Was Ellen White the Last Prophet According to the Bible and
Ellen White? God Says No! Walter Vieth and Vance Ferrell
Answer YES!
“The gifts were not confined to the apostles,
but extended to the believers. Who will have them? Those that believe. How
long? There is no limitation; the promise runs parallel with the great
commission to preach the gospel and reaches the
last believer.” {EW 134.3}
1Cor 14:39 Wherefore,
brethren, covet to
prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. [Why would God instruct
us to covet to prophesy if that gift was to come through one person only?]
Num 24:16 He hath said, which heard the words of
God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the
Almighty, falling
into a trance, but having his eyes open:
“Quench
not the spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that
which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21.“And he gave some, apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13.
“When the people of God attain to primitive
faith and practice, as they most certainly will under the last message, the
latter rain will be poured out, and all the gifts will be revived.
The former rain was given at the commencement of the Christian age, in the time
of the sowing of the gospel seed, to cause it to germinate and take good root.
Then the church enjoyed the gifts. And when the latter rain shall be poured out
at the close of the dispensation, to ripen the golden harvest for the garner of
God, then will the gifts of
the Holy Spirit be manifested in all their fullness. {1SP
9.1}
Prophecy is one of the gifts and Ellen White
says ALL THE GIFTS WILL BE REVIVED.
“The Jews tried to stop the proclamation of the
message that had been predicted in the Word of God; but prophecy must be
fulfilled. The Lord says, “Behold, I will send
you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the
Lord” (Malachi 4:5). Somebody is to come [VERSUS HAS COME] in the
spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, “You are too earnest, you do not
interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your
message.”{1SM 412.2}
Strangely, many
professing Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen White was the last prophet
to God’s people. I say “strangely” in light of the fact that the Bible, God’s
Holy Word, and Ellen White state just the opposite! The question becomes even
more “strange” when one considers that God instructs ALL OF US to covet to
prophesy 1Cor 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to
speak with tongues.
Why would God
instruct us to covet to prophesy if that gift was to come through one person
only? Why did God say in the plural that our sons, daughters and old men shall
see visions and prophesy? The Lord has instructed me to warn His people that
their narrow-mindedness regarding this realm may mean the loss of their
salvation because of the following reasons:
1.
He has said that without vision the people perish and that His
people are indeed going to perish for a lack of knowledge.
2.
It is the unpardonable sin to reject the teachings of the Holy
Spirit, and by rejecting God’s appointed messengers, one thereby rejects the
gift of the Holy Spirit. For these reasons, you should be very slow to reject
that which you cannot soundly disprove from Scripture and the Spirit of
Prophecy, NO MATTER WHOM IT COMES FROM.
3.
Saying that Ellen White was the last prophet is a direct
REJECTION of the Word of God and Ellen G. White. Any who make such a proclamation
should be sorely afraid, for all such persons are countermanding the counsel of
God Almighty. Any continuum of this kind of sentiment will constitute rejection
of the Holy Ghost and will result in unpardonable sin.
Pro 29:18 Where
there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is
he.
Hos 4:6 My
people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected
knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing
thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Pro 29:18 Where
there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is
he.
Hos 4:6 My people are
destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will
also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten
the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Many Gems Yet to Be Discovered.—“New light will ever be revealed on
the word of God to him who is in living
connection with the Sun of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more
truth to be revealed. The diligent,
prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth
from the word of God. Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered
together to become the property of the remnant people of God.— Counsels on
Sabbath School Work, p. 34. (1892.)
Joel
2:
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I
will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the
handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and
in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. Joel 2:28-30.
Acts
2:
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days,
saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old
men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I
will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above,
and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: Acts
2:17-19.
Vance Ferrell, a former ordained minister of
the SDA church, and Dr. Walter Veith, are teaching that
there will never be another prophet other than Ellen G. White. Notice Veith’s words in this video between minute 30 and 33.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-6gFDZs23I&feature=youtu.be
Vance Ferrell states:
“The writings of Ellen White were given to safeguard us against
deception. Surely, she would have told us if another prophet was to
arise—but she never did!”
The above statement by Vance Ferrell
is patently false Emphatically, Ellen White DID INDEED quote Scripture in
saying that there will be other prophets. In the following Signs of the
Times statement by Ellen White in 1888, she explicitly states concerning
Acts 2:17, that the Lord has promised the same quickening spiritual power on
his servants (PLURAL) in these last days. Along with Acts 2:17, Ellen White quotes
Joel 2:28, 29. She said to take the Bible just as it reads or we will be taken
in a snare. Let’s see her interpretation.
In the following Signs of the
Times statement by Ellen White in 1888, she explicitly states concerning
Acts 2:17, that the Lord has promised the same quickening spiritual power on
his servants (PLURAL) in these last days:
“The baptism of the Holy Spirit was
essential for the success of the ministry in the early gospel age; but it is no
less necessary in this age when “darkness shall cover the earth, and gross
darkness the people.” And the Lord has promised the same quickening spiritual power to his
servants in these days. “It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” Ellen G. White, {ST
February 24, 1888, par. 7}
Ellen White clearly says that “your
sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Everyone is a son or daughter of
someone. So Vance Ferrell and Walter Veith directly contradict Ellen White and God’s Word. This
is a serious abomination. They thus manifest themselves as false prophets who fail
the test of Isaiah 8:20, in not speaking according to the Testimony of God and
Ellen White. Webster’s Dictionary defines a prophet as a representative of God,
and I’m sure Vance and Walter regard themselves as representatives of God, but
in lying about prophets to come, they are representing Satan.
Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I
will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see
visions:
Joel 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids
in those days will I pour out my spirit.
Ellen White comments on Joel 2:28, 29
in My Life Today below:
I Want That Power, February 27
The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. Joel 2:28, 29 {ML 62.1}
We are living in the last days, in a
time when we may expect much from the Lord. These words should
bring us to the throne of grace to claim
great things of Him. Here the promise is
given that on the men and women and on our sons and daughters the Holy Spirit is to come; and “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This brings to view a wonderful work to be done, for which we need the
converting power of God in our hearts every day. It is our privilege to
experience this. Heaven is full of blessings, and it is our privilege to claim
the rich promises of God for our individual selves. We need to seek the Lord
day and night that we may know just what steps to take and just what we ought
to do. {ML 62.2}
The Lord has a special work to do for
us individually. As we see the wickedness of the world brought to light in the
courts of justice and published in the daily papers, let us draw near to God, and by
living faith lay hold of His promises, that the grace of Christ may be manifest
in us. We may have an influence, a powerful
influence, in the world. If the convicting power of God is in us, we shall be
enabled to lead souls that are in sin to conversion. {ML 62.3}
In the closing scenes of this earth’s
history, many ... children and youth [who receive a
true Christian education] will astonish people by their witness to the truth,
which will be borne in simplicity, yet with spirit and power. They have been taught the fear of the Lord, and their hearts have been
softened by a careful and prayerful study of the Bible. In the near future many children will be endued with the Spirit of God,
and will do a work proclaiming the truth to the world.... They will do a work in the world that not all the powers of evil can
counteract.” {ML 62.4}
More Complete Signs of the Times Statement
“Before his ascension, Jesus had
promised the disciples that the Comforter should come. He said, “Behold, I send
the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until
ye be endued with power from on high.” And on the day of Pentecost, “they were
all with one accord in one place; and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven
as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were
sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it
sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” The baptism of
the Holy Spirit was essential for the success of the ministry in the early
gospel age; but it is no less necessary in this age when “darkness shall cover
the earth, and gross darkness the people.” And the Lord
has promised the same quickening spiritual power to his servants in these days. “It shall come to pass in the last
days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall
dream dreams.” {ST February 24, 1888, par. 7}
1909 Review and Herald Statement
“But this is that
which was spoken by the prophet
Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my
Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on
my servants and on my hand-maidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy: And I will show
wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and
vapor of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
before that great and notable day of the Lord come: and it shall come to pass,
that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” {RH April 1, 1909, Art. A, par. 6} “We are living in the last days, in
a time when we may expect much from the Lord. These words should bring us to
the throne of grace to claim great things of him. Here the
promise is given that on the men and women and on our sons and daughters the
Holy Spirit is to come; and “whosoever
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This brings to view a
wonderful work to be done, for which we need the converting power of God in our
hearts every day. It is our privilege to experience this. Heaven is full of
blessings, and it is our privilege to claim the
rich promises of God for our individual selves. We need to seek
the Lord day and night that we may know just what steps to take, and just what
we ought to do.” {RH April 1, 1909, Art. A, par. 7}
Has blood, fire and
vapor of smoke appeared in the heavens yet? Not that I know of! Does Ellen
White say that God’s promise in Joel 2 comes upon only her? No, she says it is
to come upon men and women and on our sons and daughters. Vance is not speaking
according to the Testimonies. Interestingly, we don’t find Vance’s interpretation
amongst Ellen White’s on Joel 2 and Acts 2:17-18.
Fact is, we are to measure even Ellen
White by the Bible and God’s word instructs us to covet to prophesy. Would
Ellen White contradict God’s instruction to covet to prophesy? Would Ellen
White say 1Cor 14:39 applied/applies only to herself? That is the direct
implication by Vance Ferrell! That is how he directly contradicts God’s Word
and Ellen White, by implying that Ellen White would not endorse 1Cor 14:39 as
applying to anyone else but herself, and that God was saying the same thing!
1Cor 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid
not to speak with tongues.
