I listened to an interview this morning by Sean McDowell of John Lennox about his most recent book which speaks of AI's part in the "The End of the World." I was struck by how their conversation related to my dream last night. I will read his book.
You don't need to be a Jew or Christian to find the predictions in the bible, old and new, remarkable and shocking. Throughout the scriptures there is both a promise and a warning. Bible's prophecies—spanning the vivid visions of Ezekiel's dry bones rising (Ezekiel 37:1-14), Daniel's prophecies of empires and the end times (Daniel 7:13-14), and Revelation's apocalyptic seals and triumphs (Revelation 6:1-17; 21:1-4)—all carry a weight that transcends religious boundaries, inviting us to marvel at their foresight.
The scripture writers had nothing to gain, at least not personally in the worldly sense. They heard a Devine call and responded. Only the readers stood to win or lose. Such is our free will to make a choice. What shall we chose; blessings or a lack of understanding that leads to curses? Or worse, denial and destruction?
First comes knowledge. Knowledge often dawns through fear, that primal stir which the Scriptures affirm as a gateway to wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Echoing this, Proverbs 9:10 adds, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Fear is a stong motivation, perhaps the strongest. Where will fear of the future that is laid out in Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation lead one? It may lead you to look for hope.
The scriptures encourage our curiosity. Curiosity is puts us on a pathway to wisdom, understanding, and deeper communion with the Divine. Proverbs 25:2 declares, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."
Psalm 34:4 -- "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears," while
Pondering—deliberate, curious reflection—becomes a form of worship, inviting us to marvel at the universe's blueprint.
Hope is our reward. The scriptures reassure us that our fear will lead to a more hopeful state of mind.
Isaiah 41:10 -- "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
The Bible frames hope not as a passive wish, but as an active inheritance and forged through endurance. Faith carries us through difficulties. Faith is the unseen current that bears us across the turbulent waters of doubt and trial, lifting us when our own strength falters, much like the wind beneath eagle's wings. It propels us forward, not by our merit but by divine fidelity, turning the weight of uncertainty into buoyant trust.
Isaiah 40:31 proclaims this sustenance: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
The desire for hope is apt to lead you to seek a greater understanding of the scriptures, starting at "in the beginning." (Genesis 1). From day one there was Light, and it was good.
Ultimately, you must conclude that the only way to activate your sense of hope is with faith and that it is said "comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Initially, faith is a belief in the unseen. But then the mystery of faith is how our faith manifests in our life. We start to sense the presence of the Lord in a multitude of ways. As we do, our faith grows and deepens. With it, so does our hope.
Isaiah 30:21 esv -- And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
