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How Can We Know the Future?
1. Who controls the course of human events?
Daniel 2:20-21 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for
ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times
and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth
wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding
Daniel 4:17 The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to
whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men
A nineteenth century writer once described God's sovereignty in these
words:
"Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are
open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He
orders that which His providence sees best."
And God has not kept His plans secret:
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto
his servants the prophets." Amos 3:7
2. How long ago did God reveal or declare His plans?
Isaiah 46:10 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:
3. Where did the holy prophets of God in ancient times get their
information?
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The Bible may be received "not as the word of men, but as it is in
truth, the word of God." 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
4. What guarantee did the Psalmist give that the ancient words of God
would still be trustworthy in the last days?
Psalm 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a
furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD,
thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
The apostle Peter expressed his confidence in the ancient prophecies and
also their importance for us today: "We have also a more sure word of
prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that
shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in
your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19.
The Bereans certainly took heed to the sure word of prophecy: "These
were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the
word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily
whether those things were so." Acts 17:11.
5. By what should we live our lives?
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of
God.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
6. Is it safe for us to interpret the prophecies of the Bible?
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of
any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the
will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost.
"Do not interpretations belong to God?" Genesis 40:8. Everyone
interprets the Bible differently. That's why it is not safe to rely on
anyone's interpretation, not even your own. Do not interpret the Bible;
let the Bible interpret itself. When you read something in the Bible
that you do not understand, instead of trusting your own ideas, look for
other Bible verses that will explain the meaning of the more difficult
passage.
The Bible itself tells us how it is to be studied:
"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line,
line upon line; here a little, and there a little." Isaiah 28:10. Thus
"comparing spiritual things with spiritual," Scripture with Scripture,
we allow the Bible to explain itself (1 Corinthians 2:13).
We may be tempted to think that we have a natural ability to understand
God's word, but we do not: "The natural man receiveth not the things of
the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he
know them." 1 Corinthians 2:14.
7. Sometimes God hides things from the so-called wise, and reveals them
unto whom?
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
8. Whom do we need to teach us?
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Whenever we study the Bible we should always pray that the Holy Spirit
will direct our thoughts and help us to understand His word.
9. Is it always safe to follow what seems right to us?
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the
end thereof are the ways of death.
10. How are the last days described?
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come.
11. Evil men and seducers will abound, doing what?
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived.
12. False prophets shall arise and show what?
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,
and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
13. Their miracles are calculated to deceive whom?
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,
and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
14. To prevent deception, what are we to do with all our ideas?
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
15. According to what word are we to test all things?
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according
to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
16. Whose writings must we believe in order to accept the words of
Jesus?
John 5:46-47 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for
he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe
my words?
Luke 16:31 If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be
persuaded, though one rose from the dead
The apostles regarded the Old Testament as "the holy scriptures, which
are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in
Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
17. What is destroying people today?
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou
hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no
priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also
forget thy children.
18. What is God's word to us?
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
19. What is our duty regarding the light God gives?
John 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light
with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for
he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
20. What must we do to know if a doctrine is of God?
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew
them his covenant." Psalm 25:14.
21. What does God want to show us?
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great
and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Proverbs 2:3-5 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy
voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest
for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the
Lord, and find the knowledge of God
In the Light of God's Word...(please answer YES or NO)
I understand that the entire Bible is the word of God, wholly reliable, and the test of
all things.
I desire to diligently study the word of God, and allow it to direct every aspect of my
life.
Next Lesson: Will There Soon Be One World Government?
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