The Spirit of Prophecy

1. The Spirit of Prophecy Is Ellen G. White a true prophetess?

2. Introduction • This study reveals to us the true reason and what actually the Spirit of Prophecy is needed for, it also helps us to have a proper understanding as to what the Spirit of Prophecy actually is and how it is to be used within our SDA churches today and even until the end of time which is fast approaching.

3. Analysis of Prophets in the Bible • Jeremiah 28:1, 2, 3, 6-11, 15 • Comparison between two prophets in Babylonian Times. • The two prophets are Jeremiah and Hananiah. • Hananiah makes a proclamation that the Lord is going to put his vessels with His house and that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon will be taken away from that place and will carry them to Babylon. • Jeremiah denies the prophecy with proof that the Lord has given in the past. • Hananiah makes another proclamation against Jeremiah. • Jeremiah receives the word from the Lord that Hananiah is a liar. • Jeremiah 29:10- The Prophecy of Seventy Weeks • Jeremiah 6:13-17- True knowledge to distinguish a false prophet. • 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21: Paul declares that we should test whether a message is true or not.

4. Man In Search Of Life • "The real hope is not just to intercept an alien weather report, but to hear a message intended for earth, or for the universe at large"- Newsweek, January 31, 1983 • "If anyone is trying to get in touch with us, we are ready to listen."- U.S. News and World Report, May 2, 1983 • "There wasn't any God there. We never saw him once."- Russian Cosmounauts

5. What brought man to this point? and God’s way out - The reason why: • Genesis 3:8 • Isaiah 59:2 - God's way out: • Isaiah 49:15, 16

6. How does God communicate with fallen man? • Acts 3:21 • Amos 3:7 • Jude 1:14 • 2 Peter 1:21 • Numbers 12:6 • 2 Chronicles 20:20 • 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

7. Should we accept ALL prophets? • Matthew 24:24 • 1 John 4:1 • Matthew 7:15, 21

8. What is the criteria for the Test of the Prophets? • A true prophet's message must be in harmony with the word of God and the law of God. • Isaiah 8:20; Lamentations 2:9 • A true prophet's predictions must come true. • Deuteronomy 18:22 • A true prophet will edify God's people. • 1 Corinthians 14:3,4 • A true prophet exalts Christ as the Son of God. • 1 John 4:15; Luke 24:27

9. What is the criteria for the Test of the Prophets? • A true prophet speaks with authority. • Matthew 7:29 • A true prophet will bear good fruit. • Matthew 7:20 • A true prophet will exhibit definite physical signs when in vision. • Numbers 24:4 • A true prophet first falls down and has no strength, is then strengthened, but has no breath (even whilst speaking) whilst in vision. • Daniel 10:7-18; Ephesians 4:8, 11, 13, 14; 1 Corinthians 12:28, 14:1-5; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 Corinthians 3:19

10. Was the gift always with the church? • "Toward the latter end of the second century, most of the churches assumed a new form: the first simplicity disappeared as the old disciples retired to their graves."- Ecclesiastical Research, page 51. • Daniel 7:8, 25 • "The new Christians were, as far as thinking and habits went, the same old pagans. Their surge into the churches did not wipe out paganism. On the contrary, hordes of baptized pagans meant that paganism had diluted the moral energies of organized Christianity to the point of impotence."- Centuries of Christianity: A Concise History, page 58

11. Was the gift always with the church? • Proverbs 29:18 • Lamentations 2:9 • "The Bible predicts the gift of prophecy will be restored to God's church in the last days." • Joel 2:28 • Acts 2 • "God's last day church would keep His commandments and have the gift of prophecy." • Revelation 12:17 • Revelation 19:10 • 1 Corinthians 1:6, 7 • Matthew 24:24 • 1 John 4:1

12. Did the Lord find someone to accept His call? • "After I had the vision and God gave me light. He bade me deliver it....but I shrank from it. I was young, and I thought they would not receive it from me."-Ellen G. White, Letter 3, 1847 • "The Lord gave me a message to bear to His people and I refused after being told the consequences.... I heard you talk last night. I believe the visions are taken from me, and given to you. Do not refuse to obey God, for it will be at the peril of your soul. I am a lost man, you are chosen of God: Be faithful in doing your work, and the crown I might have had, you will receive."- Ellen G. White letter, 37, 1890

13. Can we accept a prophet who is not in Scripture and were prophets not always men? 1. Not all prophets contributed to the Scripture. 2. God used both men and women as prophets. • 2 Samuel 7:2 • 1 Samuel 22:5 • Exodus 15:20 • 2 Kings 22:14 • Judges 4:4

