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.
Thank you.
Rapture is false teaching
Brian Overcash, in the Bible Its says catching up. That is what we call the rapture
very true to happenings today
When the day comes it will come no matter what we know or think we know. God is hiding watching now and will soon be here but when sorry you will not know be ready before its to late cause its going to be in the day or night with a big surprise. Wonder why look at all we have done to this world we did it not him he wants it fixed by us but yet its getting worser day by day so sad to say i have children that dont deserve this day to come but its his plans to do as he please
I don’t recall the old testament saying that “and finally an American politician stands up for Israel”.
Nut jobs everywhere
He comes LIKE a thief to the children in darkness but believers are children of light. So He will not come like a thief to believers they will know the time. Exact…no. But stop quoting He comes like a thief in the night like out of a Left Behind fairy tale. Read your Bible people.
Debra Sommers AMEN
The Bible is our guide for life including what is happening today. The signs have already taken place. The temple in Jerusalem has to be back in the hands of Jewish people and I believe the arch of the covenant must be in the Holy of Holes in the Temple. The world has never been free of war and never will be. People are too greedy. Want everything to themselves. Like land, oil, power.