Does the Bible have something to say about Damascus, the capital of Syria? As our attention has been focused on the
Syrian crisis over the past several weeks an interesting discussion has arisen
about some passages in the Bible that seem to prophesy that Damascus will
eventually suffer total destruction (Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49).
As in the case of most other controversial assertions, there is an array of opposing viewpoints being debated on the interpretation of these passages. Some will argue that the prophecy has already been fulfilled, others that it is still future and still others that it was not meant to be taken literally. So how, then, should we, as followers of Jesus, respond to them and, the larger question, how are we to deal with Biblical prophecies in general?
Clearly, prophecy represents a major part of the Bible, and, therefore, we must take it seriously. But for what purpose does God intend that we understand and apply individual prophecies? One thing seems certain, while there may be signs that certain prophecies will be fulfilled soon, the Scriptures repeatedly warn us not to set dates and times when these events will take place.
I always remember 2 Peter 3:8, which tells us that with the Lord a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day. In fact, it is our uncertainty of tomorrow that He uses to draw us to Himself and to trust in Him rather than in ourselves and material things.
Beginning at about age sixteen, I developed a great fascination and a strong interest in Biblical prophecy. I read every book I could get my hands on about end-times predictions. Then, in my late twenties there was surge of interest among many Christian leaders in prophecy. The whole world seemed to follow along with a plethora of new books, fiction and non-fiction, as well as movies, picking up on the end-of-the-world theme.
By that time I had pretty well established my own views on eschatology (end-time theology) and thought I had a good handle on how the world situation was actually lining up with what the Bible predicted about Armageddon and who the player nations would be. I was nearly convinced that the end would come within my lifetime. However, as the years went on, my neat scenario fell apart as many of the players obviously no longer fit and new possibilities emerged.
Somewhere during that time of transition a wise and respected friend of mine who had a sound knowledge of the Bible and a biblical world view told me something I will never forget. He said that he had come to the conclusion that God did not give us prophecies so that we would know exactly when and how they would be fulfilled. Instead, he believed, they have been given to us primarily so that after they are fulfilled, we will recognize the truth of His Word, trust Him and be amazed.
It is certainly true that even many of the prophets of old did not understand the full meaning of what they wrote. Consider the many prophecies about the coming of Christ and His sufferings. The meaning of verses such as, “they looked on Him whom they pierced,” (Zechariah 12:10) and “by His scourging we are healed,” (Isaiah 53:5c) were not understood until after Jesus’ crucifixion. In spite of the fact that many prophecies, including entire chapters, pointed to the coming of Christ as the sacrifice for our sins, even His disciples and, of course, the spiritually blind religious leaders of the day did not understand that these spoke of Him.
The Apostle Paul unveils the fact that this present age, where the Church has been called out of all the nations into God’s kingdom, was a mystery hidden in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). The Jews understood the coming of Messiah, but they saw it as a one-time event for the salvation (politically) of Israel. They did not see the intervening age between Christ’s first coming for the salvation of individuals and His second coming in glory to usher in a new age.
As the ancient prophets looked into the future, separate events often were not distinguishable, much like how we view the mountains from the distance when we are traveling. When they are still far away, we see them as a single line of peaks along the horizon. But, as we get near and travel through them we realize there are different ranges, sometimes with wide valleys in between.
To gain more insight into God’s purpose for prophecy, I strongly recommend the reading and studying of Matthew 24 and 25. Here are just a few things that Jesus teaches us there:
As in the case of most other controversial assertions, there is an array of opposing viewpoints being debated on the interpretation of these passages. Some will argue that the prophecy has already been fulfilled, others that it is still future and still others that it was not meant to be taken literally. So how, then, should we, as followers of Jesus, respond to them and, the larger question, how are we to deal with Biblical prophecies in general?
