Prophecy Speaks (E.A.Rowell).pdf

“’Yet, on this occasion, the joint efforts of power and enthusiasm were unsuccessful;
and the ground of the Jewish temple, which is now covered by a Mahometan mosque, still
continued to exhibit the same edifying spectacle of ruin and desolation. . . .
“ ‘The Christians entertained a natural and pious expectation that, in this memorable
contest, the honour of religion would be vindicated by some signal miracle.
“ ‘Whilst Alypius, assisted by the governor of the province, urged, with vigour and
diligence, the execution of the work, horrible balls of fire breaking out near the foundations,
with frequent and reiterated attacks, rendered the place, from time to time, inaccessible to the
scorched and blasted workmen; and the victorious element continuing in this manner
obstinately and resolutely bent, as it were, to drive them to a distance, the undertaking was
abandoned.’
“Julian could have rebuilt a whole city with his wealth and power, but he could not
rebuild a single temple. He began his work with a great flourish of trumpets, advertised to
the whole world his purpose, and the reason for it; he was going to disprove the Bible
prophecies and so destroy Christianity.
“Account for it as you please, two facts remain: First, Julian boasted he was going to
disprove Bible prophecy by doing what the Bible had said would not be done; second, with
all the wealth and power of the world at his command, he failed.”
Mr. Emerson stood up, and David Dare listened while he spoke. “Do you believe,
Mr. Dare, that God predicted the event and then supernaturally intervened to see that His
word was not thwarted? Was it not rather the superstition of the workmen that defeated the
project?”
“It is immaterial whether the workmen were discouraged by superstition or not. The
prophets did not say how such attempts to rebuild were to be defeated. The public were
invited by God Himself to defeat His prophecies if they could. Here was a man who boldly,
boastingly accepted the challenge, put the power and wealth of the Roman Empire into the
endeavour, and miserably failed. God had said all such attempts would fail. I am glad that if
the endeavour was to be made, one who was wealthy, and who was more powerful than any
man now living, tried it. No one else since Julian’s day has made a similar experiment.
“Interesting as all this discussion has been to the student, the most important topic of
all will be introduced next week: Christ — the Heart of Prophecy and History.”
10. CHRIST -- THE HEART OF PROPHECY AND HISTORY
AMONG THE EARLY arrivals were Mr. and Mrs. Emerson, accompanied by George
and Lucile. But early as they were, others were already seated in the hall, discussing in
earnest tones the points presented in previous lectures.
“There will be a big crowd tonight,” ventured Lucile, as people came in increasing
numbers.
“Naturally,” replied her father. “From any point of view, this is the most important
subject.”
“Of the series?” she queried.
“No, my dear, the most important subject in all the world,” he asserted, an unusual
seriousness in his voice.
George and Lucile regarded their father in amazement and incredulity.
“But — but, Dad,” the girl finally stammered, “I thought you were an out-and-out
unbeliever!”
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