p. 151 | Prophecy Practical by L. W. B.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 6, 1863

Prophecy Practical.

By L. W. B.

Many persons are deterred from the study of the prophecies by an opinion that they are not practical in their bearings—that they may minister to curiosity, but not to edification, strength, or comfort. Many expounders of the prophecies have taught that they can be of no possible service until they have been fulfilled. But surely this is wrong. They are of the nature of promises or warnings. They are promises or warnings with the addition of the element of time, and are manifestly designed to guide us in present doubt, to comfort us in present sorrow, to give us hope when all around tends to despondency and despair. Whence comes our expectation of a brighter age in our world's history? Whence comes the conviction that Christ is yet to triumph? that his people, though a little flock shall yet possess a kingdom? that wrong shall yet give place to right, slavery to freedom? that the earth shall yet be filled with righteousness and peace? “We have a 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 day-star arise in your hearts.”

Professor Kurtz gives an admirable statement of the purpose of prophecy when he declares that its pre-eminent design is “to furnish the age in which it is given with a knowledge of itself, i. e., of its positions and obligations, and also to render the same service to every succeeding age, in so far as its condition, wants, and obligations are similar to those of the former.”

Is it asked, How can this be? how its chief design can be to furnish the present age with a knowledge of itself, when it is occupied with events which lie so remotely in the future?

The reason of this will appear by considering for a moment the character of those future events to which it directs our attention. It does not dwell on every aspect of the future; neither does it select at random, events which have no connection with things which now are. “Its sole task is to present those developments of the future, of which the germs, the origin, or the first principles are already at hand.” And it does this evidently for the purpose of throwing light on those germs and principles, that we may clearly understand their nature, that we may cherish whatever is good, and separate ourselves from whatever is evil.

Suppose the framers of our constitution could have foreseen the course which slavery was to run in our land! Suppose they could have seen our country as it now is, rent by factions, desolated by civil war, brought to the very verge of ruin! Can we suppose for one moment that they would have countenanced slavery's continuance? They spoke strongly against it, as it was. They would have removed it at once and forever by the most stringent legislation, could they have seen it as it now appears.

The great object of prophecy is to throw light on the nature of principles which are as yet undeveloped; to let us know what they are, by showing us what they will be. And prophecy does this for the purpose of separating us from evil principles, however attractive and fascinating they may seem.

What diligent student of prophecy can have any sympathy, for instance, with the rationalistic movement of the age? Thousands are carried away with it, while he resists it from the first. He has already seen the goal toward which it tends.

In the same way the student of prophecy is weaned from the world and all worldly entanglements and alliances. Its opposition and enmity to Christ may not now appear. Its friends may think him narrow minded and righteous overmuch, because he withdraws from it. But in the prophetic page he has watched its development. He has seen it in its beauty, in its pride, and in its stateliness, an image of gold and silver and brass and iron; but he has also seen the insecurity of its foundation, the mingled iron and clay of the feet on which it stands, and he has watched it until “the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, have been broken to pieces together, and have become like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors.”

If we identify ourselves with the image, we put ourselves in the place of that which God will surely destroy. We are to have nothing to do with it, but to realize our union with Him who will execute judgment upon it, and who has declared that the friendship of the world is enmity with him.

This is but one of many practical tendencies of the study of the prophetic word. It shows us what in our own age is evil, and separates us from it. It calls us from all worldly associations and alliances, and bids us to keep our garments pure, that we may be ready for the coming of the Lord.—L. W. B.—Prophetic Times.