CHAPTER 4:
INTRODUCTION to the PROOFS
Thus far in this book, I have made certain assertions regarding the interpretation and purpose of prophecies, but I have not yet supported these assertions with scriptural evidence. This chapter and the following three will provide that evidence. Following these, we will direct our attention in stages to a subject of greater importance: the implications for the Second Coming (15:2)

The principles, which I have introduced, can be summed up as follows: (1) Prophecies must first be fulfilled for their meaning to be understood. (2) One must already believe in Christ to understand the prophecies referring to Him, and therefore (3) Prophecies are not given to lead one to the Christ. (4) The purpose of prophecies is to confirm the faith of those who already believe (15:3)

I have numbered these principles here for clarity only, and don't really think of them as having any particular order, or really as being distinct things. The above four statements can just as easily be thought of in this way: Prophecies are given to us by a loving God to strengthen our belief in Him. We cannot understand their full meaning until He, Himself, reveals it to us (15:4)

These principles, the truth of which I proceed to demonstrate in these four chapters, have not come to me through years of research or deep thinking, or actually from any effort whatsoever on my part; they were given to me. I was told these principles by my sister, Jeanne (15:5)

About twenty years ago, I had a conversation with her, in which, as I recall, she said something like this: "You know, prophecies can only be understood after they have been fulfilled, and only by those who already believe. They are given to confirm the faith of the believer." All that I have written so far has merely been an elaboration of what she stated on that day (15:6)

From the instant she expressed her intuition on this subject I have never had any doubt as to its truth; it seemed to fit with everything I knew. And since that time, everything I have read or seen or heard regarding prophecies has confirmed her intuition (15:7)

Since I know that many people will accept these principles in the same manner that I did, simply by having it stated explicitly, and because it is much more interesting to get straight to the point, I did not begin this book with proof. However, because these principles are new to many people and, as mentioned earlier, may seem "backwards", I here offer the proof that they do indeed hold true under the scrutiny of scripture (15:8)

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