THE WAY TO UNDERSTAND PROPHECY.
By J. L. Shuler
THAT which is most essential to an understanding of prophecy is the reception of the Spirit, by which the prophecies were dictated. Of that Spirit which is promised to all who seek for it, Christ said, “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.” But no one unaided, and relying on his own judgment, can understand the prophetic Word, for “no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.” We have to compare “spiritual things with spiritual.” The Lord has not so hidden His truth from the search of the lowly seeker. “Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” The Lord declares that He is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, than earthly parents are to give good gifts to their children. Those who earnestly desire the counsel of the great Teacher will not be left alone. The psalmist says, “The meek will He guide in judgment; and the meek will He teach His way.” “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.” Christ says to His disciples, “Lo: I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” We should make our prayer like that of the psalmist, “For Thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” By a careful and prayerful study we can understand the prophecies; for “God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” We can say like Daniel, that “there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets.” Paul says that we “are not in darkness,” and that we are “children of light.” Christ said to those who seek for truth, “There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” Then let us so take heed unto the sure Word of prophecy, that we may be “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”