History and prophecy...

[Zanting]

As a new Christian, I am anxious to obey, honour and worship God as he wants me to. I am in an early learning stage and read the Bible, speak to other Christians, read books, watch scriptural/Biblical videos/movies, and ask questions on CF, but most of all I pray. All of which is intended to advance my growth and understanding of Gods will in my life. Recently I came across a video on youtube that actually covered several areas of interest and concern that I had regarding my Christian behaviour, understanding and education called "Biblical Prophecies Unsealed." It's about an hour and 15 min long, and I am not bringing it up to upset or proclaim anything. I simply want to know that I am doing the right things. Has anyone seen this video and, if so, could some one please comment regarding the scriptual information that is presented? I certainly would appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[ViaCrucis]

As a new Christian, I am anxious to obey, honour and worship God as he wants me to. I am in an early learning stage and read the Bible, speak to other Christians, read books, watch scriptural/Biblical videos/movies, and ask questions on CF, but most of all I pray. All of which is intended to advance my growth and understanding of Gods will in my life. Recently I came across a video on youtube that actually covered several areas of interest and concern that I had regarding my Christian behaviour, understanding and education called "Biblical Prophecies Unsealed." It's about an hour and 15 min long, and I am not bringing it up to upset or proclaim anything. I simply want to know that I am doing the right things. Has anyone seen this video and, if so, could some one please comment regarding the scriptual information that is presented? I certainly would appreciate it. Thanks.

As someone who in high school was fascinated--if not obsessed--with so-called "bible prophecy" I can tell you this much: The internet if absolutely filled with people who regard themselves as "prophecy experts" and they have websites, videos, books, booklets, trying to convince the world that they have finally unlocked all the secrets of the Bible.

That leads me to the next point. Don't trust them. Anyone who tells you that they understand anything concerning "biblical prophecy" and it seems as though they're the only ones who believe it, you can bet your bottom dollar that they are either frauds or delusional.

God doesn't reveal hidden or secret information to individuals but then keep the entire Christian Church lost in the dark for two thousand years, if it was so important and if it is really what Scripture says then it would be known to the entire Christian world. God is Faithful and True.

Which leads me to my final point. If you want to know what Christianity has historically taught and what Christians have historically believed, then I encourage you to study. Read Scripture yourself, look up what has been the historic Christian teaching. If you're up for it, look at the writings of Christians that have come before you, the ancient Church Fathers all the way to the present day.

Be exceedingly wary about those who reject something Christians have always believed in favor of something they claim God personally revealed to them.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Zanting]

Thank you...I am very filled with Gods love which is why I seek His truth. The Bible is my wisdom, my guide, and my study book.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi Zanting, I agree with all that ViaCrucis has told you and recommended, but I also wanted to ask if you know about Christian radio? If not, it can be extremely helpful, especially to a new believer, because it gives you daily access to some of today's best pastors and theologians and their teachings. It's also nice to know that most or all of these broadcasts can now be heard 24 hours per day on the Internet, and that most ministries also have an archive of former broadcasts that can also be accessed (if you have a particular subject or passage that you want to take a close look at, for instance).

Here are three of my favorite pastor/theologians and their ministry's website address. If you care to, take a listen and see what you think. I hope you find them to be as much a blessing to you as they have been to me over the past 25 years.

Yours and His,
David
*(Here are the links. Look for the radio or audio broadcast at each site and click on listen. All broadcasts are free of charge)

Renewing Your Mind (Dr. R. C. Sproul) - www.ligonier.org
Grace To You (Dr. John MacArthur) - www.gty.org
Insight For Living (Dr. Chuck Swindall) - www.insight.org
​

 

[miamited]

hi zanting,

Praise God for His mercy in your life! I always encourage new believers to do just as the new believers were commended for in Paul's day. Listen to what others have to say, but then check it against the word.

As for the advice that anything someone tells you and it seems that only they believe it,...well, be careful with that. Daniel received a prophecy somewhere around 500 BC that explained to him that there would be 69 sevens before Messiah came. Judging by how Jesus was treated when he came, it would appear that Daniel, and perhaps a handful of others understood that prophecy. That's the thing about unfulfilled prophecy; it often isn't understood until it is fulfilled and so you will have many saying one thing and many saying another and so we find ourselves in a position where we have to study and research and know the word if we hope to gain any understanding.

