“As the end draws near and the work of giving the last warning to the world extends, it becomes more and more important for those who accept present truth to have a clear understanding of the nature and influence of the Testimonies, which God in his providence has linked with the work of the third angel’s message from its very rise.”-T., v. 5, p. 654.
Visions and Dreams
· Job 33:14-18. Dreams given to save from danger.
· Gen. 20:3-16. Dream of a Gentile king.
· Gen. 37:5-11. Joseph given two dreams.
· Gen. 40:5-19. Dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker.
· Gen. 41:1-36. Pharaoh given two dreams.
· Joshua 5:13-15; 7:10-15. God appeared several times to Joshua.
· Judges 7:13-15. Enemy’s dream helped Gideon.
· Dan. 2:1-35; 4:13-18. Nebuchadnezzar had two dreams.
· Matt. 2:11, 12. Wise men warned by a dream.
· Matt. 2:13-15. Joseph obeyed a dream and fulfilled prophecy. Hosea 11:1.
· Matt. 2:19, 20. God instructed Joseph in a dream.
· Matt. 27:19. Dream of Pilate’s wife.
· Acts 10:1-7. Cornelius had a vision, but is not called a prophet.
While all true prophets have visions and dreams, that of itself alone does not make them prophets.
Prophets and Prophetesses
· Num. 11:11-17, 25-29. Seventy prophets associated with Moses, but none did his work. {
· Num. 12:1-12; Ex. 15:20. Miriam, a prophetess, was not allowed to criticize Moses.
· 1 Kings. 18:13. There were one hundred prophets in Elijah’s day; none but Elijah dared meet Ahab. P.K. 147.
· 2 Kings 9:1-10. A young prophet helped Elisha, but he did not take Elisha’s place.
· 1 Chron. 21:9; 29:29; 25:1-5. David had ten or more prophets, but David led the people.
· Luke 2:36-38. Anna, the prophetess, is mentioned only once.
· Acts. 11:27-30; 21:10-13. Agabus gave personal local testimonies, but the burden of all the churches did not rest upon him.
· Acts. 13:1-4. There were prophets at Antioch, but their work was local.
· 1 Cor. 14:29-33. Corinthian prophets failed to recognize order among prophets.
· 1 Cor. 14:36, 37. They were to recognize Paul as a leading prophet.
While God may reveal Himself to many, there is only one leading prophet at any one period of time upon whom God places the burden of directing His church.
Leading Prophets
· Isa. 63:12. The Lord led Israel by the hand by Moses.
· Deut. 18:15, 18. Moses was a type of Christ.
· Deut. 34:10; Num. 12:7, 8. There was no other prophet like Moses.
· Ex. 32:32, 33; Hosea 12:13. Moses offered his life for the people.
· Joshua 1:1-9. Before Moses died on the borders of the promised land, he wrote the instruction which, if followed, would have led Israel safely into the land.
· Jer. 15:1. Moses and Samuel had special power in prayer for the people.
· 1 Sam. 7:8, 9; Ps. 99:6. Samuel’s prayers saved the people from their enemies.
· 1 Sam. 3:20; 4:1; 7:5; 6. Samuel was a leading prophet; he led the people.
· 1 Sam. 3:19. He delivered all of God’s words.
· Ps. 89:20-37. David’s throne, a type of God’s throne.
· 2 Sam. 6:14-19. David was a priest-king. He wore the ephod and offered sacrifices.
· 1 Kings. 17:1. Elijah, the Tishbite, a grand character.
· 1 Kings. 18:4, 17-19. There were one hundred prophets, but only Elijah reproved Ahab.
· 1 Kings. 19:15, 16; 2 Kings 8:12, 13; 9:13. Elisha carried forward the work of Elijah; they together completed one great work. P.K. 235.
· 1 Kings 17:17-23; 2 Kings 4:32-36. Each of these prophets raised the dead; they were both leading prophets.
