35-The Gift of Prophecy - NKJ

1. God Reveals Himself Through His Prophets.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His _servants_ the _prophets_.

2. Visions and Dreams Are One of the Ways God Communicates His Will.
Numbers 12:6 Then He said, Hear now My words: If there is a _prophet_ among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a _vision_; I speak to him in a dream.

3. The Dragon Makes War with Those Who Keep God's Commandments and Have the Testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the _commandments_ of God and have the _testimony_ of Jesus Christ.

4. The Testimony of Jesus Is the Gift of Prophecy.
Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow _servant_, and of your brethren who have 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 Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy _prophets_ sent His angel to show His _servants_ the things which must shortly take place.

Revelation 22:9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your _brethren_ the _prophets_, and of those 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 _Therefore_ He says: "When He ascended on high, He led _captivity_ captive, And gave gifts to men."

Ephesians 4:11-15 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some _evangelists_, and some pastors and teachers, [12] for the _equipping_ of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, [13] till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the _knowledge_ of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [14] that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning _craftiness_ of _deceitful_ _plotting_, [15] but, _speaking_ the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--

7. The Church Waiting for Jesus' Coming Will Have All of the Gifts.
1 Corinthians 1:4-7 I thank my God always _concerning_ you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, [5] that you were enriched in _everything_ by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, [6] even as the testimony of Christ was _confirmed_ in you, [7] so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the _revelation_ of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; _because_ many false _prophets_ have gone out into the world.

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

Matthew 24:11 Then many false _prophets_ will rise up and _deceive_ many.

Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false _prophets_ will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if _possible_, even the elect.

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 there _arises_ among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, [2] and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, _saying_, Let us go after other gods—which you have not known—and let us serve them, [3] you shall not _listen_ to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is _testing_ you to know _whether_ you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. [4] You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His _commandments_ and obey His _voice_; you shall 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 The prophets who have been before me and before you of old _prophesied_ against many countries and great kingdoms--of war and disaster and _pestilence_. [9] As for the prophet who _prophesies_ of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the Lord has truly sent."

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 And when they say to you, "Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter," should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? [20] To the law and to the _testimony_! If they do not speak _according_ to this word, it is _because_ there is no light in them.

12. True Prophets Place Emphasis on the Centrality of Jesus Christ.
1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the _spirits_, _whether_ they are of God; because many false _prophets_ have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, [3] and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the _Antichrist_, which you have heard was coming, and is now _already_ in the world.

13. In Vision, a True Prophet Does Not Breathe.
Daniel 10:17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no _strength_ _remains_ in me now, nor is any breath left in me."

14. The Fruits of True Prophet's Lives Reveal Their Divine Credentials.
Matthew 7:15-16 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. [16] You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from _thornbushes_ or figs from _thistles_?

15. Believe His Prophets and You Will Prosper.
2 Chronicles 20:20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the _Wilderness_ of Tekoa; and as they went out, _Jehoshaphat_ stood and said, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be _established_; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper."

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 members individually. [28] And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, _administrations_, _varieties_ of tongues.

17. A Prophet in the Last Days of Earth's History.
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the _commandments_ of God and have the _testimony_ of Jesus Christ.

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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