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Commentary on "Testing the Prophets"
Day 1: Sabbath afternoon, January 31, 2009
The lesson for today centers on fundamental Belief #18, "The Gift of Prophecy" which includes the following Biblical references: Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10. The purpose of this statement is to support the concept that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the "remnant church" because they have a last day prophetess. While Ellen G. White never claimed the title, "Prophetess", the church has recognized her as such. Therefore, the goal of this lesson is the support of Ellen G. White as prophetess.
The following passages are also recommended for this weeks study: Isa. 8:20; Jer. 18:6–10; Jonah 3; 4; Matt. 7:20; Gal. 2:11–14.
Problems
If we start at the beginning of the book of Joel, we learn that a Hebrew prophet is speaking to a Hebrew audience when he says in Joel 2:28,29; "your sons and your daughters shall prophesy”.
In Acts 2:14-21, Peter quotes this same passage in Joel while speaking to another Hebrew audience. The setting and the context demand that this prophecy from Joel be Hebrew sons and daughters who prophesy.
In Heb. 1:1-3, God the Father speaks of his Son, Jesus Christ, as being the prophet for "these last days". God says that he is "the word of his power".
The context for Revelation should start at Chapter One, Verse One which begins with the statement; "The Revelation of Jesus Christ". Since "Revelation" and "prophecy" are synonymous terms, the opening statement declares Jesus Christ to be speaking prophetically. This entire book is the prophetic words of Jesus Christ, given to John via an angel. Rev. 12:17 simply states; "testimony of Jesus Christ". Rev. 19:10 adds the phrase; "Jesus is the spirit of prophecy". Nowhere in Revelation do you see the title of "Spirit of Prophecy" applied to anyone other than Jesus Christ.
If you begin with verse 19, in Isa. 8:20 we see that it is speaking of those who seek after "familiar spirits, and unto wizard".
Jer. 18:6-10 is a reminder to the "house of Israel" that God is in control and will not tolerate evil. While an important lesson, it is unrelated to the topic at hand.
In Jonah Chapters 3 and 4 we see where the people believed the prophet and repented of their sins. It is the prophet who is tested, by God. It is an important lesson for those who are a prophet of God but seems unrelated on how to test someone who claims to have a message from God.
In reading Matt. 7:20 we should back up to at least verse 15 to get the context. This is, however, a very good test of who is a prophet of God; "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them".
In Gal. 2:11-14, Paul confronts Peter for not maintaining the "truth of the gospel”. Peter, like Jonah did for a time, hid from the true gospel message. Prophets, when not speaking 'in the name of God' are humans who still commit sin. The real question is; What are their words when they say, "Thus says the Lord"? In Sunday's lesson, we will see God deals with a false prophecy given in his name.
Summary
- Jesus Christ, the Spirit of Prophecy, is the source of all prophecy. John the apostle who received the words of the prophecy in the book of Revelation did not carry this title, and neither does any other prophet of God.
- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,] full of grace and truth (John 1:1-3, 14 KJV).
- Clearly Jesus Christ, who is called "The Word" in the gospel of John, is the source of all prophecy, the entire Bible. That is why he is called; "The Spirit of Prophecy" in the book of Revelation.
Copyright 2009 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised January 26, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com. Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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