One Day Nearer: 10 Devotions in Anticipation of Jesus’ Glorious ReturnSample

Day 1: Bible Prophecy Gives Us Hope

Imagine the Bible with no prophecies in it. Suppose God had decided not to tell us anything about the second coming, ultimate victory over evil, and our future home in heaven and eternity. If God had left prophecies out of His Word, we would have no idea of what the future holds. Instead, all we would know is that the world we live in is descending deeper and deeper into darkness, evil, and hopelessness.

With no knowledge of what is to come, life would be bleak. We would have nothing to look forward to. We would go from day to day filled with dread and uncertainty.

But because God chose to provide us with glimpses of the glorious future that awaits us, we can live with hope. That is a major reason God filled the Bible with so many prophecies about what is to come: to give us hope.

What we know about the future helps to influence our thoughts and actions in the present. Because we know the ultimate outcome of the battle now being waged on earth, we can live with anticipation rather than angst. Bible prophecy helps us to have an eternal focus—it reminds us that no matter how bad things get, good and righteousness will prevail. Victory is certain.

That is why, in 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul wrote at length about the promised rapture that will deliver us from this world and take us to heaven. He concluded with the exhortation that we “encourage one another with these words” (verse 18). The more we remind each other of God’s prophetic promises, the more we give one another hope.