If we look at the developments in the world we see that it follows the prophecy of the Bible. Where we tend to be misled by our own mind is that all we look at is our immediate surroundings instead of at the world as a whole. Much of the Bible speaks of the Middle East but we look at what is happening here and think it is indicative of the world. Our text today says, John 16:1-3 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.
There has not been a temple/synagogue for Jewish worship on the Temple Mount since 70 AD. That is 1954 years that they have been kept from worshipping in their most holy place. Jesus prophesied this would happen and it did.
Developments in the world follow Biblical prophecy.
Jesus says in our text that He speaks these things to us to keep us from stumbling. It provides the Jews with hope if they believe and it provides guidance and proof for faith for others who would read and believe because it proves itself correct. Then the text says they will make you an outcast meaning excommunicate them from their assemblies. In the 620s AD, a man by the name of Muhammad led by Satan began a movement to destroy Jews and Christians in the name of God. Jesus said in our text that an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to THINK he is offering a service to God. The quran teaches Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not” (Al-Baqarah [Chapter 2] 216,Yusufali) and “Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward” (An-Nisa [Chapter 4] 74, Pickthal). They believe because they have been taught that they are doing it for God. This is what Jesus said would happen.
The developments in the world follow the Bible prophecy.
Jesus goes on to say "these things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. The Bible will guide us if we read, study, trust, and follow it. What should we expect from people who know not God? The answer to all of this is to not stumble because we believe all the ways of the world. Instead, walk on a firm foundation of Christ and His word. Which tells us Romans 10:13-14 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
We are all called to preach/proclaim what we know. We only know what we hear from the word. Do you read and trust the word or do you stumble thinking your immediate surroundings are indicative of the whole world? Something to ponder. Love Bro. Scott