14. Did Ellen G. White fulfill the Bible Criteria? • "Cling to your Bible as it reads and stop your criticism in regard to its validity and obey the Word, and not one of you will be lost."- Selected Messages Volume 1, page 18 • "Cannot men see that to belittle the law of God is to dishonour Christ? Why did He come to this world to suffer and die, if the law is not binding upon human beings?"- Signs of the Times 01-25-05

15. Did her predictions come true? • 1869: Electricity in the Brain. "Whatever disturbs the circulation of the electric currents in the nervous system lessens the strength of the vital powers, and the result is a deadening of the sensibilities of the mind." • 1934: Science Catches Up. "Minute electrical charges are vital to the functioning of the brain"- Dr Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic • 1905: Cancer. • "People are continually eating flesh that is filled with tuberculosis and cancerous germs. Tuberculosis, cancer, and other fatal diseases are thus communicated." • 1956: Science Catches Up. • "Many if not all malignant tumors may be caused by viruses (midget germs). Thus a large number of malignant tumors...could be transmitted from one host to another by filtered extracts."- Ludwick Gross, M.D., Journal of the American Medical Association

16. Did her predictions come true? • 1905: Coffee & Tea. • "Tea and coffee do not nourish the system....What seems to be strength is only nervous excitement. When the influence of the stimulant is gone, the unnatural force abates, and the result is a corresponding degree of languor and debility." • 1967: Science Catches Up. • "Illness otherwise unexplained may be caused by excessive ingestion of xantine cocoa alkaloids, including those in coffee, tea, cocoa, and those in some popular beverages."- H. A. Riemann, Journal of the American Medical Associator • "In 1888, Ellen White predicted that politically active Christians would succeed in changing America's constitution and in securing a law enforcing Sunday observance..." • "The 'wall of separation between church and state' is a metaphor based on bad history, a metaphor which has proved useless as a guide to judging. It should be frankly and explicitly abandoned."- Chief Justice William Rehnquist

17. Did she edify the church? And Did she exalt Christ as the Son of God and our Saviour? • "I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess. I have not stood before the people claiming this title, though many called me thus. I have been instructed to say, "I am God's messenger, sent to bear a message of reproof to the erring and of encouragement to the meek and lowly." With pen and with voice I am to bear the messages given me. The word given me is, "You are faithfully to reprove those who would mar the faith of the people of God. Write out the things which I shall give you, that they may stand as a witness to the truth till the end of time."- RH 01-26-05, PR- 18

18. Did she edify the church? And Did she exalt Christ as the Son of God and our Saviour? • "The world's Redeemer was treated as we deserve to be treated, in order that we might be treated as he deserved to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins upon His own divine soul, that we might receive his imputed righteousness. He was condemned for our sins, in which he had no share, that we might be justified by his righteousness, in which we had no share. The world's Redeemer gave himself for us. Who was He!--The Majesty of heaven, pouring out his blood upon the altar of justice for the sins of guilty man. We should know our relationship to Christ and his relationship to us."- RH, 03-21-93, PR-06

19. Did she speak with authority? • "I am instructed to say to those who endeavor to tear down the foundation that has made us Seventh-day Adventists: We are God's commandment keeping people. For the past fifty years every phase of heresy has been brought to bear upon us, to becloud our minds regarding the teaching of the Word.... He calls upon us to hold firmly with the grip of faith, to the fundamental principles that are based upon unquestionable authority."- 4MR, 246

20. Did she bear good fruit? • "The fruits speak for themselves."

21. Did she exhibit the physical signs? This is the criteria that needs to be fulfilled in order to know if someone is a true prophet/prophetess of the Lord: 1. Falls down. 2. Is raised up and strengthened by God. 3. Has eyes wide open during vision. 4. Does not breathe during vision, but can speak.

