Why should we study Prophecy?

[Ezra]

Prophecy in the Bible was written literally "God-breathed"- by the creator of our Universe.It foretells the future and it explains the positive and negative results of the events to come.

We generally think of prophecy as revelations pertaining to future events.  However, in essence prophecy is all revelation directly from God to men.  Therefore the entire Bible is prophetic, and every word of Scripture is there for a reason.

 

The Almighty Creator has revealed Himself in the Bible as One who is deeply involved with mankind, and has chosen to reveal Himself in the Person of His Son. But God has also chosen to reveal His plans and purposes for those whom He redeems, as well as for the earth and the universe.  And this is where Bible

prophecy comes in.  Those who ignore prophecy or seek to dismiss it simply lose out on the blessings of knowing the heart and mind of God.

 

The problem today is that there are various schools of thought regarding prophetic matters, which simply leads to confusion.  And it does not matter how many Scriptures you present to those who are already committed to a specfic perspective.  They will continue to reject what they have chosen to reject.  For example, Amillennialists will not accept the fact the Millennium is a future event even though Scripture points in that direction.

[Guest]

Well, for the most part, I figure that prophecy is a large part of the Bible. I figure that God provided that Bible for mankind. I also suppose, that He therefore wants us to read it, and I doubt He wants us to read it, but fail to understand it. Prophecy can be difficult to understand, so that is why I study it, rather than merely read it, because I want to understand, what God wants me to know.

Failure to understand prophecy in the past, has contributed to people failing the recognize the Messiah when He came, yet His identity was spelled out, for those who could take the time, the effort, be diligent in prayer and study, to see who Messiah was.

Jesus called men "fools" for failing to understand and accept prophecy:

 

25And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 

 

Do we want to be diligent in understanding prophecy, or do we also want to be fools? That is one reason, to study prophecy.

 

We are also warned repeatedly, not to be deceived about the things of the end times, I would say that avoiding deception, is another good reason to study prophecy.

 

Some, might think it worthwhile, to procure certain blessings.

 

 3Blessed 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.

 

("Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.")

 

What do you think, bopeep?

[missmuffet]

Yes,the coming events that God has planned for this world.If He did not want us to know about it and study it then He would not have put it in the Bible.

[other one]

I believe He is telling us these things so we will not falter as the end comes....

 

Paraphrase according to Sam::::::      I'm going to throw you under the bus, but I'll make it up to you later....

[Bible2]

bopeep1909 said in post 1:

 

Why should we study Prophecy?

 

The future fulfillment of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24, before Jesus returns immediately after the tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6), should be relevant to every Christian regardless of whether or not he thinks he will still be alive to go through it, just as, for example, the past fulfillment of Genesis chapters 1 to 11 should be relevant to every Christian regardless of him not being alive at that time to experience it. For all scripture regarding all times is profitable to all Christians in all times (2 Timothy 3:16).

 

Also, the future fulfillment of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 should be especially relevant to every Christian alive today. For the main reason the Bible gives clear warning ahead of time about everything Christians alive at the time of the tribulation will have to face (Mark 13:23, Revelation chapters 6 to 18, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 22:16), before Jesus returns immediately after the tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6), is so Christians can be better prepared mentally not to be blindsided (1 Peter 4:12-13) or deceived by anything that is coming (Matthew 24:4-5,23-25, Revelation 13:13-18, Revelation 19:20), and so they can be better prepared mentally to endure the future tribulation with patience and faith to the end (Matthew 24:9-13, Revelation 13:7-10, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4-6), and not commit apostasy during the tribulation (Isaiah 8:21-22, Matthew 24:9-13, Matthew 13:21), to the ultimate loss of their salvation (Hebrews 6:4-8, John 15:6; 2 Timothy 2:12).

