Study Prophecy: Please read on to find out why studying prophecy is very important for every Christian.
Studying the End Times is Comforting to the Christian
Studying the End Times Keeps us From Being Deceived
Studying the End Times Results in Holiness
Introduction
There are many divergent views about the nature of the last days. There are what’s called futurists and preterists. There are pre-tribulationalists, mid-tribulationalists, and post-tribulationalists. There are pre-millennialists, amillennialists, and post-millennialists. And even within these various camps of thought there are many different branches and variations. With all the difference of opinion about prophecy and the end times, many have thrown up their hands and have given up on the study of the end times.
The purpose of this essay is to examine the importance of studying about the end times. Should we avoid this area of Biblical teaching as to not get into areas of difference with other Christians? Should we ignore this area because it is too difficult to understand? Surely, it seems reasonable to conclude that, since there are so many divergent views about the end times, then it must be impossible to learn about the end times with any confidence. So, why waste our time? Let’s just study about what we have agreement with many other believers on, right?
No, this is not the proper attitude in approaching the study of the end times. We find that a significant part of the Bible deals with the end times, including the second coming of Christ, judgment, hell, and eternal life. Surely, if God has given us so much information concerning the end times in His Word, then it must be important to study. We must remember that although there are so many divergent views concerning prophecy, there is only one truth. We must diligently study to search out that truth. But, let us go on to search out the importance of studying about the end times.
An Elementary Doctrine
Although there is much confusion concerning the end times, we find that God teaches us that this area of teaching is an elementary doctrine:
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Heb 6:1-2
We find that the writer of Hebrews desires to teach deeper truths of the Christian faith in chapters following Hebrews 6. He declares that the principles of the Christian faith have already been laid. These are those basic doctrines that are foundational and basic to the Christian faith. These 6 areas are: Repentance, faith, baptisms (i.e. sanctification), laying on of hands (i.e. sending forth of the Gospel), resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
It is interesting to note that in these 6 basic foundations of Christianity we find 2 that relate to the end times (i.e. the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment). We find that teaching about the end times is basic to the Christian faith. It is a fundamental building block of the deeper truths of Christianity. Therefore, we must be careful that we understand the doctrine of the end times before we can expect to get into a deeper walk in the Word of God.
This is confirmed in the statement by our Lord that He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Jesus has altogether to do with the future promise of resurrection for believers. This is foundational to our hope in the Christian life. We find also that the end times is part of the Gospel itself. Consider the following verses:
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Ro 2:16
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Rev 14:6-7
In Romans 2:16, Paul explicitly says that the judgment of the secrets of men is part of the Gospel. Although some understand the Gospel as concerning only ‘positive’ aspects of the truths of salvation, the fact of the matter is that the Gospel includes the fact that sin causes people to suffer judgment. Therefore, we must be very careful to understand events surrounding the end times so that we are able to accurately and fully preach the Gospel.
Hope of Eternal Life
The next reason that it is important to study about the end times is that it has altogether to do with our hope of the future. Consider the following:
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 3:2-3 (see also 1 Pet 1:13)
We see that in our current state, we are not yet glorified. We are unsure as to exactly what we will be like when we are resurrected into the glorious eternal life. However, we purify ourselves when this hope is within us. This hope is that of our glorious resurrected body and being face to face with God Himself (2 Cor 5:1-5, 1 Cor 15). We earnestly long to be clothed with our heavenly body that will be prepared for us.
It is important to keep our minds on our heavenly hope. If we have this mind in us, we will long to search out the truths about the end time and the eternal state of believers. We will eagerly await for our Savior (Phil 3:20, 1 Cor 1:7, Heb 9:27-28). We groan within ourselves because we are in the body away from the Lord (Phil 1:21-23). We hasten the day of the Lord and eagerly await for it:
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2 Pet 3:12
We look forward to the day that the earth will be destroyed and we will be in the eternal state. To the world, this attitude makes no sense. They love the world and the things in it. But, to the believer, we do not set our minds on the things of the flesh (Ro 8:1-9). We do not love the things of the world (1 John 2:15-17). Rather, we earnestly and eagerly hasten the day of the Lord. It is only natural that one way we do this is by studying God’s Word concerning the end times. We love to read, study and understand our coming meeting with Christ in the air.
Studying the End Times is Comforting to the Christian
The study and meditation of the end times is comforting. We want to see that our toil on this earth has not been in vain (1 Cor 15:58). Rather, we want to be assured that the suffering for Christ and His kingdom have been for the glory of God. Like Paul, Christians have been treated as the off scouring of the world. We groan within ourselves for the eternal kingdom of God (Ro 8:23). Therefore, because believers are heavenly minded (Col 3:1-4, Ro 8:5), it is only natural that a true believer would want to set his hope on the eternal state. He does this by prayer and studying God’s Word about the end times.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thess 4:13-18
In 1 Thess 4:13, we see a reason for sorrow over death. For those who do not have the hope of eternal life, death is a sorrowful time of not being able to enjoy the world’s pleasures. It is a time of despair and fear of the unknown. However, for Christians, we are to comfort one another with the words concerning the end times, especially the fate of those who have already died in Christ. All the woes of the world will be swallowed up in victory when Christ returns (1 Cor 15:53-55). Therefore, we see that the study of the end times is a great comfort to believers and should be seriously contemplated. It is, after all, the blessed hope that believers are awaiting for (Titus 2:13). We exalt in the hope of the glory of God (Ro 5:1-2). We wait expectantly for the Lord (Micah 7:7).
