We are often asked why we take time each week to discuss news in the light of Bible prophecy. Some feel that Bible prophecy can be depressing or scary, especially to children. So why do it? Jesus Christ warned several times in the gospels, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42; cf. 25:13; Luke 21:36). The Apostle Paul warned “let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

As once I followed up with an old friend who had been wrestling, with some success, a serious health problem, a sudden update on his condition was devastating. What had seemed to be a good course of treatment proved to be less effective than expected. The condition had worsened, and the prognosis was not good.