Why Study Prophecy?

It is good to contemplate the consummation of history and the completion of God’s plan for this world. One reason we come together is to exhort each other as we see the day of the Lord approaching. Hebrews 10:25. The truths of prophecy will create a watchfulness, an alertness, and an expectancy in the saints of the Coming King.

There are seven distinct benefits that come from the study of prophecy. Every child of God should understand his or her hope for the future and be able to give an answer to those who ask the reason for the hope that we have. See I Peter 3:15.

1. Joy in the Midst of Tribulation.The first reason we study prophecy is because an understanding of the glorious future for the saints brings great joy – even in the midst of tribulation. There are many problems, trials and tribulations in this life – even for the children of the Lord. But through all those trials, there is the hope for a better tomorrow.The scripture admits that the righteous go through many tribulations. See II Thessalonians 1:4. But the affliction is light compared to the hope we see in the Word of God. “For our light affliction, which is for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” II Corinthians 4:17. When you survey the glorious future, and the inheritance of the saints in light, tribulation seems to be a very light burden.

   In Romans 8:18, the Apostle Paul wrote that our present sufferings not worthy to be compared to glory that will be revealed in us. And after he wrote to the Thessalonians about the wonderful return of Jesus, he said, comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:18.

   So many scriptures could be cited in support of this point. But these few are sufficient to establish that the study of prophecy can help to sustain your faith when you undergo the inevitable tests and trials of life.

2. Cleansing and Encouraging Holy Living.Prophetic verses entice the Christian to live a life that is acceptable to the Lord. Once you have a vision of His coming kingdom, you desire to go through progressive sanctification in order to be there. Thus, an understanding of prophecy encourages the saints to cleanse their lives of sin, and to live a holy lifestyle.The Apostle John wrote that everyone with this hope purifies himself. I John 3:3. Impure thoughts and manners are banished and laid aside to run the Christian race, and achieve the glorious goal seen in the Bible. Peter admonished the saints to make their calling and election sure, to that they would enter Christ’s millennial kingdom. II Peter 1:10-11. Like Paul we should all press for the mark, for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14.
3. Fulfilling needs in each Christian’s life.The study of all scripture, including the prophecies of the Bible, is profitable in that it supplies a need in every Christian’s life. Everyone who has had a genuine salvation experience with Jesus Christ will find that the Lord has given him or her a love for His Word.Paul wrote in II Timothy 3:16-17 that all scripture study is profitable. It profits the child of God in so many ways. The primary profiting from Bible study is that in so doing, you can save yourself and others. I Timothy 4:13-16. A knowledge of the Bible, including prophecy, is essential in your salvation. If you love God, you will want to know more about Him. If you want to know more about Him, read His Book. Revelation 22:7 contains a blessing for understanding prophecy: Blessed is he that keeps the sayings of prophecy.
4. Provision of Facts Regarding Life After Death.Throughout history, mankind has wondered if there is life after death. What happens to the soul when the body dies? Job asked, “If a man die, shall he live again?” Job 14:14. The only true answers to those questions are found in the study of biblical prophecy.The Bible says that all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. II Corinthians 5:10. There is a reckoning for all after death. Acts 24:15 shows that there will be a resurrection of the dead – both of the just and the unjust. In John 5:28-29, Jesus said that all those in the graves shall hear His voice.

   There is life after death. The saints shall be rewarded with glory, while the ungodly will face the Lord in judgment. The details of this future are contained in the Bible.

5. Supplies Truth About the End of Man’s Rule.Man has ruled the earth for 6000 years – and has done miserably. Hatred, warfare, atrocities, murder, starvation, poverty, disease all continue. But man’s rule is about to end. Jesus Christ is coming to rule. The study of prophecy supplies the truth about the future – not fairy tales, not speculation, not science fiction; but truth.Fallen man has had his kingdoms. The day is coming when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of the Lord. Revelation 11:15. The prophecy of Daniel 2:44 shows that Jesus will set up an everlasting kingdom. The establishment of His kingdom is seen in Revelation 21:1-5.

   A separate article in this issue covers the establishment of the millennial kingdom in more detail.

6. Gives Evidence of the Credibility of All Scriptures.One-fourth of the entire Bible is prophecy; and one-third of that prophecy has already been fulfilled. Numerous Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled at Jesus’ first advent. Other prophecies have already come to pass. It is beneficial to look into the prophecies that have been fulfilled exactly as the Word of God foretold. This gives credibility to the prophecies of the future – and establishes the validity of the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. The study of prophecy marshals evidence to support the credibility of the entire Bible. Because the Bible is true, we can believe its promise of salvation and its assurance of redemption.There were many prophecies in the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled 2000 years ago. In Isaiah 7:14, the Lord through His prophet said that a virgin shall conceive. Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived in her by the operation of the Holy Ghost. See Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:27. Micah 5:2 was written 700 years before the birth of Jesus, and said that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. See Luke 2:4-7. Jesus fulfilled many other prophecies.

   But there are other prophecies of the Old Testament that have already come to pass. In I Kings 13:2, the acts of a future king of Judah, Josiah, were prophesied 300 years before he was born. See II Kings 23:15-16. Isaiah prophesied of a future king of Persia, and even called him by name, hundreds of years before the king was born. See Isaiah 45:1.

   These and other prophecies, a flood, droughts and famines, etc., all establish that the Bible is what it says it is: God’s infallible Word.

7. Draws Our Hearts into Greater Worship of God.As we understand more about prophecy, we see that the God we serve is in complete control of His creation and that He will accomplish His plan. This causes us to worship Him all the more. Bible study creates in us a spirit of awe. His power and His purpose and His plan are praiseworthy.In I Timothy 6:15, the Apostle Paul blessed the only potentate. There are many rulers on earth; but there is only one Potentate. David blessed the Lord in I Chronicles 29:10-12, and said, “Thou reignest over all.” All of Psalms 66 is a praise for His greatness and plan for the future.

Bible study is practical and profitable. The study of prophecy, called “eschatology” by theologians, brings distinct benefits to the child of God. As with every doctrine, there are differing interpretations of the prophecies of the Bible, but that is no reason to deprive yourself of the joy and spiritual benefit that is derived from the study of the prophecies of the Word of God.