The importance and purpose of Bible Prophecy

Transcription

1 The importance and purpose of Bible Prophecy 3points to consider regarding Bible Prophecy 1. sure word of Prophecy 2. Take Heed 3. the experience we need through Prophecy 1.sure word of Prophecy 2 Peter 1:19-21 King James Version (KJV) 19 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: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 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. Prophecy is not a private interpretation prophecy comes from God, God used men who represented him and where moved by the Holy Ghost to reveal. There are times that we would like to know what God has not revealed and we are warned about in Acts 1:7 Acts 1:7 King James Version (KJV) - 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. Deuteronomy 29:29 King James Version (KJV) - 29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

2 So it s very clear that the things we should study are the things which God has revealed through the sure word of prophecy and avoid speculations and men s ideas concerning what God has not revealed Lift Him up, Page 114, compare Scripture with Scripture, April 10 We are so thankful that we have a sure word of prophecy, so thatnone of us need be deceived. We know that there are heresies and fables in our world at the present time, and we want to know what is truth. It becomes us to search carefully for ourselves that we may gain this knowledge. We cannot do this with a mere reading of the Scriptures, but we must compare scripture with scripture. We must search the Scriptures for ourselves, so that we shall not be led astray; and while many may be led astray because there are all kinds of doctrines in our world, there is one truth. Many may come to you and tell you that they have the truth, but it is your privilege to search the Scriptures for yourself. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. We must be acquainted with the Scriptures ourselves, that we may understand the true reason of the hope that is within us. {LHU 114.2} The apostle tells us that we are to give to every man that asks us a reason of the hope that is within us, with meekness and fear. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. It is not enough to merely read, but the Word of God must enter into our hearts and our understanding, in order that we may be established in the blessed truth. If we should neglect to search the Scriptures for ourselves, that we may know what is truth, then if we are led astray, we are accountable for it. We must search the Scriptures carefully, so that we will know every condition that the Lord has given us; and if we have minds of limited capacity, by diligently searching the word of God we may become mighty in the Scriptures, and may explain them to others... {LHU 114.3} God has a challenge Isaiah 43:9-11 King James Version (KJV) 9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

3 10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. Isaiah 44:6-8 King James Version (KJV) 6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. Isaiah 45:5-6, 8-12, King James Version (KJV) 5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. 8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. 9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

4 10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth? 11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. 12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. 18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. 19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. 20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. 21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. from the passages we have read we can clearly see that God says that there is no other God he is the only God. God then also shows them by his claim what he has done.

5 Isaiah 46:5 King James Version (KJV) 5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? here God raises an interesting claim and also Asks a question Isaiah 46:5 King James Version (KJV) 5 To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? Isaiah 40:25 King James Version (KJV) - 25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. God is saying whom can we liken him, who is equal to him and you can we compare him too Also if we that God actually declares the end from the beginning Isaiah 46:9-10 King James Version (KJV) 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 the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Isaiah 42:9 King James Version (KJV) - 9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. God has a challenge for the other god s let s look at the challenge

6 Isaiah 43:9 King James Version (KJV) - 9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Isaiah 41:21-23King James Version (KJV) 21 Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. 22 Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. 23 Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together. God challenges the other gods to declare the future Example of people that claim they tell the future Daniel 2:2King James Version (KJV) - 2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. magicians, astrologers,sorcerers and chaldeans References from the Book Gems from Daniel by Patrick M Jones The Magicians. The magicians practiced magic, using the term in its bad sense; that is, they employed all the superstitious rites and ceremonies of fortunetellers, and casters of nativities, and the like. Smith, DR, 29. The Astrologers.