22. Did she exhibit the physical signs? • "In passing into vision, she gives three enrapturing shouts of 'Glory!' which echo and re-echo, the second, and especially the third, fainter but more thrilling than the first, the voice resembling that of one quite a distance from you, and just going out of hearing. For about four or five seconds she seems to drop down like a person in a swoon, or one having lost his strength: she then seems to be instantly filled with superhuman strength, sometimes rising at once to her feet and walking about the room."- Eyewitness Account • "There are frequent movements of the hands and arms, pointing to the right or left as her head turns. All these movements are made in a most graceful manner. In whatever position the hand or arm may be placed, it is impossible for anyone to move it. Her eyes are always open, but she does not wink: her head is raised, and she is looking upward, not wtih a vacant stare, but with a pleasant expression."- 1 Biography, 122

23. Did she exhibit the physical signs? • She walked back and forth and talked to us, and as she walked, she fell right down. She feel down gently. She went down as if an angel's hands were under her...... Sister White lay perfectly quiet and unconscious.... Her eyes were open, with a pleasant expression on her face. Nothing unnatural or unusual..... Brother White said to these large men, "Take her hands apart. You have two hands to her one. Just pull her hands apart." So they tried. They pulled and pulled till some of us got anxious that they would hurt her. Brother White said, "Don't be anxious; she is safe in God's keeping, and you can pull until you are perfectly satisfied." They said, "We are satisfied now. We don't need to pull anymore." He said. "Take up one finger at a time." That was impossible. They could not do so much as move a finger. It seemed like a block of granite......Brother White said to these men. "Now hold her." I think they thought they could. They grasped her by the wrists, but they could not retard the motion. It looked like any child could hold her, but she went on just the same. .......Now we must see if her eyelids will close." There was a large Rochester lamp close by on the stand. He removed the shade and put this light right in front of her eyes. We thought she would move her eyes to protect them. She didn't. She was perfectly unconscious... the eyelids did not close. "Now!" Brother White said. "we must see if there is any breath in her body." There didn't seem to be any. Everything looked all right, only there was no breath. Brother White said. "Now we will send out and get a mirror, and we will test it." So someone went to the next door and got a mirror and it was held close to her face, but no moisture gathered. So there was no breathing......."- Eyewitness Account of June 12, 1868 vision

24. Did she exhibit the physical signs? • "Two physicians came in, an old man and a young man. Brother White was anxious that they should examine Sister White closely, which they did. A looking glass was brought, and one of them held it over her mouth while she talked; but very soon they gave this up, and said, "She doesn't breathe." Then they closely examined her sides as she spoke, to find some evidence of deep breathing, but they did not find it. As they closed this part of the examination, she arose to her feet, still in vision, holding a Bible high up, turning from passage to passage, quoting correctly, although the eyes were looking upward and away from the Book...."- Medical testimony of June 1854

25. Did she exhibit the physical signs? • "After Mrs. White rose to her feet, as they have stated, quoting the texts of Scripture, Doctor Fleming called for a lighted candle. He held this candle as near her lips as possible without burning, and in direct line with her breath in case she breathed. There was not the slightest flicker of the blaze. The doctor then said, with emphasis, "That settles it forever, there is no breath in her body."-- David Seeley, in GSAM, page 208. 209 (1 Biography 303) • The Prophetic Gift: 1844-1915 • "She showed no spiritual pride and she sought no filthy lucre. She lived the life and did the work of worthy prophetess, the most admirable of the American succession."- The New York Independent, August 23, 1925

26. "The prophets of God spoke less for their own time than for the ages to come, and especially for the generation would live amid the last scenes of this earth's history."- Signs of the Times, January 13, 1898 "I recommend to you, dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of faith and practice. By that word we are to be judged. God has, in that word, 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."- Early Writings, page 78 What was the purpose of the Prophetic Gift? and What was the words of the Pioneers?

27. What was the purpose of the Prophetic Gift? and What was the words of the Pioneers? • "The Word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most beclouded mind, and may be understood by those who have any desire to understand it. But not withstanding all this, some who profess to make the word of God their study, are found living in direct opposition to its plainest teachings. Then to leave men and woman without excuse, God gives plain and pointed testimonies, bringing them back to the word that they have neglected to follow."- Testimonies 5, page 663-664 • "God has given me light regarding our periodicals. What is it? He has said that the dead are to speak, How? Their works shall follow them. We are to repeat the words of the pioneers in our work, who knew what it cost to search for the truth as for hidden treasure, and who laboured to lay the foundation of our work."- Councils to Writers and Editors, page 28

28. Pioneers and the Gift of Prophecy and Was Ellen White a prophetess? • "Now it is plain that those who reject the work of the Spirit of God under the plea that the scriptures are sufficient, do deny and reject all that part of the Bible which reveals the office and work of the Holy Spirit..... In short, their work is to unite the people of God in the same mind and in the same judgement upon the meaning of the scriptures. Mere human judgement, with no direct instruction from heaven, can never search out hidden iniquity, nor adjust dark and complicated church difficulties, nor prevent different and conflicting interpretations of the scriptures."- J. N. Andrews, Editor, Review and Herald, February 15, 1870 • "The position that the Bible, and the Bible alone, is the rule of faith and duty, does not shut out the gifts which God set in the church. To reject them is shutting out that part of the Bible which presents them. We say, let us have a whole Bible, and let that, and that alone, be our rule of faith and duty. Place the gifts where they belong, and all his harmony."- James White, Editor, Review and Herald, October 5, 1854

