Spiritual Gifts

PROVING THE GIFT

There is no surer way to prove a prophetic gift than by comparing it with the description of such gifts as were manifested in Scripture times, and testing it by the rules therein given. The Scriptures thoroughly furnish us unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and give a correct record of the manifestation of the gift of prophecy and how the true work of the Spirit of God may be known from the workings of Satan, with his spurious gifts. In the prophecy of Isaiah a statement is given reaching down to the last days, in these words: “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples. And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth His face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for Him.” Isaiah 8:16-17. This looking for the Lord is not looking to find Him, for these are already waiting upon Him; hence the people here introduced are looking for, and expecting, Christ’s coming, and also the restoration of the seal to God’s law. To these He says: “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:19-20. From this we see that in the time near the coming of Christ, when Satan comes professing to represent the dead, those who seek the Lord may expect special instruction from Him. SGL 30.1

Why are the people seek to the dead in this time?-For instruction and guidance. Where should they seek for instruction?-To the Lord God, who made heaven and earth. Why seek to Him?-Because He has instruction for His people in this time, and they need not go to the dead, of whom He says they “know not anything.” Ecclesiastes 9:5. If the Lord is sought unto, He has instruction for His own through special manifestation of the gift of prophecy. But all such manifestations, the genuine, will be in harmony with His “law” and with the “testimony” of His Word. SGL 31.1