"And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake." Genesis 20:1-11. [On integrity of prophecy see 2Sam. 7:1-7; 1Ki. 22:10-18; Jer. 43:2-4; Dan. 8:27]

Is it true that the gift of prophesy no longer exists in the church body? Please read on, as the topic is being discussed you will find the answer to this question.

Comment: This writer understands the reluctance or resistance of some Christians to not want to consider the gift of prophecy existing in our recent past or age. Many of us come from that same background. But as for me and my house, we saw in time that such views rear up because people do not study the Bible, instead they listen to preachers, who, sadly so, seem to be well versed and eloquent, but on scrutiny their study habits are spotty and intensive in some topics but not so in others. I believe the material presented here speaks for itself.

"In the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and daughters shall prophesy." Acts 2:17

It is also Prophecy, or the `Spirit of Prophecy', which is foundational of the Judeo-Christian faith today for all scriptures were inspired of God including the books written by some of the prophets of God - Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jesus, John and all the Old Testament prophets known by their shorter books.

We recall also the event just shortly before the ascension of Jesus when the disciples of Christ wanted to know if that was the prophetic moment when Israel would be restored. Jesus answer is given in Acts 1:7. Jesus tells them here it is not yet the time for them to know of that event. -- The apostle Paul says the same in 1.Thess. 5:1-2. So Jesus and Paul tell us that mighty events are still to come long after they ministered to the world.

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." " Matthew 7:22,23.

"And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying." Acts 16:16.

"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." 2.Cor. 11:14.

A. The prophet will initially lose physical strength.
"... I was left alone, and I saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength." Daniel 10:8

B. The prophet may later in the vision receive supernatural strength.
"Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And said, O man, greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my Lord speak; for thou hast strenghthened me." Daniel 10:18-19

C. No breath is discerned in the body of the prophet.
"For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightaway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me." Daniel 10:17

D. The prophet is able to speak.
"And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength." Daniel 10:16

E. The prophet will not be aware of earthly surroundings.
"Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves." Daniel 10:5-8
"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." 2.Corinthians 12:2-4

F. During vision the eyes of a prophet will be open.
"He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling [into a trance], but having his eyes open." Numbers 24:4

Note: Though the preceding six Bible points are physical evidences of a true prophet in vision, not all of them always appear together. A prophet's vision may be genuine without manifesting all six evidences.

A. God's end-time church would not exist as an official organization between A.D. 538 and 1798. [Click here and here.]

Answer: During the time of the church in the wilderness up to the time of the end, God's faithful people had the Bible, but prophecy was needed for the end time church.

A. A prophet will live a godly life, Matthew 7:15-20.
B. A prophet will be called to service by God, Isaiah 6:1-10; Jeremiah 1:5-10; Amos 7:14-15.
C. A prophet will speak and write in harmony with the Bible, Isaiah 8:19-20.
D. A prophet predicts events that will come true, Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
E. A prophet will have visions, Numbers 12:6.
F. A true prophet will keep all 10 of the Commandments of God, Rev. 12:17; 14:12.

God's end-time church begins to form in the early 1840's and desperately needed guidance. So, in harmony with His promise of Amos 3:7, God then called a young woman named Ellen Harmon to be His prophetess. Ellen accepted the call. She had been injured in an accident at age 9 and had to quit school with only three years of formal education. Her health deteriorated until, when called by God at age 17, she weighed only 70 pounds and had been given up to die.

Ellen accepted God's call with the understanding that He would enable her physically and keep her humble. She lived an additional 70 years and died at age 87. She insisted that her aim and work were to point the church and its members to the Bible - which was to be its creed - and to Jesus' free gift of righteousness. Ellen fulfilled every test of a prophet mentioned in the study above.

A. Reveal exciting new facets of old-time Bible doctrines that were not obvious until pointed out by the prophet, Amos 3:7.
B. Lead God's people to a closer walk with Jesus and a deeper study of His Word.
C. Help God's people understand difficult, unclear, or unnoticed portions of the Bible so that they suddenly come to life for us and bring great joy.
D. Help protect God's people from fanaticism, deception, and spiritual stupor.
E. Help God's people understand end-time prophecies which, verified by everyday news events, suddenly take on new meaning.[However, with respect to interpreting the Book of Revelation we should not try to interpret today's newspaper news, but realize that the `Revalation of Jesus Christ' is broadly based on Old Testament historical events and the work of those prophets of that time. Ex. The `wine' of the harlot woman, being false doctrines, look up in the OT what it says about `abomination(s)'. Such a study will teach you much. See also here and here.]
F. Help God's people sense the certainty of Jesus' soon return and the end of the world. For a deepening love for Jesus, a vibrant new excitement about the Bible, and a fresh understanding of Bible prophecies - listen to God's end-time prophet. You will find life taking on glorious new dimensions. Remember, Jesus says He will bless His end-time church with most-helpful prophetic messages. Praise the Lord! He is doing everything heaven can think of for His end-time people. He intends to save His people and take them to His glorious eternal kingdom. Those who follow Him are guaranteed entrance to heaven, Matthew 19:27-29.

