HEAVENLY VISIONS

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

ANOTHER feature in connection with visions recorded in the Bible is found in the case of Balaam. We read: “Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open [“who had his eyes shut, but now opened,” margin, Hebrew] 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 24:3, 4, 16. Boothroyd translates it, in verses 4, 16, “entranced, but with open eyes.” As previously said, Mrs. White’s eyes are always open during the entire vision. We have now presented seven points in which this manifestation through Mrs. White is in accord with Bible visions.HEVI 30.3

The question will now naturally arise, How can a person talk without breath? Such a phenomenon is a miracle of God’s power. Indeed, it is thrilling to listen to the voice of an angel speaking through the vocal organs of a human being. How did the ancient prophets speak without breath? In Peter’s second epistle we read: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21. The Spirit of God did the talking through the prophet.HEVI 30.4

We will look at another testimony, one in regard to David’s prophecies: “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” 2 Samuel 23:2. So the Spirit of God did the speaking, using the tongue of David. Another testimony concerning David’s prophesying, is found in Peter’s testimony, “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.” Acts 1:16. The Holy Spirit spake, using David’s mouth. So in the case of Mrs. White when in holy vision, although there is no breath, the Holy Spirit speaks in an audible voice, using her organs of speech.HEVI 30.5

A ninth point of comparison is in relation to the writing out of what has been previously shown in vision. In the first book of Chronicles we have an account of David preparing for his son Solomon to build the temple at Jerusalem. He speaks of many particulars concerning the building,-its chambers, treasuries, parlors, furniture, and service. Of this he says it was “the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit.” 1 Chronicles 28:12. The Lord had shown him, by the Spirit, as he did to Moses, a pattern of this building which was a “shadow of heavenly things.” And everything must be made as exact as the pattern. This must all be written out for Solomon’s instruction. David tells us how this was done. He says: “All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.” 1 Chronicles 28:19. The Lord had shown him these things in vision. As he set himself to write them, the Spirit of God brought them clearly before his mind, and thus he wrote them out.HEVI 30.6

It is in this manner that Mrs. White is enabled to commit to writing the many things previously shown to her in vision. She says: “I have been aroused from my sleep with a vivid sense of subjects previously presented to my mind; and I have written, at midnight, letters that have gone across the continent, and, arriving at a crisis, have saved great disaster to the cause of God.”HEVI 31.1

Again, she says: “Sometimes, when special dangers threaten the cause of God or particular individuals, a communication comes to me from the Lord, either in a dream, or a vision of the night, and these cases are brought vividly to my mind. I hear a voice saying to me, ‘Arise and write; these souls are in peril.’ I obey the movings of the Spirit of God, and my pen traces their true condition.”-“Testimony for the Church,” No. 33, p. 213”.HEVI 31.2

We now have nine points in which Mrs. White’s visions are like those described in the Bible. It may be well to note next the harmony of the practical working of her gift with like work described in the Scriptures. The Review and Herald, August 15, 1899.HEVI 31.3