Two Kinds Of Prophesying

In Revelation 10:1-10 we have an angel, representing as we have been taught, the proclamation of the soon coming of Christ, and basing that prophecy on the contents of “a little book,” believed to be the book of Daniel’s prophecy.GoPH 195.7

Those who prophesied the near coming of the Lord from the contents of the little book are represented as being bitterly disappointed.GoPH 195.8

To these disappointed ones, the command is given, “Thou must prophesy again.” V. 11.GoPH 196.1

They could not prophesy again unless they had prophesied a first time. Therefore when they testified out of the little book the prophecy of the soon coming of Christ they were prophesying. If not, how could they be called upon to prophesy again?GoPH 196.2

This proves that when one prophesies or testifies a prophecy of Jesus which has been already spoken and written in the Book, his proclamation of that prophecy is called prophesying, and he is therefore in that sense a prophet.GoPH 196.3

And these are the prophets, and these are the prophesyings, and these are the prophecies that are brought to view in 1 Corinthians 14, where prophets and prophesying are present as part of the gifts and services of the Corinthian church.GoPH 196.4

That this prophesying was not necessarily the result of a vision in which the prophet lost consciousness is shown by the following: “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge. If anything be revealed to another [prophet] that sitteth by, let the first [prophet] hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy [all the prophets. “Do all prophesy?”] one by one, that all may learn, and all be comforted.” (R. V.)GoPH 196.5

Thus it is seen that while one prophet is testifying another prophet who is sitting by may receive a revelation, not a revelation of something outside the testimony of Jesus already revealed in the Scriptures, but a revelation of light from that written revelation. Such an one is called a “prophet” and his testifying is called “prophesying.”GoPH 196.6

However, this truth does not exclude such prophesying as the prediction of a dearth, or the binding of Paul at Jerusalem. Such local prophecies are no part of that prophesying which deals with the revelation of Christ concerning His cross and His coming; which is found in its completeness in the Scriptures of truth.GoPH 196.7

All that is necessary to “thoroughly furnish” the child of God with saving truth has been prophesied, or testified in the testimony of Jesus that is written in the Book, and it is the work of the prophet today to prophesy, or testify, that testimony of Jesus, to the world as “meat in due season.” “Covet earnestly the best gifts.” “Desire spiritual gifts but rather that ye may prophesy.” “Wherefore brethren, covet to prophesy.” “Ye may all prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 12:31 and 14: 1, 31, 39.GoPH 196.8