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THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 8, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 6.

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THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.

By L. D. Santee

BY L. D. SANTEE.
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” 1 Cor. 12:1.
THIS is a subject with which Paul considered it necessary for the Christian to be familiar. When at Ephesus, he said, “I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), and to that church he explained clearly what those gifts were, their object, and duration.
There certainly is not a being in the universe that understands our needs as well as the Saviour. He “was in all points tempted like as we are.” He knew our weakness; for He possessed our nature. He knew, too, the high standard to be reached by the overcomer. Knowing what we needed, He met that need by giving “gifts unto men.” Eph. 4:8. They are enumerated in verse 11: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers—five in number, and each one to supply a need of the church.
But some will ask, Is not the Bible sufficient? “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, . . . that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17. Again, Christ says, “Search the Scriptures.” Why do we need helps as long as we have the Bible? Simply that it may be understood. Paul asks, “How shall they hear without a preacher?” Rom. 10:14. The Ethiopian eunuch needed Philip’s help in understanding the Scripture. Let me use an illustration to make the need clearer. Suppose our legislators should decide that the school-books contain all that is necessary for an education, and should pass a law something like the following: “Be it enacted that every child shall be furnished all the books that are necessary for a complete education; that school boards, school houses, and teachers be dispensed with, being unnecessary, as the books contain all that is required.”
It is not necessary to point out that under such a law the nation would rapidly drift back into ignorance; and yet, they were right about the books. Then where is the trouble? Simply that helps are needed to understand them. This is just why Christ gave gifts unto men, to help in the understanding of His Word. Various gifts are enumerated, all a form of ministry.
What was the duty assigned to the evangelist and pastor?—“Preach the Word.” 2 Tim. 4:2. What is said of the prophet? “If they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:20. Why were the Scriptures given?—“That the man of God may be perfect.” Why were these gifts bestowed?—“For the perfecting of the saints.” Eph. 4:12. It is easy, then, to see why they were given. How long were they to continue? Verse 13 contains the answer. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” In other words till probation closes, and the last soul is saved.
A gracious promise is given in Joel 2:28: “Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” This was fulfilled first on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:16.
The church that is living in the end of time and looking for her returning Lord will have all of the gifts that Christ set in the church. “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 1:7. The Spirit of prophecy is especially referred to at the very close as existing in the church. Rev. 12:17. She is said to have the “testimony of Jesus Christ.” In Rev. 19:10 this is declared to be the Spirit of prophecy. It is easy to see that the church would be benefited by these gifts. So when the Lord comes to receive His church, without “spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Eph. 5:27), He will find in her prophets speaking “according to this Word,” and a living ministry, that will “preach the Word.”
The Saviour warns the world in Matt. 24:24, that “there shall arise false christs and false prophets.” A counterfeit always implies a genuine to be imitated. Then just as really as there is a true Christ, so really are there true prophets. “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. 5:19-21. The chronology here is very near the coming of the Lord, and the resurrection of the just. Then there will be prophesyings. Not all are false, or we should despise them all, and still not quench the Spirit. Not all are good, or we could receive them all without proving them. Again, the apostle said, there should “arise false prophets.” In 1 Cor. 14:1, we are told to “desire spiritual gifts,” and especially the gift of prophecy. Verse 3 tells what a help it is to the church: “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, exhortation, and comfort.”
Thank God, the gifts that were set in the church are there yet. Those that are looking for the Bridegroom, “come behind in no gift.” The Spirit of prophecy is still comforting the church; and the ministry, the apostles, evangelists, and pastors are still stars in the right hand of the True Witness. None of the true have added to the Scriptures—it was not their province. Each and all, they have helped us to understand the Word better; and through the Word, and the helps that Christ has given us, we may be “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Dixon, Ill.