p. 52 | The Study of Prophecy

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 1, 1883

The Study of Prophecy.

INSPIRED or Bible prophecy is God's revelation to man concerning things to come. The prevailing sentiment that the study of prophecy with a view to looking into the future is unprofitable speculation, is erroneous, and in direct antagonism to the plain declaration of the Holy Spirit that "all Scripture . . . is profitable for doctrine . . . for instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim. 3 : 16. Many indeed regard it as not only a waste of time, but as downright sacrilege to thus attempt to "pry into the secret things of God," forgetting that he "revealeth what shall be in the latter days" (Dan. 2 : 28), and that "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.

It is urged as another objection to the study and exposition of the prophetic portions of the word of God, that they so abound in metaphors, symbols, and figurative expressions as to render it absolutely impossible to understand them aright; yet it is safe to affirm that most, if indeed not all, of the symbols, metaphors, and figures used are fully explained, if not in the immediate context to where they occur, elsewhere in the word. Take for example the vision of the "beloved disciple" as given in Rev. 17, wherein he saw a "woman" sitting upon "many waters." Both of these symbols are explained in the same chapter: "The waters which thou sawest . . . are peoples . . . and nations" (verse 15); "and the woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth" (verse 18).

It is further objected to the study of the prophecies, that they are likely to lead into error through a misapprehension of their true meaning. The danger of error lies not in a devout study of the word of God, but lies rather in remaining in ignorance of it. When questioned by the rationalistic Sadducees concerning the resurrection, Jesus charged them with erring through not knowing the Scriptures (Matt. 22 : 29), and he rebuked the two disciples on their way to Emmaus because they had refused to believe literally "ALL that the prophets had written" concerning him. Luke 24 : 25.

Another common objection to the study and preaching of prophecy is, that it is not practical. Why not? It is in the fullest sense a part, and the greater part, too, of God's word. Shall we say, against the testimony of the Holy Spirit, that not all Scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness? If so, we virtually accuse God of cumbering his word with a weight of senseless rubbish which we mortals assume to be wise enough to sort out and dare to cast away. Jesus left the command to "search the Scriptures," even the prophetic Scriptures which testified of him, and that command has never been revoked. Few believers will deny that the preaching of a future life, of a judgment to come, and of future rewards and punishments is practical; yet this is all prophecy and nothing else. If we accept the Bible as the very word of God, why ignore by far the greater portion of it? Paul's sin in the eyes of the Jews after his conversion lay in his believing as literal all things which were written in the prophets (Acts 24 : 14), and does it become the church to-day to condemn him or others for doing the same thing?

Unto us, the disciples of Jesus, it is "given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God." Mark 4 : 11. These things are indeed hidden from the wise in their own conceits, and are revealed unto "babes"—the trustful and believing. Matt. 11 : 25; Luke 10 : 21.

Not all prophecy is found in the Old Testament only. The New Testament abounds in it. The last book of the New Testament canon is termed by the Holy Spirit "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass," and declares that "Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy." Rev. 1 : 1, 3. We are also warned by the same Spirit to "despise not prophesyings" (1 Thess. 5 : 20), and reminded that the prophecy came not by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Pet. 1 : 21. It is God's revelation to us. How dare we cast it or any part of it away? "If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life." Rev. 22 : 19. Then, brethren, let us come reverently to the Word, and study it devoutly, imploring the help of the Holy Spirit, as an important part of his mission is to "show us things to come." John 16 : 13.

Indeed, the future would be as void of hope and cheer to the Christian as to the unbeliever, were it not that "we have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn." 2 Pet. 1 : 19.—Selected.