29. Pioneers and the Gift of Prophecy and Was Ellen White a prophetess? • "Others have called me a prophetess, but I have never assumed that title. I have not felt that it was my duty to thus designate myself.... My work includes much more than this name signifies, I regard myself as a messenger, entrusted by the Lord with messages for His people."- Selected Messages, page 35-36 • "I am not instructed that I am not to be hindered in my work by those who engage in suppositions regarding its nature, whose minds are struggling with so many intricate problems connected with the supposed work of a prophet. My commission embraces the work of a prophet, but it does not end there. It embraces much more than the miracles of those who have been sowing seeds of unbelief can comprehend."- 1 Selected Messages, page 36 • Luke 7:24, 26 • DA 220 • Malachi 3:1 • "I am very busy with my writing, Early and late, I am writing out the matters that the Lord opens before me. The burden of my work is to prepare a people to stand in the day of the Lord."- 3 Selected Messages, page 49

30. The Authority Behind the Gift of Prophecy • "These words were spoken to me: "Your work is appointed you of God. Many will not hear you, for they refused to hear the great teacher; many will not be corrected, for their ways are right in their own eyes. Yet bear to them the reproofs and warnings I shall give you, whether they will hear or forebear."- Pamphlet 117, page 56 • "The Holy Ghost is the author of the Scriptures and of the Spirit of Prophecy."- 3 Selected Messages, page 30 • "Permit me to express my mind, and yet not my mind, but the Word of the Lord."- Councils to Writers and Editors, page 112 • "One stood by my side and said: 'God has raised you up and has given you the words to speak to the people and to reach hearts as He has given to no other one... God has given you your testimony, to set before the backslider and the sinner his true condition and the immense loss he is sustaining by continuing a life of sin. God has impressed this upon you by opening it before your vision as He has to no other one now living, and according to the light he has given you will He hold you responsible. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." "Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sin."- 2 Testimonies, 607-608

31. Did this gift contradict the Scriptures? and Disecting the Gift • "I have the most precious matter to produce and place before the people in testimony form. While I am able to do this work, the people must have things to revive past history, that they may see that there is one straight chain of truth, without one heretical sentence, in that which I have written."- 3 Selected Messages, page 52 • "The words spoken to me of God are as if imbedded in the rock forever... Every word spoken is in harmony with the living oracles, and it is only by wrestling the scriptures from their true meaning, by misapplying and misrepresenting them and the testimonies which God has given me, that this can be gainsaid"- 13 Manuscript Release, page 239

32. Did this gift contradict the Scriptures? and Disecting the Gift • "Do not by your criticisms take out all the force, all the power, from the testimonies. Do not feel that you can dissect them to suit your own ideas, claiming that God has gien you ability to discern what is light from heaven and what is the expression of mere human wisdom."- 5 Testimonies page 691 • "Many times in my experience I have been called upon to meet the attitude of a certain class, who acknowledged the testimonies were from God, but took the position that this matter and that matter were Sister White's opinion and judgement. This suits those who do not love reproof and correction, and who, if their ideas are crossed, have occasion to explain the difference between the human and the divine."- 3 Selected Messages, page 68

33. From God or the Devil • "This work is of God, or it is not. God does nothing in partnership with Satan. There is no halfway work in the matter, The testimonies are of the Spirit of God, or of the Devil."- 4 Testimonies, page 229 The Gift and Biblical Interpretation: • John 16:13

34. Establishing the points of SDA faith • "At that time (after 1844) one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error. As the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit."- Gospel Workers, page 302 • "When our brethren who had assembled for study came to a point where they could go no farther, and had recourse to earnest prayer, the Spirit of God would rest upon me, and I would be taken off in vision, and he instructed in regard to the relation of Scripture to Scripture."- 3 Selected Messages, page 37 • "In slighting and rejecting the testimony that I have given you to hear it is not you, but Me, your Lord, that they have slighted."- 5 Testimonies, page 688