1Cor 14:4 He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth
himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Is Ellen White the only person on earth God wrote the above
words to? Nay! God instructs all to covet the gift of prophesy because He says
that gift is the most elevating gift to the church.
The above statement by Vance Ferrell
is patently false. Ellen White certainly did tell us in the person of her
husband and others who wrote introductions to her books that other prophets
were to arise and the gift of prophesy would extend to the final unity and
perfection of the saints. The following statement was made in the introduction
to Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, and they are quoted in Early Writings,
p. 133-143 by R. F. Cottrell, as endorsed by Ellen G. White. If the following
statements are not credible and truth, they should not appear in Early
Writings and Spiritual Gifts.
“The gifts were not confined to the apostles,
but extended to the believers. Who
will have them? Those that believe. How long? There is no limitation; the
promise runs parallel with the great commission to preach the gospel and
reaches the last believer.” {EW 134.3}
The following statements from the Bible, James White, and
others, as endorsed by Ellen G. White and the Bible, directly contradict the
false teachings of one Vance Ferrell on this and additional crucial issues.
James White wrote the first sixteen pages of the Spirit of Prophecy series, which were published in 1870. James
lived until August 6, 1881, so what James wrote in those first 16 pages was
certainly endorsed by Ellen G. White. Here is what James said in Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1:
“When
the people of God attain to primitive faith and practice, as they most
certainly will under the last message, the latter rain will be poured out,
and all the gifts will be revived. The former rain was given at the commencement
of the Christian age, in the time of the sowing of the gospel seed, to cause it
to germinate and take good root. Then the church enjoyed the gifts. And when
the latter rain shall be poured out at the close of the dispensation, to ripen
the golden harvest for the garner of God, then will the gifts of the Holy Spirit be
manifested in all their fullness. {1SP 9.1}
To
this agree the words of the prophet, as quoted by Peter: “And it shall come to
pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young
men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on my servants,
and on my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my spirit, and they
shall prophesy. And I will
show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire,
and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.” Acts 2:17-20. The
spirit of prophecy is here seen among the especial signs of the last days. Its
revival in the last days was to constitute one of the most noted signs of the
approaching end. This is evident from its being classed with the most prominent
signs, in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, and such wonders, in the
heavens above, and in the earth beneath, as blood, and fire, and vapor of
smoke. {1SP 10.1}
Of all the blessings which God has bestowed
upon his people, the gift of His Son excepted, none have been so sacred, and so
important to their welfare, as the gift of his holy law, and his Holy Spirit. And none have been so well calculated to
thwart the plans of Satan, and, consequently, to stir his rage, as these. And when that
people should arise in the last
generation of men, who should be observing all ten of the precepts of
God’s holy law, and should recognize the
revival of the spirit of prophecy, they
might expect to feel that bitterness from their opponents, which can arise only
from the direct inspiration of Satan. “And the
dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her
seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ.” Revelation 12:17. {1SP 10.2}
“The testimony of Jesus,” said the angel to
John, “is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10. It is the keeping of the
commandments of God, and the recognition of the
revival of the spirit of prophecy by the remnant of the church, or the
Christians of the last generation, that stirs the ire of the dragon.” {1SP 11.1}
1. “Quench not the Spirit.” We quench fire
with water. And prominent among the
means of quenching the Spirit of God is unbelief. Jesus, in His own
country, did not many mighty works because
of their unbelief. There is at the present time almost a universal state of
unbelief in regard to the operations of the Holy Spirit, especially in the
manifestation of the gifts. Unbelief shuts
the Spirit of God away from the mind. It quenches the Spirit, and leaves the
masses exposed to the delusions of these last days. {3SG 19.1}
Again, those who by unbelief quench the Spirit
in these last days will be illy prepared to share in the great blessings which
God promises by the prophet Joel, quoted by Peter, Acts 2:17, 18. “And it shall
come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all
flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men
shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; and on my servants and
on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall
prophesy.” The “Former Rain” was given on the day of Pentecost, and
enjoyed by the early Christians, to cause the Gospel seed to germinate and take
root. The “Latter Rain” is coming to
ripen the golden harvest for the garner of God. Take care, dear reader, lest
unbelief in you quench the Spirit, and shut you away from this great blessing
designed for “them that believe.” {3SG 19.2}
2. “Despise not prophesyings.” We are here
warned of one of the dangers of the last days. The pretensions of Ann Lee, the
mother of the Shakers, the corrupt prophets of Mormonism, and the one thousand
and one of Satan’s medium prophets, devoted to the cause of spiritualism, with
all its baseness, have struck the world
with disgust at anything like the supernatural. The devil got these things
up to not only destroy many souls by them, but
to disgust and drive others as far as possible to unbelief in regard to the
gifts of the Holy Spirit. Hence the danger of
indiscriminately despising all prophesyings. {3SG
20.1}
3. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is
good.” The three declarations, “Quench not the Spirit; despise not
prophesyings; prove all things, hold fast that which is good,” have a close
relation to each other. Therefore the “all things” to be proved, do not mean
every thing in the wide world, for this would be imposing an unreasonable tax
upon believers; hence the expression must be limited to the subject of
prophesying. Despise not prophesyings, but prove them, and separate the genuine
from the counterfeit coin of the devil; and
that which is good, which is from the Spirit of God, which will stand the test,
hold fast. We will here give three rules by which true and false
prophesyings may be known: {3SG 20.2}
1. Matthew
7:15-20. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men
gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth
forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth
not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their
fruits ye shall know them.” {3SG 21.1}
2. Isaiah 8:19,
20. “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar
spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people seek
unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them.” {3SG 21.2}
3. False
prophets speak smooth things, prophesy lies, and cry, Peace and safety, which
has ever been pleasing to unconsecrated professors; hence the love of the peace
and safety in the delusion of spiritualism. Jeremiah 14:14. “Then the Lord
said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I sent them not, neither
have I commanded them, neither spake unto them. They prophesy unto you a false
vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.”
Chapter 23:16, 17. “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, hearken not unto the words of
the prophets that prophesy unto you. They make you vain. They speak a vision of
their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. They say still unto them
that despise me, the Lord hath said, ye shall have peace; and they say unto
every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, no evil shall
come upon you.” Chapter 8:10, 11. “For every one from the least even unto the
greatest is given to covetousness. From the prophet even unto the priest every
one dealeth falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people
slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace.” {3SG 21.3}
Note: The leaders are prophets (Messengers of
God) in the sense that they are supposed to be representatives of God. They are
included in the false prophets mentioned in the above statement. In 5T 211,
they are indicted with UNBELIEF. In the same reference they are charged with
teaching peace and safety. God’s Word in Isaiah 56:10-12, says that ALL of them
are guilty. It says ALL three times. NOT ONE OF THEM is telling the complete
truth about the apostasy of the church leaders and NOT ONE OF THEM is telling
the truth about a correct response to open sin apostasy. Thus ALL OF THEM are
teaching peace and safety. What?! Walter Veith teaching peace and safety?! Yes
indeed! For all of the same reasons Vance Ferrell is teaching peace and safety!
Neither one of them teach corporate responsibility for the open sin apostasy of
the church leadership.
God’s Word says to covet to prophesy, and
Vance’s teachings speak directly contrary to God’s Word. Vance directly
contradicts God, let alone Ellen White, by saying there is no need of more
prophets and there won’t be any so don’t bother to even consider God’s
instruction to covet to prophesy!
1Cor 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to
prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
In effect, Vance is telling his patrons not to
covet to prophesy because God no longer gives the gift of prophesy. Isn’t it
strange that when God commands us to covet to prophesy because that gift
edifies the church the most, that a very large percentage of SDA’s the world over break that commandment
by despising the gift of prophesy via Ellen White, and suspects and despises
anyone who aspires to that gift. Very strange! Then they call themselves the
commandment-keeping people of God! Abominable! Antichrist! This is
speaking against the Holy Ghost. That is unpardonable sin. God warned us not
to despise prophesying, but test them and hold to that which is good. Yet the
larger percent of His professed people hate prophesying because true prophesy
is contrary to the peace and safety they love. The gift of prophesy exposes the
snares of Satan, so no other gift arouses his wrath as much as the gift of
prophecy.
Here are links to Vance Ferrell’s publications
wherein he states there is no need for another prophet and there won’t be such:
http://www.sdadefend.com/Spiritualism-invasion/Dreams&Visions.pdf
Vance has
never taught corporate responsibility for the apostasy of the church. Vance
doesn’t say ONE WORD about the Bible principle of corporate responsibility, and
if he did, he would be forced to teach his patrons that they are corporately
responsible for the abominations of the omega of apostasies committed by the
church leaders if they remain in such an openly corrupt church—and I am talking
antichrist doctrine that is unpardonable sin.
Vance and
many other intra-church, “independent” ministries, have never taught corporate
responsibility for the apostasy and the truth on the Godhead. Vance has taken a
wishy washy response to the apostasy of the church. He says that he won’t say
leave the church nor will he say stay with the church. God says to let our
words be yea or nay. Ellen White says anything else is of the devil. The
supporters of Vance Ferrell are corporately responsible for his serious
errors—even antichrist errors for His erroneous views regarding the gift of
prophecy; that there is no need of the gift by way of another prophet ever
again in the church, is anti Holy Ghost—speaking against the Word and the Holy
Ghost. But he regards the pastors (teachers) as still valid. Consistency is a
jewel said Ellen White! This study provided further proof of Vance’s serious
errors.
Act 2:17
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out
of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days
of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Act 2:19
And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath;
blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Act 2:20
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before
that great and notable day of the Lord come:
Joe 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit
upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Joe 2:29
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I
pour out my spirit.
