Chapter Eight—God’s Way of Communicating Truth

The doctrine of “the infallibility of the pope” is a substitute for, and a counterfeit of, the truth regarding the gift of prophecy. Catholicism as a whole is a gigantic counterfeit of Christianity. Every truth in the gospel has its counterfeit in this false system. Along with the others the gift of prophecy is counterfeited.GoPH 57.1

The official doctrine regarding the pope’s infallibility is that “by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority,” when the occupant of Peter’s chair “ speaks ex cathedra” and “defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals,” then “by the divine assistance promised to him in blessed Peter” his pronouncements are in-fallible.GoPH 57.2

It is apparent that this claim of infallibility is based upon the assumed position of the pope as successor of Peter. This is known as the doctrine of “apostolic succession.” Because he sits in Peter’s chair, and the succession as head of the church is alleged to have come down to him from Peter without break, therefore he is clothed with infallibility.GoPH 57.3

This is a false “succession.” It cannot be traced back to Peter. And if it could, Peter had no such headship, or authority, as is claimed for the pope.GoPH 58.1

But there is a true succession by which truth comes infallibly from God to man, of which this false succession is but a counterfeit. This true succession is thus revealed in the Scriptures: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John.” Revelation 1:1.GoPH 58.2

John, in turn, was bidden to write to the “angels” of the seven churches.GoPH 58.3

Here is the true succession by which truth, originating with God, is transmitted, without error, from God to man: God, Christ, “His angel,” those who have the gift of prophecy (called here “His servants”), the ministry, the churches.GoPH 58.4

When truth is transmitted in this way, it comes to men infallibly correct; for this is God’s way.GoPH 58.5

According to this passage the message to be sent to men originated with God. He gives it to Christ. Christ gives it to “His angel.” The angel transmits it to those who possess the gift of prophecy. They, in turn, pass it on to the churches through the ministry. That is God’s method of transmitting His truth.GoPH 58.6

It will be of interest here to inquire into the identity of the being spoken of in the passage as “His angel.” This is without question a particular angel, one who has been given charge of the important work of transmitting the messages of Heaven that are communicated to earth through the medium of the gift of prophecy.GoPH 59.1

This angel is the last link on the heavenly side in this important matter of the communication of truth to men; and the gift of prophecy is the connecting link on the earthly side. “His angel” communicates directly to the prophet or prophetess.GoPH 59.2

It seems clear from many Scriptures passages that one particular angel has charge of this work, and is therefore spoken of as “His angel.” The visions of Daniel were given him by the angel Gabriel.GoPH 59.3

“And I heard a man’s voice . . . which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.” Daniel 8:16.GoPH 59.4

It was this same angel, Gabriel, who, more than five hundred years later, announced the imminent advent of our Lord and His fore-runner, John.GoPH 59.5

“And there appeared unto him [Zacharias] an angel of the Lord. . . . The angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. . . . And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings.” Luke 1:11, 13, 19.GoPH 60.1

Later the same angel visited Mary, the mother of our Lord.GoPH 60.2

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. . . . And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: . . . thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name JESUS.” Luke 1:26, 27, 30.GoPH 60.3

It is, without doubt, this same angel Gabriel who imparted to John on the isle of Patmos the instruction contained in the book of Revelation, mentioned as “His angel” in Revelation 1:1, and who thus speaks of his own position and work:GoPH 60.4

“I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not; I am thy Fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10.GoPH 60.5

Of this same angel who has charge of the gift of prophecy Jesus himself says:GoPH 61.1

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.” Revelation 22:16.GoPH 61.2

This passage answers the question, “What is testimony?” The testimonies for the church constitute the messages brought by the angel Gabriel from God and from Christ for the people of God. Testimonies originate further back than the prophet. It is not the testimony of the prophet. It is the testimony of God. “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify.” That which the angel testifies is testimony. The prophet merely receives it and passes it on; he does not originate it.GoPH 61.3

“To testify these things in the churches.” The testimony of the angel, then, imparting the messages of heaven, becomes “Testimonies for the Church.”GoPH 61.4

Clearly it is Gabriel who is God’s messenger between heaven and earth, bearing the messages of the gift of prophecy.GoPH 61.5

“Whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.” Daniel 9:21, 22GoPH 61.6

This glorious and mighty being explains his own relationship to his Lord, and his position in His counsels in this way:GoPH 62.1

“But I will show thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.” Daniel 10:21.GoPH 62.2

Michael is Christ. Gabriel is Christ’s angel. And he has “the testimony of Jesus,” which is “the spirit of prophecy.”GoPH 62.3