Seventh-day Adventists are a people of prophecy. Our understanding of the symbolic, apocalyptic prophecies of Daniel and Revelation have made us distinctive in the Christian world. But the delay of the Advent has caused some to take another look to see if perhaps we have missed something, or if something needs to be re-interpreted. This is to be expected, and a re-study of the prophecies is commendable, but it is also dangerous.

The symbolic, apocalyptic prophecies have always been a playground for egomaniacs, charlatans, and the sincerely misguided who play upon human fascination for a knowledge of the future, for soothsaying and fortunetelling. Prophetic exploiters motivate through fear and apprehension. Some thirst for power over minds and the lives of others using whatever it takes to control and manipulate all who would come under their spell. Some take advantage of people who have a strong faith in the authority of the Bible as God’s word by convincing them that they have a special gift for solving the mysteries of apocalyptic prophecy.

Adventists have been vulnerable to this kind of deception because of our tendency to want the Lord to come quickly. People who claim to have a new interpretation of the symbols will usually attract a crowd. In spite of the many warnings against “time setting,” there are always those who would have us believe that Christ will return on such and such a day or year because of an anticipated sequence of events, perhaps based on some mathematical formulation.

How can we avoid such traps and still maintain a legitimate and critical interest in what God is trying to tell us through figures and symbols? Consider three points:

1. We live in a society that is swayed more by charisma than by truth. Avoid being hypnotized by a charismatic preacher. Television conditions us to live by our feelings rather than by our judgment.

2. There is safety in consensus within our church, especially in the interpretation of symbolic prophecy. We should still stand alone, though the heavens fall, in obedience and faithfulness to God. But the church is the body of Christ and God reveals himself in the church. Note that the church should not consist of a heirarchical leadership but rather includes the whole body of believers. It is true that some within the body are qualified in special ways to teach and preach, but the Holy Spirit works with all believers to confirm what is taught. There are good reasons for being afraid of “offshoots.”

3. Fault-finding comes easily to frustrated Adventists. Interpreting symbolic prophecy in such a way as to identify Seventh-day Adventists as Babylon is attractive to the embittered. Those who do so may be sincere, but there is every reason to believe that they are sincerely wrong. “Enfeebled and defective, needing constantly to be warned and counseled, the church is nevertheless the object of Christ’s supreme regard,” (Ellen White, Testimonies, Vol. 7, pg. 16). It is all too easy for someone on an ego trip to gather a following by being critical of the “brethren.” On the other hand, there is such a thing as loyal opposition that brings not only needed change but healing. When a new interpretation appears that is critical and divisive we should be very cautious. Under such circumstances, we may expect the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to many rather than to just a few.

It will also be helpful to keep in mind why the apocalyptic prophecies were given:

• To help us understand God’s hand in history as the prophecies are fulfilled. By the same token, they confirm our confidence in the Word of God, the Bible.
• To keep us mindful that time is “short.” The time of Christ’s return is unknown. Jesus makes that clear: “…for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect,” (Matthew 24:44, RSV).
• To inform us of the ongoing great controversy between Christ and Satan. Every technology developed which can be a blessing to mankind, Satan turns into a curse. As Billy Graham has said, “If Christ doesn’t come soon, God will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”
• To remind us that Christ will triumph over evil. His children will one day stand with Him upon the sea of glass to celebrate a victory that is final and complete. The prophecies should kindle within us not fear, but the glorious hope of the coming Christ so that we can be ready when he returns.

You know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light … but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires (Romans 13:11-14, RSV).