Futurism’s Fruit
George Burnside
TIME SETTING AND FUTURISM
The more I read the Scriptures the more convinced I become that God's truth for this mighty hour is sure and certain. It is built on the immovable rock of the sure word of God's infallible prophecy. This certainty frustrates the devil, lie knows it is impregnable. He hates the church that has this divine truth.
REVELATION 12:17 “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
His satanic majesty knows he cannot refute so he must hide the truth of “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” from people. He uses many methods to hold back truth. For instance Jewish teachers and rabbis for centuries have been forbidden to teach the amazing time prophecies of Daniel 8 and 9. The prophecy that gives the foundation to God's last Message of Truth.
“In 1656, a dispute occurred in Poland between some distinguishing rabbis and the Catholics respecting the 70 weeks. The rabbis were so hard pushed by the argument that proved Jesus to be the Messiah, the time of His sufferings being at the end of the 70 weeks, that they broke up the discussion. The rabbis then held a meeting and pronounced a curse upon any Jew who should attempt to ascertain the chronology of this prophetic period. Their anathema was this: “May his bones and his memory rot who shrill attempt to number the 70 weeks.” - The Midnight Cry, August 10, 1843.
This same prophetic time prophecy gives us 1844. The enemy of truth also uses various methods of deception to keep God's truth from people. He hides it from millions of Christians by Futurism. In this deception he leads countless multitudes to conclude this message is not for them, but for a Jewish remnant in the future. Through the so called “New Theology” he snatches it from others. Now Satan is confusing others who are endeavoring to walk in the path of obedience, by introducing a new interpretation of Revelation. This is closely linked with the Futurism of the Jesuits, he loves to confuse truth by quoting and misapplying small passages of Scripture. One of these Bible passages is:
REVELATION 10:5,6 “And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea an upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are. And the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time, no longer.”
What does it mean? There shall be time no longer? Here the Devil would have confusion reign supreme, but there is no need for confusion at all. Note these kindred Scriptures:
REVELATION 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he has declared to his servants the prophets.
REVELATION I1:15 “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
At the sounding of the “seventh angel” this turbulent world will give place to the kingdom of our Lord, Who, thank God, “shall reign forever and ever.” These Scriptures clearly show that when the prophecy states “There shall be time no longer,” it cannot be referring to this world's end and the end of time. That does not end until our Lord takes over. This is further confirmed by the fact that the angel of Revelation 10 says that another message was to go forth to the sons of men:
REVELATION 10:11 “And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”
This world embracing message is clearly revealed in:
REVELATION 14:6-12 that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
This message goes “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people.” It goes to “them that dwell on the earth.” Therefore it is apparent that the announcement “There shall be time no longer; cannot refer to the end of time as we know it, for that will not end until our Lord returns. This solemn announcement cannot refer to the close of human probation or the end of the day of mercy, for “the everlasting gospel” is still to go to all the sons of men. The only “time” it can refer to is prophetic time. This is clearly confirmed and plainly stated by inspiration.
SDA Bible Commentary, Volume 7, page 971 “This time, which the angel declares with a solemn oath, is not the end of this world's history, neither of probationary time, but of prophetic time, which should precede the advent of our Lord. That is, the people will not have another message upon definite time. After this period of time, reaching from 1842 to 1844, there can be no definite tracing of the prophetic time. The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844.”
Early Writings, page 243 “I saw that they were correct in their reckoning of the prophetic periods; prophetic time closed in 1844, and Jesus entered the most holy place to cleanse the sanctuary at the ending of the days. Their mistake consisted in not understanding what the sanctuary was, and the nature of its cleansing.”
Prophetic time closed in 1844.
“Great Controversy” page 351 “As the disciples went out preaching, 'The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand,' so Miller and his associates proclaimed that the longest and last prophetic period brought to view in the Bible was about: to expire.”
2 Se1ected Messages, page 108 “'And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer'. (Revelation 10:5,6.) This message announces the end of the prophetic periods.”
DID PROPHETIC TIME END IN 1844?
Futurism has led millions of nominal protestants into confusion of error and now the devil is trying the same weapon on Christ's remnant people. But the Advent Message and Futurism will not mix. It leads to conflict with the clear light of truth. For instance notice this:
Brother Hauser states on page 106: “Note carefully what Ellen White says and what she does not say. She does not say that prophetic time ends in 1844 but that there can be no definite tracing of prophetic time after that.” Now notice what Sister White states in Early Writings, page 243:”Prophetic time closed in 1844.”
Is not this a direct contradiction of Sister White? I wish this had been but a mistake in the printing. The trouble is Brother Hauser repeats the same elsewhere. If our Brother Hauser had noted more carefully our God-given light he might have been saved from being beguiled by the Jesuit Futuristic teaching. I do not write this to attack any man, but when I see, what I am convinced is devil inspired deceptions creeping in and corrupting Cod's truth, I must write and oppose it. God's truth must mean more to us than our reputation, popularity or life.
On page 107 Brother Hauser writes “The times in the trumpets are literal.” Evidently our Brother is not too sure for on page 106 he writes “then the times are obviously literal.”
The facts are they are not literal. The “Seven Trumpets” Is a symbolic prophecy. Revelation is a book of symbols. This is as clear as language can make it.
REVELATION 1:1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.”
Note – “He sent and signified” it. Our Lord gave it in signs or symbols. Prophetic time is time that is in prophecy. Prophetic time can be either literal time, or symbolic. Prophetic time does not mean it is based on the day-year principle. It only means it is prophesied. This is where Brother Hauser makes another mistake. He concludes that “prophetic time” must mean the “day-year” principle. This is not so as we have examples in Scripture of prophetic time which is literal time. The day-year truth is symbolic and applies to symbolic prophecy. Here for instance are examples of prophetic time - time prophecies that are given in literal time.
