Heavenly Visions 7

JOHN NORTON LOUGHBOROUGH

THE LORD INSTRUCTS HIS PEOPLE

AND when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa.8:19,20.

There is in the heart of all men a desire to receive instruction from the "unseen world." The language of the text just quoted implies this, and it also implies the Lord's willingness to impart information to those who seek him for light and divine guidance. The inquiry is, Why not seek him instead of going to sources from which no knowledge can be derived - sources to which the Lord has positively forbidden his people to go?

The Lord has his ways of imparting special instruction to those who seek him. He says, "For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man." Job.33:14-17.

Although the Lord has said, "The way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer.10:23), he has also said, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Prov.3:5,6. Again, "The Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever." 1Chron.28:9.

Not only was this true in the time which has been denominated the "prophetic age," but it is just as true in the "gospel age." Our Saviour in his promise of the "Comforter" made provision for divine guidance to those who should fully commit their way to him. He said: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26. "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come." John 16:13.

When, on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit was poured out, Peter said to the inquirers, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Acts 2:38,39. From this we see that as long as the Lord calls people to his service, so long it is the privilege of that people to receive his Spirit to guide them in ways of truth and righteousness. Sad it is that so many are content to go on in a formal service without entire consecration, and the reception and guidance of his Holy Spirit.

While every true believer is entitled to the guidance of that Spirit, all of its gifts may not be manifest in each individual.

The apostle said of their manifestation, "To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues; but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he [the Spirit] will." 1Cor.12:8-11.

In this same chapter, verse 28, we learn that God set these gifts "in the church." As they are the ways of the working of his Spirit, and that Spirit was to abide in the church "forever" (John 14:16), we might expect their manifestation according to the needs of the church when fully consecrated to the Lord.

When Paul wrote the Ephesian letter, he stated the work to be accomplished by such gifts: "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying [building up] of the body of Christ: till we all come in [into] the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Eph.4:11-13. There is surely a necessity for such work to be accomplished now for the Lord's people, and therefore a demand for the manifestation of such gifts.

The apostle said of the gift of prophecy, "For we know in part, and we prophecy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."   1 Cor.13:9,10. Thus there is shown a need of the manifestation of that gift until the perfect state shall come.

It may be said, "We have the whole Bible now, and do not need special manifestations to instruct us." The Jews could have said, in the days of the ancient prophets, We do not need your instructions. Have we not the law of God just as spoken by God himself, and we have statutes and judgments telling us just how to deal with one another, and instructions for the care of our health, and our bodies, and our homes, so what need have we of prophets?

In ancient times there were peculiar circumstances surrounding the people of God, and the instruction imparted through the prophets warned them of their danger, and of the liability of their being drawn away from God and his law by the forms of evil with which they were surrounded; and at the same time these prophets told them of the coming Messiah. They also testified of "the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."

Of the position of the gift of prophecy as manifest in this time, we read from the "Testimony" itself: "You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God's Word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies.

"The Lord designs to warn you, to reprove, to counsel, through the Testimonies given, and to impress your minds with the importance of the truth of his Word. The written Testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. . . .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 Testimonies are not to belittle the Word of God, but to exalt it, to attract minds to it, that the beautiful simplicity of truth may impress all. . . . If the people who now profess to be God's peculiar treasure would obey his requirements, as specified in his Word, special Testimonies would not be given to awaken them to their duty, and impress upon them their sinfulness and their fearful danger in neglecting to obey the Word of God." - "Testimony for the Church," No.33, pages 193-195.

When the Lord ascended up on high, he placed the gifts of his Spirit in the church. It was the departure of men from the simplicity of the gospel that put the gifts out of the church. The Lord placed those gifts in the church for its perfection. When he comes again, he is to present "to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Eph.5:27. The gifts of the Spirit, his appointed means for perfecting the church, will be manifest to prepare that people for presentation, in perfection, to himself.

It has been said, "It was needful to have the gifts in the early church to enable the true followers of Christ to stand amid the conflicting theories of scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees." It it was then needful among three or four discordant sects, what about such a time as the present, when scores of conflicting and discordant theories are extant, and when Satan himself has come down with great wrath "because he knoweth that he hath but a short time"? In this period when he is to work with "all power and signs and lying wonders" (2Thess.2:9), and men resist the truth "as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses," it is good to know that "their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their also was" (2Tim.3:8,9), by the Lord's greater working. He has said, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the lord shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion." Isa.59:19,20. RH May 19, 1903.

