p. 522 | UNTO US by L. A. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 13, 1901

“UNTO US.”

By L. A. S.

We read in the sacred word of how God manifested himself to the prophets of olden time, and we think that God must have had great love for the holy men of old, as indeed He had. But was it not the merits of Christ, the appointed Sacrifice, that commended them to God, the same as with ourselves? And did you ever take note of the fact that God revealed himself to them not for their sakes, but for ours?

The revelations made to the prophets were a manifestation of God’s love for us. Here is the testimony of Peter on this point. After speaking of the prophets who “inquired and searched diligently” to know the things that pertain to the sufferings and resurrection of Christ, he says: “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” 1 Peter 1: 10–12.

Even as early as the time of Enoch, the seventh from Adam, God began to speak for the benefit of us who are now living at the end of time, and so Enoch prophesied of the second advent of Christ. And so far as the record shows, this is the first clear prophecy ever uttered. The prophecy of the second advent of Christ was made before that of the first advent, and the second destruction of the world was prophesied long before Noah uttered his warning of the destruction to come by a flood.

As we read the words written by the holy men of old, let us not forget that God made them ministers not unto themselves, but unto us.

L. A. S.