Why should we study prophecy when no one seems to agree on it?

(By Pastor Mark Fontecchio)

Question: Why should we study prophecy when no one seems to agree on it?

Answer: Unfortunately, many Christians shun Bible prophecy because of the assumed controversy that surrounds it. Prophecy is relegated to a secondary doctrine, which is seen as not essential to wrestle with. The assumption of perpetual disagreements on this issue has led many to a defeatist attitude. Why bother studying something that nobody seems to agree on? Others speculate, incorrectly, that the book of Revelation is the first place in Scripture we should turn to for the study of God’s plan for the ages. Then when they try reading the book of Revelation, without any prior understanding of prophecy, they come to the decision that it is exceptionally tough to comprehend. Based on this limited experience, a conviction is made that studying prophecy in Scripture will be hard and simply not worth the effort.

Prophecy is a substantial portion of Scripture, and when Christians neglect it they are cheating themselves of some of God’s Word. In reality, prophecy is an absolutely critical part of theology. If you cut out the prophetical portions of Scripture that deal with the end times, you would be left with a much shorter Bible than we have now. Prophecy is a major teaching of Scripture. We remind ourselves that the Apostle Paul wrote, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17, emphasis added). In other words, God wants us to study His prophecy found in His Word. It is a part of His will for every believer in Jesus Christ.

There is overwhelming confusion today about what the afterlife will bring for the believer in Christ. Bible prophecy cuts through this confusion, and teaches us that the afterlife is nothing like what is being portrayed in most movies and books today. As we come to understand prophecy, we see that our future involves serving, ruling, reigning, and working.

It is a common misconception that our work is merely a product of the fall of man into sin. The assumption is made that if sin were not present in this world we would not have to work. Genesis 2:15 reveals a notable contrast to this idea, by teaching, “Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” Adam tended the garden before he sinned. One prominent effect of sin is that our work is now much more difficult. Adam was told, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life” (Gen. 3:17).

For believers in Christ, we can know that our work will continue on in eternity, but without the negative effects of the Fall. Luke 19:11–27 informs us that our work will be considerably different than it is now, but it will continue. Thinking about Bible prophecy, and the end times, gives us a better perspective on life. It helps us to understand that this life is not all there is; there is a much higher calling.

Prophecy also provides us with hope for the future. When we lose a loved one we would like to know what the future holds. This is why Paul pointed out, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Cor. 15:19). Scripture instructs us that when believers die, there is no reason to mourn them as the world does. Prophecy teaches that we will be reunited with them (1 Thess. 4:13–17). This hope carries over to our longing to be with the Lord. We look forward to receiving our glorified bodies (Rom. 8:23–25). We crave to know more about our future. Bible prophecy is God’s answer for our hunger to know more. The Apostle Paul teaches us, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Phil. 3:20–21).

This same hope permeates our attitude. We should always be, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Far too many Christians obsess themselves with the here and now, instead of the life to come. The study of prophecy gives people a reason for the hope that is within them.

Knowing of our future with Christ gives us cause to consider another reason for studying prophecy. When Christ returns for His Church, every believer will stand before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Our good works will be rewarded as we give an account for the things done while in the body (1 Cor. 3:10–15; 2 Cor. 5:10). 1 Corinthians 4:5 reveals to us that the counsels of the heart will be the determining factor at the Judgment Seat of Christ. What will happen if we spend most of our time living for the world? The Bible has the answer, “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28). No believer in Christ should want to be ashamed when we stand before the Lord. What a disgrace it would be if a believer is living in sin (out of fellowship with the Lord) at the moment the trumpet sounds and we are called up together to meet our Lord in the air! Knowing our future should be a persistent motivation for us to live to please our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself testified, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20).

We see this identical teaching in other passages from the New Testament. Luke 19:11–27 helps us to recognize that while Jesus is gone we should be actively carrying out the work He has asked us to do, because one day we will each give an account when we stand before Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Realizing the day of accounting is approaching should be a motivation for godly living. This day of accounting is certainly a part of Bible prophecy. The reason many Christians today do not know much about the Judgment Seat of Christ is because they neglect the prophecies that teach about it in the Word of God. The reality of the imminent return of the Lord to rescue His Church from this present evil age gives us motivation to get out of bed each day and to live for Him. Jesus promised, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev. 22:12).

Colossians 3 confronts us with more reasons to study prophecy. There are two commands in the first two verses. We are to, “seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” and “set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1–2). Studying prophecy helps us to obey these commands. Both of these directives help us to put our lives in perspective. They remind us that no matter what happens in this life on earth, God is at work setting in motion His plan for the ages. Paul reminds us, “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4).

We dare not forget that a great deal of prophecy has already been fulfilled. This should build our confidence in God’s Word because the fulfilled prophecies validate the truthfulness of Scripture. When we begin to look at the prophecies of the Messiah, and see how many of these were fulfilled at the First Advent of Christ, it reminds us that we serve a God who is faithful to His promises. Many prophecies of the Messiah await future fulfillment in the context of the Second Advent, and we can count on these prophecies being fulfilled. As our faith in the Word of God deepens, we are led to worship our sovereign Creator. What great peace we can have knowing that He is in complete control of human history! The more we understand God’s plan for the end of the age, the deeper our appreciation is for His sovereignty.