Lesson 6 for the 7 th of February, 2009

God is revealed to prophets by dreams, visions and angels. But the enemy can also use those means to send messages.

His messages must be in accordance with everything God has already revealed.

“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn”.

Isaiah, 8: 20

Biblical prophets pass this test without problems.

Therefore, despite all their messages where received with centuries of delay between them, there is unanimity in the message.

Ellen G. White passes this test, too: Her writings are based on the Scriptures and don't contradict them.

“The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. Man's duty to God and to his fellow man has been distinctly specified in God's Word; yet but few of you are obedient to the light given. Additional truth is not brought out; but God has through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given and in His own chosen way brought them before the people to awaken and impress the mind with them, that all may be left without excuse ”

The faith I live by, October 16

When a prophet predicts something, it has to become true.

“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”.

Jeremiah, 28: 9

“And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word”.

1 Kings, 17: 1

"While at Loma Linda, Cal., April 16, 1906, there passed before me a most wonderful representation. During a vision of the night, I stood on an eminence, from which I could see houses shaken like a reed in the wind. Buildings, great and small, were falling to the ground. Pleasure resorts, theaters, hotels, and the homes of the wealthy were shaken and shattered. Many lives were blotted out of existence, and the air was filled with the shrieks of the injured and the terrified. The destroying angels of God were at work. One touch, and buildings so thoroughly constructed that men regarded them as secure against every danger, quickly became heaps of rubbish …

… On April 18, two days after the scene of falling buildings had passed before me, I went to fill an appointment in the Carr Street church, Los Angeles. As we neared the church, we heard the newsboys crying, 'San Francisco destroyed by an earthquake!' With a heavy heart I read the first hastily printed news of the terrible disaster".

(Life sketches of Ellen G. White, chapter 55, pg. 407, 409)

There can be a conditional element in some prophecies.

In these cases, the prophecy will or won’t come true depending on the answer of those who receive the message.

Its main subject, like in the entire Bible, has to be Jesus.

“By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God ”

1 John, 4: 2

“Then He said to them, «These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me»”.

Luke, 24: 44

Ellen G. White recognized Jesus as the only Saviour and invited others constantly to exalt Him: “If Jesus were made the sum and substance of every discourse, sinners would be convicted. By the message borne they would know what they must do to be saved. Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary, higher and still higher. Who can declare the glory of the incarnate God? What language can describe it? It is not the men learned in this world's wisdom who have true eloquence” (The voice in speech and song, chapter 54, pg. 311) .

A true prophet must live according to the life he preaches.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?”

Matthew, 7: 15-16

We find a clear example of a consistent life in Moses, who “was faithful as a servant in all God's house ”

(Hebrews, 3: 5)

About Ellen G. White, we know that her whole life was an example of dedication to God and to the work in His Church.

After her death, the “Star” newspaper in Saint Ellen, California, wrote this report about her life: “The life of Mrs. White is an example worthy of emulation by all [...]She was a humble, devout disciple of Christ and ever went about doing good. [...]Her death marks the calling of another noted leader of religious thought and one whose almost ninety years were full to overflowing with good deeds, kind words and earnest prayers for all mankind”.

As we can see, Ellen G. White passes the four trials of a true prophet: 1. Her writings are in accordance with the biblical truth.

2. Her predictions have become true, except those which where conditional.

3. She exalted Jesus always.

4. She lived according to her message.