HOW THE LORD INSTRUCTS HIS PEOPLE

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

"GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Heb.1:1,2.

This scripture plainly states that the Lord had various ways of imparting instruction to his people. This is clearly seen in tracing Bible history from the beginning. In earliest time the Lord "spake" to man. He taught him with an audible voice, as is seen in the record concerning Adam. In Gen.1:28,29 we are told what the Lord said to Adam and Eve. In Gen.3:8,9, after they had partaken of the forbidden fruit, "they heard the voice of the Lord God. . . . And the Lord called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" In Gen.4:6-15 is found the account of the Lord talking with Cain, both before and after his killing his brother Abel. Then in the record of the flood, both before it came and after, we have the account of the Lord talking with Noah. Gen.6:13-22; 9:1,8,12,17. In later time, in the days of Moses, the Lord spoke to him "mouth to mouth." This is recorded as something different from the Lord's mode of communicating with his prophets at that time. Num.12:6-8.

The second special manner of the Lord's revelations to man was by the ministration of angels. These angels were not (as some claim) "the spirits of dead men," but a race of created beings of a higher order than men. By the mouth of David, the Lord said of man's creation, "Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels." Ps.8:5. Angels appeared unto Abraham, telling him that Isaac should be born, and also that Sodom should be destroyed. Gen.18:1-33. These angels also visited Lot in Sodom, to warn him of impending judgment, and to hasten him away from the danger. Gen.19:1. An angel appeared of Joshua, just before the overthrow of Jericho, as "Captain of the host of the Lord." Joshua 5:13-15. An angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, informing him that the Lord by him would deliver Israel from their oppressors. This angel gave him instruction in the preparation and execution of the Lord's plan for the defeat of that mighty host by the three hundred men with no visible weapons except lamps, pitchers, and trumpets. Judges 6:11-22. Again we read of an angel that appeared to Manoah and his wife, informing them that Samson should be born, and giving instruction as to how they should care for him. After receiving the instruction from the angel, as they were offering a kid with a meat offering as a burnt sacrifice to the Lord, "it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar." Judges 13:3-20.

Satan counterfeited the work of good angels by sending evil angels to communicate with men. They sought to hide their own identity, telling the people that these communications were from their dead friends who had become as gods. The Lord told the people plainly that this mode of communication was from an evil source, and he pronounced severe penalties against this consulting with familiar spirits. Deut.18:10-12.

As we came farther down in earth's history, we find instead of angels appearing visibly to men, that other methods were used. Of this we read in the words of Elihu, "God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction." Job.33:14-16. Those thus instructed the Lord called "prophets." He said of them, "If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream." Num.12:6. Still later, referring to this class, he said, "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets." Hosea 12:10.

When reading of prophets in Old Testament times, one is apt to think simply of the sixteen, from Isaiah to Malachi, whose writings are in that part of the Scriptures. There are many prophets referred to in the Bible besides these. There are more than one hundred and fifty mentioned in the Old Testament, besides the sixteen already referred to.

A seer and a prophet are the same. In Samuel's time it was said, "He that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer." 1 Sam.9:9. It may be of interest to note cases where these prophets are mentioned. When Obadiah met Elijah in the time that Jezebel was destroying the Lord's prophets, he told Elijah that he had hid one hundred of them by fifty in a cave, and "fed them with bread and water." 1Kings 18:13. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, was a prophet. Jude 14,15. The Lord appeared to Abraham in a vision, so that it can be said of him that he was both patriarch and prophet. Gen.15:1. Jacob had night visions, in which the Lord spoke to him. Gen.46:2. He prophesied of what should befall his posterity, and uttered that wonderful prediction of the scepter in the hands of Judah till Shiloh should come. Gen.49:2,10. Joseph in Egypt prophesied of the seven years of great plenty to be followed by the seven years of famine. Genesis, chapters 40,41. The Lord, when speaking to Moses of Aaron, said, "Thy brother shall be thy prophet." Ex.7:1.