Studying the End Times Keeps us From Being Deceived
Another very significant reason that we are to study about the end times is to keep from being deceived. For example, we find that in Matthew 24, there will be many deceivers trying to deceive the very elect. In fact, there are 3 instances in Matthew 24 that God emphasizes to us that there will be many deceivers (Mat 24:4-5,11,24, see also Mk 13:7, Lk 21:9). Other Scriptures warn us of perilous times in the end days (e.g. see 2 Tim 3:1-5). Many antichrists will be on the scene trying to deceive (1 John 2:18).
In fact, the details of what we believe concerning the end times is very important. We see an example of this in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians:
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or are troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition
2 Thess 2:1-3
We see that there was deception taking place concerning the coming of Christ. Some were teaching that the day of Christ was already at hand. However, Paul reminded them not to be deceived. That day would not come until there was the apostasy and the revealing of the man of sin. Therefore, we see that it is easy to be deceived by false teachers concerning the end times.
With the multitude of varying belief concerning the end times prevalent today, by definition, we know that there is deception and untruth concerning the end times. But, what is the significance of the deception of the end times?
Let us assume for the moment that there is a final period of great tribulation that the church will have to endure. Let us further assume that the truth about exactly what is the tribulation is altered. Therefore, it is very possible that one could be misled to believe that the tribulation had not yet started when it had. However, once the tribulation has begun, one could find themselves following completely erroneous teaching. If possible, the very elect could be deceived into worshiping what a false religion and an antichrist.
It is hoped that the reader is convinced that it is important to study the end times so as not to be deceived. This deception could possibly result in not worshiping the Lord. Rather, it could result in worshiping some other type of gospel or an antichrist. In fact, we find in Revelation the following:
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Rev 13:11-15
We see in this passage the false prophet who arises. This false prophet encourages people to worship the beast. This entity makes great signs become known to man in order to encourage worship. It is interesting to note that the false prophet causes people to worship the beast. Worship implies religious activity. Therefore, it is important to understand that deception involves religious beliefs and activities. We see several references in the Bible that deception will involve all types of signs and wonders (e.g. 2 Thess 2:9, Mat 24:24). Moreover, in 2 Thess 2:1-5, we find that the man of sin will set himself up in the temple of God in order to be worshiped. Therefore, we must be careful that we search out the Bible so that we are not involved in such deceptive activity. We are to worship God alone. To worship God, we must worship Him in spirit and in truth (i.e. through the Word of God – John 4:24, 17:17-19).
In summary, the studying of the end time is imperative. If we use the end time Biblical doctrine as an example where believers can differ and it is not important, we are headed for disaster. We must be obedient to the Word of God which teaches us that all Scripture is profitable for doctrine and reproof (2 Tim 3:16-17).
Studying the End Times Results in Holiness
As we have already seen in 1 John 3:2-3, whoever sets his hope on the future purifies himself. There are several statements in the Bible that indicate that the studying of the end times results in holiness in the life of the believer.
We find in Revelation that the study of the end times is an exhortation to heed (Rev 1:3, 22:7). It is important that all believers carefully listen to what God is telling us about the end times. As we have already seen, there is deception present. We must carefully heed the Word of God so that we do not fall into sin and worship that which is false. We also see in Revelation, that he who heeds the Words of the Book will receive blessing. Therefore, another reason to study the end times is to receive blessing.
In a larger sense, the entire Bible (which includes teaching concerning the end times) brings nourishment to our sin-sick souls. It is by the Word that we are saved (e.g. Ro 10:17). It is by the Bible that we are sanctified. Consider the following:
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
1 Thess 2:13
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Ps 119:9-11
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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Tim 3:16-17
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1 Pet 2:1-2
Other verses that testify to the fact that the Bible is the instrument that God uses to sanctify believers are the following: Ps 119, Heb 5:11-14, Titus 1:1, John 6:63, James 1:21, John 8:31-32, 1 Tim 6:3-4, Eph 5:25-26, 2 Pet 3:18, 2 Cor 3:18, Ps 1:1-4, Heb 4:12, Joshua 1:8, Ro 10:17, John 17:17.
Therefore, another reason to study about the end times is that God’s Word is what causes Christians to grow in holiness. Since there is so much information in the Bible concerning the end times, it only follows that the study of this material is also important for our sanctification.
In fact, we find that the end times is referred to as a time of purging, purifying and refining (Dan 12:10-12, Zech 13:9). We find that during the end times, reliance on the Word of God will bring growth to our Christian lives.
Summary
It has hopefully been shown that the study of end times is very important. Although it is common today to not hear much teaching concerning the end times, we must diligently learn about the end times. We must not let the fear of difference of opinions with other Christians get in our way of learning about the end times.
We must learn about the end times so that we are not deceived if we find ourselves living in the last days. The Bible records that there are many deceivers. Finally, we saw that studying the end time results in comfort for us. It results in purifying ourselves because we have the hope of eternal life in us. The entire Word of God is the instrument that God uses in order to sanctify us. We must not limit the Christian’s growth process by not studying about this important topic.