When God warned the ancient world of the coming judgment, He made use of a prophet. Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5) and found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). God has always used prophets to warn His people and in the time of the exodus He used Moses to lead the people out of Egypt to Canaan. Moses was more than a prophet, he was also the leader of the people. Moses had to prepare a people for their entry into the Promised Land and this great event serves as a type for the final gathering of God�s people and their entry into the heavenly Canaan. Surely if a prophet was deemed necessary for the preparation for earthly Canaan, how much more so for the heavenly Canaan. The Bible predicts that the remnant would possess the spirit of prophecy and that the restoration of this gift would be one of the issues that Satan would war against.

 And the dragon was enraged over the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17 NKJV

 ...Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10 NKJV

             God's remnant must thus possess the spirit of prophecy in order to qualify as the remnant and we need to understand the issues involved. There is nothing more dangerous to Satan, than the clear revelation of the will of God. The way to war against it is to cast contempt upon it or to counterfeit it. It is therefore vital that we understand the Biblical criteria for the manifestation of the gift of prophecy, and that we understand the reasons why God grants this gift in the first place, so that we will not be swept away by Satan's deceptions.

 
Sin Separated Us From God

              When Adam and Eve sinned, their first impulse was to hide themselves from God. 

 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8

 Their reason for hiding themselves was that they recognized their nakedness. When God called Adam, Adam answered:

 ...�I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.� Genesis 3:10

 Adam and Eve had been stripped of their cloak of righteousness and stood naked before God. Sin caused a separation between God and man.

 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. Isaiah 59:2

 And only in Christ are we reconciled to God:

 For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10

 The message of reconciliation has been entrusted to the church. To the Old Testament church in type, and to the New Testament church in verity.

 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech by us; we pray you in Christ�s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

 In Christ, we are reconciled with God, but as long as sin exists, face to face communication with God is not possible. The brightness of His glory would consume us.

            Whenever God has revealed Himself to man, it was either in a dream vision or God veiled His glory. When God spoke to Israel from Mt. Sinai, He warned them that they would die if they were to come too close. The presence of God, although veiled in thick clouds, was so impressive that the people requested Moses to speak to them the words of God, lest they should die from the voice of God. (Exodus 20:19) The prophets of old, even in vision, felt that they would die in the presence of God.

 Then I said, 'Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.� Isaiah 6:5 NKJV

 And in New Testament times, the situation was no different. When John saw Jesus in vision, he fell as dead.

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, �Fear not; I am the first and the last,...� Revelation 1:17

 One day it will be possible again to stand before God and speak to Him face to face:

 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV

 Our communication is hindered, but it will be restored.

 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 1 Corinthians 13: 9,10 NKJV

How God Communicates

             The greatest gift to fallen man is the gift of God�s own Son:

 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

 The greatest words ever spoken were the words of Christ when He walked amongst men. God did not leave His children without words of life before the incarnation of the Son of God, and neither did He leave them orphans after the resurrection. Throughout the ages, God communicated His will to His servants the prophets.

  Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7

These prophets did not speak their own words, but revealed God�s will to man.

 ...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

 Prophets, chosen by God, have been used by God since the fall.

 ...God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.  Acts 3:21

 Enoch was the first prophet mentioned in the Scriptures.

 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, �Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of saints...� Jude 14

 Since Enoch, there have been numerous prophets, both men and women. Some prophets were instructed by God to write His words on a scroll, and some of these writings form a part of the Scriptures. Other prophets and prophetesses are mentioned in the Bible whose writings were not taken up in the canon. Examples in Old Testament times would include Nathan, Gad and Huldah the prophetess. (2 Samuel 7:2; 1 Samuel 22:5; 2 Kings 22:14)   In New Testament times, there were Simeon (Acts 13:1), Anna (Luke 2:36, Agabus (Acts 11:28; 21:10), Barnabas (Acts 13:1), and Phillip�s four daughters (Acts 21:9). God used both men and women to communicate His will to His people, and although not all the prophets� writings or sayings were taken up in the canon, this did not make their messages any less significant, neither is there any reason to argue that male prophets were in any way different from female prophets in terms of the prophetic gift. Prophetesses mentioned in the Bible include Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Anna (Luke 2:36), and the four daughters of Phillip (Acts 21:9).

