2 Peter 1:19 ...'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.'
This website is all about Bible prophecy and the end times, but why do we put such an importance on end times prophecy? Does the Bible tell us the role that prophecy plays in a Christian walk with Christ Jesus? Well first of all, how is all scripture given?
2 Timothy 3:16 ...'All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.'
So ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, which includes Bible prophecy, and is profitable for our Christian lives. So the many professing Christians that proclaim Bible prophecy is not important, need to take a look at this verse above and realise that ALL scripture is important. Now for what purpose is scripture given to us?
2 Timothy 3:17 ...'That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.'
Wow! So scripture is pretty important for us don't you think? But does just reading the Bible, including prophecy make us perfect? No, we need to HEED what the Word of God says and actually start LIVING it. It will do us absolutely no good at all to just read the Bible and not actually DO what it says. We need to be DOERS of God's Word, not just hearers only ... James 1:22-25 ...'But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.'
To whom do the things of God that are revealed belong? ... Deuteronomy 29:29 ...'The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.' ... They belong to us, that is the Christian family.
Now many Christians will say that Bible prophecy has not been revealed and we cannot know or understand what it all means. But what is the last book of the Bible, that great book of prophecy called? ... Revelation 1:1 ...'The REVELATION of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.' ... It's the book of REVELATION, not the book of secrets. It was given to SHOW the followers of Christ the things that are to come upon this world. And what does it say about those who read and understand this book? ... 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.' ... They are blessed! So how could Bible prophecy not be understood if it says itself that those who read and keep the things it REVEALS will get a blessing from them? No, we certainly have a sure word of prophecy that Christ has given and revealed to us.
Now how were the Old Testament prophecies given? ... 2 Peter 1:21 ...'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.' ... And what is said of the interpretation of these prophecies? ... 2 Peter 1:20 ...'Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.' ... What does this mean? It means that no one can give an explanation of Bible prophecy without first studying the rest of God's Holy Word. We cannot read one piece of scripture and then interpret it, we must use other scripture to be able to interpret ... 1 Corinthians 2:13 ...'Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.'
What did the prophets of old seek in giving their prophetic revelations from God? ... 1 Peter 1:9-10 ...'Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.' ... And by whose spirit were these prophetic revelations revealed? ... 1 Peter 1:11-12 ...'Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.'
So all the prophecies of the Bible were given by the Spirit of Christ Jesus Himself and are therefore given to be studied by all true Christians. We cannot lay aside any of God's Word thinking it not to be important. ALL scripture is given by God, therefore it is ALL important for us to study and seek the truth.
When were the prophecies in the book of Daniel to be understood? ... Daniel 12:4 ...'But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.' ... So the prophecies were to be sealed, in other words not understood until the end time. But we are now living in that end time. Many people have "run to and fro" within the Bible and knowledge of prophecy certainly has been increased. God has now revealed the truth about Bible prophecy and we can now see "what shall soon take place".
God gives His people, through the prophetic word, an opportunity to learn what is coming upon the earth, that they may know how to act when the predictions come to pass. In light of this, whoever is overtaken unawares by any calamity which the prophecies revealed, they will be held guilty by Him who lovingly revealed those things for our benefit. Did the Jews heed the prophecy from Jesus about the destruction of Jerusalem? No, and what happened to them? They were judged to have ignored the light given them and were destroyed.
We are living in the very last days of this earth's history and it is high time to start studying the sure word of prophecy that has been given to us.