1. What admonition is given to the church of God in the last days?
"Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesyings; prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thess. 5:19-21. 2. Why is such an admonition necessary?
The world is nearing its darkest hour, and prophecy is the lamp for the Christian's feet; the world is full of scoffers, unbelievers, "walking after their own lusts;" but they who walk in the way pointed out by the prophets of God shall prosper in the Christian way. See 2 Chron. 20:20. 3. Will the gift of prophecy be in the church in the last period of its history?
"And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days will I pour forth of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy." Acts 2:17, 18. 4. What was confirmed in the church in order that it might be perfect?
"Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you; so that ye come behind in no gift." 1 Cor. 1:6, 7. 5. What is the testimony of Christ?
"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev. 19:10. 6. What will be one of the characteristics of the remnant church?—The possession of the spirit of prophecy.
"The dragon was wroth with the woman [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 [the spirit of prophecy]." Rev. 12:17. 7. For whose benefit is the gift placed in the church?
"Prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." 1 Cor. 14:22. 8. What other gifts of the Spirit does the apostle enumerate?
"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues." 1 Cor. 12:8-10. 9. Which of these does the apostle say is specially desirable?
"Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." 1 Cor. 14:1. 10. Under what influence do the prophets speak?
"For no prophecy ever came by the will of man; but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:21.