 The Prophetic Gift       

If God communicates His intention through His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7, Hosea 12:10),  and Satan counterfeits the messages of God through false prophets (1 John 4:1), then it is vital that we test the prophets to see if the message is indeed from God. On the one hand, the Scriptures admonish us to:

 Despise not prophesyings. 1 Thessalonians 5:20

 and to:

 Believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall you  prosper.  2 Chronicles 20: 20 NKJV

 whilst, on the other hand, there is the warning against false prophets.

 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.  Matthew 24:24 NKJV

 A prophet must be able to stand the test:

 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 NKJV

 False prophets also claim to have dreams and to see visions, so the Scriptures must provide criteria whereby the authenticity of the prophet�s utterings may be tested.

            The gift of prophecy is one of the gifts given to the people of God to maintain the integrity of the church throughout all the ages. The prophets of old were given messages of warning and reproof, as well as visions and dreams of future and past events to keep the people of God on track. The prophets were, as it were, the eyes of the church. The spiritual body, the church, is compared to the human body.

 For as the body is one and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 

Just as the human body is a highly organized structure where all components work in unity, so the people of God form a unit with different components. Among the gifts given by Christ to the church, the gift of prophecy features prominently. Not everyone receives the same gifts:

 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.  1 Corinthians 7:7 NKJV

Of all the gifts - the greatest is love - which God will sow in all who accept His call. The gifts all serve a common purpose:

 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.   Ephesians 4:12

The Role of the Prophet

             The prophetic gift has always had a position of prominence within God�s church throughout the ages, and has played a major role in preventing God�s people from straying from the path of truth. Truth is eternal, and the New Testament church is built on this truth, which includes the truth revealed through the Old Testament prophets. In the dark ages, truth was thrown to the ground and the law of God had been changed by the Papal power. Since the prophet Amos declares that visions cease when the Law is no more (Amos 441:4,12; 8:11,12), this gift of prophecy could no longer operate during this period.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2:20,21

In New Testament times, the gift of prophecy is equally as prominent as it was in Old Testament times, and still offers words of encouragement, warning and reproof from God.

            It was through prophets that the fledgling Christian church initiated its mission outreach (Acts 13:1; 16:6-10), and prophets ensured the safety of the believers by warning them against impending dangers such as famine (Acts 11:27-30), and personal dangers to those who spread the gospel. Moreover, the prophets confirmed doctrines and practices (Acts 15:1-15) and prophets encouraged and strengthened the church.

Now Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words and confirmed them. Acts 15:32

The gift of prophesy will remain until the end of time and the day of the Lord when He shall come again in glory:

...so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.   1 Corinthians 1:7,8 NKJV

In the light of Christ�s warning against false prophets and the admonishment to �test the Spirit� (1 John 4:1), it is vital that we discern between the true and the spurious.

Do not despise prophecies, test all things; hold fast what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:20,21 NKJV

Testing the Prophets

            The Bible lists a series of tests that can be applied to prophets to determine whether they are genuine or not. Taken individually, it is possible to counterfeit many of these tests, but collectively, they provide an impassable barrier to false prophets. False prophets can quote Scripture or have some of their prophecies come true, but they can still be false prophets, subtly using every opportunity to lead God�s people astray. A prophet of God will have to satisfy all the Biblical criteria, which can be summarized as follows:

1) A true prophet�s message will be in complete harmony with the word of God and the law of God.

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 8:20

Most modern-day prophets would fail this test. A prophet cannot negate what God has revealed in His word, and all the precepts of the law are binding.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10

When the law is not observed, the gift of prophecy is withdrawn: 

...the law is no more, her prophets also find no vision from the Lord. Lamentations 2:9

2) A true prophet�s predictions must come to pass.

As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the Lord has truly sent. Jeremiah 28:9 NKJV

 ...when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. Deuteronomy 18:22 NKJV

A word of warning seems in order here. A prophet�s predictions may come true, and he/she may even perform miracles to convince you of the genuineness of the prophecy - yet it may be false.

If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying � Let us go after other gods� - which you have not known - and let us serve them,� you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. Deuteronomy 13:1-4 NKJV

Signs and wonders are no test of genuineness. As in the above Scriptural example, the prophet�s words were not in harmony with the Law of God. Satan will work miracles in the last days to deceive many. (Revelation 16:14)

3) A true prophet prophesies to edify the church, counseling and advising in religious matters.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation, and comfort, ... but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 1 Corinthians 14:3,4

But I am the Lord your God, ever since the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast. I have also spoken by the prophets, and have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets. Hosea 12:9,10 NKJV

A true prophet will not flatter or condone sin (transgression of the law 1 John 3:4)

4) A true prophet will exalt Christ as the Son of God and the Saviour of mankind.