7 Astrologers were men who pretended to foretell events by the study of the stars. The science, or the superstition, of astrology was extensively cultivated by the Eastern nations of antiquity. Smith, DR, 30. Astrologers did not claim to worship the heavenly bodies as gods, but only as the representatives of the gods who revealed their will and secrets. They built up an elaborate system of superstitions regarding the meaning of lunar eclipses according to the months in which they occurred. Bunch, BOD, 16. The Sorcerers. Sorcerers were such as pretended to hold communication with the dead. In this sense, we believe, the word sorcerer is always used in the Scriptures. Smith, DR, 30. Spiritism had its origin in Babylon. Bunch, BOD, 16. The [sorcerers] professed to be able to produce magic spells. The Mosaic law pronounced the death penalty upon those who practiced this black magic. 4SDABC, 767. A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:27 The Chaldeans. The Chaldeans here mentioned were a sect of philosophers similar to the magicians and astrologers, who made natural science and divinations their study. Smith, DR, 30. The Chaldeans were the great philosophers and wise men of the Babylonians. They were the leaders of all the groups. They were the professors who had taught Daniel and his fellows the sciences and languages of their order. Bunch, BOD, 16. Those are some references from the book gems from Daniel regarding what the specific roles are of those who claim to know the future

8 Daniel Chapter 2 1.verse 1 to 5 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. 2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. 3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. 4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. The king s dream is forgotten The king knew that if they could really tell the interpretation, they could tell the dream as well. The Lord had in His providence given Nebuchadnezzar this dream, and had caused the particulars to be forgotten, while the fearful impression was left upon his mind, in order to expose the pretensions of the wise men of Babylon. (the sanctified life {SL 34.3} ) 2. Verses 6 to 12 6 But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. 7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.

9 8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. 9 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof. 10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. 11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. 12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. the inability of the wise men to unable to give the Interpretation of the dream is exposed The historic events related in the king s dream were of consequence to him; but the dream was taken from him, that the wise men by their claimed understanding of mysteries, should not place upon it a false interpretation. The lessons taught in it were given by God for those who live in our day. The inability of the wise men to tell the dream, is a representation of the wise men of the present day, who have not discernment and learning and knowledge from the Most High, and therefore are unable to understand the prophecies. The most learned in the world s lore, who are not watching to hear what God says in His word, and opening their hearts to receive that word and give it to others, are not representatives of His. It is not the great and learned men of the earth, kings and nobles, who will receive the truth unto eternal life, though it will be brought to them. {FE 412.1} 3.verse And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

10 14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: 15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. 16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. 24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. 25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. 26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

11 27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. 30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. 31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. 32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, 33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. 34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. the crisis comes to Daniel the man of GOD and Daniel goes earnestly before GOD and GOD reveals the dream to Daniel and he was able to stand before the king and give the Interpretation of the dream to the king. 2 Peter 1:20-21 King James Version (KJV) 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 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.

12 Hearing of this decree, Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon Daniel and his fellows, and the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. As he related the facts, the dream came fresh to the king s mind, and the interpretation was given, showing the remarkable events that were to transpire in prophetic history. {FE 411.1} Dream Interpreted Verse Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. 39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

13 Babylon to 539 Reference texts Daniel 2:32-32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, Daniel 2:37-37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. Daniel 2:38-38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. Daniel 1:1 - In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

14 Medo-Persia 539 to 331 BC Daniel 2:32-32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, Daniel 2:39-39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. Daniel 5:30-31 King James Version (KJV) 30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. Greece 331 to 168 BC Daniel 2:32-32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, Daniel 8:3-3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

15 Daniel 8:5-5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. Daniel 8:7-7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. Daniel 8: The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Rome 168 BC to 476 AD Daniel 2:33-33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.

16 Further study to learn more regarding Daniel and revelation Revelation resources 1. Daniel and Revelation from Uriah Smith 2. Gems from Daniel and Gems from Revelation by Patrick M.Jones Let s go back to our key text 2peter 1:19 2 Peter 1:19 King James Version (KJV) - 19 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:

17 1. sure word of Prophecy 2. Take Heed 3. the experience we need through Prophecy 2. Take Heed when we see Prophecy fulfilling we should take heed. If we are going to take heed we need to consider something regarding Prophecy. Question what can help us to take heed when we study Bible Prophecy? 1 Chronicles 12:32 King James Version (KJV) - 32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. Answer time is connected with Prophecy here we see that the men of Issachar were men that had understanding of the times so they know what Israel ought to do. Question does knowing what to do have any connection with knowing the time? Answer - Yes Illustration from the book Coming events and crisis at the close by w.d frazee Suppose I wake up in the night not knowing what time it is. Do I know what to do? It may be time to get up. It may be time to turn over and go back to sleep. What do I do? I look at my watch. Otherwise, I might find myself coming down for breakfast at one o clock in the morning. Or I might miss an appointment by going to sleep when it s time to get up.

