Correctly Interpreting Prophecy by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 10, 1914

Correctly Interpreting Prophecy

By I. H. Evans

WE are living in thrilling times. “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” And today we see a literal fulfillment of the prophecy, “upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity.”

Many great events will have their culmination in these days in which we live. Varied lines of prophecy, both political and religious, will terminate and reach their climax in the period known as “the time of the end.” It is the time when the work of the gospel will close; when the vials of God’s wrath will be poured out without mercy; when the scripture will be fulfilled which says, “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.”

As we enter the maelstrom of political and social commotion presaging the advent of our Lord and Saviour, anxiety, distress, and perplexity will be greatly multiplied. Those who have heard the message and have listened to the prophecies will be looking expectantly to our teachers for an interpretation of current events, and will be desiring literal statements prognosticating what is to be expected in the near future.

The public, anxious, perplexed, and irritated, will gladly listen to these statements regarding the order of events, especially when apparently built upon the interpretation of prophecy. It is an easy matter at such a time to venture beyond what is revealed, and to preach what the Word of God does not declare.

I once heard a minister say to a large audience: “I am going to make a prophecy. Take your notebooks and write it down; for I want every person within the hearing of my voice to take note of this. If what I prophesy does not come to pass, you will know that I am a false prophet, and that what has been taught in this tent is not truth.” Then he gave his prophecy, saying that the next president of the United States would be a Republican, and the one following would be a Democrat, when slavery would be reenacted by law, Sunday would be made the national Sabbath by Congressional action, and the end would come. Of course, all this prediction failed, except the election of a Republican president.

Why make such foolish statements, which bring only reproach upon the truth? Is it not becoming in these days of stress and peril to preach the word? to avoid extravagant statements? and to be careful to teach only what the Word of God reveals?

The ordering of events is not under our control. We are but men, human instruments. Outlines of prophecy are given in the Bible, but details are lacking. It is not for us to theorize and declare how God will work. Men who speak for God should speak only his word. They should neither add to it nor take therefrom. God’s Word is to be our guide. The prohibition of adding to and taking from the written Word

of God, or substituting therefor man’s theories, has not been rescinded by divine authority. Our strength and power must be in declaring only what the Lord reveals in his Word, and trusting the Holy Spirit to do its work upon the hearts of men when the Word has been truly preached in its simplicity. I. H. EVANS.