Counsels on Christian Worldview

Counsel #1 — The Prophetic Promise

Picture: Counsel #1 — The Prophetic Promise CCW 164.1

Although many Christians are cessationists—believing that the spiritual gift of prophecy ceased with the Apostolic Age—no biblical evidence supports this view. Rather, the Bible assures us that towards the close of this earth’s history, we can expect that God will communicate with his church through dreams and visions.^[243] It also would not make sense that God would guide his people throughout history, and then suddenly go silent as this earth’s history comes to a close.^[244] CCW 164.2

“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28 CCW 164.3

“God has... promised to give visions in the ‘last days’; not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth…. My message is to alarm you, to bid you reform your lives and cease your rebellion against the God of the universe.” Ellen White in The Faith I Live By, p. 293.7 CCW 164.4

Reflect: How does the belief that there are no more spiritual gifts conflict with the biblical assurance of ongoing prophecy? CCW 164.5