The events currently happening between Russia and Ukraine demonstrate the obvious instability of worldwide leadership, the continuous slide into debauchery, perversion, along with increasing hatred, blind rage, and violence against one another and God. Some people are even promoting the insane and evil idea that we can somehow wish Him out of existence. These deviants are under a satanic delusion to kill Him and then make themselves objects of worship and awe. If this sounds familiar to those of us who read and believe the Bible, then you know that this is the fruit of Satan's arrogant belief that he and a third of the rebellious angels could defeat God and then establish himself as the ruler of the heavens and the world (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-17; Matthew 4:8-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:5-8; John 8:44; Revelation 12:7-17). Those of us who have placed our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can take comfort that nothing humanity has done or said throughout the estimated 6,000 years of our existence has ever taken Almighty God by surprise (Job 12:19; Psalm 32:10; Proverbs 16:9, 21:1; Isaiah 40:23, 44:25; Ezekiel 38:4; Revelation 17:17). These verses clearly show that we who are in Christ, especially those called to preach the whole counsel of God and His Word (John 17:17; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:12, 3:1-8, 2 Timothy 3;16-17; 4:1-5; 1 Peter 1:19-21) are to not only preach sound doctrine, but also prepare the flock for what is to come according to Scripture, including the subject of biblical prophecy and the current events that confirm it.
The unfortunate fact is that for a large number of preachers and teachers, biblical prophecy is something seen as a wonderland of varied interpretations not worth examining and thus ignored. This attitude is a clear sign of the last days that directly exposes their apostasy and disbelief in the Word of God (2 Timoty 4:1-5). There are pastors who, while staying true to the faith, prefer to stay in their "comfort zone" of personal belief or dogma that generalizes the issue of the end times. They will express some form of personal skepticism or argument about a belief in the idea of a pre-tribulation Rapture of the church, a literal millennium. or that the prophecies of Jesus concerning the end of days was somehow fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, or we go through the tribulations of Revelation just like the martyrs of the past and their times of persecution, or other theories. These issues need to be studied, discussed, and if need be, challenged or rebuked, but the point that I wish to make is that now is the time for every man of God who comes before his people with a Bible in his hand to face and address the topic and importance of the study of Bible prophecy. it cannot be ignored nor dismissed, for it composes one third of the Scriptures.
We are to preach the whole word, even the parts that make people uncomfortable, bringing conviction of sin and the need to repent. This is no time to "tickle ears" and provide soothing words that make people feel better but still lost and heading for a real hell if they do not trust in Jesus Christ for salvation NOW (Ezekiel 3:17-18; Acts 17:11, 20:28; Mark 16:15; 2 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17; Hebrews 9: 1 Peter 5:2). People need to know what is to come and to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ, His rule over the restored heavens and earth and eternal punishment for the wicked, rewards for the righteous, and His promise that "all things will become new". Prophecy teaches about the coming new world that will be forever free from sin, sickness, and the influence of the devil and those who have followed him. The preaching of Bible prophecy is also a warning to both believer and deviant that this world as it is will not continue (2 Peter 3:10). We are not to become neither friendly, content, compliant, nor comfortable in it (1 John 2:15). Prophecy needs to be preached for the fact that the end of history will arrive soon, and we will all have to give an accounting of our lives before Almighty God, like it or not. With all of this in mind, I would like to present a list, with Scripture proofs, the importance of teaching Biblical prophecy:
1) Bible prophecy is the tool used by God to assure that the paradise lost at the beginning of history will be restored (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 21:1-7).
2) Bible prophecy shows the Sovereignty of God in the affairs of His creation (Psalm 21:1, 16:9; Isaiah 40:25; Ezekiel 38:4; Revelation 17:17).
3) Bible prophecy shows that history and the existence of the universe has meaning, purpose, and direction. We are NOT the product of random chance or illogical evolutionary development nor are a fluke within the universe without meaning or purpose. (Genesis 1:26; Joshua 24:15; Matthew 6:33; John 4:24, 17:4; Acts 17:22-31, 20:24; Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 4:10, 5:15; Ephesians 2:5-6).
4) Bible prophecy shows us that when evil people and situations arise, God will use them for His purposes even if we do not understand or witness the outcome (Deuteronomy 29:29; Job, Chapters 38-42; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Daniel, Chapter 4; Matthew 24:4-14; 2 Corinthians 11:23-33).
5) Bible prophecy shows that the devil is a defeated foe. He will be judged, along with all of the rebels and evil people who followed him. No one will be overlooked, exempt, or without excuse, and will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity. There will be a new world free from the stain of evil forever (Genesis 3:15; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 12:13-21, 16:19-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 20:10-15).
6) Bible prophecy affirms the promise of redemption from the willful and deliberate rebellion that we brought upon ourselves through the mercy and grace of God in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:10; John 14:6; Acts 4:12, 16:31; Romans 5:6-11, 6:23, 10:9-10; 1 Timothy 2:3-7; 1 John 2:1-2).
7) Bible prophecy shows that the final government of the world is not the whims and schemes of kings, emperors, presidents, or tyrants, but under the perfect, holy, glorious, absolute, permanent, and iron rule of the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, now and forever. There will no longer be elections, corruption, deceit, or unscrupulous acts ever again. He will rule from Jerusalem. His people Israel will be safe, secure, holy, and the chief of nations in the new heaven and earth (Genesis 12;1-4; Psalm 2:1-12, 125: 2; Isaiah 9:1-6, 11:1-9; Matthew 25:31-46; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 20:10-15; Chapters 21, 22).
There are more reasons that I could list, but I wanted to present these assurances from Scripture to encourage and strengthen the faith of everyone else who is looking forward to His coming. We need to get serious in these last days about teaching the full account of Holy Scripture and use Bible prophecy as a tool for evangelism and a source of comfort to the lost and troubled souls of this world. Let us work while there is still day. Preach Jesus and His Word, brethren. He is the only hope for salvation and the assurance of true and everlasting peace.
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