When a church does not have a prophet to counsel, guide, and lead it back to Jesus and the Bible, the people will flounder in a disoriented manner (Psalm 74:9) and eventually perish.

"Mischief shall come ... then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the elders." Ezekiel 7:26.
"This says the Lord, If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law ... to listen to the words of my prophets, whom I sent to you ... then I will make this house like Shiloh (which was destroyed, Jer.7:12-14) and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth." Jeremiah 26:4-6.
"... I gave them my sabbath, to be a sign between me and them, that they may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. But the house of Israel rebelled against me ... they walked not in my statutes and they despised my judgments, and my sabbaths they greatly polluted ... for their hearts went after their idols." Ezekiel 20:14-16.
"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Proverbs 29:18.

Read also Deuteronomy 13:1-5. "If there arise among you a prophet ... And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee."

`Sola scriptura' is a worth while principle but many who think they base their faith on that motto are not really consistent in that as we show here.

Statement: Detractors claim that prophecy is not the equivalent of Scripture. They say, prophecy is a particular word for a particular congregation (or person) at a particular time through a particular person. Scripture is for all Christians in all places at all time. [Michael Green, To Corinth With Love, (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1982), p. 75, quoted by Bradford, More Than a Prophet, p. 244.]
How is that shown to be a mistaken claim?

"Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 1.Cor. 12:29.
Paul wishes that all eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. At the same time he states that not all will have this gift," 1.Cor. 14:1; 12:29,31.
But then, the " .. household of God ... [is] ... built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." Eph. 2:20. Prophets are next to apostles listed as the cornerstone or foundation of the church.

a) Balaam and the prophet who cursed Jeroboam's altar, along with
b) Nathan's divinely-corrected counsel to David on the building of the temple,

evidences for prophetic limitations and fallibility?

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16.

`We can conclude that what God has revealed to the prophet they can speak with confidence. However there will be many situations where they will be merely giving their own opinion.'

How would you answer that?

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2.Peter 1:20,21.

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." 1.Thess. 2:13.

"In God's word only do we behold the power that laid the foundations of the earth, and that stretched out the heavens. Here only do we find an authentic account of the origin of nations. Here only is given a history of our race unsullied by human pride or prejudice." EGW, Messages to Young People, p. 263.

`Day after day he stood at the entrance to the temple and plagued the life out of people with his doomsday predictions.'

How would you counter such a statement?

How would you show that such complaints are not true?

How could we explain that?

"Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile." Romans 2:6-10.

In other words, God will give to each person according to that which he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil ... for God does not show favoritism.

"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Romans 8:13.

In other words, For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death (stop doing them) the misdeeds of your body, you will live.

"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Hebrews 5:9.

That speaks for itself. But if it is not enough click here!

'There can be no doubt that God does meet people where they are in many of their cultural concepts. Think about the difficulty we have with Old Testament laws such as those that deal with slavery, the treatment of women, and blood vengeance.'

See the writings of Moses for examples.

Similar comments are made about what are often called the `imprecatory psalms,' in which they say, `The psalmists ask God to do terrible things to their enemies.'

How should we answer that?

"And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." Joshua 2:9-11.

With the imprecatory psalms, human vengeance is not at work, but rather, the surrender of one's enemies to the impartial vengeance of the divine. Psalm 137:7-9 doesn't command anyone to go do these things. It simply says those who will in fact do them will prosper, thus bringing about Babylon's utter destruction. It is God inflicting punishment, and God's people rejoice in the eminently just, reluctant justice of a holy and loving God (See Isaiah 28:21; Ezekiel 18:23, 31, 32; 33:11).

How should we react to that?

"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." 1.Cor. 13:12.

Two more examples show that partial knowledge does not mean error is unavoidable:

1st - Detractors may want to study Jeremiah's refusal to answer the false prophet Hananiah until the former received instruction from God (Jeremiah 28:10, 11), and
2nd - the refusal of Elisha to address the problems of the Shunamite woman because "the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me." (2 Kings 4:27).

Here we have two instances providing plain evidence that prophets do not give spiritual counsel unless God supernaturally directs them. In our discussion of Ellen White's ministry we will note how the absence of divine instruction on certain issues, not the absence of authority on her part to settle such issues, is what accounts for her refusal to address certain controversies while she did in fact address others.

How could we explain that?

"And it came to pass, when they were come, that he [Samuel] looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature ... for the LORD seeth not as man seeth ... but the LORD looketh on the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab ... Shammah ... and Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said ... fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. ... And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah." 1.Sam. 16:6-13.

Can you explain this now?

And [Paul] said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives." Acts 27:10.

When in fact God's angel does give him counsel, he makes it clear to the sailors it is God who is speaking (verses 22-24).

