Heavenly Visions

“BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM.”

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

“BEWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20. HEVI 52.1

These words of the Saviour recognize the fact that the gift of prophecy would exist in the gospel age. If no true prophets were to be connected with the work, and every prophetic manifestation was to be from an evil source, would he not have said, “Beware of prophets”? The fact that he tells us so definitely how each kind may be known is the best evidence that in the work of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, in showing “things to come” (John 16:13), would be the true gift of prophecy. HEVI 52.2

This rule, which, in our enumeration, may be called rule seven, is an infallible one. Christ does not say, Ye may know them by their fruits; but, positively, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” HEVI 52.3

We inquire, What is the fruit to be seen in the work of genuine gifts of the Spirit of God? The answer is found in the statement of Paul respecting the purpose of the Lord in placing the gifts in the church: “Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.... And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity [“into the unity,” margin] of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:8-16. HEVI 52.4

Apply this rule to the prophetic gift that has been connected with the third angel’s message from its rise, and what is the result?-We find that the continual instruction given through Sister White has been in the line of unity and harmony, admonishing to “counsel together” and to “press together,” to be in unison with Christ, thus insuring true fellowship and union with one another. HEVI 52.5

Some of our opponents have sneeringly said, “If it was not for the visions of Mrs. White, which you have among you, your cause would have gone to pieces long ago.” We reply, That is true; because from that source the Lord has given counsel, caution, and light, and thus dissensions have been removed, and the work of God has prospered. So what they designed as a thrust against the gift is in reality testimony that its fruit is that of the true gift of prophecy. HEVI 52.6

One prominent minister, when railing in a sermon against Sister White’s gift, was asked this question by a Methodist woman: “Is there anything immoral in Mrs. White’s writings that you are so much opposed to them?” He replied, “No! her writings are the highest-toned morality you ever read outside of your Bible.” Another question was, “What kind of people are those who firmly believe and live up to her teachings?” He answered, “They are the most conscientious, godly people you can find; and there is just the danger in her writings: the reading of her books make such devoted Christians that people are led to believe that the visions are from the Lord.” The remodeling of the rule given by Christ so as to read, The proof that a tree is evil and dangerous is the fact that the fruit it bears is good, would better please this class of divines. HEVI 52.7

One of the fruits of true gifts mentioned in the Ephesian letter is the gathering of a people into the “unity of the faith.” What has been the result in this respect in the rise of the third angel’s message?-Forty years ago, when our publications and work were all in the English language, when reference was made to the unity and harmony taught in the Testimonies, and existing among the believers, our opponents said, “That is very well now, while your work is all in a limited territory, and the believers are of one nationality; but should your work spread into different parts of the earth, and gather people of different languages, with their national peculiarities, you would see the unity disappear, and your work go to pieces.” HEVI 52.8

Do we see it going to pieces? How is it?-The message is now printed, believed, and advocated in thirty-six of the leading languages of the world, and has gained a foothold at different places around the world twice,-both north and south of the equator,-yet there is the same unity and harmony among those accepting the Lord’s counsel through the Testimonies as in earlier times. So the visions stand the test of rule seven. HEVI 53.1

In concluding these articles, let it be borne in mind that attention has been called to nine points of similarity between Sister White’s visions and those described in the Bible; to six points of comparison in the practical work of true visions; and, lastly, to seven rules. In all of these twenty-two points, we find her visions in exact harmony with true prophets. In view of these facts, it is well for all to heed the admonition of King Jehoshaphat to the host of Judah: “Believe in the Lord your God so shall ye be established; believe his prophets so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20. The Review and Herald, December 18, 1899. HEVI 53.2