18 Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, Page 24 It is the very essence of all right faith to do the right thing at the right time. 6T 24.3 as we study Prophecy we should know how to take heed and when we know the time we should know what to do Romans 13:11 King James Version (KJV) - 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Question - why does Paul say it is time to wake up? Answer because we know the time Brothers and friends we can clearly see that once again as we study Bible Prophecy we should know how to take heed, when we know the time we should know what to do. As we near the close of this world s history, the prophecies relating to the last days especially demand our study. The last book of the New Testament scriptures is full of truth that we need to understand. Satan has blinded the minds of many, so that they have been glad of any excuse for not making the Revelation their study. But Christ through His servant John has here declared what shall be in the last days, and He says, Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. Revelation 1:3. { Christ object Lesson COL 133.2) Let s go back to our key text 2peter 1:19 2 Peter 1:19 King James Version (KJV) - 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light

19 that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 4. sure word of Prophecy 5. Take Heed 6. the experience we need through Prophecy 3. the experience we need through Bible Prophecy WHY DANIEL & REVELATION GO TOGETHER Daniel, written in the sixth century BC, and Revelation, written at the end of the first century AD, contain some of the most important visions and dreams to be found in the Bible. All of the visions are prophetic and contain a train of events that occurred from the days they were written to the last days. There are many similarities to be found in these two books. In fact, Revelation explains and complements the book of Daniel, in just the same way that the New Testament does to the Old Testament. This unity of thought between two different writers over six hundred years apart is remarkable and can only be explained by the common source of inspiration the Holy Spirit working on the minds of two men consecrated to God. What are some of the similarities between these two books? The blessing that introduces the reading of Revelation (1:3) and concludes the reading of Daniel (12:12) indicates the intention to couple the vision of John precisely with that of Daniel. Doukhan, DVE, 56. Daniel and John had the same experience. Daniel was one of many captives from Israel in the Babylonian empire. John was one of many Christian prisoners in the Pagan Roman empire. For their faith in God, both were persecuted. Daniel was thrown into the den of lions, John into a pot of boiling oil. Both came out alive. Both lived to a great age. Both were beloved of God. Both communicated with the angel Gabriel. Both saw Jesus on the Sabbath day. See Dan. 10 and Rev. 1. Both Daniel and Revelation mention the same prophetic time period the 1260 days. Daniel mentions it two times in two prophecies and John mentions it five times in three prophecies for a total of seven times! It must be important! God gave both Daniel and John visions that used the same symbols! Notice:

20 God gave both Daniel and John visions that used the same symbols! Notice that we find the symbols of a lion, bear, leopard, and ten horns used in both Daniel 7:4-7 and Revelation 12:1,2. Notice also, that if you add up the number of heads and horns they are the same! 7 and 10. There are two wings of an eagle used in both Daniel 7:4 and Revelation 12:14. Even when the same symbols are not used, there are similarities. There is an interesting and very important connection between both books in their identification of the last persecuting power on Earth the anti-christ. The little horn of Daniel 7 and the beast of Rev. 13:1-10 have identical characteristics! So necessary is it that these two books be studied together is seen by the fact that the book of Daniel is symbolized in the book of Revelation as a little book open. Daniel had been told to seal up his book (after being written) until the time of the end (John was specifically told not to seal his book of Revelation, and no other book of the Bible was ever closed up or sealed.) But John saw that the book of Daniel would be opened in Rev. 10:2. In 1798, this historically happened. God s people saw the fulfillment of the 1260 day prophesy and began to study the portion of Daniel that had yet been unfulfilled the 2300 day prophecy of Daniel 8:14. Proof that the little book is indeed the book of Daniel is seen in the fact that it is only after John eats this once closed (but now open) little book, that all the symbols and imagery from the book of Daniel explode into the book of Revelation even those same time periods! BOTH DANIEL AND REVELATION ARE VITAL FOR GOD S PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND. Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers by Ellen G White, Chapter 3 Daniel and Revelation must be studied, as well as the other prophecies of the Old and New Testaments. Let there be light, yes, light, in your dwellings. For this we need to pray. The Holy Spirit, shining upon the sacred page, will open our understanding, that we may know what is truth... There is need of a much closer study of the word of God; especially should Daniel and the Revelation have attention as never before in the history of our work. We may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy; but we should call attention to what the prophets and apostles have written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit has so shaped matters, both in the giving of the prophecy and in the events portrayed, as to teach that the human agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in Christ, and that the Lord God of heaven and

