When on Monday night our four brethren, Apollos, James, Simeon and Bereus, had met around the study-table in the preacher's home, and after words of welcome and a prayer, Apollos opened the investigation, the eager interest of them all shone is their faces. Each of them had thought and studied in the interval, and their souls were kindled. "My first concern, brethren," began Apollos, "was to settle definitely and clearly that the study of the prophetic portions of God's word is legitimate. I think we shall not differ as to the conclusion. I have found that it is not only proper to study the prophecies but as to those portions in both the Old Testament and New Testament we are even exhorted by the Lord Himself to pay attention to them. In the first place they constitute a part of the word of God; and 'man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' Matt. 4:4. It is a part of Scripture, and it is written that 'Every scripture is inspired of God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.' 2 Tim. 3:16. 'Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.' Added to these general exhortations as to the use of God's word, we have some specific and direct injunctions not to neglect the prophecies. In 2 Pet 1:19 God says that we do well to take heed to the word of prophecy, as unto a light shining in a dark place until the Day star rise in our hearts. Again in 2 Pet. 3, verse 2, he reminds us to remember the foregone prophecies of the last days. The one prophetic book of the New Testament, the "Revelation," is introduced to us with a special blessing upon those who read, hear and keep it. (Rev. 1:3). That settles the question for me. Brother Bereus is quite right in his contention that the prophetic portions of God's book should receive due notice. I have been at fault in the matter. I must confess that I have but a child's knowledge of the word of prophecy."

      "Brother Apollos," said Simeon, "You have worked [77] arduously, and you have fed us on the fine wheat of God's word according to our need. You may censure yourself, but we have no censure for you. The practical problems of the daily life have pressed upon you, and you have given your time to them and met them manfully. I have not been under the same burden, and I have taken time to study the prophetic word in past years and have learned to love it above my necessary food. But I have learned this, which may be good for us all to know, that I have lost nothing in a practical way by studying prophecy. I have gained. It has marvelously lightened my burden. It has made my heart to burn, and has lent wings to my feet, and has made my hands skilful to do, and my heart strong to endure. It will bless you in like manner."

      Those present knew the life of Simeon, that it was pure and full of mercy and good fruits. And the gracious words he had spoken came with weight.

      "Brother Simeon took my, argument from me," said James. "I was about to object that I could see no practical good in the study of prophecy. It is good to know, doubtless, just as many other things in the world and in the Bible are good to know; but since life is short and we cannot learn everything, it seemed to me that we would do well to take up the essential things of life and duty and to stand by them, and learn what we can readily understand rather than these deep things which I fear nobody really does or can understand. Brother Simeon's remarks shake my view a little. However I am not just convinced. It seems to me that many Christians have lived and died happy, and acquitted themselves creditably without knowing much about prophecy; and I should think we could."

      Apollos spoke next. "The speech of Brother James raises the following points which we must consider in order.
      1. Is the study of Prophecy of any practical value?
      2. Can Prophecy be understood?
      3. Is a knowledge of the prophetic Word essential or necessary?

      What shall we say about the first question?"

      "I say for one," replied Bereus, "that the question is not complimentary to the God who gave us the Bible. If my father should give me a book he had written and urge me to read it, and I should tell him that I would study part of it, but the other part was to no practical purpose--." "Hold on now, Brother Bereus," said James, "we don't mean that. It must be to some good purpose the prophetic portions of the Bible were given us. Only it is natural that when we do not see the practical need for a thing to push it in the background." "Just so," replied Bereus; "and that is what we have done. But do we walk by faith or by sight?" "By faith of course." "Not in this thing, Brother James; for God said that every scripture is profitable, and serves to furnish the man of God thoroughly unto all good works. And the prophetic portions of God's word make up at least a fourth of the entire Bible. Now because we do not see the practical [78] benefit of it, we disregard what God says about it." "Brother Bereus, prophecy presents problems. Many have tried to understand prophecy and failed. We do not want to be the 'fools' who 'rush in where angels fear to tread.' We can be saved without it I think." "So far as many having failed goes, Brother James, I note that that has not deterred you from contending for some 'First Principles' on which a great part of the religious world is at fault. But I refer the discussion to Brother Apollos. It will profit more it he will answer."

      "Brother James has raised a new point in his last speech," said Apollos, "which we must also look into in due time; namely that the study of prophecy is fraught with risk and danger. At the present I must say that I fully understand Brother James' viewpoint. If any life in the church would prove that the study of prophecy is not necessary to life and godliness, Brother James' would. Nevertheless Brother Bereus stands on the Rock in this thing, I think. We must take God's estimates not our own. It cannot be that, other things being equal, a man who has not taken due interest in prophecy could come up to the same standard as one who had. Furthermore, brethren, I greatly hesitate to mark one part of God's word 'necessary,' and another part practically 'unnecessary.' Only the other Sunday I preached a sermon showing the danger of the principle of making such distinctions among God's commandments. I think that principle should be discarded.

      "But God has not left us without some points by which we can even see the practical value of predictive prophecy. Back of all our work is motive; and whether the motive be to draw or to compel, it lies largely in the future. In our every reference to judgment, to heaven, to hell, to reunion with our loved ones, the coming of the Lord, and all hopes and fears, we make use of unfulfilled prophecies. Is the wheel of the locomotive more practical than the steam, and the fire of the boiler? If with our inadequate knowledge of prophecy it has furnished us power for our own lives and appeal for the turning of others--how shall we brand the portions we do not yet know and understand as something impractical that may as well be pushed aside? I take it brethren, that we need not say more on this matter. The next question before us is whether Prophecy can be understood."

      It is the future that gives significance to the present. No man lives in the present and for the present alone. The present does not of itself satisfy. It is the goal, the hope, the prospect before us that makes the present worth while. The expectation of the wicked shall perish; but the hope of the righteous is sure.

      "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof." (Ezek. 9:4). Is God's mark on you? [79]

["The Prophetic Enquirers: The First Meeting." Word and Work 9 (February 1916): 77-79.]

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's "The Prophetic Enquirers: The First Meeting" has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1916.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 77:     concern," brethren, [ concern, brethren,"
            "man liveth not [ 'man liveth not
            mouth of God." [ mouth of God.'
            "Every scripture is [ 'Every scripture is
            instruction in righteousness." [ instruction in righteousness.'
            "Whatsoever things were [ 'Whatsoever things were
            for our learning." [ for our learning.'
            the "Revelation," [ the 'Revelation,'
 p. 79:     "necessary," [ 'necessary,'
            "unnecessary." [ 'unnecessary.'

 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 2 February 2002.
Updated 22 June 2003.