StudyGrowKnow

An Eschatological Bone to Pick

September 17, 2026 at 12:17 PM 2 comments

I’m a bit concerned about something and maybe you are as well. Whether you are or are not, I thought I’d mention it anyway. You’ll decide where you land on this subject.

I’ve noticed over the past few years that those within what is affectionately known as “prophesy circles” seem to have ramped up their message to the rest of us. Understand that I see prophetic discourse in Scripture as viable and important simply because God placed it there and He did so that we might understand the times and seasons and know what is eventually coming. With that said though, I am concerned at all the hype over seemingly everything and the basic message is that “We’re all gonna die!” if something isn’t done.

Case in point. I watched a 25-minute video recently of a talking head fear mongering regarding fuel prices, diesel shortages and an allegedly coming worldwide shock that will be essentially unlike anything we’ve seen in history. Some of what he said may certainly happen and I do understand that things will progressively worsen economically and that is due to what’s happening now in the farming arena as well as the fuel problems that the world is currently facing. All that will get worse.

But what I find frustrating is how many of those within prophecy circles spend literally 99% of their time talking about how bad things are and how much worse they will get, then spend less than 1% talking about a person’s need for Jesus. This is absurd in so many ways. But they’ve covered the bases I suppose.

I remember when I was personally involved in prophecy circles. I’d written numerous books on the subject. I’ve been one of the main speakers at several prophecy conferences and I was also a guest on a well known prophecy TV program. But it wasn’t long after this that I began to realize that the entire area of prophecy seriously lacked something. The lack had to do with the fact that in general, nothing we expounded on from Scripture actually helped the average Christian draw closer to the Lord and live the abundant Christian life. That seems to hold true today for those who are considered leaders within the prophecy circuit. They’ll talk circles around you with respect to everything they know (or think they know), regarding prophetic discourse, but I never hear them talking about what it means that believers have died with Christ and we now live with Him. This, to me, is a major problem.

For the past decade (since before dementia-laden Joe Biden was sworn into this nation’s highest office), there have been so-called watchers on the wall shouting out their warnings about food shortages, high fuel prices and other shortages, severe economic downturns, wars and more rumors of wars and much more. These things tend to be their bread and butter and if those things didn’t exist (or if they could not be exaggerated into becoming the huge monster in the closet), they would literally have nothing to say, although I suppose they could fall back on chasing Nephilim again. They simply do not spend time helping Christians parse through the realities and deep truths of Scripture that might help the average believer better understand their true position in Christ and help them live lives that bring God glory.

Instead, they focus on those things that the average person can do absolutely nothing about. Of course, they throw in things like, “Stock up!” etc., to help allay fears they create. There are a few people out there whom I appreciate, who don’t use fear mongering tactics to elevate themselves. I appreciate what they share, and for the most part, those I’m referring to are not in the prophetic discourse circles. They simply approach things from the perspective of what kind of things can I do to help me avert some of the problems that may be coming my way?

If diesel dries up and is no longer available or becomes too expensive for the average consumer who needs diesel, what can I do about that? Absolutely nothing. Not many of us have the money to buy a fuel tank and have it installed on our property for our own use. It’s too expensive and unless you own a farm or home-based business that needs a tank, good luck trying to get a permit for it.

We all know that as fuel prices go up, so do food prices. In fact, everything that relies on 18-wheelers to get to stores, goes up. It’s simply the nature of things.

It wasn’t that long ago that store shelves were spaciously empty (during CV). There were huge empty spots on shelves highlighting the fact that at least some product was difficult, if not impossible to get. We all made it through though.

In order for the people within prophecy circles to make their points, they must continue ratcheting up the rhetoric, with the latest being that a true global shock is coming. What does that mean? It ostensibly means that because of Iran and the US’ war with Iran and their proxies, along with the Russia/Ukraine situation, fuel is going to be harder to come by. There are a few places in TX that are already posting signs saying they are out of diesel. Consumers in Iran and other European nations are already experiencing hours long wait lines just to fill up their vehicles.

What happened in the 1970s (for those who remember because they were there)? IRAN took Americans hostage after overthrowing the Shah of Iran and installing their hardline Islamic government. During that time, fuel was rationed here in America. Depending on if your license plate ended with an odd or even number, you could only refuel on a specific day of the week. As I recall, the lines were not horrible then, but it was certainly an inconvenience.

Will we come to a point when fuel is either completely unavailable or in such short supply that everything simply stops? It could happen, but I don’t think it will. As noted, we heard similar warnings during the Covid shutdown and yet, things managed to limp along. In most cases, aside from the fact that people wore face diapers they thought would save them, things were fairly normal, as I recall.

I will say that once the official coming seven-year Tribulation begins at some point in the future, there will be hyper-inflation and major shortages that the world will experience. This is clearly part of the first six seals of Revelation 6:1-17. It will be due in part to the fact that the Rapture will have occurred and millions upon millions of people will simply disappear. Imagine the havoc as a result of that? THAT will shock the world globally, yet most people will be satisfied with the reason given to the world after it happens and I’ve discussed that numerous times in previous articles. The world will be told that aliens came and took the “malcontents” off the planet and carried them to another planet where they can “evolve” at their own pace, while not keeping this planet from evolving anymore. It will also be due to the rise of the Antichrist and the attempts at that point to gain full control of the earth. The more the earth reels from troubles, the more the population will demand someone “fix” it. With Christians gone, people will be willing to forego any and all freedoms to gain what they think will be security.

