Understanding The Future is a compiled overview of what the Bible has to say about the past, present and future events of history. A brief synopsis starts with biblical history and then builds a solid foundation on the things, events and people of which God foretells. At this time in history many prophecies have already come to pass just as foretold.

The word of God tells us that we have His sure word of prophecy so that we will not be ignorant of things to come.

He is the Alpha the Omega the First and Last and He knows all things from beginning to end.

The goal of this study is to set a solid foundation on the things that the Lord said would happen that have come to pass. We will then move into events that God prophecies for the future, such as a cashless society, the rapture of the church, the great tribulation and His second coming

The Key to remember is Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth".

Once you grasp that concept and hold it dear to your heart, the rest is easy!

May this study richly bless you.

Recently we entered a new millennium; it is obvious that man in his emptiness is reaching out and searching for truth. Through the New Age movement, man has turned to meditation, Eastern philosophy and other ways to become self-reliant.

Since man is searching for the truth, I felt it appropriate to start this series by sharing some of God’s prophecies and there fulfillment as recorded in history. I encourage you to go to the library and read up on the early leaders in world history, as well as the nation of Israel.You will learn some very fascinating facts and you may have your eyes and heart opened; then you will look up and recognize that your redemption is near.

History shows that the first world empire was that of Babylon (586 BC), under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, who was then conquered by the Medes and Persians under the command of Cyrus. Next came the Grecian Empire under the command of Alexander the Great.

Finally, the last world empire was Rome, headed by Julius Caesar, among others. Rome in the first century conquered the civilized world. Since the Roman Empire, we have not had a world empire, although many leaders have tried (for example, Napoleon and Hitler).

Leaders have come and gone and will do so until the end of this life as we know it. But, the leadership of God has and will continue throughout history. He has provided windows to His plans by putting prophecies into His “map book”—The Holy Bible.

• • Keep in Mind that the Hebrew book of Daniel was translated into Greek about 300 years prior to the existence of the Roman Empire.

Reading Assignment II: Isaiah 45:1-3-Read about Cyrus

Isaiah was written between between 740 - 680 BC (150 years before Cyrus was born)

Things to consider:

The Greek version of the Bible is called the Septuagint, it was translated into Greek 300 years before the Roman Empires existence...

Isaiah 45:1
Prophecy: This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut.

Results:
This prophecy was written 150 years before the event and shows how Cyrus would enter into the city. History records that Babylon was a city with walls so high and wide that it could not be captured. Cyrus (of the Medes and Persians) conquered Babylon by backing up the Euphrates river and going under the walls, where he found the gates of the city left opened. He then took the city by surprise.

Historians speculate that when Cyrus came to power, that Daniel showed Cyrus how his name was written in the scrolls of Isaiah’s writings. Cyrus was so in awe of this that he allowed the Jews to leave Babylon and return to Jerusalem.

Future Prophecy Of Daniel (2:44):

The Lords Return

And in the days of these kings (United Roman Empire – Europe and other Nations Uniting) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever (This is when the Lord comes back with His saints “The Church” (see Rev. 19:1) and establishes His Kingdom on earth “The Millennial Reign”.

Prophecy : (Ezek. 36:35-36)
This land that once laid waste shall become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed will be fortified and inhabited. Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it

Results: 1930
In the 1800s the land in the region was neglected by the Arabs and Turks. They cut down all the trees, creating marshland. In the 1930s, during the Zionist movement, the Jews gradually purchased back the land and started planting trees.

Today Israel is the third-largest producer of fruit in the world. In fact, Israel produces fruit for all of Europe during the winter.

The Lord said it would happen and it has happened!

Reading Assignment IV: Ezekiel: 37:21

Prophecy : (Ezekiel 37:21)
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land!

Results: May, 14, 1948
Israel became a nation after nearly 2,000 years. Do you realize that Israel is the only country in the world that has lost its land yet never lost its citizenship?

Result: 1967
Jerusalem (the city) is handed over to Israel (during the six day war). May I mention that there has been more wars fought at the gates of Jerusalem than any other city in the world!

Result Oct. 1973 (Against All Odds)
In October of 1973, during Yom Kippur, Syria and Egypt attacked Israel from opposite ends. Since Yom Kippur is the Jews’ holiest day of the year, the Israelis were not militarily prepared for battle. The Syrians attacked a twenty-mile area with nearly 1,200 tanks, while Egypt had 3,000 tanks and heavy artillery. With minimal support, the Israeli army managed to again overthrow their attackers. Incidentally, Jerusalem has had more wars fought at its gates than any other city in the world.

Prophecy : Gen. 12:3
“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse”

Keep in mind that the United States has always Backed Israel and we have always prospered. The the Nations that have come up against Israel has suffered greatly. The Lord states that He will stand for His people.

Reading Assignment V: Matthew 24:1-4

Matthew 24:2

Prophecy:
And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Results:
History records that in 70 ad, when Titus took the city of Jerusalem, a soldier set fire to the temple and all the gold melted into the cracks of the rocks. The soldiers then disassembled the temple by each stone individually, gathering up all the gold—fulfilling yet another prophecy.

Reading Assignment VI: Revelation 13:16-17

Things To Come: Revelation 13:16-17

Prophecy:
The second beast forces all people—important and unimportant, rich and poor, free and slaves—to be marked on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that no one may buy or sell unless he has the mark, which is the beast’s name or the number of its name.

Results To Come:
Cashless society; which we can see in today’s day and age as coming to pass, yet keep in mind that the key to this passages is that he forces all to take the mark(this would mean that a cashless society would already be in place yet not mandatory). On another note, I do not think that we will have to worry about taking “In God We Trust” off our money, yet the Cashless Society will do away with that.

"When you see these things begin to happen, look up for your redemption draws near"