In times like ours, there are few subjects more vitally important than that of biblical prophecy. An understanding of this matter is more than just a necessity if we are to be practically involved in fulfilling God's purposes and promises in our generation.

As much as it is of utmost importance, it is also a subject plagued by confusion and controversy, and in due process, discredited by many people. The powers of darkness are in operation to paralyse and debilitate God's people, and in so doing, making them unable to do what God has intended them to do. Many are in great despair and many more are in the sleeping mode.

Through divine enablement and revelation, the prophets declared the Second Coming of our Lord. As much as it was given by the Spirit, we need to receive them in our spirit, not just by our mind and human understanding. The seven letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation, though given at the same timeframe, were all different. Each bears a different message, a different exhortation and a different instruction! But all of them are true and correct! In all the seven churches, there are overcomers in each one of them! In each of them, the common command is "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

The way God deals with each one of us is different. God may be speaking to one person, "Come and I will give you rest..." or to another, "Go and preach the gospel..and I am with you...." This is why we must hear what the Spirit IS SAYING to us NOW. If we have not obeyed the Spirit yesterday, it is very likely we are not wanting to hear Him today. Similarly, if we are not hearing what the Spirit is saying to us today, it is more probable that we will not hear Him tomorrow.

So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.' So I declared on oath in My anger, 'They shall never enter My rest.'" (Heb 3:7-11)

The Lord Himself says in John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." The Lord is coming again and this is a SURE word and is SURE to happen! His Second Coming is applicable to everyone! No one is exempted! This word of prophecy is for you and me!

Writing about the Lord's return, the apostle Paul reminded us, "But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled." (1Thes 5:4-6)

Thieves come without giving prior warning. We need to prepare our homes against thieves. Likewise, we need to do is to be prepared for His Coming!! Some have prepared themselves and they are hearing the voice of the Lord: "Prepare the way of the LORD!"

In the First Coming of the Lord, John the Baptist was the forerunner - he prepared the way of the LORD. Similarly, the Second Coming of the Lord will heralded by many such forerunners like John the Baptist. They will cry in the wilderness and they will be a voice of the Lord! They will prepare the way of the Lord! They will prepare for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!

There are two great dangers attached to this subject of biblical prophecy. The first is the danger of an unhealthy preoccupation with the subject and particularly with prophetic details. To take to heart the word of prophecy and to give serious attention to it is wholesome and commendable, especially it is commanded and encouraged in God's Word. However, to be totally fascinated with the one subject and then leading to an obsession with the only subject, is not spiritual nor being led by the Spirit. Totally obsessed in looking at specific dates, numbers, this sign and that sign and not into the Bible. The Bible has 66 books! Each is of utmost importance.

Many people have the natural tendency to be fascinated by anything relating to the unknown and the supernatural. This is why astrology, fortune telling, palm reading and occult practices, associated in wanting to know the unknown future, have such a hold on otherwise intelligent and elite people.

When this fascination or obsession with the future is being transferred to the realm of biblical prophecy, it results in tragedies! At its worst, it produces movements, manipulations and cults resulting in some recent years' mass suicides and murders! At its best, some Christians become eccentrics, self-indulging in pet theories on endtime prophecies. They can talk for hours upon such theories but are not part of a church or fellowship. They are unable to participate in meaningful relationships, prayer and intercession for the unreached peoples, church planting, missions or feeding the hungry. They become specialised in the art of correcting other Christians according to their own prophetic opinions. Having given their blind loyalty to some "prophetic insights which the Lord has shown them," they argue over minor or questionable details. They appear to be tongue-tied when it comes to worshipping the Lord, and paralysed when it comes to laying down their lives for Him and for others. Such a danger must be detected and avoided at all costs.

The second danger is pessimism. It is as deadly as unhealthy obsession. Many people have become pessimistic in the course of time over this matter of the Second Coming of Jesus. They have heard it too often and too many times, and they have been dulled of hearing! Just like the story of "The Wolf Is Coming!" they had once believed, had done something about it but the Lord is still not yet come! They have become illusioned, discouraged and disappointed. Their lives are deemed fruitless and impractical. They may have been taught by some well-meaning teachers, given some dates to watch out for, they are hurt by those teachings and now they are not wanting to talk about the matter anymore. The result is they become asleep and unprepared for what is happening around them They may not be ready for what is to come!

The biblical prophecy does not only comprise prediction, it includes explanation, definition, correction and encouragement. In revealing what has happening or is going to happen, God explains and clarifies in His Word why this is so. He also defines the situation so that we will know the course of action to take. He also seek to correct us, calling us to repentance, humbling us to experience His forgiveness and love. His Word also encourages us to be strong and victorious in times of darkness and crisis.

God is drawing us to Himself. When we are near to His heart, we will hear what His Spirit is saying to us, and we will know what to do.