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. 1:1). 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. 1:8-10). Since God knows and controls the course of world history (Acts 15:18; Isa. 41:1-4; Dan. 2:20-22; 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. 19:10). 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, 44; John 5:39; Acts 17:2-3, 11; 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 1:3).
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 1:20-21). 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 1:19). 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 1:19). 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. 5:6).
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 3:11-12).