PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE:
Heard any good news lately? Prophecy comprises about one-third of the Bible, and believe it or not, most of it is good news! The prophecies
of the first coming of Messiah were certainly good news. And the massive amount of Bible teaching about the Millennial age and beyond,
is unquestionably positive!
But admittedly, much of "end-time prophecy" is depressing. We should remember that Jesus called this phase of
the future "labor pains." Just as the birth of a baby is preceded by difficult and painful labor, the birth of the Millennium, and after
that, the glorious New Heaven and Earth, is preceded by the Tribulation.
We need to balance our study of prophecy with a reminder that God is still on His throne. He is the loving, all-powerful creator and the
designer of our incredible salvation.
The Gospel is the "Good News." The Bible is His love letter to us. The incredible Creation is His handicraft. The Family is His idea.
Israel is still His chosen people. And the Church is the greatest expression of His power and purpose during this age.
Additionally, the Bible tells us repeatedly not to be afraid! So let's check out the good news today!
Billy Graham has preached the gospel to nearly 215 million people in 185 countries and territories and is credited with leading 3.2 million people to salvation.
Nov. 6, 2017 - Steve & Jackie Green share insights about the new Museum of the Bible and their recent publication,"This Dangerous Book."
We can all, as a nation and as collective humanity, observe, appreciate, study, and discuss this book. So much wonder and mystery
surrounds not only the Bible itself, as a cultural artifact, but also its claims ... and its ultimate message.
“What a powerful movie!” exclaimed Franklin Graham of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse.
“An emotional roller coaster ride with one of the most compelling presentations of the Gospel that I have ever seen on film. Definitely a must-see.”
On Oct. 31, 1517, an Augustinian monk named Martin Luther posted 95 debate questions on the door of Wittenberg Church, which began the movement known as “the Reformation.”
What Does Halloween Have to Do With the Reformation? Plenty - "The reason [Luther Posted his 95 Theses] did that was because the next day was All Saints' Day,"
... "He knew that well-educated people were going to come to the services." - University of Arizona
“Let There Be Light,” the independent Christian film starring Kevin Sorbo and co-written by wife Sam Sorbo, who also co-stars,
ranked No. 2 in per-screen average in movie theatres across the nation during its debut weekend.
Oct. 28, 2017 - Because Sean Hannity to see more family-friendly films that don’t shy from upholding Judeo-Christian values, he
is executive producer to the new faith-based film ‘Let There Be Light.’
[Kevin Sorbo] plays Dr. Sol Harkens, a famous book-writing atheist who ... struggles with loneliness, the death of his young son
and the leery attitudes of his two remaining sons, who are being raised by his Christian ex-wife.
Oct. 5, 2017 - Today, more than a half million children will respond to Focus on the Family's fourth annual "Bring Your Bible to School Day."
Spokesperson Candi Cushman says bringing a Bible to school is a legal right for all students to share their faith in Christ. She says:
"We have several decades of federal court rulings. This is a well-established constitutional right that kids can bring their personal Bible to school."
Sept. 28, 2017 - A new Christian movie called "Steve McQueen: American Icon," produced by Greg Laurie, will debut
in theaters today. It is about Steve McQueen, when he was the No. 1 movie star in the world. He found that faith in Christ was
the most important thing.
"He walked away from [Hollywood], found faith in Christ that brought him what he was searching through his whole life."
The Good News of Jesus Christ is the most important message there is. That's why we're declaring 2017 the Year of Good News
and proclaiming the gospel to a world in need through Harvest America—a live nationwide free event on June 11,
broadcast live from the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to thousands of host locations across the
country—including churches, theaters, and living rooms.
With music from NEEDTOBREATHE, MercyMe, Jordin Sparks, Trip Lee, Phil Wickham, and Brennley Brown, I will present a
clear gospel message and together we will deliver the Good News to a nation desperately in need of hope.
The draft seeks to provide exemptions for religious people and organizations who object to same-sex marriage, premarital sex, abortion, contraception and trans identity.
Apr. 29, 2017 - In 2016 donors to the ten major Bible translation agencies encouraged the formation of Seed Company, a central place
for organization and support for the task of providing Scripture to the whole world.
In 2014, celebrating the beginning of the 1,000th language project, more than 100 couples gave a total of $21 million.
Federal appeals court Judge Neil Gorsuch appeared headed for eventual confirmation to the Supreme Court Wednesday as
Democratic senators sought to influence him on issues ranging from arbitration to women's rights that may come before the justices in the future.
It's another year of great Christian films in 2017 which bodes well for evangelization efforts... It's heartening to know that
talented filmmakers are taking back the artistic tool of moviemaking from the enemy and using it to win souls.
