Many Christians today don’t feel the need to study what the Bible teaches about the end times since they know that, in the end, God wins. Yet, contrary to this popular view, there are many reasons to know the details. Here are 10. **
They’re part of God’s Word. It’s been estimated that up to a third of the Bible is prophecy. Over 300 detailed prophecies were fulfilled at Christ’s first coming. Many more await fulfillment at His second coming. If we’re truly students of God’s Word, then we’ll be students of the prophecies. As the apostle Paul told his young disciple Timothy: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
They prove that the Bible is God’s Word. Only God could know minute details of what would happen to individuals, cities and nations thousands of years in advance. When people see the end-times prophecies being fulfilled, they’ll have solid reason to put their faith in the God of the Bible. Jesus spoke of the apologetic value of prophecy when He said, “Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe” (John 14:29).
Jesus gave us signs of His second coming and commanded us to watch for their fulfillments. (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21)
God promises a special blessing for those who study the end times: “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, see also 22:7).
They prepare us for what’s coming. Contrary to the pretribulational rapture teaching, the prophecies reveal that Christians will have to go through a time of terrible persecution by the Antichrist (Matthew 24:21-22, Mark 13:19-20, Revelation 6:9-11, 7:14, 13:7-10 and 15, 14:12-13). Knowledge of this will help us prepare mentally and spiritually.
They help protect us against spiritual deception. The Bible warns that false prophets will precede the coming of the Antichrist, and many professing Christians will follow them. End-times prophecies show us what to watch out for. (Matthew 24:24-26, Mark 13:21-22, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Revelation 13:11-18)
They increase our worship of God. Christians who see prophecies fulfilled before their eyes will marvel at His sovereignty over the nations and the power of His unseen hand.
They give us strategy for ministry. Like the men of Issachar who understood the times and drew up their battle plans accordingly, Christians who have insight into the end times will have knowledge for spiritual battle (1 Chronicles 12:32).
They give comfort, encouragement and hope. When the time of tribulation comes, those who see the prophecies will know they only to have to endure for a limited time.
They stir us to evangelism, good works and holy living. Reflecting on the end times frees us from a careless, temporal perspective (Titus 2:11-13). Those who are alive during their fulfillment will have an increased urgency to share the gospel while there is still time.
** obtained from: http://www.fulfilledprophecy.com/
26 November 2008
big
Ok, so I'm just thinking out-loud here. Work with me. Pleez.
There's this God. He's the Creator of everything. He's big, He's powerful, He's awesome. He's incomprehensable. He's the controller of all things. One word from Him could snuff this planet out. Galaxy. Universe.
In addition, He pays attention to fine details. He cares about the smallest things. Something like a sprained thumb or a D on an exam or being regected by a crush shouldn't matter to God, the God of the Universe. The Creator. The King of kings. The Lord of all.
But He cares. Why? How. There are so many people and even more needs. So many thoughts, prayers, pleas, cries, feelings for Him to deal with.
How the heck does He do it???
He's God. That's how. Plain and simple. No other way.
There's more out there. I just know it. All my knowledge and experience of God has only scratched the surface.
And the Bible....what an amazing book! I've almost read it all the way through...sorta. But that's just scratching the surface too!
My question is this. How can I live and be so caught up in the things of this world, if God, who is not of this world, is so much bigger and better and more powerful and greater than this world?
How can I have such narrow vision?
I think wayyyy to much :)
There's this God. He's the Creator of everything. He's big, He's powerful, He's awesome. He's incomprehensable. He's the controller of all things. One word from Him could snuff this planet out. Galaxy. Universe.
In addition, He pays attention to fine details. He cares about the smallest things. Something like a sprained thumb or a D on an exam or being regected by a crush shouldn't matter to God, the God of the Universe. The Creator. The King of kings. The Lord of all.
But He cares. Why? How. There are so many people and even more needs. So many thoughts, prayers, pleas, cries, feelings for Him to deal with.
How the heck does He do it???
He's God. That's how. Plain and simple. No other way.
There's more out there. I just know it. All my knowledge and experience of God has only scratched the surface.
And the Bible....what an amazing book! I've almost read it all the way through...sorta. But that's just scratching the surface too!
My question is this. How can I live and be so caught up in the things of this world, if God, who is not of this world, is so much bigger and better and more powerful and greater than this world?
How can I have such narrow vision?
I think wayyyy to much :)
14 November 2008
handcuffs from heaven
Ok, so... I know this post is late, but I'm trying to catch up.
God has been doing alot lately. I mean, He always does alot, but I feel like I'm seeing so much more.
So, at the beginning of October, God gave me the idea to be a convict for halloween. Now, I haven't participated in holloween since I was in eighth grade--you know, the dressing up, going out and getting candy thing. (Although I did go to one party when I was in college--but I had gone with a motive to witness....didn't really work out). I mean, it's a pagan holiday with satanic roots. Why would I celebrate that? But there's nothing wrong with taking advantage of it? Is there? Hey...if there is an opportunity to dress up and hit the street with a godly purpose, count me in! So I got my orange convict costume with INMATE printed on the back, and my friend (who was to be the judge) got his costume. I was only lacking one thing: handcuffs. Possibly the most important part of the costume. I told God from the get-go: "I don't want one of those cheap plastic gray pairs. I want a pair that looks real." And I waited for God to provide that for me.
