There are those close to the Bible prophecy research these days.

For years, Christians aligned with the Bible as divine revelation have studied the prophetic passages over and over again. With world events taking place like staccato strikes against all humanity, there is an increased interest in the study. In fact, with some, it has become a read-about along with the morning newspaper.

What they are reading about are the passages focusing on the Second Coming of Christ. The main sections are in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.

These are the literal sections providing the detail from Jesus Christ Himself. Another passage is The Book of Revelation. This is the vision provided by Jesus Christ to John the Beloved disciple on the Isle of Patmos off of Greece. The latter passage is given in symbolic language whereas the Gospel sections are given in literal language.

There are also passages in the Old Testament pointing to the Second Coming. They include particularly Israel’s role as set forth in Ezekiel 36 – 39.

The apostle Paul mentions the Second Coming in his various letters of the New Testament.

So there is plenty of material for the serious researcher. And the daily news opens up even more speculation as to whether or not we are living in the last generation of the Church Age. The Church Age began with the First Coming of Christ. The Church Age will conclude with the Second Coming of Christ.

The Bible, considered by serious believers to be the Word of God, is replete with detail concerning prophetic data. It was there in the Old Testament to predict the First Coming of Christ. And it is there relating to the Second Coming of Christ. All the reader needs to do is to locate it and study it.

The daily news provides us with escalating fear globally. The Bible speaks of "men’s hearts failing them for fear" in relation to the End Times. These fears come about because the globe is becoming more and more wobbly. The security of generations past is slipping away.

We fear the earth beneath cracking and gobbling us up. We fear buildings falling down on us, wiping out whole communities. We fear diseases spreading worldwide within days or weeks with millions left dead. We fear the dissolving of society as we know it with its conveniences and luxuries and everyday connections. We fear losing gasoline, electrical power, and food. We fear mortals simply not having the equipment by which to keep culture together.

Serious believers also are disturbed because of the spiritual dilution of certain denominations. There are large groups within churches that have turned apostate — that is, rebellious against the will of God. This is the "falling away" from spiritual truth spoken of by the apostle Paul.

All this is predicted in the Bible’s prophetic passages. Again, Jesus’ material in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 is paramount. These are the chief passages relating in literal detail what is to occur prior to His return to His own turf.

Christ made this world. Christ will return to this world. Christ will rule upon this world. And those who have served Him will rule along with Him.

The Church Age will conclude with the Battle of Armageddon in the Valley of Megiddo in the northwestern section of Israel. At height of the Battle, Christ will return to Earth with His angels and the redeemed of all time. They will establish a millennial reign upon the planet. Christ will be regarded as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

All of this is planted in the Scripture and researched by serious Bible students. They can see the Bible come to life daily when hearing the news. They can put "two and two together" as never before. It’s amazing.

This too is the call of God for persons to come to Him, to His grace and mercy, denying sin, and discovering the personal hope of salvation through the coming Christ.

Copyright © 2005 by J. Grant Swank, Jr.