7 reasons to study end-time events and prophecy

7 Reasons to study end-time events

We live in a peaceful world, right?

Ha. You read that first sentence and probably chuckled, or perhaps teared up and took a deep breath. “I wish” quite possibly ran through your mind. In response to recent events and continuing unrest within our society, the hope and prayers for world peace continue to rise.

The motivational speakers encourage everyone to start finding peace within themselves and to make a difference by sharing that peace with others. Sounds good, right?

Well, not really, and here’s why. Although we should live peacefully with one another, and we should examine ourselves to make changes internally with our own thoughts and our heart responses toward the issues of life, the truth is that in our sinful nature we will be incapable of perfectly governing “sin” without submitting to the ONE who overcame sin on the cross.

In other words, people will admit that something is wrong with the world, they may perhaps admit that something is wrong within ourselves. However, unless one acknowledges that we have a big SIN problem and determines to Biblically deal with SIN through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then the “religion” that will be embraced by the world is the one that seeks to embrace peace without embracing Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Enter HUMANISM. 

 

(a focus on humans as prime importance; a love for humanitarianism above a love for God with an emphasis on the goodness of humans; in essence – a worship of humans above a worship for God.)

 

Enter modern-day Tower of Babel. 

(the Biblical example of humans worshipping their own efforts with an attempt to reach God “in their own way”… God allowed confusion through various languages while thwarting their humanistic attempt to unify on their own terms.)

What is the antithesis of life with Christ?  You know, anti-Christ. 

I’m not talking about one person called the “anti-Christ”… I’m talking about seeking a life on earth that closely resembles God’s ideal (some might call it a Utopia) without God’s idea: Jesus. In other words, God originated the idea of an ideal government and ideal Kingdom, but it starts with Jesus as the leader with followers that practice repentance from the sinful nature. True followers of Jesus choose to align themselves with Him, His truth, and His Biblical statutes.

The world; however, will try to replicate that idea of an ideal government without Jesus Christ. The ideas and plan will sound wonderful and almost God-like, but they will not include Jesus, and certainly not a Biblical worldview.

“And this, friends, is what we are dealing with in our present reality… a heart cry for peace without wanting the Prince of Peace. “

In the books such as Revelation and Daniel, Biblical prophecy is outlined and we are watching so much unfold before our eyes.

Will you study and become a good Berean and seek to understand the times so that you might be full of wisdom, understanding and comfort in times of unrest, or will you ignore the signs of our times while denying the Biblical realities of our present day and pretend that you can continue with life as usual? Is your hope that “it will all go away and get fixed if we embrace peace” or is your hope in Jesus, the Prince of Peace?

So, why should we (as Christians) study end-time events, prophecy (such as found in Revelation and Daniel), and solidify a Biblical worldview?

1. To grow in knowledge and help us make sense of unfolding events: As more unrest and cries for “peace” rise up, we must know what God says about all of it. His knowledge / fore-knowledge about world events is shared with us in His word. He does not leave us uninformed. God prepares us for upcoming trials. In the event that Christians were to face trials or persecutions, God would be faithful to strengthen and prepare His children.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”  (NIV)

2. To grow in wisdom and discernment: God’s word tells us what to expect and gives us knowledge so that we may use that knowledge and grow in wisdom. In other words, the more we know, the more we can apply what we know to the ways we choose to live. For example, we will discover that God’s word warns about great deception that will take place in the last days. In wisdom, we should conclude that there’s the possibility that we could be deceived and therefore determine to remain faithful to God’s truth and His word so that we might not go astray or fall into modern-day deception, such as humanism.

Proverbs 4:6-7 “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you: love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.” (NIV)

3. To avoid deception: If we do not learn who Jesus is as explained by the prophets and in books such as Revelation, it is possible that we could miss vital information and perhaps fall into deception. The more we know about what God’s word says, the more we can discern what is Biblically accurate and what is not. For example, if know ahead of time that the world will cry out for peace, we will be able to discern that such a cry and “false” peace will be in error since God’s word says in

1 Thessalonians 5:3 “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction will come upon them…”

The Bible states over and over again “be not deceived” such as stated in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11.

4. To know Jesus more:  God reveals who His is through His word. The prophetic books in the Bible are part of God’s word and equally important to the big-picture of understanding and knowing God, the Holy Spirit, and the mission of Jesus. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (NIV). We must seek to know Jesus more and we will see time and time again in God’s word that Jesus is the answer for this life and all of its issues. We must know Him intimately to walk securely.

5. To be comforted and hopeful: As we study the prophecies and events to come, it can be overwhelming. However, we can grow in hope and rest in the promise of

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV)

The world is at loss for understanding. When we understand the times, we can walk confident that God has everything under control. We can boldly and joyously share our hope and wisdom! Jesus is our hope and He will one day return. We can look forward to eternity in the presence of Jesus with great anticipation. We can find comfort in knowing that the time is near for the unfolding of prophecy in which Jesus will establish His Kingdom and the “government will be upon His shoulders” after He deals with mankind through the prophesied events that unfold.

6. To get ready for the return of Jesus: God’s word is clear that Jesus will return. We want to be living in anticipation for Him. Our lives should reflect our great love for Him through the way we choose to live in accordance to His word. (Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13)

7. To be blessed: Revelation 1:3 states,

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

Friends, we have been given an great peace in the midst of unsettling times. May Jesus, the Prince of Peace, comfort and strengthen you today.