Joe 2:30
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and
fire, and pillars of smoke.
Joe 2:31
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before
the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
Joe 2:32
And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of
the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be
deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall
call. “But God is unchangeable. His work through Moses in the presence of
Pharaoh was perfect, notwithstanding Jannes and Jambres were permitted to
perform miracles by the power of Satan, that resembled the miracles wrought by
Moses. The counterfeit also appeared in the days of the apostles, yet the gifts
of the Spirit were manifested in the followers of Christ. And it is not the
purpose of God to leave His people in this age of almost unbounded deception
without the gifts and manifestations of His spirit. {EW vi.1}
The design of a counterfeit is to imitate an
existing reality. Therefore the present manifestation of the spirit of error is
proof that God manifests Himself to His children by the power of the Holy
Spirit, and that He is about to fulfill His word gloriously. {EW vi.2}
“And it shall come to pass in the last days,
saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old
men shall dream dreams.” Acts 2:17 (CF. Joel 2:28.) {EW vi.3}
The Spirit of Prophecy
“Once, man walked with God in Eden. With open
face he beheld the glory of the Lord,
and talked with God, and Christ, and angels, in paradise, without a dimming
vail between. Man fell from his moral rectitude and innocency, and was
driven from the garden, from the tree of life, and from the visible presence of
the Lord and His holy angels. Moral darkness, like the pall of death, has since
cast its shadows everywhere, and everywhere the blight and mildew of sin has
been seen. And amid the general gloom and moral wretchedness, man has wandered
from the gates of paradise for nearly six thousand years, subject to sickness,
pain, sorrow, tears, and death. He has also been subject to the temptations and
wiles of the devil, so much so that it is the sad history of man, throughout
the entire period of his fallen state, that Satan has reigned with almost
universal sway. {1SP 7.1}
When all was lost in Adam, and the shades of
night darkened the moral heavens, there soon appeared the star of hope in
Christ, and with it there was established
a means of communication between God and man. In his fallen state, man could not converse face to face with God,
and with Christ, and with angels, as when in his Eden purity. But through the ministration of holy angels
could the great God speak to him in dreams and in visions. “If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself
known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Numbers 12:6. {1SP 7.2}
The
manifestation of the spirit of prophecy was designed for all dispensations. The sacred
record nowhere restricts it to any particular period of time, from the fall to
the final restitution. The Bible recognizes its manifestation alike in the patriarchal
age, in the Jewish age, and in the Christian age. Through this medium God
communed with holy men of old. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied; and so
extensive was the range of his prophetic vision, and so minute, that he could
look down over long ages, and describe the coming of the Lord, and the
execution of the last judgment upon the ungodly. Jude, Verses 14, 15. {1SP 7.3}
God spake to his prophets in the Jewish
dispensation in visions and in dreams, and opened before them the great things
of the future, especially those connected with the first advent of Christ to
suffer for sinners, and his second appearing in glory to destroy his enemies,
and complete the redemption of his people. If
the spirit of prophecy nearly disappeared from the Jewish church for a few
centuries toward the close of that dispensation, on account of the corruptions
in that church, it re-appeared at its close to usher in the messiah.
Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, “was filled with the Holy Spirit,
and prophesied.” Simeon, a just and devout man, who was “waiting for the
consolation of Israel,” came by the Spirit into the temple, and prophesied of
Jesus as “a light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of Israel.” And Anna,
a prophetess, “spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in
Jerusalem.” And there was no greater prophet than John, who was chosen of God
to introduce to Israel “the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.”
{1SP 8.1}
The
Christian age commenced with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the
manifestation of various spiritual gifts. Among these was the gift of prophecy.
After
commissioning his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel,
Jesus says to them, “And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name
shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take
up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they
shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover,” Mark 16:17, 18. On the
day of Pentecost, when the Christian dispensation was fully opened, some of
these gifts were manifested in a wonderful manner. Acts 2:1-11. Luke, in giving
account of his travels with Paul and others, when a quarter of a century of the
Christian age had already passed, after speaking of entering into the house of
Philip, the evangelist, says: “And the same man had four daughters, virgins,
which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from
Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.” Acts 21:9, 10. Again, still later, we
see the beloved John, in the Isle of Patmos, imbued with the spirit of prophecy
in all its fullness. The wonderful
Revelation was given unto him when more than half a century of the Christian
age had passed. And here the New-Testament record leaves us without a
single intimation that the gifts of the Spirit should cease from the church
till the day of glory should be ushered in by the second appearing of Jesus
Christ. {1SP 8.2}
Since the great apostasy, these gifts have
rarely been manifested; and for this reason, professed Christians generally
suppose that they were designed to be limited to the period of the primitive
church. But from the time of the
primitive Christians to the present there have been manifestations among the
most devoted followers of Jesus, which have been recognized by nearly all of
the leading denominations as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Then should not the errors and the unbelief
of the church be assigned as reasons why these manifestations have been so
seldom, rather than that God has taken these blessings from the church? When the people of God attain to primitive faith and practice,
as they most certainly will under the last message, the latter rain will be
poured out, and all the gifts will be revived. The former
rain was given at the commencement of the Christian age, in the time of the
sowing of the gospel seed, to cause it to germinate and take good root. Then
the church enjoyed the gifts. And when the
latter rain shall be poured out at the close of the dispensation, to ripen the
golden harvest for the garner of God, then will the gifts of the Holy Spirit be
manifested in all their fullness. {1SP 9.1}
To
this agree the words of the prophet, as quoted by Peter: “And it shall come to
pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on my servants, and on my
handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my spirit, and they shall
prophesy. And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth
beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into
darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the
Lord come.” Acts 2:17-20. The spirit of prophecy is here seen among the
especial signs of the last days. Its revival in the last days was to constitute
one of the most noted signs of the approaching end. This is evident from its
being classed with the most prominent signs, in the sun, in the moon, and in
the stars, and such wonders, in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath, as
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. {1SP 10.1}
Of all the blessings which God has bestowed
upon his people, the gift of His Son excepted, none have been so sacred, and so
important to their welfare, as the gift of his holy law, and his Holy Spirit. And none have been so well calculated to
thwart the plans of Satan, and, consequently, to stir his rage, as these. And when that
people should arise in the last
generation of men, who should be observing all ten of the precepts of
God’s holy law, and should recognize the
revival of the spirit of prophecy, they
might expect to feel that bitterness from their opponents, which can arise only
from the direct inspiration of Satan. “And the
dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her
seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ.” Revelation 12:17. {1SP 10.2}
“The testimony of Jesus,” said the angel to
John, “is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10. It is the keeping of the
commandments of God, and the recognition of the
revival of the spirit of prophecy by the remnant of the church, or the
Christians of the last generation, that stirs the ire of the dragon. {1SP 11.1}
The Jewish age, notwithstanding its
apostasies, opened and closed with special manifestations of the spirit of God.
