1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
One third of the Bible is dedictaed to prophecies. In the Old testament, there are numerous prophecies of Jesus Christ's first coming and in the New testament, we have prophecies of His second coming, which will trigger the end if times. Prophecy is important for as we learn from Amos 3:7, "Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets". But prophecy cannot give us the full clear picture of GOD's plan. Jesus coming was prophecied in the Old Testament but GOD made sure that when He did come, the Israelites would have to make their own decision on whether to believe in Him or not. GOD wanted them to have faith and many failed.
In the New testament prophecies, especially in the book of Revelations, we are warned of the end of times. Many evangelists use the sensation of prophecies to get people's attention. Some try to liken the prodictions to current events, which is wrong I believe. Sure, it is OK to keep an eye on current events in order to be ready in case Jesus returns soon but there is no way we can know when or exactly what will happen. Paul further tells us in Corinthians 13:9, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part. . . . For now we see in a mirror, dimly." Jesus Himself told the disciples, "But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even theangels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36), and just a few verses later, He tells His own disciples, "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him" (verse 44).
In essence, we should heed the prophecies but we should also pay close attention to the less sensational two thirds of the Bible, which is one third history and one third doctrine. The history tells us where we come from and what GOD has done for us and the doctrine gives us the guidlines on how we shoud live good Christian lives. As for what will happen and when, just be ready and have faith that, as GID's children, we will be looked after.