Charles H. Dyer - What Does the Bible Say about the Future?: 30 Questions on Bible Prophecy, Israel, and the End Times

2022 by
CHARLES H. DYER

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the (NASB) New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

Edited by Elizabeth Cody Newenhuyse
Interior design: Ragont Design
Cover design: Studio Gearbox
Cover image of Jerusalem copyright 2020 by Kanuman / Shutterstock (404274919). All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Dyer, Charles H., 1952- author.

Title: What does the Bible say about the future? : 30 questions on Bible prophecy, Israel, and the end times / Dr. Charles H. Dyer.

Description: Chicago : Moody Publishers, [2021] | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: Dont get caught up in internet speculations and doomsday prognostications about the end times. The real place to find out about the future is the Word of God. Radio host and prophecy expert Dr. Charlie Dyer offers you an insightful look at the end times thats grounded in Scripture-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021043394 (print) | LCCN 2021043395 (ebook) | ISBN 9780802424471 | ISBN 9780802476982 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Bible--Prophecies--Miscellanea. | Bible--Prophecies--Israel--Miscellanea. | Bible--Prophecies--End of the world--Miscellanea. | BISAC: RELIGION / Biblical Studies / Prophecy | RELIGION / Christian Living / Spiritual Growth

Classification: LCC BS647.3 .D95 2021 (print) | LCC BS647.3 (ebook) | DDC 220.1/5--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021043394

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021043395

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P olitical instability. Civil unrest. Financial uncertainty. Erosion of religious liberty. Turmoil in the Middle East. Is it any surprise that some are speculating whether this might be the beginning of the endthat time of worldwide catastrophe predicted in the book of Revelation?

Peoples responses to all these events have ranged from paralyzing fear to uncontrollable panic to rising indignation and anger. Over the past few years weve received hundreds of questions on The Land and the Book radio program asking my opinion on current events. At their most basic level, the questions asked come down to these: How do current events relate to Bible prophecy? Are there signs indicating we are now living in the last days? What does the Bible really say about the future?

Having spent the past decade answering questions sent to The Land and the Book radio program, I sense a growing feeling of insecurity about the future on the part of listeners. The purpose of this book is to take you into the Book to see what God has really said about future events. Ultimately, I want you to breathe a sigh of reliefand replace fear with faithas you come to understand how God is still controlling and shaping events in the world today to prepare for the return of His Son.

Follow along as we explore thirty crucial questions about Bible prophecy and its relationship to current events.

T he answer depends in part on what we mean when we use those terms! If were referring to the final period of worldwide turmoil just before Jesus returns to earththe period of time described in Revelation 619then the answer is no. We are not yet in those end times.

But in a broader sense the last days can refer to the entire period between Christs first coming and His promised return. In Hebrews 1:2 the writer says the last days began at the first coming of Jesus. [God] in these last days has spoken to us in His Son. But in John 6:40 and 11:24 were told the resurrection of believing Jews will take place on the last day, pointing to the time of Jesus return. Since humanity is still between these two mileposts of history, the period in which we live can be called the last days.

In 1 Timothy 4:1 the apostle Paul warned Timothy about the later times when people will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. Then in verse 7 Paul told Timothy to stay away from these false teachings, suggesting the later times were present since these false teachers were already here. But later, in 2 Timothy 3, Paul pictured a time that would become even more troubling as these last days progress. But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come (v. 1). Paul then lists nineteen specific traits that will characterize humanity as the last days move toward their appointed end.

Peter added one final characteristic of the last days in 2 Peter 3:34. He said they will be characterized by the rise of scoffers and mockers who will deny the reality of Jesus soon return. Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming?

The increasing godlessness, pride, brutality, and scoffing pictured by both Paul and Peter suggest the climax of the last days will be a time when much of humanity will shake its fist in the face of God in active rebellion. Based on the description given by Paul and Peter, we could very well be nearing the end of the last days.

The end times refers to the specific events associated with the end of the age and the return of Jesus to earth. As the disciples asked on the Mount of Olives, What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? (Matt. 24:3). We are living in the last days, but the events associated with the end times leading up to Jesus return have not yet begun. And yet, the curtain on the final act of Gods drama could rise at any time!