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THE FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Aug 7, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 30.

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THE FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

Prophecy meets its fulfillment in the natural course of events, and in a quiet manner, so that few at the time recognize its fulfillment.
Moses in prophesying of Christ said "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people." This the Jews fully believed, but the manner of Christ's coming, the humility of his birth, and the thirty years of his life spent with his father as a carpenter, so blinded their eyes that notwithstanding he fulfilled the prophecy in every particular they did not see it. As he taught in their synagogues many hearing him were astonished and said "From whence hath this man these things; and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses and of Juda and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him."
When God predicts an event to take place he does not always give the particular circumstances that are to bring it about or accompany its fulfillment. God has predicted concerning the closing work of the gospel that it shall go to "every nation and kindred and tongue and people," and when "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, then shall the end come." And this prophecy will be fulfilled in our midst while as it has been with other prophecies in the past, but few will understand it.
Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter And he will make it plain.
The progress of the third angel's message during the last twelve months has been remarkable indeed. It would seem that an infinite power has been moving the people of God and leading them to take steps that would appear utterly impossible.
Four new periodicals in the interest of present truth have been issued within the last seven months in Europe in as many different languages; three of these, one each in the Roumanian, Italian and German, are published in Bale, Switzerland, and one in English in Great Grimsby, England. These papers have a large circulation in Europe and each is to a large extent sustained by subscriptions. God is raising up friends to the truth in these countries to fill positions of trust.
Missions have been established in many of the largest cities in this country, and a large number of persons have entered the field as colporters and canvassers and are holding Bible-readings, etc.; not a few of these are becoming successful workers. Truly God is going before us and preparing hearts to receive the unpopular truths we profess.
Our educational interests also have received an impetus that is very marked. Three large institutions of learning have been established at a cost of not less than $150,000, while smaller denominational schools are springing up like plants out of the earth. There is an increasing desire with many of our churches to secure the most exemplary and God-fearing teachers to teach their children,—those who know how to teach the Bible successfully. Our people are beginning to realize that time is fast closing and that if they would be prepared for the coming storm they must put forth greater efforts than in the past. The time has come when advance moves are being made in every part of the field.
The Sunday agitation, having in view an amendment to the Constitution, is another token of the near approach of the time of trouble. We have been expecting the fulfillment of the prophecies relating to this event for the past thirty years, and we now see it before our eyes.
Our camp-meetings are increasing in importance. They are far more extensively advertised this year, thus securing a larger attendance than ever before. Three of these meetings will be held in New England the present season in the following places. Worcester, Mass., Burlington, Vermont, and Portland, Maine. These meetings will be the most important and will doubtless be the largest of any ever held in the New England States. S. N. HASKELL.