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).
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)
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.
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Of The Lord, Of Christ, Of God |
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Of Christ, Sheep & Goats, Israel, the Great White Throne |
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Ezekiel's prophecy in context of Israel's history |
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Depicts departure of God's glory and His return to the Temple |
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God's Eye Overview from the first Adam to the last Adam |
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Timeline chart of the "five" prophetic peaks of Jerusalem |
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Daniel 2, 7, 8, 9, 10-12 in relation to 4 World Empires, |
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Detailed Scripturally reference timeline chart on Daniel 9:27 |
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Allows quick comparison of events/timing in Revelation 4-22 |
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Conservative resources |
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Conservative resources |
- The Millennium 1
- The Millennium 2
- The Millennium 3
- Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming
- Timing - Pre- Mid- or Post-Tribulation
- Rapture - the Greek word harpazo
- Prophecy, Messianic
- Interpretation of Prophecy - multiple resources
- Prophecy Primer: Brief and Simple: basic guidelines for interpreting prophecy
- The Day of the LORD
- Time gaps in interpretation of prophecy
- Inductive Bible Study - Guidelines to Assure Accurate Interpretation
- Inductive Bible Study Interpretation of Prophetic Scripture
- Interpretative Views of the Revelation of Jesus Christ
- Allegorical Interpretation - Tony Garland
- Interpreting Symbols - Tony Garland
- Basic Considerations in Interpreting Prophecy - John Walvoord
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:
- The Two Resurrections - "First" and "Second" - on a timeline
- Seven Resurrections in Scripture
- Resurrection - Is it Taught in the Old Testament?
Christ's Resurrection Prophesied in the Old Testament…
- First Fruits as a prophetic picture of Christ's Resurrection
- The Sign of Jonah as a prophecy of Christ's Resurrection
- The "Third Day" in Hosea - Does it predict Christ's Resurrection?
- Resurrection in the Old Testament
Miscellaneous Verse by Verse Commentaries related to prophecy by Bruce Hurt, MD
- Isaiah 2:2-4 Commentary - Summarizes the Conditions At the Second Coming
- Micah 4:1-4 Commentary - Summarizes the Conditions At the Second Coming
- Isaiah 63:1-6 Commentary - To Where Does Christ Return at His Second Coming
- Habakkuk 3 Commentary
- Malachi 4 Commentary
- Ezekiel 36 Commentary
- Ezekiel 37 Commentary
See Also - Daniel Commentaries - Compilation of Links
- Daniel 1 Commentary
- Daniel 2:1-23 Commentary
- Daniel 2:24-49 Commentary
- Daniel 3 Commentary
- Daniel 4 Commentary
- Daniel 5 Commentary
- Daniel 6 Commentary
- Daniel 71-6 Commentary
- Daniel 7:7-14 Commentary
- Daniel 7:15-28 Commentary
- Daniel 8 Commentary
- Daniel 9:1-23 Commentary
- Daniel 9:24 Commentary
- Daniel 9:25 Commentary
- Daniel 9:26 Commentary
- Daniel 9:27 Commentary
- Daniel 10 Commentary
- Daniel 11:1-19 Commentary
- Daniel 11:20-45 Commentary
- Daniel 12 Commentary
- Daniel 9:24-27: Introductory Comments
- Brief "Prophecy Primer" why interpret Daniel 9:24-27 and other prophecy literally?
- Why Daniel 9:24-27 Is One of Most Significant Passages in Scripture
- Daniel Commentaries grouped by interpretative approach to Daniel 9:24-27
- Anecdotal Stories and Daniel 9:24-27
- Evidence Supporting Unit of Time in Daniel 9:24-27 as Years
- Daniel Commentaries from a literal, usually futuristic perspective
- Additional Notes on Daniel 9:24-25
- Additional Notes on Daniel 9:26-27
- Summary Chart of Daniel's Seventieth Week
- Daniel's Seventieth Week Charted in parallel with Daniel's other prophecies
- Lectures by Kay Arthur on Daniel 9:24-27: Lec 14, Lec15, Lec 16
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 |
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| PLIGHT | PASSION |
PRESENT | PERSECUTION PEACE |
PUNISHMENT |
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Great White Throne
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The Present Evil Age Titus 2:12+ Mk 10:45 Gal 1:4+ |
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PAST |
PRESENT |
FUTURE |
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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" |
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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 |
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THE CHURCH AGE |
Daniel's 70th Wk |
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 |
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Begins: Pentecost |
Antichrist makes firm |
Antichrist desecrates Holy Place in Temple - Abomination of desolation initiates 3.5 yr |
Christ reigns from Jerusalem |
Heaven & earth passed away |
New heavens |
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| 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 |
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THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES |
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 |
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THE LAST DAYS |
Unbelievers cast into Lake of fire |
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Lake of Fire |
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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
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TIME PHRASES RELATED TO LAST 7 YEARS |
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| 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+ |
Note: This list is not all inclusive regarding the names of the Antichrist.
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PASSAGES RELATED TO |
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| 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+ |
- INTRODUCTION TO INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY
- OBSERVATION
- INTERPRETATION
- APPLICATION
- PERFORM A GREEK WORD STUDY - using Web tools
- GREEK QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE - Greek verb tense, voice, mood
- BASICS OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION - Greek Hebrew Figures of speech
- BIBLE VERSIONS How Literal is your translation?
- INTERPRETATION OF GOD'S WORD: Supernaturalistic, Naturalistic, Existentialistic, Dogmatic
- DANIEL COMMENTARIES
- REVELATION COMMENTARIES