RULES FOR DISCERNING TRUE PROPHETS

The prophet Isaiah, in speaking of the situation of affairs existing in the last days, says: “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples. And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth His face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for Him.... And when they shall say unto you,PGGC 65.2

Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:16-20.PGGC 66.1

In this scripture attention is called to a people engaged in restoring the seal to God’s law-a people who are waiting upon the Lord, engaged in His service. They are looking for Him; that is, they are looking for His coming-this, too, in a time when spirits, professing to be spirits of the dead, are asking the people to seek to them. Some heed that call, and seek to the dead for knowledge; but the Lord invites His people to seek to Him. That is virtually saying that if they seek to Him He will give them special instruction. They need not seek to the dead, who can give them no information; for “neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun;” and “the dead know not anything.” Ecclesiastes 9:6, 5.PGGC 66.2