Prophecy

Gtcotr/ws082521 

The devil would like to be God. Some people would like to be God. This world system would like to be God. Through the ages many men have allowed themselves to be worshipped or revered as God and even fashioned gods for themselves from stone, wood, gold, and silver. There is some need in man to have a god. You may say: “What about the atheists?” Atheism is the worst of all god-complexes.

However, there is only one God and only one true religion. No two religions can be true, let alone all of them. For one of them to be right, all the others have to be wrong. Especially the one which says all religions are right. That can’t be true since no other religion believes that and for every one of them to be right, all others have to be built on false claims.

One of the many reasons why we know the Bible is true and that the God of the Bible is the One true and living God is because of prophecy. Unfailing, unequaled, unwavering, never changing, ever unfolding true and accurate to the nth-degree prophecy. Thousands of prophecies have been fulfilled right down to the smallest detail. Our God leaves nothing to chance. And btw – It’s only prophecy until it happens … then it’s life!

One of the things that should give us confidence in God is that His Word never fails. His Word never changes, and He is the only One who knows the end from the beginning and tells us things before they happen. Jehovah is amazing, awesome, and all powerful. His Word never fails, and He has never had to change, apologize, or make excuses for anything He said.

This evening we are going to continue our walk through the Gospel of John. Our text will come from the 19^th chapter. We will read a familiar passage which can be found in all four Gospels.

Matthew 27:35  Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”

Mark 15:24  And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.

Luke 23:34  Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

And John 19 … let’s read:

John 19

23  Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.

·        Note here that John reveals there were 4 Roman soldiers assigned to crucify Jesus.

·        Before nailing His hands and His feet, the soldiers removed HIs outer robe-like tunic and then the inner garment.

·        Law at that time granted the clothes of the condemned to be the property of his executioners.

·        Added to the humiliation of being crucified was the sight and sounds of the soldiers dividing the very clothes of the condemned before his eyes signifying the reality that he would never need them again.

·        The inner garment of the day was easily divided as it was usual to have been assembled by sewing four parts together: The front, back, left arm, and right arm.

·        However, the robe Jesus was wearing was unusual … the soldiers realized it was very costly and without seam, woven from the top in one piece.

o   This was made like the robe of a High Priest.

o   Exodus 38

§  22  Bezalel made the robe that is worn with the ephod from a single piece of blue woven cloth,

§  23  with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. The opening was reinforced with a woven collar so it would not tear.

o   Some imagine it must have been woven and given as a gift by one of the women who followed Jesus.

o   It is certain to have been of a very fine quality seeing the soldiers did not wish to tear it.

24  They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.

This passage is read so much and yet overlooked by so many. Let’s consider a few things we learn from this account,

1.   God knows the end from the beginning.

a.   Over 1000 years earlier the Holy Spirit inspired King David to write several Psalms which contain prophecies of the coming Messiah. In this instance specifically:

b.   Psalms 22:18  They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.

c.    The fulfillment of this prophecy, along with so many others in their days, was no coincidence. God said this would happen and it did … exactly like He said through David over 1000 years earlier.

d.   The Roman Soldiers were not familiar with the prophecy but were nonetheless destined to play a part in its fulfillment.

e.   The crowd of Jews, from the Pharisees to the Scribes, from the Levites to the High Priest, would have known the prophecy was unfolding in real time right before their eyes and that they were also playing a part in its fulfillment.

f.    Psalms 22:16 … They pierced my hands and my feet.

g.   It’s only prophecy until it happens, then it’s life!

h.   It’s one thing to not know the word of God … it’s another to know the word and participate anyway.

2.   God never takes His watchful eyes off of the Body of Christ.

a.   Every prophecy is fulfilled to the nth degree. Not one jot or tittle will fail.

b.   God ensures nothing is left out … nothing left to chance. Participants have been known since the foundation of the world.

c.    It may take a long time to make heroes for Christ, but God has the identified and is working so many today.

3.   No man escapes the perfect plan of Almighty God.

a.   The seemingly lowest play their part as well as those who appear to be more important to the plan.

4.   Prophecies are unfolding in real time right before our eyes today.

a.   I would like to think that if I had been at the cross that day and would have seen them casting lots for His clothes, Psalms 38 would have popped up in my mind to confirm the event and give me hope that God was watching and involved.

b.   When we see things around us or when we are required to participate in some decision made by our government or an employer, that we would be able to trust the Holy Spirit will bring God’s Word to our minds and hearts and give us confidence as to what we should do.

We are in a unique time in both Kingdom and in world affairs. There has never been such a time as this. All history has set the stage and is now pointing directly at us. Every major event on God’s calendar has occurred right on schedule and we are poised at present to see things we never imagined would come to pass in our lifetimes.

These are the days when heroes of faith are desperately needed. God will not leave His children without a voice or without direction. What do we do … more specifically … what do I do?

The plan of God unfolds on the shoulders of faithful people.

·        He has a plan

·        He will succeed

·        We have a chance to participate

Faithfulness will include the basics:

1.  Bible Study

a.   Becoming familiar with the Word of God.

b.   If you are going to participate with God in your highest calling you need to be familiar with the Word of God.

c.    God is calling His children to a consistent time of Bible reading; Bible study; and Bible teaching.

2.  Prayer

a.   Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, yet He prayed.

b.   Jesus went from the place of prayer to the place of prayer …

3.  Obedience to God

a.   In your daily personal life

                                         i.    Spirit, Soul, & Body

                                        ii.    Family, Friends, & Enemies

b.   In your local Community

c.    In your historical Culture

d.   In your home Church

Every person will be called upon to play a part in the unfolding plan of God. I don’t want to miss the opportunity I have right now to prepare.

God knows the end from the beginning. When it comes my turn to play my part in His great plan … I want to know it and be ready. It’s only prophecy until it happens … then it’s life!

We are either at our greatest day, coming from our greatest day, or headed to our greatest day. It might simply be a matter of choice. What will be your greatest day? One day others will tell the story of what you did about what happened in your day. I’m going to do everything I can to shape that story in God’s favor. How about you?