1.
A study of prophecy expands the believer's understanding
of the purposes, plans, and person of God. A significant
percentage of Scripture is prophetic in nature. The Old
Testament has over 300 prophecies regarding the first coming
of Christ, all of which were fulfilled literally. Also
included in the Old Testament are prophecies dealing with
the Second Coming of Christ. The New Testament has
significant sections of prophetic literature (Matthew 24,
Luke 21, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Revelation) as well as many
references to the second coming.
2.
A study of prophecy irrevocably sets that understanding
in cement. On the socio-political scene, our world
evidences an increasing move toward wickedness. The world
isn't going to get better through education, programs, or
peace initiatives. The moral fabric of mankind needs
revolutionizing from the inside. Christ is the answer, to be
sure, and every believer needs to focus on being salt and
light in the world. Biblical prophetic literature, however,
clearly indicates that things won't get much better until
Christ comes again.
3.
A study of prophecy will enable the believer to avoid
being deceived should he enter into the last days. In
the context of the Olivet Discourse, an end-time teaching by
Christ (Matthew 24), Jesus begins His teaching with the
warning, "See to it that no one misleads you." Paul, in his
instruction to the Thessalonians (2 Thes. 2:3), echoes Jesus
when he says, "Let no one in any way deceive you..." In the
same chapter Paul explicitly states that in the last days a
blinding deception and delusion will prevail in the lives of
those who fall for Antichrist's lies.
4.
A study of prophecy is obedience to Christ and equips the
Christian with information necessary to be alert and "heed"
what Jesus has revealed regarding the last days. Jesus,
in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24) challenges believers to
"be on the alert" (24:42) and "be ready" (24:44). In
Revelation 1:3 (ca. Rev. 22:7), Jesus announces a blessing
for the one who "heed[s] the things which are written in
[the book]."
5.
A study of prophecy will prepare the saint(s) with
strength and perspective should they enter that period of
history. Scripture reveals that the closing seven years
of history (the 70th Week of Daniel) will be fraught with:
(1) geological convulsions (Rev. 6:12; Matt. 24:7); (2)
cosmic disturbances (Rev. 6:12, 8:12; Joel 2:31); (3)
despotic inhumanities (Rev. 6:3-4; Matt. 24:9-11); and (4)
Satanic deceptions (2 Thes. 2:10); all of which will cause
fear and confusion for all who are not expecting or
anticipating such a time. Jesus described this time as a
"great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the
beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall." (Matt.
24:21) Daniel said it will be "a time of distress such as
never occurred since there was a nation until that time."
(Dan. 21:1)
6.
A study of prophecy will provide an anchor for the soul,
gripped to a solid rock, as well as remind every saint of
that living hope and embed it deeply in his heart. Paul
reminds us in Titus 2:13-14 that the coming of Christ is,
for the believer, a "blessed hope." One day Christ will
return as the Scripture clearly dictates (Acts 1:11). That
hope is like a harbor lighthouse for a ship on the stormy
sea. The turbulence we experience in this world will someday
give way to a glorious golden millennium where righteousness
and true justice will prevail. The king will be none other
than Jesus Christ.