· Mal. 4:4-6; Luke 1:17. Elijah’s work was a type of the closing message.
· Matt. 17:10-13; P.K. 227.
· Isaiah was a leading prophet. He also gave testimonies to the surrounding nations. Chapters 13-23.
· Jer. 1:1-10. Jeremiah was chosen before his birth. He also was a prophet for the nations.
· Jer. 1:17-19. Jeremiah lived in a crisis.
· Jer. 7:16; 11:14; 17-22. Like Moses and Samuel, he carried a burden for the people, and prayed for them even when God told him not to pray to them.
· Luke 7:24-30. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, was the greatest prophet that ever lived.
· 2 Cor. 11:28. Paul carried the burden of all the churches. Through him God gave instruction for the organization of the Christian church. A.A. 198. In each important period of the world when the law of God has been honored, God has had a leading prophet through whom He has led His people.
Spirit of Prophecy in the Remnant Church
· Rev. 12:17; 19:10. The remnant keep the law of God and have the Spirit of prophecy.
· 1 Cor. 12:28. Prophets in Christian Church.
· Eph. 4:11, 12. Christ left the gift of prophecy in the church.
· Ex. 7:1; 4:15, 16. A prophet of the Lord is a spokesman for God.
· 1 Peter 1:10, 11; 2 Peter 1:20, 21. The Spirit from the Father and Christ speaks through the prophets. Heb. 1:1, 2; T., v. 5, p. 661.
· Rev. 1:1. Steps by which revelation comes; 1st, God; 2nd, Christ; 3rd, angel; 4th, the prophet; 5th, given the people.
· 2 Chron. 36:12; Eze. 3:17; 2 Sam. 23:2. Prophets speak from the mouth of the Lord. T., v. 5, p. 677.
· Rev. 1:2. These messages are called the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ.
· 1 Cor. 14:1. The best gift.
· Eph. 4:11-14. It brings unity of the faith. Luther and Zwingli were both good men; but there was not unity between them, for there was no leading prophet to give them counsel from God and each followed his own ideas. T., v., p. 86.
· Joshua 1:2-9. The power of the message is not lessened by the death of the prophet.
· Acts 2:16-18. Prophets in the last days.
· 1 Cor. 1:4-8. The Spirit of prophecy confirmed in one gives efficiency, and prepares them for the coming of the Lord.
Physical Tests of a True Prophet
· Num. 12:6. Will have visions.
· Dan. 10:8. In vision lose their strength.
· Dan. 10:18. Strengthened by the angel.
· Dan. 10:17. No breath.
· Dan. 10:15. Dumb.
· Dan. 10:16. Lips touched by angel.
· Dan. 10:16. Speak without breath.
· Jer. 1:9. God’s words in their mouth. T., v. 5, p. 677.
· 2 Sam. 23:2. God controls their tongue.
· Num. 24:16. Eyes open in vision.
· Num. 23:20. Cannot reverse the words.
· 2 Cor. 12:2-4. Unconsciousness of surroundings.
Visions are given in presence of witnesses, who bear testimony to fulfillment of the tests.
Characteristics of a True Prophet
· Matt. 24:24. There will be false prophets.
· 1 John 4:1. Test all prophets.
· 1 John 4:2, 3. Must confess Christ came in the flesh.
· Isa. 8:20. Tested by the law and the testimony. The words of a true prophet will harmonize with the law of God and the testimony of all previous prophets of God. One who claims to be a prophet may fulfill every other test, but if his instruction is contrary to the Bible and the testimonies, he proves himself to be false.
· Deut. 13:1-4. Exalt the true God.
· Deut. 18:21, 22. Words must come true.
· Deut. 13:1-3. A false prophet’s words may come true.
· Num. 12:6. Will have visions.
· Dan. 10:7; Acts 9:7, 8. Open or public visions with witnesses present. T., v. 1, pp. 58, 70.
· 1 John 1:1-3, 2 Peter 1:16. Witnesses relate what they have seen.