 

--

 

On the other hand, preterism (whether full or partial), as well as historicism (in its various modern forms), and pre-tribulation rapturism, symbolicism, and spiritualism, could all be animated by the same spirit of fear: that the church alive today throughout the world would otherwise have to physically suffer through the future, almost-entirely literal, worldwide tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24. For these 5 views of preterism, historicism, pre-tribulation rapturism, symbolicism, and spiritualism, in their different ways, each gives a mistaken assurance to the church alive today that it won't have to physically suffer through that tribulation.

 

Preterism says the tribulation happened in 70 AD (or a few years before and including 70 AD). Historicism says it happened over a long period in history (e.g. during the rise and height of the RCC's power in Europe during the Middle Ages and after, or during the rise and spread of Islam in the Middle East and elsewhere during the Middle Ages and after). Pre-tribulation rapturism says Jesus will return and rapture the church into the 3rd heaven before the tribulation. Symbolicism says the tribulation is only symbolic of theological themes which those in the church have always had to struggle with (e.g. Matthew 6:24), and is symbolic of only-local physical persecutions which some in the church have always had to face, and are still facing today in some places. And spiritualism says the tribulation is only spiritual events which go on only within the hearts of individuals.

 

But when the almost-entirely literal, worldwide tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 begins in our future, the shaky doctrinal wall which (in their different ways) these 5 views have each tried to build up between the church and the tribulation, will be completely shattered (Ezekiel 13:10-12) as the church worldwide begins to physically suffer through the tribulation (Matthew 24:9-31, Revelation 13:7-10, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4-6). These 5 views may have left some in the church unprepared mentally to undergo this physical suffering, to where these 5 views could even contribute to some in the church ultimately losing their salvation because of committing apostasy (Hebrews 6:4-8, John 15:6; 2 Timothy 2:12) during the tribulation, when they become "offended" that God is making them and their little ones physically suffer through it (Matthew 24:9-12, Matthew 13:21, Isaiah 8:21-22, Luke 8:13).

 

Even though the church today throughout the world will have to physically suffer through the future tribulation, the church need not fear this (cf. 1 Peter 4:12-13, Revelation 2:10). For even though many in the church will suffer and die during that time (Revelation 13:7-10, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4-6, Matthew 24:9-13), this will be to their gain, as it will bring their still-conscious souls into heaven to be with Jesus (Philippians 1:21,23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; see also 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:12), and it won't rob them of the blessed hope (Titus 2:13) of obtaining eternal life (Titus 1:2, Titus 3:7) in an immortal, physical resurrection body (Romans 8:23-25, Philippians 3:21, Luke 24:39) at Jesus' 2nd coming (1 Corinthians 15:21-23,51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6), which will occur immediately after the future tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6).

[Spock]

I tend to avoid prophecy study because I find myself, and others, speculating more so than inferring or hearing. And while I read somewhere in the Bible that it was okay to reason or speculate, so to speak (I'm paraphrasing), while trying to perceive scripture, it is not okay to do so about prophecy. That is, only prophets shall prophecy, elsewise it is damnable...

So, while I will read other's ideas, I, myself, try to avoid interpreting prophecy to others, for fear of doing something really bad; and I just hope that, when the time comes, I will finally be able to hear what I have read.

Also, if any of you know the verses I'm referring to, please post them - my memory of what precisely they read fells me.

Please don't take offense at me saying this, but I find your words here to be a cop out. A cop out to not study the word even harder than you probably already do.

Ever hear of the saying, no pain, no gain? Well, that may apply in scripture study too.

If God made so much of his word prophetic, then guess what? Prophecy is pretty important to God, and what is important to Him should be important to us.

Again, no offense intended bro.

Spock out

[other one]

John 16:1-4
16:1 "These things I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. 3 "And these things they will do, because they have not known the Father, or Me. 4 "But these things I have spoken to you, that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
NASB

[Omegaman 3.0]

For these 5 views of preterism, historicism, pre-tribulation rapturism, symbolicism, and spiritualism, in their different ways, each gives a mistaken assurance to the church alive today that it won't have to physically suffer through that tribulation.

I think that observation is a good one, in fact your whole post was pretty good. However, I would like to add a thought. While some views give a false sense of security, by indicating that either  hard times have already happened, or that the church in the future will either be rescued out of them or protected in them, I see something in the book of Revelation that many miss.

