Why Study Prophecy

Words like the “Rapture,” the “Tribulation,” and “Judgment” are used daily in our Christian conversation, church meetings and in the media without consequence or understanding. What do these words mean? How do we understand their purpose? And how does it affect Me? In a day in which Israel is threatened with the possibility of Nuclear attacks, the US seems to be more divided on faith than ever and Christians everywhere are asking why; we will look to God’s Word for the answer to these questions and seek to gain understanding as we look to the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1. WHY STUDY PROPHECY?

• What is Prophecy? History written in advance

a. Isaiah 46:9-11 “Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times thins which have not been done, saying, ‘My prupose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pas. I have planned it, surely I will do it.”

• Many people are fearful when approached with the word prophecy

• Some feel as though their lack of understanding is unworthy of knowing what God has in store for his people

• We read horoscopes, tabloids, and watch the weather channel to see what is coming, but when it comes to our future as Christians many turn a deaf ear

• Prophecy is one of the most exciting things in God’s Word; 28% of the Bible is dedicated to prophetic speaking

a. Prophecy acquaints us with the most important subject of the ages: GOD’S PLAN FOR MAN

b. Studying Bible prophecy convinces us that there really is a God

c. The literal fulfillment of prophecy teaches us that prophecy should be interpreted literally

d. The study of prophecy prepares the Christian to avoid the deceptions of the many false prophets that are arising in our day

e. The study of prophecy promotes an Evangelistic Church

f. The study of prophecy tends to purify the believer

g. Prophecy offers confident hope in a hopeless age

• Although we don’t know the date and time of the return of Christ; we can know the situation’s that will facilitate the rapture of the elect

• Matthew 24:32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.” “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors!”

• Two things are evident in this passage:

a. The certainty that this ‘blooming’ will occur

b. The uncertainty of the time

• Matthew 25:13 “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

• Have you ever noticed in the spring of the year that the trees get ‘red tips’ and then all of the sudden everything turns green? Seemingly overnight. Jesus was teaching practically and on a level that He knew the people hearing and reading would understand

• The coming of Jesus Christ will come much in the same manner, we hear about it everyday, and all of the sudden the world is looking around wondering why millions of people have disappeared

2. PROPHECY ACQUAINTS US WITH GOD’S PLAN

• What is God’s plan?

• God’s plan is for He and His greatest creation; man, to have a close, personal, and intimate relationship with one another

• Genesis 1:27-28 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of god created he him; male and female created he them.” “And God blessed them…”

• Proverbs 8:17 “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”

• God has always had a plan of redemption for those that love him

a. Noah

b. The 3 Hebrew Children

c. David

d. Us

• We cannot know God’s plan for our lives if we don’t know his word

• Deuteronomy 6:6 “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.”

• The parable of the ‘Ten Virgins’ (Mt. 25:1-13) gives us a glimpse into the necessity of knowing God’s plan for us in our lives: For when the master comes, it will be too late to prepare

• God’s plan was for a Deliverer to come into Israel, Israel turned a blind eye when He did not set up an earthly kingdom

a. Romans 11:25 “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”