Following the death of King Solomon, the northern ten tribes of Israel separated, establishing an independent kingdom under the rule of Jeroboam. Fearful of the influence that would be exerted were his subjects to continue to celebrate the annual religious service at the temple in the neighboring kingdom of Judah, Jeroboam set about to establish two centers of worship that he proposed would serve as convenient alternatives to the worship services in Jerusalem.
It is a natural human desire to have a visible form as the object of adoration and worship although in nearly every instance it is asserted that this object is merely a representation serving as a reminder of the real object of worship. However, this type of representation is strictly forbidden by the Second Commandment. It was, however, in keeping with this human desire that Jeroboam set up a golden calve at each center of worship.
To register His displeasure and protest this arrangement, God sent a prophet to rebuke Jeroboam. By signs and wonders the Lord not only set the seal of His approval upon the prophet’s mission, but signally protected him from the wrath of an offended king. See 1 Kings 13.
Returning home following the completion of his mission, the man of God paused to rest under a large oak tree where he was overtaken by an old man who had himself once been a prophet of God. Having been informed by his sons of what had taken place in the presence of the apostate king, this old prophet determined to meet the man of God and now invited him to return with him for some food and refreshment.
The man of God, informed the old prophet that before sending him upon the mission the Lord had explicitly forbidden him to either eat or drink while on this mission, but to promptly return home by an alternate route, whereupon the old prophet lied saying: “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’ So he went back with him.”
While they were yet seated at the table, the word of God spoke through this false prophet, reproving the man of God for his disobedience, prophesying his violent death. On his way home, later that day, he was killed by a lion. It made a very great difference to that man, that he know what the truth was. It made no difference that he had conscientiously believed a lie; the consequences of disobedience to the revealed will of God were all the same.
The things we understand to be factual largely shape the way we think and are reflected in all our decisions, finding expression in the life. It is for this reason that our concept of truth has such a significant bearing on life. While not always recognized to be so, our concept of truth and how we relate to that truth has a direct bearing on our relationship to Jesus Christ and thus on our eternal future.
The Scriptures claim for themselves that which no other book can rightly claim to be—a revelation of God to man. Written over a period spanning nearly two thousand years by numerous writers from widely varying backgrounds, what an opportunity was afforded for variety of opinion and conflict, and yet, the books of the Bible are in perfect agreement. Turning from what other sources have to say regarding the Scriptures, we will open the Bible itself.
1. What is God’s promise regarding future events?
Isaiah 42:9 – He will tell us before they happen. -He
2. How does God reveal these events to us?
Amos 3:7 – He will reveal them to His prophets.
3. What is one purpose of prophecy?
John 14:29 – That we might believe – to confirm our faith.
Note: The purpose of prophecy was often not so much for enlightenment as to future events as it was to be a means of strengthening the faith of the believer when the foretold event had transpired, thus confirming its authenticity as the inspired Word of God.
4. How are we able to test the reliability of those professing to be prophets?
Isaiah 8:20 – By comparing what they say to the Scriptures.
5. In seeking to understand these prophecies, what method of study must be used?
Isaiah 28:10 – By comparing scripture with scripture.
6. How does the Apostle Paul state the same truth?
1 Corinthians 2:13 (last part) – Compare spiritual with spiritual.
Bible Predictions Fulfilled
7. Of what great city of his time did Ezekiel predict destruction?
Ezekiel 26:4 – Tyrus
Note: This prophecy was given while the city of Tyre was at the height of its power. But a short time later, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, came against Tyre and after a siege of thirteen years destroyed the city.
8. What was to become of the ruined city walls and buildings?
Ezekiel 26:12 – They would be cast into the water.
Note: Though the city lay in ruins, the prophecy foretold that even its ruins would be cast into the sea. Two and a half centuries passed, and still the ruins lay right where they were, challenging the truthfulness of the prophecy of Ezekiel. Then from the East came the Greek armies under Alexander the Great. Reaching the place where Tyre had once stood, but now lay in ruins, he saw that the city had been rebuilt and stood on an island a half mile off the shore. Undaunted by the apparent obstacle to his progress, Alexander put his men to the task of gathering up all the old ruins, using them to build a causeway out to the island city. In accomplishing this task, the demand for material was so great that the very dust was scraped from the site of the former city and laid in the sea.
9. What was prophesied regarding the future of Tyre?
Ezekiel 26:14 – It would never be rebuilt.
10. What was said regarding the even more ancient city of Sidon?
Ezekiel 28:22–23 – There would be blood in the streets.
Note: While the prophet foretold blood in her streets and that she would suffer God’s judgments, he did not predict her full and final destruction of Sidon as he had of Tyre. Though it has suffered much, yet Sidon has had an uninterrupted existence right down until this day.
At the time these prophecies were written, both of these cities were strong, and there was no indication as to what would befall them. Suppose, however, that the prophet had said that both Tyre and Sidon would both be utterly destroyed?
11. While at the height of his power, what was revealed in a dream to the king of Babylon regarding the future?
Daniel 2:39 – After him, another kingdom that was inferior would arise.
Note: Babylon was one of the most ancient and powerful cities of antiquity. At the time of this prophecy, Babylon ruled the civilized world and having been in existence for more than two-thousand years, there was little to suggest that it would not continue indefinitely. Under Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon reached the zenith of her power and glory. At the time that Nebuchadnezzar was given this dream and its interpretation by Daniel, he was early in his reign and the future prospects looked bright. However, within a few years following his death, Babylon had passed from the scene as a commanding world power.
12. What was further prophesied concerning Babylon’s future?
Jeremiah 51:37–58 – It would be destroyed – its walls broken down.
Note: Many years after the prophecies were given, Babylon’s great walls were broken to pieces, and the city was destroyed by fire. Today, Babylon remains uninhabited and in ruins, a monument to the accuracy of the Bible.
13. What was prophesied concerning Babylon’s fall?
Isaiah 45:1–2 – Cyrus would enter through gates that were open.
Note: Not only was the name of the man who would yet conquer Babylon given years in advance of the event, but the very manner by which he would breach the city’s security was foretold.
For 2,000 years men have attacked the Bible, seeking to discredit its reliability, but it still remains our one absolute source of truth, a bulwark against the many deceptions that are confusing and misleading so many today.