5 Powerful and Practical Benefits of Studying End-Time Prophecy

Posted on Jun 28, 2016 Topic : Prophecy

God spent a great deal of time and ink telling us what to expect in the future. One out of every thirteen verses in the New Testament relates to the coming of Christ. Our Lord’s coming is mentioned more than 300 times in the 260 chapters of the New Testament.

But while it’s key that you hold this truth, it’s equally important that this truth hold you. According to the Bible, there are many life-changing effects that understanding the future is to have on your heart. Here are five key benefits:

1. You Have Hope and Peace in Troubled Times

People everywhere are drowning in discouragement and uncertainty. Yet, even in a world where the Niagara of bad news never seems to end, you have hope. You know how the story ends. God has given us glimpses of the future to reassure us that He is in total control, and always will be.

2. You Are Encouraged to Meet Regularly with Other Believers

Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” The writer of Hebrews reminds us that as the days get darker and the time of the Lord’s coming draws near, we should be prompted more than ever to gather together with God’s people for encouragement and strength.

3. You Can Have an Eternal Perspective in a Shortsighted World

One of the advantages God’s people have is that they can adopt a long-term perspective when it comes to daily circumstances and world events (see 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). In a world that’s dominated by the 24-hour news cycle of cable TV that brings us the very latest on all that’s taking place, you can see the distant horizon and know where it’s all headed.

4. You Are Emboldened to Live a Pure Life in Evil Days

Paul encourages believers, “Live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13). In light of what you know is coming, you should live in a way that pleases God and reflects your understanding of your ultimate destiny—and the world’s.

5. You Are Motivated to Share God’s Good News with Others

Knowing what’s ahead for this world and for those who are outside of Christ should serve as a supreme stimulus for all who know Him to share the good news with others. We are Christ’s ambassadors in a foreign land. It’s up to us as God’s people to spread the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

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It’s critical to remember that God did not give us end-time prophecy to scare us but to prepare us. He didn’t give it to us to make us anxious, but to make us aware.