Thoughts on Prophecy by D. T. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 13, 1872

Thoughts on Prophecy.

By D. T. Bourdeau

PROPHECY is history in advance, or an account given of events before they come to pass. God must be the author of prophecy. He alone can remove the veil of futurity and describe events before they happen.

Fulfillment of prophecy is the strongest evidence in favor of the divine origin of the Bible. A prophecy fulfilled in our day is stronger evidence in favor of the authenticity of the Scriptures than a miracle performed in Bible times. To prove the genuineness of miracles performed in Bible times, you simply have the written testimony. But a prophecy fulfilled in our day is a living miracle, the genuineness of which may be attested by your own senses. Can we, therefore, wonder why Satan should make such mighty and persistent efforts to have prophecy put in the shade?

Prophecy was not written to puzzle men's brains. It is a part of revelation, and may therefore be understood. Though some portions of prophecy were to be closed up, and sealed till the time of the end, we are plainly told that at that time, many should be purified, and made white, and tried, and the wise should understand. Dan. 12:9, 10. Some portions of prophecy have been sealed, because they were not present truth to the people; the events they described were future, and the people were not called upon to shape their course to meet them in their day. But when the time comes for these prophetic declarations to be fulfilled, then the seal that was upon them is broken, and they are made plain by the events that fulfill them. For instance, how inconsistent it would have been to proclaim the second coming of the Lord and the seven last plagues near, two hundred years ago! or, for a Noah to have arisen and proclaimed an impending flood in the days of Adam! or, for John the Baptist to have made his advent and given his message in the days of David, or in those of Jeremiah? This helps us to answer the question that is so often asked: Why were not these things found out before?

It is Jesus that speaks to us in prophecy. Rev. 1:1. And he speaks to us in symbols and parables to simplify his subjects as he did when he was on earth. How perfectly natural, then, it is to expect that the prophecies explain themselves, and that they are made even plainer than Christ's discourses were when he was on earth; for when the Saviour was on earth, he was present to explain any point that was not fully understood; but he is not here to assist us personally. But, thank God for the Spirit of promise that is left us to guide us into all truth, and that he is more willing to grant his Spirit to them that ask than earthly parents are to give good gifts to their children. Nothing can be more gratifying to the great and good God than for his children to understand his word that he has taken so much pains to reveal to mankind. Hence, “the Holy One of Israel” says, “Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the works of my hands command ye me.” Isa. 45:11. And of the book of Daniel, the Saviour says, “Whoso readeth, let him understand.” Matt. 24:15. And Peter says, “We have a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place.” 2 Pet. 1:19. No one would refuse the light of a lantern in a dark night; the more light the better. So with the light of prophecy to shine on our pathway in this dark world. Christ pronounces a blessing on those who hear, as well as on those who read the book of Revelation, which is said to be the most obscure book of the Bible. Rev. 1:3.

Prophecy is practical. It not only shows us our whereabouts, but it also shows us our dangers and duties in going down the stream of time. This is why so many turn away from it. They dread the cross, which is the very thing they should take up to follow Jesus and show genuine love for God and his truth.

Prophecy is the burden of at least twenty of the books of the Bible, besides being interspersed in nearly every other book of the sacred volume. To cut the prophecies out of the Bible, would indeed leave us with a small Bible. May God help us to honor him by honoring every part of his word.

D. T. BOURDEAU.