Chapter 3—The Responsibilities Of A Messenger For God

Has a prophet of God a duty to use wisdom regarding the time, the manner and the extent to which he shall proclaim the truths revealed to him?BSRWEGW 14.4

Our Lord Jesus Christ, was the teacher of the prophets and the example to the Apostles regarding the impartation of truth. The study of His life reveals that with divine wisdom He found the right time to impart His lessons. The character of the people composing His audience and their condition of mind had much to do with the character and scope of His lessons. At one time He said to His disciples, “I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.”BSRWEGW 14.5

“It requires much wisdom and sound judgment, quickened by the Spirit of God, to know the proper time and manner to present the instruction that has been given.”—The Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies, p. 5.BSRWEGW 14.6

In the same article, she wrote,—BSRWEGW 14.7

“There are some who think they are able to measure the character and to estimate the importance of the work the Lord has given me to do. Their own mind and judgment is the standard by which they would weigh the testimonies.

“My instructor said to me, ‘Tell these men that God has not committed to them the work of measuring, classifying, and defining the character of the testimonies. Those who attempt this are sure to err in their conclusions. The Lord would have men adhere to their appointed work. If they will keep the way of the Lord, they will be able to discern clearly that the work which He has appointed me to do is not a work of human devising.’

“Those who carefully read the testimonies as they have appeared from the early days, need not be perplexed as to their origin. The many books, written by the help of the Spirit of God, bear a living witness to the character of the testimonies.

“In the early days of our experience in the message, the Spirit of God often came upon a few of us as we were assembled, and I was taken away in vision. The Lord gave such light and evidence, such comfort and hope and joy, that His praises were upon our lips.

“While my husband lived, he acted as a helper and counselor in the sending out of the messages that were given to me. We traveled extensively. Sometimes light would be given to me in the night season, sometimes in the daytime before large congregations. The instruction I received in vision was faithfully written out by me, as I had time and strength for the work. Afterward we examined the matter together, my husband correcting grammatical errors and eliminating needless repetition. Then it was carefully copied for the persons addressed, or for the printer.

“As the work grew, others assisted me in the preparation of matter for publication. After my husband’s death, faithful helpers joined me, who labored untiringly in the work of copying the testimonies and preparing articles for publication. But the reports that are circulated, that any of my helpers are permitted to add matter or change the meaning of the messages I write out are not true.”—Ibid., pp. 3, 4.

“I have been told that many who give heed to the false science of the enemy would denounce my work as that of a false prophet, and would place upon the testimony such interpretations as tend to change the truth of God into a lie. Satan is on the alert, and some who in the past have been used by the Lord in doing His work, but who have permitted themselves to be deceived, will be stirred up to make an improper use of the messages given. Because they do not wish to listen to the words of reproof, because they will not hear counsel, and improve their course of action, and do their appointed work, they will misconstrue the messages to the church, and confuse many minds.”—The Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies, pp. 7, 8.