Podcast # 3: The Purpose of Prophecy
Scott: My name is Scott Paton. I am talking today with Allan Colston. He is the author of the book “The Last Days of Tolemac”. This is a book dealing with prophecy.
For those listeners who may be new to this topic, today’s Podcast is the third in the series, and is titled “The Purpose of Prophecy”. Welcome to the Podcast Allan.
Hello Scott, It’s good to be with you again.
Scott: You say that your book deals with prophecy. What exactly do you mean by the word prophecy?
Well Scott, I think it is important to start off by looking at the meaning of word itself. I have noticed that most people today use the word prophecy in a very general way.
What I mean by this is that they tend to regard prophecy as anything that is predicted to happen in the future, no matter what the source. However I treat prophecy and prediction as two completely different things.
In my book when I use the word prophecy, I am not talking about predictions.
Scott: What is the difference between them?
I consider prediction to be something that is the product of the intellect. Prediction is something that it is the result of the analytical powers of the mind. We look at what is happening now, or has happened in the past, and then by applying our intellect, we decide what is going to happen in the future. That is prediction.
Prophecy is something that happens beyond the intellect. Most often, it happens in the form of a vision, or something that is not the result of rational thinking. True prophecy always comes from a higher level of mind than the intellect.
However, there is also the question of psychic ability, such as for example Precognition or Clairvoyance.
Scott: Can you explain what they are?
Precognition – which means knowing something in advance – is something that falls within the category of Psi phenomena, or extra-sensory perception.
Over the years many people have had a feeling that something bad was going to happen, such as the death of a loved one, or some type of accident or disaster. This knowledge may come to them in the form of a dream or vision. And if it does, it is referred to as clairvoyance. Clairvoyance literally means “clear vision”.
Scott: What do scientists say about all this?
The reality of any form of Psi phenomena is a topic that has been hotly debated by scientists over the years. While some support the possibility of paranormal abilities, others reject the idea completely. However, the fact is that some people do have precognitive abilities, and many of their predictions do actually come true. Unfortunately the opposite is also true.
Many predictions based on visions or dreams do not turn out to be accurate. The fact that these results happen to be unreliable does not constitute proof that precognition itself is invalid. But absence of proof is not proof of absence, and a single verified case is enough to prove that precognition is possible.
But I need to make it clear that whether or not Precognition or Clairvoyance turns out to be real, when I refer to Prophecy, I am not talking about psychic phenomena. That is because psychics who make predictions are notoriously unreliable.
For every one that turns out to be correct, there are so many more that turn out to be wrong. The prophecies that I use as the basis of my book, are those few that I described in my first Podcast.
Scott: What is the test of prophecy?
When it comes to our day to day affairs, we tend to judge people who make predictions about the future by their professional qualifications, and by their track record of success. Those people who are highly qualified in any particular field, and who have the highest degree of success, attract the most followers. This is also true for those who prophesy about the future.
In the course of human history there have been people in every generation who have predicted future events. We only tend to remember those whose words proved to be accurate. When someone new comes along, who is previously unknown to the world, there is bound to be initial skepticism as to whether what this person says can be believed. This skepticism is natural and to be expected.
Scott: Can you give us an example?
The world of science continually produces young men and women who challenge the accepted view, and make predictions based on revolutionary theories about nature and the universe. When Albert Einstein first published his revolutionary work on gravity and quantum mechanics, his ideas were initially greeted with disbelief and scorn. But Einstein didn’t simply present his theory of relativity and then expect people to believe it.
He followed this up by proposing a series of tests which, he claimed, would prove that his theory was correct. When scientists undertook these tests, they found that they got results that matched his predictions.
So those who initially doubted Einstein’s theory were forced to admit that his new view of the universe was correct. In other words, Einstein’s credibility grew from the fact that his predictions were correct. As it is in science, so it is in the world of religion and in the life sciences.
Scott: How does this relate to your book?
In the same way, this will be the true test of the validity of the words of the Oracle contained in “The Last Days of Tolemac”.
For if the events that are predicted to unfold upon the earth in the coming years actually do happen, and if they happen according to the time-line set out in the book, then the authenticity of the Oracle of Tolemac will have been established.
