Principles in Prophetic Interpretation—No. 2

III 

"We are to see in history the fulfillment of prophecy, to study the workings of Providence in the great reformatory movements, and to understand the progress of events in the marshaling of the nations for the final con­flict of the great controversy."—"Ministry of Healing," P. 442.

This and much more that is written (see "Counsels to Teachers," pp. 379, 380; "Educa­tion," pp. 176-180) would indicate that the understanding and interpretation of the prophecies is to be found rather in the large movements and transitions in the general course of the history of the nations, than in the minutia of obscure records of compara­tively insignificant events or persons. Nor does this imply indolence or superficiality in study. On the contrary, diligent study that will put all the powers of the mind to the stretch will be required to grasp the great principles under­lying the outworkings of God's providences, leaving little time or inclination to engage in fruitless, hairsplitting debate over unimportant details or theories.

One tendency that surely needs to be guarded against and positively curbed, is that of at­tempting to lay out the precise course that particular powers will take in the developments that are yet future. Certain nations and their course of action seem to be indicated quite clearly, and the final outcome of the conflict is depicted with a certainty that is most reas­suring. But there is much that is not revealed concerning the details of the intervening time and the precise part that certain countries, combinations, or persons will play, regarding which fanciful speculation and prognostica­tion would better be left unattempted. There is a certain questionable vogue among some of our denominational writers, manifesting itself in adopting the popular style of secular magazine feature writing, discussing political affairs between the nations, and then clothing it with a religious air by quoting a text or two at the close. The liberty taken in interpreting, in the columns of denominational journals, the motives and intentions of certain leading na­tions, in these days of intense national feeling, could easily lead to the closing of our work in such lands, with attendant embarrassment, de­nominational loss, and even personal danger to our missionaries. In fact, instances of this kind have already been reported. Literary ventures that cannot but cause injury to the pride and patriotic feelings of other nationals seem utterly uncalled for, and are foreign to the spirit of the gospel commission. And it is hard to see wherein they contain anything calculated to save souls or to stimulate interest in our foreign missionary program.

Both the teachings of Christ and the Spirit of prophecy are markedly free from anything of this nature. Indeed, the very words of the Saviour regarding predictions of things in the . future would seem to discourage the attempt to outline positively just the manner in which the fulfillment would come. "Now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe." John 14:29. The passing of time, with its unfolding events and developments, is still the great dissolver of the problems of prophetic interpretation.

This study must not close without ac­knowledgment of deep gratitude for the un­tiring efforts of devout students of prophecy who have sunk deep their shafts into the mines of prophetic truth. By them trails have been blazed that beckon us on to further adventure in the search for truth. They have given us principles of study whose soundness and re­liability have been tested.

A volume in the writer's possession, entitled "Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chro­nology, Selected From Manuscripts of William Miller," put out by Joshua V. Himes as early as 1841, contains several pages of "Rules of In4terpretation" and "Explanations of Pro­phetic Figures" that helped at that time. The Review and Herald in 1888 and 1889 ran a long series of studies by D. T. Bourdeau on "Principies by Which to Interpret Prophecy." Others to whom tribute is due are Uriali Smith and S. N. Haskell. All later works on the proph­ecies produced by this denomination owe much to the former's "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation," which must still rank as peer in its field. By this we do not, of course, mean that it is final or faultless. While in minor points there may be positions taken that have not been borne out by subsequent develop­ments, the marvel is that so much of what these pioneers wrote has stood the test of the most critical examination, and that the great pillars of the structure of doctrinal and pro­phetic teaching begun by them remain unmoved after the passing of decades crowded with the greatest changes and transitions of social and political history.

May we as their spiritual posterity continue to be guided by the living Spirit of eternal truth, and press on with courageous, fearless, yet humble and honest endeavor toward the day when we shall no longer "know in part" and "prophesy in part," when "that which is perfect is come," and when "that which is in part shall be done away."

Angwin, Calif.