Why Study Prophecy? A 6-Day Study by Dr. Tony EvansSample

PROPHECY PROMOTES HOLINESS

A third reason for studying prophecy is that it is designed to promote holy living. The more conscious we are of Christ’s return, and of the fact that we could be standing face-to-face with Him at any moment, the more this knowledge will affect us. But if we forget that Jesus is coming back, we will start living like He’s not coming back. John gave a classic statement of prophecy’s purifying purpose. “We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2–3).

A Prize to Be Won

Let’s look at this issue in more detail since it is so crucial. Paul said, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). Paul was determined to remain faithful to Christ because there was a heavenly prize to be won when Christ returned.

God’s prophetic program included a reward for Paul, one that was worth all of his commitment on earth. And he urged all believers to adopt the same attitude (v. 15). There’s a lot we will do if there’s a big enough prize at the end of the process. Paul went on to explain his perspective: “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory” (vv. 20–21).

Paul said, “I’m really a citizen of heaven. I just have a temporary address here on earth.” Because Paul had such a high consciousness of eternity, he pressed on in history. You can keep going, no matter what, when you know heaven is real.

You can keep going if you understand that when your human body begins to decay on earth, you have just begun to live forever.

A Hope to Be Realized

John said our hope of Christ’s return should purify us. Paul agreed, writing in Titus 2:

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. (vv. 11–13)

Notice the three distinct perspectives Paul mentioned here. Christians are people who are looking in three directions. We look back at the cross and remember what Christ has done. We look inwardly to see what Christ is doing in us today. And we look forward to the day when Christ will return for us.