Why Study Bible Prophecy?

Daniel’s Example

The prophet Daniel was a student of Bible Prophecy, as shown in the following …

Daniel 9:1-4

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments

It’s interesting to note from the verses above  that the Prophet Daniel understood that the time was approaching God’s promised repatriation of the people of Judah to Jerusalem through the study of BOOKS. Therefore, studying the prophecies recorded by others – in this case JEREMIAH –  formed an important part of his ministry.

Likewise, we now can look back on the inspired writings of the prophets in the Bible, and gain an understanding that can be applied to this day …

Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 

Questions, Objections & Answers

1. I don’t see the point of studying Bible prophecy – it’s all about the past and I prefer to live in the here and now

At least one third of the Bible is directly associated with prophetic statements that explain the past, have been fulfilled, are being fulfilled now and declare what will happen in the future. Therefore, Bible Prophecy is of great importance and is not to be ignored by serious Bible believers.

Since the Bible declares that … “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), neglecting  prophecy (which constitutes such a large portion of scripture) would deprive one from a huge amount of the content of the Bible.

We are encouraged to recognise that “We have also a MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY; whereunto YE DO WELL THAT YOU TAKE HEED, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). The term “take heed” means to “pay serious attention to”. The true Bible believer will pay serious attention to what the Bible declares as prophecy.

We also read in 2 Timothy 2:15 … “STUDY to shew thyself APPROVED UNTO GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”.

Bible prophecy is NOT just about verifying THE PAST. Past history holds the key to what is occurring right NOW and points to what will happen in the FUTURE.

One of the main purposes of Bible Prophecy is to demonstrate the foreknowledge of God – the God who uniquely KNOWS and DECLARES the END from the BEGINNING …

Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

2. It’s too complicated

The Bible is a Spiritual book – it is INSPIRED BY GOD (literally GOD-BREATHED). The author of the book is the HOLY SPIRIT. Therefore, one must have the Holy Spirit working within oneself to understand the correct meaning of the scriptures. The Christian is admonished to be BUILT UP in THE MOST HOLY FAITH PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST … (Jude 20-21). Prayer is essential communication with God and prayer IN THE SPIRIT (which is praying in tongues – see 1 Corinthians 14:2) is absolutely essential to open up the channel of divine revelation. What is unintelligible to the non-believer becomes intelligible to the true believer – Those who have NOT THE SPIRIT are NOT CHRISTIANS (Romans 8:9) and therefore cannot properly understand the Word of God. Such persons will naturally find the scriptures complicated and hard to understand.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we (i.e. the Spirit-filled persons – the true Christians) have THE MIND OF CHRIST.

Even for those who have received the Holy Spirit, one must learn to lean upon the Spirit and not to natural understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

By the diligent application of prayer, searching the scriptures and being motivated by the Holy Spirit, what would seem too complicated to the natural mind becomes understandable – the eyes of understanding being opened (Ephesians 1:17-18).

3. It can be divisive

There is no doubt that different interpretations of the prophetic content of the Bible can cause divisions – differences and conflicts in understanding. However, in general, anything in the Bible can be misinterpreted or distorted if not properly discerned. Since the Bible is a Spiritual book, being led by the Spirit of God, prayer in the Spirit and comparing scripture with scripture are necessary to determine the correct interpretation. God will confirm the true interpretation through consistency in the Scriptures. His Word cannot contradict itself …

John 10:35b
“… and the scripture cannot be broken“

We are encouraged in 2 Timothy 2:15 …

“STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH”

This implies that there is a RIGHT way and many WRONG ways to divide (properly discern) the truth. The Holy Spirit is THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, so it’s clear that we must be LED BY THE SPIRIT.

We also read in 2 Peter 1:19-21 …

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that NO PROPHECY OF THE SCRIPTURE IS OF ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST“

Proper interpretation comes through the inspiration of the HOLY SPIRIT, and NOT through INDIVIDUAL opinion or intellect, independent of God.

Division only comes through misguided individual thinking that is  independent of the motivation of the Holy Spirit. This can be avoided through PROVING ALL THINGS are in algnment with the whole Word of God.

1 Thess 5:19-21
“Quench not the Spirit.Despise not prophesyings.PROVE ALL THINGS; hold fast that which is good”.

4. What if I make a mistake?

This is a common fear, especially in relation to the serious warning at the end of the book of Revelation …

Revelation 22:18-19 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, IF ANY MAN SHALL ADD UNTO THESE THINGS, GOD SHALL ADD UNTO HIM THE PLAGUES that are written in this book: And if any man shall TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book”.

This is directly related to the book of Revelation, but the principle applies to the entire Word of God – the Bible is God’s book!

However, this injunction needs to be balanced with God’s promise at the beginning of the book of Revelation …

Revelation 1:3 BLESSED is he that READETH, and they that HEAR the words of this PROPHECY, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

It’s evident that the book MUST BE UNDERSTANDABLE – that the correct interpretation MUST be available to the reader, otherwise, why would God have it written, and why promise a BLESSING ???

The clear answer is  that God requires that we DILLIGENTLY look into His Word to ensure we obtain the true picture. The reality is that “NOW we see THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY – THEN FACE to FACE” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Our knowledge is partial, and will remain so until Christ returns and the overcoming Christian sees Him face-to face.The expectation is that, as we approach the return of Christ, our knowledge increases, becoming closer to a full understanding.

It is wise to avoid any form of speculation. Some prophecy is clearly identified and fulfilled (e.e. the virgin birth), other prophetic statements are somewhat obscure, and the correct interpretation only becomes clear in the fulness of time. We need to exercise patience and diligence in our approach. We don’t know everything – we wait upon the Lord to clearly show us the truth. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would GUIDE US INTO ALL TRUTH (John 16:13).

We should always proceed with caution, but we must proceed!

5. I’m only interested in the Gospel

The Gospel is NOT only Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. The English word “GOSPEL’ comes from the Old English “GODSPELL”, which literally means “GOD’S STORY”. The WHOLE BIBLE is GOD’S STORY, and that certainly includes PROPHECY. So, as a genuine Bible believer, one should by necessity have a keen interest in every aspect of the Bible as the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). There is no excuse for bypassing or eliminating prophecy – it is woven into the fabric of the entire Bible. The Bible is a book of Prophecy.

6. Studying prophecy is a waste of time

The Bible believer is encouraged to “STUDY” the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15), which includes PROPHECY (2 Peter 1:19) (see answer to point 1).

The true believer will MEDITATE on God’s Word on a continuous basis…

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 119:97

“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day”

Psalm 119:105 
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”.

Studying and meditating on the scriptures is NEVER A WASTE OF TIME.

7. It’s more important to show God’s love

Philippians 1:9 records what Paul had to say about love …

“And this I pray, that your LOVE may abound yet more and more IN KNOWLEDGE and in all JUDGMENT.

So, for love to abound it has to be combined with KNOWLEDGE and JUDGMENT. We increase our knowledge of God and His plan and purpose through increasing our understanding of the scriptures. See the following …

Luke 24:2, 32, 44-46; John 5:39; Acts 17:2, 11; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17;  

Conclusion

Many excuses can be brought up to avoid prophecy, but in reality, there is no valid excuse. Prophecy is a vital and integral part of the Bible as the Word of God – the God who knows and declares the end from the beginning. God’s pre-determined plan is central to the expression of who God is, and underscores the immutability of His Word. Prophecy is not only worthy of our interest and study, but is abslolutely essential to God’s plan and purpose for mankind.