WHY STUDY PROPHECY?
By Dr. David L. Cooper
Biblical Research Monthly
January-April, 1954
(First article)
"8 Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. 9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God and there is none like me; 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; 11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it" (Isa. 46:8-11).
"12 Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in remembrance to these things though ye know them, and are established in the truth which is with you. 13 And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me. 15 Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance. 16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: 18 and this voice we ourselves heard borne out of heaven, when we were in the holy mount. 19 And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. 21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit" (II Pet. 1:12-21).
* * *
God knows all things-from the beginning of time to the end thereof-as the passage from Isaiah, chapter 46, quoted above shows. of course, he knows all that has occurred in the past and all that will come to pass throughout eternity in the future. It is important for us to recognize the fact that he is omniscient, as well as omnipresent (Ps. 139 ).The passage quoted from second Peter presents the scriptural interpretation of the transfiguration scene recorded in Matthew 17:1-12. God has granted to the prophets visions of our Lord's reign upon the earth when he returns at the end of the tribulation. The Apostle Peter said that what had been revealed to the prophets was shown to James, John, and himself when Jesus was transfigured before them "in the holly mount," As recorded by the Evangelists. The Apostle therefore said that "we have the word of prophecy made more sure," to which we do well to take heed as unto a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawn, "and the daystar arise" in our hearts. From these two quotations we see that omniscience lies back behind the revelation which God has given us, and which has been delivered to us for our profit and benefit.
There are many reasons why we should study the prophetic word, but in this investigation we shall note only 12 of them.
Ministers are to preach the Word
" I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his Kingdom: 2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will reap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. 5 But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfilled by ministry" (II Timothy 4:1- 5). From this passage we see that Paul charged Timothy, the young evangelist, in the sight of God end of the Lord Jesus Christ to preach the Word, being urgent in season and out of season. This exhortation means that Timothy was charged to preach the entire Word-not simply portions of it. This charge is in the same category as the one which the Lord gave to Jeremiah, found in Jeremiah 26:2,3: "Thus sayeth Jehovah: Stand in the court of Jehovah's house, in speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in Jehovah's house, all these words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word. 3 it may be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way: that I may repent me of the evil which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings."
Note the fact that God urged Jeremiah not to diminish one word, but to deliver the entire message. The Word of God is inspired. God gave the thoughts and the very expressions by which those ideas were to be conveyed to the people. It is not for any of us to decide to omit one portion of the Word and to emphasize something else. The Apostle Paul reminded the elders of the church at Ephesus, who met with him at Miletus, that he had preached the Word to them. The aged Apostle Paul set forth this principle with reference to the truth. Hear him: "18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time, 19 serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews; 20 how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:18-21).
The ministers of the gospel are God's Ambassadors to men. It is incumbent upon them to proclaim the entire message of God to the people. When we ministers of the Word come before God to give an account of our stewardship, we Shell wish then that we had followed the example of Paul, Jeremiah, and the other prophets of God-if we have been discrediting certain portions of the Word and omitting other portions of it.
Various Types of Literature Found in the Scriptures
In the five books of Moses we have history, law, and ritualism, as well as some prophecies scattered here and there. In Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther we have history, with a few prophecies interspersed here and there in the narratives. The books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the songs of Solomon are recognized as wisdom literature. This section of the Word is of most importance to the child of God today who wishes to be found in the center of His holy directive will. In In the books of the Major and Minor prophets we have predictions-that which is usually termed predictive prophecy. Of course, there are a few historical references, but they are so very few that for all practical purposes we think of them as prophecy.
When we come to the New Testament, we find that the first four books are largely historical. Of course, there are sermons or discourses here and there that deal with doctrine and prophecy. In the letters to the various churches we find largely doctrine and practical matters discussed. Also, in the pastoral epistles we find special instructions for ministers of the Word and warnings against the evils with which ministers are confronted. Very frequently the doctrinal matters are tied up with some aspect of prophetic truth, which gives the proper perspective for said instructions. The generally Epistles likewise deal with doctrinal and practical matters, with a few prophecies here and there. The New Testament Canon closes with the Book of Revelation, which is entirely prophetic-with the exception of the 7 short letters to the seven churches, found in chapters 2 and 3.
From this rapid glance at the various types of literature constituting the entire Bible, we see that there are different aspects of the truth throughout. No one of the types of literature can be omitted without the Christian's suffering therefrom.
Between One-fourth and One-third of the Bible Devoted to Prophecy
I have heard statements by different ones from time to time to the effect that practically one-third of the Bible is devoted to prophecy. It was hard for me to take this in until I began to investigate for myself. Anyone can go through his Bible and determine that for himself. In my edition of the Bible (American Standard Version, 1901 ed.) there are 922 pages in the Old Testament and 285 in the new, a total of 1207 pages. In the Old Testament there are, in rounded numbers 324 pages devoted to prophecy. In my making this statement I am taking into consideration the fact that the book of Psalms is practically all prophecy, with the exception of Psalm 119 and some short Psalms that deal with devotional material. The bulk of the Book of Psalms, however, is prophetic. I have therefore deducted six pages, because Psalm 119 is not prophetic. I have likewise deducted the number of pages devoted to the book of lamentations. But when we add the pages of the Book of psalms devoted to prophecy, and the Major and Minor prophets, and when we count the number of verses in the Old Testament scattered throughout the historical portions of the Word and make an estimate of the number of pages of these prophecies, we come to the conclusion that there are approximately 324 pages of the 922 in the Old Testament devoted to prophecy.