I imagine that when Daniel received his prophecy and for the next 500 years until Messiah came, he was probably seen as someone who had some 'special' understanding that didn't agree with other's.

Just follow the word. Study to show yourself approved. It is good to listen to several teachers and yes, you will find some that are more 'favorite' that you will feel more able to trust, but don't just throw out those that may have some off the wall ideas about how future prophetic events might play out. Just listen, file it away, and continue to study.

Finally, I can not encourage enough that every born again believer pray for understanding and wisdom each and every time that they go to study or even just read the word. Paul writes that we should ask for wisdom from God.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[Zanting]

Thank you for your advice. They are good words to keep in mind always. I pray for wisdom, understanding, I pray that I will use the right words when I talk to others or ask questions, that I don't offend anyones' faith. My main source of information is the Bible, but as a new Christian, and I am sure many can relate to this...it is a time when you desire to know the truth of Gods will. So you do research, look at the history of the Bible and Christianity, pray and have fellowship with other Christians to seek answers to the inconsistencies and questions that come up. Gods prophecy, especially when considering current events, is something I want to better understand. I have faith that God will provide the answers and by sifting through all the information that comes my way, Gods truth will reveal itself. Ultimately what will happen will happen, but God placed prophecy in the Bible to let us know what is to come. Thus, the truth indeed is there.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I highly recommend, especially since you're a new Christian, that you find solid community and read Scripture in community.

The Bible isn't meant to be read in isolation. Remember that until the invention of the moveable type printing press Bibles were hand-copied and even afterward it took time until Bibles became available for just anyone to own one (same with any book, as books were simply too expensive for average Joe or Jane to own).

The Bible is meant to be read in the context of the Church, in community. To be read aloud and received by listening; to be read and studied by people in community.

It was never supposed to be "me and the Bible and God will fill in the blanks", but rather we together as God's people, receiving and hearing God's word.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Zanting]

You know, I have thought about that, very seriously at one point, just because there are so many views out there. If all I had was a Bible, would God lead me to salvation and understanding? I believe He would. But I do know Christian people in my community who I talk to. They come from different faiths, but all are Christians and they are very helpful, good and patient with me. And there are other sources like CF and internet Bibles and bible study programs. I do have access to a lot of Christian and historical material. And there is a theology department and Divinity Collage at a local university here with a really good library. I try to use all resources available. So I'm not really in isolation with the Bible. Communication with other Christians, whether here or locally, often either confirms what God is showing me or leads me to do more research. What I truly appreciate is the desire and patience of other Christians willing to help me in my journey to Gods truth.

 

[Zanting]

Miamited...thanks for your take on the scriptures of Daniels prophecy that are mentioned in that video. I forgot to mention that. I do get that prophecy then, may have been perceived with difficulty. But believers today, it seems with all the interprtations that are out there, many have very open minds about prophecy and how to view it.

 

[Micahdh]

Hi,

The video was very interesting. The narrator gave the meaning of hand marked and head marked. Head as meaning an act of the heart/ mind and hand as an act of works,I like others believed that the mark of the beast would be literal,but the narrator explains it different. I did'nt see that explanation in Revolation, but I did look the word mark up in Strong's greek lexicon online and got this:


995 biyn bene a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man).


There were many words for the word mark in Greek,but #995 appears to match the narrators explanation of the mark of the beast.

I like to be careful of things I see and hear about. I like to compare what I hear and see to what is written in the bible, If I don't see it then that's like a warning and I get very cautious.

 

[Zanting]

Yes, I know what you mean. I have have only one guide, Jesus, but many teachings and lots of information. I always pray that Gods wisdom is with me always as I seek to understand His will.
I have also come across the mark as being the mind, but I too always thought of the mark of the "beast" as something more tangible as opposed to spiritual.
The narrator does quote a great deal of scripture. I have come across the prophecy of Daniel referred to in this way before, as well as his comparison references from Revelation. I am wondering if anyone has different understandings of Daniels prophecy and John's prophecy in Revelations. Or if there is a general concenses of the prophecy, but different theories of how it all fits together in todays world.

 

[Zanting]

Hi DaLeKo...There are a few internet broadcasts I have listened to...I will check these out too. Thanks.