[Darris McNeely] Beyond Today is doing a series of Bible studies this summer on prophecy – we’re calling them “Prophecy 101”. We’ve done two already. I did the first one, which was “Where Are We in Prophecy?”. Our cohost Gary Petty did one just a few days ago where he was talking about the fact of why we should study prophecy and some of the points. I was listening to Gary’s study and he made a very important point that I think should be brought out in a Daily here regarding the matter of Bible prophecy, our interest in it, and keeping it in a right balance.

Gary was making the point in his study that it is not important that we figure out all the minutiae and the details of Bible prophecy, which is a favorite pastime for many and can lead us into some blind alleys and some mistakes. That’s not the point, not trying to figure out through timelines and through all kinds of charts what and when all of these things will happen, and particularly the details. We are to watch, we are to seek to understand, but what is most critically important he brought out, and I think this is true, is that Bible prophecy should motivate us to be ready, to be prepared when the events take place so that we are not caught off-guard. It’s not important that we figure out all the details, but it is important that we be prepared when the details take place. And then we’ll understand, but most importantly, we’ll be spiritually prepared.

In 2 Peter 3:11, one of my favorite verses in regard to this particular point, it says that looking at all of these things and that the day of the Lord and other prophetic events will take place, what manner of people should we be? In righteousness and godly conduct, Peter says. What type of person should we be? That’s what prophecy should motivate us to do, and to be righteous people, faithful people, looking for and expecting the coming of the Lord, but living righteously today regardless of the when and not always understanding the how. If we take that approach, then when it does happen, we will be prepared and we will be ready. Keep that in mind – a fundamental point for Prophecy 101.

That’s BT Daily. Join us next time.