p. 172 | Visions and Prophecy by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 12, 1874

Visions and Prophecy.

By George I. Butler

HAVE THEY BEEN MANIFESTED AMONG SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS?

Perhaps there is nothing in this age of the world that excites greater prejudice than the claim that visions and miraculous manifestations of God’s Spirit are to be witnessed in our time. There are a variety of reasons why this is so. So many have put forth claims to supernatural powers who have given evidence either of fanaticism or downright infidelity that it is not to be wondered at that sensible people who believe the Bible should look with great suspicion on everything of the kind. Swedenborg and Ann Lee appeared in the last century with their spiritualizing systems, denying the literal teaching of the Scriptures; the former claiming that the last judgment was accomplished in the year 1757 and the second coming of Christ took place in the introduction of the doctrines of the New-Jerusalem church as set forth by him, while the latter claimed that Christ’s second coming was accomplished in her person. And both of these set forth claims to great spiritual illumination.

In the present century, Joseph Smith and the Mormons have appeared, claiming supernatural power, believing that the New Jerusalem would be built under their auspices in the State of Missouri. And finally, the spiritualists have appeared, with their thousands of mediums, claiming that Christ’s second advent is fulfilled in modern spiritualism.

It is a noticeable fact that all of these parties put forth doctrines subversive of the teachings of the Bible concerning the second coming of our Saviour. We are warned of these in our Lord’s discourse which gives the signs of his coming. Matt. 24: 11, 23, 24: “And many false prophets shall arise and deceive many.” “For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect.”

It is remarkable that these have all arisen in this late age of the world, and all of them hold views on the subject of the Lord’s coming calculated to blind the minds of the people in regard to that event, and that the Scripture has placed their appearance in close proximity to the time when the Saviour shall come at that very point when the signs should be seen. Shall we argue

that there certainly will be no genuine manifestations because we know that false ones are in existence? Does the presence of counterfeits demonstrate the absence of all genuine money? Satan has most generally wrought in the world most powerfully when the Lord has been at work. It is a well-known fact that Seventh-day Adventists have believed that true visions were in existence among them for years in the past. This claim has subjected them to no small amount of obloquy. We propose to set before the readers of the REVIEW some of the reasons why they have believed so. Holding such views, the public are entitled to know our reasons for them.

The subject of visions is an important one. When in vision, we understand the Spirit of God takes possession of persons’ minds, so that, for the time being, they are entirely unconscious of what transpires around them, and they are shown whatever God desires them to know, either that they may reveal it to others for their instruction, when they are brought back to their natural condition, or may understand it for their own benefit. When the Spirit thus takes possession of the mind during one’s waking hours, it is called a vision. When during one’s sleeping hours, a dream. Not such dreams as come through the multitude of business or from ordinary causes, but such dreams as Nebuchadnezzar’s, and others spoken of in the Bible, when things were shown to them that they could not have otherwise known. Visions were an important agency in the revelation of God’s will to man.

Abraham, the father of the faithful, had visions. “After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision.” Gen. 15: 1. The prophets in David’s time had visions. “Then thou spakest in vision to thy Holy One, and saidst, . . . I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him.” Ps. 89: 19, 20. Isaiah’s prophecy was given through vision. “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” Isa. 1: 1. Then follow the sixty-six chapters of his writings, all given through vision. The prophecy of Ezekiel was shown in the same manner. “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.” Eze. 1: 1. Then follow the forty-eight chapters of his book. Daniel, whom Nebuchadnezzar found better than all the wise counselors of Babylon, was well acquainted with visions. “And Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” Dan. 1: 17. We know he had several most important ones. The prophecies of Obadiah and Nahum were also given in vision, as the reader will see by reading their first verses.

And in the New Testament we also have many such instances. Zacharias had a vision; Luke 1: 22; Cornelius also; Acts 10: 3; the apostle Peter likewise; Acts 10: 10; Ananias, who was sent to stricken Paul to open his eyes, was directed through vision; Acts 9: 10. The book of Revelation was given in this manner; Rev. 9: 17; while the great apostle to the Gentiles, the most eminent of all the Christian teachers, had very many visions. “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell; God knoweth); such a one caught up to the third heaven.” “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh . . . to buffet me,” &c. 2 Cor. 12: 1, 2, 7.

The apostle Paul had many visions then, and instead of being ashamed of them, he was in great danger of becoming proud, so much so that God sent a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble. Who knows how many of Paul’s letters to the churches were written by means of the light given in vision. Says the wise man, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Prov. 29: 18. And among the threatened judgments of God against Israel for their sins was this: “Therefore night shall be unto you that ye shall not have a vision.” Micah 3: 6. And when the prophet Jeremiah was lamenting over the terrible distress which had come upon his people for their sins, one important cause of mourning with him was that the “prophets find no vision from the Lord.” Lam. 2: 9.

From these scriptures it will be seen that visions were a most important link of connection between God and his people. A very large portion of the Bible was given through vision. If we reject visions from our system of religion, we must reject much of the Bible. Indeed it is quite likely where the phrase occurs, “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,” which is so very common, that “the word” came in this very manner. Notice the expression in regard to Abram above quoted. “The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision.”

