Bible Prophecy Handbook
By Carol Smith
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About this ebook
Want to know the future? Discover more about it in God’s Word! This careful study of the Bible’s prophetic passages provides intriguing insights into each one. Throughout its pages, the Bible offers glimpses of what is yet to come—the end of the world as we know it. Some of those glimpses are beautiful, others mysterious. . .all of them fascinating. Reviewing relevant passages from the Old Testament books of Ezekiel and Daniel and the New Testament’s final Revelation, the Bible Prophecy Handbook unveils the future in an amazing tapestry of images. You’ll be amazed at what you find!
Carol Smith
Carol Smith is an award-winning journalist and editor for NPR-affiliate KUOW in Seattle. Previously, she worked for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Los Angeles Times. Her newspaper work has won dozens of national and regional awards and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize a remarkable seven times, and her writing has appeared in more than a dozen literary journals. She was recently named Editor of the Year by Public Media Journalists Association.
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Bible Prophecy Handbook - Carol Smith
© 2010 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Print ISBN 978-1-60260-874-0
eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-62836-114-8
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-62836-115-5
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.
Churches and other noncommercial interests may reproduce portions of this book without the express written permission of Barbour Publishing, provided that the text does not exceed 500 words and that the text is not material quoted from another publisher. When reproducing text from this book, include the following credit line: "From Bible Prophecy Handbook, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission."
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations marked CEV are from the Contemporary English Version, Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995, by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Cover art (angel): Stefano Grassi; http://grassistefano.com; [email protected]
Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com
Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragemement to the masses.
Printed in the United States of America.
INTRODUCTION
Many people consider studying the end times a curious and eccentric pursuit. Perhaps they’ve been disillusioned by the precise predictions of prophecy experts
and the constantly revised interpretations that fit every political crisis. But the fact is that we can’t ignore what the Bible says about the end of the world. After all, our hope and vision for the future shape our actions.
In the absence of a specific timetable, how should we live in the face of Jesus Christ’s imminent return? As you might expect, the Bible has plenty to say on the subject. And as you may expect, people have many different views on the subject. Through these ninety readings, you’ll look at the end times through several different prisms, along with the scriptures used to support them.
Christians throughout history have generally approached the book of Revelation from four different viewpoints. Each view has its strengths. None has been able to argue the others out of existence. We must be careful, though. Each view can also be misused. We will never know the exact time or date of Jesus’ return (Mark 13:32–33). But God does expect us to be ready for his return.
Look up and read the scripture passages presented. Consider the thoughts and arguments made on each passage. Ask yourself the questions. Then, determine how you can best live in light of eternity, accountable to God through his grace.
TABLE: TYPES OF END TIMES
INTERPRETATIONS
THE BIG PICTURE
1 Corinthians 15:20–26, 28; Romans 8:33–34
While there is diversity among believers regarding the precise order of events in the end times, we all agree on the big picture.
Jesus changed the destiny of human history. Though his promised future reign is not yet fully here, his life, death, and resurrection are its guarantee. Jesus’ resurrection promises his followers a future life (after death) where evil no longer exists (1 Corinthians 15:20–26).
After Jesus has defeated all of his enemies, he will return as the final Judge. He will hold all people accountable for their actions. On that day, Jesus will finally answer the cries for justice (Revelation 6:10). Believers know that when we appear before the final Judge, we won’t have to rely on our own works. Our Lord and Savior will cover our sins and accept us (Romans 8:33–34). After establishing his kingdom, Christ will control everything forevermore (1 Corinthians 15:28).
Need to Know
• Jesus was called the firstfruits. The firstfruits were the firstborn of any family or herd, or the first parts of any crop. The firstfruits were seen as holy, belonging only to God. Jesus was the first of the resurrected souls.
• God claims us righteous through our faith in Christ. This is what is referred to as justification.
Think About It
• Do you fear God’s judgment, or do you feel justified in his eyes because of his grace?
• When you think of being accountable to God, what would you most like to change about your life?
LIVING NEAR THE END
Hebrews 11:13; 2 Peter 3:10–11; Matthew 28:19–20; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21
Believers should eagerly seek Christ’s return, not the world’s applause (Hebrews 11:13). Jesus outlined the signs of the last days precisely so that we will be watchful. Does your life exemplify Christ’s love for the lost (2 Peter 3:10–11)? Are you spreading the Good News (Matthew 28:19–20)?
In this world we will continue to face struggles. Yet the fact that Christ has assured our future with him adds a unique dimension to the Christian life. Our future is already guaranteed—eternity with God. Because of that fact, we can reflect Jesus’ self-sacrificial love without fear. We can spend our lives for Jesus’ sake (2 Corinthians 5:18–21).
Christ is the basis for our hope in the future. As Christians, we eagerly look forward to Christ’s future reign and seek to reflect his sacrificial love in our world today.
Need to Know
• Hebrews 11 is sometimes called the Hall of Faith.
People such as Abraham, Sarah, Moses, David, and Samuel all looked toward Christ’s coming, even though it didn’t happen in their lifetime.
• Reconciliation is actually an accounting term. It means to make both sides equal. When we take part in the ministry of reconciliation, we communicate God’s grace to others who, like us, don’t deserve it. Through that grace, God makes us righteous.
Think About It
• In what ways does your life reflect Christ?
• To whom around you would you like to spread the gospel of Jesus?
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Matthew 24:4–8, 29; Mark 13:7, 32, 23; Luke 21:25
False Christs, wars, and famines—these are the signs that characterize our fallen world (Matthew 24:4–8). We shouldn’t assume the end of the world is near when false messiahs, wars, and famines appear. In fact, the end may still be far off (Mark 13:7). However, these terrifying events serve as reminders to us that we cannot save ourselves. Only Christ can defeat the evil that is rampant in this world.
God’s coming judgment will also be preceded by falling stars, eclipses, earthquakes, and other catastrophes (Matthew 24:29; Luke 21:25). These natural catastrophes will constitute God’s final call to repentance. National leaders will be confused. People will faint in horror.
Scripture doesn’t give us these signs so we can calculate the year and date when the world will end. Jesus told his disciples no one knows the date or hour (Mark 13:32).