04 Jan Top Ten Reasons to Know Biblical Prophecies
The start of a new year is a popular time to set goals and make plans for the future. Perhaps because we are made in the image of a creator God, we are wired to look beyond the circumstances of today and look ahead with hope. Scripture tells us that the plan for Jesusā life, death, and resurrection was made āā¦before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sakeā (1 Peter 1:20). Godās plan for our future is presented in the prophecies contained in many of the Biblical books. The most intriguing prophetic book in the New Testament is Revelation, which is a book filled with vivid symbolism representing the literal second return of Christ that is yet to take place. Analysts have been trying to determine the exact time, place, and circumstances of Christās return since He ascended into heaven.
Every word of Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) and the prophecies are intentionally mysterious. Jesus himself said that no one but the Father knows the time of His return (Matthew 24:26). So what is the point of studying the prophecies?Ā In an interesting book by Mark Hitchcock, entitled The End: A Complete Overview of Bible Prophecy and the End of Days, he gives ten reasons to study biblical prophecies that go beyond trying to unravel the plans of Christās return:
- āProphecy is a major part of divine revelation.ā
- āSpecial blessing is promised on those who study prophecy and pay attention to what it says.ā
- āJesus Christ is the subject of the prophecy.ā
- āProphecy gives us a proper perspective in life.ā
- āProphecy helps us understand the whole Bible.ā
- āProphecy is a tool for evangelism.ā
- āProphecy helps protect people from heresy.ā
- āProphecy motivates us to live godly lives in light of eternity.ā
- āProphecy reveals the sovereignty of God over time and history.ā
- āProphecy proves the truth of Godās Word.ā[1]
Prophetic messages point to our Hope for all of eternity ā Jesus. With an entire section of the Old Testament dedicated to the prophets and major New Testament discourses contained in Matthew 24 and Second Thessalonians in addition to the book of Revelation, it would be easy to overlook the prophecy that is woven into much of the Scriptures. In order to get a glimpse of Godās future plans, you must know the entire Biblical story, to recognize the prophecies that have already been fulfilled and which we are still awaiting. Every book of the Bible points to Jesus; shouldnāt we know them all?
The Amazing Collection: The Bible, Book by Book is an excellent tool for learning the contiguous story of God and understanding the times we live in now in relation to the second coming of Christ.
āTherefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.ā (Matthew 24:42).
For more information about The Amazing Collection: The Bible, Book by Book or any other Big Dream Ministriesā study, visit us at www.BigDreamMinistries.org or email us at CustomerCare@TheAmazingCollection.com
[1] Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Mark Hitchcock, The End: A Complete Overview of Bible Prophecy and the End of Days (Tyndale House Publishers; Carol Stream, IL: 2007), pages 4-15.