In the past several weeks I have shown many of the designs and patterns found in the Word of God. Because the sixty-six books of the Bible were written by many different men over a period of greater than 1,500 years, it should be clear that these designs and patterns were placed there by the Lord, and not by men.

I have described how the Golden Lampstand of Exodus 25:40 prophesied the total number of books of the Bible and also showed their arrangement, and demonstrated Alphabetic, Torah and Sabbatical designs that are found throughout the Word of God. There are further designs and patterns; Menorah designs based upon the Golden Lampstand and Heptadic designs based on the use of words in multiples of seven. Dr. Ivan Panin found a Heptadic design in the genealogy of the Jesus in Matthew chapter one. The probabilities against the many facets of the design being located there by chance are greater than the probability of winning the lottery.

These designs, coupled with the fact that there are far more and far older copies of the Bible than any other ancient work, shows how the Word of God has been divinely protected through the centuries. Homer’s Odyssey was written several centuries before the time of Jesus. The oldest copy of Odyssey is about 1,000 years old. There are books of the Bible in museums that date from before the time of the Lord Jesus, or are over 2,000 years old.

There is but one God. He is the Most High God. There is no other, and He is in control. He placed the numerous patterns and designs in His Word, the Bible. He has preserved His Word down through the centuries, even millennia.

And now we come to a time prophesied by the Word of God. The Bible tells us that the Day of the Lord will come on the unbelieving world “as a thief in the night.” But followers of the Lord Jesus “are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” We are “children of light.” (First Thessalonians 5:1-5) We are also told to exhort and encourage one another even more so as we see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25) Christians see the Last Days approaching.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy that the Last Days would be perilous. (Second Timothy 3:1) The Greek word translated as “perilous” is chalepos. The scholar Gesenius said this word means dangerous, harsh, fierce and savage. It is not difficult to apply these definitions to our current times. Our society is divided and calls good evil, there is an increase of earthquake and volcanic activity, we have more locks on our doors and more security systems, and nations are beating war drums. This world is disintegrating morally, physically, politically and financially.

But God sees and knows this. He remains in control. He sees the rebellious nations and people and knows what they plan to do. But the victory will be His. “ . . . and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 38:23) God is in control! May His name be praised always and ever!