Evidence Cumulative by M. C. Wilcox

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 7, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 39.

Evidence Cumulative

By M. C. Wilcox

It is a fundamental principle in the interpretation of the great lines of prophecy in the word of God, that the evidence is cumulative. That is, all true views and added evidence of the fulfilment of prophecy strengthen and add to all that has gone before. There are no reactions. If the evidence is clear to-day that the prophecy is nearing fulfilment, it is still clearer to-morrow. There may be levels, or seeming levels, along the way; but when the prophecy nears its fulfilment, there are no long hills again to climb. There are dips and plunges, but no steeps which must be negotiated.

Take, for instance, the prophecy concerning the United States. It presents before us a peaceful, quiet nation, one that speaks for liberty, and has within it, giving strength to its early years, the great principles of civil and religious liberty. But the prophecy declares that it is to speak as a dragon. It is to form an image to the great beast system. It is in some form or other to unite church and state, or make religion a thing of the state. There was a time when it was almost impossible to present any evidence of the fulfilment of the prophecy in that respect. But movements began to crystallize, elements began to unite, and from that time to the present time every year has added to the evidence of fulfilment. There have been times when manifestations of such things were quiet—the road was seemingly level; but there never has been a time when the student of prophecy has had to depend on evidences long past. He has found fresh cumulations every day to add to the stock of the evidences already obtained.

So it is with the great prophecy of Daniel 2, of the intermingling of the iron of imperialism with the clay of republicanism, or socialism. So it has been with Daniel 7, in the great words, and the multiplicity of great words, which the horn spoke. So also with other prophecies. No disappointment comes to those who are thus following the prophecies of God’s word. This fundamental principle, with a large number of other principles, holds and helps to balance the student, and give him added courage and hope in his study of the prophetic Word.

M. C. WILCOX.