And it is not reasonable to suppose that
the Christian age, the light of which, compared with the former dispensation,
is as the light of the sun to the feeble rays of the moon, should commence in
glory, and close in obscurity. And since a special work of the spirit was
necessary to prepare a people for the first advent of Christ, how much more so
for his second advent. {1SP 11.2}
God has never manifested his power to his
people simply for their gratification; but according to their necessities has
he wrought for them. Then we may safely conclude that as his people are passing the
perils of the last days in the final struggle with the aroused powers of
darkness, when false prophets shall have power to show great signs and wonders,
insomuch that, if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect, our gracious God will bless and
strengthen His fainting people with the gifts, as well as the graces, of the
Holy Spirit. {1SP 11.3}
We have seen that the manifestation of the
spirit of prophecy in dreams and in visions became necessary in consequence of
man’s being separated from the visible presence of God. But when the tabernacle
of God shall be with men, and he shall dwell with them, and God himself shall
be with them, Revelation 21:3; when Christ shall come again with all the holy
angels, and receive his people unto himself, that where he shall be, there they
may be also, John 14:3; and when man redeemed shall walk and talk with God, and
Christ, and angels, in Eden restored; then
there will be no further need of the
spirit of prophecy. {1SP 11.4}
When man in Eden stood in all the perfection
of his manhood, before the blight of sin had touched anything that God had made
for him, and with open face beheld the glory of the Lord, he could have no need
of the spirit of prophecy. But when Eden
was lost in consequence of transgression, and man was doomed to grope his way
from the gates of paradise, enshrouded in the moral gloom that resulted from
the curse and the reign of Satan, he needed the light of the spirit of
prophecy. And his need in
this respect will continue, more or less urgent, until the restitution, when
the redeemed shall walk and talk with God, and with Christ, and with the holy
angels, in Eden restored. {1SP 12.1}
The apostle to the Corinthians clearly
sustains this position. He introduces the subject by stating, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I
would not have you ignorant.” 1 Corinthians 12:1. He deemed the subject
of too great importance to leave the church at Corinth in ignorance respecting
it. He proposes to instruct them. We shall do well to avail ourselves of the
benefit of his teachings. {1SP 12.2}
In this chapter the apostle introduces the
human body, with its several members acting in harmony, one dependent upon the
other, as an illustration of the Christian church, with its members, and the
several gifts God has set in the church. He then makes the application of the
figure thus: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God
hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments,
diversities of tongues.” Verses 27 and 28. {1SP 12.3}
Let
it be borne in mind that God has set prophets, miracles, and gifts of healings,
in the Christian church as verily as he has teachers, helps, and governments. And this
expression, “God hath set” them in the Church, means more than that he would
communicate with this people by His Holy Spirit in the Christian age the same
as he had in former dispensations. It conveys the idea that God had especially
endowed the Christian church with them. He had established them in the church, to
remain until the return of her absent Lord. This
was done because the church needed them. Did the primitive church need them? So
did the true church need them to light her pathway during the dark period of
her persecutions and martyrdom. And much more does the church need the gifts in
making her course through the perils of the last days, and in making ready to
receive her soon-coming Lord. {1SP 13.1}
The design of the gifts, and also the time of
their continuance in the church, are definitely expressed by the apostle to the
Ephesians: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the
edifying the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of
the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fullness of Christ.” Chap. 4:11-13. {1SP 13.2}
It cannot be shown that the church did, in the
lifetime of Paul, reach the state of unity, knowledge, and perfection, here
mentioned. And certainly the church did
not enjoy these during her apostasy, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, and the period of her
flight into the wilderness, Revelation 12:6. Nor has she reached this state of unity, knowledge, and perfection,
since the labors of Martin Luther. The
church today is almost infinitely below this state of unity, knowledge, and
perfection. And not until the Christians of the last generation of men
shall be brought to the enjoyment of it by the last warning message, and all
the means God may employ to prepare them to be translated to heaven without
tasting death, will the ultimate design of the gifts be realized. {1SP
13.3}
But Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13, has distinctly
shown when the gifts would cease. In the first part of this chapter the apostle
discourses upon the pre-eminence of love (improperly translated charity) to the
gift of tongues, gift of prophecy, faith, liberality to the poor, and courage to
give one’s body to be burned. These, in
the absence of love, are valueless. He then describes the virtues and
riches of love, closing with these words: “Charity
[love] never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether
there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish
away.” Verse 8. While love is not only the crowning Christian grace here, but
will reach forward to all eternity, and be the crowning glory of the redeemed,
the gifts will cease with faith and hope. At the glorious appearing of the Lord, faith will be
lost in sight, hope in fruition, prophecies will fail to be any longer a
light to the church, tongues will cease to be a sign, and the faint
knowledge of the present dim night will vanish before the perfect knowledge of
the perfect day, as the dim rays of the moon vanish before the light of the
rising sun. {1SP 14.1}
Next come the forcible words of verse 9 and
10: “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come,
then that which is in part shall be done away.” We
still wait for that which is perfect to come. And while we wait, may our dear,
absent Lord manifest himself to his waiting people through the gifts. “For,”
says Paul, speaking of the present imperfect state, “we know in part, and we
prophesy in part.” How long shall the spirit of prophesy serve the church? When
will it be done away? Answer: “But when that which is perfect is come, then
that which is in part shall be done away.” This should settle the question of
the perpetuity of the gifts in the Christian church.
The popular view, however, is this: The gifts
were given to the primitive church, to remain only during the lifetime of
Christ’s first apostles. At their death, the gifts were to be removed from the
church. But let it be remembered that a great change takes place when the gifts
are to cease, and that change is from an imperfect state to that which is
perfect; from the dimness of night to the glory of perfect day. We need not
inquire if such a change took place at the death of the first apostles; for all
who have any knowledge of the history of the primitive church, know that
whatever changes did take place in the church about the time of the death of
the apostles, were not for the better, but decidedly for the worse. Even in
Paul’s day, the mystery of iniquity already worked in the church. 2
Thessalonians 2:7. And the apostle, addressing the elders of the church at
Miletus, says: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men
arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts
20:29, 30. But if we apply this great change to the close of the present
dispensation, and the introduction of the eternal day of glory, all is plain.
Here we have the clearest proof that the gifts were not to be done away until
the second appearing of Christ. {1SP 15.1}
Paul continues with an illustration of the
present imperfect state, and the future state perfection and glory: “When I was
a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; But
when I became a man, I put away childish things.” Verse 11. His childhood
represents the present imperfect state; his manhood, the perfection of the
immortal state. This is evident. Now suppose we are wrong, and that Paul’s
childhood represents the church in his day, endowed with the gifts; and that
his manhood represents the church after his death, stripped of the gifts of the
Holy Spirit, and fast sinking away toward the great apostasy! Absurdity!
And still the apostle continues with another
beautiful illustration of the change from the present dispensation, during
which the Church was to enjoy the comparatively-dim light of the gifts, as she
walked by faith and hope, to the open glories of the world to come, when the
redeemed shall walk with God in Eden restored, and talk face to face with
Christ and angels. He says: “For now we see through a glass darkly; but then,
face to face.” Verse 12. To the view that the gifts were to cease at the death
of the first apostles, and that with their death came the glorious change
illustrated by these words of the apostle, we need only to repeat, absurdity!
{1SP 16.1}
The truth of God upon this subject is
consistent and harmonious with itself, and with all divine truth. The spirit of
prophecy, in consequence of the fall and man’s separation from the visible
presence of God, became a necessity. This necessity has not been obviated by
any past change of dispensation. And no dispensation needs the gifts of the
Holy Spirit more than the Christian age; and at no time in the long period of
man’s separation from God’s visible presence, have they been so much needed as
amid the perils of the raging tempests of the last days. But when the Redeemer
shall come, the controversy be ended, the saints’ rest given, and they, all
immortal, meet around the throne with angels, and face to face behold the glory
of God and the Lamb, the spirit of prophecy will be numbered among Heaven’s choicest
blessings of the past.” {1SP 16.2}
“The gift of prophecy was manifested in the
Church during the Jewish dispensation. If it disappeared for a few centuries,
on account of the corrupt state of the Church toward the close of that
dispensation, it reappeared at its close to usher in the Messiah. Zacharias,
the father of John the baptist, “Was filled with the holy ghost, and
prophesied.” Simeon, a just and devout man who was “Waiting for the consolation
of Israel,” Came by the spirit into the temple, and prophesied of Jesus as “A
light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel”; And Anna, a
prophetess, “Spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
And there was no greater prophet than John the Baptist, who was chosen of God
to introduce to Israel “The lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
world.” {EW 133.1}
The Christian age commenced with the
outpouring of the spirit, and a great variety of spiritual gifts was manifested
among the believers. These were so abundant
that Paul could say to the Corinthian Church, “The manifestation of the spirit
is given to Every Man to profit withal”—To every man in the Church, not to
every man in the world, as many have applied it. {EW 133.2}
Since the great apostasy, these gifts have
rarely been manifested; and this is probably the reason why professed
Christians generally believe that they were limited to the period of the
Primitive Church. But is it not on
account of the errors and unbelief of the Church that the gifts have ceased?
And
when the people of God shall attain to primitive faith and practice, as they
certainly will by the proclamation of the commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus, will not “The latter rain”
Again develop the gifts? Reasoning from analogy we should expect it. Notwithstanding
the {EW 133.3}
Apostasies of the Jewish age, it opened and closed with special
manifestations of the spirit of God. And
it is unreasonable to suppose that the Christian age—the light of which,
compared with the former dispensation, is as the light of the sun compared with
the feeble rays of the moon—should commence in glory and close in obscurity. And
since a special work of the spirit was necessary to prepare a people for the
first advent of Christ, how much more so for the second; especially since the
last days were to be perilous beyond all precedent, and false prophets were to
have power to show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible,
they should deceive the very elect. But to the scriptures of truth: {EW 134.1}
“And
he said unto them, go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe:
In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they
shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt
them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:15-18. {EW 134.2}
Campbell’s translation says, “These miraculous powers shall attend the
believers.” The gifts were not confined to the apostles, but extended to the
believers. Who will have them? Those that believe. How long? There is no
limitation; the promise runs parallel with the great commission to preach the
gospel and reaches the last believer. {EW 134.3}
But it is objected that this aid was promised
only to the apostles and to those who believed through their preaching; that
they fulfilled the commission, established the gospel, and that the gifts
ceased with that generation. Let us see if the great commission ended with that
generation. Matthew 28:19, 20. “Go ye therefore, {EW 134.4}
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost: teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you
alway, even unto the end of the world.” {EW 135.1}
That
the preaching of the gospel under this commission did not end with the
Primitive Church is evident from the promise, “I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world.” He does not say, I am with you, apostles, everywhere,
even to the ends of the earth; but I am with you Always, to the end of the
world, or age. It will not do to say that the Jewish age is meant, for that
had already ended at the cross. I conclude, then, that the preaching and the
belief of the primitive gospel will always be attended with the same spiritual
aid.
The apostles’ commission belonged to the Christian age, and embraced the whole
of it. Consequently the gifts were lost
only through apostasy, and will be revived with the revival of primitive faith
and practice. {EW 135.2}
In 1 Corinthians 12:28, we are informed that
God hath set, placed, or fixed, certain spiritual gifts in the church. In the
absence of any scriptural proof that he has removed or abolished them, we must
conclude that they were intended to remain. Where is the proof then that they are
abolished? In the same chapter where the Jewish Sabbath is abolished, and the
Christian Sabbath instituted—a chapter in the acts of the mystery of iniquity
and the man of sin. But the objector claims Bible proof that gifts were to
cease, contained in the following text: “Charity never faileth: but whether
there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall
cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part,
and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that
which is in part {EW 135.3}
shall be done away. When I was a child, I
spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: But when I
became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass,
darkly; but then face to face: Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as
also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.
{EW 136.1}
This
text does foretell the cessation of spiritual gifts, also of faith and hope.
But when Were they to cease? We still look forward to the time when— {EW 136.2}
“Hope
shall change to glad fruition, faith to sight, and prayer to praise.”