In the New Testament there are 285 pages by an actual count of the verses scattered throughout the New Testament and by adding to these the entire Book of Revelation, we find that 38 pages of the New Testament are devoted to prophecy. Thus we see that we have approximately 362 pages in the old and new testament's that are devoted to prophecy-362 of the 1207 Pages of the entire Bible . Hence, between one-third and one-fourth of the Bible is devoted to prophecy.
Since we are urged to preach the Word "in season and out of season," and since around one-fourth Of the book is devoted to prophecy, we must preach prophecy, regardless of all circumstances! No minister can be wholly true to God if he omits the study and the preaching of prophecy. But there are many people who are opposed to the teaching of this subject. Anyone who opposes the preaching of this phase of the word of God is diametrically opposed to the will of God, since God said "preach the word," and since so much of it is devoted to prophecy. My dear brother minister, I beg you from the depths of my soul that you consider seriously these facts, and if you have not been preaching the prophetic word, by God's grace and help, study it and give the people that which God wants them to have.
We Must Teach Prophecy if We Are to Preach the Simple Gospel Message
No minister can preach adequately John 3:16 who does not preach some little phase of prophecy. "16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life." Whoever believes on Christ shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. If the one who is doing the preaching is faithful to the text, he must explain the significance of the term "perish" and in what sense the unbeliever shall perish. Moreover, he must know what "eternal" life is. This involves prophecy. Thus, no man can preach even John 3:16 who does not preach some phase of prophecy. Furthermore, if a minister is laboring under the Great Commission, he must preach prophecy: "18 and Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, all authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go Ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world" (Matt. 28:18-20). All ministers of the gospel accept this Commission as their authority for preaching the gospel. Of course, there are other records of the Great Commission besides this one. Here, however, we are told that the ministers of the word must preach the gospel and baptize those who accept the message. Jesus commands the converts to observe all things whatsoever he has commanded. The disciples are to continue this program "even unto the end of the world"- consummation of the age. No man can tell the people why he is preaching, unless he preaches prophecy. He has to tell what is meant by "the consummation of the age," when it comes, what is its significance, and what will follow it. There are many questions that arise concerning the end of the age, and that can be answered correctly only by one who studies the prophetic portions of the word the same as he does any other part.
Observing the Lord's Supper Involves the Subject of Prophecy
In Matthew 26:26-29 we have the Evangelist's account of the institution of the Lord's Supper. Concerning drinking the fruit of the vine Jesus said: "I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until the day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom" (VS. 29). This prophecy has a definite, specific meaning. Jesus tied it up with the observance of this memorial supper. The statement of our Lord is to the effect that he will never again partake of the supper until he does it anew in His Father's Kingdom. The one who officiates at the observance of the Supper must know what this language means, if he is to tell the people what Jesus meant. To those who have studied prophecy, it is apparent that he is talking about the great Kingdom Age when he will return to establish his Kingdom upon the earth. Then There will be an observance of the Supper in a new and special manner. This same event is recounted in Mark's record (14:22-25). In the last verse of the passage in mark Jesus stated that he would not drink of the fruit of the vine, "until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." When the Kingdom of God comes, he will drink it in a new manner. But let it be noted that he will drink the fruit of the Vine at that future time. The students should read carefully and study Luke's account of the last Passover supper have found in Luke 22:14-20. If a minister is to give the significance of the Supper, he must explain what is meant by Christ's drinking the fruit of the vine new in the Kingdom-when he returns. In order to observe the Lord's Supper properly and scripturally and to give the correct teaching thereof, a person must understand the biblical doctrine concerning the Kingdom of God-the kingdom of the Father that will be established when our Lord returns.
One Must Teach Prophecy if He is to Teach, for Instance, the Book of Matthew.
A glance at the book of Matthew shows that much of the material therein in devoted to prophetic themes. Herewith is a list of passages of prophetic significance which occur in the book of Matthew:
3:1-12; 6:9-15; 8:11,12; 10:22; 11:20-24; 12:41,42 13:36,43, 47-50; 16:27-17:13; 19:28-20:16; 24:1-25:46 and 28:19,20.
This list is only approximate. There are numerous other passages that are not listed here, that deal in a measure with prophetic matters. If one is to teach the book of Matthew, and every minister should teach it and all the Bible, he will have to teach all of it, or none at all. If he is to be faithful to God, he cannot slur over and dodge the prophetic elements in the Word. There is no authority in the Word of God for our passing by anything that is taught therein.
List of Prophetic Scriptures in the Rest of the New Testament
In addition to the prophetic passages referred to as being found in Matthew, the following scriptures dealing with prophetic matters appear in the remaining books of the New Testament:
MARK 8:38-9:13; 9:41-50; 131-37.
LUKE 1:51-55, 67-79; 2:25, 31,32; 9:28-36; 10:12-15; 12:31-48; 14:12-24; 17:20-37; 19:11-27; 21:1-36; 22:14-20, 28-30.