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.... Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:12,15 NKJV

When Jesus, after His resurrection, expounded the Scriptures to His disciples, He revealed to them the prophetic proclamations regarding Himself.

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27

Again a word of warning regarding this test. Many false prophets will say to Jesus in the last judgment:

�Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name?  in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?� Matthew 7:22

The Lord will, however, not recognize them as His, as they practiced iniquity (Greek: anomia - against the law of God). They seem to pass the test, but fail in regard to the Law.

5) The true prophet will speak with authority:

...for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:29

Jesus is the supreme example, and He spoke those things which He had seen and heard from the Father (John 8:26,28,38). A prophet will likewise reveal those things with authority that have been revealed to him by God.

6) The true prophet will bear good fruit.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20

This test is compelling. Does the prophet live a life in harmony with the will of God and are the lives of those he/she touches transformed so that they too live godly lives? Once again, a word of warning. No one is without sin and all fall short of the glory of God.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. James 5:17 NKJV

Although Elijah had similar faults and passions as we have, yet he strove to live a godly life and the fruits of his labor testify that he was truly a prophet of God.

7) The true prophet, when in vision, will exhibit physical signs:

            a) In vision, the prophet�s eyes will be open.

The utterance of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, with eyes wide open. Numbers 24:4 NKJV

Two pointers are here of significance: firstly, the prophet falls to the ground and secondly, his/her eyes are wide open. The New King James Version renders the translation from the original text very precisely, and for this reason it is quoted above. Most modern Bible translations do not bring these points to light clearly. The NIV, for example, translates the text as follows:

the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened. Numbers 24:4 NIV

In this translation, the issue of the wide open eyes is lost, and can be interpreted in a spiritual rather than in a literal sense.

            In Daniel 10, the physical state of the prophet Daniel, whilst in vision, is described.

And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words; and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face to the ground. Daniel 10:7-9

Daniel had �no strength�, and he must have fallen to the ground as he lay with his �face to the ground�. The prophet does not, however, remain in this helpless state on the ground, but he is lifted up by God, and whilst still in vision, stands up on his feet.

And behold an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, �O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright, for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.  Daniel 10: 10,11

            b) In vision, the prophet will have no breath in him, and no strength of his/her own.

And suddenly one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, �My Lord, because of the vision, my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. For how can this servant of my Lord talk with you my Lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.�   Daniel 10:16,17 NKJV

Note that Daniel has no strength because of the vision. He is touched by God and speaks although there is no breath in him. Again, new translations of the Bible obscure these vital texts by means of interpretive rather than literal translations. The NIV renders verse 17 as follows:

How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe. Daniel 10:17 NIV

"I can hardly breathe� does not convey the same message as �nor is any breath left in me�; or as the KJV puts it: �neither is there breath left in me�. Daniel is given strength by God.

Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. Daniel 10:18 NKJV

            No mention is made of the restoration of breathing whilst in vision. The prophet is sustained by God whilst in vision. In summary, a prophet in vision:

            i) falls down weak

            ii) is raised up and strengthened by God

            iii) has the eyes wide open during the vision

            iv) does not breath, even though he/she speaks.

            These are signs, which cannot readily be counterfeited. In fact, modern �so-called� visionaries tend to fall down with their eyes closed, and they have breath in them, because only God can sustain life without breath.

 The Gift of Prophecy in the Time of the End

            One of the identifying features of the remnant of God is the spirit of prophecy.

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17 NKJV

            The remnant keeps the commandments of God and the Law is therefore restored in its fullness. As prophets of God need to live and speak in harmony with God�s law, the true gift of prophecy can only be made manifest if the law forms an integral part of the theology of the prophet. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, �See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.� Revelation 19:10 NKJV

            The Scriptures teach that those awaiting the coming of the Lord will come behind in no gift, and Christ warns against false prophets in the last days who would tend to mislead God�s people. As we are also admonished to test the spirits and to hold on to what is good, it is vital that we apply the criteria provided to test the prophets in our time.