They
are to cease when that which is perfect is come, when we shall no longer see
through a glass darkly, but face to face. The perfect day, when the just are made
perfect and see as they are seen, is yet in the future. It is true that the man
of sin, when arrived at manhood, had put away such “Childish things” as
prophecies, tongues, and knowledge, and also the faith, hope, and charity of
the Primitive Christians. But there is
nothing in the text to show that God designed to take away the gifts which he
had set in the Church, till the consummation of her faith and hope, till the
surpassing glory of the immortal state should eclipse the most brilliant
displays of spiritual power and knowledge ever manifested in this mortal state.
{EW 136.3}
The objection
founded upon 2 Timothy 3:16, which some have gravely presented, deserves no
more than a passing remark. If Paul, in
saying that the scriptures are to make the man of God perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works, meant that nothing more should be written by
inspiration, why was he at that moment adding to those scriptures? At least why did he not drop the pen as soon
as that sentence was written? And why did john, thirty years afterward, write
the book of revelation? This book contains another text {EW 136.4}
which is quoted to prove the abolition of spiritual gifts. {EW 137.1}
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the
words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man
shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take
away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things
which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18, 19. {EW 137.2}
From this text it is claimed that God, who at
sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past to the fathers by the
prophets, and, in the commencement of the gospel day, by Jesus and his
apostles, has hereby solemnly promised never to communicate anything more to
man in that way. Therefore all prophesying after this date must be false. This,
it is said, closes the canon of inspiration. If so, why did John write his gospel after his return from patmos to
ephesus? In doing so did he add to the words of the prophecy of that book
written in the Isle of Patmos? It is evident, from the text, that the caution
against adding to, or taking from, refers not to the Bible as we have the volume
compiled, but to the separate book of revelation, as it came from the hand of
the apostle. Yet no man has a right
to add to, or subtract from, any other book written by inspiration of God. Did
john, in writing the book of revelation, add anything to the book of Daniel’s
prophecy? Not at all. A prophet has no right to alter the word of God.
But the visions of John corroborate those of Daniel and give much additional
light upon the subjects there introduced. I conclude, then, that the Lord has
not bound himself to keep silence, but is still at liberty to speak. Ever be it
the language of my heart, speak, Lord, through whom thou wilt; thy servant
heareth. {EW 137.3}
Thus the attempt to prove from scripture the
abolition {EW 137.4}
of spiritual gifts, proves a total failure. And since the gates of hades have not
prevailed against the Church, but God still has a people on earth, we may look
for the development of the gifts in connection with the third angel’s message,
a message which will bring back the Church to apostolic ground and make it
indeed the light—not darkness—of the world. {EW 138.1}
Again: We are forewarned that there would be
false prophets in the last days, and the Bible gives a test by which to try
their teachings in order that we may distinguish between the true and the
false. The grand test is the law of God,
which is applied both to the prophesyings and to the moral character of the
prophets. If there were to be no
true prophesyings in the last days, how much easier to have stated the fact,
and thus cut off all chance for deception, than to give a test by which to try
them, as if there would be the genuine as well as the false. {EW 138.2}
In Isaiah 8:19,
20, is a prophecy of the familiar spirits of the present time, and the law is
given as a test: “To the law and to the
testimony: if they speak not according to This word, it is because there is no
light in them.” Why say, “If they speak not,” if there was to be no true
spiritual manifestation or prophesying at the same time? Jesus says, “Beware of false prophets.... Ye shall know them by their
fruits.” Matthew 7:15, 16. This is a part of the sermon on the mount, and
all can see that this discourse has a general application to the church through
the gospel age. False prophets are to be
known by their fruits; in other words, by their moral character. The only
standard by which to determine whether their fruits are good or bad, is the law
of God. Thus we are brought to the law and to the testimony. True prophets will not only speak according
to this word, but they will live according to it. One who speaks and lives
thus, I dare not condemn. {EW 138.3}
It
has always been a characteristic of false prophets that they see visions of
peace; and they will be saying, “Peace and safety,” when sudden destruction
comes upon them. The true will boldly reprove sin and warn of coming wrath. {EW 139.1}
Prophesyings
which contradict the plain and positive declarations of the word, are to be
rejected. Thus our saviour taught his disciples when he warned them
concerning the manner of his second coming. When Jesus ascended to heaven in
the sight of his disciples, it was declared most explicitly by the angels that
this same Jesus should so come in like manner as they had seen him go into
heaven. Hence Jesus, in predicting the work of the false prophets of the last
days, says, “If they shall say unto you, behold, he is in the desert; go not
forth: Behold, he is in the secret chambers, believe it not.” All true
prophesying on that point must recognize his visible coming from heaven. Why did not Jesus say, reject all
prophesying at that time; for there will be no true prophets then? {EW
139.2}
“And
he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto
the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13. {EW 139.3}
We learn from a previous verse that when
Christ ascended up on high, he gave gifts unto men. Among these gifts are
enumerated apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. The object for which they were given was
the perfecting of the saints in unity and knowledge. Some who profess to be
pastors and teachers at the present day hold that these gifts fully
accomplished their object some eighteen hundred years ago, {EW 139.4}
and consequently ceased. Why not then throw aside their titles of pastors and teachers? If the office of prophet is by this text
limited to the Primitive Church, so is that of the evangelist—and all the rest;
for no distinction is made. {EW 140.1}
Note by Ron: If as Vance Ferrell says, there
will be no more prophets, then there should be no more pastors either, and he
claims to be a pastor. End note.
Now let us
reason a moment upon this point. All
these gifts were given for the perfecting of the saints in unity, knowledge,
and spirit. Under their influence the Primitive Church for a time enjoyed
that unity: “The multitude of them that
believed were of one heart and of one soul.” And it seems a natural consequence
of this state of unity, that “With Great power gave the apostles witness of the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus: And great grace was upon them all.” Acts
4:31-33. How desirable such a state of things now! But apostasy with its
dividing and blighting influence marred the beauty of the Fair Church and
clothed her in sackcloth. Division and
disorder have been the result. Never was there so great a diversity of
faith in Christendom as at the present day. If the gifts were necessary to preserve the unity of the Primitive
Church, how much more so to restore unity now! And that it is the purpose of God to restore the unity of the Church in
the last days, is abundantly evident from the prophecies. We are assured that the watchmen shall see
eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Also, that in the time of
the end the wise shall understand. When this is fulfilled there will be unity
of faith with all whom God accounts wise; for
those that do in reality understand aright, must necessarily understand alike.
What is to effect this unity but the gifts that were given for this very
purpose? {EW 140.2}
From considerations like these, it is evident
that the perfect state of the Church here predicted is still in the future;
consequently these gifts have not yet accomplished their purpose. This letter
to the Ephesians {EW 140.3}
Was written in A.D. 64, about two years before
Paul told timothy that he was ready to be offered, and the time of his
departure was at hand. The seeds of the apostasy were now germinating in the
Church, for Paul had said ten years before, in his second letter to the
Thessalonians, “The mystery of iniquity doth already work.” Grievous wolves
were now about to enter in, not sparing the flock. The Church was not then
rising and advancing to that perfection in unity contemplated in the text, but
was about to be torn by factions and distracted by divisions. The apostle knew this; consequently he must
have looked beyond the great apostasy, to the period of the gathering of the
remnant of God’s people, when he said, “Till we all come into [margin] the
unity of the faith.” Ephesians 4:13. Hence the gifts that were set in the
church have not yet served out their time. {EW 141.1}
“Quench
not the spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that
which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21. {EW 141.2}
Note by Ron: Is it quenching the Spirit and
despising prophesying to say that there will be no more such thing after Ellen
G. White? End note.
In
this epistle the apostle introduces the subject of the second coming of the
Lord. He then describes the state of the unbelieving world at that time, who
are saying, “Peace and safety,” when the day of the Lord is about to burst upon
them, and sudden destruction come upon them as a thief in the night. He then
exhorts the Church, in view of these things, to keep awake, to watch and be
sober. Among the exhortations that follow are the words we have quoted, “Quench
not the spirit,” etc. Some may think that these three verses are completely detached
from one another in sense; but they have a natural connection in the order in
which they stand. The person who quenches the spirit will be left to despise
prophesyings, which are the legitimate fruit of the spirit. “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall {EW 141.3}
prophesy.”
Joel 2:28. The expression, “Prove all things,” is limited to the subject
of discourse, prophesyings, and we are
to try the spirits by the tests which God has given us in his word. Spiritual
deceptions and false prophesyings abound at the present time; and doubtless
this text has a special application here.
But mark, the apostle does not say, reject all things; but, prove all things;
Hold Fast that which is Good. {EW 142.1}
“And
it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all
flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall
dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; and also upon the servants and
upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will show
wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the
great and the terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: For in mount
Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the
remnant whom the Lord shall call.” Joel 2:28-32. {EW 142.2}
Note by Ron: QUESTIONS:
·
Has the antitypical Day of Pentecost come when God will pour out
His Spirit upon ALL FLESH? Not that I know of!
·
Have our sons, daughters, and old men (plural) had dreams and
prophesied?
·
Have the signs of blood, fire and pillars of smoke occurred? End
note.
Note
by Ron: This prophecy of Joel, which speaks of the outpouring of the holy
spirit in the last days, was not all fulfilled at the beginning of the gospel
dispensation. This is evident from the wonders in heaven and in earth,
introduced in this text, which were to be precursors of “The great and terrible
day of the Lord.” though we have had the signs, that terrible day is still in
the future.
