Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

One result of the Reformation was that the Bible - not church authority, and most especially not an ecclesiastical caste of paid professionals - was made the sole source from which all divine authority flowed (Sola Scriptura). The priesthood of ALL believers - not one which was held exclusively in the hands of a few select individuals held together by the absolute authority of one man - was made the watchword of the day.

The practical outcome of this for Christians everywhere was twofold: on the one hand, they were freed from the tyranny, superstition, and oppression of Rome; but on the other hand, with freedom came individual responsibility before God. No longer could the individual Christian rely simply on his membership in the physical organization of a church for the salvation of his soul; to a large degree, it now devolved upon him. Salvation was not something one was physically born into because one's parents were Christian or because one had received "infant baptism" and made a member of the church before he could even understand what he was doing; but salvation was something spiritual which one had to enter into as the result of a conscience decision he alone had made.

No longer could anyone else decide this matter for the individual - not one's mother or father; not one's priest or bishop; not one's pastor or elder - it was an individual decision for which the individual alone was responsible. From this point on, no human intermediary could stand between God and man: man now stood naked and alone before his Maker. The frightening words of the Apostle Paul loomed heavily over his head: "Wherefore, my beloved ... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling!" (Phil. 2:12)

Heaven or Hell? - it was his choice! Remaining an "infant in the Lord" or growing up into full Christian maturity? - it was his choice. Being obedient or disobedient? - it was his choice!

The church could assist by providing the Christian with a nurturing and Biblically-based environment which was conducive to growth in the Spirit; and other Christians could help in their fellowship and friendships - but even here, the individual had to make a conscience decision to avail himself of these "helps." There was no way other Christians and/or the church could force themselves on the individual and decide for him. In the end, he alone was responsible, and he alone would have to answer for his decisions.

Yes, freedom had been secured from the tyranny of Rome, but with freedom had come a terrible responsibility - and it is a responsibility which we all must pick up, and this is true most especially when it comes to the individual study of God's Word. The Bible says:

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15)

If we fail to pick up the responsibility to study the Bible ourselves, then doubt and insecurity will be our invariable companions. In saying this, of course, we do not wish to appear to be denigrating the exceedingly great value of proper instruction under learned men of God - but let each individual be ultimately convinced in his own mind; for unless he is, he will be blown about by every wind of doctrine and unstable in everything he does. Even the early church, when sitting at the feet of Paul, afterwards went home and "searched the Scripture ... (to see) whether those things (which Paul taught) were so" (Acts 17:11).

So now at last we come to some very fundamental matters concerning the study of the Prophetic Scriptures - matters which each of us as individuals must sort out for himself:

First, the matter of Israel and the church - is their a distinction between the two or not? - how one answers this question will decide how he interprets the Prophetic Scriptures.

Second, the matter of the Tribulation - will Christians go through it or not?

Third, the meaning of the various agencies at play in the Tribulation, and the time element which surrounds each agency - for example, what are the seven seals, the seven trumpets, the seven vials, and when do they come "into play?"- etc.

These are matters which are not incidental to the study of the Prophetic Scriptures, but ones which are very fundamental. They form the basis around which prophecy is arranged. Unless we are convinced in our own minds with regard to these matters, prophecy will remain something which at best is ethereal, and at worst, something which is meaningless. Let us now, therefore, turn to these matters and begin our study - remembering all the while that while we alone are responsible for making a decision concerning these things, we are not without help. Jesus said:

"... I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth ... I will not leave you comfortless ... the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:16-18, 26)

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