FOR OUR ADMONITION by J. F. Shuler

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 5, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 39.

FOR OUR ADMONITION.

By J. F. Shuler

BY J. F. SHULER.

CHRIST said to the Jews: “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:42. Then He tells them of the complete destruction that would come on Jerusalem, and gives as a reason for their misfortunes, “Because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” By the study of the prophetic scriptures, they could have known the things that belonged to their peace and the time of their visitation. But instead of studying the scriptures, the Word says, “For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning Him.” Acts 13:27.

Christ had also called attention to the prophecy of Daniel when admonishing them of the destruction that was coming upon them. Matt. 24:15. The people of Jerusalem might have understood this prophecy, but they did not. If the Jews had understood the prophecies relating to the first advent of Christ, they could not have rejected Him as the true Messiah. They could have told the very year the Messiah would come, if they had chosen to do so, by heeding the prophecy of Dan. 9:25. But they did not; therefore they rejected Christ, and finally put Him to death. Such is the fatal result of not seeking to understand prophecy. This was the experience of ancient Israel, and God had their failures “written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10:11. The Lord had the history of ancient Israel written that we, as modern Israel, might take warning and not do the same things. It is for this reason that we are exhorted by the Apostle Peter, to be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets.” 2 Peter 3:2.

It is necessary that we give heed to the prophecies, lest we walk in darkness and fall, as did ancient Israel. The prophecies point to the dangers and calamities which confront us. If we fail to heed the light they give us, we will surely reject the very way the Lord has given to save us.

The Lord designs that His people shall have “understanding of the times” that they might “know what Israel ought to do.” 1 Chron. 12:32. This is one of the Lord’s objects in giving prophecy. For us not to heed the instruction thus given will result disastrously, as the experience of ancient Israel shows.

Christ reproved the people for being so slow to believe what the prophets had spoken: “Then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” Luke 24:25. This scripture shows that it is an obligation to believe and understand the prophecies. Paul said he believed all things which were written in the law and in the prophets. Acts 24:14. Christ preached prophecy. Compare Luke 4:16-21 with Isa. 61:1, 2. Peter preached prophecy on the day of Pentecost. Compare Acts 2:14-21 with Joel 2:28-32. “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” 1 Peter 1:11. The verse just before this one refers to the prophets. Then all the prophecies of the Old Testament, as well as those of the New, were inspired by Christ, and are therefore to be studied by Christians.

This experience of ancient Israel is a lesson that should profit us. Their failure was in not giving heed to the prophecies. Shall we take any admonition from their failure? Shall we, like them, by not giving heed to the understanding of the prophecies, fail to “discern the signs of the times” (Matt. 16:3), and not know the things which belong to our peace, nor the time of our visitation, and perish as they perished? God forbid. May God help us to take warning from their failure, and give heed to the prophecies.

Let us heed the exhortation of the apostle to “Despise not prophesyings.” 1 Thess. 5:20.