All the Gifts of the Spirit Will be Revived and Exist Amongst the True Remnant Until the End of Time


“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” 1 Cor. 14:39

Joel 2:28, 29 (Acts 2:17, 18). A More Evident Fulfillment—If this prophecy of Joel met a partial fulfillment in the days of the apostles, we are living in a time when it is to be even more evidently manifest to the people of God. He will so bestow His Spirit upon His people that they will become a light amid the moral darkness; and great light will be reflected in all parts of the world. O that our faith might be increased, that the Lord might work mightily with His people (Manuscript 49, 1908). {4BC 1175.2}

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Do you think it is reasonable to conclude that 1 Cor. 14:39 (below) meant that ONE PERSON, Ellen G. White, was to covet to prophesy and only one person was to receive that gift? Why would God instruct us to covet to prophesy and not intend that more than one person should receive that gift of the Spirit?  Covet to prophesy is a direct commandment of God.

 

“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” 1 Cor. 14:39

 

Ellen White said that after her death great changes would be made. Those great changes have occurred in the form of abominable apostasy by way of replacing pillar doctrines for apostate doctrines taught by fallen Babylon and violating direct commands of God, breaking His statutes more than all others, Ezekiel Chapter 5. And that is the reason why Ellen White says that Ezekiel 9 is literally fulfilled “beginning at His Sanctuary,” apostate Jerusalem, the House of Jacob. 5T 211.

 

Would it not be reasonable for God to anoint young, old men, and maidens as visionary reformers to restore the original landmarks in the framework of truth. That is exactly what God said He would do.

 

“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].

 

“In immediate connection with the scenes of the great day of God, the Lord by the prophet Joel has promised a special manifestation of His Spirit. Joel 2:28. This prophecy received a partial fulfillment in the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost; but it will reach its full accomplishment in the manifestation of divine grace which will attend the closing work of the gospel.” {GC ix.3}

 

“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}

 

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 into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. Joel 2:28-31. {PP 21.2 }{PP 22.1}

 

Note: The context of Joel 2:28-31 in the above statement involves the time when wonders in the heavens and earth, blood, fire and pillars of smoke and when the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood. God, not Ellen White, says that “your sons and your daughters (plural—not one) and your old men (not one man) shall dream dreams and your young men (plural) shall see visions.

 

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}

 

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}

 

Note: Some say there will be no more prophets because Ellen White didn’t say there would be. But such persons thereby grossly contradict Ellen White in the above paragraph from Patriarchs and Prophets. Ellen White is speaking of Joel 2:28-31 in context, and she says: “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 (the first Day of Pentecost in context) on to the coming of the great day of the Lord.” End note.

 

“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}

 

Note” Special manifestations refers to all the gifts including the gift of prophecy. God would not instruct us to covet to prophesy if He intended that gift was to be given to only one woman.

 

“Quench not the spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21. {EW 141.2}

 

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}

 

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 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}

 

“We are well aware that many honest seekers after truth and Bible holiness are prejudiced against visions. Two great causes have created this prejudice. First, fanaticism, accompanied by false visions and exercises, has existed more or less, almost everywhere. This has led many of the sincere to doubt anything of the kind. Second, the exhibition of mesmerism, &C., and what is commonly called the “mysterious rappings,” are perfectly calculated to deceive, and create unbelief relative to the gifts and operations of the Spirit of God. {ExV 2.1}

 

“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.” {ExV 2.2}

 

Spiritual Gifts

 

“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 towards the close of that dispensation, it re-appeared at its close to usher in the Messiah. Zachariah, 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.” {1SG 5.1}

 

The Christian age commenced with the out-pouring of the Spirit, and a great variety of spiritual gifts was manifested among the believers; and 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. {1SG 5.2}

 

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 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 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 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. {1SG 5.3}

 

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. {1SG 6.1}

 

Says Campbell’s translation, “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 seems to run parallel with the great commission to preach the gospel, and to reach the last believer. {1SG 6.2}

 

But it is objected that the promised aid was 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, 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 to the end of the world. {1SG 7.1}

 

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 to the end of the world.” He does not say, I am with you, apostles, everywhere, even to the ends of the earth; but it is 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 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 only lost through apostasy, and will be revived with the revival of primitive faith and practice. {1SG 7.2}

 

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 think they were intended to remain. {1SG 7.3}

 

Note: And is it not strange that the very gift that God says edifies most, the gift of prophecy, should not be fulfilled as Joel 2:28, 29 says it will—not to one person only, but to many. End note.

