p. 4 | The Second Advent Movement

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 19, 1914

The Second Advent Movement

By John Norton Loughborough

—No. 15

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

For testing the gift of prophecy we are furnished in the Scriptures with certain rules. These we shall notice, not in the order of their occurrence in the Bible, but as the mind would naturally inquire. Were a vision presented for our acceptance, we should be likely to say, “Is its teaching in harmony with the Scriptures, or contrary to them?”

Rule 1, Isa. 8:19, 20: “When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, . . . should not a people seek unto their 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.” During the last sixty-two years I have read 11,196 pages of Sister White’s writings in her printed books, and 6,162 book pages of her articles in the REVIEW, as well as many hundred pages of manuscript, and I have never seen one sentence but that is in perfect harmony with the principles and plan of salvation set forth in the Scriptures. Her writings constantly urge upon us, as of the most importance, the earnest study of the Bible, and the following of its teaching. So they are in accord with Rule No. 1.

Rule 2, 1 John 4:3: “Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.” Mark that it does not say did come, but is come—a present, indwelling Saviour. Through all of Sister White’s writings, as well as in her public speaking, is the ever-present thought of an indwelling Christ. As a sample of her writings I refer to the volume “Steps to Christ,” which has been translated into a score of languages, and is declared by those not Seventh-day Adventists as “the best book they ever saw outside the Bible.”

For Rule 3 we call attention to one given especially for the detection of false prophets: “They are of the world: . . . and the world heareth them.” 1 John 4:5. In this same epistle (chap. 2:16) John tells us what constitutes the world: “All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” All the Testimonies of Sister White strike directly against all this catalogue that constitutes the world.

For Rule 4 we refer to the testimony of James 5:10: “Take, my brethren, the prophets . . . for an example.” That is just what we are doing in this investigation. As we turn to Jeremiah, who had some experience among opposing false prophets, we get a very good description of them and their work. In chap. 23:17 he says, “They say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.” Sister White’s writings are all entirely contrary to such teaching.

Rule 5, Deut. 13:1. This shows that a false prophet may perform a miracle, but that is no proof of the genuineness of his work, because with it he will teach contrary to the truth. The sentiment of the text really is that a miracle is no proof of a genuine prophet. That this is so is evident from the fact that the false prophet (Rev. 19:20) works miracles with which he deceives the people. Then, in the case of John the Baptist, of whom the Saviour said, “There is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist” (Luke 7:28), we read, “And many resorted unto him [Christ], and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.” John 10:41.

For Rule 6 we have the words of Christ, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Matt. 7:15, 16. The fruit of true prophets is set before us in Paul’s statement of the object of spiritual gifts. They are, according to his words to the Ephesians, “for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body [church] of Christ.” Eph. 4:12. How this gift has wrought in the advancement and building up of the cause of the third angel’s message will be noted in my next article.

Lodi, Cal.