Three years ago an International Congress on Bible Prophecy convened in the city of New York. A few of us attended at that time, reporting the meeting in the February issue of THE MINISTRY, 1953. Another such prophetic congress has just concluded. It too was held in New York City and at the same church—the Calvary Baptist church on 57th Street. Some of the same speakers were present, but a number of new voices were also heard during this intensive week of prophetic studies.
Comparisons are not easy, but the opinion expressed many times was that this recent congress exceeded in spiritual power and analytical content the gathering of three years ago.
Viewed from the angle of our historical interpretation, apocalyptic studies by those who hold the futuristic view are naturally disappointing. But it was interesting that there were fewer speculative and fanciful interpretations at this convention than were heard at the previous one. And despite occasional differences of viewpoint, there was a wholesome spirit of good will on the part of those attending, especially the leaders, which revealed the real experience of Christianity.
Those of us from the General Conference, with A. S. Maxwell from the Pacific Press, were well known at least to those in charge. But nevertheless we were made very welcome. Our association with these students of God's Word three years ago gave opportunity for some of them to become better acquainted with our work and our beliefs. Many times during these days, and after chatting with these men and becoming aware of their genuine interest in us, we reminded ourselves of the clear counsel given to us over and over again by the messenger of the Lord, that we should seek to draw near to the ministers of other faiths and that this would result in great good. But our slowness to follow that counsel and the consequences of our neglect are all too evident.
The Pulse of the Congress
A report of this congress appears on page 11 from the pen of L. E. Froom. In it he sets forth convictions shared by those of us who were privileged to be present throughout these meetings. To be able to feel the spiritual pulse of a convocation of this kind as well as to enjoy the Christian fellowship thus afforded; to have the opportunity of fraternizing with leaders from various denominational backgrounds while enjoying the results of their earnest searching of the prophetic Word—these are the things that assure us of the truth that God has indeed a faithful remnant scattered throughout the many churches of Christendom.
The earnest devotion on the part of all was impressive. These church leaders had come together not to discuss finance or to revise plans or policies. Far from it. In fact, there were no committees set up to bring in reports, for this was not an administrative council. Nor was it a council of any one particular church group, but rather an interdenominational gathering to study what the Word of God has to say on such great issues as Our Lord's Imminent Return, The Conflict of the Ages, Satan's Final Challenge for World Ruler-ship, The Place of the Jew in the World of Tomorrow, The Incomparable Christ, The Blessed Hope and Holiness of Life, The Crown Rights of the Crucified, et cetera. The congress theme was indicated in the slogan "Understanding the Times," which appeared on a sign right above the pulpit. "To assess the prophetic significance of the present hour and to clear the theological atmosphere, which of late has been showing a tendency to condense around some vital junction point of eschatology" —this was the stated objective of the congress.
Eight regular preaching or study sessions were held each day, with an additional hour for illustrated lectures—nine sessions in all every day! Truly an assignment! Yet never once did we see anyone reading a newspaper or a book during any portion of any meeting. Moreover when one service ended another began, and began at once. There was perhaps a hymn or a solo and a prayer, but no break—three meetings in a row, morning, afternoon, and evening. There was no doubt about the earnestness of these people. And preparedness for our Lord's return was the dominant note at these meetings. As one of the speakers emphasized, if we would be really ready for that tremendous event, then it would be well to study the brief record of Noah, who was concerned far more with the message of the coming Flood than he was about the happenings of the life around him. The righteousness and grace of God and the coming judgment on that generation was the all-absorbing thought of his life. And such must be our attitude if we are to meet the mind of God for His children in this generation. That surely sounded like good Adventist admonition.
As we have already mentioned, there were some references to futuristic interpretations of prophecy. And these left some things to be desired. But such studies were few by comparison. Like the apostle Paul, who declared that while some preached Christ in one way and some in another, and some preached Him even in contention, yet he could rejoice in one thing at least, and that was that Christ was being preached; so we too could say that though some presented prophecy in one way and some in another, and some in an obviously erroneous way, yet we could rejoice that our Lord's return was being presented to the people and His claims brought home to human hearts.
This was not a gathering of liberal theologians where doubt was thrown upon the trustworthiness of certain Scriptures. On the contrary, this group represented perhaps the strongest leadership among fundamentalist theologians.
Preparing to Meet Christ
Unlike the World Council of Churches at Evanston, held during August, 1954, this prophetic congress was not concerned about the building of a world church. Its main burden seemed to be how to bring the gospel of Christ to the Jews and all who know it not that they too might be ready to receive Him with joy at His coming.
It seemed regrettable to some of us that there was little opportunity for the discussion of various points. But the purpose of these addresses was to stimulate thought and encourage personal study. And after such presentations as Dr. Wilbur Smith's daily study on the Conflict of the Ages, one was content to retire to his hotel room in order to digest the tremendous amount of spiritual food served by this outstanding student of the Word.
One of the many outstanding features of this congress was the entire absence of any derogatory reference to us as a people.
And that was all the more interesting because some were there who until recently had been bitter enemies of Adventism and had for years opposed both our work and our doctrines. But today some of these are stanch friends and have shown a keen interest in our work, and especially in our beliefs, realizing that we have been often seriously misunderstood. The causes for these misunderstandings we will deal with at a later time. As is often the case, one can be his own worst enemy.
But today great opportunities are before us. We must pray God for the preparation of heart and mind to meet the need of this great hour. We have been assured that when the Holy Spirit is poured out in power and the latter rain ripens the harvest of the earth, many who for years have consciously opposed our work will stand with us, proclaiming the fullness of the everlasting gospel. In anticipation of that, let us as ministers and workers humble ourselves before God, pleading a clearer revelation of our Lord, His divine Person, His absolute sovereignty, His all-atoning sacrifice, His matchless love, His long forbearance with a Laodicean people, and finally the climaxing vision of His ultimate rulership. Such perceptions of our Lord and Saviour will produce in us a spirit of true humility. It was a new vision of the exalted Christ that prepared the disciples for the Pentecostal outpouring of the former rain. And nothing less will prepare God's people for the latter rain.
R. A. A.
