According to these and many other passages, prophecy is said to reveal secrets, not hide them. Prophecy is light, not darkness. It is the false methods of interpretation that have made prophecy seem obscure.

God has promised a special blessing to the one who reads Bible prophecy.

We are told that ALL Scripture is given by God and is profitable and necessary for the building of the mature Christian. Is prophecy not a large part of Scripture? Indeed, prophecy is woven into the very warp and woof of the Word of God. The study of, understanding of, and obedience to prophecy is seen as essential for a strong Christian life.

According to the Apostle Peter, in the first chapter of his second epistle, the written prophetic Word is more dependable than visions (v. 16), than voices (v. 17), than great spiritual mountaintop experiences (v. 18). Prophecy is a great light in a dark world.

The Lord Jesus Christ firmly rebuked the disciples for not believing prophecy. At the judgment seat of Christ every Christian will be held accountable for whether or not he studied and believed the prophecies of the Bible. In light of this warning, we must reject the tendency by so many to treat prophecy lightly. Not only will the Christian be held accountable for his attitude toward prophecy, but the unbeliever will be, as well. In Luke 16:29-31, Abraham told the rich man in Hell that his lost brothers on earth would be accountable for whether or not they believed the prophets.

A literal interpretation of Bible prophecy makes the student aware that the coming of Christ is imminent and that he must therefore be ready at all times to meet Him (Mat. 24:42, 44; 25:13; Rev. 22:7).

• It thus gives hope in a hopeless world (Rom. 15:4).
• It gives joy (Jn. 8:56).
• It gives comfort in trials (1 Th. 4:18; Isa. 40:1-2).
• It gives understanding in the midst of confusion (Dan. 9:1-2).
• It produces diligence and purity (Rom. 13:11-14; 1 Jn. 3:1-3).
• It produces patience and endurance in the midst of trials (2 Co. 4:16-18).
• It stimulates zealous Christian labor (1 Cor. 15:51-58).
• It brings time and life into proper perspective with eternity (Ps. 73:1-3, 12-17; Isa. 26:20; 29:17; 54:7-8).
• It stimulates Christians to abide in Christ (1 Jn. 2:28).

Bible prophecy is intended to be an apologetic. Fulfilled prophecy proves the divine origin of the Bible to unbelievers and increases the faith of believers. We must note that to be effective as evidence, prophecy must be fulfilled and interpreted literally.

Christians have a portion in the things promised in Bible prophecy! It is true that the Old Testament prophecies are not fulfilled directly in the church age, but it is also true that the Christian will enjoy the blessings spoken of in Old Testament prophecy, including the millennial glory of Christ (Col. 3:4; Rev. 2:26-27; 3:21) and the renewed creation (Rom. 8:18-25).

There are also hundreds of prophecies directly related to the Christian's future (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15; Col. 3:1-4; 1 Th. 4; etc.).

It reminds us that "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2).