In ADDITION to the primary tests of the gift of prophecy already noticed, there are others of a physical nature that seem to be of some im-portance, as the Spirit of God has taken some pains to describe them when telling of the condition of prophets in vision. Some of these tests are of such a nature that neither false prophets, nor even Satan, the inspirer of false prophets, can imitate or counterfeit them. GoPH 117.1
When “the Spirit of God came upon” Balaam, “he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: he hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open.” Numbers 24:2-4. GoPH 117.2
As if this emphasis and repetition were not sufficient to direct the desired attention to this physical phenomenon, it is gone over again: GoPH 117.3
“And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: he hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open.” Verses 15, 10. GoPH 117.4
Why this emphasis and reiteration regarding the open eyes? Apparently the Spirit desires us to note this as a condition to be looked for when a true vision is being given the one who has the gift of prophecy. GoPH 118.1
This open condition of the eyes is also im-plied in the terminology used by the prophets regarding the manner of their receiving their visions. Notice their language: GoPH 118.2
“The vision of Isaiah, . . . which he saw.” Isaiah 1:1. GoPH 118.3
“The word that Isaiah . . . saw” Isaiah 2:1. GoPH 118.4
“The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah . . . did see.” Isaiah 13:1. GoPH 118.5
“The word that the Lord hath showed me.” Jeremiah 38:21. GoPH 118.6
“The word of the Lord came, . . . and I looked, and, behold.” Ezekiel 1:3, 4. GoPH 118.7
“I saw in my vision.” Daniel 7:2. GoPH 118.8
“Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked” Daniel 10:5. GoPH 118.9
“The words of Amos, . . . which he saw.” Amos 1:1. GoPH 118.10
“The burden which Habakkuk . . . did see.” Habakkuk 1:1. GoPH 118.11
“And I saw the seven angels.” Revelation 8:2. GoPH 119.1
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on mount Sion.” Revelation 14:1. GoPH 119.2
All of which implies eyes that are open. GoPH 119.3
The condition of the prophet Daniel while in holy vision is described in much detail. The Spirit of God does not waste words in writing the Scripture. Every word has a purpose. The details of this trancelike condition of the prophet would not have been included in the Bible if they were not important. In these tilings God is evidently giving us instruction regarding the condition of all true prophets in vision. We do well to heed it. GoPH 119.4
“I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. . . . GoPH 119.5
“And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, straightway there remaineth no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.” Daniel 10:7-9, 15-19. GoPH 119.6
First, there is a condition of utter and complete weakness, even exhaustion. “There remained no strength in me.” John on Patmos, was affected in a very similar way. “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.” Revelation 1:17. They stood in the presence of God, they saw visions of the divine character and glory, they beheld God’s purposes unfold in future events, they saw God, and heaven, and eternal realities. It was too much for them. Their physical powers could not sustain them. They were prostrated, and sank from exhaustion. GoPH 120.1
While Daniel was in this trancelike condition, the angel spoke; and Daniel listened and heard. When the angel touched his lips, indicating that he could speak, he called attention to his condition. Then the angel not only told him to “be strong, yea, be strong,” but imparted supernatural strength to him. This was not the restoration of his own natural powers, but the conferring upon him of a supernatural strength. GoPH 121.1
And during all this time he had no breath, and was not breathing. “Neither is there breath left in me”— a condition beyond Satan’s power to imitate. GoPH 121.2
Very modestly Paul describes his own experience while in vision and receiving revelations from God. GoPH 121.3
“I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” 2 Corinthians 12:1-4. GoPH 121.4
Here an additional item in the description of a true prophet in vision is given. He was in a state of insensibility regarding his earthly surroundings, totally unconscious as to what was going on about him. God had taken such complete control of his mental and intellectual faculties, and they were so concentrated upon and absorbed in the contemplation of the heavenly scenes passing before him, that he was as one dead to all surrounding occurrences. He was so altogether unconscious of the world as to be entirely removed from it. He was in the third heaven, in paradise. GoPH 121.5
Physical tests of a person in true vision are therefore to be found in these five things: utter weakness at first, open eyes throughout, bodily functions and life itself maintained without breath, complete unconsciousness of surroundings, and impartation of supernatural strength. These conditions will characterize the receiving of a revelation from God through the genuine gift of prophecy. GoPH 122.1
One of these tests cannot be imitated by men. The true prophet in vision does not breathe. This condition may continue for a long time, half an hour, an hour, two hours. A person pretending to have the gift of prophecy could not meet such a test. Without divine aid life cannot be maintained without breathing. GoPH 122.2
Putting these physical tests with the others already discussed, it is clear that God has made it possible for His people to distinguish between the true and the false gift of prophecy. They are safeguarded against being led astray if they will carefully apply these tests, as they are bidden to do. GoPH 123.1
“ The man whose eyes are open
hath said: he hath said, which
heard the words of God, and
knew the knowledge of the most
High, which saw the vision of
the Almighty, falling into a
trance, but having his eyes
open.” Numbers 24:15, 16.