The Aim of This Book
The aim of this book is to provide the reader with a concise outline of events that will “shortly come to pass” (Rev. 1:11The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: (Revelation 1:1)). It is not an attempt to align current events in the news with prophecies in Scripture, because prophecy, properly speaking, is not being fulfilled today.
The writer makes no claim to the originality of the truth herein compiled; it is what has been generally held and taught by brethren for the past 150 years. We cannot be dogmatic as to the chronology of every single detail in prophecy, but a careful attempt has been made to set these things in a sequential order. 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.
Introduction 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. 1:8-108Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:8‑10)). Since God knows and controls the course of world history (Acts 15:1818Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. (Acts 15:18); Isa. 41:1-41Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment. 2Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow. 3He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet. 4Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he. (Isaiah 41:1‑4); Dan. 2:20-22; 4:1720Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. (Daniel 2:20‑22)
17This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (Daniel 4:17)), it is not difficult for Him to have it recorded in Scripture before it occurs. Prophecy, therefore, is history written aforetime. The purpose or object of prophecy is to show how God will bring to pass His great purpose concerning the public glorification of His Son.
The Subject of Prophecy
The subject of Bible prophecy is not the Church, nor is it Israel and the Gentile nations of the earth, although they will all be blessed as a result of God’s purpose being accomplished. The great Object of prophecy is the Lord Jesus Christ. Prophecy deals with things that will happen on 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 are earthly) are in view in prophecy, but they are not the subject of prophecy themselves.
Prophecy has not been given to merely satisfy human curiosity concerning future events, but to bring glory, honour, and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture says, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19:1010And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)). This means that 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 in view in all 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. However, 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 (Luke 24:25-27, 4425Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:25‑27)
44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44); John 5:3939Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39); Acts 17:2-3, 112And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (Acts 17:2‑3)
11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11); 1 Peter 1:1111Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (1 Peter 1:11)). When God by the Spirit wrote the Scriptures, He had His Son before Him, and if we are going to understand what He has written in His Word, we need to have His Son before our hearts when we take it up. 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 John 1:33That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)).
The Interpretation of Prophecy
An important principle in interpreting Scripture is that when we take up a particular verse, or series of verses, it must be done in the light of all other Scriptures. The prophetic Scriptures are no exception. Understanding a particular passage of prophecy is not arrived at through isolating that passage from the rest of the Word of God and then looking for its meaning and solution within that passage alone. If it is the truth, it will coincide with the whole of God’s Word. Hence, we must carefully weigh each verse of Scripture in the light of all others. The Apostle Peter said, “No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the 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 Peter 1:20-2120Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the 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 Peter 1:20‑21)). J. N. Darby remarked, in the footnote of his translation on this verse, “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 lifetime, 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
The Apostle Peter speaks of three different effects that prophecy will have on us when it is taken up rightly.
Firstly, it will make the “day dawn” in our hearts (2 Peter 1:1919We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19)). This refers to the superior brightness of Christian truth in the New Testament becoming more distinct in our souls. Peter puts it in contrast to the “lamp” that shines in a dark place, which are the prophetic Scriptures found in the Old Testament. A brighter guide has now been given in the body of New Testament revelation. This does not mean that we are to neglect the Old Testament Scriptures. Peter speaks quite to the contrary; he says that we would do well to take heed to them, because 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 distinct Israel’s earthly blessings are from the heavenly blessings of the Church. The practical effect of understanding this will make us value our portion in Christ, and motivate us to walk in the light of that heavenly revelation of truth.
Secondly, the Apostle says that giving heed to the prophetic Scriptures causes the “day star” to arise in our hearts (2 Peter 1:1919We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19)). This refers to the Lord’s coming (the Rapture) for His bride, the Church. When we realize that before all those things in prophecy come to pass, the Lord must first come and take us home to heaven, the result is that His coming for us becomes more imminent. The practical effect of this on our lives is an exercise of wanting to be ready to be called away at any moment (1 Thess. 5:66Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)).
Thirdly, studying prophecy gives us to see the end of this world. Seeing that it is all going to come under the judgment of God, we will realize how utterly futile it is to be expending our energies on building up something that is doomed. The practical effect of this 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 Peter 3:11-1211Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting 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 Peter 3:11‑12)).