Precept Austin

Bible Prophecy

Updated: Tue, 09/26/2023 - 13:58 By admin

WHAT IS THIS WEBSITE'S APPROACH
TO THE INTERPRETATION OF PROPHECY?

This page on BIBLE PROPHECY consists primarily of Biblical "Timelines" and charts that have been developed over many years of inductive study of the Scriptures dealing with eschatology (Greek eschatos [word study] meaning "last"). The literal approach to interpretation is emphasized throughout this website.

For example if God says "1000" and "1000" makes good sense in context, then the interpretation in these notes is that God means "1000". (see The Millennium 1, The Millennium 2, The Millennium 3)

Allegorical, figurative, spiritualizing approaches to interpretation will be assiduously avoided.

My approach will be to allow God (His Spirit [Jn 14:16, cf 1Cor 2:10-16] and the Scriptures) to "speak for Himself" (i.e., to read the text for its Literal sense) and avoid ingenious, imaginative interpretations (i.e., an allegorical approach) that are not compatible with the plain sense of the passage and the Scriptural context. For example, if you are looking for "dogmatic" interpretation of the locusts unleashed when the fifth angel sounds his trumpet in Revelation 9 (Re 9:3-note, Re 9:7-note) you will probably be disappointed in the offering on this website. Although there will likely be some attempt to correlate Biblical events with current world events, that will not be the major focus. God's prophetic Word sovereignly determines world events, not the converse, so it behooves us to keep our focus on God's Word, looking expectantly for our Bridegroom (Re 19:7-note) Christ rather than for the "Antichrist" (cf 1Jn 3:2, 3-note, Titus 2:12-note, Titus 2:13-note; Php 3:20, 21-note).

God's Plan for the Ages

The goal of the charts and notes on prophecy found on this website is to present a "Bibliocentric" overview of "God's Plan for the Ages" in such a way the reader is motivated to

deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age looking for the blessed hope (see study of "HOPE") and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus (Titus 2:11+, Titus 2:12+, Titus 2:13, 14+ cf 2Pe 3:10, 11, 12, 13, 14 - notes on 2Pe 3:10, 11-13, 14).

I am a retired physician who specialized in pathology and received training in the importance of careful observation. I fully understand the relationship between accurate interpretation and correct treatment of patients and it is this same "life and death" mindset that will guide all observations and Interpretations of Biblical Prophecy on this website.

Approximately 25% or one quarter of the Bible was prophecy at the time it was written. Dr John Walvoord adds that…

The revelation of prophecy in Scripture serves as an important evidence that the Scriptures are accurate in their interpretation of the future. Because approximately half (50%) of the prophecies of the Bible have already been fulfilled in a literal way, it gives a proper intellectual basis for assuming that prophecy yet to be fulfilled will likewise have a literal fulfillment. At the same time it justifies the conclusion that the Bible is inspired of the Holy Spirit and that prophecy which goes far beyond any scheme of man is instead a revelation by God of that which is certain to come to pass. The fact that prophecy has been fulfilled serves as a guide to interpret the prophecies which are yet ahead. (The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook- All the Prophecies of Scripture Explained in One Volume)

And so fulfilled prophecy is now history, but there is clearly much exciting prophecy that remains to be fulfilled to the letter (Nu 23:19). Remember however that prophecy was not written to satisfy our curiosity about how the world will end or to make us "smarter sinners", but to cause us to discipline ourselves for godliness (1Ti 4:7, 8-note, 1Ti 4:9, 10, 11-note) so that we are being conformed by the Holy Spirit (Ro 8:29-note, Ro 12:2-note, 1Ti 6:3, 1Pe 1:14-note) more and more into the glory of our Lord and Savior (2Co 3:18-note).

May our study of God's prophetic plan for the ages edify and equip us so that we are motivated and empowered to

walk in a manner worthy (axios-word) of the God who calls (us) into His own kingdom and glory (doxa-word study) (1Th 2:12-note).

MARANATHA!
(See In Depth Study of Maranatha)
OUR LORD, COME!
(1Cor 16:22)

WHY STUDY
PROPHECY?

