There have been so many Bible prophecies fulfilled in the last 60 years it's a wonder the churches don't preach it from the rooftops. Hal Lindsey had an interesting talk on this subject in one of his recent broadcasts. A lot of the following is taken from his broadcast.
Now what does God say about studying prophecy? Read Amos 3:7 "Surely the Lord God does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets."
God is saying here, He will reveal His future plans to His certain group of people, His prophets, so they can reveal these plans to you. There are a certain few people out there, teaching His prophecies - but why is the church so slow to hear the call? The answer may be in 2 Peter 3:3-4 "First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying 'Where is the promise of His coming (Jesus Christ)? For ever since our fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!"
Why would the Bible raise a question like this? The world wouldn't - the world could care less whether there is a prophecy about the return of Christ. This question has to be referring to the church. Some time back, I talked to a Catholic Priest, who said not to get too wound up in prophecy because "it is just symbolic stuff," and to take it with "a grain of salt." We also received e letter from an ordained minister who was amazed about the contents of this web site, because prophecy was not even taught in that minister's seminary. With about 25 percent of the Bible being prophecy, you can see where many Christian churches are sleeping.
From the prophet Moses right on up to the Book of Revelations, God has let us know what His future plans were and are. Prophecy is God's chief evidence that the Bible is His Word, and has been from the beginning. Jesus Christ used it to prove that He is the Messiah. It also has a great evangelistic purpose, and Jesus used it that way. Jesus said certain things that were taking place were done to fulfill prophecy. If God did not think prophecies were important - why did He fill the Bible with them? And most of these prophecies have already been fulfilled.
Prophecy has an enormous import. Jesus showed it in the Gospels. The Apostles showed it all through the Book of Acts. But what's the main reason to study prophecy, especially about the return of Christ? BECAUSE IT IS COMMANDED! In Matthew 24 when Jesus gave the many signs that would immediately proceed His return, He states in verses 32-34 "From the fig tree learn it's lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place." The word "learn" in the original Greek means "command". Did you know that? Does the church know that?
"Truly this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place" Jesus stated. We may be in that generation now. Just about everything listed in Matthew 24 has taken place, and learning Bible prophecy is commanded - it is not an option.
Another reason to study prophecy is to give us an understanding of the world in which we live. And as Christians, how we should live, conduct ourselves, and vote. Still another reason is to find comfort. We are coming into the most perilous times the world has ever known. For this reason we should understand 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 that tells of the Rapture (Christ removing His church from earth before the Tribulation years). Followed by verse 18 "Therefore encourage one another with these words."
If you want the comfort of knowing you will escape God's end-time wrath, then receive the pardon that Jesus provided for us. If you need help with this, read our commentary on 4/18/04 "Abandonment of Your Will to God" (praying for salvation).
By George Konig
June 12, 2005
www.georgekonig.org
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