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.
All nations shall gather against israel
The Bible tells us that Jesus states no man will know of the time of my coming. People can guess people can say that they study the signs of the times but again, No man will know if the day or time of my coming.
That’s a great thing that Jesus is coming back! The only ones that wouldn’t want this would be anti Christian
Seek the Lord. Follow Our Lord.
Thats a bit far reaching. Love when people use the numbers game. Just like the Mayan calendar, etc. You really think God operates off our numbering system? Lol. Your theory is a joke.
Doug Morgan
My fig trees are baring fruit.
To the lost, the bible is foolishness, but to the saved it is the power of God. Stop telling this guy that simply by studying more, that he will get it! To them it is not to know, but to you I will explain the parable. Jesus told the disciples this after a sermon.
Yes. The time is now.
I agree Doug Morgan! How many will stand with Jesus when a gun/knife is being held against a loved one’s head? I truly believe our faith will be tested.
I’m far from lost, I’m closer to God than anyone who believes he can contained in such a small man written text. God is so much more powerful than one could imagine when they have horse blinders on and are stuck with a storyline. I feel sorry for all those who have been fooled by what could be possibly the devil’s best work!