The Importance of Prophecy of the End Times

In this study of prophecy, we have looked at a lot of thing that God said would happen.   Some have already happened, while others have not.   Revelation 22:6-7 tells us God described these things so that we would know what was going on when they happened.  “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”  Just understanding what is going on makes it far easier to stay faithful to God and obey his command.  As Paul told the people in I Thessalonians 4:13-18, these prophecies should be a source of comfort, rather than of fear.   

Following God’s command, in Revelation 1:19, John wrote the things he had seen, describing the way things are, and what will happen in the future.  Impressed by the knowledge and wisdom of the angel who showed him all these things, John bowed down to him in sign of respect, according to Revelation 22:8-9.  “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.”  The angel forbid him to bow down to him, insisting such respect was to be given only to God.  Though he was an angel, he was only a servant of God and a brother to John and others who serve God. 

Jesus said much the same thing, stressing that we are brothers in Christ and should not use special titles to set one above another, in Matthew 23:8-10.  “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.”  Words like pastor, bishop, deacon, evangelist, or doctor, describe one’s job and are not to be used as titles in the church.    When used as titles, they distort the relationship between Christians.  Those who seem least important in the church are frequently more important than those who are most visible, as Paul explained in I Corinthians 12:22-25.  “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”  The janitor may not seem as important as the pastor, but if no one cleans the church, people won’t keep coming regardless how good the pastor is. 

The Lord then told John not seal up the prophecy, but to make it available, in Revelation 22:10-12.  “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”  Just as the people in Noah’s day ignored his warnings, and the Egyptians ignored Moses’ warnings, ungodly people today will ignore the warnings about what is to happen, while those who believe God will listen and obey. 

Those who believe and obey will have a place in the New Earth, while those who do not will be cast into the Lake of Fire, as Revelation 22:14-15 reminds us.  “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

The angel was sent by the Lord to tell about these things.  The Holy Spirit and the church are here on earth today to try to bring people to Christ, and anyone who comes will be saved and have a part in that new Jerusalem, according to Revelation 22:16-17.  “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Contrary to what many believe, the messages in Revelation are very important.  Revelation 22:18-19 warn, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”  Literally, Jesus said anyone who adds to or goes beyond what the prophecies say will have to suffer through the plagues that are listed, even though he believes.  Unlike the promise to the church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3:19, they will not be kept from these things.   

Those who dismiss parts or all the prophecies as impossible, or irrelevant are essentially denying God’s authority and power, and have rejected Christ.  Because their names are not written in the Book of Life, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.  We need to take God’s words exactly as written if we want the most benefit from them.  Rather than trying to prevent these things from happening, we should be looking forward to them, knowing the Lord will take care of us regardless what is happening, as Revelation 22:20-21 tells us.  “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”