THE PROPHECIES by Scott Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 20, 1879

THE PROPHECIES.

By Scott Kilgore

Many say the prophecies should not be interpreted literally, but “spiritually,” and especially those that refer to Christ’s second coming, which some say is at “death,” others at “conversion.” If the prophecies concerning his second coming are to be taken spiritually, how can you condemn the Jews for rejecting Christ at his first coming, which was in such literal fulfillment of prophecy? This is not consistent, and while we believe Luke 1:31 to be literally true, let us likewise believe verses 32 and 33. Luke 1:31–33: “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

The inconsistency of interpreting verse 31 literally and spiritualizing verses 32 and 33 is clearly illustrated by the following account of a conversation between a Christian minister and a Jew. Opening a New Testament at Luke 1:32, the Jew asked, “Do you believe that what is here written will be literally accomplished, ‘The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever’?” “I do not,” answered the clergyman, “but rather take it to be figurative language, descriptive of Christ’s reign over the church.” “Then,” replied the Jew, “neither do I believe literally the words preceding, which say that this Son of David should be born of a virgin; but I take them to be merely a figurative manner of describing the remarkable character for purity of him who is the subject of prophecy.” “But why,” continued the Jew, “do you refuse to believe literally the 32d and 33d verses, while you believe the far more incredible statement of verse 31?” “I believe it,” replied the clergyman, “because it is a fact.” “Ah!” exclaimed the Jew with an inexpressible air of scorn and triumph, “you believe Scripture because it is a fact, I believe it because it is the word of God.”

And now, dear reader, was not the argument of the Jew candid and forcible? Think of the many prophecies descriptive of the Messiah which we have seen literally fulfilled, and upon which we rest the proof of our hope of salvation. The following are prophecies concerning his first coming:—

The Messiah was to be born of a virgin, Isa. 7:14; at Bethlehem. Micah 5:2. He was to be called out of Egypt. Hosea 11:1. He was to be preceded by a messenger, John. Malachi 3:1. The Spirit of God was to rest upon him. Isa. 11:2. His entry into Jerusalem was predicted. Zech. 9:9. He was to be betrayed by a friend. Ps. 41:9; 55:12–14. His disciples were to forsake him. Zech. 13:7. He was to be sold for thirty pieces of silver. Zech. 11:12. The potter’s field was to be bought with the money paid for his betrayal. Zech. 11:13. He was to be spit upon and scourged. Isa. 50:6. Not one of his bones was to be broken. Ex. 12:46; Ps. 34:20. He was to be given gall for his meat, and vinegar to drink. Ps. 69:21. His hands and feet were to be pierced. Ps. 22:16. His garments were to be parted, and for his vesture lots were to be cast. Ps. 22:18. He was to endure poverty, suffering, and death patiently. Isa. 53.

All these predictions were literally fulfilled when Christ came. Do not, then, reject the literal fulfillment of those numerous prophecies which describe his future coming, and his

glorious reign upon the earth; viz., that he shall come himself, 1 Thess. 4:16; that he shall descend from Heaven with a shout, 1 Thess. 4:16; that the dead will hear his voice, John 5:28; that the raised and changed believers will be caught up to meet him in the air, 1 Thess. 4:17; that he will receive us unto himself, John 14:3; that he will come to the earth again, Acts 1:11; that he will come bodily, Acts 1:11; that he will be revealed in flaming fire, 2 Thess. 1:8; that he will come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, Matt. 24:30, 31; that he will stand upon the earth, Job 19:25; that every eye shall see him, Rev. 1:7; that he shall sit in his throne, Matt. 25:31–34; that the people of the earth will not be prepared to meet him, Rev. 6:14, 17; that his church, a chosen few, will be prepared, 1 Thess. 5:4; that his throne will be upon the earth, Jer. 23:5, 6; that he will have a kingdom, Dan. 7:13, 14, and rule over it with his saints, Dan. 7:18, 22, 27; Rev. 5:10; that the kingdoms of this world shall become his kingdom, Zech. 9:10; Rev. 11:15; that every knee shall bow to him, Isa. 45:23; that his throne shall be in Jerusalem, Jer. 3:17; Isa. 33:20, 21; then the wilderness will be a fruitful field, Isa. 32:15; and the desert will blossom as the rose, Isa. 35:1, 2.

We might mention many other predictions, but surely there is no symbolism in those plain prophecies which gives us any authority to “spiritualize” them; rather let us expect that these will be as literally fulfilled as were the others at his first coming.

Again, the second coming of Christ is not at death. Jesus makes a clear distinction between death and his coming in John 21. He told Peter how he should die, and then, speaking of John, he said, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” And from this remark the disciples understood and reported that John should not die.

Death is an enemy. 1 Cor. 15:26. At Christ’s coming the dead are raised, and shout victory over death and the grave. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave [hades], where is thy victory?” 1 Cor. 15:23, 54, 55. If we are faithful unto death, we are promised a crown of life, Rev. 2:10; but we do not receive it until Jesus comes. 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:4. Nothing is promised us at death except to be at rest, Rev. 14:13; Job 14:6, 13, 14; but we are promised all things at the resurrection, when Jesus comes. Luke 14:14; Rom. 8:32; 1 Cor. 15:23. Paul’s great hope was that he might be accounted worthy to appear at the resurrection of the just. Phil. 3:11. He did not want to be unclothed by death, 2 Cor. 5:4; but clothed upon by the resurrection. 2 Cor. 5:4; 1 Cor. 15:53, 54. And when the time for his departure had come, he expected, as a reward for his faithful service, to receive his crown when Christ should come to reward all those who love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:6–8.

The grandest fact in history is that Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, has been in this world. The most important fact of the present is that he is now in Heaven, making intercession for us. Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34. And the greatest prophesied event of the future is that he is coming again.

These three appearings are beautifully set forth in the 9th of Hebrews. First, he appears upon earth “to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself,” verse 26; then he enters “into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us,” verse 24; “and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Verse 28. While he was here he said, “It is expedient for you that I go away.” John 16:7. He said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” But he promised, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2, 3. He gave us this promise as our hope and comfort while he is away, “and he that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” SCOTT KILGORE.