God rapidly fulfilled.
There is no excuse to sit on the side lines or let your Bible gather dust. Biblical history and prophecy are rushing toward a climatical fulfillment right before our eyes. It is so exhilarating that some days I can hardly contain myself.
Sure, there are theologians with different views of how the end times will unfold, but they all agree on one point… we have arrived at the end of this age. The dominos of end time prophecy are already falling.
God is poring out His Spirit on the end time church. Satan is countering with his deceptions and deluding influences. (Read 2 Thessalonians 2 and 3) Scene One of the end time prophetic Script has already begun!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“2) As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way; 3) The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’ ” Mark 1:2-3
This text illustrates the prophetic nature of the Bible. Hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament have been exactly fulfilled. Over three hundred of those relate to the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Messiah. Some like this one, pointed to the forerunner ministry of John the Baptist. (See Isaiah 40:3-4; Malachi 4:5-6)
The biblical frequency and exact fulfillment of prophecy puts the Bible in a category all of its own among ancient writings both religious and secular. No other writings come close.
There were periods of significant fulfillment of prophecy. For example, the ministry of Jesus Christ, giving of the a Holy Spirit and establishment of the church represents one of those prophetic events. The four gospels and the book of Acts sight many fulfilled prophecies. The book of Matthew points to many. That time frame marked the beginning of a new epoch of biblical history. (See Acts 1:7)
Then there were years and even centuries of prophetic silence. Very little was prophesied about the time span from AD 100 up to around AD 1800. Some see the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 providing significant prophetic insight of the condition of the church through these ages.
I had a professor in Bible college fill me with awe and wander as he used the seven letter from the book of Revelation to tell the story of church history. He was an accomplished historian and biblical scholar. Day after day I emerged from his class glorifying God for the prophetic details of His Word.
We are again in a period of rapid fulfillment of prophetic Scripture. With the dawn of every new epoch comes rapid fulfillment of biblical prophecy. It announces that God is at work announcing the dawn of a new age.
From the time of the industrial revolution to present, the momentum of fulfilled biblical prophecy has been building. As we approach these end times, the eyes of the world are again captivated by biblical prophecy.
Ironically, it’s the Bible world religious leaders and secular historians alike are turning to for clues about an apocalyptic end of the world. But their eyes are blinded unless the Spirit of God uses this to draw them to salvation.
But for the Christian, biblical prophecies from both the Old and New Testaments are screaming with revelation in these days. It is almost like a script unfolding about current events. These truly are amazing times to be alive and see the promises of God rapidly fulfilled.
There is no excuse to sit on the side lines or let your Bible gather dust. Biblical history and prophecy are rushing toward a climatical fulfillment right before our eyes. It is so exhilarating that some days I can hardly contain myself.
Sure, there are theologians with different views of how the end times will unfold, but they all agree on one point… we have arrived at the end of this age. The dominos of end time prophecy are already falling.
God is poring out His Spirit on the end time church. Satan is countering with his deceptions and deluding influences. (Read 2 Thessalonians 2 and 3) Scene One of the end time prophetic Script has already begun!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