            After the death of the apostles, prophets enjoyed respectability in many circles until AD 300, 1  but the decline of spirituality in the Church and the resultant apostasy, led to a diminishing of both the presence and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. At the same time, false prophets caused a loss of confidence in the prophetic gift. The decline of the prophetic gift during certain periods of Church history did not mean that God had withdrawn the gift permanently. The Bible indicates that as the end approaches, this gift will be present to assist the Church through these difficult times. More than that, it points to an increased activity of this gift. The church of the Middle Ages made void the law of God by altering the Ten Commandments and this effectively blocked the prophetic gift.

Her gates have sunk into the ground; He hath destroyed and broken her bars. Her king and her princes are among the Gentiles; the Law is no more, her prophets also find no vision from the Lord.   Lamentations 2:9

            Before the first advent of Christ, God gave the gift of prophecy to John the Baptist to prepare the way for His coming. In a similar way, the prophetic gift must be restored before the Second Advent, so that everyone will have the opportunity to prepare to meet their Saviour.

            Christ mentions the rise of false prophets as one of the signs that His coming is near! (Matthew 24:11,24) If there were to be no true prophets during the time of the end, Christ would have warned against anyone claiming that gift. His warning against false prophets implies that there would be true prophets as well.

            The prophet Joel predicted a special outpouring of the prophetic gift just prior to Christ�s return.

And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth; blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.  Joel 2:2831.

            Pentecost saw a remarkable manifestation of the Spirit. Peter, citing Joel�s prophecy, pointed out that God had promised such blessings. (Acts 2:221). However, Joel�s prophecy did not reach complete fulfillment at Pentecost, as the �great and terrible day of the Lord� is a reference to the second coming of Christ.

            Pentecost, then, was a foretaste of the full manifestation of the Spirit before the Second Advent. Like Palestine�s early rain, which fell in the autumn shortly after the crops were planted, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost corresponds to the spiritual early rain, which was to nurture the fledgling church. The complete and final fulfillment of Joel�s prophecy corresponds to the latter rain, which, falling in the Spring, ripened the grain. (Joel 2:23). Likewise, the final bestowal of God�s Spirit will take place just before the Second Advent after the predicted signs in the sun, moon and stars. (Matthew 24:29; Revelation 6:1217; Joel 2:31).

            Like the latter rain, this final outpouring of the Spirit will ripen the harvest of the earth, (Matthew 13:30, 39), and �whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved�. (Joel 2:32).

            The Millerites and later the Adventists saw a fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the darkening of the sun and the falling of the stars in the unexplained dark day of New England of May 19, 1780 when there was an unequalled darkness over large areas of New England. On November 13, 1833, the world witnessed the greatest meteoric event in recorded history when meteors lighted up the sky, falling at an estimated rate of 200 000 per hour. Considering the turning of these events in relation to the unsealing of the 2300-day prophecy of Daniel, it is understandable that they should be linked to the prophecies regarding last day events.

            During this time period, there was a resurgence of prophetic claims and many movements arose which were founded by prophets. It has always been a strategy of Satan to confound true issues by creating numerous diversions so that truth would be lost in the quagmire of false prophecies. God has always used prophets to support His people and to lead them into a fuller understanding of His truth. Never was the prophet intended to start a new movement and to gather followers on the basis of new light, which contradicted light already given. Nevertheless, in the time period preceding and just after 1844, many such movements arose. Examples are:

 1) The Mormon movement headed by their prophet Joseph Smith (1805-1844) who claimed to have received many revelations from God. Some of these revelations led to abhorrent practices, such as baptism for the dead and polygamy. Joseph Smith was murdered by a mob in 1844 while he was waiting trial for exactly these reasons.

2) The Shakers who featured prominently during this period and followed their prophet, Ann Lee who claimed to be Christ himself incarnate in woman�s flesh. They believed in the dual (Father-mother) personality of God and practiced a communal form of life in which spiritism formed an integral part.

3) Modern spiritism commenced in 1848 with the Fox sisters and made communication with the dead fashionable. (See Mystic Realm of Death)

4) The modern New Age Movement traces its roots to many so-called prophets who also arose during this crucial time period. (See New Age Movement)

             All these movements are based on revelations which annul or modify the word of God to suit their needs, but God does not change:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.  James 1:17,18 NIV

A Prophet for the Remnant

             After the great disappointment of 1844, many who believed in the return of Christ were disillusioned and prepared to abandon their faith. Just prior to 1844, two men received similar visions regarding the advent movement. The first was William Foy, a member of the �Freewill Baptist Church� who was studying for the ministry. In 1842, in Boston, he witnessed the reward of the faithful and the punishment of the wicked, and the great scenes of the judgment in three steps, the books of record in heaven, the coming of Christ, and the reward of the faithful in that sequence. Foy related these visions to audiences, but when he received a third vision, which he did not understand, he ceased his public work.