JOHN 14:1-14
ACTS 1:6-11; 2:15-36; 3:19-26; 4:24-38; 13:47; 15:13-18.
ROMANS 8:18-25; 9:25,26,29; 11:1-32; 14:10,11.
I CORINTHIANS 1:8; 3:10-15; 4:1-5; 6:1-4; 15:20-28; 35-58.
II CORINTHIANS 4:16-5:11.
EPHESIANS 1:10,11.
PHILIPPIANS 1:6; 3:20,21.
I THESSALONIANS 1:9,10; 3:11-13; 4:13-5:11.
II THESSALONIANS 1:3-10; 2:1-12.
I TIMOTHY 4:1-3; 6:13-16.
II TIMOTHY 3:1-5; 4:1-4.
TITUS 2:11-14.
HEBREWS 1:5-13; 2:5-12; 12:18-29.
JAMES 5:1-6.
II PETER 3:1-13
I JOHN 2:18; 3:2,3.
II JOHN 7,8
JUDE 7,14
BOOK OF REVELATION.
This list of course does not include every prophetic utterance in the New Testament. There are many predictions that occur in only a word or two, that are tied up with other doctrines which have been omitted from this list. A glance at Luke, for instance, shows that there are 144 verses devoted to prophecy. In Acts there are 38; in Romans, 25; in first Corinthians, 49, etc.
Quotations from the Old Testament appearing in the New should be studied in the light of the original setting.
There are forty-six quotations taken from the Old Testament appearing in Matthew alone. These passages should be studied in their original setting in order to be understand. Many of them refer to things still in the future and hence are prophetic. After they are studied in their original setting, they should be examined in the light of their New Testament application. If the New Testament situation to which they are applied does not fill out the picture found in the original prophecy, we may know that that to which it is referred in the New Testament is simply an application-a limited or partial fulfillment. The passage therefore awaits its full an exhaustive fulfillment in the future. In view of these facts it is quite evident that he who studies any book of the New Testament containing quotations from the old must study prophecy in order to get the message of the New Testament. The study of prophecy is necessary for the proper understanding of the New Testament.
In view of the facts presented above, the minister who desires to stand approved before God must teach prophecy, if he teaches anything. The prophetic word is interwoven with every phase of doctrinal teaching throughout the New Testament, as well as in the Old Testament. We are commanded to teach the Word. Since we cannot preach the gospel, nor even observe the Lord's supper, nor study most any of the books of the Bible without coming upon certain predictions, in order to be faithful to God, we must preach prophecy with all portions of the Word, giving the scriptural emphasis to each biblical doctrine. Let us at the same time guard ourselves against becoming lopsided on any teaching and over emphasizing it.
(Second article)
In the former article of this series we saw that God commands us to preach the Word-all of it. Since about one-fourth of the Word consists of predictive prophecy, the minister, in order to be true and faithful to God, must preach this part of the Word along with the rest of the Scriptures. Since prophecy is interwoven with many narratives, in both the historical and doctrinal portions of the Word, he must teach prophecy in connection with all other portions of the Bible. He must give the same emphasis to it as it has in the divine revelation. We dare not add to nor subtract from what is written.
In this, the second article of the series, we shall examine three other reasons why we should study and teach prophecy.
Prophecy Reveals the Future
All the New Testament writers realized the great importance of prophecy in teaching and in the lives of the people of God. During Paul's short visit to Thessalonica, which included only three Sabbath days, he taught the raw recruits from heathenism the doctrine of the deep things of prophecy. Had it not been profitable for them in their newly found faith, certainly the Apostle would never have taught them as he did. But, as we learn from II Thessalonians 2:5, he reminded them that he had taught them prophecy, when he first visited them. Though he spent less than a month with them, he led them to the Lord and built them up in the most holy faith by telling them of the deep things of prophecy, along with all doctrinal themes.
To the Hebrew Christians of the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Peter proclaimed the coming of the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, together with his majestic power. This is set forth in by II Peter 1:16-21: "16 for we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His Majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, and when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: 18 and this voice we ourselves heard borne out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 and we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. 21 for no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men speak from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit."
In this passage Peter assured these brethren that, in making known to them the coming and the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, they (Peter, James, and John), did not follow "cunningly devised fables," but that they had been eyewitnesses of Christ's royal glory. When were they eyewitnesses of His power and coming? The Apostle answers the question in verse 17 by declaring that they were eyewitnesses when they "were with him in the holy mount " (II Peter 1:18 )-The Mount of transfiguration. From Peter's utterances we see that the significance of the transfiguration was the making known to the three apostles the power that will be exerted when Christ comes, and the details connected with His advent. Of course, in the Old Testament, visions of Christ's coming in power and of His taking over the world situation into His own mighty hands were granted to various prophets. Hence, the Apostle Peter says that he and His associates had the message regarding His coming confirmed to them by their personal experience with Christ at the time of the transfiguration. "And we have," said Peter, "the word of prophecy made more sure; Whereunto ye do well that he take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts."
The Christians are urged by the Apostle to take heed to the prophetic word, just as one who is in a dark place must take heed to the light that comes forth from a lamp shining. Whenever anyone is in a dark place, he cannot see what to do or where to go. But whenever there is reasonable illumination, regardless of the darkness, he can see where he is and where to go. Just as we cannot dispense with light in the night, so we cannot dispense with the prophetic portions of the word. God has put them in his revelation in order that they may throw light upon the pathway of life for us, as we walk in the midst of the darkness that is round about us: "the whole world lieth in the evil one."
