Page:Mahometanism in its relation to prophecy - or, an inquiry into the prophecies concerning antichrist, with some reference to their bearing on the events of the present day (IA mahometanisminit00philrich).pdf/12

 revealing to men from time to time the secrets of the future. Sometimes these revelations, or prophecies (as we call them), have come direct from God, sometimes through the instrumentality of inspired men, that is, of men speaking as the mouthpieces of God Himself. No sooner had Adam and Eve transgressed the probationary commandment of God in Eden, than the Almighty revealed to them the greatest of all events that lay buried in the future, the coming of a Redeemer who should atone for their fault; while very soon after we find the Almighty making known other portions of the future through the instrumentality of such men as Enoch and Noah, till it pleased His Divine goodness to raise up a succession of prophets, by whose ministry He announced to mankind all the principal events in human history, even until the very end of the world, that is, until the consummation of the probationary condition of men; for it is from prophecy, and from prophecy alone, that we know that the present state of the human race will one day cease, and be replaced with another which is to be far better for all those