The Prophetic Gift in the Gospel Church

PART TWO

“FOR yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.... But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” 11 Thessalonians 5:2-5. PGGC 33.1

To the people who are not in the dark concerning the coming of the Lord the apostle gives the following weighty exhortations: “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Verses 19-21. PGGC 33.2

It is evident from this language that if the Spirit of the Lord is allowed to work as God designs, there will be among the believers in the second advent, good and true manifestations of the prophetic gift. Murdock’s Syriac translation of this text reads, “Despise not prophesying.” Greenfield, in his Greek lexicon, gives as the meaning of the word here rendered “prophesyings,” “the exercise of the gift of prophecy in this sense. 1 Thessalonians 5:21.” With this, also, agree the lexicons of Parkhurst, Robinson, and Liddell and Scott. PGGC 33.3

When writing to the Corinthians the apostle speaks of those who will be waiting for Christ’s second coming, and says, “Ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:7, 8. PGGC 33.4

Of the church waiting for Christ’s second coming we read in Revelation: “And the dragon [the devil] was wroth with the woman [the church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17. This phrase, “testimony of Jesus,” is clearly defined in Revelation 19:10, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Here, then, is the last of the church in her probationary state, two features being prominent in her work,—the keeping of all the commandments of God, and having the spirit of prophecy. PGGC 34.1

In Part One was presented quite fully the Scriptural evidence for spiritual gifts in the gospel church, as well as the proofs that the gifts will be found with the last phase of the church in her probationary state. It was not the Lord that put the gifts out of the church, but the apostasy of the church-separating from God-which limited these manifestations. All the way along the Lord has been ready to show forth His power and His gifts with those who have fully sought Him. PGGC 34.2

That it was the Lord’s pleasure to manifest His power is shown in the great gospel commission, where the Saviour said, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20. In Mark’s record of the same commission a statement is given of some of the ways the Lord’s presence among His servants would be known: “These signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17, 18. PGGC 34.3

There were some wonderful displays of the Lord’s power and manifestations of the gift of prophecy during the Reformation of the sixteenth century, and in the times following. D’Aubigne speaks of the prophecies of John Huss. Charles Buck, in his religious anecdotes, tells of the prophesying of George Wishart, in 1546. John Wesley, in his works, tells of the prophecies of Jonathan Pyrah, and their fulfilment. Elder J. B. Finley, in his autobiography, tells of a remarkable vision and healing in his own person, in the summer of 1842. The Christian Advocate (Methodist) published an interesting account of a remarkable vision and its results, as given to Doctor Bond, of that church, during his ministry. These were tokens, to those humbly seeking the Lord, that He had not changed, and that He still would speak to His people through the prophetic gift. PGGC 35.1

About 1833, but more especially since 1840, a message has been sounding through the earth proclaiming the coming of Christ near at hand, “even at the doors.” In connection with this proclamation the Lord has been pleased to manifest the power of His Spirit in various ways, and in a marked manner. In many instances, not only in America, but in other countries, the Lord has been gracious to His people who have been engaged in heralding the glad tidings of our returning Lord, by speaking to them through the gift of prophecy. Attention is here called to some instances of this character in America. PGGC 35.2

The first to be noticed is that of a godly man,—a well-educated and talented minister by the name of William Foye, who resided in Boston, Massachusetts. At two different times during the year 1842, the Lord came so near to him that he was wrapped in holy vision. One of these occasions was on January 18, and the other was on February 4. By invitation he went from city to city to tell of the wonderful things he had seen; and in order to accommodate the vast crowds that assembled to hear him, large halls were secured, where he related to thousands what had been shown him of the heavenly world, the loveliness of the New Jerusalem and the angelic hosts. When dwelling upon the tender, compassionate love of Jesus for poor sinners, he exhorted the unconverted to seek God, and scores responded to his tender entreaties. PGGC 36.1

