Open Visions by G. I. BUTLER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 10, 1916

Open Visions

By G. I. BUTLER

G. I. BUTLER

BEFORE we enter upon the consideration of this phase of the question, we wish to recapitulate one point in a preceding article, namely, that the same prophetic gift which was given to John the apostle was to be given to the last church on earth—the remnant church. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.” Here we have a record of God’s way of revealing through visions his word to his people. God gave his word to Jesus Christ, Jesus gave it to his angel Gabriel, the angel revealed it to the beloved disciple John, and he gave it to God’s people. This in substance is the way God gives all his visions to his chosen agencies. And this is called “the testimony of Jesus.”

On the remnant church of Rev. 12:17 the same gift is bestowed. “The dragon [Satan] was wroth with the woman [the church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” That term is defined by Inspiration itself in the words, “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Rev. 19:10. The spirit of prophecy is that manifestation of the Spirit of God which enables God’s chosen instrument to have visions of God, and to outline events, past, present, and future, which could not otherwise be known.

Let the interested reader observe that John himself, in writing the wonderful book of Revelation, had this gift,—the testimony of Jesus,—and that the same precious gift is conferred upon God’s chosen instrument in the last church on earth, the remnant church. That gift to John was invaluable to the world and to God’s people. The same gift has been invaluable to the remnant church, which has for seventy years been proclaiming the third angel’s message. Indeed, any one who knows the history of this movement knows that the work could never have been originated or carried to a successful completion without it, as we shall clearly show hereafter.

The visions of the chosen agent began to be given just after the great disappointment of 1844, and a little before the beginning of the proclamation of the third angel’s message, and they continued to be given for nearly seventy years, or until a brief period before her death. This matter was not hidden in a corner, but has been connected intimately with the history of this Seventh-day Adventist movement, now almost encircling the earth. We should be exceedingly glad that God ever so honored us as a people as to give this great source of enlightenment. For many ages no other people have been so honored. The blessed light has helped us through many a dark, trying experience.

“The child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” 1 Sam. 3:1. It was an exceedingly dark period in the history of Israel. Eli’s wicked sons seemed to have complete rule over the nation. God could not consistently manifest himself to them under such conditions. The lad Samuel, the son of the devout Hannah, by whom he was dedicated to the Lord before his birth, was soon to be chosen to be a prophet of the Lord and have many open visions. God first manifested himself in vision to Samuel when he was perhaps six or eight years old, terribly reproving the aged high priest of the nation. Samuel became one of the greatest of the prophets.

Open visions are given in a way to be observed by the people present, as convincing evidence of their reality and genuineness. Their characteristics are noted in the Scriptures. If given only in secret, there would be a great chance for doubt and uncertainty. Open visions are an evidence of reality and authenticity, and are valuable as such. All prophets are also given visions in various other ways. The very fact that open visions are mentioned indicates that there are visions that are not open. These are helpful and valuable for the special instruction of the prophet and to impart light.

There is a striking similarity in the call of the little lad Samuel to be a great prophet, and the call of the young, feeble girl, bashful, retiring, and given up by the doctors to die of tuberculosis. She was but seventeen years of age. Who could then have supposed she would live to the age of nearly eighty-seven years, and accomplish such a great and important work as she did? These results are wholly attributable to the power given by the Most High. God can take the weakest agencies and clothe them with power from above to do great things. None but he can do this. He can take “a worm to thrash a mountain.” Nothing is too difficult for him to perform. His word has spoken worlds into existence. All the universe is governed by his power and kept in motion in sublime unity. He accomplishes his purposes by agencies man would never think of using.