Futurists Biblically Legitimate?

Futurists Biblically Legitimate?

Q. Since 2003 I’ve heard futurists and Bible prophecy buffs say that we are heading into hard times including a depression and global weather disasters. Do you think Christians should listen to futurists or prepare for difficult times according to what they say? They were right about some of it. So will they be right about the rest?

D.B.

Answer:

Futurists Forecast Trends

For our readers, futurists are those who study trends and probabilities of future conditions. Their subjects include probabilities for weather conditions, economic trends, political trends, wars or conflicts, space events such as asteroids or comets, and so forth. For example, insurance companies hire futurists who use computer models to forecast the probabilities of severe economic or disaster related events.

Prophecy Experts

But, Bible prophecy experts rely on the only book that has a 100% prophetic accuracy rate – the Bible. This is because only God lives outside of time and space, and can predict the future. He claims to do so within His Word:

“For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity…” (Isaiah 57:15, NKJV).

“I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done” (Isaiah 46:9-10, NASB).

The New Living Translation says it this way: “Only I (God) can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens” (Isa. 46:10).

Fair Warning

We encourage our readers to be especially careful about whom they follow when dealing with futurists or prophecy experts. There are awful “quacks” out there.

Futurists may include those who delve into horoscopes, astrology, Tarot cards and other fringe “experts” who are probably led by demonic spirits. Deuteronomy 18:10-13 and verse 22 give ample warning not to consult diviners, “for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord” (Deut. 18:12).

Common Sense Preparations

Having said that, it seems prudent to get out of debt and to simplify one’s lifestyle because the Bible encourages us to live moderately anyway.

Proverbs 30:8 says…“Give me neither poverty nor riches…”

Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” Debt is not a good thing under any circumstances.

1 Timothy 6:8 says, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (NASB).

Hebrews 13:5 adds, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have…”

Consumer Clones & Debt Junkies

I’m afraid we are so spoiled and brainwashed concerning materialism and finances that it will be terribly difficult for American Christians to live according to the Bible’s standards. We are consumer clones and debt junkies!

Dollar Devaluation

As a fair warning the dollar is probably going to lose more of its value in the days ahead because China, Russia, Iran, the U.A.E., and Venezuela among other nations plan to divest themselves of the dollar. We are currently in a temporary reprieve due to problems with the euro -but that won’t last forever.

This means we will have to pay more for basic necessities. For example, a loaf of bread which costs $5 today may cost $10 or more with devalued dollars. Gasoline which costs $2.50 per gallon today may cost $10 per gallon or more with inflation in the not too distant future. Wal-Mart’s cheap goods and imported clothing will likely double in price. (See our article, “A Financial Tsunami – Coming Our Way?” for an explanation of why a devalued dollar causes inflation).

Biblical Warnings of Inflation

The Bible tells us there will be terrible times of inflation ahead. During the Third seal famine of Revelation 6:6, it says,

…“A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius…” (Rev. 6:6, NASB).

A denarius was a day’s wages. During this period a person will have to pay an entire day’s wages for one or two meals. This does not include his home, medical needs, fuel costs, or anything else.

A Purse with Holes in It

Haggai’s warning to the Israelites probably applies to us, too:

“Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?”

“Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, Consider your ways!”

“You have sown much, but harvest little. You eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied. You drink, but there is not enough to become drunk. You put on clothing, but no one is warm enough. And he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes” (Haggai 1: 4-6, NASB).

Don’t Rely on the Rapture Solving your Money Problems

Please don’t assume that American Christians will be raptured before hard times come. There will be a steady erosion of freedoms, a continued move toward globalism, and less religious freedoms as we head into the dark Tribulation period which will be ruled by the AntiChrist.

The Trib is Coming…The Trib is Coming!

Our advice is to get ready for a difficult transitional period up until the dark Tribulation period described in Revelation chapters 6-18. Let’s learn to focus our lives upon God, learn to become prayer warriors, live moderately, try to get out of debt, and help others to adjust to an increasingly difficult world.

____________________________