“Hear ye, hear ye; step right in and make your plans to fulfill the prophecies. . . Do we have a Cyrus in our midst? Who is going to be the next Elijah? Perhaps we have some strong bulls of Bashan out there.”
The above makes reference to a number of things contained in the prophecies under the Law of Moses where long range forecasts were made. Did any of these individuals who came into being make plans to fulfill them? Rather, they were chosen by God as in the case of John, (Elijah to come) who had the gift while yet in his mother’s womb. Or some made their own decisions and inadvertently stepped into fulfilling the vision; such as Cyrus and the tormentors of Jesus (the strong bulls of Bashan). The point is, not one presumed to fulfill a prophesy. Whether they were on the side of the just or otherwise, they had no preconceived notion about fitting themselves into God’s prediction of events.
Peter wrote; “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth 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.” (II Pet.1:19-20) A light in a dark place is always inferior to the light of day. Therefore prophecy is an aid in the darkness rather than a sun shinning unto absolute knowledge.
Men’s predictions about what the Bible says concerning future events on earth are about as useful as the speculations concerning Elijah (as per Malachi 4:5) must have been before John the Baptist came on the scene. This is not to say we cannot be edified by prophecy. We can be edified and aided to keep our feet on solid ground. But to start making plans. . . ? “Hey, where’s that red heifer?”
“Hear ye, hear ye, step right up and make your purchase. . .”