The Two Distinguishing Features Go Together

Two special features, we have seen, were to distinguish this “remnant” church of the movement. Like the New Testament church, they were to “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” and also, like the New Testament church, they were to have among them “the Spirit of prophecy.”SPIAM 22.1

It is fitting that to the church to whom is committed anew the work of lifting up the downtrodden law of God, there should also come the restoration of the prophetic gift. The holy law and the gift of prophecy are associated in the Scriptures: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18. “The law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord.” Lamentations 2:9.SPIAM 22.2

In the great “falling away” after the apostolic days, the law of God and the truth of God were trampled underfoot. With the restoration of the full message of the commandments of God the prophecy associates the restoration of the prophetic vision.SPIAM 22.3