By Dennis Edwards
Isaac Newton, who lived from 1642-1727, is known as one of the world’s greatest scientists. But not many people know he was fascinated with the Book of Daniel. He was a devout Christian, and Bible scholar who studied the Old Testament in the original Hebrew.
He said, “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”[1]
He also wrote,
Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance.[2]
The Columbia History of the World tells us,
At the end of his days he (Newton) spent more time studying and writing about the prophecies in the Book of Daniel than he did in charting the heavens.[3]
Newton himself made a prophecy about the end time. He said,
About the times of the End, a body of men will be raised up who will turn their attention to the prophecies, and insist upon their literal interpretation, in the midst of much clamor and opposition.[4]
Maybe that is what is happening today. In the Creationist movement we find a body of men insisting on the literal interpretation of the Bible, specifically Genesis, which the modernistic theologians and secular scholars have reduced to myth. The Creationists are receiving much opposition from liberal theologians, secular scholars and scientists. All of whom have accepted millions of years and the Theory of Evolution to be true. Whether or not the Creationists will turn their eyes to the attention of prophecy, I do not know. One thing I do know is that prophecy is not something we can figure out with our own understanding; it is something that God reveals or opens up to our understanding.
29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.[5]
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.[6]
Daniel, himself, was even puzzled by some of the prophecies he received. In fact, in the last chapter, after having a vision and receiving a prophecy, Daniel says,
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.[7]
If we go back earlier in the chapter we find a similar declaration from the Lord:
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. [8]
Try as they might neither Daniel nor Isaac Newton could properly understand the Daniel prophecies. I believe we today have better understanding of the Daniel prophecies than Daniel and Isaac Newton, because we are closer in time to the fulfillment of those end-time events. Nevertheless, it behooves us to study the scriptures diligently like those in the city of Berea of whom Paul spoke,
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. [9]
Please do not take my word for it. Get out your Bible, read, study, fast and pray and ask God to open up his word to you.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.[10]
Footnotes:
[1] J.H.Tiner, Isaac Newton – Inventor, Scientist, and Teacher, Mon Media, Milford (Michigan), 1975
[2] ibid
[3] John Arthur Garraty & Peter Gay, Columbia History of the World, Dorset Press, 1972
[4] http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/135106.Isaac_Newton
[5] Deuteronomy 29:29
[6] 1Corinthians 2:9,10
[7] Daniel 12:8-9
[8] Daniel 12:4
[9] Acts 17:11
[10] Psalm 119:18
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