Prophecy of Great Use by C. A. Osgood

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 23, 1882

Prophecy of Great Use.

By C. A. Osgood

BY C. A. OSGOOD.

FOR the most part the events of the future are hidden from mortals. Yet it has pleased God at certain times to reveal to mankind through "his servants the prophets," things which were to come to pass. Although many in the present age regard the prophetic scriptures as nearly or quite useless, yet facts abundantly show that rich blessings are connected with understanding and taking heed to what God has revealed through this means. So Peter said, "We have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place." 2 Peter 1 : 19. If we have nothing to do with studying the prophecies, then a large part of the Bible is unprofitable to us, but Paul informs us that "all Scripture is profitable." 2 Tim. 3 : 16. But let us "search the Scriptures" and see what good has resulted in times past from understanding and taking heed to what God revealed concerning events then future.

Noah and his family knew nothing of the coming flood till God made it known to them. God revealed the fact that his Spirit would cease to strive with men when the one hundred and twenty years of his long-suffering should end. He commanded Noah to build an ark for the saving of his house. He believed God's word, and obeyed, and so, when the billows of death overwhelmed the ungodly, unbelieving world, he was saved with his household. It was well that angels were sent to Sodom to tell Lot of the destruction that was to come upon that, and the neighboring cities. These were overthrown by a storm of fire and brimstone, but Lot, having taken heed to the friendly warning, made his escape before the wrath of God was poured out.

By a dream which the king of Egypt had, and which Joseph interpreted, the Lord made known to mankind that there would be seven years of great plenty in Egypt, and following them seven years of great scarcity. Well was it for the inhabitants of Egypt, Canaan, and all lands, that these things were revealed beforehand. So in the years of plenty, provision was made for the years of famine which followed, and multitudes were saved from starvation.

Our Saviour foretold the judgments that were to come upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem in consequence of their rejection of Christ, and the truths he taught. He told his disciples how they might know when its desolation would be near and what to do then. Said he, "When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh ; then let them that are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let them that are in the midst thereof depart out ; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto." Luke 21 : 20, 21. Thus our Lord told his disciples how they might know when those things would take place and what they should then do. They took notice of the sign Jesus had given them, and when they saw it they fled to the mountains, and it is not known that a single Christian perished at that time. Here we see how prophecy shone "as a light in a dark place." And how well it was for those who walked in its light.

In many other cases prophecy has been to the children of God what a lantern is to a traveler in a dark night. But it is in the latest period of probationary time, just before the Saviour's second coming that the greatest benefit is to be gained from the prophetic word. True, many suppose that that day will come upon the saint and the sinner alike unexpectedly. But is this in harmony with God's dealings with his people in the past? We know it is not. In former ages when God was about to pour out his judgments upon guilty nations they were warned through the prophets. And will events far more fearful than any that have ever occurred, come to pass without any warning? It is indeed said of the wicked in Noah's day that they "knew not until the flood came and took them all away." And so it is said of the unbelieving world when the Lord appear, "When they shall say peace and safety then sudden destruction shall come upon THEM, and they shall not escape." 1 Thess. 5 : 3. But what is said to the children of God. "But ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief."

God is sending warnings to the people by the three messages of Revelation 14. He has also given signs in the heavens and upon the earth. The darkening of the sun and moon in 1780, and the falling of the stars in 1833, were some of the things that the Saviour said would show that his coming was near. Matt. 24 : 29. Then there were to be, upon the earth, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. Acts 2 : 19; distress of nations with perplexity ; the sea and the waves roaring, etc. Luke 21 : 25. The Saviour said, "When ye see all these things come to pass, know that he is nigh, even at the doors." Although we are gravely told by many that it is of no consequence to know anything about the period of Christ's coming, he has commanded his people to know it when these signs appear. What he has commanded is highly important to obey. In Heb. 9 : 28, it is said : Christ "was once offered to bear the sins of many, and to them that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin unto salvation." He comes then to save them that look for him, but what will become of those that do not look for him? To that servant who shall say, "My Lord delayeth his coming," his "lord will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder and appoint his portion with the hypocrites." Matt. 24 : 48. This will be the fearful result of not watching and knowing the time.

Again, in Luke 21 : 34, 36, Christ said, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." "Watch ye therefore and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Just before this he had pointed out the signs which would show his coming near, and now he tells them what to do, and what not to do, in order that that event might be a joyful one to them, and not an awful disaster. Thus we may see the great goodness of God in erecting light-houses in different ages for the safety of his people, that they might escape impending dangers. Never were the dangers so numerous and so great as now, and never did the light of prophecy shine more brightly than now. Reader, will you study "the sure word of prophecy," walk in its light, and secure eternal salvation?