Much of what is described in the book already rests on solid evidence. But the ultimate test of the credibility of the source, will not be whether the events that are described in the book are possible, or believable.
They will be judged by whether they actually happen as predicted. It is the events themselves that will be the final judge of the authenticity of this book.
Scott: So what is the purpose of prophecy?
Throughout history certain men and women have acquired fame, or notoriety, by claiming to be able to predict future events. This has especially been true within the various religions of the world. Various individuals have come to be regarded as divinely inspired, and their predictions have been accepted as the ordained will of God.
And throughout the ages, men and women of every generation have tried to find out what would happen in the future, in the hope that they would be better prepared, and so have an advantage over others.
Scott: But does prophecy really matter?
Many people have asked me the same question Scott. They want to know if it is wise, or even possible, to know what will happen in the future?
Most people today seem to believe that life unfolds according to chance, based on forces that can never be understood, let alone predicted. They believe that any attempt to try to predict future events is sheer folly. These people are content to take each day as it comes.
But prophecy is not simple prediction, and those who claim to be prophets do not do so merely to inform. They are not just telling an interesting story. All true prophecy stands as a warning. And those who study and learn from these warnings, may not only become the guardians of wisdom. They may in time become beacons for the transformation of society.
Scott: Why is it necessary to warn people?
The Buddha taught his disciples that those who were unaware of the meaning of their times had (and I quote) “much dust in their eyes.” These people would have to acquire understanding by living through the consequences of their actions.
They would have to travel along the path of suffering. So the purpose of all true prophecy is to inspire understanding, and to reduce suffering. And this is the crucial point we need to understand.
For if we can learn to understand prophecy, and take the necessary action beforehand, then we can save ourselves from future suffering. This is the purpose and the goal of the book “The Last Days of Tolemac“.
It is designed to remove the dust from our eyes, and allow us to see the events of our times through the eye of understanding, rather than through the veil of ignorance.
Scott: Are there similar warnings in the Bible?
Jesus told his disciples that before his return, there would come a time of great tribulation on the earth:
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be”. He also warned his disciples to be ready, because this tribulation would come suddenly, “like a thief in the night”.
“Therefore be ye also ready. For in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh”.
Unfortunately, the majority of the people who live in the world today are not ready. They remain completely unaware of the cataclysmic events that will shortly come to pass. They will be the ones who will be the witnesses to terror, and the victims of the catastrophes that are coming.
And when these things do start to happen, they will be the first ones who will say, why didn’t anyone warn us?
Scott: How do we know that ancient prophecies refer to the present time, and not to some time in the distant future?
Great question Scott. This is of course the 64,000 dollar question when it comes to prophecy. There have been any number of books that have been written about prophecy over the years.
And while many of these books agree about WHAT will happen in the future, they all tend to have their own timetable about WHEN these things will happen. Some say these prophesied events have already happened in the past.
Others say they will happen soon, or that they won’t happen for many years to come. After all, there have been so many would-be prophets who have been proven wrong in the past. But that is exactly my point, and the reason why I believe that the interpretations in my book are different. I have not tried to come up with a timeline that is the result of intellectual analysis, either of my own or of anyone else.
I have been guided by the words of Jesus, when he explained the secret to understanding the true timeline of prophecy.
Scott: What did Jesus say?
In Chapter 24 of St Matthew’s gospel, Jesus said: “Now learn a parable of the fig tree. When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.”
So the key to understanding when these things will happen, is to follow the SEQUENCE of events that are given in the Bible, as well as in other prophecies. Once one thing happens, then you look for the next thing. And when that happens, you know what to look for next. And this is what “The Last Days of Tolemac” does.
It outlines WHAT will happen, and the ORDER in which these events will happen. So although no actual dates are given, the timeline can easily be predicted once the first event happens.
As readers of my book will know, the cast of characters has now been assembled, and the action is about to begin. And when it does, it will begin in the land of Israel.
But I will have more to say about this in my next Podcast, which will be called “Our Environmental Crisis”.
And just a reminder for those people who would like to read my book, it can be reached here
Scott: Thanks Allan. You have been listening to Allan Colston, author of the book “The Last Days of Tolemac”. Do join us for our next Podcast, which will be titled “Our Environmental Crisis”.
