Reasons Why Believers Should Study Prophecy.
By John Cox
[The following excellent remarks on prophecy will speak for themselves. All we have to say to the reader is, Peruse them carefully, meditate upon them, and let your interest in this delightful and important branch of the word of God be greatly quickened.—Ed.] We might plead strongly for prophecy as part of the gracious revelation of God, and ask why it should be more neglected than any other portion of God's book? We might maintain that all who have a Bible should read it regularly through, as well as more frequently turn to favorite doctrinal and consolatory portions; but the arguments adduced on behalf of the study of prophecy shall refer to its own intrinsic claims. We shall consider, then, 1. The grandeur of the subject. Prophecy—what is it? To prophecy is to foretell events yet hidden in the womb of futurity. Prophecy discloses to us God's thoughts about the future—my future—man's future—the world's future. How many will listen to the conjectures of clever men; but when God delivers prophecies, how few diligently hearken! This is ungrateful and unwise; for, in revealing to us the future, God treats us with peculiar grace and confidence, and discloses to us what intimately concerns ourselves as well as his own glory. "We are prospective as well as retrospective creatures; and prophecy is the nourishment provided for part of our nature." The subject of divine prophecy is wonderful, whether we consider its Author, the instruments employed, the various methods of communicating it, or the lofty themes dwelt upon. Prophecy displays God's foreknowledge; and, in studying it, we are brought into communion with himself. Prophecy spans all time, and reaches forward to the ages of ages. It takes in a large portion of the world's history, and contains the most accurate records extant of the mightiest nations. It is a map of the journeyings of God's church; a description of all her enemies throughout all ages. It clearly reveals the triumph of God's people, and the destruction of his foes. 2. The glory of the chief theme of prophecy demands for it our reverent study. The first note of the prophetic harp ("the seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent"), being interpreted by other oracles, means that "the eternal Son of God shall become man, shall suffer, die, and triumph in his own person, shall save those who trust in him, and reign together with them forever." Almost the last note of the tuneful harp is, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Prophecy without Jesus is a body without life. He is the inspirer of all prophecy. It is a beautiful, refreshing, instructive shadow, cast from Him, the glorious substance. He pervades it. It is as full of Him as the living body is full of the animating soul. He is its glorious center. The first and second advents of our Saviour are the two centers round which prophecy revolves. He also performs it; prophecy fulfilling is Jesus acting. He opens the seven-sealed book, for he alone is worthy to do so; for this, he hath all power in Heaven and in earth. Prophecy fulfilled is Jesus manifested. This may be largely traced to his first advent, and present glory; and it shall be still more largely displayed when the day of the revelation of Jesus Christ shall come. Then when he appears, the Conqueror, the Bridegroom, the King, the Renovator, all the prophets shall do him homage as the great substance and fulfiller of their lofty predictions. (Acts iii, 21.) Then shall the minuteness and magnificence of prophecy be seen; and those holy men "who searched what and what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow," shall, when they stand in the midst of that glory, see the amazing fullness of their own predictions. If these things are so, it follows, that to neglect prophecy is to overlook part of the glory of Christ, and to do this, is to grieve the Holy Spirit, and to rob our own souls of much that ministers to the joyfulness of hope. 3. There are special promises to encourage believers to study prophecy. That book which, above all others,186has been perverted or neglected, is specially commended to our attention, and a promise is made to those who humbly study it; "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the word of prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein, for the time is at hand." (Rev. i, 3.) Let not the taunts of even good men who may charge you with presumption, discourage you from prayerfully reading this blessed book, so sublime, spiritual, and solacing, to the observance of which, God has attached a special blessing. There may be in it many things which you cannot understand; but as others, besides learned astronomers, may be benefited by gazing on the midnight heavens, so you, though the simplest believer, shall not study this book in vain. There you shall see the glory of Jesus; the interest which he takes in the concerns of his church; the absolute certainty of the triumph of that righteous cause so dear to you; and these themes and thoughts shall awaken reverent feelings, and rejoicing hopes. Here is a blessing for the devout student; and some one has well said, that "we are none of us so rich as to be able to afford to lose a blessing." We should also observe, that in the passage of Peter recently quoted, it is said, "that unto us the prophets did minister the things which are now reported unto you." Thus we are taught that we, who live under this present dispensation, are the special heirs of the prophecies, and particularly of the revelation of the glory of Christ and his church, which they unfold. 