Outline of Prophetic Events

originally from ComeLordJesus.net

The Purpose of Prophecy

The great purpose of God is to glorify His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in two spheres; in heaven and on earth. In a coming day God will head up the administration of all things in these two spheres in His Son This is "the mystery of His will" that He purposed in Himself before the world was made. (Eph. 1:8-10 J.N.Darby Translation). Prophecy shows how God will bring to pass this great purpose concerning His Son.

The Object of Prophecy

The object of Bible prophecy is not the church, nor is it Israel and the Gentile nations of the earth, though both will be blessed as a result of God's purpose being accomplished. The object of prophecy is the Lord Jesus Christ. "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Rev. 19:10)

Prophecy deals with the earth because it is the place that God has chosen to accomplish His will concerning His Son. Consequently, Israel and the nations [whose portion and destiny is the earth] are in view in prophecy, but they are not the object of prophecy themselves.

Prophecy has not been given to merely satisfy human intellect concerning future events, but to bring glory, honour, and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. When we read the prophetic Scriptures we must look for what the Spirit of God is bringing out concerning Christ and His glory, for He is the object of prophecy.

Many Christians take up the Word of God to see what God has to say about them in it, and surely there is much that He has to say to us concerning our walk and ways.

But we really should be taking up the Word of God, firstly, to see what God has to say about His beloved Son and what is due to Him, for His glory is the key to understanding all Scripture, and then we see its application to us. (Lk. 24:25-27, 44, Jn. 5:39, Acts 17:2-3, 11, 1 Pet. 1:11)

When God by the Spirit wrote the Scriptures He had His Son before Him, and if we are going to understand what is in His Word, we need to have His Son before our hearts too.

May God give us to be found in communion with Himself and His Son, as we study the prophetic Scriptures. "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." (1 Jn. 1:3)

The Interpretation of Prophecy

An important principle in interpreting Scripture is that when we interpret a particular verse, or series of verses, it must be done in the light of all other Scripture. The prophetic Scriptures are no exception. The interpretation of a prophecy is not arrived at through an isolated passage having its own meaning and solution.

We have to carefully weigh each verse of Scripture in the light of all others. "No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Pet. 1:20-21) J. N. Darby said, "One might almost say, no prophecy explains itself."

Moreover God uses many figures and symbols in prophecy to convey His mind concerning a subject. This necessitates care on our part to distinguish between what is symbolic and what is literal. Notwithstanding, whatever figures the Spirit of God may use in depicting the ways of God, the subject of prophecy is never a figure.

It is always literal. The Spirit of God also uses types to illustrate God's dealings in prophecy. When a type is referred to in this book it will be marked with an asterisk (*) so as to help the reader distinguish between what is the letter of prophecy and what is typical teaching.

In addition to this, many prophecies in the old Testament have both a near application that was usually fulfilled in the prophet's life time or shortly thereafter, and an extended application that reaches down to the end of the age. It is important therefore, to distinguish between what part of the passage refers to those circumstances which were near at hand, and what part speaks of Israel's full and final deliverance in the end times.

The Practical Effect of Prophecy

There is perhaps a three-fold effect that prophecy will have on us when it is taken up rightly. Firstly, it makes the "day dawn" in our hearts. (2 Pet. 1:19) This refers to the superior brightness of Christian truth in the New Testament. The apostle Peter puts it in contrast to the "lamp" that shines in a dark place, which refers to the prophetic Scriptures in the Old Testament.

A brighter guide has now been given in the body of New Testament truth. This does not mean we are to neglect the Old Testament Scriptures. Peter speaks quite to the contrary, for he says we would do well to take heed to them. In reading those Old Testament prophecies, New Testament truth will stand out in contrast more distinctly, just as broad daylight supersedes the light from a lamp.

As a result we are given to see just how great the contrast is between Israel's blessings and the heavenly blessings and privileges of the church. The practical effect of understanding our Christian blessings will make us value what is rightly ours.

Secondly, the learning of prophecy causes the "day star" to arise in our hearts. (2 Pet. 1:19) This refers to Christ's coming for His bride, the church at the rapture. When we realize that before all those things in prophecy will come to pass, the Lord must first come and take us home to heaven. Hence His coming for us becomes more imminent.

Thirdly, reading prophecy gives us to see the end of this world. When we see that it is all going to come under the judgment of God, we realize how utterly futile it is to be expending our energies on building up something that is doomed. The practical effect will cause us to be more separated from the world now. "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" (2 Pet.3:11-12)

The Aim of This Book

This book is not an attempt to align current events in the news with Scripture prophecies, because prophecy properly speaking, is not being fulfilled today. The aim of this book rather, is to provide the reader with a concise outline of events that will "shortly come to pass." (Rev. 1:1)

The writer makes no claim to the originality of the truth herein compiled. It is simply what godly men gathered to the Lord's Name (Matt. 18:20) have enjoyed and taught for the past 150 years. Although we cannot be dogmatic as to the exact chronology of every single event, a careful attempt has been made to follow a sequential order. This, in places has been difficult, because some things happen at the same time.

The references used in this book are from the King James Version. Where the wording is different, it is because the references have been taken from the New Translation of J. N. Darby.

May the effect of these prophetic things draw us closer to the Lord Jesus Christ and cause us to look up in joyful expectation of His near return.