Prophecy in most current Christian dialogue applies mainly to two separate but related ideas. The first idea is that which might be entitled "Prophecy - the Key to the Christian Future." Prophecy in this context refers to biblical verses that refer to future times and not biblical times. These include remarks by Jesus, Old Testament prophets and New Testament writers (historical research has determined that the authorship of writing attributed to early apostles is highly questionable.)
Principal interest in End Times prophecies focus on but are not limited to Jesus' and Paul's discourses on the last days or coming kingdom of God and the Book of Revelation whose authorship traditionally is ascribed to the Apostle John.
The second idea of prophecy is one practiced within the more charismatic or Pentecostal churches which place greater emphasis on the Holy Spirit as a medium of both communion with God and communication between congregation members. Spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues are more widely accepted and expected within these congregations and are regarded as signs of God speaking to man. Also, in formal prayer settings, someone acknowledged as having the "gift of prophecy" is asked to prophesy to others as to what God wants the others to know.
Key to the idea of End Times prophecy and its popularity today is the understanding that Jesus for most Christians has promised to return to Earth a second time - The Second Coming. Awareness of Jesus' promise was prevalent immediately after the time of his crucifixion and resurrection and many scholars have adduced that the tone and meaning of many New Testament letters and epistles were written with the immediacy of the Second Coming in mind.
For example, some of the more radical views of Paul concerning celibacy have been equated with a belief that the End Time was so near, pro-creating children and raising them would not be possible and was therefore a waste of time.
Over the years and with the ascension of a singularly dominant form of Christian power (Roman Catholicism), more was made of a future return of Jesus with ample emphasis on Jesus' promise to return:
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