Peter urges the believers to continue paying heed to the prophetic word "until the day dawn, and the day-star arise" in their hearts. In this passage we are represented as being in the darkness of night. But the day will come when our Lord Jesus Christ returns, who is indeed the Light of the World; therefore, we are to wait for the dawning of the day, but in the meantime we are to give heed to the prophetic word. In his Speaking of the day and it's dawning and the day-stars arising in our hearts, we see that Peter is talking of spiritual things in terms of the literal night and day. When a person gets up before day, he can see the gray streaks of dawn appearing in the eastern skies. If the sky is clear the day-star can be seen, shining brightly, just before the sun rises. Whenever, therefore, anyone sees the gray streaks of dawn on the eastern horizon, and the morning star shining, he can know that these are heralding the soon-coming of daylight and the rising of the sun. In a manner analogous to this the Christians can recognize -asserts the Apostle-these appearances, or the harbingers, of the perfect day and the rising of the "day-star," not in the heavens but in our hearts. What is meant by the dawning of the day? It is the indication of the nearness of the coming of the Lord. By the rising of the "day-star" is meant the conviction, the assurance, which God will put in the hearts of his people that the Lord's coming for his Saints is shortly to come to pass. The ancient worthies of God had witness borne to them that they were acceptable to God. A like assurance will be created in the hearts of true believers by the Spirit of God, bringing conviction that will be unmistakable, and that will point definitely and positively to the fact that the Lord's return for His saints is very close at hand. These thoughts seem to sum up that which is set forth in a pictorial manner by the Apostle in II Peter 1:16-21.
We are to continue, declares the Apostle, to study prophecy, and to get all the light that we can from it until there appear the infallible signs of the dawning of the day, and the assurance of the Lord's coming for us is created in our hearts. Thus we are to study the word of prophecy because it throws light upon life's pathway. If for no other reason, this one is sufficient to cause everyone who is born again to want to know what the prophetic word says.
Prophecy Enables the Christian to Adjust His Program to Fit God's Plan
That the study of prophecy enables the child of God to adjust his program so that it may fit into God's plan is beautifully illustrated by the account we have of the sudden appearance on earth of the three heavenly messengers and their visit with Abraham. The record is found in Genesis, chapters 18 and 19. In the heat of the day as Abraham was sitting in the door of the tent, there appeared suddenly three strangers. Abraham went out to meet and greet them and to receive them into his humble dwelling-doubtless a tent of goats hair. Two of the visitors were angelic beings. The third one was the Angel of Jehovah, the Lord Jesus Christ in his prenatal state. After Abraham had entertained them, the two Angels departed and went to Sodom, while the Angel of Jehovah remained behind and talked with him. In the conversation the son of God revealed to the patriarch the divine intention of destroying Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the Plain-because of their wickedness. Immediately, Abraham thought of his selfish nephew, Lot, who had elected to settle down in Sodom, notwithstanding its wickedness and corruption. The destruction of these cities was, according to divine announcement, imminent. Although Lot had taken advantage of the magnanimity and the generosity of his uncle Abraham, in selecting the Plains of the Jordan for his future home, Abraham forgot all about this incident and the injustices that had been perpetrated against him by Lot's herdsmen, and he began to pray in behalf of Lot, that the latter might be delivered from death. He was thinking about Lots welfare instead of about any wrongs or injustices that had been done to himself.
The Lord did not want to destroy any righteous ones in the doomed cities. His revealing his plan and purpose to destroy the cities was a virtual invitation to Abraham for him to pray in behalf of his selfish nephew-for his deliverance. Abraham rose heroically to the occasion, praying earnestly that the Lord would spare the city if only a certain number of righteous people were dwelling there. Though there were not even the finally specified 10 righteous ones for whose sake the Lord said he would not destroy Sodom, Abraham's prayer availed; for the Angels who went to destroy the cities could not put forth their hands until Lot and his family had departed out of the doomed city of Sodom. Thus Abraham cooperated with God and his prayers became effectual. He thus cooperated with the Lord when he learned the almighty's plan and purpose with reference to his selfish nephew.
Jesus recognized the same fundamental principle in the following passage: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; That whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you" (John 15:13-16).
Prophecy Enables a Person to Evaluate Properly All Material Things
In Psalm 49 we have a clear presentation of the worthlessness of material goods. The psalmist asserts that
"6 They that trust in their wealth,
and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7 none7 can by any means redeem his brother,
nor give to God a ransom for him;
8 (for the redemption of their life is costly,
and it faileth forever;)
9 That he should still live alway,
that he should not see corruption" (vss. 6- 9).
It appears that men, when they begin to accumulate some of this world's goods, lose sight of the spiritual side of life and magnify the power and worth of material things.
Only the fool and brutish men and women will place extreme value upon such things and live accordingly. The psalmist tells us that
"they call their lands after their own names,"
and act as if they expected to live forever. In doing this, they are showing folly.
All men who are not redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ are appointed, as the psalmist says for Sheol:
"14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd: and the upright shall have Dominion over them in the morning;
And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume,
that there be no habitation for it.