I hear many people, especially younger pastors say "I don't think we need to spend much time studying Bible prophecy. It's too controversial. It's too difficult. There are so many interpretations, so how can you know who is correct? And after all, prophecy is not very practical for our day to day Christian life." What is the result of this type of thinking? Simply put, those who espouse this opinion of eschatology do not teach or preach much on Bible prophecy. And when they do preach on it, they are often forced to rely on other people's interpretations. The question must be ask -- how can they be sure the "expert's" interpretation is accurate? How can they be sure it is not an interpretation based on a particular system of theological interpretation (whether it be reformed, dispensational, etc)? Admittedly Bible prophecy is a difficult subject, but I have been assiduously studying it (with the same zeal and attention to detail that I did when I analyzed tissues and made countless life and death diagnoses) for over 35 years, focusing on a literal approach with primary emphasis on observation before interpretation. While there are many prophetic passages that remain somewhat enigmatic even after 35 years of study, God's basic plan for the ages is clear, including His wonderful plan for the literal nation of Israel. So while we cannot understand every detail of Biblical prophecy, God has made the main things the plain things. 

So with that background, let me quote Dr Adrian Rogers' who addresses the question "What Profit is Prophecy?" 

I am always amazed by people who say we shouldn't study prophecy. Some fear we will go off into fanaticism. Others think prophecy is simply "pie in the sky by and by." Still others feel prophecy is unrelated to reality. But one-fourth of the Bible is given over to prophecy! Did the Holy Spirit make a mistake? Of course not! There is an incredible, wonderful blessing in the study of prophecy. Here are six benefits of prophecy:

(1) Prophecy Will Lead You to Praise
Revelation 1:3 says, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." In a world that seems to be filled with random acts of violence and terrorism, we need to see that God has a plan and the God of that plan is worthy to be praised.

If you know prophecy, you can sit back and say, "I've already looked in the back of the book for the answers. The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ."

(2) Prophecy Will Help You Make Sense Out of Suffering
If you get all of your theology from your circumstances, you'll be hopelessly confused. Romans 8:18 says, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us."

Through prophecy, we understand that God is not finished yet. The tragedies of this earth will be turned into the triumphs of heaven.

(3) Prophecy Will Lead You to Rejoice in God's Justice
Paul wrote, "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts" (1 Corinthians 4:5).

If you are a student of prophecy, you understand that things don't end here on earth with man's judgment. God will have the last word in the judgment halls of eternity.

Prophecy allows us to understand the mystery of history, make sense of our suffering, and rejoice in God's justice as prophetic events unfold.

(4) Prophecy Will Cause You to Pray
Prophecy leads to intercession. The last prayer in the Bible is Revelation 22:20: "even so, come, Lord Jesus." Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). When God prophecies that something is going to happen, somehow we see those events unfold as His children pray. I cannot explain how God's ultimate sovereignty works with our prayers, but I know it does from the pages of His Word.

(5) Prophecy Will Lead You to Purity
1 John 3:2-3 says, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." That is prophecy! If you really believe that Jesus Christ is coming again, you are going to live a clean life. We ought never to take our eyes off the fact that Jesus is coming.

(6) Prophecy Will Lead You to Proclamation
Revelation 19:10c says, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." All prophecy is a witness to the truth that Jesus is coming back — that people need to be ready for His return.

What are you doing to warn people to flee from the wrath to come? Paul knew that there was an everlasting hell (see 2 Corinthians 5:10-11). It's not enough for us to sit around and try to discover the divine mysteries of prophecy. We need to bring people to Jesus Christ!

The real test of whether you believe Bible prophecy
is if you have your feet on the sidewalk of soul-winning
instead of your head in the clouds of prophecy.
If you believe Jesus is coming back,
you will have a burning passion to bring people to Him.

Jesus came as an evangelist. And He's called you to do the same. Will you pray, "Lord, lay some soul upon my heart and win that soul through me"?

Is there profit in prophecy? Praise the Lord, there is! What a wonderful thing to know that we are soon going to meet the King of kings and Lord of lords.

