We need to study prophetic Scriptures because God tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16,17 that ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable. God has designed all Scripture to be profitable for us, even prophecy. But isn’t it true that many prophecies are hard to understand? Yes, but we are told one of the reasons in Daniel 12:8,9.

“Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, 'My lord, what shall be the end of these things?'
And he said, 'Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.'"

Daniel wanted more information, but God said he would have to wait. Since the reason some Scriptures are hard to understand is that God has chosen to not reveal some of the details until later, we must not speculate on the meanings and then argue as to whose guess might be the right one.

God alerts us in Deuteronomy 29:29 that, “The secret [things belong] unto the LORD our God: but those [things which are] revealed [belong] unto us and to our children forever, that [we] may do all the words of this law.” There are some things God has chosen not to reveal to us, but the things that are clear are given for us to obey. In our study of the end times, therefore, we are to obey what is clear and wait for what is not clear.

God shares coming events in order to humble us for deeper worship, not fill us with pride over our speculations. In 1Timothy 6:3,4 Paul warns Timothy of the danger of arguing about theories:

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,”

Prophecy is pre-written history and will be fulfilled exactly as God delivers it to us. Those who do not heed the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. The same is true of God’s prophetic messages to us. They teach us what God is like and what He is going to do. This helps us know how to please Him and how to avoid making serious mistakes. The goal is not just to acquire knowledge, but to gain wisdom that leads to obedience and blessing. God’s promised blessing at the beginning of the book of Revelation (1:3) is not for those who simply read the prophecies, but also apply them to their lives. If my eschatology does not deepen my worship of God and advance my personal sanctification I am missing God’s intended benefits.