15 but God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol;
For he will receive me" (PS. 49:14,15).
The unsaved die and go to Sheol, asserted the psalmist, and their beauty is consumed there. On the other hand, those who are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and who lived from Adam to the death of Christ, died and went to Sheol, but they had the assurance that they would be brought back from that place. This promise was fulfilled when our Lord died on the cross, went down into Sheol, seized the keys of death and Hades, opened up the apartment where the saved were incarcerated, brought them forth, and took them on to glory. But the rest were left in Sheol. From there they will be brought before the judgment of the great white throne at the end of the Millennium and will be banished into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth or ever.
Prophecy tells us, not only about life and how to live for God, but also how to die, and what is the destiny of man throughout all eternity. Thus prophecy is of inestimable value in enabling us to see how to evaluate things of material nature properly.
The Lord Jesus Christ, in Matthew 16:21ff., showed that he would go to Jerusalem, be ill-treated, crucified, and slain, but would rise again on the third day. Having presented this teaching that he would suffer and die, he said to his disciples: "if Any man would come after me let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 for whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 for what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his life? 27 for the son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his Angels; And then shall he render to every man according to his deeds" (Matt. 16:24-27).
The soul is of more value than all the wealth of the entire world of all the ages. For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Or what will the man give in exchange for his soul? Only in the light of the prophetic word can man properly evaluate the things of life.
(Third article)
In the first of these studies we noted that between one-fourth and one-third of the scriptures is devoted to prophecy. Since men are commanded to preach the Word, and since prophecy is a portion of the Word, they are therefore commanded to preach prophecy. No one can be faithful to God who omits this great section of the holy scriptures. In the second article we saw three more reasons for studying, teaching, and preaching prophecy: (1) It reveals the future to the people of God so that they can know what to do and how to act in certain emergencies; (2) it enables the Christian to adjust his program to fit the plan and purpose of God; (3) it enables the Christian to evaluate properly material things-in the light of spiritual values.
As we contemplate the study of prophecy, let us remember what the Lord said in regard to why he made known the future. Through Amos the Prophet he declared: "Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, except he reveal his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). Concerning the general revelation of God the psalmist declared:
"He showed with his word unto Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances unto Israel."
In connection with these quotations it is well for us to remember what the Lord Jesus Christ said to his immediate disciples: "14 Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants; For the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; For all things that I heard from my Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:14,15). In the light of these utterances we can see how very, very important it is that we study and pass on to others anything and everything that the Lord has given to us.
In this study we shall look at four more reasons which the Lord had in mind in giving us the prophetic word.
Prophecy Is to Show the Path to Follow and the One to Avoid
"13 enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14 For narrow is the gate, and straightened the way, that leadeth unto life and few are they that find it" (Matt. 7:13,14). According to this statement of the Saviour the narrow way leads to life everlasting; but the broad way leads downward to everlasting destruction and condemnation. As we study the prophetic word, we see that much of prophecy deals with these two roads through life. Along the path which Christians are to travel are dangers and pitfalls. They must therefore be warned of these lest they fall into some of the snares of the Devil.
Jesus Foretold his Ignominious Death
Jesus chose the twelve disciples and trained them to carry on the work which He had begun, after He should depart and return to glory. Six months before His departure He began to tell His disciples that He would go to Jerusalem, would be mistreated there by the religious authorities, and finally would be crucified, buried, and rise again on the third day. Why did He tell them about these things? Obviously, it was to fortify them and to prepare them for the events when they did occur. The Lord Jesus saw that it was necessary for Him to give them thorough warning so that the shock of the events would not, figuratively speaking, "floor" them. Thus prophecy was a kind of "shock absorber," which relieved them of the feeling of suddenness and the overwhelming character of the disappointment that the crucifixion would have been to them had they not known it.
The Book of Revelation Given to Point Out the Two Roads Through Life
The final book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, was definitely given to throw light upon the path which the Christian is to select, and the one which he is to avoid, in Revelation 1:3 we have this language: "Blessed it is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."
A special blessing is held out to the one who reads, and to those who listen to the reading of this book, and to those who keep the things that are written therein. In this verse a special blessing is offered to those who become acquainted with the Book of Revelation, and who carry out its precepts. Such promises are not held out to anyone for reading and observing the things that are found in other portions of the word-although a blessing is to be obtained by the reading and the doing of the things found in the rest of the Word of God. An examination of chapters 2 and 3, the epistles to the seven churches that were then in existence in the little province of Asia, indicates that the path which these churches were to take was clearly pointed out. At the same time, they were shown the road that they were not to take. Throughout these 7 letters the prophetic word is held up as a torch, or the light, by which these two roads were to be seen. As a further example of the principle under consideration, let us notice that we have a full account in chapter 13 of the beast, the Antichrist, who will dominate the entire political situation in the end time. During the first half of the tribulation-especially the very first part of it-idolatry will be the order of the day, but soon the world-wide revival will break forth and will sweep around the world during the first half of the tribulation. In the middle of this period of judgment the Antichrist becomes intolerant toward every religion or form of worship, except that which exalts him. He will demand, therefore, that all people, in order to have any commercial relationships whatsoever, will take his name, or the number of his name, on the forehead or right hand. In order to make a living, or to carry on commercial relationships with others, people will take the mark, or the number, of the Antichrist as he commands. To do this will incur the wrath of the Almighty God. The Lord, therefore, tells what will come to those who sell their birthright of eternal life for a bowl of pottage. This is a warning of such gravity that I give it in full: "9 and another Angel, a third followed them saying with a great voice, if any man worshippeth the beast and his image, and receiveth the mark on his forehead, or upon his hand, 10 he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 and the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; And they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:9-12).
