Prophecy Being Fulfilled Today
Bible Facts Newspaper Article (Ian C. Kurylyk)

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (II Timothy 3:1).

Some prophecies given in the Bible have been already fulfilled, such as those which told of God’s Son coming into the world to be our Saviour. Some prophecies will be fulfilled in a future age. However, many prophecies are being fulfilled in the present time. The course of this present age has been told of by the Word of God. We can look at things taking place around us, look into the prophetic scriptures, and see an exact correspondence.

To have a program written beforehand when we are puzzled and disturbed by present world events is enlightening and comforting. We can understand much better what is happening, and we can know with full assurance where it is leading. We can also make sure we are on God’s side since He wins in the end.

Many people still living today have witnessed the drama of prophetic fulfillment in the reestablishment of the Jews in their homeland as the modern nation of Israel. What other people have ever done this after hundreds - even thousands of years of removal and alienation in a worldwide Diaspora? The Bible foretold it clearly - and it has happened. “Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely” (Jeremiah 32:37). There is still more to God’s prophetic plan for the Jewish nation to fulfill this completely, but we see the beginning of it right now.

God also foresaw that this present age of the church would end with a rejection of His Word. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine... And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Timothy 4:3-4). Paul foretold the effect this rejection would have on everyday life. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (II Timothy 3:2-4). In other words, people would love themselves (selfishness), love money (materialism), and love glory (vanity). They would despise humility, God, parents, blessings, and sanctities. Intense selfishness would turn men into an unfeeling, savage, reckless, unrestrained, untrustworthy society.

This is not a pretty picture, but who can fail to see the growth of these things today? Who would have foreseen such a course of events? With democracy spreading around the globe, with growth of powerful new technologies, with multiplied social programs and human rights talked of on every hand what is going wrong?

God foresaw the events and God foretold the underlying cause. The next verse is very significant. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (II Timothy 3:5). Christianity would continue in a certain form but it would be without the life changing power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Churches themselves would fail to preach and exhibit the reality of Bible Christianity.

But even at this point Christ is still calling to individuals to open their hearts to Him. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Where is the present course of events leading? This is a subject of the prophecy which deals with the final events of human history.