One of my parishioners once wrote me asking for some help in understanding the confusing imagery in the book of Daniel. He wrote, "Prophecies and the interpretation of prophecies. Could they be just a little more vague? Still, they are fascinating...." Indeed, they are, and for some, they have become immensely profitable as well. A cottage industry has grown up on Christian television presenting prophecy "experts" who are ready to interpret ambiguous passages both on the air, sustained by the financial support of faithful viewers, and in their widely sold books and videos.

Probably the best-known of these folks is a fellow by the name of Jack Van Impe who, along with his wife, Rexella, operates the Jack Van Impe Ministries World Outreach Center, located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. On a …