35-The Gift of Prophecy - NIV

1. God Reveals Himself Through His Prophets.
Amos 3:7 Surely the _Sovereign_ LORD does nothing without _revealing_ his plan to his servants the prophets.

2. Visions and Dreams Are One of the Ways God Communicates His Will.
Numbers 12:6 He said, "Listen to my words: "When a _prophet_ of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in _visions_, I speak to him in dreams.

3. The Dragon Makes War with Those Who Keep God's Commandments and Have the Testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 12:17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring--those who obey God's _commandments_ and hold to the _testimony_ of Jesus.

4. The Testimony of Jesus Is the Gift of Prophecy.
Revelation 19:10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow _servant_ with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the _spirit_ of _prophecy_."

5. The Angel of Prophecy That Appeared to John Also Appears
in the Last Days of Earth's History.
Revelation 22:6 The angel said to me, "These words are _trustworthy_ and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his _servants_ the things that must soon take place."

Revelation 22:9 But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your _brothers_ the _prophets_ and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"

6. One of Jesus' Gifts Is the Gift of Prophecy. This Gift Is to Remain in the Church Until the End.
Ephesians 4:8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led _captives_ in his train and gave _gifts_ to men."

Ephesians 4:11-15 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be _evangelists_, and some to be pastors and teachers, [12] to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the _knowledge_ of the Son of God and become mature, _attaining_ to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of _teaching_ and by the cunning and _craftiness_ of men in their _deceitful_ _scheming_. [15] Instead, _speaking_ the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

7. The Church Waiting for Jesus' Coming Will Have All of the Gifts.
1 Corinthians 1:4-7 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. [5] For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-- [6] because our _testimony_ about Christ was _confirmed_ in you. [7] _Therefore_ you do not lack any _spiritual_ gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

8. The Bible Invites Us to "Test the Spirits." Each Prophetic Manifestation Must Meet the Bible Tests of a True Prophet.
1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, _because_ many false _prophets_ have gone out into the world.

Matthew 24:5 For many will come in my name, _claiming_, 'I am the Christ, ' and will _deceive_ many.

Matthew 24:11 And many false _prophets_ will appear and _deceive_ many people.

Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and _miracles_ to deceive even the elect--if that were _possible_.

9. A Test of a True Prophet Is That True Prophets Always Lead to Obedience According to God's Will.
Deuteronomy 13:1-4 If a prophet, or one who _foretells_ by dreams, appears among you and _announces_ to you a _miraculous_ sign or wonder, [2] and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," [3] you must not listen to the words of that prophet or _dreamer_. The LORD your God is _testing_ you to find out _whether_ you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. [4] It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his _commands_ and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

10. The prophesies of a True Prophet of God Always Come True, Unless Given As Conditional prophesies.
Jeremiah 28:8-9 From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. [9] But the prophet who _prophesies_ peace will be _recognized_ as one truly sent by the LORD only if his _prediction_ comes true."

11. If prophesies Disagree with God's Previously Revealed Will in the Law and the Testimony Then Do Not Believe Them.
Isaiah 8:19-20 When men tell you to consult mediums and _spiritists_, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? [20] To the law and to the _testimony_! If they do not speak _according_ to this word, they have no light of dawn.

12. True Prophets Place Emphasis on the Centrality of Jesus Christ.
1 John 4:1-3 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see _whether_ they are from God, because many false _prophets_ have gone out into the world. [2] This is how you can _recognize_ the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, [3] but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the _antichrist_, which you have heard is coming and even now is _already_ in the world.

13. In Vision, a True Prophet Does Not Breathe.
Daniel 10:17 How can I, your _servant_, talk with you, my lord? My _strength_ is gone and I can hardly breathe."

14. The Fruits of True Prophet's Lives Reveal Their Divine Credentials.
Matthew 7:15-16 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] By their fruit you will _recognize_ them. Do people pick grapes from _thornbushes_, or figs from thistles?

15. Believe His Prophets and You Will Prosper.
2 Chronicles 20:20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, _Jehoshaphat_ stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of _Jerusalem_! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be _successful_."

16. God Places True Prophets in His Church to Guide It in Time of Crises.
1 Corinthians 12:27-28 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. [28] And in the church God has _appointed_ first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of _administration_, and those speaking in _different_ kinds of tongues.

17. A Prophet in the Last Days of Earth's History.
Revelation 12:17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring--those who obey God's _commandments_ and hold to the _testimony_ of Jesus.

Seventh-Day Adventist believe that the genuine gift of prophecy was manifest in the church through the writings of Ellen G. White. Her writings do not in any way take the place of the Bible. They are a fulfillment of this text.

Next Bible Study: 36-Baptism

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