Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35
Excitement was mounting in many parts of the United States some years ago where a so-called Bible teacher was predicting the Rapture would occur on the next Saturday. Despite total disagreement among credible Bible scholars, and in the face of Scripture plainly declaring that we cannot know when the Rapture will occur, Harold Camping claimed to have it all figured out. Even though he was wrong on a similar prediction before, Camping made his prediction and he was standing firm on it. Someone must have prepared him a nice dish of crow to eat on the next Sunday, because Camping’s words of prophecy did not come true. His words were unreliable, so unlike those of the Lord Jesus.
Today’s text comes in the midst of Jesus’ description of end-time events as He converses with His disciples. Although ALL of Jesus words are eternal and immutable, He is speaking here specifically about His words of prophecy. False prophets like Camping come and go, and the world has plenty of those. They make a mockery of what should be seriousness, and they make fools of themselves when their words turn against them. False prophets have no idea what is going to happen, so their prophecies can never be accurate. But Jesus knows, and His words are faithful and true.
Prophecy is important. Jesus spoke of it often. And the Bible has much to say about the future. God expects us to know about future events, and he has given us a reliable account. We can know, and we should know. Being able to reflect on the future with confidence provides the child of God with an assurance and comfort that the future is firmly in the hands of a God Whose plan has been unveiled and includes a glorious home for us. As the world staggers in uncertainty and worry, you and I can relax on the certainty of Scripture and be at peace about the future.
Enjoy the comfort of all that God has in store for His children. We have a wonderful eternity waiting for us. Jesus says so. -Jim MacIntosh