Made More Sure | AdventAI

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 12, 1908

“Made More Sure”

THERE are three reasons given by the apostle Peter for declaring that he had not followed “cunningly devised fables” when he made known “the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The first reason was that he was an eye-witness of his majesty on the mount of transfiguration; the second was that on the same occasion he heard the voice announcing, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;” the third was that he had “the word of prophecy made more sure.” (R. V.) The prophetic word is absolutely sure, and from God’s standpoint it could never be more than sure, but to members of the human family—those whose faith often wavers—the fulfilment of prophecy appears more certain in proportion to the number of divine predictions which have already come to pass. At the time of the crucifixion, Peter, overwhelmed with doubts and fears as he saw Jesus apparently powerless in the hands of his enemies, denied his Lord, but after the resurrection Jesus opened his understanding so that he understood the fulfilment of the prophecies , and thus his confidence in the guidance of the prophetic word for the future was established upon a more sure basis. Viewing the matter from our present standpoint, when the facts of history testify to the fulfilment of so many prophecies which were still for the future in Peter’s day, with what increased confidence ought we to say, “We have the word of prophecy made more sure”? The long periods of time prophecy have come to a close, and the record of the events answers to all the requirements of the predictions. Kingdoms have risen and fallen as foretold by the prophets of the olden time, apostasy has done its terrible work according to the inspired statements concerning it, both individuals and nations have acted their parts in the drama of history as foreseen and announced by the divine mind, and all the conditions which were to mark the last days are being fully met. Who can doubt that the remaining prophecies will be fulfilled? The spread of this message under great difficulties, the trying times for believers, the apparent triumph of ungodliness, and the sudden revelation of the all-conquering glory of the Son of man in this generation—these experiences are in the near future. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith. The glorious consummation is near.