The study of biblical prophecy can become a life-long project and joy. It can also be the source of much confusion and even controversy. As anyone knows who has spent much time studying the doctrine of eschatology, or last things, there is considerable debate over the proper way to interpret these Scriptures. This debate exists even among evangelical Christians who hold to the inerrancy of the Bible. Such is the difficulty of the task.
While a study of the end times is not the purpose of this article, it is helpful to understand the context of where our discussion will go. A proper study of eschatology requires the harmonizing of relevant passages from both the Old and New Testaments. Just reading Revelation doesn’t cut it. Scriptures that inform this study are scattered throughout the Bible, although some books address the topic more thoroughly.
Another decision the interpreter encounters is determining when passages are meant to be taken literally and when they are symbolic. Or maybe even both. Figures of speech are used, just as we use them in our normal conversations. How should those be interpreted? More to the point of this article, how should we take the numbers that are used in prophetic passages? Again, even those evangelicals who uphold the doctrine of inerrancy can still differ, hopefully in a friendly way, on the proper methods of interpretation.
So what are some prophecy scholars saying now in the light of some remarkable happenings in our world? More on page two.
Psalm 77[a]
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.
1
I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
3
I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.[b]
4
You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5
I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7
“Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13
Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
14
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16
The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17
The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Footnotes:
Psalm 77:1 In Hebrew texts 77:1-20 is numbered 77:2-21.
Psalm 77:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 9 and 15.
got math skills or ooooo say a tutor ?
foxes in the grapevine/????
I doubt it. Trump has picked a very wise General to lead our forces against the terrorist threats.
To me, such a noton is sensationalist rubbish.
Thank you for your service, Gentlemen
The prophecy in Daniel lined up with the Judgement of Israel in 70 A.D. carried out by Titus Vespasian. The criterion of time matched perfectly, and the siege lasted 5 months as was foretold. Even Christ alluded to it in Matthew 23
DeMario Williams, you’re nuts. When Israel became a nation in 1948 it was a fulfilment of bible prophecy how could they be a fulfilment of biblical prophecy and not be the Jews of the bible. Duh
B******t
Is Truth and Action supposed to be fact based? I saw a lot more prophesy fulfilled with Obama than I foresee with Trump. And of course we are closer to the end times than ever. Time only moves in one direction.
It says we will be caught up in the Clouds to meet HIM ! First the dead IN CHRIST SHALL Rise and we who are Alive will be caught up in the Clouds to meet HIM! You are correct though in saying EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM ! EVERY Tongue will Confess that JESUS IS LORD! Praise Be To GOD, Amen!