I could cite other and innumerable illustrations that would make plain the point under consideration, but these should suffice to show that prophecy points out the way in which one should go and the way in which he should not.
Prophecy Explains Life to the Saints
A passage showing the importance of this phase of the subject is II Corinthians 4:16-18: "Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. 17 for our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; But the things which are not seen are eternal." This passage shows us that life is a progression, a development, a growth. Just as there is growth and development in the plant kingdom, so also is there the same progress in the spiritual realm. As one grows, and as the years pass over his head, there should be a steady growth and development of the spiritual man. The various experiences which we have through life are all designed to bear upon our spiritual development.
The thought that all of our experiences through life are used of God in the development of the soul as it is being prepared for the life beyond is beautifully expressed by Browning in the following stanza from Rabbi Ben Ezra:
"Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in his hand
Who saith, 'a whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all,
nor be afraid!'"
Prophecy Weans People Away From the Material Things of Life
All people, including Christians, are walking largely by sight and not by faith. Whenever such is the life of a person, he naturally yields to and is influenced by his environment. We are, as Tennyson has said, a part of all we meet. That is, everyone and everything with which we come in contact has more or less an influence upon us. Since, then, we are dealing with material, transitory things, naturally these things have a great influence upon us. The majority of people pass through life under the delusion that the material things are the things which, after all, are of great value. The majority of people do not look at the spiritual side of life. Only a vision of the real world, the world of the spirit which is beyond this life, can wean people away from being enamored by earthly, material things.
Paul Caught Up to the Third Heaven
The Lord spoke out of the blue, appearing to the Apostle Paul as he was on the way to Damascus. The purpose of his appearance to Paul was to make him a minister and a witness of the things which he had seen and experienced, and the things where in Christ would afterwards appear to him. The Lord had to give him a vision of himself and of spiritual realities in order to show him the superiority of spiritual and eternal values above temporal matters. It took the brightness of the vision and the personal contact with the Lord Jesus Christ and the vision of spiritual realities to open the eyes of this great, intellectual giant, and to prepare him for the ministry which he later so very faithfully fulfilled. Something like 15 or 20 years after his conversion the Apostle Paul in vision was caught up into the 3rd heaven and saw things which were not lawful for him to utter. The purpose of this second vision was that he might see further the spirit realm and recognize the glories of the eternal world, and that he might come back to earth and assure the people of God of the wonderful future which lies out before them. When this great Apostle saw these visions and came face to face with the Lord Jesus, everything else in the world paled into insignificance in comparison with the spiritual realities that are to be ours throughout all eternity.
John's Vision of the Eternal Order
In Revelation, chapters 21 and 22, we have recorded the vision which was granted to John, of the eternal order. After the millennial reign of our Lord, at the judgment of the great white throne (Rev. 20:11-15), the present material order will pass out of existence. After the judgment of the great white throne has been completed, God creates the eternal order, which will consist of the eternal heavens, the eternal earth, and the eternal Jerusalem which comes down out of the eternal heavens and rests upon the eternal earth. It will be in this eternal Jerusalem, the city Foursquare, that all the saved from the present earth will be with God and with Christ forever and ever. The glories of the eternal order are far beyond the wildest flight of fancy of the one who has the most fertile imagination. When a person really catches a vision of the eternal order, of the blessings that will be there for all who are saved, he thinks very little of trying to lay up treasures on earth. On the contrary, he heeds the admonition of the Savior who said: "keep on laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
Thus it is by the vision of the spirit world, which will endure throughout all eternity, that people get their bearings and are given a motive that will be an incentive for faithful, true work during this short period on earth.
Prophecy Is Given to Comfort the Bereaved
Life is full of disappointment and heartaches. The Christian has his share of them. In fact, the Apostle Paul said that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Everyone who takes a stand with and for the Lord Jesus Christ becomes immediately a target for Satan's attacks. The closer one lives to Christ, the more will be-as a rule-his troubles, trials, and difficulties. If a person does not have these, Satan will soon see to it that he does. He will bring many things about to discourage the faithful child of God.
The Message of Jesus to His Disciples
Immediately after the observance of the Last Supper our Lord foretold his tragic death. He informed his disciples that where He was going, they could not then go, but later on they could. Peter, as he usually did spoke up and wanted to know where the Lord was going, and why he could not go with Him. He was more than confident that he would even die for the Lord, if necessary! The disciples were made sad by the announcement that Jesus was going, and that they could not go along with Him. Thus He comforted their hearts by telling them of that eternal Jerusalem that is to be our home forever and ever. No sweeter words are to be found in the Scriptures then those spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ to his sorrowing disciples upon that sad occasion: "Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. 2 in my Father's House are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; For I go to prepare a place for you. 3 and if I go to prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; That where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go, you know the way. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; How know we the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but buy me" (John 14:1-6).
