THE VALUE OF PROPHECY by George I. Butler

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 19, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 20.

THE VALUE OF PROPHECY.

By George I. Butler

BY ELDER GEO. I. BUTLER.

PERHAPS there is no feature in the great realm of religious truth wherein the popular theology of the present day demonstrates its departure from the Scriptures more fully than in its neglect and indifference to the prophecies. They comprise at least one-fourth of the whole Bible. Therefore to ignore them or regard them as of little value is to treat with contempt a large portion of inspiration. Nothing is more sure than that the prophecies are a part, a most essential part, of God's holy word. To treat his word with indifference is to treat him with disrespect, a result which will most certainly hurt the souls of those who do it.

But are not the prophecies mysteries, secret things, hidden truths, impossible to be understood? This seems to be the prevailing opinion. "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever." Deut. 29: 29. The Bible is a revelation from God, the whole of it. What is revealed is made known. Some things God presented to the prophets in holy vision that were not to be made known to men. But those things he commanded them not to write.

Rev. 10: 4. Not everything they saw was to be uttered. 2 Cor. 12: 4. But what "things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15: 4.

It is not to be supposed that the great and glorious things of God’s word can always be discerned at a glance. We are to learn these things by patience, perseverance, and prayer; then the comfort and blessedness and joy will surely follow. How precious are thy words, O God! How sweet and comforting they are! But modern theology, permeated as it is with its so-called "higher criticism," a synonym for unbelief, finds no use for the great truths of prophecy. The pulpits of the land pour forth well-constructed sentences of earthly wisdom on almost every conceivable subject, but have little to say on the wonderful fulfillments of prophecy transpiring all about us. Let us notice some declarations of Holy Writ which teach the importance of prophecy. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Amos 3: 7.

A fair understanding of this text would teach us that all of God’s great plans concerning the welfare or punishments of the children of men the Lord would reveal through his prophets. If, therefore, we have any interest in these events, a proper study of the prophecies would be sure to enlighten us. And what subjects could be more important than these? How frivolous are many of the subjects which interest great masses of the human family, and professedly religious people at that, in comparison with those foretold in prophecy. Do we desire to know concerning what God will do in our world relative to the affairs and salvation of men?—Then let us diligently study what the prophets have written. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not at any time [margin] by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1: 19–21. Prophecy, then, is light in the darkness. And those who reject it choose darkness rather than light. It serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path in the dense spiritual darkness of this sinful world, till the dawn of that glorious morn when the Sun of Righteousness shall dispel the gloom and appear in his glory.

How foolish would be the man who, passing through scenes of great danger, would refuse the friendly offer of light to guide him! We are now in the perils of the last days. Many and conflicting voices are everywhere heard. Who will be able to steer his bark through the rocks and quicksands, the devious channels and crooked inlets leading to the harbor of rest, as the ship reaches the haven? Certainly not those who spurn the light that "shineth in a dark place." Prophecy is of no private character. It belongs to all who will receive it, cherish it, be guided by it. It came by no human power, but is a direct and precious gift of Him who loveth us and gave Himself for us. It was the Spirit of Christ which was in all the prophets, and enabled them to testify "beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." 1 Peter 1: 11. The Jewish nation fell from its high position as the special people of God for this very reason, because it failed to heed the prophecies. The prophets foretold "the sufferings of Christ" in wonderful words. Let the reader peruse carefully the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah’s prophecy and Dan. 9: 26 and corresponding texts. Yet the selfish, ambitious Jews would only accept a conqueror as the Messiah who would give them riches, power, and popularity, a king like David or Solomon, who would subdue their enemies. Had they read the prophecies and believed them, they might have been saved from the awful ruin which followed them for ages. They were led by a worldly, haughty, selfish class of teachers. They despised the lowly Nazarene, and would not love the meek and lowly Saviour whom Heaven sent to save them.

Are not the modern clergy making the same mistake? Are they not imitating their example, cherishing the same spirit, following in many ways their evil course. They are seeking high positions among the great men of the earth. They are prominent in the great political bustle, and look more and more with longing eyes to the political benefits of a closer union of the Church and the State. They do all in their power to keep their members from studying and heeding the prophecies, as the Jews did anciently. While the Spirit of Christ in the ancient prophets spoke of the sufferings of Christ, and thus condemned the Jewish Church, who desired no suffering Saviour, it also testifies of "the glory that should follow" when Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with all his mighty angels. Where there was one prediction concerning the events of the first advent there are several concerning his coming in glory.

Yet all the leading incidents of his life on earth and of his death for our salvation were clearly predicted beforehand. So in regard to his second appearing, most wonderful predictions are given. The political events of the great nations of the world, the most prominent in all history, are made to testify to the age of the world in which we live. The wonders of astronomy, the testimony of sun, moon, and stars, give unfailing witness to the same point. Old earth itself, with all its various manifestations, or phenomena, speaks in earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanic fires, furious, destructive tempests and cyclones, famines, strange diseases of man and brute, of its coming dissolution. The changing currents of human thought, political, scientific, and religious, add their testimony on this grand theme. The Spirit of Christ in the prophets, yes, from Christ’s own mouth itself, foretell in a wonderful manner all these things, yes, many more that point unmistakably to the great consummation. Christ thus sends us messages of mercy and love, warning us of the events sure to come. He uses such language as this: "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21: 28. "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that he [margin] is near, even at the doors." Matt. 24: 33. Who dare dispute the words of the Son of God? Yet nothing is more prevalent than the belief that it is impossible to know anything about it. But nothing is more plainly contradicted in all the Bible than this sentiment.

The study and belief of the prophecies is emphatically inculcated in the Bible. "Whoso readeth, let him understand." Christ spoke of the prophecy of Daniel. Matt. 24: 15. A blessing is pronounced upon those who hear and keep the words of Christ’s revelation to John on Patmos. Rev. 1: 3. The most terrible consequences fell upon the Jewish nation for their wicked treatment of the prophetic words of inspiration, and treating the message of love and mercy sent by this agency with indifference. And the modern church is fast going into darkness, worldliness, spiritual blindness, and utter apostasy, from the same cause. But, thank God, there are honest souls all through its communion who are sighing and crying for light on the peculiar perils of our time. Such will find the most luminous rays of light in the blessed words of prophecy, sent us in this dark world by Jesus Christ himself. May his precious blessing rest upon all such, till light, joy, and peace shall fill their souls as with an eye of faith, as they behold the Saviour near.