p. 20 | Fulfilling Prophecy by A. G. DANIELLS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 19, 1908

Fulfilling Prophecy

By A. G. DANIELLS

A. G. DANIELLS

(Reading for Sabbath, December 19)

From the beginning of their work in 1845, Seventh-day Adventists have believed that they have been fulfilling prophecy. That is to say, we have believed that the message we are giving, and the time when it is to be given, are set forth in prophecy. We have also believed that the time fixed in the prophecy for proclaiming that message to the world has come, and that in proclaiming it we are fulfilling the prophecy.

Such convictions give great assurance and courage to those who possess them. Surrounded with so much error and darkness, it is a great thing to feel sure that we have the truth—that we stand in the light. Facing so many wide-open avenues, it is unspeakably comforting to know that we have entered the right one, and that we are doing the right thing.

Many times in the history of this world, God has raised up people, and set on foot movements, for the fulfilment of his word. The removal of Israel from Egypt to Palestine is a notable instance of this character. In his dealings with Abraham, the Lord, on one occasion, said to him:— “Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.”

Here is a prophecy of the servitude of Abraham’s descendants in Egypt, and of their return to Palestine. Hundreds of years later this prophecy had a marvelous fulfilment. The full account of the movement is given in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua.

The transfer of Israel from Palestine to Egypt was begun when Joseph was taken there and sold as a slave, and fully accomplished when Jacob went down with his family in the time of famine. Then “Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens.” Ex. 1:6-11.

Here we have the affliction that was foretold in Genesis 15. Abraham, to whom all this had been revealed, and to whom the promise of deliverance had been made, was dead. But the living God had not forgotten his people, and now he set on foot a movement to fulfil his promise. He appeared in the burning bush to Moses in the wilderness, and said: “I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Then began one of the most remarkable movements that has ever occurred in the history of God’s people. They were delivered from Egyptian bondage and affliction; they were led back to Abraham’s land, and each tribe was given a definite and permanent possession. When it was all consummated, Joshua said to all the people:— “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.”

This account gives us a very clear and forcible illustration of a movement among men which fulfils inspired prophecy. The details of the movement fit the details of the prophecy so clearly and exactly that there can be no question regarding its being a fulfilment of prophecy.

Another instructive lesson of this sort is to be found in the account of the captivity of Israel in Babylon and their return after seventy years. Because of their rejection of the Lord’s counsel, they were carried into captivity, and Jerusalem, their beautiful city, was laid in ruins. The prophet Jeremiah foretold the duration of their captivity, and also their return. He said:— “For thus saith the Lord, After seventy years be accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.”

When the seventy years had expired, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia, to set Israel free, and to assist them in returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. To all the people Cyrus said:— “Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (he is the God), which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the free-will offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.”

The people promptly responded to this gracious offer, and this marked the opening of a great movement, which resulted in restoring Israel to their land, in rebuilding their city and temple, and restoring the temple services. All this called for years of toil and sacrifice. It called for strong faith in God, for clear discernment between right and wrong, and for great firmness and steadfastness of purpose. The books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zechariah convey some idea of the trials, opposition, obstacles, and discouragements that had to be met in this movement. These books tell us also of the complete success that finally crowned the movement.

These experiences show how closely every detail of the prophecy was met in the movement raised up in fulfilment of it. The two fit together so closely that their identity is easily seen. The prophecy is made the basis and authority of the movement. The words of the prophecy clearly outline the message that is to be proclaimed, and the work that is to be carried forward. In all respects the character and scope of the movement correspond with the character and scope of the prophecy it fulfils.

To-day prophecy is being fulfilled on a greater, a more sublime scale than ever before in the history of the world. Nations are fulfilling prophecy. The capitalist and the laborer are fulfilling prophecy. The Church of Rome and the backslidden Protestant churches are fulfilling prophecy. And God’s remnant people are fulfilling prophecy.

All these prophecies relate to the closing events of this world’s history. They meet at this point, and bring the world face to face with the last great crisis in the conflict between good and evil.

The prophecy God’s people are fulfilling calls for a world-wide gospel movement. It calls upon all men everywhere to accept Christ as their Saviour, and, by his help, to render obedience to all the commandments of God. It calls upon those who do this to proclaim God’s message to every nation, tongue, and people upon the face of the earth. And the prophecy assures us that when this is done, the end will come, and God’s

people will receive their eternal reward.

Every feature of this prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes to-day. A hundred thousand persons who have had their attention called to the prophecy have grasped its meaning, and have come into harmony with it. Their faith lays hold of Christ for salvation, and for power to obey God’s law. They understand how and when the hour of God’s judgment began. They discern the spiritual fall of the Protestant churches, and know the cause. They see the cunning working of the papacy, and realize its terrible meaning.

And, knowing these things as they are revealed in prophecy, God’s people have undertaken the great task of making them known to the whole world. This is truly a great undertaking. It is altogether too great for us to accomplish with human power and with man’s limited resources. But the Lord of hosts is at the head of the work, and his power and resources are unlimited. For more than a century he has been shaping affairs in the world for the accomplishment of this work. He has brought all parts of the world close together. He has opened the doors of all nations for his messengers. He has provided every needed facility for rapid transportation from place to place, and for the speedy proclamation of his message. Surely he is able to finish what he has begun.

The greatest need of the hour is a church ready for the work,—a church full of faith in God,—a church endued with the Spirit of God,—a church fully surrendered for any sacrifice and service called for. This is what we as a people should be. This is the preparation for which we have earnestly been praying during this week of prayer.

The Lord has been unspeakably good to us. He loves us, and owns us as his. He has bestowed upon us great blessings. He has given us great opportunities and possibilities for service in his cause. All these mercies should appeal to us, and lead us to a greater consecration of our lives to his service than we have ever yet made.

Thank God the battle is on. The movement we are carrying forward fits every detail of the prophecy given by John in the Revelation. The evidences that this work is of God multiply with each passing year. Let us all fully consecrate our service to God for the finishing of his work. And now as we bring our annual thank-offering to him for the cause of missions, let us earnestly pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into the needy fields, and give great power to his people for the final work of witnessing. Truly “now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand.”