The Sure Word of Prophecy by R. D. QUINN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 8, 1909

The Sure Word of Prophecy

By R. D. QUINN

R. D. QUINN

There is nothing more certain in all this world than the “more sure word of prophecy.” Whosoever truly believes and builds upon that word can never fail or be deceived. Every great movement under God with which human agencies have been connected since the days of Noah, has been in direct fulfilment of prophecy; for, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

The deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt and their occupation of the land of promise were in direct fulfilment of the prophecy made to their father Abraham centuries before, that in the fourth generation they would come into possession of that land: “And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the self-same day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.” When the fulness of the time came, men found their place in prophecy, and went forward.

The great movement which preceded Christ’s first coming was in fulfilment of prophecy. When the priests and Levites asked John the Baptist who he was, he

spoke with absolute certainty as to his identity, mission, and work. His reply was: “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.” His work and message had all been outlined centuries before, and when he came on the stage of action, he found his place in the plan of God, and fulfilled his high commission.

When Jesus Christ began his public ministry, and there was delivered unto him in the synagogue the book of the prophet Esaias, he turned to the prophecy which briefly outlined his life-work, and read it aloud. Then “he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” He said, “In the volume of the book it is written of me.” Christ found himself spoken of in the Scriptures, and it was the “more sure word of prophecy” that declared his connection with heaven. He searched the Scriptures daily, knowing that they testified of him. Everything that happened to Jesus Christ while in this world was foretold in prophecy, and that is why he said that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law and in the prophets and in the psalms concerning him. John the Baptist and Christ spoke and taught with authority. They had definite convictions, based upon the more sure word of prophecy, as to who they were, and what they were to do and be. Their teaching was in the power and demonstration of the Spirit, and it moved the people. What could they have done in an unbelieving and scoffing world with a mere theory of what they ought to be, or what the prophecy had foretold that they would be?

Now to the central thought that is before us. Is it not likewise true of us that in the volume of the book it is written of us? Is it not a fact that more has been written concerning the character and work of the remnant church than of any other people who have lived upon the earth? “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,” and also “for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” The work we are to do, and the character we are to develop, are clearly outlined in the “more sure word of prophecy.”

It has cost something to fulfil the prophecy in the past. It cost Noah all his earthly possessions and one hundred twenty years of faithfully witnessing for God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. It cost Moses the throne of Egypt and the highest honors this world could bestow. It cost John the Baptist his head, and the Saviour of the world a cruel death upon the cross. It has cost a great deal to make history and to fulfil prophecy. There is still before us the high and exalted privilege of being instruments in the fulfilment of prophecy.

The prophecies of Revelation that point to the final completion of God’s eternal purpose will not be accomplished without great personal sacrifice, and the surrender of our all to God,—time, talent, and means upon the altar of loving service. But the reward will be in proportion to the sacrifice we make.

And now let us ask ourselves these living questions: Have we counted the cost, and are we willing to pay the price? Have we that faith in the “more sure word of prophecy” yet to be fulfilled that we will now definitely take our stand anew upon the word that declares that the everlasting gospel shall be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and that this generation shall see the end? If so, let us heed the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans, and read our experience by the triumphs of faith in Rev. 14:12: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

Bozeman, Mont.