Many people have negative attitudes toward the study of biblical prophecy. Some say "I'm only concerned about the present, so don't bother me with ideas about the future." Or, "Nobody can understand the prophecies in the Bible, so why bother to study them?" Or "we will not study biblical prophecy in our church because it is divisive."
Advocates of Replacement Theology and others claim, "There are very few, if any, prophecies of future events beyond our time in the Bible. Almost all biblical prophecies were fulfilled by the end of the first century A.D."
These attitudes prompt people to avoid 20 percent to 25 percent of God's biblical revelation - revelation He wants mankind to posses and heed.
It is impossible to understand God's purpose for history apart from prophecy.
The prophetic Scriptures are the written record of what God, through the prophets, told mankind what would happen, even to the end of earth's history. Consequently, no one can understand God's purpose for history apart from the study of biblical prophecy.
It is no mistake that Revelation was the last book of the Bible written. God intended it to be the capstone of His divine declaration to mankind because it fore-tells how He will complete His purpose for history. Because this is so, those who avoid the study of Revelation will remain oblivious to how God will obtain His objective.
Miscellaneous:
I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure."... I have spoke it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it (Isa. 46:9-11; cf. 14:24, 26-27).
Studying prophecy may also help with:
Sharing the Gospel message:
Being able to recognise the signs of the times.
God promises a blessing to those who read the Book of Revelation. "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near." (Rev. 1:3)
Written by Renald E. Showers.
This article originally appeared in Israel My Glory magazine - a publication of Friends of Israel Ministries - May/June 2007 p. 32. It is condensed here but readers are encouraged to read the full article.
For more information on prophecy please contact:
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc.
P.O. Box 908
Bellmawr, NJ 08099
Customer Service: 800-257-7843
http://www.foi.org/
