The Second Angel’s Message part 3
The Gift of Prophecy
In this last part, we will study how the gift of prophecy will be seen and manifested in God’s true church.
1. As we discovered in our previous lesson, besides keeping the commandments of God,
what is another major characteristic of the true church? Revelation 12:17; 19:10
2. Is prophecy included among the spiritual gifts given to the church? How does Paul describe it in 1 Corinthians 14:1? 1 Corinthians 12:28, 31; 14:1
3. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts, including the gift of prophecy? Ephesians 4:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:6-8
4. How does prophecy comes to us? Revelation 1:1, 2; Amos 3:7
5. Do prophets speak of their own will or do they speak on behalf of God? 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Hebrews 1:1, 2
Note: Throughout Bible history, God has always had a leading prophet to guide His people with their counsel, prayers, and rebuke (i.e. Moses, Samuel, Elijah, John the Baptist). For example, while Moses was the leading prophet who communicated with God and shared God’s messages with the Israelites, Miriam was simultaneously called a prophetess (Exodus 15:20). There were hundreds of prophets in Elijah’s day, but he was the leading prophet who rebuked Ahab & Jezebel. Likewise, in these last days, God also has a leading prophet whose counsel guides His remnant movement: Ellen G. White. Others will receive the gift of prophecy (Acts 2:16-18; Joel 2:28, 29) but there will only be one leading prophet.
6. Does the Bible warn against false prophets? Matthew 24:11, 24; Matthew 7:15
7. What are we counseled to do in order to determine if a prophet is sent by God or not? 1 John 4:1
8. What are the physical tests of a true prophet?
a) Numbers 12:6
b) Numbers 24:16
c) Daniel 10:8
d) Daniel 10:15
e) Daniel 10:17
f) Daniel 10:18
g) 2 Corinthians 12:1-4
*Visions happen in the presence of witnesses who bear a first-hand testimony of the event (Daniel 10:7; Acts 9:7, 8).*
7. Let us look at the characteristics of a true prophet.
a) 1 John 4:2, 3
b) Deuteronomy 18:21, 22; Jeremiah 28:9
c) Ezekiel 3:17-19 d)Matthew 7:15-18, 20
e) Isaiah 8:20
f) Acts 15:1-2, 27-29
8. The Bible shows us that there will be false prophets whose predictions come to pass. Therefore, this could not be the litmus test of a true prophet. If a false prophet’s predictions come to pass, what will help us discern that they are not of God? Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Isaiah 8:20
9. Who do we reject when we reject the prophets God sends to guide us? 1 Samuel 8:7; 2 Chronicles 36:16; Luke 7:28-30
Testimonies for the Church Vol. 5, 98: I know your danger. If you lose confidence in the testimonies you will drift away from Bible truth. I have been fearful that many would take a questioning, doubting position, and in my distress for your souls I would warn you. How many will heed the warning? As you now hold the testimonies, should one be given crossing your track, correcting your errors, would you feel at perfect liberty to accept or reject any part or the whole? That which you will be least inclined to receive is the very part most needed. God and Satan never work in copartnership. The testimonies either bear the signet of God or that of Satan. A good tree cannot bring forth corrupt fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. By their fruit ye shall know them. God has spoken. Who has trembled at His word? {5T 98.2}
10. What promise does God leave those who take heed to His counsels given through His prophets? 2 Chronicles 20:20; 2 Peter 1:19
A Short List Of Quotations Which Confirm Ellen White To Be A True Prophet
Christian Experience and Teaching, 128: Ellen White lost strength and went into vision — As he left the house, a burden was rolled upon me, and I fainted. Prayer was offered for me, and I was blessed, and taken off in vision. I saw that the Lord had blessed and strengthened my husband to labor in the field one year before; that he had made a right disposition of the means he there earned; and that he would have a hundredfold in this life, and, if faithful, a rich reward in the kingdom of God; but that the Lord would not now give him strength to labor in the field, for He had another work for him to do, and that if he ventured into the field, he would be cut down by sickness; but that he must write, write, write, and walk out by faith. He immediately began to write, and when he came to some difficult passage, we would unite in prayer to God for an understanding of the true meaning of His word. CET 128.4