 

Where is the proof then that they were 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 the 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 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, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. {1SG 8.1}

 

Well, 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 {1SG 8.2} “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 and 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. {1SG 8.3} {1SG 9.1}

 

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 were able 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 afterwards, write the book of Revelation? This book contains another text which is quoted to prove the abolition of spiritual gifts. {1SG 9.2}

 

For I testify to every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add to these things, God shall add to 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. {1SG 9.3}

 

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, hath hereby solemnly promised never to communicate any thing more to man in that way. Hence all prophesying after this date must be false. This, say they, 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. {1SG 9.4}

 

Thus the attempt to prove from scripture the abolition 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 them indeed the light---not darkness---of the world. {1SG 10.1}

 

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 though there would be the genuine as well as the false. 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. This is a part of “The Sermon on The Mount,” and all can see that this discourse has a general application to the church throughout 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. Hence we are brought to the law and to the testimony. True prophets will not only speak according to this word, but they must live according to it. One who speaks and lives thus I dare not condemn. {1SG 10.2}

 

Note: Some foolishly conclude that because the Bible and Ellen White said there would be false prophets at the end-time that all prophets would be false. That is a very foolish and illogical conclusion considering Joel 2:28, 29. Also, the end-time began in 1798. So if such persons were consistent, they would needs conclude that Ellen White was a false prophet as well by their foolish reasoning! End note.

 

It always has 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. {1SG 11.1}

 

Prophesyings which contradict the plain and positive declarations of the word are to be rejected. An example is given in the manner of Christ’s 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 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? {1SG 11.2}

 

Ephesians 4:11-13. “And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; [PLURAL] 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.” {1SG 12.1}

 

Note: Have all God’s people come into the unity of the faith and unto perfection and the stature of the fullness of Christ? Nay! Then Ephesians 4:11-13 is still in force till this occurs. Notice once again the word PROPHETS in the PLURAL SENSE. Ellen White was one prophet. End note.

 

“We learn from a previous verse that when Christ ascended up on high, he gave gifts unto men. Of these gifts are enumerated apostles, prophets, [PLURAL] 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, and consequently ceased. Why not then throw aside their titles of pastors and teachers? If the office of prophet is limited by this text to the primitive church, so is that of evangelist and all the rest; for there is no distinction made. {1SG 12.2}

 

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 enjoyed for a time 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. [And this is the case in Adventism as well!]. Never was there so great a diversity of faith in Christendom as at the present day. If the gifts were necessary for 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 that 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? {1SG 12.3}

 

“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 end. This letter to the Ephesians 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 the unity of the faith.” Hence the gifts that were set in the church have not yet served out their time. {1SG 13.1}

 

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21. “Quench not the spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” {1SG 14.1} 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---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, watch and be sober. Among the exhortations that follow are the words we have quoted, “quench not the Spirit,” &C. Some may think that these three verses are completely detached from each other 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, and your sons and your daughters shall 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 he 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. {1SG 14.2}

 

Joel 2:28-32. “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.” {1SG 14.3}

 

Note: By the thinking of many professing Seventh-day Adventists, Joel 2:28-32 would read: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon ONE WOMAN; and your ONE WOMAN and your ONE WOMAN shall prophesy, your old ONE WOMAN shall dream dreams, your ONE WOMAN shall see visions; and also upon the ONE WOMAN and upon the ONE WOMAN in those days will I pour out My Spirit.”

Such persons do serious despite to the Word of God and thereby despise prophesyings. They are in serious danger of hell fire because despising prophesying is despising the Holy Spirit. End note.

 

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}

 

This remnant, existing amid the signs and wonders that usher in the great and terrible day of the Lord are, 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.” {1SG 15.2}

 

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 Chapter 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 every thing 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? {1SG 15.3 {1SG 16.1}

 

Note: Did Ellen G. White, as important as her great work was, “usher in the great and terrible day of the

Lord?” Ellen White defined the remnant as the last generation living when Jesus comes. Notice:

 

 "The woman is a symbol of the church, and the remnant of the church represents the Christians of the last generation of men, living just prior to the second advent. The dragon makes war on these for keeping the commandments of God, Sabbath and all, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ, which, according to the inspired definition of chap. xix, 10, 'is the spirit of prophecy.' Here, then, are the causes of the dragon's warfare upon the remnant. They teach the observance of the ten commandments, and the revival of the gifts, and acknowledge the gift of prophecy among them. When the Devil got one foot upon the fourth commandment, and the other upon the gifts planted in the Christian church by Jesus Christ, then his satanic majesty was filled with revengeful delight. But when the remnant, whom God designs to fit for translation to Heaven without seeing death, 'ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein,' then the dragon is wroth, and makes war on them.

