What role does prophecy play in strengthening our faith, as seen in Matthew 17:10? Setting the scene at the foot of the mountain Matthew 17:10 — “The disciples asked Him, ‘Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’” What the disciples sensed • They had just seen Jesus transfigured; Moses and Elijah appeared (vv. 1-9). • They knew Malachi 4:5-6 promised Elijah’s return before “the great and dreadful day of the LORD.” • Their question shows that prophecy was already stirring their faith, but they needed clarity. Jesus’ answer and its faith-building force • Matthew 17:11-12 — Jesus confirms Elijah’s coming and explains Elijah “has already come” in John the Baptist (cf. Luke 1:17; Matthew 11:14). • Fulfillment is immediate and visible: John prepared the way exactly as foretold. • Prophecy moves from parchment to personal experience, turning expectation into conviction. How fulfilled prophecy strengthens faith • It confirms God’s sovereignty—He declares “the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:9-10). • It authenticates Jesus as Messiah—“the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). • It assures us the written word is reliable—“We have the prophetic word as something completely reliable” (2 Peter 1:19). • It comforts and encourages—“Everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction…so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we may have hope” (Romans 15:4). How unfulfilled prophecy fuels ongoing trust • Just as Elijah’s coming was literal, so Christ’s promised return will be (Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:20). • Unfulfilled passages keep our hearts watchful, our priorities eternal, and our prayers eager—“Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). • Prophecy shows history moving toward God’s ordained goal; our faith rests on a timetable He controls. Practical takeaways • Revisit fulfilled prophecies regularly; let each one remind you God keeps every promise. • Read new prophecies with the same certainty; He will finish what He has begun. • When doubts arise, place them next to Scripture’s track record—fulfilled prophecy is faith’s evidence file. • Share prophetic fulfillments with others; testimony multiplies confidence. • Live expectantly: prophecy is not trivia for charts but fuel for holy living (2 Peter 3:11-14). Closing reflection Prophecy, illustrated by the disciples’ question in Matthew 17:10, is God’s built-in mechanism for turning what He says into what we see. In every fulfilled prediction, faith finds fresh footing; in every yet-to-be-fulfilled promise, faith finds eager anticipation. |
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