799. Scripture prediction, or prophecy, as it is popularly called, is not merely sacred history written beforehand. That which is prophesied generally relates to events which take place with increasing accuracy as to the details described in the prophecy, in succeeding epochs of human history, until the details are filled out to the full. Providence designs that we shall only grasp the chief features of the description before the fulfillment,¾and that, for two main purposes: First, that we may recognize, as the events take place, that the Bible prophecy is inspired,¾is the promulgation of One who knows the future as well as the past, and so our faith in Him be cultivated (John 14:29); and second, that when we see the event predicted about to come to pass, we may regulate our conduct to suit it (Luke 21:20-21), and prepare for what is coming.
800. Before ever visiting Jerusalem, we made a study in certain books of its general features. But when we visited the place, we recognized that our imagination had failed to form a correct picture of it. Nevertheless that previous study proved most useful, for it enabled us to understand much that we saw without explanation. After we saw, we recognized the accuracy of the descriptions; and we were able to understand where we were without a guide. So with prophecy: It has been given to us to study in the present and put to use in the future. Therefore we need not understand it fully until it is fulfilled, though it is a matter of no small importance that we study it. Someone has said, “The only certain interpretation of Scripture prophecy is its fulfillment.”
801. The voice of God is, in its very nature, prophetic. He is not conditioned by time and space, like ourselves. Yet when He speaks we scarcely know how to understand His meaning until we have replies to questions relating to time and space. When will this occur, where will it occur, and how long a time will it occupy?¾and kindred questions at once spring to our lips. Take as an illustration the Lord’s great prophecy of Matthew 24. His disciples asked three questions: (1) “Tell us when these things shall be,” (2) “What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and (3) of the end of the world?” As to the Lord’s answer, many have professed to be able to dissect it into three sets of answers, as relating to the three questions asked. But who is satisfied with the dissection? The Lord’s reply to the questions is prophetic; and since such predictions relate to events due, with increasing accuracy, at stated periods of time, and not generally to one period, the prediction baffles dissection after this manner. Expositors talk of this as the “pregnant” nature of prophecy. Each fulfillment is but a type of a yet future and more accurate fulfillment, until the prophecy has been, in very truth, filled out to the full.
That Bushnell mentions the nature of prophecy as being “pregnant” reminds me of 1 Tim 2:15 “she shall be saved through the child-bearing” (YLT). Personally, I see a dimension of prophecy in that passage for each individual woman, and for women corporately as part of the body of Christ. Click here to read the post and discussion on 1 Tim 2:15.
Reading this passage from her book, I am again reminded of how deeply Katherine Bushnell knew God. In the “end-times mania” of the modern church, Bushnell’s calm, practical, humble view of prophecy is a good message for eneryone.
God used Bushnell to spread his message about women because she had the humility to hear His word and the confidence to recieve it. Humility and confidence. I believe those (with love) are the essential ingredients for being a tool of God. Both I have struggled with, but with God and encouraging “sisters” I’m learning.