21 His law are to be exalted. Read the book of Daniel. Call up, point by point, the history of the kingdoms there represented. Behold statesmen, councils, powerful armies, and see how God wrought to abase the pride of men, and lay human glory in the dust... The light that Daniel received from God was given especially for these last days. The visions he saw by the banks of the Ulai and the Hiddekel, the great rivers of Shinar, are now in process of fulfillment, and all the events foretold will soon come to pass. Consider the circumstances of the Jewish nation when the prophecies of Daniel were given. Let us give more time to the study of the Bible. We do not understand the word as we should. The book of Revelation opens with an injunction to us to understand the instruction that it contains. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, God declares, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. When we as a people understand what this book means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival. We do not understand fully the lessons that it teaches, notwithstanding the injunction given us to search and study it. In the past teachers have declared Daniel and the Revelation to be sealed books, and the people have turned from them. The veil whose apparent mystery has kept many from lifting it, God s own hand has withdrawn from these portions of His word. The very name Revelation contradicts the statement that it is a sealed book. Revelation means that something of importance is revealed. The truths of this book are addressed to those living in these last days. We are standing with the veil removed in the holy place of sacred things. We are not to stand without. We are to enter, not with careless, irreverent thoughts, not with impetuous footsteps, but with reverence and godly fear. We are nearing the time when the prophecies of the book of Revelation are to be fulfilled... We have the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy. Priceless gems are to be found in the word of God. Those who search this word should keep the mind clear. Never should they indulge perverted appetite in eating or drinking. If they do this, the brain will be confused; they will be unable to bear the strain of digging deep to find out the meaning of those things which relate to the closing scenes of this earth s history. When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart. The Lord will bless all who will seek humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the Revelation. This book contains so much that is large with immortality and full of glory that all who read and search it earnestly receive the

22 blessing to those that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation that the connection between God and His people is close and decided. Testimonies to Ministers, pp ; Faith I Live By, p METHODS OF INTERPRETATION When the Bible was restored to God s people at the beginning of the Reformation (1517 AD), there was almost universal agreement among the Reformers that the anti-christ was papal Rome the woman drunken with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus (Rev 17: 6). This is because the prophecies were interpreted historically. HISTORICISM is method of interpretation that believes that from John`s day, there has been a chronological fulfilment in history of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. This commentary is based on Historicist principles. In the ranks of Historicist commentators are such illustrious names of the past as Wycliffe, Martin Luther, John Knox, Newton, John Wesley, etc. The Historicist Interpretation is based on fulfilled prophecy in following it we tread the solid ground of accomplished facts. Prophecy is history foretold. History is prophecy fulfilled. With the books of Daniel and Revelation in the one hand and the History book in the other hand, we are able to confirm the chronological fulfilment of the events foretold in these prophetic books. The main reason why there is now so much confusion about these two books today almost 500 years since the Reformation first began stems from the fact that there are two other schools of interpretation now being used. 1 PRETERISM This school interprets on the principal belief that all fulfilment of Revelation is past. 2 FUTURISM This school believes that chapters 4 (or 6) to 22 of Revelation are still awaiting fulfilment and that Daniel s 70th week and is still future.

