BEFORE YOU LEAVE EARTH: THE PROSPECTUS YOU CANNOT IGNORE PART 2: WHO WROTE THE PROSPECTUS?

BEFORE YOU LEAVE EARTH: THE PROSPECTUS YOU CANNOT IGNORE

PART 2: WHO WROTE THE PROSPECTUS?

2 TIMOTHY 3:16–17 (NLT)

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.”

In Part 1, we began with a simple question:

If schools and companies have prospectuses to prepare people for what lies ahead, what about eternity?

We discovered that a prospectus is essentially a guide containing important information, requirements, expectations, and instructions for those entering a particular system.

We then made the spiritual connection:

The Bible is God's prospectus for our earthly journey and eternal destiny.

We also looked at Hebrews 9:27, which reminds us that death is appointed and that after death comes judgment.

So we ended with a serious question:

Have you read the prospectus—and are you living by it?

But today, we must take the next step.

If the Bible is the prospectus for eternity...

Who Wrote It?

THE AUTHOR MATTERS

Imagine receiving an official school prospectus. Before you follow its instructions, you naturally want to know:

Who issued this document?

Why?

Because the authority behind a document determines how seriously we should take it.

If the principal officially releases the prospectus, students know it carries the school's authority. The same principle applies to God's Word.

The Bible is not simply a collection of human opinions about how we should live.

Paul tells Timothy:

“All Scripture is inspired by God.”

That means behind the human writers stands the divine Author.

GOD IS THE AUTHOR BEHIND THE PROSPECTUS.

God did not give us a prospectus without purpose Think about what a school prospectus does. It doesn't simply tell you:

“Welcome.” It tells you how to conduct yourself after you arrive. In the same way, God's Word doesn't merely tell us that God loves us. It also teaches us:  

• how to live
• what to believe
• what to avoid
• how to treat others
• how to respond to temptation
• how to walk with God
• and how to prepare for eternity

God gave us His Word because He knows where this journey ends. We are living inside the story. God knows the ending.

THE AUTHOR KNOWS THE DESTINATION

Imagine travelling to a destination you've never visited. You need someone who knows the way. You may have a map.

But what if the person who created the map also knows every road, every turn, every danger, and the final destination?

You would do well to follow the map. God is not guessing about eternity. He created life.

He knows eternity. And He has given us His Word to guide us through the journey. That is why the prospectus cannot be ignored.

JESUS IS AT THE CENTER OF THE PROSPECTUS

The Bible doesn't merely give us rules. It points us to a Person. Jesus said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6

Notice He didn't say: “I will show you a way.” He said: “I am the way.”

The eternal prospectus ultimately points us to Christ. Therefore, preparing for eternity is not simply about becoming a morally good person. It is about knowing Christ, trusting Him, and allowing Him to transform your life.

DON'T CONFUSE THE PROSPECTUS WITH THE ADMISSION

Here is something important. A student can own a school prospectus without actually being admitted. Likewise, someone can own a Bible, attend church, quote Scriptures, and still not have surrendered their life to Christ.

Having the prospectus is not the same as following the prospectus. 

You can carry a Bible and still walk away from its instructions.

You can hear sermons and refuse to change.

You can know Scripture and still reject the Author.

The question is not:

“Do I have a Bible?”

The question is:

“Does the Bible have me?”

PRACTICAL LESSONS

1. KNOW THE AUTHOR

Don't merely read the Bible as literature. Seek to know the God who speaks through it.

2. TRUST THE INSTRUCTIONS

If God knows the destination, His instructions deserve our obedience.

3. READ BEFORE YOU JOURNEY

Don't wait for a crisis, old age, or the approach of death before you begin taking eternity seriously.

4. FOLLOW THE GUIDE

Knowing what God says is not enough. We must practice what He says.

5. KEEP JESUS AT THE CENTER

The ultimate purpose of the Scriptures is not simply to make us knowledgeable but to lead us to Christ and transform our lives.

KEY TAKEAWAY

The value of a prospectus is connected to the authority behind it.

The Bible is not merely humanity's attempt to find God.

It is God's revelation to humanity.

And if God is the Author, then His instructions about eternity cannot be treated as optional reading.

CALL TO ACTION

Before you make another major decision in life, ask yourself:

What does God's prospectus say?

Before you enter a relationship:

What does God's prospectus say?

Before you respond to an offence:

What does God's prospectus say?

Before you pursue money, success, power, or pleasure:

What does God's prospectus say?

And when you think about eternity:

What does God's prospectus say about your soul?

Don't simply read the Bible when you need an answer.

Let the Bible become the standard by which you live.

PRAYER

1. Father, help me to recognize You as the Author of Your Word and to trust Your instructions completely.

2. Lord, give me a deeper hunger for Scripture, so that I will not journey through life ignorant of Your will.

3. Holy Spirit, help me to understand what I read and give me the grace to put it into practice.

4. Lord Jesus, bring every area of my life under Your authority, so that my lifestyle will reflect the truth of Your Word.

5. Father, prepare my heart for eternity and keep me faithful until the end of my earthly journey.

NEXT PART PREVIEW

PART 3: WHAT DOES THE PROSPECTUS REQUIRE?

Now that we know who wrote the prospectus, the next question becomes even more important:

What exactly does it require?

Every school has admission requirements.

Every company has terms and expectations.

And if eternity has a prospectus, we cannot afford to ignore its requirements.

What does God require from the person who wants to spend eternity with Him?

Is being a good person enough?

Is going to church enough?

Is giving offerings enough?

Is being religious enough?

What does the prospectus actually say?

In Part 3, we will open the prospectus and examine the requirements for eternity.

Grace and peace be with you until we meet again in the next class of this life-transforming journey.

God is speaking, are you listening?

Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson

(EL-PJ God's Penman)