Clearly, prophecy represents a major part of the Bible, and, therefore, we must take it seriously. But for what purpose does God intend that we understand and apply individual prophecies? One thing seems certain, while there may be signs that certain prophecies will be fulfilled soon, the Scriptures repeatedly warn us not to set dates and times when these events will take place.
I always remember 2 Peter 3:8, which tells us that with the Lord a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day. In fact, it is our uncertainty of tomorrow that He uses to draw us to Himself and to trust in Him rather than in ourselves and material things.
Beginning at about age sixteen, I developed a great fascination and a strong interest in Biblical prophecy. I read every book I could get my hands on about end-times predictions. Then, in my late twenties there was surge of interest among many Christian leaders in prophecy. The whole world seemed to follow along with a plethora of new books, fiction and non-fiction, as well as movies, picking up on the end-of-the-world theme.
By that time I had pretty well established my own views on eschatology (end-time theology) and thought I had a good handle on how the world situation was actually lining up with what the Bible predicted about Armageddon and who the player nations would be. I was nearly convinced that the end would come within my lifetime. However, as the years went on, my neat scenario fell apart as many of the players obviously no longer fit and new possibilities emerged.
Somewhere during that time of transition a wise and respected friend of mine who had a sound knowledge of the Bible and a biblical world view told me something I will never forget. He said that he had come to the conclusion that God did not give us prophecies so that we would know exactly when and how they would be fulfilled. Instead, he believed, they have been given to us primarily so that after they are fulfilled, we will recognize the truth of His Word, trust Him and be amazed.
It is certainly true that even many of the prophets of old did not understand the full meaning of what they wrote. Consider the many prophecies about the coming of Christ and His sufferings. The meaning of verses such as, “they looked on Him whom they pierced,” (Zechariah 12:10) and “by His scourging we are healed,” (Isaiah 53:5c) were not understood until after Jesus’ crucifixion. In spite of the fact that many prophecies, including entire chapters, pointed to the coming of Christ as the sacrifice for our sins, even His disciples and, of course, the spiritually blind religious leaders of the day did not understand that these spoke of Him.
The Apostle Paul unveils the fact that this present age, where the Church has been called out of all the nations into God’s kingdom, was a mystery hidden in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). The Jews understood the coming of Messiah, but they saw it as a one-time event for the salvation (politically) of Israel. They did not see the intervening age between Christ’s first coming for the salvation of individuals and His second coming in glory to usher in a new age.
As the ancient prophets looked into the future, separate events often were not distinguishable, much like how we view the mountains from the distance when we are traveling. When they are still far away, we see them as a single line of peaks along the horizon. But, as we get near and travel through them we realize there are different ranges, sometimes with wide valleys in between.
To gain more insight into God’s purpose for prophecy, I strongly recommend the reading and studying of Matthew 24 and 25. Here are just a few things that Jesus teaches us there:
Don’t be shaken by
future events, such as wars, earthquakes, famines, etc., knowing that they are
inevitable but not indicators of the end.
Realize that God is ultimately in control of all history.
Realize that God is ultimately in control of all history.
Don’t be fooled by
false prophets or claims that Christ has already returned.
Don’t try to figure out when His return will be, but be aware that He has given clues.
Don’t try to figure out when His return will be, but be aware that He has given clues.
Always be on guard
against living sinfully and being personally unprepared for Christ’s return.
Always be diligent and
faithful about the work God has given us individually to do until the end.
Those who have failed to trust in Christ and live in obedience to Him will be rejected from God’s kingdom and suffer His judgment.
One final note. I am convinced that through the ages there
have been recurring world conditions that seemed clearly to point to the end of
the age and Jesus’ imminent return. Yet,
it was not the right time. That, I
believe, is by God’s design, so that we who are looking forward to His return can
always see the possibility of fulfillment in our lifetime, always be ready to
meet Him and, in the meantime, to be diligent about spreading the Gospel throughout
the world.
Those who have failed to trust in Christ and live in obedience to Him will be rejected from God’s kingdom and suffer His judgment.
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