The Gift of Prophecy (The Role of Ellen White in God’s Remnant Church)

Preface

Apart from revelation in nature, God revealed Himself to the church through the Scriptures and the gifts of the Spirit. These methods of communication are part of the divine plan of redemption. The Scriptures do not take the place of the gifts of the Spirit; neither do the gifts of the Spirit take the place of the Scriptures. Both are necessary for the growth and well-being of the church. All who accept the authority of the Bible must also accept the ministry of the Holy Spirit through spiritual gifts, because the teaching concerning these gifts is an integral part of Scripture. GP 8.1

Because of texts such as Ephesians 4:11 and Joel 2:28, 29, Seventh-day Adventists believe that the gifts of the Spirit will be manifested in the church until the Second Coming. This does not mean that all the gifts will be in operation all the time, but whenever God sees the necessity for it, He can, in His sovereignty, bestow any or all the gifts of the Spirit on His people. GP 8.2

In the book of Revelation, God promised that there would be a special manifestation of the prophetic gift in the time of the end (Revelation 12:17; 19:10; 22:8, 9). From the very beginning, Seventh-day Adventists have believed that the gift of prophecy has been manifested in their midst in the life and work of Mrs. Ellen G. White (1827-1915). For seven decades she gave messages of counsel and warning that Seventh-day Adventists believe were just as much from God as were the messages of the biblical prophets. GP 8.3

It is true that Mrs. White’s life came to a close in 1915, but her work lives on—her books full of spiritual insights and counsel are still with us. Near the close of her life she declared, “Whether or not my life is spared, my writings will constantly speak, and their work will go forward as long as time shall last” (3 SM 76). GP 8.4

At a time when the gift of prophecy is under attack from various quarters, it is the purpose of this book to provide some answers to these attacks. I also want to share with the reader some of the wonderful blessings that have come to God’s people throughout the ages through the gift of prophecy. But I particularly want to highlight the blessings that God has bestowed on His remnant people, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, through the prophetic ministry of Ellen G. White. GP 9.1

At this point, I would like to thank the staff of the Ellen G. White Estate at the General Conference for their unfailing support while I was writing this book. May it contribute to the strengthening of Seventh-day Adventists’ commitment to and support of the gift of prophecy in God’s remnant church. GP 9.2