Mr. Foye’s work continued until the year 1844, near the close of the twenty-three hundred days of Daniel 8:14. Then he was favored with another manifestation of the Holy Spirit,—a third vision was given,—one which he did not understand. In this was shown him a pathway of the people of God through to the heavenly city. He saw a great platform, on which multitudes of people gathered. Occasionally one would drop through this platform out of sight, and of such a one it was said to him, “Apostatized.” Then he saw the people rise to a second platform, and some of these also dropped through the platform out of sight; and finally a third platform appeared, which extended to the gates of the holy city. A great company gathered with those who had advanced to this platform. As he expected the Lord Jesus to come in a very short time, he failed to recognize the fact that a third message was to follow the first and second messages of Revelation 14. Consequently the vision, to him, was inexplicable, and he ceased public speaking. After the close of the prophetic period, in the year 1845, he heard Miss E. G. Harmon relate the same vision, with the explanation that “the first and second messages had been given, and that a third was to follow.” Soon after this, however, Mr. Foye sickened and died. PGGC 36.2

Another instance of the manifestation of the gift of prophecy is found in the case of a young man that resided in Poland, Maine, by the name of Hazen Foss. He was a man of fine appearance, pleasing address, with a good academic education. In the month of September, 1844, about six weeks before the close of the twenty-three hundred days, the Lord gave him a vision, in which he, like Mr. Foye, saw the “three platforms” in the heavenly pathway. Some messages of warning to individuals were also given him, which he was instructed to deliver. In connection with this he saw the trials and persecutions that would follow if he was faithful in relating what had been shown to him. As he was also expecting the Lord to come “in a few more days” (as they then sang), he did not understand the third step (“platform”) in the journey; and, shrinking from the cross, he refused to relate the vision. The view was repeated to him; and in addition, warning was given that if he still refused to tell what had been shown him, the burden would be taken from him, and given to one of the weakest of the Lord’s children, one who would faithfully narrate what God would reveal. Again he refused. A third vision was given him, a very short one, in which he was told that he was released, and saw the person upon whom the Lord had laid the burden, “one of the weakest of the weak, who would do the Lord’s bidding.” PGGC 37.1

This startled the young man, who at once appointed a meeting on McGuire Hill, Poland, Maine, for the purpose of relating what had been revealed to him. The people crowded together to see and hear him. He carefully related his experience,—how he had refused to relate what the Lord had shown him, and what would result from the refusal. “Now,” said he, “I will tell you the vision.” But, alas!! it was too late! It had gone from him. Not a word could he recall. He wrung his hands in anguish, saying: “God has fulfilled His word. He has taken the vision from me. I am a lost man.” From that time the man lived without hope. He died in 1896. PGGC 38.1

About two months after the close of the twenty-three hundred days (about January 1, 1845), Miss Ellen G. Harmon, of Portland, Maine, then a little past seventeen years of age, began to receive revelations from the Lord. She was at that time in a very critical condition of health, being, indeed, as had been told to Foss regarding the instrument God would choose, “THE WEAKEST OF THE WEAK.” From a wound received when about nine years of age, she nearly bled to death, and ever afterward was unable to attend school. For several weeks before her first revelation she had scarcely been able to speak above a whisper. One physician diagnosed her case as dropsical consumption, with the right lung decayed, and the left one considerably diseased; and to aggravate her condition, her heart also was affected. All this made her recovery doubtful; in fact, he thought she could live but a very short time at most, and was liable to drop away at any moment. It was with great difficulty that she could breathe when lying down, and at night she could obtain rest only by being bolstered up in bed in an almost sitting posture. Frequent spells of coughing and hemorrhages from the lungs had greatly reduced her physical strength. Her weight at that time was only seventy pounds. PGGC 39.1

In this weakened condition, she was instructed, in vision, to go and relate to others what the Lord had made known to her. She was directed to go to Poland, Maine,—the place where Foss had failed when trying to relate the vision given to him. Here she related what the Lord had shown her. In an adjoining room, Foss heard the narration; and after meeting he remarked to others, “The vision Ellen related is as near like what was shown to me as two persons could tell the same thing.” The next morning, on seeing Miss Harmon, he said, “That is the instrument on whom the Lord has laid the burden.” To Miss Harmon he said, “Be faithful in bearing the burden laid upon you, and in relating the testimonies the Lord shall give you, and you will get through to the kingdom;” and then, in anguish, he said, “O, I am a lost man!” PGGC 40.1

The gift of prophecy, as manifested through Miss Harmon (now Mrs. E. G. White, she having been married to Elder James White in August, 1846), has been connected with the third angel’s message for about sixty-five years. PGGC 40.2