The true spirit of the dragonic host, which is already being somewhat developed, is vividly described in Isa. xxx, 8-13, as being manifested just prior to the sudden destruction of those who hate the pure testimony, and love smooth and deceitful things." E. G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Vol. III, 26, 27.

 

Note: This remnant just not merely believe the Spirit of Prophecy, THEY ARE DESCRIBED AS HAVING THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. They also acknowledge the gift of prophecy among them. They TEACH THE REVIVAL OF THE GIFTS AMONG THEM. Those who deny this revival of the gifts [AND THAT MEANS ALL OF THEM], will not be among that number who are translated to heaven without seeing death. And since that type of person usually despises prophesying as well, they disobey the Word of God, and they will not be found in heaven. They thus speak against the Holy Spirit gift to the church and those God invests with His REVIVED Holy Spirit gift of prophecy. And Vance Ferrell is one who denies that all the gifts will be revived. He says there will be no more prophets because he believes Ellen White did not say there would be more prophets. You just read otherwise and if you don’t see it, something is very wrong in your experience. Get on your knees in your closet until you see what she has said in this article on Spiritual Gifts. But forget Ellen White for a moment. Vance and many others are also denying the clear Word of God.

 

Many won’t believe a messenger is a prophet unless they prophesy future events, but they are very remiss in this belief.  Ellen White’s prime work, and the work of God’s messenger (prophets) at the end-time, is to clear away the rubbish of error and restore the jewels of truth to their proper framework. Ellen White said that is what Jesus Himself would do if He should come today. If you don’t recognize that my warning message achieves this objective, you need to get on your knees and pray to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob until you do—all praise, honor, ability and glory to Christ and His enabling power without which I could do nothing. End note.

 

I repeat:

 

“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].

 

COUNTERPART: "In the time of the Saviour, the Jews had so covered over the precious jewels of truth with the rubbish of tradition and fable, that it was impossible to distinguish the true from the false. The Saviour came to clear away the rubbish of superstition and long-cherished errors, and to set the jewels of God's word in the framework of truth. What would the Saviour do if he should come to us now as he did to the Jews? He would have to do a similar work in clearing away the rubbish of tradition and ceremony. The Jews were greatly disturbed when he did this work [As are SDAs today!]. They had lost sight of the original truth of God, but Christ brought it again to view. It is our work to free the precious truths of God from superstition and error." E.G. White,  Review and Herald, Vol. 2, 308.

 

Joel 2:28-32, next claims our attention. “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 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.” {3SG 23.1}

 

We call attention to the following points in this prophecy: {3SG 23.2}

 

1. The manifestations of the Holy Spirit noted in this prophecy, are in connection with the signs of the near approach of the great and terrible day of the Lord. In fact, they constitute one of those signs. {3SG 23.3}

 

2. The calling on the name of the Lord, and the deliverance of the remnant, spoken of in close relation to the great day of the Lord, evidently refer to the closing scenes of the history of the church in this mortal state. The oppressed people of God are yet to raise to heaven one united day and night cry for deliverance. Luke 18. This is symbolized by the message of prayer of the fourth angel of Revelation 14:15. And in answer to this prayer, the remnant which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus, will find deliverance. {3SG 23.4}

 

*******3. “We object to that narrow-souled theology which will not allow the old ladies to have dreams because the prophecy says, “Your old men shall dream dreams;” And that will not allow young women to have visions because the prophecy says, “Your young men shall see visions.” These stingy critics seem to forget that “man,” and “men,” in the Scriptures, generally mean both men and women, the book says that it is “appointed unto men once to die.” Don’t women die? “Unto you, o man, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.” Don’t [Doesn’t] the Lord call women? But the prophecy does say, “Your sons and your daughters shall prophecy.” {3SG 24.1} [The asterisk emphasis is mine. rb]

 

Note: The wrong grammar “Don’t the Lord call women” is as the quote appears in the book. Evidently this error was overlooked by the editor of Mrs. White’s writing of this item. By the above statement, Vance Ferrell and those who teash there will be no prophets other than Ellen White, are stingy critics! End note.

