THE GIFT OF PROPHECY. A TEST OF FELLOWSHIP.
By A. P. Lawton
This question seems to require line upon line. We hear it said often, Christ and his teachings are sufficient for me; as though to receive the visions would be to reject the teachings of Christ. Were it not that some honest ones may be stumbled through such a misrepresentation it would require no notice. But time is short, and the church should be doing what she can to remove objections from the minds of all that can be reached by these saving truths. In the first place all who present themselves for membership in this church, are understood to believe the Bible. We believe according to the Scriptures that the spirit of prophecy is to be revived in the last days, and we hold, that no one can consistently believe that we are in the last days, and reject this scripture as applicable to us. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are inseparable. In rejecting the visions we reject all those portions of scripture relating to prophecy which are of vital importance to us who claim to be living in the closing scenes of earth's history. The visions give no new rule of faith or practice; but our all-wise Creator has, in view of the perils and solemnities of the last days, been pleased in mercy to inform his remnant people, what of the night: that it cometh, and also the morning; by the spirit of prophecy, which he promised many hundred years since should be manifested in the last days. Do we well to reject this gift so appropriate to us as a people, and yet claim to be commandment keepers? If we had not the faith of Jesus, we should not be the remnant people of Rev. xii, 17: “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. Rev. xiv, 12: Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. xix, 10. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. It was formerly considered a calamity by the people of God to be without open vision; it is no less so now. It was a mark or token of God's displeasure; it is so now. Prov. xxix, 8. Where there is no vision the people perish. All who wish to be corrected and have their errors exposed will be glad and rejoice that God has been pleased to place a gift in the church that will do this. God's people are to be of one mind and one judgment and all speak the same thing; and how can this be when some endorse some portions of the Bible, others, other portions; while they reject the rest? Our faith embraces the whole of God's word. This brings unity, harmony, and a perfect chain. This will bring the people of God together, and they will be fitted up, clothed with the whole armor, and ready for the latter rain. This is why the dragon will make war with the remnant. He knows that the spirit of prophecy will unite them, and this will give strength and power to the message. Some object to the visions on the ground of their adding to the word of God, and quote Rev. xxii, 18. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” This objection is groundless; for the visions do not add to, or diminish from, this book; on the contrary they perfectly harmonize with, fulfill, and answer to it. John's visions take nothing from Isaiah's. Neither do sister W.'s take from, nor add to, John's.