Thought for the Month - November 2005

Great Predictions! - By Pastor Ian Wilson

On a television programme recently it was claimed that in the 1970s scientists predicted the imminent arrival of another Ice Age. Today those same scientists are predicting the opposite. We have been warned about global warming and it’s consequences.

In football circles the Chelsea manger made a prediction that the season would not be decided until the last game of the season. I am sure he won’t mind being proved wrong as it looks like his team Chelsea will have the Premier League Title wrapped up well before the end of the season.

There have been many people who have made some strange predictions.

“I think there is a world market for about five computers,” Said Thomas J. Watson, 1943, Chairman of the Board of IBM

“We don’t think the Beatles will do anything in their market. Guitar groups are on their way out,” a recording company expert, 1962

“Theoretically, television may be feasible, but I consider it an impossibility - a development which we should waste little time dreaming about,” Said Lee de Forest, 1926, inventor of the cathode ray tube.

“Heavier than air flying machines are impossible.” Lord Kelvin, President Royal Society

“Everything that can be invented has been invented,” Charles H. Duell, Director of U.S. Patent Office, 1899.

“There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom,” Robert Milikan, Nobel Laureate in Physics, 1923

As you can see man’s predictions of the future are subject to error. The only reliable source for future events is the word of God. The best way to be sure is to look at fulfilled prophecies.

Some 400 years before crucifixion was invented, both Israel's King David and the prophet Zechariah described the Messiah's death in words that perfectly depict that mode of execution. Further, they said that the body would be pierced and that none of the bones would be broken, contrary to customary procedure in cases of crucifixion (Psalm 22 and 34:20; Zechariah 12:10). Again, historians and New Testament writers confirm the fulfillment: Jesus of Nazareth died on a Roman cross, and his extraordinarily quick death eliminated the need for the usual breaking of bones. A spear was thrust into his side to verify that he was, indeed dead.

Jesus made a prediction before he left the earth to go back to heaven.

John 14:3 "I will come again"

What command did Christ give in view of his promised coming?

Matthew 24:44 "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh"

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!