Friday Night Message--How Can We Better Understand Prophecy, Part VII

Jan. 27, 2023

Good evening brethren,

How can we better understand Prophecy?

 We continue for another week or two with our focus upon one very important aspect of prophecy… specifically how to understand prophetic material in the Bible.

Dan. 12:4 – But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.

Is it really possible to comprehend Biblical prophecy?  How can we hope to understand it when sometimes the prophets themselves were “left in the dark”?  Well, there are some basic principles that, when applied, can unlock vast portions of prophecy to our understanding.

 

1. Symbolism

 2. Duality

3. Blessings and Curses

4. National Identity

 5. Principles of Time

 6. Watching World News

 

Here is a sixth principle to consider.  We should be aware of what’s happening in the world and the nation, and how it applies to Biblical prophecy.  Read a newspaper or magazine, watch TV news, listen to the radio, search your smart phone, etc.  Notice that Jesus gave the disciples a “heads up”, regarding the things that will happen in the world as we approach the end-time.

 

Matt. 24:3, 32-34  – Now as Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be?  And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?  Now learn this parable from the fig tree; When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near … at the doors!  Truly I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

 

The parable of the fig tree applies to us today, because we believe that, based on world conditions and current trends, we are not very far from Armageddon.  On the other hand, we need to be cautious about jumping to quick conclusions about specific events.  Rather, try to relate overall trends in the news to prophecies in the Bible. 

Project these trends out into the future to their ultimate results.  Remember the third principle about blessings and curses, cause and effect.  Over time, sin usually grows worse and worse until ultimately it brings divine punishment. Let’s close with a warning from Jesus to His followers:

 

Mark 13:35-37 – Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming … in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning, lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.  And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!

 

Next week we will consider the seventh principle of understanding prophecy, which is obedience.

Have an insightful Sabbath,

Fred