things happen which are not in God’s directive purpose, but nothing occurs nor can occur which is outside of His permissive will. Satan has, through Adam’s defec tion, become the temporary tenant of earth’s estate; but God is still the Landowner. “ The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). Prophecy makes it abundantly clear that the rise and fall of nations are due to the providence and judgment of God. Why did the world kingdoms of Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome arise upon the horizon of history? It was because they were a part of the divine plan of the ages, and were predicted as such in Daniel 2 and 7. The study of prophecy reveals why nations have fallen into degradation and decay. God has often warned them, through the predictive Word, that divine judgment would fall if the call to repentance was ignored. Why did Nebuchadnezzar lose his mental balance, so that he was forced to leave his throne for seven years? It was be cause God predicted such a tragedy, on account of the king’s arrogant self-exaltation. Nebuchadnezzar found, through bitter experience, that “ the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will . . (Daniel 4:17). Why did Christ die upon the cross? It was in God’s plan of history since ancient times, before the world’s foundations were laid upon nothing. Thus, the student of prophecy rises above the smog of distorted views, and sees the events of history through the eyes of God.
the gigantic increase in false religious teachers and teachings. These things are predicted in the prophetic Word. He is warned of the course of this age in such passages as Matthew 13, Revelation 2-3, II Peter 2-3, and I Timothy 4. The rise and increase of the hedonistic approach to life, juvenile delinquency, and empty re ligious professions are predicted in II Timothy 3. The believer is enabled to formulate a sound basis for his purposes and procedures in today’s world as he studies the prophetic portions of the Bible. When we study the Scriptural doctrines of the things that shall be, our world outlook becomes properly bal anced; our attitude toward life becomes rightly ad justed. The Christian who understands what the Bible teaches about the future is both a pessimist and an optimist. He is pessimistic about the moral and spiritual progress of the world as a whole, for he knows that “ evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (II Tim. 3:13). He is pessimistic, too, about that outward unity of the Church which would seek to unite various bodies of Christendom organiza tionally, if and when there is lacking the inward unity of the Spirit so essential in realizing the blessing of God. For he knows that some day Antichrist will come, and blasphemously direct all religious worship toward himself (II Thess. 2:4). He is pessimistic about chances for a lasting world peace (although no one longs for it more than he) until the Prince of Peace shall have re turned to “ speak peace unto the heatjien” and institute His kingdom (Zech. 9:10). But the prophetically informed Christian is also an optimist. He is not blindly optimistic, but intelligently so. He is optimistic about the future bliss of the believer, for he reads that “ God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). A l though many hate the Bible and seek to destroy it, the informed Christian is optimistic about the future of the Book, since he realizes that it will never pass away (Luke 21:33). He is optimistic also about eventual world peace, for he reads that Satan, who causes wars, shall be bound a thousand years (Rev. 20:2), and that Christ “ shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15). The believer who is Biblically cognizant of the future is concerned for evangelism and missions, because he is certain that torment and eternal separation from God await those who reject Christ (Rev. 21:8). He is also concerned for the purity and usefulness of his own life, since he is aware that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Cor. 5:10), and that Christ shall return to receive us unto Himself (John 14:3). He does not wish to cling closely to this present world system, for he remembers, with John, that it shall soon pass away (I John 2:17). VIII. The Study of Prophecy Supplies the Finishing Touch to Every Bible Doctrine. No matter what area of doctrine we may study, we cannot understand that doctrine thoroughly unless we are students of prophecy. If one is examining the doc trine of demonology, he finds in the prophetic Word that Satan and the demons will be destroyed (not annihi lated) after they have served their allotted purpose. (Concluded on Next Page) VII. The Study of Prophecy Provides a Divine Perspective of the Last Things.
ALTOGETHER H IM (Phil. 3:10) There's a prayer my heart is pleading, More than all desires above. Not to understand all mysteries, Not alone to feel His love, Not to make all men take notice Of the talents I can show; But to know whom I've believed, M y dear Lord Himself, to know. M y great longing is for power. Only His, that I may know That whate'er my lips may utter, His own precious Word may go Deep into the heart I'm touching, With His resurrection power. How my heart is praying, longing, For His fulness, hour by hour! We've no message for our neighbor, For the foreign field, or friend, Unless truly we can know Him, And upon His strength depend. I do pray that my reflecting Of His Light, may ne'er grow dim. By His power, my message always Shall be altogether Him.
Mother Mac (F. McOUAT)
VI. The Study of Prophecy Provides a Divine Perspective of the Present Age. What is God’s purpose for the Church in this present age of grace? Is the Church to convert the entire world to Christ, or is it to engage itself in taking out a remnant for His name? W ill the many be saved, or the few? Should we work primarily for the renovation of society, or the regeneration of individuals? A proper study. of prophecy provides the answers to these and a host of other important questions. The Christian need not be surprised at the growing apostasy of Christendom, and
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