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144
Early Writings
Thus the attempt to prove from scripture the abolition
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of spiritual gifts, proves a total failure. And since the gates of
hades have not prevailed against the Church, but God still has a
people on earth, we may look for the development of the gifts in
connection with the third angel’s message, a message which will
bring back the Church to apostolic ground and make it indeed the
light—not darkness—of the world
.
Again: We are forewarned that there would be false prophets
in the last days, and the Bible gives a test by which to try their
teachings in order that we may distinguish between the true and the
false. The grand test is the law of God, which is applied both to the
prophesyings and to the moral character of the prophets. If there
were to be no true prophesyings in the last days, how much easier to
have stated the fact, and thus cut off all chance for deception, than
to give a test by which to try them, as if there would be the genuine
as well as the false
.
In
Isaiah 8:19, 20
, is a prophecy of the familiar spirits of the
present time, and the law is given as a test: “To the law and to the
testimony: if they speak not according to
This word
, it is because
there is no light in them.” Why say, “If they speak not,” if there
was to be no true spiritual manifestation or prophesying at the same
time? Jesus says, “Beware of false prophets.... Ye shall know them
by their fruits.”
Matthew 7:15, 16
. This is a part of the sermon on the
mount, and all can see that this discourse has a general application
to the church through the gospel age. False prophets are to be known
by their fruits; in other words, by their moral character. The only
standard by which to determine whether their fruits are good or
bad, is the law of God. Thus we are brought to the law and to the
testimony. True prophets will not only speak according to this word,
but they will live according to it. One who speaks and lives thus, I
dare not condemn
.
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It has always been a characteristic of false prophets that they see
visions of peace; and they will be saying, “Peace and safety,” when
sudden destruction comes upon them. The true will boldly reprove
sin and warn of coming wrath
.
Prophesyings which contradict the plain and positive declarations
of the word, are to be rejected. Thus our saviour taught his disciples
when he warned them concerning the manner of his second coming.