Aided by the Gift of Prophecy

Not only have we seen that the Lord’s providence has opened the way for the spread of the truth, and his signal blessing has attended the efforts made to move in the ways of his providence, but in the rise and progress of the third angel’s message he has communicated with his people through the gift of prophecy. This has not been in the form of a new revelation to take the place of the Bible, not in a manner to pervert the Scripture teachings, but to show where, in this age, there is danger of departing from the simplicity of the gospel of Christ, where the people are in danger of falling under the tendency of the age, being satisfied with a form of godliness without the power.GSAM 466.1

Looking at this subject from the example ^{11James 5:10.} of the ancient prophets, which the Lord has given us as one of the rules by which such manifestations are to be tested, the same reasons are found why such manifestations are needed now as then; namely, the liability in each age of being swayed from the line of truth by the prevailing and peculiar doctrines and practices of the age. The apostle Paul, in speaking of the manifestation of the gifts which the Lord has placed in the church, says they are “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” ^{12Ephesians 4:12-16.}GSAM 466.2

The same objections that are raised against manifestations of the gift of prophecy at the present time, might have been urged with the same force in ancient times; i.e., we have the Scriptures, and therefore have no need of such gifts. These same Scriptures tell us, however, that Christ has placed these gifts in the church to do their work until “that which is perfect [the perfect state] is come,” and that the church is to “come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of out Lord Jesus Christ.” ^{131 Corinthians 1:6, 7.}GSAM 467.1