35. How much was inspired? And Don't you ever quote my words as long as you live • "Sister White is not the originator of these books. They contain the instruction that during her lifework God has been giving her. They contain the precious, comforting light that God has graciously given His servant to be given to the world..... The Lord has declared that these books are to be scattered throughout the world. There is in them truth which to the receiver is a savor of life unto life. They are silent witnesses to God."- CM, page 125 • "You might say that this communication was only a letter. Yes, it was a letter, but prompted by the Spirit of God, to bring before your minds things that had been shown me. In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me."- 5 Testimonies, page 67 • "I long to speak to large congregations, knowing that the message is not of myself but that which the Lord impresses upon my mind to utter. I am never left alone when I stand before the people with a message. When before the people there seems to be presented before me the most precious things of the gospel and I participate in the gospel message and feed upon the Word as much as any of the hearers. The sermons do me good, for I have new representation every time I open my lips to speak to the people."- 3 Selected Messages page 75-76 • "I gave myself, my whole being, to God, to obey His call in everything, and since that time my life has been spent in giving the message, with my pen and in speaking before large congregations. It is not I who controls my words and actions at such times."- 1 Selected Messages page 38-39

36. How much was inspired? And Don't you ever quote my words as long as you live • "Lay Sister White right to one side: lay her to one side. Don't you never quote my words again as you live until you can obey the Bible. When you take the Bible and make that your food, and your meat, and your drink, and make that the elements of your character, when you can do that you will know better how to receive some counsel from God. But here si the word, the precious word, exalted before you today. And don't you give a rap any more what: "Sister White said" - "Sister White said this," and "Sister White said that," and "Sister White said the other thing." But say, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel." and then you do just what the Lord God of Israel does, and what He says. Oh my soul, how it has hurt me to have the blocks thrown in the way in regard to myself. They will tell you that "Sister White did this", or "Sister White did that," - for instance "Sister White ate cheese, and so we are all at liberty to eat cheese...." Another says, "Sister White drinks tea, and we can drink tea.... Now for instance some one may tell you that Sister White don't eat meat. "Now I want you not to eat it, because Sister White doesn't eat it." Well, I wouldn't care a farthing for anything like that. If you haven't got a better conviction, that you won't eat meat just because Sister White don't eat it. I would not give one farthing for your health reform."- Spalding Magan Collection, page 167-174

37. Tampering with the Testimonies • "My copyists you have seen. They do not change my language. It stands as I write it."- 3 Selected Messages, page 90 • "They (her writings) go out as I have written them. No words of my copyists are put in the place of my own words. This is a testimony, that cannot be controverted. My articles speak for themselves."- 9 Manuscript Release, page 273 • "I read over all that is copied to see that everything is as it should be. I read all the book manuscript before it is sent to the printer."- 3 Selected Messages, page 90-91 • "I learn reports are circulated that W. C. White manipulates his mother's writings.... All have known how much W. C. White manipulates his mother's writings when he has been separated from me very much of the time for the years before this year 1905, and we have, when we could get together, planned much and done so little in issuing books. But I utterly deny the charges."- Letter 322, 1905, 6 Biography, page 62 • "There are those who say, "Someone manipulates her writings." I acknowledge the charge. It is One who is might in counsel. One who presents before me the condition of things"- 3 Selected Messages, page 64

38. Is the gift of prophecy out of date? • "I am to trace this testimony on paper, that should I fall asleep in Jesus, the witness to the truth might still be borne."- Letter 116, 1905 • "Whether or not my life is spared, my writings will constantly speak, and their work will go forward as long as time shall last."- Letter 317, 1907 • "And, when He (God) may see fit to let me rest, His messages shall be of even more vital force than when the frail force than when the frail instrumentality through whom they were delivered, was living."- 3 Selected Messages, page 76-77 • "Soon every possible effort will be made to discount and pervert the truth of the testimonies of God's Spirit. We must have in readiness the clear, straight messages that since 1846 have been coming to God's people.... The light that the Lord has given should be in the hands of our people, so that they may see that the reports made are false, that there is in the testimonies nothing of what these men declare to be in them."- Lt 73, 1903, (1SM 41), (PM 359.2) • 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

39. Conclusion • The Spirit of Prophecy is the Testimony of Jesus Christ. It is still also to be used in these last days most urgently, it is in full accord with the Word of God and the Law of God and it also exalts Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our Saviour and Redeemer. Nearly all that has been predicted in it thus so far has come to pass and all of the Spirit of Prophecy was inspired by the Holy Ghost. The purpose of the Spirit of Prophecy was to bring us back to reading and studying the Word of God with much more understanding than before.