A new book about Islam has been published, ISLAM: GOD’S FORGOTTEN BLESSING, by a lay evangelist, Stephen Dickie, who has successfully proclaimed the everlasting gospel in a Muslim community in central Asia.
Thank God for this book and for this man’s ministry! Theologically, he believes that 2 + 2 = 4 and he says so; that’s refreshing! Instead of coming up with some new-fangled private interpretation of the “seven trumpets” of Revelation 8-11, this man humbly recognizes that the Holy Spirit has been working through the centuries and has enlightened reverent-minded Bible students who have clearly seen Islam in chapter 9. That truth is a key to unlocking the book of Revelation!
This author recognizes August 11, 1840 as the fulfillment of the “hour, and a day, and a month, and a year” of prophetic time in 9:15. He says let’s pay attention to the pioneer students of Bible prophecy, not that they were infallible (no one claims that!) but that the Holy Spirit was leading them as they were able to understand and follow. One author whom he rehabilitates is Uriah Smith whose book on Daniel and Revelation was a classic in the 19th century. Not everything written in the 19th century was horse and buggy thinking.
In fact, the Lord Jesus was prepared to bless those who then believed that 2 + 2 = 4 (in understanding Daniel and Revelation!). He wanted to send that “other angel” of Revelation 18 to lighten the earth with the glory of the message of Christ and Him crucified, the message that would have penetrated into the heart of Islam and reached its fourth part of world population. Many Muslims want to understand the Bible. Jesus has been deeply disappointed that His people have been so dilatory in believing and proclaiming truth.
An example of the disappointment that Jesus has had to endure is the story of that celebrated author Uriah Smith: he did have a basically correct view of Daniel and Revelation but he hardened his heart against “a most precious” new understanding of Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians which was what Paul actually said. Thus Smith knocked himself out of the running. And now much time has gone by and confusion has been prolific.
Dickie’s book respects the pioneers. It will not be the end of controversy, true; but it may be the beginning of the end of confusion. (P. O. Box 385, Kasson, MN 55944; sdickie@kmtel.com)
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