Prophetic Succession by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 19, 1915

Prophetic Succession

By Editor

Since the death of Mrs. E. G. White, several of our correspondents have inquired whether any one would succeed to the place she so long occupied in connection with this movement. To such inquiries we are compelled to state frankly and unequivocally that we do not know. This is a question which only the Lord himself can answer, and so far as we know he has never given to any one any intimation of his will in the matter.

From a study of the Sacred Record we must conclude that there is no set rule of prophetic succession. We recall no instance where the gift descended from father to son. It was never conferred by the voice of the people. In only a few instances did the Lord reveal beforehand who would succeed to the prophetic office. This was revealed to Elijah, and before his translation Elisha was ordained to the work. But this appears to have been an exception to the general rule. Sometimes one of royal birth was selected, as in the case of Daniel. Sometimes it was one of the priestly line, as in the case of Zechariah. Often the messenger was chosen from the humble, lowly ones, as instanced by the selection of Amos, the herdsman, and Elisha, the plowman. Sometimes, it would appear, God spoke but once through a special messenger, who was raised up to meet a particular crisis in his church. God finds his chosen instruments where he will.

We doubt not that in the last days some will believe that they have received the gift of prophecy whom God has never called to this sacred work. In our personal experience we recall at least a dozen during the last two or three decades who have claimed they had the prophetic gift. Two or three of these have drifted into the wildest fanaticism. Others frankly acknowledged later in their experience that they had been mistaken, and settled down to a quiet Christian experience. Others perhaps are still nursing their fancy.

The call of God to this office is usually marked by more than a mere impression, a striking dream, or a peculiar fancy. The call is so unmistakable that it leaves no reasonable room for doubt. It is safe to say that if any one in connection with this movement is ever called to the position so long occupied by Sister White, it will be necessary for his claim, as was hers, to be substantiated by many convincing proofs before credence will be given to his testimony. And this is in God's order. He cautions us to be on guard against the voices that are sounding from every quarter. He does not want us to be carried away by delusive theories or fitful winds of doctrine, nor fall under the influence of those who are making false claims to divine revelation.

The apostle John recognized this danger which confronted the church, and he sounds this warning message: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” If many false prophets had gone out into the world in the days of the apostles, we may expect that their number will be multiplied in these evil times. To the church of God in every age, as well as to the church in the first century, is this warning applicable: “Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.”

It is well for us to remember, too, that the Lord does not require us to decide such an important question in a day. If one comes to us claiming to have special enlightenment by the Spirit of God, we may not be able to disprove the claim, although perhaps we may doubt it. But we should patiently wait developments. Time and circumstances and conditions, the life of the individual, the character of the message, the spirit which accompanies it, the fruit it bears, are God's great testers. We should wait and see whether the claim to the prophetic office stands the test. The prophet Samuel grew into the confidence accorded him by the people of God. It is written of him: “The Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.” It required time for his establishment in the holy office, and in the confidence of the people. And the Lord desires that we shall reach no hasty decisions today, but that the claim of every person to the prophetic gift shall be submitted to the test of time and of counsel and of experience and of the fruit borne.

This does not say by any means that the Spirit of God might not rest with power upon one of his servants, and a message be given to meet present exigencies, or some crisis in the church, and that the message would require prompt obedience; but usually when God raises up a messenger to meet a crisis of this kind, there goes with his message a compelling power in spirit and influence which leaves no doubt as to its character.

It will do us no good to speculate upon the future. We must leave all things in the hands of God. We do not need to be greatly concerned over this question, nor do we need to be unduly excited or exercised in case one or a dozen should claim to be the recipients of divine illuminations. Every reader of this paper has individual access to God. There is given to every believing child some measure of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Instead of our looking for signs and wonders, for the supernatural and the mysterious, God desires us to cultivate a deepening personal religious experience. He desires us to come into that closeness of relationship with himself where he can speak to us by his own blessed Spirit, where he can reveal to us the mysteries of his Holy Word as we study its sacred pages.

If the Lord sees fit in his providence to place upon any one of his children a large measure of his Holy Spirit and make that person his messenger to the church, let us pray that we may stand in that place where we shall be able to recognize God's leadings and heed the message that he sends us. If, on the other hand, we are confronted with a spurious claim, let us pray for the spirit of discernment that we may have wisdom to detect the counterfeit.

If special revelations are not continued, we are not left to wander in darkness. We have access to the Sacred Scriptures. To the church of God in every age they constitute a lamp for the feet, a light for the path. We have the faithful instruction which has been sent us through the Lord's messenger in connection with this movement. If we faithfully study that which God has already given, and look to him for continual

guidance, he will keep us safe amid the perils of the last days.

Without anxious thought for the future, without idle speculation, without argument or discussion, but in quietness and prayerfulness and obedience, let us seek humbly to walk in the ways of the Lord and in the light which he has given to his people. In this will be our safety and assurance in the days before us.

F. M. W.