35-The Gift of Prophecy - RSV

1. God Reveals Himself Through His Prophets.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, without _revealing_ his secret to his servants the _prophets_.

2. Visions and Dreams Are One of the Ways God Communicates His Will.
Numbers 12:6 And he said, "Hear my words: If there is a _prophet_ among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a _vision_, I speak with 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 Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the _commandments_ of God and bear _testimony_ to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

4. The Testimony of Jesus Is the Gift of Prophecy.
Revelation 19:10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow _servant_ with you and your brethren who hold 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 And he said to me, "These words are _trustworthy_ and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his _servants_ what must soon take place.

Revelation 22:9 But he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your _brethren_ the _prophets_, and with 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_ it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of _captives_, and he gave gifts to men."

Ephesians 4:11-15 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some _evangelists_, some pastors and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the _knowledge_ of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; [14] so that we may no longer be _children_, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of _doctrine_, by the cunning of men, by their _craftiness_ in _deceitful_ wiles. [15] Rather, _speaking_ the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

7. The Church Waiting for Jesus' Coming Will Have All of the Gifts.
1 Corinthians 1:4-7 I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, [5] that in every way you were enriched in him with all speech and all knowledge-- [6] even as the _testimony_ to Christ was _confirmed_ among you-- [7] so that you are not lacking in any _spiritual_ gift, as you wait for the _revealing_ 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 to see _whether_ they are of God; for 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 they will lead many _astray_.

Matthew 24:11 And many false _prophets_ will arise and lead many _astray_.

Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false _prophets_ will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, 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 a prophet _arises_ among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, [2] and the sign or wonder which he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, '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 to 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_, and you shall serve him and _cleave_ 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 preceded you and me from ancient times _prophesied_ war, famine, and _pestilence_ against many countries and great kingdoms. [9] As for the prophet who _prophesies_ peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the LORD has truly sent the prophet."

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, "Consult the mediums and the _wizards_ who chirp and mutter," should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? [20] To the _teaching_ and to the _testimony_! Surely for this word which they speak there is no dawn.

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_ to see _whether_ they are of God; for many false _prophets_ have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, [3] and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of _antichrist_, of which you heard that it was coming, and now it is in the world _already_.

13. In Vision, a True Prophet Does Not Breathe.
Daniel 10:17 How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no _strength_ _remains_ in me, and no breath is 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 are ravenous wolves. [16] You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes _gathered_ from thorns, or figs from _thistles_?

15. Believe His Prophets and You Will Prosper.
2 Chronicles 20:20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the _wilderness_ of Teko'a; and as they went out, Jehosh'aphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be _established_; believe his prophets, and you will succeed."

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 individually members of it. [28] And God has _appointed_ in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, _administrators_, speakers in various kinds of tongues.

17. A Prophet in the Last Days of Earth's History.
Revelation 12:17 Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the _commandments_ of God and bear _testimony_ to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

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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