23 How did these different ways of seeing come about? Joseph Tanner, the Protestant writer, gives this record: So great a hold did the conviction that the Papacy was the Antichrist gain upon the minds of men, that Rome at last saw she must bestir herself, and try, by putting forth other systems of interpretation, to counteract the identification of the Papacy with the Antichrist. Accordingly, towards the close of the century of the Reformation, two of the most learned doctors set themselves to the task, each endeavoring by different means to accomplish the same end, namely, that of diverting men s minds from perceiving the fulfilment of the prophecies of the Antichrist in the papal system. The Jesuit Alcazar devoted himself to bring into prominence the preterist method of interpretation... and thus endeavored to show that the prophecies of Antichrist were fulfilled before the popes ever ruled at Rome, and therefore could not apply to the Papacy. On the other hand, the Jesuit Ribera tried to set aside the application of these prophecies to the papal power by bringing out the futurist system, which asserts that these prophecies refer properly, not to the career of the Papacy, but to that of some future supernatural individual, who is yet to appear, and to continue in power for three and a half years. Thus, as Alford says, the Jesuit Ribera, about AD 1580, may be regarded as the founder of the futurist system in modern times. [This theory was designed to throw dust in the eyes of the Reformers, who recognized the Papacy as Antichrist. Futurism was adopted and enlarged upon by J. N. Darby who organized the Plymouth Brethren around 1830 and it is sad to say that, today, a large body of Protestantism believes it.] It is a matter for deep regret that those who hold and advocate the futurist system at the present day, Protestants as they are for the most part, are thus really playing into the hands of Rome, and helping to screen the Papacy from detection as the Antichrist. It has been well said that futurism tends to obliterate the brand put by the Holy Spirit upon popery. More especially is this to be deplored at a time when the papal Antichrist seems to be making an expiring effort to regain his former hold on men s minds. Daniel and the Revelation, Rev. Joseph Tanner, B. A., pp. 16, 17. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1898.

24 The Historicist method of interpretation was the key to understand the Bible prophecies which brought about the Reformation and which will bring the Reformation to completion. Careful and prayerful study of Daniel and Revelation together will not only reward the student with a flood of light upon the whole Bible. Daniel and Revelation will also confirm the absolute Sovereignty of the Lord God in the affairs of both individuals and nations. The Word of God will truly becoming a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. Psalm 119:105. Great truths that have lain unheeded and unseen since the day of Pentecost, are to shine from God s word in their native purity. To those who truly love God the Holy Spirit will reveal truths that have faded from the mind, and will also reveal truths that are entirely new. Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God will bring from the books of Daniel and Revelation truth that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. They will start into action forces that cannot be repressed. The lips of children will be opened to proclaim the mysteries that have been hidden from the minds of men. The Lord has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the mighty. Fundamentals of Christian Education, p USE OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY The book of Revelation describes God s last day church as those that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12. A parallel verse describes them as those that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev. 12:17. The testimony of Jesus is identified as the spirit of prophecy in Rev. 19:10. The gift of prophecy is included in the gifts that God bestows on His church as prophesied in Joel 2, Ephesians 4. This gift was bestowed upon the Second Advent movement in the writings of Ellen G. White. This commentary holds that her writings are inspired, and are used to bring light upon the verses of Daniel and Revelation. She herself has said of her writings: I recommend to you, dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of your faith and practice. By that Word we are to be judged. God has, in that Word, promised to give visions in the last days ; not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth. Thus God dealt with

25 Peter when He was about to send him to preach to the Gentiles. (Acts 10.) Early Writings, p. 78. The final link between both books of prophecy is their single purpose. Daniel expressed it this way: My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Daniel 6:22. Because Daniel obeyed the Ten Commandments, he was innocent in both God s eyes (first four commandments) and in the king s eyes (last six commandments.) The same thought is expressed by John: Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12. The purpose of God in the prophetic books of Daniel and John is simply to save every one from sin. God wants every one on planet earth to be obedient to the ten commandments by the power of Jesus Christ through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. One thing is for sure God s last day church will participate in the fulfillment of the last portions of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. Today is the day of opportunity to be part of that remnant body of believers. It is vital that we correctly understand them to guide our steps aright.

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