let's talk about prophecy
One of the most difficult subjects to teach on in the Bible is that of eschatology or the study of the last days. That is because in order to be able to do so effectively you need to have a good working knowledge of most of the Bible including the minor prophets, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah and the gospel, as well as, the book of Revelations. It seems that either teachers avoid the subject entirely or they major on it and rarely talk about anything else. Worse than that, young believers sometimes get obsessed with it and avoid the more basic teaching that they need. There is a great deal of debate on how things will occur and even great bible scholars disagree on the sequence of events at the end times. So, I thought I would just make a list of what we know for sure about what will happen.
We know that in the last days there will be many false teachers. Jesus said this in Matthew 24:24 when he said "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." Peter and Paul both also mention this in their writings (see 2 Peter 2:1-2). There is going to come a day when people won't tolerate the truth, but gather for themselves teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. This is happening today. The gospel is being distorted by many from a Christ centered gospel to a man centered gospel.
We know that it will be sudden. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 says, "For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, Peace and safety, then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child and they shall not escape." Jesus says it this way, "For just as the lightning, when it flashes otu of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day." The rest of that passage in Luke 17 make it clear that most people will be going about their daily routine verse 27 and then he will return suddenly. That is why Jesus is so emphatic that as believers we are to be watchful and ready for his return. There is not going to be time for a prayer meeting. There isn't going to be time for much of anything. The twinkling of an eye is about a short a period of time as I can imagine. Jesus tells us that our responsibility is to be ready for his return, not necessarily to have the whole sequence figured out.
We know that in the last days there will be many false teachers. Jesus said this in Matthew 24:24 when he said "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." Peter and Paul both also mention this in their writings (see 2 Peter 2:1-2). There is going to come a day when people won't tolerate the truth, but gather for themselves teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. This is happening today. The gospel is being distorted by many from a Christ centered gospel to a man centered gospel.
We know that it will be sudden. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 says, "For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, Peace and safety, then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child and they shall not escape." Jesus says it this way, "For just as the lightning, when it flashes otu of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day." The rest of that passage in Luke 17 make it clear that most people will be going about their daily routine verse 27 and then he will return suddenly. That is why Jesus is so emphatic that as believers we are to be watchful and ready for his return. There is not going to be time for a prayer meeting. There isn't going to be time for much of anything. The twinkling of an eye is about a short a period of time as I can imagine. Jesus tells us that our responsibility is to be ready for his return, not necessarily to have the whole sequence figured out.
