Know What the Future Holds

I have been fascinated in future world events ever since reading "The Late Great Planet Earth" by Hal Lindsey in the mid-1970s. At that time, Lindsey asked the question, "Do we live in the era of the antichrist (and End Times) as foretold by Moses and Jesus Christ?" Since then, we all have repeatedly asked that question! It was appropriate that much of his study was focused on the Book of Revelation. For many years, it has become clear to me that the prophetic Book of Revelation has been avoided by many Christians to study. Why? Quite simply, it is a real faith tester. To be honest, the amount of symbolism and allegory (hidden meaning) leaves a lot of room for one's imagination. That is why many Christians do not pursue the study of this prophetic last book in the New Testament. This companion book as an attempt to "simplify" End Times events for you. Study the book of Revelation with this book at your side! Did you know that the Book of Revelation is the only book out of the Bible's 66 books that explicitly tells us that we will be blessed by God if we read it, and take it to heart? Most people probably don't realize this. Revelation 1:3 says this: "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Prophecy, of course, is history written in advance. For example, in the Old Testament of the Bible, the Lord said through Isaiah the prophet, "Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times thing which have not been done, saying, "My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it."- Isaiah 46:9-11. In the book of Revelation, we have at our fingertips what the future holds. The pearls of prophecy in this book will keep you studying for years! There are at least seven reasons why Christians should study this prophetic book of Revelation. These include: 1) Prophecy acquaints us with the most important subject of the ages, God's plan for man. 2) Studying Bible prophecy convinces us that there really is a God who reveals mysteries- Daniel 2:28 3) The literal fulfillment of prophecy teaches us that prophecy should be interpreted literally. 4) The study of prophecy prepares the Christian to avoid the deceptions of the many false prophets that are arising in our day. 5)The study of prophecy promotes an evangelistic church. 6) The study of prophecy tends to purify the believer. "Everyone who has this hope fixed on him purifies himself, just as God is pure."- 1 John 3:3, and 7) Prophecy offers confident hope in a hopeless age- Matthew 24:21. Remember this! Jesus Christ is not only the most influential person in history; he's also the subject of more Bible prophecy than anyone else. At least 129 times, the Old Testament prophets predicted that Jesus would come in the future--and in his first coming to Israel over 2000 years ago, he fulfilled every one of those prophecies. Did you know that Jesus himself prophesied more than anyone who has ever lived? Matthew alone records 39 prophecies of Jesus, Mark lists 40; Luke describes 35: and John has more than 60. Many of these predictions are parallel accounts of the same prophecy.