CHARTS RELATED 
TO BIBLE PROPHECY

THE THREE DIVINE DAYS

Of The Lord, Of Christ, Of God

THE END TIME JUDGMENTS

Of Christ, Sheep & Goats, Israel, the Great White Throne

EZEKIEL TIMELINE

Ezekiel's prophecy in context of Israel's history

GLORY OF THE LORD

Depicts departure of God's glory and His return to the Temple

GOD'S PLAN FOR THE AGES

God's Eye Overview from the first Adam to the last Adam

GOD'S PLAN FOR JERUSALEM

Timeline chart of the "five" prophetic peaks of Jerusalem

Timeline of Daniel 2, 7, 8, 9, 10-12

Daniel 2, 7, 8, 9, 10-12 in relation to 4 World Empires,
time gap, return of Jesus, and Times of the Gentiles. 

DANIEL'S SEVENTIETH WEEK

Detailed Scripturally reference timeline chart on Daniel 9:27

REVELATION CHARTED OUT

Allows quick comparison of events/timing in Revelation 4-22

THE REVELATION

Conservative resources

DANIEL

Conservative resources

MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES RELATED
TO BIBLE PROPHECY

Revelation of Jesus Christ - Dr Tony Garland

In my opinion this is the single best literal commentary currently available on the book of Revelation - don't be misled by the fact that it is freely available online!

Resurrection:

Christ's Resurrection Prophesied in the Old Testament…

Miscellaneous Verse by Verse Commentaries related to prophecy  by Bruce Hurt, MD

ON SITE DANIEL
VERSE BY VERSE COMMENTARIES
By Bruce Hurt, MD

See Also - Daniel Commentaries - Compilation of Links

OTHER STUDIES RELATED TO DANIEL 9
By Bruce Hurt, MD

Amos 9 Commentary

Amos 9:1
Amos 9:2
Amos 9:3
Amos 9:4
Amos 9:5
Amos 9:6
Amos 9:7
Amos 9:8
Amos 9:9
Amos 9:10
Amos 9:11
Amos 9:12
Amos 9:13
Amos 9:14
Amos 9:15

GOD'S PLAN FOR THE AGES
 

              RETURN   
OF CHRIST 
Rev 19:11-21+
Rev 17:14+
                                                        Mt 24:30-46 

  
PLIGHT  
PASSION  		 PRESENT       
     PERSECUTION                 PEACE                                   		  
  PUNISHMENT
   

7OTH Week of Daniel
Click for chart

REIGN OF
CHRIST
Re 20:1-10+

"The Tribulation"

Rev 6-19
Da 9:24-27+
Jewish Temple
Rebuilt
Rev 11:1,2+
2Th 2:3,4+		 Last 3.5 Yr
Great Tribulation
Mt 24:15+
 Mt 24:21+
Jer 30:7+		 MILLENNIUM
1000 YEAR
MESSIANIC
AGE

 

Great White Throne
Judgment
Rev 20:11-15+

 

 

 

 

Sin enters the world & death through sin
Ge 3:1-15+
Ro 5:12+
Ro 3:10+
Ro 3:23+

John 3:16
1Pe 2:24, 25
2 Co 5:21
Ro 5:1-11
Jn 19:30
The Present Evil Age
Titus 2:12+ 
Mk 10:45 
Gal 1:4+

PAST

PRESENT

FUTURE

 

GOD'S PLAN FOR JERUSALEM
FIVE PROPHETIC PEAKS
"O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years.
In the midst of the years make it known.
In wrath remember mercy"

SEGMENTS OF TIME

AT LEAST 2000 YEARS

SEVEN YEARS

1000 YEARS

 ? FOREVER
PROPHETIC
PEAK #1
Jerusalem destroyed by Babylon 586bc		 PROPHETIC
PEAK #2
Jerusalem destroyed
by Rome 70ad		 PROPHETIC
PEAK #3
Jerusalem sacked by Gentiles/Saved by Messiah
@ end of Daniel's 70th Week		 PROPHETIC PEAK #4
Jerusalem surrounded by Nations
@ end of 1000 years		 No place found for earth & heaven
Re 20:11-note		 PEAK #5
New Jerusalem
After all passes away
 

THE CHURCH AGE

Daniel's 70th Wk
"The Tribulation" misnomer b/c term not used in Scripture specifically for this 7yr period
(click here for detailed chart on this week)

Great Tribulation ends w return of Messiah as King of kings & defeat of antichrist who is cast into Lake of fire at beginning of 1000 yr reign

