Tested by the Word
Because of the fanaticism resulting from the work of men falsely
claiming to be taught of God, many good people regard with grave
suspicion or even disbelief the claim of anyone to divine revelation.
But the searcher after truth must guard equally against deception by
false prophets or teachers, and a failure to recognize the true. “Despise
not prophesyings,” writes the apostle. “Prove all things; hold fast that
which is good.”
1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21
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In harmony with this injunction, believers in Christ are urged to
give candid consideration to the evidences of divine guidance in the
advent movement of the present day, and the manifestation of the gift
of prophecy connected with this movement. To disregard the work of
the Holy Spirit, as manifested through this gift, is perilous. Yet we
are admonished to “beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” And the test
is given, “ye shall know them by their fruits.”
As well might men expect to gather “grapes of thorns, or figs of
thistles,” as to find unadulterated truth and sanctifying power ema-
nating from a base deceiver. “Every good tree bringeth forth good
fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot
bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit....
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Matthew 7:15-20
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The active labors of Ellen G. Harmon, known after her marriage
as Mrs. E. G. White, covered a period of seventy years, sixty years of
which were spent in America, and ten years in Europe and Australasia.
During this long time she was honored with many revelations, which
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she believed to be heaven-sent and which she endeavored faithfully
to write out for the instruction of the church. Many volumes of her
writings have been published and have a world-wide circulation. Many
thousands of people, convinced by the scriptures that we are living
near the close of this Earth’s history, have been led to believe that
Mrs. White was an agent through whom God spoke by the Spirit of
prophecy to his remnant church. Such a belief is surely worthy of
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