Why should you be concerned about Bible prophecy? Most people don't give it a thought, and many pastors will not teach on it from the pulpit. One of the reasons pastors don't preach on Bible prophecy is because they were not taught about it in seminary. Others do not want to disturb their congregations with it and perhaps lose membership over it. And many pastors today preach a watered-down, people-pleasing sermon to "tickle the ears" of their congregations in order to keep everybody happy and to make them come back for more feel-good and comfy experiences. What ever happened to Spirit-filled sermons, a sticking to the true message of the Gospel and spelling out the consequences of sin? And an emphasis on being a follower of Jesus Christ? And that Hell awaits unrepentant sinners?
There are still some good churches out there with true men of God as pastors. Thank the good Lord !
There are still some good churches out there with true men of God as pastors. Thank the good Lord !
When Bible prophecy is not preached in churches, it is like eliminating one fourth of the Bible as not important or useful or relevant. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)
Following are a few facts from the Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy by J. Barton Payne:
"There are 1,239 prophecies in the Old Testament and 578 in the New Testament for a total of 1,817 prophecies These prophecies are included within 8,352 verses of the Bible.
Since there are 31,124 verses in the Bible, the 8,352 verses that contain prophecy constitute 26.8 percent of the Bible's volume." That is actually a little more than 25% of the Bible !
It is obvious that God wanted to tell us about the future. I find that Bible prophecy builds my faith when I realize how much prophecy has come true already. My previous post on Daniel's 70 weeks shows how he prophesied hundreds of years in advance about Jesus, the Messiah. And of course, it came true....things like that build a person's faith and trust in God's Word and keeps you coming back for more. I personally cannot get enough information on Bible prophecy; the more I read the more I want to learn.
Besides building your faith, Bible prophecy exposes just how awesome God is to know the future and to help orchestrate events to bring prophecy to come to pass. When you read the promises of God that give you such hope, you grow to love and experience Him even more. And isn't that what it is all about? Love.
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." - 1 John 4:10-11
Christianity is the only religion that says "Done!" Christ died for us so that His shed blood could wash our sins away when we believe in Him and in His resurrection. All other religions are about "Doing" this or that to obtain heaven or some form of higher being.
Remember, before the fall and sin, God created Adam and Eve in order to have fellowship with them. Today, God wants to have fellowship with you as well. Christianity in a sense is not a religion, it is a relationship. A strong, personal, intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. That is what the Lord wants most of all. And of course obedience. If you have a close relationship with the Lord and love him with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind (Mark 12:30), you will be less likely to sin. At least, not deliberate and willful sin.
In addition to building your faith and showing how awesome God is, Bible Prophecy is a great tool to evangelize with when it comes to leading the lost to a saving belief in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Many people have come to Christ after hearing Bible Prophecy about the end times and the horrors of the soon to come Tribulation period. And I am sure that preaching about the Rapture of the Church has also helped lost souls as well. No one wants to be left behind when the Rapture occurs to face the Tribulation later. Granted, there are some scoffers (2 Peter 3:3-4) whose hearts are so hardened that they may never see the truth of the gospel.
We live in perilous times ! Look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 : "(1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." Notice that verse 5 says to have nothing to do with sinful people described here. (Except, of course, to witness to them about Jesus).
Though we are in the last days and times are chaotic, believers in Christ have a blessed hope (Titus 2:13) and faith to endure, and help from God to persevere and be strong while waiting for the Lord to return to take us home.
Keep praying, study God's Word, and keep looking up !
In addition to building your faith and showing how awesome God is, Bible Prophecy is a great tool to evangelize with when it comes to leading the lost to a saving belief in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Many people have come to Christ after hearing Bible Prophecy about the end times and the horrors of the soon to come Tribulation period. And I am sure that preaching about the Rapture of the Church has also helped lost souls as well. No one wants to be left behind when the Rapture occurs to face the Tribulation later. Granted, there are some scoffers (2 Peter 3:3-4) whose hearts are so hardened that they may never see the truth of the gospel.
We live in perilous times ! Look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 : "(1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." Notice that verse 5 says to have nothing to do with sinful people described here. (Except, of course, to witness to them about Jesus).
Though we are in the last days and times are chaotic, believers in Christ have a blessed hope (Titus 2:13) and faith to endure, and help from God to persevere and be strong while waiting for the Lord to return to take us home.
Keep praying, study God's Word, and keep looking up !