Notice how Paul says, "I perceive." He isn't giving inspired counsel, to the church or others, nor does he claim God showed him that disaster would result if the ship put out to sea. (Though, of course, probably on the strength of experience or prevailing `weather reports' he might have heard, his misgivings were certainly vindicated by the events that followed.)

"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 1:6,7.

So, how long do we think the gifts, including prophecy, last?

A recent biography of Mormon founder Joseph Smith observes how Ellen White, in contrast with Smith, did not give her writings equality with Scripture. [Richard Lyman Bushman, Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005, p. 128.]

The Bible explains about the lesser and the greater light as follows,

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:6-9.
"He [John the Baptist] was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me." John 5:35,36.

In short, the function of Scripture is to establish truth. The function of the writings of Ellen White is to clarify and confirm it. Different function. Same authority.

Again we cite Paul's statement to the Thessalonians, which offers no hint of any mixture of human opinion with the divine word in the messages delivered to the church:

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." 1.Thessalonians 2:13.

And to those inclined to pick and choose in her writings which are of God and which are of human origin, the modern prophet offers these solemn warnings:

"I have my work to do, to meet the misconceptions of those who suppose themselves able to say what is testimony from God and what is human production. If those who have done this work continue in this course, satanic agencies will choose for them.

Those who have helped souls to feel at liberty to specify what is of God in the Testimonies and what are the uninspired words of Sister White, will find that they were helping the devil in his work of deception." [White, Selected Messages, Vol. 3, p. 70]

"Yet now, when I send you a testimony of warning and reproof, many of you declare it to be merely the opinion of Sister White. You have thereby insulted the Spirit of God." [White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 64]

In Closing this section on doubters about the ministry of Ellen White here are some points:

Some critics say that

1. E. White, if she was a prophet, should have full knowledge from the start of her ministry.
   
2. a prophets predictions should be unalterably
   
3. the writings should be exempt from errors, discrepancies, mistakes and never include uninspired sources
   
4. they should never express merely personal opinions in their writings.

These presuppositions assume a verbal-inspiration concept that SdAs do not hold. If we do not hold the Bible to be verbally inspired, why should we for E. White? See Jer. 43:2-4. E. White's writings are a help for the church in the time of the end; they focus the reader's attention on the Bible. They do not replace the Bible.

[0100] How is it possible in our scientific age for such influences to attract people of all walks of life, even educated people? The reason has to do with the skill and innocent looking front put on by those who are involved in Wicca. They call it white magic, in contrast to black or dark magic. Wicca proponents may say things like, `Worship the goddess.' They may display a `pentogram', a star with 5 rays. Wicca authors portray their craft as not bad, not dangerous, good, friendly and positive. They claim to bring love, healing, appreciation of nature and harmony into the life with the power of natural magic. They may say they honor women, do not drink alcoholic beverages, do not smoke - these things are bad for you. They may suggest do not engage in illicit sex since that is all bad and dark, but instead they say, practice witchcraft. All of these innocent sounding suggestions hide other dangers however. We should realize that there is a big difference from what Wicca claims and states to believe, from what Wicca really is. They convinced themselves that there is no devil and that their craft is nice, good non-judgmental and safe but really it is about exercising power over others. Christian churches which are not preaching the truth about God also do not have the blessings of God, and thereby not His power. Such churches without spiritul energy and uplifting power lose their members easily to Wicca and such drifters alternatives to true faith in God. Others have been hurt by churches or `Christian' people and that is why they got caught up in this craft. Wicca practitioners imagine that the power they are tapping into has nothing to do with Satan, because they say they do not believe in a being called Satan. We can see, therefore, what Wiccans believe and teach is not really the truth of what goes on behind the scene. This assessment may be heard by those who have to deal with social encounter problems among these people, like police, social workers, etc. They can tell you about the dark side of Wicca. Like so many other people's in the past, they are deceiving themselves and they are deceived by the arrayed powers of the arch deceiver himself. The success of Wicca is driven by Hollywood, the Internet and many books. That in itself is suspect. Television is a prime source of misinformation and many lies taught as if they were true. The alternative to faith in God is never a nobler form of life, it is a falling into error and man made effigies which cannot finally succeed and live up to its promises. The Bible teaches that there is a right kind and a wrong kind of power. We must take care not to unsuspectingly tapp into the wrong kind of power, 2. Tim. 3:1-5. The kind of power we need is described in Romans 15:13. The Christian God is a God of hope. We address Christian believes in various articles.
Texts on sorcery and abomination: Rev. 9:20-21 on sorcery; Rev. 17:4-5 on abominations; Deut. 18:9-14 on abominations and more; Rev. 18:23 on Babylon who by her sorceries misleads all nations; Rev. 21:8 & 22:15 the fate of sorcerers and others.

[250] At Christ's first coming, there was a great outburst of demonic activity. Of His 36 recorded miracles, 7 were performed to cast out demons. See Matthew 8:28; 9:32; 12:22; 15:22; 17:15; Luke 4:35; 8:2. - That is why we may expect increased demonic activity just prior to our Lord's Second Coming.