JT on Bible prophecy
There is one thing which makes the study of prophecy of such
immense practical importance. It is, that we shall be on earth when God's
judgments are executed.
Our scriptural hope is to be caught up to meet the Lord, and
so to come with him when he comes to execute judgment on the wicked. But we are
surrounded by those principles, influences, and systems, which are ripening to
that maturity of evil which mankind will reach before those judgments come. God
will judge them at the coming of Christ when they are fully ripe.
But has acquaintance with these subjects no tendency to keep
us apart from such evils now? Surely it has; and that we might be so sanctified,
or kept apart from evil, is one object God has in view in revealing these things
to us.
It is not by exciting applications of prophecy to passing
events that true edification is secured. The natural mind may feel the deepest
interest in prophetic inquiries conducted in this way; but Scripture was not
designed merely to instruct us as to what transpires in the arena of political
factions, or to occupy our souls with such subjects. "Our citizenship is in the
heavens." "Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth." It is not
with such contentions that God's revelation of the future concerns
itself.
It forewarns us, in general terms, that wars and rumors of
wars may be expected, till the scepter of universal dominion shall be wielded by
the Prince of peace. But it is God's judgment, and the approaching climax of
iniquity which renders it inevitable, about which prophecy instructs
us.
And even as to this, it is because the church will be on
earth, amid the desolations of the crisis which is so rapidly approaching, that
she receives those revelations respecting it. The church is thus enabled morally
and spiritually to judge those things now, which in their maturity of evil God
will judge by the righteous retributions of His wrath.
There are three very distinct spheres on which the judgments
will fall when the Lord cometh out of his place "to punish the inhabitants of
the earth for their iniquity": Israel, the nations, and professing
Christendom.
If we are to understand why judgment comes upon Israel, we
must know what Israel's calling and testimony is, and how it has failed
therein.
If we are to discern the grounds of God's righteous judgment
upon the Gentile nations, we must be acquainted with His past and present
dealings with them, and with their conduct under their special
responsibilities.
So also, to understand the guilt of professing Christendom, we
must know what the calling of the true church is, what is its testimony, and in
what respects Christendom, while assuming the place and claiming the
responsibilities of the church, has acted contrary thereto.
There are solemn subjects of inquiry. May our hearts be
prepared for them. Much that is brighter remains beyond.
John Thomas (1805-1871)
