Bible prophecy reveals several specific conditions that must be met before Christ returns to earth. Where are we on this prophetic time scale?
How should we view prophecy? Can it provide spiritual benefits?
The apostle Peter mentioned that prophecy should serve to strengthen our
hope and faith in the future. He said: "And so we have the prophetic word
confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts …" (2 Peter 1:19).
Here Peter compared Bible prophecies to a light that provides visibility
until the final coming of God's Kingdom, brought by Jesus Christ to earth.
When this occurs every eye will see His glory as if it is a great light
(Matthew 24:27,30; Revelation 1:7).
God gives us an outline and sequence of prophetic events, but many specifics
remain unclear. Some things we can see clearly, but others are beyond our
understanding at this point in history.
In other words, the Bible provides a reliable framework of prophecy, but
it can be counterproductive to try to interpret every yet-to-be-fulfilled
detail in the light of our circumstances. Such circumstances could change
dramatically before those details come to pass.
So what is the framework of prophecy that remains sure? Among the many
prophecies of events leading up to Christ's return, several major prophetic
scenarios can be identified and specifically confirmed as they occur. As
Peter said, we "do well to heed" them.
First condition: Man's ability to annihilate human life