In Numbers 12: 6, there is an important testimony which demands the reader’s attention, for it is very decisive on this point. The Lord God speaking to Aaron and Miriam from the pillar of cloud, says, “Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.”

This then is the manner in which the Lord spoke through the prophets. By the power of his Spirit he takes complete possession of the mind, impressing upon its tablets those things which he is pleased to reveal. Then when restored to the natural state, the chosen person could speak or write out those words of instruction for others’ benefit. Events passed before the mind in vision like a moving panorama. These in the normal state brought up again by the aid of the Spirit of God are conveyed to others. Thus visions are the medium through which prophecy is conveyed to the world. And we cannot reject one without virtually rejecting the other.

The scriptures above quoted also show the great importance of visions. People in this age scout everything of the kind. Not so anciently. It was a matter of great solicitude that God should thus manifest himself. If it was a matter of such interest then, should it be a matter of indifference now? Was the old dispensation to be so much more favored than the new? It is well known that in those periods of Jewish history when there was no open vision, even when the canon of the Old Testament was made up, there was far less of spirituality and light than when the Lord spoke to the people in vision. The light of the Jewish age is compared to the light of the moon, while that of the gospel age is compared to the light of the sun. Rev. 12: 1. We are certainly entitled to look for as many manifestations of God’s presence then in this age as in that. Why, then, may we not expect that visions would be given all through the gospel age?

Here we are met with the objection that all such spiritual manifestations were to cease with the apostolic age. That spiritual gifts were only designed to last that length of time, we are told that when God had completed the canon of inspiration we have no further need of spiritual gifts. If these positions be true, we have, of course, no right to expect visions in our time.

Before proceeding further, we will examine the question of the perpetuity of spiritual gifts. Were spiritual gifts designed for the whole gospel age? or were they confined to the apostolic age? Should it be shown that God designed these gifts for the whole gospel age, then we have a right to look around us for their manifestation, when the conditions upon which they are promised are met.

Let us notice the commission of the apostles as given by the Saviour just before his ascension to Heaven.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16: 15–18. “All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28: 18–20.

It is by virtue of this commission that men have been authorized to preach the gospel ever since Christ ascended to Heaven. That it extends to the close of the age none can dispute. Going right along with it is the promise of special spiritual assistance, miraculous gifts. The commission cannot be confined to the apostles; no more can the promised assistance. Christ does not say, “These signs shall follow” the apostles merely; but these signs shall follow them that believe, or the “believers,” as Campbell renders it. In the apostles’ days they were not given to every one irrespective of character or circumstances. Conditions are always implied in God’s promises. All sick people were not healed in that age. Even the apostles themselves died, and Paul says on one occasion, “Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.” These gifts were never to be manifested in any age only when certain conditions existed. Among these were the following: When God’s glory would be advanced by it, when there was living faith in the church, and when people lived holy lives. These powers were conferred through the Holy Spirit, and by virtue of its influence alone. That Spirit is the agency by which every conversion is effected. In its name every believer is baptized. Every conversion effected by the Spirit is really a miracle, truly beyond all human power. If, then, every believer is to be baptized in the name of this agent, it must be evident that its manifestation was to continue as long as there were believers. So our Lord declares in Matthew, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” How was he to be with them? Never, since his ascension, has he been with his disciples personally. The promise contemplates, then, that he should be with them by his Spirit. That Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son; and it is through it that every miracle was performed. Here we have positive evidence that the agent by which miraculous gifts were manifested was to continue with the true church to the end of the world.

We next notice the words of the apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost. “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” Acts 2: 32, 33. Here we learn that a promise was given that the Holy Spirit should be sent, when our Saviour ascended to Heaven. This is evidently the same thing that is referred to in the commission.

Peter says that those manifestations which these Jews were witnessing there on the day of Pentecost came in fulfillment of this promise. “Having received the promise he hath shed forth this.” The promise of the Spirit then, contemplates just such gifts. This promise is recorded in John 14: 15–17. “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him.” In chap. 16: 7, he says it is even expedient that he go away so that this Comforter may come. How important must be its coming then! How long was this Spirit of truth to remain with his people? Does the promise say? He is to “abide with them forever.” And this promise, Peter says, contemplates such manifestations as were seen on Pentecost.

The apostle continues his discourse until the hearts of his hearers are touched, and they anxiously inquire, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2: 37–39. What promise is this? The promise of the Holy Spirit which Christ made to his sorrowing disciples some forty days previous to this, and the same that he refers to just previous to his ascension, in the commission. Who were to share in this promise? Not the apostles merely, but those who were to be converted by their preaching. Was it to be confined to the first age of the church? Not exactly. It was not only to those whom the apostle was addressing, but to their “children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Has not the Lord been calling anybody since the apostolic age? Is he not calling men in our age? We know he is. All classes of Christians believe it. Then this promise is unto them. The Bible says so, and we have the right to believe it. When the conditions are met upon which this promise is based, we have a right to expect the fulfillment of this promise. And we see it contemplates spiritual gifts, for these were “shed forth” in fulfillment of it. The world cannot receive the Spirit. It is only for those who live holy lives of faith. The promise certainly reaches to the close of time.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

(To be Continued.)