The students of Scripture prophecies have ever claimed that “when the time comes for the fulfilment of a prophecy, the genuine fulfilment is there, and not a counterfeit.” The Lord’s time came for the third angel’s message,—for a people to arise teaching the observance of all the commandments of God,—a message with which should be connected the spirit of prophecy. There is just such a message now being given to the world, and the gift of prophecy is connected with it; not to give a new revelation to take the place of the Scriptures, but simplifying and making clear the truths taught therein, and urging the importance of more earnest study of the sacred Word. PGGC 40.3

“The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” 1 Corinthians 14:32. The same Spirit that actuates one true prophet of God controls and actuates another. So in the true manifestation of the Holy Spirit there must be a similarity in the visions now given, to those described in the Bible. It may be well, however, briefly to notice some Scriptural accounts of true visions from God, comparing them with the “open visions”—visions given before the people—of Mrs. E. G. White. PGGC 41.1

It has been the privilege of the writer to witness this manifestation through Mrs. White nearly fifty times during the last fifty-eight years, and to learn, in the year 1858, from the lips of those conversant, with the beginning of this manifestation through her, the history of the same. PGGC 41.2

It may be well, however, before making the comparisons, to describe the manifestation itself as seen in Mrs. White. In the particulars which I now endeavor to give, there was never a variation in all the numerous visions that the writer has witnessed. As the blessing of the Lord’s Spirit would fall upon her in power, she would give three shouts, speaking the word “Glory!” The first shout, as nearly as can be described, sounded as if coming from the upper part of the room, and was accompanied by thrills of the power of the Lord, affecting all present whose hearts were susceptible to the Spirit of God. The second shout sounded still farther off, and the impress of the Spirit on those present was deeper. The third shout resembled that of a voice in the distance, like one just going out of hearing. With this the presence of the Spirit would be felt in a still greater degree, reminding one of the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit “filled all the house where they were sitting.” Acts 2:2. PGGC 41.3

After the third shout, for half a minute or more, there was a complete loss of strength. If the power of the Spirit came upon her when standing, she appeared gradually to settle down to the floor, as if being gently let down by unseen hands. When fairly in vision, the action of the heart and pulse was natural, but the closest tests of medical men failed to discover a particle of breath in her body. The color of the countenance was natural, the eyes were open, always looking upward, not with a vacant stare, neither in a stationary position, but turning from side to side in different directions, the only difference from the natural look being like that of one looking intently at some object in the distance. After a moment of weakness, a superhuman power came upon her. While she would sometimes rise to her feet, and walk about the room, gracefully moving her arms to the right or left, yet in whatever position the arm might be placed, it was impossible for strong men to move it an inch. PGGC 42.1

When we look at the Scripture record of visions given to God’s servants, we find many particulars relative to the physical condition of the entranced person. In the case of Paul, as recorded in his letter to the Corinthians, he says, “I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 12:1. That he speaks of himself and his own visions is evident from the seventh verse, where he says, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” PGGC 43.1

Paul says of his visions: “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I can not tell; or whether out of the body, I can not 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 can not tell: God knoweth;) how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful [“not possible,” margin] for a man to utter.” Verses 2-4. PGGC 43.2

When the veil was drawn back, and Paul was permitted to look upon heavenly scenes, it appeared to him as if he went up to heaven. The same was true in John’s case. Revelation 4:1. Paul was lost to everything around him. While the vision continued, he knew nothing of his surroundings, and so he could only testify of what he saw while in vision. PGGC 43.3

The closest tests applied to Mrs. White while in vision have led the most skeptical to decide that she was oblivious to all her surroundings. Pricking the hands with needles would not occasion the slightest resistance. A lighted candle brought suddenly so near her eyes as to singe her eyebrows, or even the tip end of the finger touched to the pupil of the eye, failed to produce the least resistance, or to cause her to flinch. Those thus experimenting have exclaimed, “She does not know anything of what is taking place around her.” PGGC 44.1

The next comparison will be in the case of Daniel’s vision as recorded in chapter 10. He said to the angel: “For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man [by reference to Daniel 9:21 we learn that the one who appeared to him before was the man Gabriel], 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 strengthened me.” Verses 17-19. PGGC 44.2

