Practica Prophetica

Prophecy should never be an abstract, speculative, or fanatical branch of religion. It is only so when studied apart from the practical teachings of the gospel. This site is called Practica Prophetica because it will pursue this aim, of studying prophecy in the light of the gospel. The study of prophecy will then become a practical, life-changing power.

What is prophecy? It is the study of future events. It is the forward-looking eyes of the church, whereby she can perceive and prepare for what is coming. It is also an important evidence of the divine nature of God, for only He whose infinite mind can comprehend and calculate the effect of every force and action upon the earth, can predict how they will interact and work themselves out.

And what is the gospel? It is God’s great plan to heal the wounds that sin has made in the universe, and to restore a correct understanding of His character of beauty to all whose understanding has been darkened by rebellion, hypocrisy, tradition and false teaching. The church, when faithful, is God’s human agency on earth to cooperate in the accomplishment of that plan. Since God’s purposes are unfolded in prophecy, the church cannot cooperate with Him unless she has a good understanding of the same.

Whereas by history we can learn from what is behind, by prophecy we can learn about what is ahead. Both are needful and equally important in an education after the divine pattern. The prophetic events that reveal the work which Jesus will carry out in heaven and on earth in behalf of His people are equally as important to study as are the historical events of His life and death. Both branches stem from one united trunk. Both reveal God’s character, for both are a manifestation of Him.

By itself, the study of prophetic events can degenerate into speculation and human conjecture, which can be wearisome and confusing. But when studied in the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, prophecy becomes a gleaming star of hope, a light of joy in an often dark world of sorrow and despair.

The wonderful combination of prophecy and gospel is what this website is dedicated to. And because the gospel is a great simplifier of life’s problems, it renders the explanation of prophecy simple enough that even a child may understand it.

The last book of the New Testament is the Book of Revelation. Like the last chapter of a well-written book, this last chapter in God’s book sums up all that has gone before, and brings all to completion. Many folks have assumed that it is too difficult to understand, therefore they devote little or no time at all to studying it. This is a great, and possibly fatal, mistake.

The first verse of this book explains its purpose:

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. Revelation 1:1

It is a revelation of Jesus. Jesus is the “power of God” revealed to save men from sin. This is called the gospel:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16,17.

The gospel reveals Jesus. The book of Revelation also reveals Jesus. Therefore, the book of Revelation is also the gospel. It is all about the gospel for it is all about revealing Jesus.

But why then do people think that the gospel is found in every book of the New Testament but not in the book of Revelation? Why, when they seek to understand the gospel, will they turn to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Romans, or Galatians, but not to the book of Revelation? Because they either have an inadequate understanding of the gospel, or their minds have been confused by false interpretations of that last and precious book.

Furthermore, God pronounced a special blessing on this book which is not pronounced on any other book in the New Testament:

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3

Do you suppose that this is an “optional” blessing? That is, you can have it if you want to pursue it, but it is not essential? In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-11), Jesus pronounced many blessings:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Which one of these blessings are optional? Would you like to avoid being meek…then you will not inherit the earth. Is it optional to be pure in heart? Then you will not see God. Perhaps you think that you can avoid persecution, or that the times of persecution are over? So you don’t need that blessing? Not so, for the Bible plainly states:

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12

Maybe this is not your experience because you do not desire to live a truly godly life in Christ Jesus. But for all who do, they will find persecution of one sort or another, because the same enemy of souls still seeks to oppose God’s work, wherever it is found.