The Gift of Prophecy

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24. THE GIFT OF PROPHECY God, in history, gave to his people special gifts required for His work to be accomplished in harmony with His will. In this study, we will speak about a specific gift that God provided for His faithful people to reveal to them His plans and give them guidance.

25. WHAT IS ONE OF THE DISTINCTIVE ASPECTS OF GOD ’ SFAITHFUL PEOPLE?

 Revelation 12:17 One of the aspects that the Bible underlines as distinctive of the faithful people of God is the fact that they have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

2. What is the Testimony of Jesus?

 Revelation 19:10; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. The Holy Spirit is the one giving to each one gifts according to His plans. The Spirit of prophecy is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit through the gift of prophecy.

3. Why does God Raise Prophets in Aspecific Time?

 Amos 3:7 God does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets. So when God raises a prophet it is for a specific purpose, in a time when it is needed.

4. Did God Say That He Would Have Raised Prophets Up to This Time?

 Joel 2:28-31 Here God is saying through Joel that he would have given prophecies, visions and dreams. This prophecy was fulfilled in the day of Pentecost, as himself Peter said (see Acts 2:14-21,32-33), but the book of Joel here points also to signs that will precede Jesus’ second coming (see Revelation 6:12-17).

So we know that the gift of prophecy is going to be given again in the last days before Jesus’ second coming.

5. When, in Biblical History, We Always Find God Raising Prophets?

BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY: Jeremiah 29:10 → Ezra 1:1-3; 5:1-2 2 24. The Gift of Prophecy – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019 Before the beginning of the Babylonian captivity God raised Jeremiah. To him He gave the prophecy in regard of the 70 years captivity of the tribe of Judah.

After 70 years God made Cyrus accomplish the prophecy and raised Zechariah and Haggai in order to provide guidance to the leaders of the people in order to accomplish what was needed for the re-establishment of the Jewish nation.

So God called a prophet at the beginning of the time prophecy to set it and another one around its end in order to bring it to fulfillment, giving spiritual guidance to His people.

THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH: Daniel 9:25 → Mark 1:1-4,14-15 To Daniel was revealed the period of 69 weeks of years (483 years) starting from the order to rebuild Jerusalem.

Near to the end of the period, God raised John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry.

It was at Jesus’ baptism, performed by John the Baptist, that He was anointed, literally becoming the Christ and Messiah (which both mean anointed in the Greek and Hebrew languages).

So again God called a prophet at the beginning of the time prophecy to give it to His people and another one around its end in order to bring it to fulfillment, giving spiritual guidance to His people.

THE CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY: Daniel 8:14 To Daniel was revealed the period of 2300 years starting from the order to rebuild Jerusalem. At this point we expect a prophet of God to be raised around 1844 in order to bring to fulfillment God’s purpose for that time, giving spiritual guidance to God’s faithful people in that specific time.

God’s faithful people at this time had to be those unveiling the message of Daniel 8 in regard of the cleansing of the sanctuary and the beginning of the investigative judgment in heaven.

God, right after the great disappointment of October 22nd 1844 raised a young woman as a prophet to give spiritual guidance to the few ones who did not deny the biblical truth that had led them to that experience.

This girl was Ellen Gould Harmon, who later became Ellen Gould White.

6. Are All Who Claim to Be Prophets of God Really True Prophets of God?

 Matthew 24:24; 1 John 4:1-2 No! Jesus told the disciples that false prophets would have raised in the future. This means that we should expect real prophets, but should also know that false ones will come.

John wrote that we should test the spirits because of these false prophets. 24. The Gift of Prophecy – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019 3 A first criterion is that true prophets confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.

7. How does God Reveal Himself to Real Prophets?

 Numbers 12:6 God reveals Himself to prophets through visions and dreams.

8. WHAT MUST BE THE FOUNDATION OF ALL TRUE PROPHETS ’ TEACHINGS?

 Isaiah 8:20; 1 Corinthians 14:32 True prophets teachings should point to the Bible and be in harmony with Scripture. Since the Spirit who leads the prophets is one (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-6), also the message of a true prophet must be in harmony with the messages of true prophets of the past.

9. When Can We Be Sure About Aprophet Announcing Peace?

 Jeremiah 28:9 The prophet who prophesies peace is something strange in the Bible. God raises prophets to warn His people. If there is going to be peace likely the people is in harmony with God (which is rarely the case), so there is not a real urgency to warn them.

So, such a prophet should be considered a true prophet only when his word comes to pass.

10. IS IT ENOUGH THAT APROPHET CORRECTLY PREDICTS AN EVENT FOR US TO CONSIDER HIM / HER ATRUE PROPHET?

 Deuteronomy 13:1-3 A correct prediction together with inconsistency with God’s Word is just a bigger sign of a false prophet. God allows tests also because He wants to make manifest what is in our hearts.

A true prophet, before being considered as such, must pass all biblical tests.

11. WHAT IS USUALLY ATRUE PROPHET ’ SEXPERIENCE OF LIFE WHEN FAITHFUL TO GOD?

 Matthew 5:11-12 True prophets usually have to experience mockery and persecution, with false accusations and lies said about them.

This because true prophets bring rebukes from God and warnings and most people don’t want to accept God’s correction, because it would mean to change their own lives.

Most people just do not understand that God rebukes those whom He loves (see Revelation 3:19) in order to bring them to salvation. 4 24. The Gift of Prophecy – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019

12. What is the Ultimate Test for Aprophet of God?

 Matthew 7:15-20 When a true prophet of God works, good fruits will come. The results of a prophet’s ministry are the ultimate test for a prophet, according to the Bible. We will be able to recognize them by their fruits.

Appeal

If God sends a prophet, we should listen to what this prophet has to say and apply it in our lives even when we do not like it in initially.

God promises us that when we believe His prophets we shall surely prosper. When God provides guidance for His people, isn’t it the best to listen to it?

Do you want to take the decision today, to take seriously in consideration Ellen White’s ministry in behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist church and to see for yourself how her counsels and writings will affect your life bringing you nearer to God and to His Word?

Surely you will not be disappointed!