CAN THE PROPHECIES BE UNDERSTOOD?
By Chas. P. Whitford
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable.”—2 Tim. 3:16. The prophecies are a part of the Scriptures; but the Scriptures can be profitable only as they are understood and practised. If, therefore, we would become “wise unto salvation,” surely we must understand and obey the Scriptures. The Scriptures are profitable, says Timothy, for “doctrine, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect.” How much of the Scriptures does it require to perfect a man in righteousness? Says Timothy, “all Scripture” is given for this purpose. As all Scripture includes the prophecies, it follows that the prophecies can and will be understood by such as shall become “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” To this agree the words of Peter, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed.”—2 Peter 1:19. The apostle’s language plainly implies that the prophecies can be understood; for it is manifest that we can not “take heed” to that which we do not understand. “No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” It was not by the will of man, then, that the prophecies were written, but by the will of God; hence, it is but reasonable to conclude that divine inspiration gave them for some wise purpose. It would be both unscriptural and unreasonable to suppose that God would give a revelation to man that could not be understood. The declaration of Scripture is therefore in strict accordance with an enlightened reason when it says, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”—Amos 3:7. It is well understood that prophecy is history in advance. The rise and fall of nations have been foretold in prophecy; and the pen of the historian has been in the most perfect harmony with the predictions of God’s inspired prophets. Thus the Bible is proved to be that which it professes to be,—the infallible word of God. By the light of prophecy, the world is forewarned of evils to come in time to make the needful preparation. It is also designed to inspire the people of God with fresh courage as they see the time of the full fruition of their hopes drawing nigh. And if from the uniform dealings of an unchangeable God with our world in the past, we may judge of the future, then we may confidently conclude that of the events yet to transpire, and above all the great event in which earth’s drama shall close,—the ushering in of the great day of the Lord, and the coming of the Son of man,—something will be known, and the world be faithfully warned thereof, ere they shall take place. In calling attention to these things, we are sometimes accused of prying into the secrets of the Almighty. Of this charge we want no better vindication than the language of Moses: “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us, and to our children forever.”—Deut. 29:29. Prophecy belongs to that portion of the Bible which may properly be denominated a revelation. It is designed to reveal unto us things of which we could not in any other way gain information. Says the Saviour, referring directly to the prophecy of Daniel, “Whoso readeth let him understand.” That the Bible reveals the day or hour of Christ’s coming, we do not pretend. But there are certain prophecies given, and signs foretold, which are to show us when the great day is at hand; and we are commanded when we see these things come to pass, to know that it (margin, he) is near, even at the doors. Matt. 24:33. And Paul gives assurance that Christians will possess a knowledge of these things when he says, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”—1 Thess. 5:4. To deny that the prophecies can be understood is to affirm that some part of God’s word is not a revelation, which is infidelity. With the assurance that “the wise shall understand” (Dan. 12:10), and with the promise that if any man lack wisdom God will give liberally and upbraid not, if he will only ask of him, we are certain that the way is open for an understanding of these things before all those who are humble and teachable enough to ask and receive instruction of him, through the medium of his word and the agency of his Holy Spirit. CHAS. P. WHITFORD.