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Why Study the End Times?
“He which testifieth these things saith,
Surely I come quickly. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
– Revelation 22:20
Surely I come quickly. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
– Revelation 22:20
A Legitimate Question
The apostle John was sentenced by Roman authorities to the prison colony on the island of Patmos for preaching the truth of God’s Word, and for his testimony about Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:9). While there, he was given a detailed vision of the End Times. We know it today as the last book of the Bible – Revelation.
After a brief introduction, John penned seven letters to seven churches, and then followed this by detailing events that will take place at the end of this age of human history and into eternity.
It is not my purpose here to discuss the various End-Times views, but to address an often-asked question: “Why study the End Times?”
It’s a legitimate question with a legitimate answer.
Five Key Points
1. Most Bible students don’t realize there are more prophecies concerning Jesus’ Second Coming than His First. There are more than 300 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the First Coming of Christ, all perfectly fulfilled between His conception and His ascension. This being the case, it is both logical and appropriate, to expect the same accuracy regarding the prophecies associated with His Second Coming. Why would we not want to diligently study the biblical texts related to His return?
2. In his discussion regarding the future Day of the Lord, the apostle Peter makes it clear that understanding End-Times truths will lead us to living holy and righteous lives in the peace and power of Christ during these difficult days (2 Peter 3:10-18). Some don’t want to study the End Times because they think it is merely theoretical – symbolic instead of real.
On the flip side, some won’t study the End Times because they think it won’t affect them. Both views are incorrect. End-Times events are not mere theory. These events will occur in reality – and the Church will be present on Earth for most of them.
3. Third, there is a special blessing for those who study the Book of Revelation – and by implication the doctrine of the End Times (called “eschatology”). The apostle John wrote: “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” (Revelation 1:1-3).
With more than 300 quotes or inferences to the Old Testament found within Revelation, it is the most “Jewish” book in the New Testament, with the exception of Hebrews, regarding quotes from the Old Testament. Thus, studying the End Times immerses Bible readers into the entirety of Scripture.
4. Two portions of Scripture – 1 John 2:18 and Hebrews 1:2 – both written in the first century A.D. – specifically state we are living in the “last days.” We have been living in them for many centuries now. This is not sensationalism or news-media hype – it is reality.
How close we are to the end, no one knows. But studying the Scriptures related to the “Last Days” informs us of what will take place on the earth, prepares us for what Christians will face before the return of Christ, and warns us to watch for specific signs. Are you ready? The sobering reality is that Christians will not escape persecution!
5. Last, the main purpose for studying the End Times is to, “grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). What better study than the End Times to see God’s sovereign control over all things? What better study to bring us hope and strength for today and confidence for tomorrow?
Studying the End Times is not about gaining knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but about learning and embracing biblical truth that will impact our lives today, and prepare us for “things to come.”
Are you prepared? Even so come, Lord Jesus!
The apostle John was sentenced by Roman authorities to the prison colony on the island of Patmos for preaching the truth of God’s Word, and for his testimony about Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:9). While there, he was given a detailed vision of the End Times. We know it today as the last book of the Bible – Revelation.
After a brief introduction, John penned seven letters to seven churches, and then followed this by detailing events that will take place at the end of this age of human history and into eternity.
It is not my purpose here to discuss the various End-Times views, but to address an often-asked question: “Why study the End Times?”
It’s a legitimate question with a legitimate answer.
Five Key Points
1. Most Bible students don’t realize there are more prophecies concerning Jesus’ Second Coming than His First. There are more than 300 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the First Coming of Christ, all perfectly fulfilled between His conception and His ascension. This being the case, it is both logical and appropriate, to expect the same accuracy regarding the prophecies associated with His Second Coming. Why would we not want to diligently study the biblical texts related to His return?
2. In his discussion regarding the future Day of the Lord, the apostle Peter makes it clear that understanding End-Times truths will lead us to living holy and righteous lives in the peace and power of Christ during these difficult days (2 Peter 3:10-18). Some don’t want to study the End Times because they think it is merely theoretical – symbolic instead of real.
On the flip side, some won’t study the End Times because they think it won’t affect them. Both views are incorrect. End-Times events are not mere theory. These events will occur in reality – and the Church will be present on Earth for most of them.
3. Third, there is a special blessing for those who study the Book of Revelation – and by implication the doctrine of the End Times (called “eschatology”). The apostle John wrote: “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” (Revelation 1:1-3).
With more than 300 quotes or inferences to the Old Testament found within Revelation, it is the most “Jewish” book in the New Testament, with the exception of Hebrews, regarding quotes from the Old Testament. Thus, studying the End Times immerses Bible readers into the entirety of Scripture.
4. Two portions of Scripture – 1 John 2:18 and Hebrews 1:2 – both written in the first century A.D. – specifically state we are living in the “last days.” We have been living in them for many centuries now. This is not sensationalism or news-media hype – it is reality.
How close we are to the end, no one knows. But studying the Scriptures related to the “Last Days” informs us of what will take place on the earth, prepares us for what Christians will face before the return of Christ, and warns us to watch for specific signs. Are you ready? The sobering reality is that Christians will not escape persecution!
5. Last, the main purpose for studying the End Times is to, “grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). What better study than the End Times to see God’s sovereign control over all things? What better study to bring us hope and strength for today and confidence for tomorrow?
Studying the End Times is not about gaining knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but about learning and embracing biblical truth that will impact our lives today, and prepare us for “things to come.”
Are you prepared? Even so come, Lord Jesus!
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