IS THE BIBLE ENOUGH?
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, prophesy not unto
us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Isaiah 30:10
Although the Spirit of Prophecy is packed with the gospel message, the
health message, parenting instructions and even educational tools for
today, sometimes some of us don’t want anything to do with it. I can
understand while witnessing and giving Bible studies; sharing the
loving gospel of Jesus, some of us may get uncomfortable with trying to
share that there is a prophet for the church of today; a woman who had
visions and made predictions, who also rebukes, exhorts and shares with
us how to lead a healthy Christian lifestyle. We don’t want to tell
anybody any of that. And often times, we don’t know how to go to the
scriptures and share the truth of this gift that was given to last day
church. (Rev.19:10)
Ephesians 4:7-11 states that Jesus at His ascension placed the gift of
“prophets” in His church, along with four other gifts: apostles,
evangelists, pastors, and teachers. So a prophet is a gift. One who can
interpret and enlighten the scriptures and give us greater and broader
understanding in these last days. And, the next verse, 12, says, “for
the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the
edifying of the body of the church.” This is very necessary. We need
this. 1 Cor. 1:5-8 states that the last-day church will have all of the
gifts. So, these gifts were given to us, for the church to be
perfected, which includes the gift of prophecy.
Reading the Bible, we will find that God always had a prophet guiding
His people. Ellen G. White is the prophet of the last days. The
Biblical testing points for a true prophet are as follows. Live a godly
life (Matt. 7:15-20) be called to service by God (Isaiah 6:1-10;
Jeremiah 1:5-10; Amos 7:14, 15) Speak and write in harmony with the
Bible (Isaiah 8: 19, 20) Predict events that will come true.
(Deuteronomy 18:20-22) Will have visions. (Numbers 12:6) And the last
day prophet, taught, conducted, and behaved according to the Holy
Scriptures. See Isaiah 8:20
God gave prophecy to serve the church. This is the primary purpose of
prophecy. For believers, not for the world. See 1 Cor. 14:22
People began to break God’s commandments and didn’t even know it.
People are eating things they shouldn’t eat and don’t know it. People
are drinking and smoking and don’t even know that it’s dangerous to
them. This is why there is a need for an end time prophet. People are
living contrary to God’s will, and they don’t even know it!
God’s end-time church began to form in the early 1840’s and desperately
needed guidance. When the church began to obey His commandments, He
sent a prophet to assist, encourage, and guide. So when God’s remnant
church for the end-time emerged keeping His commandments, it was time
for a prophet. Soon after developed the Seventh-day Adventist church,
the only church keeping the commandments of God and preparing for
Christ’s soon coming. For the church that keeps the commandments of God
will be given the gift of prophecy. Lamentations 2:9
So this end-time prophet spoke and wrote of the “Word” of God,
……..Jesus Christ. We know that we are nothing without Jesus. The church
is doomed without Jesus Christ. The Word says “where there is no vision (prophesy) the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18 Ellen White always insisted that her aim and work were to point the church and its members to the Bible. 1 Samuel 9:9 calls a prophet a “Seer.” So, those who think they are true believers, without the gift of prophecy, are actually blind.
All of us who were baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist church,
acknowledged the 8th vow, which states, “.
Do you accept the biblical teaching of spiritual gifts and believe that the gift of prophecy is one of the identifying marks of the remnant church? We all said yes and we went under. How many now refuse to accept the prophetic writings stating that “all I need is the Bible”? Maybe some of us aren’t true
Seventh-day Adventist Christians, just playing the part because of our
spouses, parents, long time friends, and positions in office. Holding
office in a church but refuting the teachings of the prophet of the
church.
Well, I’d like to challenge those who question, refute, and find that
the Spirit of Prophecy is not necessary, to search prayerfully for
you. Stop playing around in the church that Ellen G. White had a part
in establishing. After all, “seeing” is a gift, a great blessing, and Christ’s
connection and communication with His people in the last days. Let’s
search our hearts, prayerfully and ask the spirit to reveal to us not
only what prophecy means to us, but to also be guided in sharing with
someone else once they accept Christ and the new obedient life in Him.
Maranatha
R. Denise Johnson