Chapter Nine—Why the Prophetic Gift Was Removed

IT has been made clear in this series of studies that the gift of prophecy was placed in the Christian church at its beginning, being one of the gifts of the Spirit.GoPH 63.1

It was known and operative among the early Christians. It is clearly stated to have been in God’s purpose for it, with the other gifts, to continue in the church “till we all come in the unity of the faith,” that is, until the end of the witnessing of the church on earth.GoPH 63.2

This purpose has in some way been thwarted. For some reason the gift was removed and did not manifest itself for centuries so far as we have any record. Among the prominent denominations of Protestant Christianity it is unknown. While they recognize and claim the other gifts, — those of apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, — they ignore the gift of prophecy, and lay no claim to its possession. For so many centuries has its voice been silent, its blessing withheld, and its leadership un known, that they do not even realize they have suffered any loss.GoPH 63.3

But they have suffered a loss beyond our power to estimate. The churches are divided as never before in history, divided in spirit, in life, in doctrine, in polity, in action, and in program. They neither know what is coming upon the world, nor whither they themselves are drifting. They have no positive message for the world. They are without vision, without spiritual eyesight. Anciently the prophet was called a “seer.” (1 Samuel 9:9.) The seers were the eyes of the church. Today the churches are without the gift of prophecy. They are without a “seer,” without eyes, blind leaders of the blind. They neither know nor see where they are going.GoPH 64.1

All Christians would do well to search the Scriptures and learn why it is that the gift of prophecy has been removed, and the conditions of its restoration. For surely the Bible must throw some light upon this situation,GoPH 64.2

A connection full of significance between the possession of the gift of prophecy and obedience to the law of God is evident in many passages of the Bible. These two things, “the law and the prophets,” are joined together throughout the Scriptures.GoPH 64.3

Predicting the overthrow, desolation, and captivity of Israel, Ezekiel wrote:GoPH 65.1

“Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumor shall be upon rumor; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.” Ezekiel 7:26.GoPH 65.2

Here the explanation is made that the reason why instruction through the gift of prophecy is not given is because the law is perished; that is, has not been observed, has been ignored. The implication is plain that the disobedience of the people to the law, especially when that disobedience has become general, widespread, and pronounced, will result in the withdrawal of the gift of prophecy.GoPH 65.3

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18.GoPH 65.4

The teaching here seems plain that those who keep the law may confidently expect to have the benefit of visions, or instruction received through the gift of prophecy.GoPH 65.5

Lamenting the destruction of his beautiful and beloved city, Jerusalem, Jeremiah wrote: “Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the 5 law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord.” Lamentations 2:9.GoPH 65.6

Here, again, the “law” and the “prophets” are united. The reason “her prophets find no vision from the Lord” is obviously because “the law is no more”; that is, because they were not keeping it. Not only was the gift of prophecy removed on this account, but the record is, regarding the kingdom of Israel: “Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.” 2 Chronicles 15:3.GoPH 66.1

In the New Testament as well the same two things are constantly referred to together, “the law and the prophets.”GoPH 66.2

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets.” Matthew 5:17.GoPH 66.3

“For this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12GoPH 66.4

“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:40.GoPH 66.5

“We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write.” John 1:45.GoPH 66.6

“After the reading of the law and the prophets.” Acts 13:15.GoPH 66.7

“Believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.” Acts 24:14. “Persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets.” Acts 28:23.GoPH 66.8

“Being witnessed by the law and the prophets.” Romans 3:21.GoPH 67.1

Ezekiel writes of a time in the history of Israel when “certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, and sat before me.” (Ezekiel 20:1.)GoPH 67.2

They came to Ezekiel when they wanted to inquire of the Lord, because they knew him to be God’s spokesman, possessing the gift of prophecy.GoPH 67.3

And through Ezekiel God spoke to these leaders of Israel:GoPH 67.4

“Thus saith the Lord God; Are ye come to inquire of Me? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you.” Ezekiel 20:3.GoPH 67.5

The reasons why God would not give them the benefit of a response to their inquiry through the gift of prophecy are then set forth in detail. Among these reasons the following words are found:GoPH 67.6

“Because they despised My judgments, and walked not in My statutes, but polluted My Sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.” Verse 16.GoPH 67.7

“I gave them My sabbaths to be a sign be-tween Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. But the house of Israel rebelled against Me: . . . they walked not in My statutes, and they despised My judgments, . . . and My sabbaths they greatly polluted.” Verses 12, 13.GoPH 67.8

“I am the Lord your God; walk in My stat-utes, and keep My judgments, and do them; and hallow My sabbaths; and they shall be a sign be-tween Me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. Notwithstanding the children rebelled against Me: they walked not in My statutes, neither kept My judgments, they polluted My sabbaths. ” Verses 18-21.GoPH 68.1

In submitting the reasons why He was with-drawing the gift of prophecy from His people the Lord especially emphasizes the Sabbath. They were violating His law with special reference to Sabbath keeping. They had be-come a nation of Sabbath breakers. This was an evidence of apostasy from Him and His truth. It was a departure from the faith. It was an abandonment of His leadership. They thereby removed themselves from Him; and He removed from them the gift of prophecy.GoPH 68.2

These passages throw light upon the reasons for the removal of this important gift from the Christian church. We shall see what that light reveals.GoPH 68.3