Studying Prophecy

A recent entry on another Christian's prophecy website prompted me to write this today.

If I were to give advice to any serious student of Bible prophecy about how one should approach these issues today I think I would start by sharing something that author Grant Jeffrey once wrote.

"Many sincere students of prophecy have previously calculated dates for the fulfilling of these events, only to see the dates come and go, disproving their calculations. The result, of course, is that the world and most Christians tend to ridicule or ignore all prophecy completely. However, this attitude in unjustified. What other area of study, biblical or otherwise, is abandoned because earlier efforts failed to arrive at a complete understanding of the subject? If scholars had abandoned the study of such sciences as geology or physics simply because earlier theories proved to be inaccurate, there would be few scientists and little scientific knowledge today. We learn from the failures as well as the successes of early biblical scholars. We must avoid being dogmatic in setting dates so that we can have an open mind to interpret the data carefully and purposefully. Time alone will reveal whether or not we have correctly understood a specific prophecy. Jesus rebuked the spiritual leaders of Israel for not recognizing the signs of the Messiah's coming, which had been extensively prophesied in the Old Testament. In light of the tremendous number of prophecies regarding 'this generation' and Christ's command to 'Watch,' we should prudently inquire into what Scripture reveals about the timing of these important future events." From Armageddon: Appointment With Destiny, Pages 212-213

Boy, that seems to sum everything up quite nicely doesn't it? I realize he's primarily addressing those who shun "date-setters" even though his message could also apply to those who look for clues as to who the Antichrist might be or, even those who want to better understand how other major and unfulfilled prophetic events might play out on the world stage in the near future.

Regardless, the point is that we need to keep an open mind as lovers of truth. Recently I was thinking to myself, man, you're all over the place with your thoughts! Here's the thing, when you start uncovering lies, and getting closer to the truth, it requires a re-evaluation of everything you thought you knew - more prayer, and more digging.

To discover the truth requires real effort, as I've said for a long time now, you have to really want it. Why have I said this? Because the bible said it first:

"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:2-5

It's no secret that lately I've been seeing that some of the ideas and interpretations we've held for so long may be slightly off the mark? Not that this was done on purpose by those scholars who have come before us, but only because we needed real-world events to catch up to our understanding, and so as events unfold here on this planet these prophecies and our understanding of them come into a clearer focus.

It's in that frame of mind that I attempt to tackle prophecy in this forum, and I admire those who are open to considering a slightly different understanding for their passion and desire to find and understand the truth.

Please join me in the search and engage in the discussion so that we can learn from each other.

Posted in: Prophecy Basics,Welcome,Why Study Prophecy?