 

I make no secret of the fact that I believe the church will go through the great tribulation. However, if you pay attention to the book (of Revelation), you will see that it is not a book of prediction of horrors and terrors, it is a book of encouragement. It says over and over, to hold fast, hang on, persevere! It tells us that these things are coming, yes, but to take heart, because as Jesus said, we should not fear those who can kill the body (Matt 10:28), and then no more. The time of the tribulation is limited, it is only a few years. What is that compared with being with the Lord in eternity, with everything fixed, restored, and enhanced? What is coming is a small price, so the book says "hold on, be encouraged, your reward is great, and our team wins in the end".

 

I should probably point out that here is mine also. I would add this last thought. The things I just mentioned above, about being encouraged, is also an answer to the OP question.

 

Why should we read prophecy? So that if we find ourselves in tribulation (like those in other places are already experiencing) that we can expect in life in general (John 16:33), or that we should expect if we are living right (2 Tim 3:12), or if we find ourselves in the Great Tribulation (Matt 24:21), we will not be deceived and lose hope, but rather, be encouraged and stand fast to the glory of God!  

[FresnoJoe]

Why should we read prophecy?

 

So that if we find ourselves in tribulation (like those in other places are already experiencing)

 

that we can expect in life in general (John 16:33), or that we should expect if we are living right (2 Tim 3:12),

 

or if we find ourselves in the Great Tribulation (Matt 24:21),

 

we will not be deceived and lose hope, but rather,

 

be encouraged and stand fast

 

to the glory of God!  

 

 

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

[Your closest friendnt]

During the worship service in a church than once I attented something happen, which was new to me.

While we are singing a gentle hymn, someone from the cogregation in a loud voice spoke in another tong, in a manner of giving instructions.

In about a minute or less, someone interpreted the message in English. I learn that was tongs and interpretation, one of the gifts of the holy spirit.

Another time, during a prayer for a job for one of the members, who was waiting for an answer to a job interview, the church was praying, the job is ours, in the name of Jesus, we claim it in the name of Jesus and so on........you may say that's wonderful that's very positive. Suddenly someone said: the Lord has close this door and she is under qualified. Immediately they rebuke the person in the name of Jesus, saying you are not in unity, agreement with us, you are a jinx, please leave. But another brother who work in a lawyers office, made inquiries about the prospective employer and found out that there are outstanding harassment complains agains the prospective employer. Both times I learn something.

During his time on earth Jesus met some people who only had earthly glory in their minds.

They had explain the prophetic of the Kingtom of God and his Christ as an earthly Kingtom, and the enemies as earthly enemies(Syrians Egyptians,neibour nations, O!!! We forgot the Romans), and the Throne of David as an earthly throne. Jesus said. Let's get away from them.

His disciples who had the same teachings and hope they may have said to themselfs, his time has not yet come. They did not understand what he was telling them. But Pilate, understood him, that he is not a threat to the Romans (he never spoke agains them, to the contrary, when the Romans asked for his help he gave it to them. Healing their sick, and even raising their dead, he gave them life not death.) thats a prophetic picture ,(he raised Jweish fead too) that he will life to both Jews and Gentiles.

Pilate understood spiritual Kingtoms and he beleived Jesus when he said, my Kingtom is not from this world.

Jesus went through his own tribulations before he received his glory.

Jesus said, if you love me and obey my commandments me and my Father will come and make our abode in you. He did not say I will leave the throne in heavens and the Father will leave heavens for that to happen,( then he will be only in one person at a time). Jesus and the Father can be with as without leaving the heavens, come Lord come. Let's prepare our harts so we can be a desirable vessel for Jesus to come and be the king in our life. Then we will see him in our circumstances,

Peter obeyed him and went to Kornilius family.

(One example, ), we will hear his voice in our harts and he will tell us what and how he things about us. And will have his guidance, correction, and instruction not only for our selfs but for his ministry.