p. 7 | The Gospel Lighthouse by H. C. J. Walleker

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 29, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 47.

The Gospel Lighthouse

By H. C. J. Walleker

By H. C. J. Walleker

THE Lord, Jehovah, the One who made the heavens and the earth, is the only true God. "He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him." Dan. 2:22. "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure." Isa. 46:10. One of the greatest kings of this world was at one time so powerfully convinced of the truthfulness of the above words, that he exclaimed, "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a Revealer of secrets." Dan. 2:47.

A large part of the Bible consists of prophecies, but there are comparatively few who study this portion of the good old Book. Yet the Author Himself invites us to "seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read." Isa. 34:16.

If we will search the Book of God, we have the assurance that He will teach us to profit, and lead us in the way that we shall go. Isa. 48:17. The prophetic Word shows us indeed that God knows the end from the beginning. The apostle Peter tells us that this Word is as a light shining in a dark place, and we do well if we take heed to it. 2 Peter 1:19.

The Lord has foretold the rise and fall of cities and nations, and we may see that His Word has been and is now being fulfilled. The large majority of people have always been slow to believe God; slow to take Him at His word. In the days of Noah unbelief was great; but what the Lord had said, came to pass, and the Deluge took the unbelievers away.

The Egyptians, who at one time defied the Ruler of the universe, and kept the people of God in bondage, found Him true to His word, when it was too late for them. Here is another prophecy concerning Egypt; see how literally it has been fulfilled:

"And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation, and they shall be there a base kingdom. It shall be THE BASEST OF THE KINGDOMS; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations." Eze. 29:14, 15.

All must acknowledge that Egypt is one of the basest of nations to-day. The Lord said of the great kingdom of Babylon:

"And it shall come to pass, when seventy years [beginning 606 and ending 536 B.C.] are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations." Jer. 25:12.

Babylon was taken by Cyrus two years before the seventy years closed, 538 B.C., and in course of time the prophecy was completely fulfilled; and to-day where once the beautiful city stood is a waste desert, a dwelling for the wild beasts. Isa. 13:19-22. To the proud Chaldeans, this prediction spoken by the servant of God, seemed as empty words; but when the time came, God's word was fulfilled.

Many prophecies foretold the first coming of Christ, and different events in His life here on earth; but even His disciples were slow to believe that which was written. Hear what He says to them: "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?" Luke 24:25, 26. If they had taken heed to the prophetic Word, they would have found hope and comfort in the dark hour when their Master was taken from them by the cruel Roman cohort. He Himself had likewise told them at different

times what was coming; but their minds were so filled with the "orthodox" teaching of that time in regard to the Messiah, that they could not understand. O, how slow men are, to-day even as then, to believe God!

After the apostles received the Holy Ghost, they preached with great power, that Christ would come again the second time. Peter says, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:16. John says, "We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2. They were not following the teachings of men when they wrote thus, but their statements were based upon the sure word of prophecy. May we, living in the days which are so filled with events pointing to His second coming, take heed and learn a lesson from the failure of others, lest that day come upon us unawares.

We know that there shall not fail one word of that which God has revealed through His servants. The day is fast hasting on when all shall be fulfilled. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.