Prophecy is important to us; it is “the testimony of Jesus,” showing how He will have His rightful place. Because He has called us His friends, He wants us to know what is coming. He said to His own, “All things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:15). The Christian is the only person who has an intelligent outlook on what is taking place in the world.
Peter speaks of prophecy as “a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star [or the morning star] arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). Prophecy has particularly to do with the earth — with the kingdom being established, where the Lord Jesus will be known as “the King of kings, and Lord of lords.” It tells us that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. All the prophecies point on to that time when this will be fulfilled. But before that — just as the morning star arises before the day — we look for the Lord Jesus to come. As we see events moving onward (I do not say prophecy actually being fulfilled, but movements in that direction), we can say that the moment is drawing near. Prophecy is a light that shines in a dark place. So the Christian, instead of being surprised by developments in this world, knows that God has foretold them.
Light in a Dark Place
But what should be the result of this? It is a dark place in which we live; if it were not for the light of prophecy, it would indeed look gloomy. Man trembles as he sees the breakdown of everything committed to him, but prophecy is “a light that shine[s] in a dark place.” All these events are only to cause us to look up, to lift up our heads, knowing that our redemption draws nigh.
Peter says, “Until the day dawn, and the day star [the morning star] arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). The Lord Jesus comes for us as the “bright and morning star.” For Israel He is spoken of as the “Sun of righteousness ... with healing in His wings” (Mal. 4:2), because when Israel shall be delivered, it will be for earthly blessing. But just as the morning star arises before the sun comes up, so we look for the Lord Jesus to come as “the bright and morning star.”
The Reign of Christ
At the commencement of the thousand-year reign of Christ, often called the millennium, God will deal with all those nations who have left God out, who thought that they could get along and treat the world as if it belonged to themselves (see Matt. 25:31-46). Then, as we read in Revelation 11:15, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.”
Because of this, “what manner of persons ought ye to be, in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11)? How should this affect us? We know what is coming. If we know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, can we be indifferent to all this? I believe that the time is drawing very, very near. We do not know the day nor the hour, but we should be a waiting and watching people.
Adapted from an address
by G. H. Hayhoe