PROPHETIC TIME THAT IS LITERAL TIME
GENESIS 6:3 “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”
This period of One hundred and twenty years is literal time. It is also prophetic time, for it is prophesied. The whole account is given in plain literal language and hence this prophetic period is likewise in plain literal time.
Prophetic time can be either literal or symbolic. Therefore in symbolic prophecy time that is given is likewise symbolic, equals a day for a year. In prophecies of plain literal language time likewise is literal. The captivity of Judah in Babylon for “seventy years “ Is another example of literal time.
JEREMIAH 25:11,12 “And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, said the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.”
Daniel knew this prophetic period was literal and due for completion.
DANIEL 9:2 “In the first year of his reign, I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”
Daniel had lived through the whole period. Thus Daniel saw Babylon in its rise, its reign, and was now about to see it in its ruin.
DANIEL 4:25 “Seven times shall pass over thee.” Again we have literal time given in literal prophecy.
Failure to notice the difference between symbolic time in symbolic prophecy and literal time in literal prophecy can lead to serious mistakes. For instance note this statement by Brother Hauser on page 106 of his book. “Note carefully what Ellen White says and what she does not say, She does not say that prophetic time ends in 1844, but that there can be no definite tracing of prophetic time after that.”
The trouble is Sister White says: “Prophetic time closed in 1844.” Early Writings, page 243. Brother Hauser says “Ellen White does not say that prophetic time ends in 1844.” Is this not a direct contradiction of Sister White?
What a pity our Brother Hauser had not noted-more carefully inspiration's words and avoided, the beguiling words of the Jesuit-inspired Futurism for he then would not have made this tragic mistake. Another thing worth noting on this question is the danger of speculation and “private interpretation.” Futurism is full of speculation. Our Brother Hauser has evidently fallen for its beguiling temptation too. Note his words: “The times, in the trumpets are literal.” page 107
Evidently he is not too sure of his speculation for on the page before he writes “then the times are obviously literal.” page 106. But the truth of the matter is, the times are not “obviously literal.” Revelation is a symbolic book. This is clearly stated in the first verse:
REVELATION 1:1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.”
“Signify” is to make signs or tokens, to signify by symbols. These symbols were to “show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass.” Therefore these prophecies are symbolic. The symbols of both Daniel and its companion book Revelation are clearly seen. These symbols or miniature figures are used to reveal the greater truths. (Miniature replica of something larger.)
THE TWO GREAT REVOLUTIONS OF FARTH
(a) Day - Earth on its Axis.
(b) Year - Earth in its Orbit.
When Christ walked the dusty roads of old Palestine as “the teacher sent from God,” He continually used parables. (Matthew 13:10-35) A parable figuratively expresses a truth. So Christ in His special book for these last days - the Christian Era - “sent and signified it by His angel, unto His servant John.” Therefore as Revelation is a book of symbols, the time periods are likewise symbolic.
Futurism, besides leading to confusion breeds speculation. Notice it here also. Brother Hauser writes, “There is another possible interpretation.” page 107. The facts are there is not another possible interpretation at all, if we accept the sure word of prophecy as revealed by Christ's own, “Spirit of Prophecy.”
GOD'S WARNING AGAINST A PRIVATE INTERPRETATION
2 PETER 1:19 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
We dare not put a “private interpretation” on Christ's holy prophecies. We dare not add “another possible Interpretation.”
REVELATION 22:18 “For 1 testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that-are written in this book.”
This warning covers all sacred writings and spans all inspiration.
DEUTERONOMY 4:2 “You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”
PROVERBS 30:5,6 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
Speculation and private interpretations are interesting but dangerous. A at a pity Brother Hauser allowed himself to be drawn into it, but his book is full of them. Note but a few:
“If we interpret Revelation 9:15 in this manner.” page 107 “If this smoke is literal.” page 107
“There is another possible interpretation.” page 107 “One can only speculate in this interpretation.” page 108
Thus Futurism and its speculations lead to further speculating, but it leads still further afield.
INSPIRATION'S CLEAR STATEMENTS
“The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844.” SDA Bible Commentary, Volume 7, page 971.
“Prophetic time closed in 1844.” Early Writings, page 243.
“The longest and last prophetic period brought to view in the Bible was about to expire.” (1844) Great Controversy, page 351.
REVELATION 10:5,6 “And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.”
“This message announces the end of the prophetic periods.” 2 Selected Messages, page 108.
These inspired statements show clearly that prophetic periods ended in 1844.
BROTHER HAUSER'S FUTURE PROPHETIC PERIODS
Our brother writes: “One possible interpretation of the 1,335 day prophecy is to place its beginning with the passage of the Sunday law in the USA.” page 203.
Then this Chart is given on the same page. If 1,335 days after the Sunday law is not a prophetic period then what is? In fact at least three prophetic periods are given in this chart with both the opening and closing events clearly shown.
Inspiration states that 1844 would see “the end of prophetic periods.” 2 Selected Messages, page 108. Why then does Brother Hauser write, and print and circulate a book that gives prophetic periods after 1844? Not only that but he expects God's remnant saints to go on predicting prophetic periods. He writes: “When Vatican City is destroyed on the exact date predicted by the Sabbath keepers.” page 207.
Brother Hauser evidently expects Christ's saints to follow him in ignoring Christ's “Spirit of Prophecy” and in defiance of inspiration, continue to set prophetic periods. Perhaps one more statement will suffice: “Again, if this interpretation is correct, the passage of the Sunday law throughout the world will occur one year prior to the Close of probation for the church.”
This statement like many others reveals uncertainty, speculation, private interpretation and the setting of prophetic periods in the future. May we heed God's precious old Bible. Avoid Futurism in any form, reject “private interpretations,” “despise not prophesying. Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21