Trying To Understand
THE END OF THE AGE AND THE AGES TO COME
by Colin Winfield
This book has been written to discuss what Scripture tells us about the end of this present age, and the ones that follow, to encourage the reader to check ‘if these things be so’, as he looks to Scripture, and to the Holy Spirit to disclose what is to come, so he may be prepared and able to play his full part.
INTRODUCTION
"When He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the Truth.... and He will announce to you what is to come," John 16:13.
As we fast approach the end of this present age, there is little unity of understanding amongst Christian believers regarding what lies ahead. Books on prophecy are many and varied, and, although written by Christians, these differ from one another considerably. Something is most drastically wrong. To add yet another book to these books seems likely only to add to the existing confusion. However, in writing this book, as I feel led to do, I do not wish to impose my thoughts upon the reader, but rather discuss "prophecy of Scripture", asking the reader to check any understandings with the ‘Word’, and with the Holy Spirit who brought the ‘Word’ forth. My prayer is that its contents will help the reader understand the times we now find ourselves in, and understand with more clarity what lies ahead, and so be prepared, for prepared is what we must be.
"No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God," (2Pet.1:21&22). Only the Holy Spirit can give us spiritual understanding, yet few look to Him as their Teacher. Therefore, this book comes with the prayer that the reader will be given a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, that the eyes of their heart might be enlightened, that they might know what is Truth within its pages. (See Eph.1:17-23).
John told us that believers have received an anointing from the Father which abides in them and that they have no need for anyone to teach them, but as His anointing teaches them about all things, and is true and is not a lie..., they are to abide in Him, (1John 2:27). Few have dared to trust in this gift which is the only safeguard Scripture gives for discerning the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error, looking to the greater One in them who is greater than the spirit of antichrist who is in the world, (1John 4:1-6). This is the reason we so easily move, at worst, into deception, listening to false prophecies and interpretations, and at best, only receiving a mental understanding, giving mental assent to what is read, rather than spiritually understanding it. There is no shortcut in this process, except the benefit of having a fellow believer teach what he has himself learnt from the Teacher, the Holy Spirit. We can then receive that same revelation and understanding they have received in a much shorter time, remembering we must still check everything against Scripture with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (NOTE 1: Confirming Scripture by using the many and varied translations of the Bible is not necessarily an easy task. Satan has been very active in trying to prevent us finding Truth. Without the Holy Spirit’s help it is impossible, but the reader also needs to understand that all versions of the Bible contain misinterpretations in translation. A belief, which has recently come into vogue, is the one which suggests the King James Version of the Bible is superior to others. This is a dangerous supposition for this particular version has many key interpretations in translation which will prevent the disciple from obtaining the truth about the end-times. This booklet will endeavour to point out some of these. A serious student may wish to compare several translations, including the ancient Greek, (easily done using a parallel New Testament in Greek and English), plus trustworthy Dictionaries of Bible words, and Concordances.) So, the contents of this book, like any other, need to be checked in this way. To help, Bible quotations have been highlighted by placing them in italics throughout this book, giving the appropriate Bible reference to assist deeper study. In the first instance, however, this book may be read straight through if so desired, and for this reason scriptures are mainly quoted in full. But first let us ask for that spirit of wisdom, spiritual understanding and discernment, which only the Holy Spirit can impart to us, and may we each look to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who is able to teach us all things in this most dangerous hour, with its false prophets and teachers multiplying as never before.
When trying to understand the end of this age and the ages to come, it is essential we place events in their proper sequence. Many incorrect understandings come by expecting a fulfillment of prophecy at the wrong time. Many Bible students have discounted any future for the whole house of Israel, believing wrongly that the ‘Church’ has replaced Israel, with the result that their end-time understanding is flawed. Others spiritualise, or allegorise, Scripture to the extent that a literal fulfillment of Scripture is not expected. To these, and any reader who may identify themselves as one who does not hold to the ‘Futurist’ interpretation of Scripture, as regards the Second and Pre- millennial Coming of Christ, which this book supports, I would ask them to read on before discounting it.
Also contained within this book, the reader will find understandings based upon personal testimony. These are included because of their significance to the subject. These reader needs to ask the Holy Spirit as to whether these are ‘of the Lord’, along with the rest of this book’s contents.
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INDEX
Chapter One God's Plan - The Prophetic in Scripture | |
Chapter Two The City of God - God's Purpose for Man | |
Chapter Three Seven Thousand Years of Man's History | |
Chapter Four The Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God | |
Chapter Five Trying to Understand the Book of Revelation | |
Chapter Six The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error | |
Chapter Seven The Tares and The Wheat | |
Chapter Eight Overcoming and Being Overcome | |
Chapter Nine End-Time Confusion - Considering Other Beliefs | |
Chapter Ten What's Next? |
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