The signs that occurred in the past were quite
localized when considering the entire world, but all of the signs have not been
fulfilled, for sons, daughters and old men have not prophesied along with one
person, Ellen White. Ellen White further stated:
“This prophecy of Joel, which speaks of the
out-pouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days, was not all fulfilled at the
beginning of the Gospel dispensation. This is evident from the wonders in
heaven and in earth, introduced in this text, which were to be precursors of
“the great and the terrible day of the Lord.” Though we have had the signs,
that terrible day is still in the future. The whole Gospel dispensation may be
called the last days, but to say that the last days are all 1800 years in the
past, is absurd. They reach to the day of the Lord, and to the deliverance of
the remnant of God’s people. “For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be
deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall
call.”{1SG 15.1}
End note by Ron.
The whole gospel dispensation may be called
the last days, but to say that the Last Days are all 1800 years in the past, is
absurd. They reach to the day of the
Lord and to the deliverance of the remnant of God’s people: “For in mount Zion
and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the
Remnant whom the Lord shall call.” {EW 142.3}
This remnant, existing amid the signs and
wonders that usher in the great and terrible day of the Lord, is doubtless the
remnant of the seed of the woman spoken of in Revelation 12:17—The last
generation of the Church on Earth. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman,
and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments
of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ.” {EW 143.1}
The
remnant of the Gospel Church will have the gifts. War will be
waged against them because they keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
(Revelation 12:17.) In Revelation 19:10, the testimony of Jesus is defined
to be the spirit of prophecy. Said the angel, “I am thy fellow servant, and of
thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus.” In Revelation 22:9, he repeats
the same in substance, as follows: “I am thy fellow servant, and of thy
brethren the prophets.” From the comparison we see the force of the expression,
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy.” But the testimony of Jesus includes all the gifts of that one
spirit. Says Paul: “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of
God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in everything ye are enriched by
him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ
was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind
in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians
1:4-7. The testimony of Christ was confirmed in the Corinthian Church; and
what was the result? They came behind in no gift. Are we not justified, then, in the conclusion that when the remnant are
fully confirmed in the testimony of Jesus, they will come behind in no gift,
waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? {EW 143.2} Roswell F.
Cottrell
Patriarchs and Prophets Introduction
This volume treats upon the themes of Bible
history, themes not in themselves new, yet here so presented as to give them a
new significance, revealing springs of action, showing the important bearing of
certain movements, and bringing into stronger light some features that are but
briefly mentioned in the Bible. Thus the scenes have a vividness and importance
that tend to make new and lasting impressions. Such a light is shed upon the
Scripture record as to reveal more fully the character and purposes of God; to
make manifest the wiles of Satan and the means by which his power will be
finally overthrown; to bring to view the weakness of the human heart, and show
how the grace of God has enabled men to conquer in the battle with evil. All
this is in harmony with what God has shown to be His purpose in unfolding to
men the truths of His word. The agency by which these revelations have been
given is seen—when tested by the Scriptures—to be one of the methods God still
employs to impart instruction to the children of men. {PP 19.1}
While it is not now as it was in the
beginning, when man in his holiness and innocence had personal instruction from
his Maker, still man is not left without a divine teacher which God has
provided in His representative, the Holy Spirit. So we hear the apostle Paul
declaring that a certain divine “illumination” is the privilege of the
followers of Christ; and that they are “enlightened” by being made “partakers
of the Holy Ghost.” Hebrews 10:32; 6:4. John also says, “Ye have an unction
from the Holy One.” 1 John 2:20. And Christ promised the disciples, as He was
about to leave them, that He would send them the Holy Spirit as a comforter and
guide to lead them into all truth. John 14:16, 26. {PP 19.2}
To
show how this promise was to be fulfilled to the church, the apostle Paul, in
two of his epistles, presents formal declaration that certain gifts of the
Spirit have been placed in the Church for its edification and instruction to
the end of time. 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:8-13; Matthew 28:20 Nor is this
all: a number of clear and explicit prophecies declare that in the last days there will be a special
outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and that the church at the time of Christ’s
appearing will have had, during its closing experience, “the testimony of
Jesus,” which is the spirit of prophecy. Acts 2:17-20, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:7;
Revelation 12:17; Revelation 19:10. In these facts we see an evidence of
God’s care and love for His people; for the presence of the Holy Spirit as a
comforter, teacher, and guide, not only in its ordinary, but in its
extraordinary, methods of operation, certainly is needed by the church as it
enters the perils of the last days, more than in any other part of its
experience. {PP 20.1}
The
Scriptures point out various channels through which the Holy Spirit would
operate on the hearts and minds of men to enlighten their understanding and
guide their steps. Among these {PP 20.2}
were visions and dreams. In this way God would still communicate
with the children of men. Here is His promise on this point: “Hear now my
words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make Myself known unto
him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Numbers 12:6. By this means
supernatural knowledge was communicated to Balaam. Thus He says: “Balaam the
son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: he hath said,
which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the Most High, which
saw the vision of the almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes
open.” Numbers 24:15, 16. {PP 20.3}
It thus becomes a matter of great interest to
investigate the testimony of the Scriptures concerning the extent to which the
Lord designed that the Spirit should manifest itself in the church during the
period of human probation. {PP 20.4}
After the plan of salvation had been devised,
God, as we have seen, could still, through the ministry of His Son and the holy
angels, communicate with men across the gulf which sin had made. Sometimes He
spoke face to face with them, as in the case of Moses, but more frequently by dreams and visions. Instances of such
communication are everywhere prominent upon the sacred record, covering all
dispensations. Enoch the seventh from Adam looked forward in the spirit of
prophecy to the second advent of Christ in power and glory, and exclaimed,
“Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints.” Jude 14. “Holy men of God spake as they were moved
by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21. If the operation of the spirit of
prophecy has at times seemed almost to disappear, as the spirituality of the
people waned, it has nevertheless marked
all the great crises in the experience of the church, and the epochs which
witnessed the change from one dispensation to another. When the era marked by
the incarnation of Christ was reached, the father of John the Baptist was
filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied. Luke 1:67. To Simeon it was
revealed that he should not see death till he had seen the Lord; and when the
parents of Jesus brought Him into the temple that He might be dedicated, Simeon
came by the Spirit into the temple, took Him into his arms, and blessed Him
while he prophesied concerning Him. And Anna, a prophetess, coming in the same
instant, spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Luke
2:26, 36. {PP 21.1}
Note by Ron: Is the church in a great crises
now—even the omega of apostasy which Ellen White says will wax stronger until
Jesus comes? End note.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit which was to
attend the preaching of the gospel by the followers of Christ was announced by
the prophet in these words: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will
pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream
dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon
the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit. And I will show wonders
in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun
shall be turned {PP 21.2}
into
darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the
Lord come.” Joel 2:28-31. {PP 22.1}
Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, quoted this
prophecy in explanation of the wonderful scene which then occurred. Cloven
tongues like as of fire sat upon each of the disciples; they were filled with
the holy spirit, and spake with other tongues. And when the mockers charged
that they were filled with new wine, Peter answered, “These are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour
of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” Then he
quotes the prophecy substantially as found in Joel (quoted above), only he puts
the words “in the last days,” in the place of “Afterward,” making it read, “and
it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit,”
etc. {PP 22.2}
Note by Ron: Ellen White said that there will
be another fulfillment similar to Pentecost. We know that the latter rain will
be manifest in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.
The above paragraph parallels Joel 2 with the end-time Pentecost or Latter Rain
experience. End note.
It
is evident that it was that part of the prophecy only which relates to the
outpouring of the Spirit, that began to be fulfilled on that day; for there were
no old men there dreaming dreams, nor young men and maidens seeing visions and
prophesying; and no wonders of blood and fire and pillars of smoke then
appeared; and the sun was not darkened and the moon was not turned to blood
at that time; and yet what was there witnessed was in fulfillment of the
prophecy of Joel. It is equally evident that this part of the prophecy
concerning the outpouring of the Spirit was not exhausted in that one
manifestation; for the prophecy covers all days from that time on to the
coming of the great day of the Lord. {PP 22.3}
But the Day of Pentecost was in fulfillment of
other prophecies besides that of Joel. It fulfilled the words of Christ Himself
as well. In His last discourse to His disciples before His crucifixion, He said
to them: “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, ...