4. The utility of prophecy is an argument for the earnest study of it. The present age is considered to be an eminently practical one; we wish that, in the best sense, it was more worthy of the name. There is certainly a disposition to inquire concerning systems and theories, "What is their use? what shall we gain by them?" Prophecy will abide this test far better than many other studies and pursuits upon which much time and energy are expended. We have divine authority for this assertion. "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 day-star arise in your hearts." (2 Pet. i, 19). Prophecy is here called "a light." Light is beautiful and beneficial; it discovers, directs and cheers; it is the favorite Scripture emblem to set forth knowledge, joy, and purity. True, light is mysterious in its origin and nature; whether it is matter or motion, the learned cannot tell us; but we do not despise it because we cannot comprehend it, nor refuse to use it because we fail to define it. Let us act thus as regards prophecy. The world is dark; ignorance, sin, error, and misery abound. Reason and philosophy cannot guide us through the present, or animate us by revealing the future. Prophecy can and doth perform both these kind offices for us. We have to traverse a dark wilderness; oh! for a Heaven-lit lamp, to be to us that which the cloudy pillar was to Israel! We have to navigate a dangerous ocean, abounding with rocks; oh, for a beacon light, by its friendly glare to reveal our danger, and to point to the desired haven. Clouds and darkness are sometimes around our Father's throne; oh! for a ray to pierce them, to tell us that his name is Love, and that he overruleth all things for his own glory and our good. Prophecy is that friendly lamp, that beacon light, that teaching ray, "whereunto," it is expressly declared, "we do well to take heed." 5. The commendation bestowed upon a prophetic student of old, and the honors heaped upon him, should stimulate us to study. Daniel, the man "greatly beloved," was a devout, prayerful, and practical student of prophecy. He stands out in glorious contrast with Balaam, through whose gifted mind a flood of heavenly light rolled, but left him still in darkness. Behold Daniel on his knees, studying the prophecies of Jeremiah (Dan. ix.); listen to him, how he pours out his full heart in penitential confession and wrestling supplication; nor did he plead in vain. The angel Gabriel was caused to fly swiftly, with the following cheering message: "O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. . . . Thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter and consider the vision." (Dan. ix, 22, 23.) A similar declaration was made to him afterward: "Fear not Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words," (chap. x, 12); "I will show thee that which is noted in the Scriptures of truth." (Verse 21.) These testimonies prove the approbation and delight with which God contemplates those who humbly and devotionally "set themselves to understand the truth." We may not expect an angel to fly swiftly to us with some commending word, but we may expect the presence and teachings of Him by whom holy men of old spake, and concerning whom Jesus said to his disciples, "He shall show you things to come," and, in so doing, teach, comfort, sanctify you, and glorify me. The last glance we get of Daniel in the sacred word, is fervently desiring more light concerning the future. "I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?" (Chap. xii, 8.) Though it was not the will of God then fully to answer the question, or to reveal those things which were "closed up and sealed to the time of the end," yet still some information was given, and the divine complacency in Daniel was discovered by the consoling promise with which the book closes: "Go thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." 6. The peculiar times in which we live, furnish an argument for the study of prophecy. What wonders have been wrought, how many prophecies have been fulfilled, and how many new predictions given, since the time of Daniel! And now, "the time of the end" is drawing near. The last days will be "perilous times." Then will be the season of rapid fulfillment of prophecy; the time when the energy of Satan and the power of God will be both put forth in an unprecedented manner. We have seen extraordinary events occur in our times, and these events have attracted some degree of attention to prophecy, and led men to ask, "What will be next?" There is reason to believe that all we have seen is "but the ripple compared with the breaker." There is great danger when there is a lull in the storm, lest men relapse into greater forgetfulness. The skillful mariner does not look merely at the waves just around his vessel; his practised eye sees the storm in the distance, and he prepares accordingly. But how shall we be prepared for coming events unless we study the book of prophecy, in order to "discover the signs of the times?" It is the duty of the church to warn the heedless world of the approaching storm, as Noah warned the ungodly of the coming deluge; but how can she do so, unless she reads her commission, and is "moved with fear," even as Noah was? Such testimony may not be welcome, but it must be borne. Just before the first destruction of Jerusalem, there were many who cried, "Peace, peace; the temple of the Lord are we." But, one sorrowful-hearted weeping prophet was constrained to contradict them all, and to announce the speedy coming of the desolating storm. He was despised, ridiculed, and imprisoned; but still his words were verified; and that very prophet hath said, "Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain on the wicked. The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart; in the latter days ye shall consider it." (Jer. xxx, 23, 24.) May we all consider it before it comes, and then, being found in Christ, we shall escape all these things which shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man. (Luke xxi, 36.) And let us bear in mind, that to us as well as his disciples, Jesus says, "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things." (Mark xiii, 23.) Such are some of the reasons why prophecy should be diligently studied.—John Cox.