            Hazen Foss also received a vision regarding the experience of the advent people, but refused to make it public after the great disappointment which had severely affected him.

   Shortly after this period, a young girl by the name of Ellen Harmon was given a vision of the trials of the advent people. This vision was given her two months after the great disappointment in December 1844. The vision did not reveal the reasons for the disappointment, but did offer comfort and greater understanding of the events as they had and would be unfolding. The events covered by the vision showed Adventists traveling to the city on a narrow path with the bright light of the �midnight cry� behind them, and the path lighted to its end so that they would not stumble. Those who kept their eyes on Jesus would not stumble but enter into the city, the New Jerusalem. She witnessed the events of the Second Advent and the sealing of the 144 000, the ascent to the New Jerusalem and the reward of the faithful. 2

            When Ellen Harmon related her first vision early in 1845, Hazen Foss was present and was overwhelmed that the vision was the same as he had received, but which he had refused to reveal.

            From 1844, when Ellen Harmon was 17 years old, until 1915 when she died, she had more than 2000 documented visions. During this time, she lived and worked in America, Europe, and Australia. Her work was often met with skepticism and ridicule, particularly since she was a woman and had not had much formal schooling in view of an accident in her youth, which had left her partly debilitated. At the age of nine, Ellen was seriously injured by a stone thrown by a classmate whilst she was on her way home from school. For three weeks, she was unconscious, and it was thought that she would not recover. After her initial recovery, she returned to school, but never got beyond the early grades. Ellen was a member of the Methodist church and was baptized on June 26, 1842. She was an ardent student of the Bible, and after attending meetings held by William Miller and his associates, she was impressed by the message which she heard.

            After the great disappointment, which also greatly affected her, she was chosen to receive her first vision and she relates her reaction as follows:

After I had the vision, and God gave me light, He bade me deliver it... but I shrank from it. I was young, and I thought they would not receive it from me. 3

             On August 30, 1846, Ellen married James White, a young Adventist preacher, and they had four sons: Henry, Edson, William and Herbert. After the death of her husband on August 6, 1881, Ellen labored alone for another 34 years, during which time some of the most profound writings on the word of God were produced by her. Her ministry and visions:

            1) Guarded the church against fanatical influences, and the inroads of non-biblical doctrines,

            2) Established the pillars of the Adventist faith in confirming or correcting the results of ardent Bible study by a host of advent believers. These pillars included the role of the Law of God, the Sabbath, the Sanctuary, the Second Coming of Christ, the three angel�s messages, and the identity and role of Babylon in the great controversy between Christ and Satan.

            3) Established church order and directed the ministry on the spreading of the final message of hope and reproof, the Three Angel�s Messages.

            4) Established the publishing work and helped it expand into a worldwide ministry.

            5) Established the right arm of the ministry, a worldwide health message that recognizes that man has physical as well as spiritual needs.

            Despite her physical frailness and debilities which made it impossible for her to write, Ellen White became one of the most prolific writers for our time. No other woman author has produced as much published religious material, as has Ellen G. White. Numerous books, magazine articles, tracts and pamphlets as well as letters have flowed from her pen. Her writings cover a wide field of issues from doctrinal practices to Christian living, diet and health, parental care and guidance, education, medical ministry and the illumination of Biblical prophecies and historic events. This remarkable turn of events was, according to her, made possible by the direct intervention of God. After being instructed to write down the things she had seen in vision, she had felt it an impossible request. She relates the experience as follows:

The Lord has said, �Write out the things, which I shall give you.� And I commenced when very young to do this work. My hand that was feeble and trembling because of infirmities became steady as soon as I took the pen in my hand, and since those first writings, I have been able to write. God has given me the ability to write... That right hand scarcely ever has a disagreeable sensation. It never wearies. It seldom ever trembles. 4  

She relates her feelings as follows:

I wept, and said, �Impossible, impossible.� The words came, �Nothing is impossible with God�. The effort was made and my hand commenced to write the things that had been given me. 5

The Vital Question: 

Was Ellen G. White a Prophet of God or was she a Deceiver?

            There is nothing worse than deception, yet deception is Satan�s greatest weapon. 

