One of the great distinctions of the Christian worldview compared to a secular worldview is the idea that truth is absolute, not relative. And not only is truth absolute, it is defined by God Himself, not by us or any human being. Unfortunately, many Christians assume that because the Scriptures contain details that can be difficult to interpret, especially in the prophets, that it’s no use trying. But that is far from what God says about His own Word. In fact, He invites us over and over to sit up, pay attention, and learn His essential lessons so that we can apply them to our lives. Failing to do so will not only cause us to miss out; it will put us in great peril.
So where do we start and how do we begin to understand what God has revealed?
1. God gives wisdom and knowledge, revealing the profound and hidden things.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments,” says Psalm 111:10. We must start by recognizing that God is the source of understanding, and we have to approach Him with an obedient and teachable heart. Paul tells the Ephesian believers he is praying “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:17-18).
The prophetic is not excluded from God’s offer to share His wisdom or from His admonition to learn.
- “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)
- “Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances [gifts]. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)
- “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)
The study of prophecy can be challenging and it does require persistence, but we are not wandering alone without a guide. Jesus encouraged His disciples, saying, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come” (John 16:13).
There are also many good resources and commentaries that can help us understand the context of Scripture and evaluate various interpretations, but we must remember that the Holy Spirit is our primary guide. Also, Scripture is the best commentary on itself, and all the important prophetic concepts are described in multiple passages from multiple angles to help us gain a fuller understanding.
2. God’s people must actively seek after the Lord in these end days.
Jesus told His disciples that the second coming would be like the days of Noah for those who did not understand the prophetic timetable of the Lord and heed His warnings. “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:37-39).
Believers are admonished to know the Lord’s will and be on guard lest we fall away from the faith as the days get darker.
- “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
- “…be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:17-18)
- “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron…” (I Timothy 4:1-2)
- “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…you have forgotten the law of your God…” (Hosea 4:6)
- “Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me! Destruction is theirs, for they have rebelled against Me!” (Hosea 7:13)
Though Jesus tells us in the last chapter of the Bible that He will soon return to judge the world, some may wonder how soon that will be. As we wait, the faithful will continue to grow in their faith, staying in close fellowship with the Lord, and seeking to understand the will of the Lord.
3. God’s children are to be walking in a holy manner, growing spiritually, and bearing fruit.
Christ-followers have a high calling on their lives. Jesus assigned us to take the Good News into all the world, sharing the message of His eternal salvation until the day of His return. As we work to fulfill this ministry, the apostle Paul instructs his reader to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
We grow in our knowledge of the truth by taking it in daily. It is also through diligently studying the Word that we get more rooted in Christ and established in our faith. And it is through “Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). If we want to know the mysteries of God’s plan, the answers can be found in communing with the Word of God — Christ Jesus (John 1:1-3).
We also receive the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ. We read in Philippians 1:9-11, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
As we grow in our spiritual walk with Christ, we are “filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…” (Colossians 1:9-10).
And this growth brings God great delight. He tells us in Hosea 6:6, “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
4. Discerning the signs of the times.
Ultimately, we will understand God’s prophetic plan at the time of the end. We are told in the book of Jeremiah, “The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; in the last days you will clearly understand it” (Jeremiah 23:20).
As we watch for God’s plan to be unveiled, we are encouraged to discern the signs of the times, asking God for wisdom.
- “Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?” (Matthew 16:3)
- “…the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do…” (I Chronicles 12:32)
- “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
- “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7)
You have probably noticed that this article isn’t preoccupied with a particular interpretation of Bible prophecy. In truth, it is much more important to walk faithfully as a disciple and study God’s Word as a whole (including, but not limited to, prophecy) rather than trying to predict the future. By studying and seeking the Lord’s guidance now, we will have all the pieces of the puzzle clear in our minds so that when they begin to take shape on the stage of history, we’ll know how they all fit together.
All Scripture taken from New American Standard Bible, 1995 version. Emphasis added by the authors. Photo credit: Kevin Carden, Lightstock.com.