 

On the day of Pentecost the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, to the great amazement of the multitude. Some, unacquainted with the operations of the Holy Spirit, said, “These men are full of new wine.” Peter answered, “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, &C. {3SG 24.2}

 

The prophecy of Joel applies to the Christian age. And we do not object to applying the term, “last days,” here used by Peter, to this entire age, though it may have a more limited meaning. But let this fact be borne in mind, that the great events of the prophecy are in close connection with, and are signs of, the great and notable day of the Lord. The Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost; hence Peter, pointing to its influence upon believers on that occasion, could say, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” That was the Early Rain. Believers have ever since enjoyed a degree of the Holy Spirit, and from time to time God has wonderfully manifested his power. But, for the close of the dispensation, is reserved the Latter Rain, the pouring out of the Spirit. Here is the fulfillment of the burden of the prophecy of Joel. {3SG 24.3}

 

We object to that stupid blindness which has the entire prophecy fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, and hence, the “last days” were past more than eighteen hundred years ago. We find in the record only the exercise of the gift of tongues. There is no account of dreams or visions on that day. Certainly the outsiders might well have been amazed on beholding old men asleep, dreaming in the midst of the excitement and uproar of the occasion. And well might they have supposed such to be stone drunk. Again, was the sun turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, on the day of Pentecost? And was that the great and terrible day of the Lord? No! No! The “last days” must embrace the last day. Should we say that the leaves of the New Testament were the last leaves of our Bible, we should speak correctly; yet they would embrace the last leaf. It would be equally correct to call the book of Revelation, or the two last leaves of the Bible, the last leaves. But in each case, the last leaves embrace the very last leaf. So with the last days. If we call the whole Christian age, or the last century, or the last thirty years, the last days, in each case the last days must embrace the very last day. With this view of the subject we read with delight the prophetic description, Joel 2:28-32, of the termination of the present age with gracious blessings upon the people of God. The Christian age will terminate with glory to the righteous; yet a severe conflict with the dragon host is just ahead. {3SG 25.1}

 

In immediate connection with the scenes of the great day of God, the Lord by the prophet Joel has promised a special manifestation of His Spirit. Joel 2:28. This prophecy received a partial fulfillment in the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost; but it will reach its full accomplishment in the manifestation of divine grace which will attend the closing work of the gospel.... {FLB 292.5}

 

At this time the special endowment of divine grace and power is not less needful to the church than in apostolic days. {FLB 292.6}

 

God will today endow men and women with power from above, as He endowed those who on the day of Pentecost heard the word of salvation. At this very hour His Spirit and His grace are for all who need them and will take Him at His word. {FLB 292.7}

 

The gifts are already ours in Christ, but their actual possession depends upon our reception of the Spirit of God.... {FLB 292.8}

 

If they are connected with Christ, if the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, the poorest and most ignorant of His disciples will have a power that will tell upon hearts. God makes them the channel for the outworking of the highest influence in the universe. {FLB 292.9}

 

A Prophet’s Voice in Our Time

 

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. {FLB 293.1}

 

Note: Joel 2:28 deals in plurality of persons, not merely one woman. End note.

 

In His Word, God has committed to men the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience.... {FLB 293.2}

 

Yet the fact that God has revealed His will to men through His Word, has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit.... {FLB 293.3}

 

During the ages while the Scriptures of both the Old and the New Testament were being given, the Holy Spirit did not cease to communicate light to individual minds, apart from the revelations to be embodied in the Sacred Canon.... And mention is made of prophets in different ages, of whose utterances nothing is recorded. In like manner, after the close of the canon of Scripture, the Holy Spirit was still to continue its work, to enlighten, warn, and comfort the children of God. {FLB 293.4}

 

God has ... promised to give visions in the “last days”; not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth. {FLB 293.5}

 

Note: The above statement is fraught with truth because of the foolish cherished errors God’s people are prone to imbibe. Thus, it is important that visions correct errors, but most folk would rather that visions predict the future. Those who are familiar with Ellen White’s visions will recognize that she did not imbibe much predicting of the future that is not prophesied in the bible! She was no Jean Dixion, and God does not send Jean Dixion types to tickle the ears of His people. Rather Ellen White’s prime work was to correct serious errors of God’s people and to keep them on the Midnight Cry pathway of truth. And that was the prime objective of all God’s ancient prophets! Show this writer wherein the ancient prophets were preoccupied with predicting the ordinary events of their day. God’s prophets are not soothsayers! End note.

 

As the Spirit of God has opened to my mind the great truths of His Word, and the scenes of the past and the future, I have been bidden to make known to others that which has thus been revealed. {FLB 293.6}

 

There are those who will be glad to lull you to sleep in your carnal security, but I have a different work. My message is to alarm you, to bid you reform your lives and cease your rebellion against the God of the universe. Take the Word of God, and see if you are in harmony with it. Is your character such as will bear the search of the heavenly investigation? {FLB 293.7}

 

—rwb