Even the Spirit of truth.” John 14:16, 17. “But the Comforter, which is the
Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all
things.” Verse 26. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will
guide {PP 22.4}
you into all truth.” Chapter 16:13. And after
Christ had risen from the dead, He said to the disciples, “Behold, I send the
promise of my Father upon you: But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye
be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49. {PP 23.1}
On
the Day of Pentecost the disciples were thus endued with power from on high. But
this promise of Christ’s was not, any more than the prophecy of Joel, confined
to that occasion. For He gave them the
same promise in another form by assuring them that He would be with them
always, even to the end of the world. Matthew 28:20. Mark tells us in
what sense and what manner the Lord was to be with them. He says, “And they
went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming
the word with signs following.” Mark 16:20. And Peter, on the Day of Pentecost,
testified concerning the perpetuity of this operation of the Spirit which they
had witnessed. When the convicted Jews said unto the apostles, “What shall we
do?” Peter answered, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:37-39. This
certainly provides for the operation of the Holy Spirit in the church, even in
its special manifestations, to all coming time, as long as mercy shall invite men
to accept the pardoning love of Christ. {PP 23.2}
Twenty-eight years later in his letter to the
Corinthians, Paul set before that church a formal argument on the question. He
says (1 Corinthians 12:1), “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not
have you ignorant”—so important did he deem it that this subject should be
understood in the Christian church. After stating that though the Spirit is one
it has diversities of operation, and explaining what those diversities are, he
introduces the figure of the human body, with its various members, to show how
the church is constituted with its different offices and gifts. And as the body has its various members,
each having its {PP 23.3}
particular
office to fill, and all working together in unity of purpose to constitute one
harmonious whole, so the Spirit was to operate through various channels in the
church to constitute a perfect religious body. Paul then continues in these words: “And
God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments,
diversities of tongues.” {PP 24.1}
The declaration that God hath set some in the
church, etc., implies something more than that the way was left open for the
gifts to appear if circumstances should chance to favor. It rather signifies that they were to be permanent parts of the true
spiritual constitution of the church, and that if these were not in active
operation the church would be in the condition of a human body, some of whose
members had, through accident or disease, become crippled and helpless. Having once been set in the church, there
these gifts must remain until they are formally removed. But there is no record
that they ever have been removed. {PP 24.2}
Five
years later the same apostle writes to the Ephesians relative to the same
gifts, plainly stating their object, and thus showing indirectly that they must
continue till that object is accomplished. He says (Ephesians 4:8, 11-13):
“Wherefore He saith, when He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and
gave gifts unto men.... And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and
some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ.” {PP 24.3}
Note by Ron: Have we yet attained perfection
unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ? End note.
The church did not reach the state of unity
here contemplated, in the apostolic age; and very soon after that age, the
gloom of the great spiritual apostasy began to overshadow the church; and
certainly during the state of declension, this fullness of Christ, and unity of
faith, was not reached. Nor will it be
reached till {PP 24.4}
the
last message of mercy shall have gathered out of every kindred and people,
every class of society, and every organization of error, a people complete in
all gospel reforms, waiting for the coming of the Son of man. And truly, if ever in her experience the
church would need the benefit of every agency ordained for her comfort and
guidance, encouragement and protection, it would be amid the perils of the last
days, when the powers of evil, well-nigh perfected by experience and training
for their nefarious work, would, by their masterpieces of imposture, deceive if
it were possible even the elect. Very appropriately, therefore, come in the
special prophecies of the outpouring of the Spirit for the benefit of the
church in the last days. {PP 25.1}
It is, however, usually taught, in the current
literature of the Christian world, that the gifts of the Spirit were only for
the apostolic age; that they were given simply for the planting of the gospel;
and that the gospel being once established, the gifts were no longer needed,
and consequently were suffered soon to disappear from the church. But the
apostle Paul warned the Christians of his day that the “mystery of iniquity”
was already at work, and that after his departure, grievous wolves would enter
in among them, not sparing the flock, and that also of their own selves men
would arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. Acts
20:29, 30. It cannot therefore be that
the gifts, placed in the church to guard against these very evils, were ready,
when that time came, to pass away as having accomplished their object; for
their presence and help would be needed under these conditions more than when
the apostles themselves were on the stage of action. {PP 25.2}
We find another statement in Paul’s letter to
the Corinthian church, which shows that the popular conception of the temporary
continuance of the gifts cannot be correct. It is his contrast between the
present, imperfect state, and the glorious, immortal condition to which the
Christian will finally arrive. 1 Corinthians 13. He says (Verses 9, 10). “For we know in part, and we {PP 25.3}
prophesy
in part. But when that
which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” He further illustrates
this present state by comparing it to the period of childhood with its weakness
and immaturity of thought and action; and the perfect state, to the condition
of manhood with its clearer vision, maturity, and strength. And he classes the
gifts among those things which are needed in this present, imperfect condition,
but which we shall have no occasion for when the perfect state is come. “Now,”
he says (Verse 12), “we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: Now
I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” Then he states
what graces are adapted to the eternal state, and will there exist, namely,
faith, hope, and charity, or love, “these three; but the greatest of these is
charity.” {PP 26.1}
This
explains the language of Verse 8: “Charity never faileth;” that is, charity,
the heavenly grace of love, will endure forever; it is the crowning glory of
man’s future, immortal condition; but “whether there be prophecies, they shall
fail;” that is, the time will come when prophecies will be no longer needed,
and the gift of prophecy, as one of the helps in the church, will no longer be
exercised; “whether there be tongues, they shall cease;” that is, the gift of
tongues will no longer be of service; “whether there be knowledge, it shall
vanish away;” that is, knowledge, not in the abstract, but as one of the
special gifts of the Spirit, will be rendered unnecessary by the perfect
knowledge with which we shall be endowed in the eternal world. {PP 26.2}
Now, if we take the position that the gifts
ceased with the apostolic age, because no longer needed, we commit ourselves to
the position that the apostolic age was the weak and childish age of the
church, when everything was seen through a glass, darkly; but the age that
followed, when grievous wolves were to enter in, not sparing the flock, and men
were to arise, even in the church, speaking perverse things to draw away
disciples after them, was an age of perfect light and knowledge, in which the
imperfect and childish and darkened knowledge of apostolic times had passed
away! For, be
it remembered, the gifts cease only when a perfect state is reached, and
because that state is reached, which renders them no longer necessary. But no one, on
sober thought, can for a moment seek to maintain the position that the
apostolic age was inferior in spiritual elevation to any age which has
succeeded it. And if the gifts were needed then, they certainly are
needed now. {PP 27.1}
Among the agencies which the apostle in his
letters to both the Corinthians and Ephesians enumerates as “gifts” set in the
church, we find “pastors,” “teachers,” “helps,” and “governments;” and all these are acknowledged, on every hand, as still
continuing in the church. Why
not, then, the others also, including faith, healing, prophecy, etc.? Who is competent to draw the line, and say
what gifts have been “set out” of the church, when all were, in the beginning,
equally “set” therein? {PP 27.2}
Revelation 12:17 has been
referred to as a prophecy that the gifts would be restored in the last days. An examination of its testimony will confirm this view. The text
speaks of the remnant of the woman’s seed. The woman being a symbol of the
church, her seed would be the individual members composing the church at any
one time; and the “remnant” of her seed would be the last generation of
Christians, or those living on the earth at the second coming of Christ. The text
further declares that these “keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ;” and the “testimony of
Jesus” is explained in chapter 19:10 to be “the spirit of prophecy,” which must
be understood as that which among the gifts is called “the gift of prophecy.” 1
Corinthians 12:9, 10. {PP 27.3}
The
setting of the gifts in the church does not imply that every individual was to
have them in exercise. On this point the apostle (1 Corinthians 12:29) says,
“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?” etc. the implied answer
is no; not all are; but the gifts are divided among the members as it pleases {PP 27.4}
God.
1 Corinthians 12:7, 11. Yet these gifts are said to be “set in the church,” and if a
gift is bestowed upon even one member of the church, it may be said that that
gift is “in the church,” or that the church “has” it. So the last generation was to have, and it is believed does now have,
the testimony of Jesus, or the gift of prophecy. {PP 28.1}
Another portion of scripture evidently written
with reference to the last days, brings the same fact plainly to view. 1 Thessalonians 5. The apostle opens
the chapter with these words: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have
no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of
the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” In Verse 4 he adds, “But ye,
brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”
Then he gives them sundry admonitions in view of that event, among which are
these (verses 19-21): “Quench not the
Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is
good.” And in verse 23 he prays that these very ones who were thus to have to
do with “prophesyings” may be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord.
{PP 28.2}
On
the strength of these considerations are we not justified in believing that the
gift of prophecy will be manifested in the church in the last days, and that through
it much light will be imparted, and much timely instruction given? {PP 28.3}
All things are to be treated according to the
apostle’s rule: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good;” and to be
tested by the Saviour’s standard: “By their fruits ye shall know them.”
Appealing to this standard in behalf of what claims to be a manifestation of
the gift of prophecy, we commend this volume to the consideration of those who
believe that the Bible is the word of God, and that the church is the body of
which Christ is head. {PP 28.4}
U. Smith.
Review
and Herald
April
30, 1908
Ellen
G. White
The
Promise of the Spirit
“I have felt that we do not pray as much as we
should. There is nothing more needed in the work than the practical results of
communion with God. We should hold convocations for prayer, asking the Lord to
open the way for the truth to enter the strongholds where Satan has set up his
throne, and dispel the shadow he has cast athwart the pathway of those whom he
is seeking to deceive and destroy. We have the assurance, “The effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” {RH April 30, 1908, par. 1}
We need a firm reliance upon God if we would
be saved from the power of Satanic influences. If we will keep close to the
teachings of the Word, its truths will be our safeguard from the delusions of
these last days. We need to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth
of God. Why do we not rely more trustingly upon the grace and power of Christ?
Why do we not believe with all our hearts? We have a Friend in the courts of
heaven who assures us, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” {RH
April 30, 1908, par. 2}
The Christian church began its existence by
praying for the Holy Spirit. It was in its infancy, without the personal
presence of Christ. Just before his ascension Christ had commissioned the
disciples to preach the gospel to the world. “Ye shall receive power,” he said,
“after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of the earth.” “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with
power from on high.” {RH April 30, 1908, par. 3}
In obedience to the word of their Master, the
disciples returned to Jerusalem, and for ten days they prayed for the
fulfilment of God’s promise. These ten days were days of deep heart-searching.
The disciples put away all difference that had existed among them, and drew
close together in Christian fellowship. As they prayed, they realized what a
privilege they had had in being permitted to associate so closely with Christ.