Now, there is a difference between actively waiting and passively waiting. It is important when you are waiting on God, to do your part. He is not the big Santa Claus in the sky. I was actively waiting. While I was waiting for God to provide for me a pair of real-looking handcuffs, I went to about 3 halloween shops, Salvation Army, Goodwill, the Mall, Wall-mart, the Five and Dime, and the Dollar Store to look for real-looking fake handcuffs. No such luck. I found many pairs of cheap fake-looking cuffs, but no real-looking cuffs.
However, a few days before Halloween, I was talking to a good friend. Her dad happened to have real cuffs, and graciously allowed me to borrow them.
Real handcuffs are totally awesome. Trust me.
So, the Boy and I were able to go out on Main St. on halloween, hand out tracts and try to tell people about being a prisoner to sin, and being judged by a Holy Righteous Judge. God's hand was definitely in that.
Thank you Jesus!
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." ~Ephesians 3:20-21
If God can get me real handcuffs when I asked for fake ones, I am only wondering what kind of job He will provide for me. :)
God has been doing alot lately. I mean, He always does alot, but I feel like I'm seeing so much more.
So, at the beginning of October, God gave me the idea to be a convict for halloween. Now, I haven't participated in holloween since I was in eighth grade--you know, the dressing up, going out and getting candy thing. (Although I did go to one party when I was in college--but I had gone with a motive to witness....didn't really work out). I mean, it's a pagan holiday with satanic roots. Why would I celebrate that? But there's nothing wrong with taking advantage of it? Is there? Hey...if there is an opportunity to dress up and hit the street with a godly purpose, count me in! So I got my orange convict costume with INMATE printed on the back, and my friend (who was to be the judge) got his costume. I was only lacking one thing: handcuffs. Possibly the most important part of the costume. I told God from the get-go: "I don't want one of those cheap plastic gray pairs. I want a pair that looks real." And I waited for God to provide that for me.
Now, there is a difference between actively waiting and passively waiting. It is important when you are waiting on God, to do your part. He is not the big Santa Claus in the sky. I was actively waiting. While I was waiting for God to provide for me a pair of real-looking handcuffs, I went to about 3 halloween shops, Salvation Army, Goodwill, the Mall, Wall-mart, the Five and Dime, and the Dollar Store to look for real-looking fake handcuffs. No such luck. I found many pairs of cheap fake-looking cuffs, but no real-looking cuffs.
However, a few days before Halloween, I was talking to a good friend. Her dad happened to have real cuffs, and graciously allowed me to borrow them.
Real handcuffs are totally awesome. Trust me.
So, the Boy and I were able to go out on Main St. on halloween, hand out tracts and try to tell people about being a prisoner to sin, and being judged by a Holy Righteous Judge. God's hand was definitely in that.
Thank you Jesus!
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." ~Ephesians 3:20-21
If God can get me real handcuffs when I asked for fake ones, I am only wondering what kind of job He will provide for me. :)
deb mitchell, RN
Ok, so I'm sorta a nurse now, but it's not doing much for me. I'm searching for a job, but finding one that I'm even halfway qualified for is a major feat. Man, I should just join the military. Nah. Can't do that. God's not in that decision. I'm praying that the Lord will show me exactly where He wants me to work. I do have a preference (temporary) though. Student Health Services. On campus. Dude... do you know what that would mean?? I would have contact with scores of UD students all day long! What a great opportunity to continue my ministry on campus! I sent my resume to the place, but they didn't contact me back yet. So, it's just the waiting game. My folks are kinda mad at me because I let the ChristianaCare Medical Nurse Internship slip through my fingers. It wasn't exactly my fault...I didn't know when the deadline was. I tried to respond to the posting in a timely manner...just not timely enough I guess. Hey....God opens doors and closes them. I'm cool with that. I just hope and pray my lack of urgancy in the job situation doesn't cause more doors to be closed then should be.
So, God got me through that exam. A miracle to say the least. No, I'm serious. Somehow, He gave me the will to study my brains out for the thing. The he calmed every nerve, and I didn't even come close to having a panic attack. How great He is! Then I went to the place, took the test, remember a whole bunch of stuff, and finished in 3 hours. I passed that test with flying colors. I want to say it was like God Himself took that exam. I went home knowing (yet not officially) I was an RN. God gave me confidence that I cannot explain. Whoa. And here I am. An RN. Oh my word, I am a Registered Nurse. Holy cow!
Yup. But now the job search is sortof going nowhere. But that's ok. As long as I do my part, Christ will do His. It's for His glory. :)
So, God got me through that exam. A miracle to say the least. No, I'm serious. Somehow, He gave me the will to study my brains out for the thing. The he calmed every nerve, and I didn't even come close to having a panic attack. How great He is! Then I went to the place, took the test, remember a whole bunch of stuff, and finished in 3 hours. I passed that test with flying colors. I want to say it was like God Himself took that exam. I went home knowing (yet not officially) I was an RN. God gave me confidence that I cannot explain. Whoa. And here I am. An RN. Oh my word, I am a Registered Nurse. Holy cow!
Yup. But now the job search is sortof going nowhere. But that's ok. As long as I do my part, Christ will do His. It's for His glory. :)
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