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6 NKJV

On the other hand, we are counseled to take heed of the word of the prophets ( 2 Peter 1:19). The only way out of this dilemma is to test the prophet by applying the Biblical criteria. If she truly was a prophet of God, then all the criteria must apply. If they do, then we know that:

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.  2 Peter 1: 19-21 NKJV

 Applying the Test to Ellen G. White

1) Did she exalt the Word of God and the Law of God?

The Word of God - The Bible -  She wrote:

The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the revealer of doctrines, and the test of experience.  6

Her writings, which collectively are referred to as the Spirit of Prophecy, were never intended to give new light, but were always intended to illuminate the greater light, the Scriptures. She wrote:

Little heed is given to the Bible and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light.  7

The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. Man�s duty to God and to his fellow man has been distinctly specified in God�s word; yet but few of you are obedient to the light given. Additional truth is not brought out; but God has through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given and in His own chosen way brought them before the people to awaken, and impress the mind with them, that all may be left without excuse...The Testimonies are not to belittle the word of God, but to exalt it and attract minds to it, that the beautiful simplicity of truth may impress all. 8

 To those who criticized the word of God, she wrote:

Cling to your Bible as it reads and stop your criticism in regard to its validity and obey the word, and not one of you will be lost.  9

The Bible was to be the only creed:

The Bible and the Bible alone is to be our creed, the role bond of union... God�s word is infallible... lift up the banner on which is inscribed the Bible, our rule of faith and discipline.  10

 Just as the great Reformers, Ellen G. White lifted up the Bible banner against false doctrines and practices, she wrote:

As darkness thickens and error increases, we should obtain a more thorough knowledge of the truth, and be prepared to maintain from the Scriptures the truth of our position. 11  

We must stand barricaded by the truths of the Bible. The canopy of truth is the only canopy under which we can stand safely. 12  

             Her position regarding the Word of God is the same as that held by Protestants since the beginning. Protestants have always rejected the claim of Roman Catholicism that tradition as well as Scriptures should dictate beliefs. The Westminster Confession underscores this point:

 The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scriptures. Yet notwithstanding our full persuasion and assurance of infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.  13

             Ellen G. White clearly recognizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the interpretation of Scripture as outlined in the Westminster Confession. She wrote:

 We can attain to an understanding of God�s word only through the illumination of that Spirit by which the word was given.  14  

The fact that God has revealed His will to men through His word, has not rendered needless the continued presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, the Spirit was promised by our Saviour, to open the Word to His servants, to illuminate and apply its teachings.  15  

 Wonderful illuminations will not be given aside from the Word, or to take the place of it.  16  

 
The Law of God

            Ellen White repeatedly pointed to the binding claims of God�s law. Joseph Bates, an Adventist pioneer had introduced the Sabbath of the fourth commandment to her and although she was first skeptical, she and her husband studied the Scriptures and were confirmed in the view that the Sabbath was as binding as the other nine commandments. One Sabbath, April 3, 1847, Ellen White was given a vision confirming the binding claims of the Ten Commandments and the Sabbath. Concerning the Law of God, she writes:

But it is ever the purpose of Satan to make void the law of God and to pervert the true meaning of the plan of salvation. Therefore, he has originated the falsehood that the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary�s cross was for the purpose of freeing men from the obligation of keeping the commandments of God. He has foisted upon the world the deception that God has abolished His constitution, thrown away His moral standard, and made void His holy and perfect law. Had He done this, at what terrible expense would it have been to Heaven! Instead of proclaiming the abolition of the law, Calvary�s cross proclaims in thunder tones its immutable and eternal character. 17  

Likewise she stated that it was the duty of God�s children to enlighten others regarding the prophecies and the law of God:

 Then present to them the prophecies; show them the purity and binding claims of the law of God. Not one jot or title of this law is to lose its force, but hold its binding claims upon every soul to the end of time.  18

 The writings of Ellen White are based on the twin pillars of faith in the merits of Jesus Christ and obedience to His righteous law. Jesus said �If ye love me keep my commandments� (John 14:15) and in her writings the relationship between law and grace is clearly expounded. Never does she present a legalistic view of the law of God and never does she belittle its claims. Never does she claim that the law has saving merits. We are saved by grace and grace alone, but a consequence of being saved is that through the merits of Jesus Christ one is once more brought into a right relationship with God, which includes obedience to His law. She writes:

 Cannot men see that to belittle the law of God is to dishonor Christ? Why

by Professor Walter J. Veith Phd.