Sadness filled their hearts as they thought of how many times they had grieved
his heart of love by their failure to understand the lessons that for their
good he had been trying to teach them. {RH April 30, 1908, par. 4}
At the end of the ten days the Lord fulfilled
his promise by a wonderful outpouring of his Spirit. When they were “all with
one accord in one place” in prayer and supplication, the promised blessing
came. “Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and
it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them
cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance.” {RH April 30, 1908, par. 5}
In the heavenly courts, Christ, with the
angels who had accompanied him to heaven, had been received. All the heavenly
intelligences joined in this coronation service of their Lord. The pentecostal outpouring upon the disciples was heaven’s
communication to them that his inauguration was complete. {RH April 30, 1908,
par. 6}
The multitude who had come together, when they
heard the disciples “speak with other tongues,” were amazed at the divine
manifestation. Some were in doubt, and said one to another, “What meaneth this?
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.” But this was the power of
the Holy Spirit. “Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and
said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this
known unto you, and harken unto my words: for these men are not drunken, as ye
suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is
that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the
last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your
sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I
will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will
show wonders in the heavens above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and
fire, and vapor of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon
into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: and it shall
come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be
saved.” {RH April 30, 1908, par. 7}
“And the same day there were added unto them
about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and of prayers. And fear came
upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that
believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they,
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house
to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising
God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added unto the church
daily such as should be saved.” {RH April 30, 1908, par. 8}
Christ has made provision that his church
shall be a transformed body. Illumined with the light of heaven, possessing the
glory of Immanuel. It is his purpose that every Christian shall be surrounded
with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace. There is no limit to the
usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of
the Holy Spirit upon the heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God. {RH
April 30, 1908, par. 9}
What was the result of the outpouring of the
Spirit upon the day of Pentecost?—The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried
to the utmost bounds of the inhabited world. The hearts of the disciples were
surcharged with the benevolence so full, so deep, so far-reaching, that it
impelled them to go to the ends of the earth, testifying, “God forbid that I
should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” As they proclaimed
the truth as it is in Jesus, hearts yielded to the power of the message. The
church beheld converts flocking to her from all directions. Backsliders were
reconverted. Sinners united with Christians in seeking the pearl of great
price. Those who had been the bitterest opponents of the gospel became its
champions. The prophecy was fulfilled, that the weak shall be “as David,” and
the house of David “as the angel of the Lord.” Every Christian saw in his brother
the divine similitude of love and benevolence. One interest prevailed. One
subject of emulation swallowed up all others. The only ambition of the
believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ’s character and to labor for the
enlargement of his kingdom. {RH April 30, 1908, par. 10}
Notice that it was after the disciples had
come into perfect unity, when they were no longer striving for the highest
place, that the Spirit was poured out. They were of one accord. All differences
had been put away. And the testimony borne of them after the Spirit had been
given was the same. Mark the word: “The multitude of them that believed were of
one heart and one soul.” The spirit of Him who died that sinners might live
animated the entire congregation of believers. {RH April 30, 1908, par. 11}
Christ
declared that the divine influence of the Spirit was to be with his followers
to the end of time. But the promise is not appreciated as it should be; and
therefore its fulfilment is not seen as it might be. With many the
promise of the Spirit is a matter little thought of; and the result is only
what might be expected,—spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual
declension and death. Minor matters occupy the attention, and the divine power
which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church, and which would
bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking, though offered in its
infinite plentitude. {RH April 30, 1908, par. 12}
It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the
gospel ministry so powerless. Learning, talent, eloquence, every natural or acquired
endowment, may be possessed; but without the presence of the Spirit of God, no
heart will be touched, no sinner won to Christ. On the other hand, if they are
connected with Christ, if the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, the poorest and
most ignorant of his disciples will have power that will tell upon hearts. God
makes them channels for the outflowing of the highest influence in the
universe. {RH April 30, 1908, par. 13}
My brethren and sisters, plead for the Holy Spirit. God stands back
of every promise he has made. With your Bibles in your hands say, “I have
done as thou hast said. I present thy promise, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’” Christ
declares, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive
them, and ye shall have them.” “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I
do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” {RH April 30, 1908, par. 14}
Comment by Ron: Will the power of the Holy
Spirit that attended ALL THE DISCIPLES in the Day of Pentecost be less apparent
at the end-time outpouring of the latter rain? They all had the gifts. For
Vance Ferrell, the gifts of the Spirit relative to prophecy ended with Ellen G.
White. That personal opinion of Vance’s is totally contrary to the Word of God
and Ellen G. White. End comment by Ron.
“In the closing work of God in the earth, the
standard of His law will be again exalted. False religion may prevail, iniquity
may abound, the love of many may wax cold, the cross of Calvary may be lost
sight of, and darkness, like the pall of death, may spread over the world; the
whole force of the popular current may be turned against the truth; plot after
plot may be formed to overthrow the people of God; but in the hour
of greatest peril the God of Elijah will raise up human instrumentalities to
bear a message that will not be silenced. In the populous cities of the land, and in
the places where men have gone to the greatest lengths in speaking against the
Most High, the voice of stern rebuke will be heard. Boldly will men of
God’s appointment denounce the union of the church with the world. Earnestly will
they call upon men and women to turn from the observance of a man-made institution
to the observance of the true Sabbath. “Fear God, and give glory to Him,” they
will proclaim to every nation; “for the hour of His judgment is come: and
worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of
waters.... If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in
his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of
God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation.”
Revelation 14:7-10.
Ellen
White Said That Elijah was to Come
Ellen White said that Elijah was to come, not
has come, and referred to Elijah as a He.
“The Jews tried to stop the proclamation of the
message that had been predicted in the Word of God; but prophecy must be
fulfilled. The Lord says, “Behold, I will send
you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the
Lord” (Malachi 4:5). Somebody is to come [VERSUS HAS COME] in the
spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the
Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.”{1SM
412.2}
In the following statement, Ellen White says that
“prophecy must be fulfilled” in reference to Elijah coming, not “prophecy has
been fulfilled.”
“Prophecy
must be fulfilled. The Lord says: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Somebody is to
come in the spirit and power of Elijah, [See Appendix.] and when he appears,
men may say: “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the
proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.”{TM 475.3}
I have no doubt
that Ellen White’s ministry was in the spirit and power of Elijah, but she was
not a he, and she said Elijah was to come, not had come. Those who are to
prepare the way for the second coming of Christ are the True Reformers.
“Those who are
to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ are represented by faithful Elijah, as John came
in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Christ’s first advent.{FLB
290.3}
Our message
must be as direct as was that of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity.
Notwithstanding the peril his life was in, he never allowed truth to languish
on his lips....{FLB 290.4}
In this time of
well-nigh universal apostasy, God calls upon His messengers to proclaim
His law in the spirit and power of Elias. As John the Baptist, in preparing a people
for Christ’s first advent, called their attention to the Ten Commandments, so we are to
give, with no uncertain sound, the message: “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the
hour of his judgment is come.” With the earnestness that characterized Elijah
the prophet and John the Baptist, we are to strive to prepare the way for
Christ’s second advent.” {FLB 290.5}
True
Reformers--Zion, the Bride of Christ
"Characteristics of
True Reformers.--Here are given the characteristics of those who shall be
reformers, who will bear the banner of the third angel's
message, those who avow themselves God's
commandment-keeping people, and who honor God, and are earnestly engaged, in
the sight of all the universe, in building up the old waste places. Who is it that calls them, The repairers of the breach, The restorers
of paths to dwell in? It is God. Their names are
registered [written--Heb. 12:22, 23] in heaven as reformers, restorers, as
raising the foundations of many generations." E. G. White, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol.
4, 1151, & Review and Herald, Oct. 13, 1891.
“Men will
go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way for the second
advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is their work to make Crooked things straight. Some
things must be torn down, some things must be built up. The
old treasures must be reset in a framework of truth. They are to preach God's Word; their testimony must
not be molded by the opinions and ideas that have been regarded as sound, but
by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” [1888 Mtl. p. 169 para. 01] p. 506, Para. 3, [1888MS].
“God has raised up men to meet the necessity of this
time who will cry aloud and spare not, who will lift up their voice like a
trumpet, and show my people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their
sins. Their work is not only to proclaim the law, but to preach the truth for
this time,—the Lord our righteousness. The curse of Meroz
will be upon those who do not now come up to the help of the Lord against the
mighty. Well may the question be asked in the spirit of Elijah. “How long halt
ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then
follow him.” {RH August 13, 1889, par.
“The voice of God calls you as it did Elijah, Come out
of the cave and stand with God and hear what he will say unto you. When you
will come under the divine guidance, the comforter will lead you into all
truth. The office of the Holy Spirit is to take the things of Christ as they
fall from his lips and infuse them as living principles into the hearts opened
to receive them. Then we will know both the Father and the Son.” {1888 799.1}
“This prophecy of Joel, which speaks of the
out-pouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days, was not all fulfilled at the
beginning of the Gospel dispensation. This is evident from the wonders in
heaven and in earth, introduced in this text, which were to be precursors of
“the great and the terrible day of the Lord.” Though we have had the signs,
that terrible day is still in the future. The whole Gospel dispensation may be
called the last days, but to say that the last days are all 1800 years in the
past, is absurd. They reach to the day of the Lord, and to the deliverance of
the remnant of God’s people. “For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be
deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall
call.”{1SG 15.1}
May God awaken His people to their great
disregard for His Word and the messengers He has sent to remind them of their
indifference to serious abominations, when sighing and crying for, and a
correct response to those abominations is conditional to their salvation. This
is my every prayer.
—rwb