If there is a subject in the Bible that is arguably the most debated, divisive, and distorted….it is the subject of Bible prophecy. Under the umbrella of end-times teaching, primary issues like the Rapture, Great Tribulation, Israel, Church, and Second Coming shape our outlook on the future and even how we live now. What we will look at now is the elephant in the room. It’s a growing trend to negate Bible prophecy in our day. Believers must answer the question, “Is Bible prophecy relevant” with clarity and boldness.
Prophecy is woven all through the word of God. Some prophecies identify certain people, places, and events. What we want to look at together is Bible prophecy as it pertains to end-time events. It is a given that believers will study and conjecture about prophetic issues right up to the time Jesus returns.
What I find sad and frankly unconscionable, is that we are living in a day when an increasing number of Christians are viewing Bible prophecy as irrelevant or as a distraction!
Some believers may come right out and articulate that Bible prophecy is a distraction. With others, the negating of eschatology may be more subtle. How is end-time theology negated by believers? There are many ways, but here are a few that are very apparent these days:
1. Viewing our fellow Christians who study prophecy as somewhat off-point.
2. Viewing Bible prophecy as a distraction from the here and now.
3. Believing that studying or teaching Bible prophecy will distract people from the task at hand.
4. Considering the study of the end time Bible prophecy is too difficult or too divisive.
5. The most prolific way many churches and leaders are attempting to negate Bible prophecy is by simply ignoring it altogether.
In neglecting the teaching of Bible prophecy, it has become foreign to many churches and Christians. If it is addressed or taught, it is met with the same enthusiasm one might expect for a month-long sermon series on the countless genealogies in the books of 1st or 2nd Chronicles!
Truthful prophetic material is exclusive to the Bible because it has to be 100% accurate and to be 100% accurate, it must be 100% fulfilled to the letter. Our God has a perfect record and I could write volumes about the spot-on accuracy of the word of God, but suffice it to say that the Lord of heaven knows everything and His wisdom is unsearchable. Isaiah 46:9
Far from being a wild shot in the dark, Bible prophecy declares future events with pinpoint accuracy as only the Lord can do. Although there are many things we won’t know until we get to heaven, so much relevant information has been given to us for our instruction and edification in this life. There is a significant portion of scripture that is prophetic. In the book: Ready With An Answer, Dr. John Ankerberg, and John Weldon have done the digging into the Bible and written about just how prevalent the subject of prophecy is in the word of God. Here are some facts worth considering:
1. Approximately 27% of the Bible consists of prophetic material.
2. Out of the 66 books in the Bible, 62 contain prophetic material.
3. In the OT & NT, more than 1,800 verses address the Second Coming of Jesus.
If nearly a third of the Bible deals with prophecy, it becomes evident that prophecy is much more than a periphery issue. In Revelation, we find a book that lays out the end-time scenario in great detail. Look at how chapter one starts by pointing directly to Jesus and His emphasis on the importance of this book in the life of a believer: Revelation 1:1
That is an amazing gift to every believer from God. He gives us His written word for instruction and direction. When he made the things “that must soon take place” known to John, it was for us His servants to read, hear, and keep what is written. In Revelation 22, Jesus tells us, “I am coming soon” three times. When we look through the Bible, when we read verses in their context, and when we find eschatological prophecy woven throughout its books, chapters, and pages it makes the point very clear: Bible prophecy isn’t a diversion, it’s enormously relevant today.
I want to address a disturbing trend. Although some people will ignore Bible prophecy teaching because some preachers label it a distraction, others will neglect it because of sensationalism. Date setting, Bible codes, and hype-artistry have all served as hindrances to sound end-time teaching.
It seemed like it wasn’t too long ago when pastors, teachers, and evangelists preached on the subject of Bible prophecy often. What good days they were….. when end times events were taught with clarity, boldness, and relevance. Good men of God used hermeneutical skills to interpret Bible prophecy and view it in its proper context. They knew Bible prophecy reflected the centrality and preeminence of Jesus. They knew Bible prophecy pointed us toward fulfilling the great commission, and they knew that Bible prophecy was not simply pointing to an ancient moment in time, but much of it has its ultimate and complete fulfillment in the future.
I have to tell you that I’m a bit weary of the soft-sell social gospel that is being peddled these days.
Teaching on judgment, repentance, atonement, and the Lord’s imminent return have been largely replaced by sermonettes on life enhancement.
When were we believers ever mandated to soft sell the gospel and package it in a politically correct box so we won’t offend anyone’s sensibilities? That was not the message of the early church. For them, loving His appearing was the blessed hope……not the great distraction. If we have become so wrapped up in our programs and “making church an experience they’ll return for”……it becomes apparent that many believers aren’t looking for the Lord’s return.
Instead, some are trying to make this life the apex of self-fulfillment. That outlook is diametrically opposed to the heart that loves His appearing, is a bold witness, and is watching and waiting. 1 Thessalonians 5:1
Please understand that grace, forgiveness, mercy, and the love of Jesus are paramount. But friends, it can only be paramount to a person who realizes that He is a wretched sinner before a holy God. The Bible says that godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation. Why would a person repent if they don’t know that Jesus is coming soon and that He is not coming back as their savior, but as their judge? Why would someone repent when the only message they hear many teachers in church or on television say is that: You are a good person, Jesus loves you, and God is going to make your life blessed and wonderful? Yes, Jesus loves them and His mercy extends to the sinner until they die or Jesus returns. Then it will be too late and they will face judgment.
The core message for 2,000 years has been that we are sinners, we need a Savior, and repent, the kingdom is at hand. The prevailing core message these days has changed from Jesus saves, and Instead, accept Jesus to enhance your lifestyle and circumstances.
We need real men and women who will teach the whole word of God and not pick and choose what is unoffensive.
Paul said that we are an aroma of life to those who are being saved and we are an aroma of death to those who are perishing. Moreover, we need Christian men and women who will be bold witnesses for Jesus in light of the reality of His soon return. We cannot peddle the word of God. As Christians, we must warn people that indeed, Jesus (is) coming soon.
Even among some evangelicals, the prevailing winds of apathy and disdain for Bible prophecy are sad. Recently I was listening to a 10-part CD series on the book of Revelation while traveling. A nationally known pastor was teaching through the book, why it’s important, how it affirms holy living and our love for spreading the gospel. He tells about a sad occasion when he went out to lunch with two other pastor friends. One of the pastors told a joke about the end times and the other one found it funny.
“Hey, did you know Jesus is coming again, and again, and again, and again?”
I’m not here to cast stones or blame because none of us is perfect. I do want to look at the heart of the issue. What was meant as humor and sarcasm show a complete and unbelievable disregard and disrespect for Bible prophecy and for the Lord’s soon return. Needless to say, the pastor teaching the Revelation series was floored by what he heard and stunned that fellow pastors had become so apathetic about a central reality in the Bible.
Let’s finish part 1 with a question: Am I saying that Bible prophecy is the focal point and main issue in the Bible? The answer is no. I’m saying this: When Bible prophecy is applied and taught in context, it points us directly to the centrality of Jesus, His gospel, and (the urgency) of the great commission.
In Part 2 next week we will look at how understanding Bible prophecy is relevant in our walk and how its reality equips us to be effective witnesses in the here and now.
All for Him,
Howard