Here are five points in the description of his vision: loss of strength; sees an angel; the angel puts his hand upon him; he is supernaturally strengthened; and no breath in his body, though he is talking to the angel at the same time. PGGC 44.3

As before stated, the first thing, as Mrs. White goes into vision, is loss of consciousness of earthly things, and loss of strength. The first thing she sees is a bright, glorious angel, who lays his hand upon her. She is then clothed with strength, sometimes rising to her feet, walking about the room with a great Bible open on her left arm; and while her eyes are turned upward, and away from the book, with her right hand the leaves of the book are turned from page to page, the fingers pointing to texts, which she repeats verbatim, though her eyes are never once turned toward them. While thus talking and quoting Scripture, the closest test of skilful physicians has failed to detect breath in her body. Thus in these five particulars, her visions are precisely like the visions of Daniel. PGGC 45.1

While she is in vision, physicians have held a lighted candle as close to her lips as possible without burning her; and notwithstanding she was speaking with much force in the voice, not a single flicker was made in the blaze of the candle. Such a test was made by two physicians in Rochester, New York, June 24, 1854. After the experiment, they said: “That settles it! There is not a particle of breath in that woman’s body!” On another occasion, in 1853, a physician seeing her recover her breath on coming out of vision, said, “The action is precisely like that of the new-born infant drawing its first breath, and is POSITIVE proof that while in the vision she has not been breathing.” PGGC 45.2

Another feature in connection with visions recorded in the Bible is found in the case of Balaam. We read: “Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open [“who had his eyes shut, but now opened,” margin, Hebrew] hath said: 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 24:3, 4, 16. Boothroyd translates it, in verses 4, 16, “entranced, but with open eyes.” Spurrell’s translation, margin, “entranced with eyes rolled upward.” As previously said, Mrs. White’s eyes are always open during the entire vision. We have now presented seven points in which this manifestation through Mrs. White is in accord with Bible visions. PGGC 46.1

The question will now naturally arise, How can a person talk without breath? Such a phenomenon is a miracle of God’s power. Indeed, it is thrilling to listen to the voice of an angel speaking through the vocal organs of a human being. How did the ancient prophets speak without breath? In Peter’s second epistle we read, “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 1:21. “Men had utterance from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” Dean Alford’s New Testament. The Spirit of God did the talking through the prophet. PGGC 46.2

We will look at another testimony, one in regard to David’s prophecies: “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue.” 2 Samuel 23:2. The Spirit of God did the speaking, using the tongue of David. Another testimony concerning David’s prophesying is found in Peter’s testimony: “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.” Acts 1:16. The Holy Spirit spoke, using David’s mouth. So, in the case of Mrs. White, when in holy vision, although there is no breath, the Holy Spirit speaks in an audible voice, using her organs of speech. PGGC 47.1

A ninth point of comparison is in relation to the writing of what has been previously shown in vision. In the first book of Chronicles we have an account of David preparing for his son Solomon to build the temple at Jerusalem. He speaks of many particulars concerning the building,—its chambers, treasuries, parlors, furniture, and service. Of this he says it was “the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit.” 1 Chronicles 28:12. The Lord had shown him, by the Spirit, as He showed to Moses, a pattern of this building that was “a shadow of heavenly things.” And everything must be made as exact as the pattern. This must all be written out for Solomon’s instruction. David tells us how this was done. “All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.” 1 Chronicles 28:19. The Lord had shown him these things in vision. As he set himself to write them, the Spirit of God brought them clearly before his mind, and thus he wrote them out. PGGC 47.2

It is in this manner that Mrs. White is enabled to commit to writing the many things previously shown her in vision. She says, “I have been aroused from my sleep with a vivid sense of subjects previously presented to my mind, and have written, at midnight, letters that have gone across the continent [of America], and arriving at a crisis, have saved great disaster to the cause of God.” PGGC 48.1

Again, she says: “Sometimes, when special dangers threaten the cause of God or particular individuals, a communication comes to me from the Lord, either in a dream or a vision of the night, and these cases are brought vividly to my mind. I hear a voice saying to me, ‘Arise and write; these souls are in peril.’ I obey the movings of the Spirit of God, and my pen traces their true condition.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:685. PGGC 48.2