The Message of the Apostle Paul to Believers
When Paul wrote his first epistle to the Thessalonian believers, some of them had already passed away. Their relatives who were Christians were bereaved and distressed by the fact that they had gone on, and that the Lord had not already returned for His saints. In order to comfort the hearts of those who had suffered the loss of loved ones, the Apostle wrote the following concerning the coming of the Lord for His saints, "13 but we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 for this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in nowise precede them that are falling asleep. 16 for the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; 17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 wherefore comfort one another with these words" (I Thess. 4:13-18).
We who are on the side of the Lord Jesus Christ and know him are on the winning side. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose. To depart this life and to be with Christ is far better than remaining here. Let us, therefore, use the prophetic elements of the Word of God to cheer and to comfort the hearts of the bereaved in times of trial and difficulty.
(Fourth Article)
In the preceding articles of this series we have examined certain phases of the subject, "Why Study Prophecy?" In the present discussion I shall call attention to only four more reasons for studying prophecy, though there are many others that might be mentioned. These four, however, with those already discussed will suffice to show the importance of our studying the prophetic portions of the Word the same as all other parts of the Scriptures.
Prophecy Has a Purifying Effect in the Lives of People Who Study and Believe the Prophecies
In order that we may see this phase of our subject, let us turn to I John 3:1-4: "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. 3 and everyone that hath this hope set on him purifeth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Everyone that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness."
In this passage John declares that everyone "that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." This is in perfect alignment with what the Lord Jesus said in his Olivet Discourse. In Matthew 24:32-44 He showed that His coming for His saints will precede the Tribulation. He therefore urged us that, since we do not know the day nor the hour when the Son of man will come for the saints, we should be ever ready. Following this exhortation, he gave the parable of the faithful servant and of the unfaithful one. This parable is to illustrate two attitudes which we may take toward the rapture: That of the wise servant who did not know when his master would return, but who was vigilant all the time during his Masters absence, being engaged in a faithful rendition of service for his master. When his Lord did return, he appointed him over his goods. On the other hand, the evil servant showed his unfaithfulness and untrustworthiness by not expecting his Lord to return anytime soon. In fact he said to himself, "My lord tarrieth." When he took that attitude, he let down in his moral, spiritual, and ethical life. He became a drunkard and became intolerant toward his fellow servants. When this servant's lord came and found him in this condition, he appointed his portion with the hypocrites, where "there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth."
Again, the purifying effect of the blessed hope of the Lord's coming for His saints is reflected in the parable of the ten virgins. This parable illustrates the proper and correct attitude toward the Lord's return and the improper one. But the latter is different from the attitude manifested by the unfaithful servant. The wise virgins were looking momentarily for the return of the bridegroom. They therefore took oil not only in their lamps, but also in their vessels. Hence, they had a sufficient supply to last them in the event the bridegroom did not return anyways soon. On the other hand, the five foolish virgins practically set the time for the bridegroom to return, because they took oil in their lamps only and made no provision for a long, hard wait. Of course that was an incorrect attitude for them to take.
But we can see that, when people are looking for the Lords appearance (not knowing the day nor the hour), such an expectant attitude will affect their lives in a practical way. As John said, the blessed hope of the Lord's return for His saints is a purifying element in the life of the Christian.
Prophecy Thrusts People Out Into Labors More Abundant for the Lord
People are saved by the grace of God through faith. Works do not enter, in any way whatsoever, into the formula for Salvation. This truth is clearly seen by a careful reading of Romans, chapter four. Salvation is either of grace, all of grace, or it is of works. There is no middle road for one to take. There is no such thing as mixing law and grace. It is either all of law, or all of grace.
Men and women are to be rewarded according to their works. Rewards therefore are something in addition to salvation. The reward which one has depends entirely upon what he as a child of God, in the power and energy of the Spirit of God, performs in the Masters service. Our Lord, in speaking of his return in Matthew 16:27, declared: "for the son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds." This statement is in perfect accord with that which was made by the Apostle Paul and I Corinthians 5:10: "For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; That each one may receive the things done in the body, according to that which he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
The parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) and the parable of the pounds (Luke 19:11-28) show that men are to be rewarded according to their works. The former of these parables emphasizes the fact that God wants quality in service rendered; the latter lays stress upon the fact that he desires quantity. We must build upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord, durable material, that which is represented by gold, silver, and precious stones. We are to avoid building upon it hay, wood, or stubble—perishable material. The hope of a reward is indeed a strong incentive to service. When the motive of rewards is eliminated from a program, there is no incentive to strive for excellence or for quantity.
Prophecy Corrects False Teaching Concerning Future Events
One of the strong incentives which causes the people to study prophecy is that they might understand accurately what God has said and not be led astray by false teachers and wild, unscriptural theories.
