NO FAITH IN PROPHECY by Charles P. Whitford

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 18, 1878

NO FAITH IN PROPHECY.

By Charles P. Whitford

I am acquainted with some who claim the Bible to be a revelation of God’s will to man, and yet, at the same time, say they do not believe the prophecies it contains.

We read in Amos 3:7, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets.” That which is revealed becomes a revelation, and a revelation is something made known. Prophecy belongs to that portion of the Bible which may properly be called a revelation. The object of it is to forewarn the world of things to come, in time for all to make the necessary preparations. It is designed to reveal to us things of which we could not in any other way gain information. God never sends judgments upon the world unheralded. He does not punish men without giving them full opportunity to know for what cause the judgment is inflicted.

Did our friends who have no faith in prophecy ever consider that about one-third of the Bible is of a more or less prophetical character? Do they ever consider that the old world perished by the flood because they did not believe in the prophecy of Noah, and that the Jews suffered famine and captivity because they would not believe in the prophecy of Jeremiah, who warned them of coming perils? And will it not prove as dangerous now to reject the prophecies which are given to warn us of present duties and dangers? We believe it will.

There are no less than twenty-two distinct prophecies that point directly to the second, personal advent of Christ. One would suppose that all would be deeply interested in this important subject. And why are they not interested in it? Is it not because they do not wish the end to come, and therefore prefer to remain in ignorance? They are not ready for this event, but come it will, prepared or unprepared. We can assure you, dear reader, the sublime realities of the advent are already at the door.

In Rev. 14: 6–12 there are brought to view three advent messages, all immediately to precede the second advent. The first was given from 1840-4, the second followed at once, and the third and last is now rapidly swelling into the loud cry, and will close with the coming of Jesus on the white cloud to reap the harvest of the earth. Only a few more years, and all will be over. The strife for money and power, the sorrow and crime,—all is about to close in the final day of the advent. You do not believe it? Ah! the proof is too full for unbelief. You may shut your ears and close your eyes, but it will come by-and-by, whether you believe it or not. We exhort you to interest yourselves in this deeply interesting and important subject. Let the signs of the times admonish you to make no delay.

Do not wait to work out this or that plan, and then flatter yourself that you will be ready to investigate and obey the truth. Alas! that time seldom comes. Now is the time to work. The days are evil, therefore redeem the time.

CHARLES P. WHITFORD.