· 1 Sam. 3:1-10; Dan. 2:19; 7:1. Night visions and dreams. T., v. 1, p. 569.
· Acts 9:3. A great light encircles them. T., v. 9, p. 66.
· Acts 10:9, 10; Dan. 9:20-23. Vision given while praying. T., v. 5, p. 68.
· Eze. 8:3; Dan. 8:2. Taken to other places while in vision. T., v. 5, p. 68; E.W. 32.
· Matt. 7:15-20. Known by fruits. T., v. 5, p. 671.
· Jer. 7:13, 25; 25:4. Early risers. T., v. 5, p. 67.
· Acts 13:8-11; 2 Chron. 20:14-19. God sometimes speaks through a prophet without a vision. T., v. 5, p. 678.
· Jer. 23:16. Never flatter.
· Acts 11:27-30. Warn of danger.
· Acts 15:1, 2 27-29. Settle doctrinal questions. T., v. 1, pp. 76, 86; E.W. 74, 75.
· Acts 16:4, 5. Testimony establishes churches.
· Acts 16:6-10. Directs the laborers. E.W. 63.
· 2 Kings 8:9-12. Countenance of persons reminds the prophet of what he has seen. T., v. 5, pp. 65, 671.
· 2 Kings. 4:27. Everything is not always revealed.
· 2 Kings. 5:20-26. Reveal unexpressed desires of the heart.
· Isa. 38:1-5. Prayers and tears change a testimony. P.K. 340, 341.
· Jer. 18:7-10. Principle governing all testimonies.
· 2 Chron. 21:12, margin. Testimonies written before time for their delivery.
· 2 Peter 1:20. Every word far-reaching.
· Isa. 44:26. God confirms the words. E.W. 59.
· Jer. 36:32. Never take back their testimony, but rather add to it. T., v. 5, p. 677.
Doubters’ Criticisms of Prophets
· Num. 12:1-10; Deut. 24:9. Miriam was not pleased with Moses’ wife. P.P. 382, 383.
· Num. 12:11-16. God punished Miriam.
· Num. 22:12, 20. The Lord changed His word. Eze. 14:4, 5; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11. Balaam loved worldly honor was the reason. P.P. 439-441.
· 1 Sam. 8:1-5. Samuel’s sons were wicked.
· 1 Sam. 8:6, 7. In rejecting Samuel because his sons were evil, Israel rejected God. P.P. 604, 605.
· 1 Sam. 15:1-15. Saul changed the testimony.
· 1 Sam. 15:16-26. Saul was rejected for disobeying the testimony. P.P. 632-635.
· 1 Kings 14:1-4. Jeroboam tried to deceive an old blind prophet.
· 1 Kings 14:5-16. Received sad tidings as the result.
· 2 Kings 5:15-24. Gehazi thought Elisha made a mistake. P.K. 250-252.
· 2 Kings 5:25-27. Reproof and leprosy came to him.
· 2 Kings 7:1, 2. A great man avowed unbelief in Elisha’s testimony.
· 2 Kings 7:17-20. Testimony fulfilled. Doubter died.
· 2 Kings 20:1-6. Testimony changed.
· Jer. 18:7, 8. Hezekiah changed.
· Jer. 36:17. Did the secretary write exactly what the prophet said?
· Jer. 36:18. The secretary was faithful.
· Jer. 36:21-24. Those highest in authority did not respect the testimony. T., v. 5, p. 678.
· Jer. 38:4-6. The leading men did not think that the testimonies of Jeremiah were a help to the people. T., v. 5, pp. 79, 76.
· Jer. 43:1, 2. The proud men of the church accused the prophet of speaking falsely. T., v. 5, p. 66.
· Jer. 43:3. They claimed that the prophet was influenced by Baruch. T., v. 5, pp. 63, 64, 684, 685.
· Jer. 29:1. The letters of the prophet are not inspired. T., v. 5, p. 67.
