Rules for Discerning True Prophets

[John317]

INTRODUCTION

1. Ever since sin entered this world, how did God communicate with mankind? “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.” Hebrews 1:1.

a. How does He communicate directly in the New Testament Times? “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” Hebrews 1:2.

(1) This obviously includes all the teachings of Christ while on earth as revealed in the four Gospels about the life of Jesus.

b. Were the Gospels intended to be the entire teachings of Jesus? “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” John 14:16.

2. What was this “another Comforter” going to accomplish? “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26.

a. What is included in this all things? “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” John 15:26.

b. What shows that there were more things to be revealed by the Holy Spirit other than what is seen in the four Gospels? “7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you… 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” John 16:7, 12.

(1) Was Jesus unable to tell us everything we need to know while here on earth? “13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” John 16:13-14.

(2) It is for this reason the disciples were not able to begin their life work immediately after the ascension. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49.

c. When the Holy Ghost did come on the day of Pentecost, how was the promise of Christ fulfilled? “16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.” Acts 2:16-18.

(1) The spirit of the prophets through men and women was reintroduced.

(2) This prophecy was not to cease at the death of the last of the twelve apostles but until the close of time, the last days (verse 17).

3. From this we can see that the gift of the Spirit will be in the church till the end of time.

a. Does this promise include the gift of prophecy?

b. How do we identify true prophets from the false?

c. What specific rules can we safely follow in this testing process?

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

1. How does Apostle Paul recognize that all the gifts of the Spirit will be present in the church till the end of time? “7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:7-8.

a. Which specific gift is mentioned in this context? “4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you.” 1 Corinthians 1:4-6.

(1) After the period of the Dark Ages prophesied by the New Testament, what two things would specifically identify the remnant church? “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17.

(a) The commandments of God. ( The testimony of Jesus Christ.

(2) What is this testimony of Jesus? “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10.

2. What is the purpose of the Gifts of the Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy? “2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night…4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4-5.

a. What is specifically asked of the children of light? “19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21.

(1) This is especially true regarding the gift of prophecy.

(2) Greenfield, in his Greek lexicon, gives as the meaning of the word prophesyings—“the exercise of the gift of prophecy.” The Gift of Prophecy, p. 24:5 (JNL)

b. What kind of difficulties will exist among professed people of God in the last days so that this testing will be so critical?

(1) The law of God needs to be once again magnified. “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.” Isaiah 8:16.

(2) While the law of God is being promulgated, what special manifestation will also show itself? “And when they shall say unto you, 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?” Isaiah 8:19.

(a) In a time when spirits, professing to be the spirits of the dead are asking the people to seek them, God asks the people to seek their Creator.

( God is virtually saying He will give them special instruction.

(3) There is in the heart of all men a desire to receive instruction from the unseen world.

(a) The language of the text implies this, and it also implies the Lord's willingness to impart information to those who seek him for light and divine guidance.

( Why not seek him instead of going to sources from which no knowledge can be derived.

© Sources to which the Lord has positively forbidden his people to go?

3. What are the rules laid out in the Scriptures regarding true prophets and God’s desire to reveal Himself to mankind?

SEVEN TESTS OF A TRUE PROPHET—we will cover only five of these tonight.

1. All communication from God must be in harmony with His word and His law.

a. As Sister White is resting in her grave, we can put all of her writings to this test.

(1) In doing so, we can see a definite harmony between the two.

b. Her instructions do not come to give any new revelation to take the place of the Bible.

(1) They show where and how people are liable to be led astray from the Word.

c. She herself writes: “The word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most beclouded mind and may be understood by those who have any desire to understand it. But notwithstanding all this, some who profess to make the word of God their study are found living in direct opposition to its plainest teachings. Then, to leave men and women without excuse, God gives plain and pointed testimonies, bringing them back to the word that they have neglected to follow.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 663:2.

(1) Does she bring additional truths? “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.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 665:1.

(2) Are they intended to belittle the Bible? “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.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 663:2.

2. Can we indiscriminately believe everyone who uses the name of Jesus? “1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3.

a. These verses do not say whoever confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh.

b. What do they say? “That Jesus Christ is come in the flesh...”

(1) This is not in the past tense but rather in the present.

(a) “middle voice of a primary verb used only in the present and imperfect tenses.” Bible Works

(2) What is the whole purpose of the Gospel? “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” Ephesians 3:17.

(a) It is insufficient for salvation to believe that Jesus existed.

( What do we need to experience? “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27.

c. The idea of the indwelling Savior through the Holy Spirit is clear throughout the writings of Sister White.

(1) This is condensed in the book Steps to Christ.

(Continued on next post)

[John317]

Rules for Discerning True Prophets (Cont.)

3. In the third rule we are going to evaluate the major issue with false prophets.

a. What do false prophets cater for? “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.” 1 John 4:5.

(1) This verse comes after showing what true prophets must believe in rule two.

b. This shows that the teaching of false prophets will pander to the carnal heart, instead of exalting the self-denying and cross-bearing way. “10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.” Isaiah 30:10-11.

c. Any one who reads even a few pages of Sister White's writings can see that they involve self-denial and cross-bearing, not of a nature to please a worldly, carnal heart.

4. How do prophets have to do their work? “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” James 5:10.

a. Why did they have to have so much patience and suffer affliction? “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:15.

(1) How do the false prophets try to make the people feel comfortable. “They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.” Jeremiah 23:17.

(2) As we examine many Bible prophets, we can see that one trait of character is faithfulness in the reproving of sins, even when surrounded by a vastly superior number of false prophets as in the case of Elijah. “17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.” 1 Kings 18:17-18.

b. As we examine the writings of EG White, we can clearly see that we are not left to a lackadaisical attitude.

5. What do we have to carefully evaluate in the life of an individual? “15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20.

a. This definitely shows that there will be prophets till the end.

(1) If there were to be no prophets, just say all prophets are false.

b. What are the fruits we are looking for? “8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men...11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:8, 11-16.

c. We find that the continual instruction given through Sister White has been in the line of unity and harmony, admonishing to “counsel together” and “press together,” to be in union with Christ, thus insuring true fellowship and union with one another.

(1) “A union of believers with Christ will as a natural result lead to a union with one another, which bond of union is the most enduring upon earth. We are one in Christ, as Christ is one with the Father. Christians are branches, and only branches, in the living Vine. One branch is not to borrow its sustenance from another. Our life must come from the parent vine. It is only by personal union with Christ, by communion with Him daily, hourly, that we can bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 47-48.

(2) “Unity is the sure result of Christian perfection.” Sanctified Life, p. 85:1.

(3) So God places sinners into the arms of a united church. “Preaching is a small part of the work to be done for the salvation of souls. God’s Spirit convicts sinners of the truth, and He places them in the arms of the church. The ministers may do their part, but they can never perform the work that the church should do.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 69:1.

CONCLUSION

1. Many of those who read any of Sister White's books, who don’t know anything about her say: “When I read her articles it seems to me as though her writings are inspired.”

2. As we consider some of these facts, we are urged to follow the words of King Jehoshaphat of Judah in their time of crisis: “And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20.