Christian Experience and Teaching, 120: Ellen White at times, did not breath while in vision — From Volney we journeyed toward Port Gibson, sixty miles distant, to meet another appointment August 27 and 28. “On our way,” wrote my husband in a letter to Brother Hastings dated August 26, “we stopped at Brother Snow’s in Hannibal. In that place are eight or ten precious souls. Brother Bates, Brother and Sister Edson, and Brother Simmons stopped all night with them. In the morning Ellen was taken off in vision, and while she was in vision, all the brethren came in. One of the number was not with us on the Sabbath [truth], but was humble and good. Ellen rose up in vision, took the large Bible, held it up before the Lord, talked from it, then carried it to this humble brother, and put it in his arms. He took it while tears were rolling down his bosom. Then Ellen came and sat down by me. She was in vision one and a half hours, in which time she did not breathe at all. It was an affecting time. All wept much for joy. We left Brother Bates with them, and came to this place with Brother Edson.” CET 120.1
Testimonies for the Church Vol. 5, 663: The testimonies are for rebuke and not are not an addition to God’s Word; they are given to make it clearer. They point you back to Jesus Christ & scripture — Brother J would confuse the mind by seeking to make it appear that the light God has given through the Testimonies is an addition to the word of God, but in this he presents the matter in a false light. God has seen fit in this manner to bring the minds of His people to His word, to give them a clearer understanding of it.” [Testimonies for the Church 4:246 (1876).] The word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most beclouded mind and may be understood by those who have any desire to understand it. But notwithstanding all this, some who profess to make the word of God their study are found living in direct opposition to its plainest teachings. Then, to leave men and women without excuse, God gives plain and pointed testimonies, bringing them back to the word that they have neglected to follow.” [Testimonies for the Church 2:455 (1870).] The word of God abounds in general principles for the formation of correct habits of living, and the testimonies, general and personal, have been calculated to call their attention more especially to these principles. [Testimonies for the Church 4:323 (1879).] {5T 663.2}
Gospel Workers, 302: Ellen White’s visions helped settle doctrinal disputes and gave scriptural enlightenment — We are to be established in the faith, in the light of the truth given us in our early experience. At that time one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to searching the Scriptures, and earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted men and women assembled for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error. {GW 302.2}
Gospel Workers, 302: As the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me. I was given illustrations of heavenly things, and of the sanctuary, so that we were placed where light was shining on us in clear, distinct rays. {GW 302.3}
Testimonies for the Church Vol. 9, 12: Ellen White Predicted The Falling Of The Twin Towers in New York — On one occasion, when in New York City, I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify their owners and builders. Higher and still higher these buildings rose, and in them the most costly material was used. Those to whom these buildings belonged were not asking themselves: “How can we best glorify God?” The Lord was not in their thoughts. {9T 12.1}
Testimonies for the Church Vol. 9, 12: I thought: Oh, that those who are thus investing their means could see their course as God sees it! They are piling up magnificent buildings, but how foolish in the sight of the Ruler of the universe is their planning and devising. They are not studying with all the powers of heart and mind how they may glorify God. They have lost sight of this, the first duty of man. {9T 12.2}
Testimonies for the Church Vol. 9, 12: As these lofty buildings went up, the owners rejoiced with ambitious pride that they had money to use in gratifying self and provoking the envy of their neighbors. Much of the money that they thus invested had been obtained through exaction, through grinding down the poor. They forgot that in heaven an account of every business transaction is kept; every unjust deal, every fraudulent act, is there recorded. The time is coming when in their fraud and insolence men will reach a point that the Lord will not permit them to pass, and they will learn that there is a limit to the forbearance of Jehovah. {9T 12.3}
Testimonies for the Church Vol. 9, 13: The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fire-proof buildings and said: “They are perfectly safe.” But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines. {9T 13.1}