My wife and I live somewhat frugally. We do what we can to stock up on things, primarily food. When we buy food product, we normally buy two or more of each item. We do that because we don’t want to run to the store every other day and we also do it because we know that chances are great that the food we buy this week, will cost more next week or the week after. It simply makes good sense because it is being a good steward of what we have.

When we buy meat, we normally buy in bulk from local farms that do not use hormones or antibiotics in their feed. We just put an order in for another 1/2 cow because it ends up being just over $5.00 per pound. Yes, it’s a fairly large chunk of money, but we are actually saving big time.

We also have a whole slaughtered hog on order and are simply waiting for it to be cut up, sealed and frozen. When they call us, we will go pick it up. Over the years, I’ve added numerous small freezers to our garage. Each one holds either beef, pork, chicken or miscellaneous. Yet, I don’t kid myself into thinking that the food will last for years. It won’t. We share it with our kids and their families as well.

We have chickens that free range in our fenced backyard (to keep them safe from our dogs). They gift us with the best eggs we’ve ever eaten. If push comes to shove, we’ll eat a chicken or rooster if necessary.

My bottom line is this: Christians need to know and understand in far greater measure our identity in Jesus. It is in understanding this reality that we draw closer to Him and more successfully live the abundant Christian life. The more I know and understand what my identity in Christ is all about, the more than translates to holy living and fills the believer with joy.

OR, we can focus on everything that appears to be bad or wrong with the world and what will that do? It will create fear within. After watching that video I mentioned above, I found myself being annoyed. The annoyance was largely due to the fact that I could do absolutely nothing about the alleged coming fuel problem or any other problem related to fuel, food, and the rest. The other thing that annoyed me was how the salvation message (if you can call it that), was simply tacked onto the end of the video for less than a minute. It was almost as though the host was thinking, “Well, I’d better throw this in there to cover my bases.”

As I look over the prophecy circle situation, I’m simply extremely glad I am no longer involved in it. The most important aspect of being a Christian is not found within prophetic discourse. The most important aspect of being a Christian is found in the reality of Jesus Himself!

I’ve never been one of these people, but we probably all know folks who like being scared. They watch horror movies and enjoy them for the rise they get out of them. They love the freakiest roller coaster rides for the thrill of it. It scares them enough to get their adrenalin pumping. I’ve never been one of those people. Yet, what seems to be happening is that for some believers, the content, the constant warnings of doom and the dire predictions are something they gravitate toward because they like having their hearts quaking with fear, I guess. So what then? They have their fear-created adrenalin, but what else? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Can I suggest and recommend that believers focus on the things that actually matter? I’m not saying prophecy doesn’t matter. I’m simply saying all the human prognosticating surrounding that subject likely does not. Let’s not forget, the Feast of Trumpets is coming later this month and people are already suggesting it’s a perfect time for the Rapture (insert eye roll here).

Folks, let’s focus on Jesus, what it means to be in Him and what my actual identity is in Christ. Paul tells us in Romans 6-8 that when Christ died, we died with Him. When He rose, we rose with Him to new life. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, He literally broke our bondage to sin! We no longer have to submit to sin’s pull because it’s now a choice. Do we truly understand that? It should make a major difference in the way we live. It seems that to those within prophecy circles, this subject is just too mundane. It doesn’t sell books or fill up chairs at conferences, but it is by far, the most important aspect of what it really means to know Christ.

In Christ, we can now live to Him (Romans 12:1-2), by offering our bodies, our minds and our words sacrificially to Him. Yet, too many of us (myself included), spend too much time worrying over things we cannot change while not more fully understanding the life that God has freed us to live here and now! I think Paul would say, “Brothers/sisters, this ought not to be!” Pray to the Lord that He will reveal the actual reality of what it means to be in Christ.

Let’s allow prophecy take care of itself. What will unfold, will unfold. Trust the Lord to take care of you in spite of what may (or may not) becoming. You can only do so much and most of us do not have enough money to take every possible precaution.

To hear those within prophecy circles talk, the things coming are going to be so bad that we won’t know what hit us. They then throw in something like, “But don’t fear! Don’t worry! Trust God!” while never explaining how or why we should trust God, but it sounds biblical. In my view, they have things turned around. We need to seek the Kingdom of Heaven first and He will give us a mind that helps us through any upcoming difficulties. That does not seem to be the message within today’s prophecy circuit and it saddens me.

I pray you have a great day in the Lord. Focus on the blessings He has personally provided and start with salvation. Beyond that, He’s given us so much.

Entry filed under: christianity, eternity, Pretribulational Rapture, Religious - Christian - End Times, Religious - Christian - Prophecy, Religious - Christian - Theology, salvation, sanctification. Tags: romans 12:1-2, Romans 6-8.