  

All things new
Re 21:5-note

Begins: Pentecost
Ends: Rapture of church
When is Rapture?
Most likely prior to Daniel's 70th Wk
1Th 4:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 - notes

Antichrist makes firm
covenant w Israel for 7 years -
Temple rebuilt
Antichrist breaks covenant after 3.5 yr

Antichrist desecrates Holy Place in Temple - Abomination of desolation initiates 3.5 yr
"Great Tribulation"
"Time of Jacob's Distress" Je 30:7

Christ reigns from Jerusalem
David reigns over Israel
Saints reign with Christ

Heaven & earth passed away
Re 20:11-note

New heavens
& New earth
Re 21:1-note,
Babylon
605-538bc		 Medo Persia
538-333		 Greece
333-63bc		 Rome
63bc until
ca 476ad		 Revived Roman Empire
(What is it? Can't be dogmatic - many favor European Union when composed of 10 nations)		 Messiah Reigns
1000 Years		 Great White Throne Jdgmt
Re 20:11-15

Eternity
Righteousness dwells
2Pe 3:13-note

THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES
Begins = Babylon tramples Jerusalem underfoot
Ends =Jesus the Stone of Daniel 2 crushes Antichrist and all the Gentile powers at end of Daniel's 70th Week (Da 2:34-35, 45)
Time that parallels Times of Gentiles = This Age -Mt 24:3, 13:39-40,49, 28:20, Da12:13
Next Age = 1000 year reign = "Messianic Age" = Millennium

Satan bound 1000 yr but released & deceives countless Gentiles to rebel one last time against the beloved city - devoured by fire & Satan cast into Lake of fire

 Heavens pass away w roar & elements destroyed w intense heat & earth & works burned up

New Jerusalem
Comes down from God
Made ready as a bride adorned for her husband
Re 21:2-note
 

THE LAST DAYS
Begins: Jesus' first appearance He1:2-note,
2Ti 3:1-note
1Pe 1:20-note
Ends: Jesus returns
Main point:
We are living in the
Last Days

    

Unbelievers cast into Lake of fire

  

BELOVED OF GOD, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR
IT WILL DETERMINE WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR!

"The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the Blessed Hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deed… Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God… eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness… waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body… longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven… for our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ… from heaven, Whom (God) raised from the dead, that is Jesus, Who delivers us from the wrath to come… Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless… there is laid up… the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to… all who have loved His appearing." (Titus 2:11-note, Titus 2:12-note, Titus 2:13-note, Titus 2:14-note, 2Pe 3:11, 12-note, Gal 5:5, Ro 8:23-note, 2Co 5:2, Php 3:20-note, 1Th 1:10-note, 2Pe 3:14-note, 2Ti 4:8-note)

Lake of Fire
… will be tormented day and night
forever and ever
Re 19:20-note
Re 20:10, 14,15-note

TIMELINE OF JEWISH & GENTILE HISTORY 
ACCORDING TO THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL

Daniel 2, 7, 8, 9, 10-12 charted out on a timeline in relation to the Four World Empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome) that impact the nation of Israel, followed by the return of Jesus as the Stone to Crush the Gentile empires and bring to an end forever their dominion over the nation of Israel. - Click for Printable Chart

TIME PHRASES RELATED TO 
LAST HALF OF DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK

TIME PHRASES RELATED TO LAST 7 YEARS
"THE TRIBULATION"
Middle of the week Da 9:27+
Time, times and half a time Da 7:25+, Da 12:7+
42 months Rev 11:2+
1260 days Rev 12:6+
Time and times and half a time Rev 12:14+
Great tribulation Mt 24:21+
Time of distress Da 12:1+

 

NAMES OF ANTICHRIST

Note: This list is not all inclusive regarding the names of the Antichrist.

PASSAGES RELATED TO
THE "HE" OF DANIEL 9:27
The Antichrist 1 Jn 2:18+, 1 Jn 4:3+
Abomination of Desolation Mt 24:15+
Man of lawlessness 2 Th 2:3, 4+
The Beast Rev 11:7+, Rev 13:3, 4, 18+,
Rev 19:19, 20+, Rev 20:10+

 

RELATED LINKS

 

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