Some of this year's Christian films are:
"The Case for Christ" - April 7
"Guided by the Word" - May 2
"Salted Christmas" - Nov. 15
Mar. 10, 2017 - As he begins his work as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson says:
"Right now, our country is the patient. And it's not a Democrat or a Republican patient. It's a patient, it's an
American patient. And we have a duty to use the gifts that God has given all of us in order to heal that patient."
Is Genesis History? is a comprehensive documentary featuring scientists and scholars looking at the world and explaining how it
intersects with the history recorded in Genesis.
A preview of this new film was shown in February, but will soon be available on DVD
Mar. 7, 2017 - In November a massive Museum of the Bible will open just three blocks from the Capitol in Washington D.C. The
project is backed by the Green Family, owners of the Hobby Lobby chain of 600 arts and crafts stores.
The Museum of the Bible will be the most state-of-the-art, high-tech museum in the world. According to the museum’s
promotional material, cutting-edge technology allows visitors “to span time, space and cultures, inviting everyone to engage with the Bible.”
Mar. 2, 2017 - The Senate approved retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson as head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The department has an annual budget of nearly $47 billion.
Answering critics who questioned his qualifications to run HUD, Carson said during his January nomination hearing
that he would go on a “listening tour” so he could gain feedback on how to reform the massive and complex department.
Feb. 28, 2017 - Franklin Graham, Dobson, Laurie, others join to reject 'fake news, depressing news.' In an open letter, signed by many
Christian leaders, Greg Laurie wrote:
“Therefore, we commit to preach louder than our nation’s politics, and we aim to make the message of Jesus Christ transcend the monopoly of our media."
Feb. 4, 2017 - In the middle of a massive and growing world-wide storm of negative emotions, Hal Lindsey encourages us to
accept Jesus's own offer of peace and salvation. Read this article for a fresh reminder of how incredible Jesus is, and what
this can mean to us. He concludes:
If you’ve accepted this invitation from Him, this is a good time to relax in the security of His salvation...
If you have not accepted that invitation… there’s no better time than now!
Jan. 25, 2017 - President Trump plans to name his choice for the Supreme Court vacancy soon.
"I'll be making my decision this week, we'll be announcing next week," Trump said, after meeting Tuesday with Senate leaders from
both parties to discuss the vacancy. "We'll pick a truly great Supreme Court justice."
Jan, 18, 2017 - In Leavenworth, Washington, a public school had not allowed the distribution of flyers inviting students inviting students to attend
Good News Clubs. The Child Evangelism organization showed school officials a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that affirms the same rights
as is given to any other non-school-related outside group, such as the Boy Scouts.
“The Cascade School District made the appropriate decision to eliminate the unconstitutional policy and recognize that the Good News Club
has equal access to students,” said Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things
are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.
- Philippians 4:8
Unfortunately, most of the headlines here at Prophecy Central are negative. That is inevitable since our purpose is to track the progress
toward God's ultimate plans for the earth. Those plans are clearly revealed in Bible prophecies that certainly appear to be coming to pass right
before our eyes.
The wonderful reality about God's revealed plans is that Jesus Christ is coming back to earth to establish His Kingdom. He will rule in
righteousness over an indescribably fabulous age. The problem is that before He returns as King of Kings, the Earth must go through a dreadful
period of disasters known as "The Tribulation" (Matthew 24:9-28). And Jesus, who taught us about these coming trials, said there would even be
big problems in the generation leading up to the Tribulation. He called this period of time, "The beginning of sorrows [birth pains]" (Matthew 24:4-8).
This could very well be a reference to our own troubled times.
Looking for the good in every situation is not a denial of reality. It is the proper way for a Child of God to respond to the serious problems
we face. (Be sure you are a born-again member of God's family.)
Every shock, and every new installment of bad news, should cause us to consciously focus our attention on what God is allowing or doing in human
history. Things that look bad have a divine purpose (Romans 8:28). And God has given us supernatural resources to employ at times like these. He has
promised that believers will have supernatural wisdom (James 1:4), the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:6-7), His own love flowing
through them (Romans 5:5-8; 1 John 4:19), joy and the other qualities listed as the "Fruit of the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-23)
Looking for the good in whatever is happening is not just positive thinking or self-help religion. We can recognize what is bad in this sinful
world, but by faith, we should remember that God is good, and He is in control.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28
This is the Thanksgiving season. It would be a great time for each of us to see every personal or world-wide problem in the light of this command to look for the truth and goodness that can result from everything that happens.
After teaching about the Rapture of the Church and the destructive Tribulation (Philippians 4:13-5:11) the Apostle Paul wrote:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