At the present time there is much being said on prophetic subjects that is contradictory to all sound reason and scriptural teaching. People who believe in the Bible as the Word of God naturally want to know what God says about the future. They have a right to know, since He has revealed much regarding it in the Scriptures. They look into the prophetic word to discover, if possible, the answer concerning various matters in which they are especially interested. The greater the uncertainty grows, as we approach the end of the age, the greater will be the demand for those who believe the Scriptures, and who know the Lord Jesus Christ, to study the Word that they might know what the scriptures teach. They want to know the truth regarding these matters in order that they may know how to live and act, and in order that they may help others to see the truth regarding the matters in hand. The average thinking Christian, who does not have the opportunity of attending a Bible institute or Bible college where prophecy is correctly taught, will sooner or later consider prophetic themes. If they cannot get the truth from the pulpit of their own church, they will go where they think that they can get it. In the majority of instances, they are led off into some off-color sect or fanatical group. History attests to this fact. A person looks through the centuries and sees that there have been many earnest souls who have sought for answers to questions concerning the future. But a survey of the literature written on the prophetic themes shows a great diversity of opinions on all subjects that pertain to prophecy.
Why is there such a diversity among prophetic students? An examination of the literature reveals that, unfortunately, most students of prophecy have failed to recognize the fact that there are certain definite, specific, logical principles that governed the prophets in their utterances. Whenever these are ignored, people are bound to make mistakes and to teach false conclusions. An exegesis of the prophetic word is unreliable unless it is based upon sound, fundamental principles of prophetic investigation.
In my study of prophecy I emphasize four rules that are indispensable if the expositor is to arrive at correct conclusions. The first is the absolute necessity of seeing exactly what the text says. The students should note every word, phrase, clause, and sentence. He should learn the relation that exists between all sentence elements. He should also observe the relation between sentences in order to have all the facts properly related. In other words, he should get what it said in the text!
The second rule is the Golden Rule of Interpretation which states: "When the plain sense of scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise." If a person follows this rule, he will never go wrong. If he fails to follow it, he will never go right. He will always go wrong.
The third indispensable principle is called the "Law of Double Reference" Or "Double or Manifold Fulfillment of Prophecy." This rule invariably governed the prophets and the psalmist in many of their utterances concerning the future. I might illustrate it in the following manner: A picture is thrown upon a screen by means of a stereopticon lantern. We enjoy looking at it. Presently we notice that the picture begins to fade; The dim outline of another begins to appear. By the time the first has completely disappeared from the screen, the second one is in full view. Thus the first picture blends into the second. We can understand such a presentation. That is exactly what the prophets and the psalmists, and also the Saviour and the Apostles when they spoke prophetically, did on numerous occasions. A failure to recognize this law causes untold confusion and misunderstanding.
The fourth rule that is also absolutely essential for the proper understanding of the prophetic word is what is known as "The Law of Recurrence." This principle involves the recording of an event and the repetition of the account which gives added details. This principle may be illustrated by the artist who, in painting a portrait, does what is called "blocking out" at the first sitting, that is, he puts on canvas the general outline of the person whose portrait he is painting. At the second and subsequent sittings he adds details and brings out more clearly those features which he only partially put in at the first sitting. Thus there is a filling in of details at subsequent settings. The prophets frequently gave outlines of situations and afterwards added details and enlarged upon certain features mentioned at first.
If the prophetic student would only follow these and other fundamental, basic principles in the study of the prophecies, he would arrive at sane, sound, sensible interpretations and avoid many harmful, erroneous, and misleading conclusions.
The minister, the Bible teacher, and the pastor, in order to protect his flock and to guide them aright, must know prophecy. There is no excuse, as I see it, why any minister of the Word should not study and teach the prophetic scriptures. Many, unfortunately, seeing the mistakes that others have made and wanting to avoid making the same, or similar ones, pass by the prophetic portions of the word entirely. By their avoiding the study and the discussion of prophetic themes, they are failing their people, who have a right to know what God has said on prophetic themes.
There are off-color groups today who are praying upon the flock of the faithful, fundamental, conservative pastors. When the orthodox, evangelical churches fail to give the people the prophetic message, many of their people—having a thirst for God, a longing for a closer walk with Him, and a desire for a clearer knowledge of his plan and His purposes—forsake the true, faithful churches, and go into these off-color organizations. These faithful churches and ministers therefore owe it to the great masses of the people to study and to give forth the prophetic message. By so doing, they counteract the evil, baneful influence of these off-color sects and groups.
Prophecy Furnishes Us Unto Every Good Work
"Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work" (II Tim. 3:16,17).
In this passage the Apostle declares that the Sacred Scriptures furnish the man of God and make him complete unto every good work. If we avoid and do not use certain parts of the word of God, to the extent that we omit any portions of it, we are to that extent depriving ourselves of being furnished completely unto every good work. Every book in the Bible was written for a definite, specific purpose: in order to furnish, or make its contribution, to the spiritual life and activity of every child of God. Whenever, then, I neglect any book in the Scriptures, I am, to that extent, depriving myself of divine assistance and failing to be prepared unto every good work. For example, no person, regardless of all circumstances, is prepared unto every good work if he does not know the message of Genesis. The same thing is true if he does not understand the message of the Book of Revelation, of Isaiah, or Psalms. This principle applies to each book of the Holy Scriptures.
Surely every Christian wants to be "complete, furnished completely unto every good work"!
May the Lord stir our hearts by the considerations that have been presented in this series. And may we study the entire word of God with but one thought, and one alone: to know the will of God, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else, that we might, by his grace and help, conform our lives thereto.
END OF SERIES