Prophetic Study by J. D. Herr, D. D.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 1, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 25.

Prophetic Study.

By J. D. Herr, D. D.

THE history of the world, as chronicled by eminent men of all ages, is replete with interest. The development, reign, and ultimate overthrow of vast empires, the rise of mighty warriors and able statesmen, the transmission of power from one nationality to another, the hereditary determination to conquer and annex territory manifested by all nations, together with the solemn yet awful trend toward an overwhelming and evadeless crisis, are to the careful student, who puts his hand on the feverish pulse of the world, profoundly interesting. History is the dial-plate upon which the finger of God indicates the epochs of prophecy. The revolutions and upheavals in civil and national life, together with the moral cyclones which occasionally sweep over the populations of earth, can only be correctly understood as we behold them through the telescope of prophecy. It is God alone who “changeeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding; he revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” The march of the centuries is ever toward a legitimate and clearly-defined end. Each revolution of the wheels of time assists in advancing the world in the direction of its prophetic destiny. Constant changes in the map of Europe, together with the numerous army of earthly events daily chronicled, are keeping step in the direction of God’s eternal purpose. The Christian who fails to read history in the light of prophecy will find no other lamp to illumine the deep and profound mysteries surrounding the pathway of this planet.

It is impossible to close our eyes to the fact that dreamers and inconsistent theorists, together with uncounted speculative teachers, have prophesied concerning the events lying in the future pathway of this globe and its inhabitants. Scientists have also attempted to demonstrate the peculiar methods which shall eventually obtain in the destruction of the present world, together with other heavenly bodies beyond us; yet no theory has ever been promulgated receiving a hearty and unhesitating approval from intelligent thinkers, and we are forced to the conclusion that all such speculative theories of the future of this earth, drawn from other sources than the word of God, are mere conjectures, and cannot be relied upon with any degree of certainty. In the Bible alone do we find the sure word of prophecy, “whereunto ye do well to take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts.”—J. D. Herr, D. D.