· This objection would cast aside a large number of books of the New Testament which are epistles.
· 1 Cor. 1:10-12. Paul received information from the household of Chloe before he wrote the reproof. T., v. 5, p. 65.
· 2 Cor. 13:3. Corinthians asked proof that Christ spoke through Paul.
· Philemon 9. Paul was aged.
· 2 Peter 3:15, 16. Paul’s writings were hard to understand.
Those who took advantage of this and sought to “wrest,” or change, them brought destruction on themselves.
· Acts 7:52; Matt. 23:34-37. The people of God have always persecuted the prophets.
· Luke 13:33. The world never persecuted a prophet.
· Jer. 39:11-14; 40:2-4. The Babylonians took off the chains with which Israel had bound their own prophet.
· Hosea 9:8; Mark 6:3, 4. “The prophet is a snare in all his ways.” The people see only the humanity in the prophet, and thus reject the message, as the Jews saw “the carpenter’s son” in Jesus and rejected Him. Many fail to see divinity in the message from God because it is delivered through a human instrument. T., v. 5, p. 672.
· Eccl. 1:9-11; 3:15. History repeats itself.
Old Testament Prophets
· Jas. 5:17. Prophets are human beings, subject to the same temptations as other men.
· Ex. 3:1. Moses was a shepherd.
· 1 Sam. 3:1-5; 7:6, 16. Samuel was a priest and judge.
· Acts 2:25, 30. David was king.
· 1 Kings 17:1. Elijah was accustomed to hardships.
· 1 Kings 19:19-21. Elisha was a farmer.
· Amos 1:1. Amos was a herdsman.
· Isa. 1:1. Isaiah was the son of Amos.
· Jer. 1:1. Jeremiah was a priest.
· Eze. 1:1-3. Ezekiel was a priest among the captives of Babylon.
· Dan. 2:48; 6:1-3. Daniel was prime minister of Babylon and Medo-Persia.
· Judges 4:4, 5. Deborah was a married woman and a judge.
· 2 Kings 22:14. Huldah was also married and dwelt in the college.
· 1 Sam. 8:1-3. Samuel’s sons were wicked.
· Eze. 24:15-18. Ezekiel records the death of his wife.
· 2 Kings 4:8-17. Prophets visited homes of the people.
· 2 Kings 4:38-41; 6:1-7. Elisha spent much time with the schools of the prophets.
· Jer. 32:6-15. Jeremiah bought land.
· 1 Kings 13:1-32. Prophets are required to obey the words of the Lord spoken by their own mouth.
· 2 Kings 23:15-18. Disobedience on the part of the prophet does not hinder the fulfillment of the prophecy.
New Testament Prophets
· Acts 7:37. Christ was a prophet like Moses, -one with whom the Lord spoke “mouth to mouth.” Num. 12:6-8.
· Luke 1:67. Zacharias, the priest, possessed the gift of prophecy.
· Luke 2:25-27. Simeon, the priest, was a prophet.
· Luke 2:36-38. Anna, the prophetess, at the advanced age of eighty years published the news of the Saviour’s birth.
· Matt. 11:9-11. John the Baptist, greatest prophet.
· Acts 11:27, 28. Agabus prophesied of general dearth.
· Acts 21:10-12. Seventeen years later he gave a personal testimony to Paul.
· Acts 21:8, 9. Philip’s four daughters prophesied.
· Acts 15:32. Judas and Silas were prophets.
· Jas. 5:1-5. The financial condition of the last days revealed through James.
· Acts 10:9-17. Peter had visions. Through him was revealed more clearly than by any other prophet the purifying of the earth of fire. 2 Peter 3:7-13.
· Rev. 1:10. The book of Revelation portrays the history of the last days as revealed to John in vision. This was given in A.D. 96.
· 2 Cor. 12:1-7. Paul as late as A.D. 60 speaks of the “abundance of the revelations” that were given him.