Revelation 1:3

Revelation 1:3: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

This is so important. Some people today like to be “pan-millennial”, claiming that “it will all pan out in the end” and so it’s not worth studying. After all, “whatever’s going to happen will happen; besides, what difference does it make?”

I find this attitude appalling. God apparently thought that it made a lot of difference or He wouldn’t have given this to John in the first place! Besides, God offers a promise: “Blessed is he that readeth”. Those who study prophecy are blessed. It is a worthy topic of study, and God spends a lot of time on it. For us to dismiss it as “unimportant” or “irrelevant” dishonors God and His Word.

Just how much time does God spend on prophecy? Take a look:

* In the Bible, 27% (8352) of all verses (31,124) refer to prophetic issues.

* In God’s Word, 22% (1845) of all prophetic verses (8352) refer to Christ’s second coming.

* All nine authors of the NT mention Christ’s second coming

* Next to the subject of faith/salvation, the theme of Christ’s second coming is most prominent in the New Testament.

* Only three out of 27 New Testament books do not mention Christ’s second advent (Philemon, 2 John, and 3 John).

* Of the approximately 333 specific biblical prophesies dealing with Christ’s two advents, one-third deal with His first coming and two-thirds deal with His second coming.

(Source: John MacArthur, Christ’s Prophetic Plans, pg. 14)

As you can see, the Bible makes a big deal out of prophecy. It is not a minor topic and it should not be treated as minor by Christians.

Why bother to study prophecy?

* Fulfilled prophecy proves that the Bible is true and inspires confidence in Scripture (Acts 13:32-25 with 42-44)

* The study of prophecy promotes obedience and provides the gateway to God’s blessing (Revelation 1:3; 22:7)

* Prophetic material equips the saints to refute those who mock the Christian hope (2 Peter 3:1-13)

* Prophecy provides answers to theological questions that are found nowhere else, such as the relationship between the resurrection and the rapture (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

* Prophecy gives motivation for holy living today (I Thessalonians 5:6-9; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 3:11-13)

* Prophetic expectation purifies (I John 3:2-3)

* Prophecy provides a biblical basis for prayer (Daniel 9:1-19 with Jeremiah 25:11-12)

* Prophecy is a source of hope, comfort, and encouragement for the Christian (I Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11; Titus 2:13)

* The study of prophecy encourages patient endurance in the midst of suffering and trials (James 5:7-11)

* Prophecy assures that unjust persecution of the righteous will be avenged by God (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

(Source: John MacArthur, Christ’s Prophetic Plans, pg. 16)

Finally, “the time is at hand” – from God’s perspective. As Peter said when discussing the Second Coming, a day with the Lord is as a thousand years. Jesus has tarried so that many might be saved, but He will not tarry forever.