Deborah was a prophetess. Judges 4:4. Samuel was a prophet as well as judge in Israel. 1 Sam. 3:20. "A man of God" (a prophet) came with a sad message to Eli, telling him of the fate of himself and his sons. 1 Sam. 2:27,36.

Saul met a "company of prophets." There must have been as many as four in the company, for four instruments are mentioned that they carried before them. As Saul met them, he prophesied. 1 Sam. 10:5,6. David was a prophet. Acts 2:30. There was a company of prophets, with "Samuel standing . . . over them," and when Saul's company whom he had sent to bring David, saw this company of prophets, the Spirit of God came upon them, and they prophesied. 1 Sam.19:20.

The prophet Gad gave instruction to David. 1Sam.22:5. Ahijah met Jeroboam and predicted the division of the kingdom. 1 Kings 11:29-30. A man of God came to Bethal and prophesied that Josiah should burn men's bones on the altar. 1Kings 13:1,2. Jehu prophesied against Baasha. 1 Kings 16:1-7. Then there are the cases of Elijah and Elisha, under whose ministrations so many wonderful things occurred. 1 Kings, chapters 17,18,19,etc. There was a prophet that notified Ahab of the deliverance Israel should have from the Syrians, and another came and told him that the Syrians would return again the next year. 1 Kings 20:13,22. Besides these, two other prophets are mentioned in the same chapter. Verses 28,37,41. Micaiah testified to the overthrow of Ahab, against the testimony of four hundred Baal prophets. 1 Kings 22:8-28. There were prophets at Bethel at the time of Elijah's translation. 2 Kings 2:3,5. In 2 Kings 9:4 there is mention of the young prophet that anointed Jehu as king over Israel. We read of a prophet that was sent to Manasseh. 2 Kings 21:10; 2 Chron.33:18. Huldah was a prophetess who dwelt in the college at Jerusalem, her husband being keeper of the wardrobe. 2 Kings 22:14. There were four sons of Asaph who prophesied. 1 Chron. 25:2. In the same chapter we have mention of six sons of Jeduthun, who were prophets, and of Heman, "the king's seer in the words of God." Verses 3, 5. "Shemaiah the prophet" is mentioned in 2 Chron. 12:15. And Iddo, who wrote of "the acts of Abijah," is mentioned in 2 Chron. 13:22. The testimony of Azariah the prophet which he gave to Asa the king, is found in 2 Chron.15:1-8. Mention is made of Jahaziel, who said to Jehoshaphat, "The battle is not yours, but God's." 2 Chron. 28:14-20. In the same chapter is recorded the words of the prophet Eliezer to Jehoshaphat, "Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works." Verse 37. A little further on in our reading is found the record of a prophet who came to Ahaziah, but his testimony was met with the words, "Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten?" 2 Chron. 25:16. Then there was the prophet Oded who reproved Ahaz the king for his "rage that reacheth up unto heaven." 2 Chron. 28:8-10.

Nathan the prophet, and Gad the king's seer are mentioned in 2 Chron.29:25. Jeduthun, "the king's seer," in company with others, directed the singing at the time of the great Passover held by king Josiah. 2Chron.35:15. Urijah prophesied against Jerusalem "according to all the words of Jeremiah." Jer.26:20. Azur the prophet it seems had a son who prophesied against Jeremiah's predictions. Jer.28:1-9.

With this array of prophets before our mind, we can say, indeed, The Lord "multiplied visions . . . by the ministry of the prophets." When the people followed in the way of the Lord, he was ever ready to instruct them. At such times it could indeed be said of them "For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?" Deut.4:7. When thus favored, Israel rejoiced: but when such instruction was withheld, they mourned and said, "We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long." Ps. 74:9. Again, "The land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence. . . Then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients." Eze.7:23-26. This prediction was 594 B.C. A few years later (588 B.C.) they mourned in captivity. "The law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord." Lam.2:9. RH June 23, 1903.

HOW THE LORD INSTRUCTS HIS PEOPLE

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

"GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Heb.1:1,2.

In a former article we called attention to three ways by which, in ancient time, the Lord communicated with his people. These were by audible voice, by visitation of angels, and by prophets. He said of the latter class, "If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream." Num.12:6.

The visions given to the prophets were of two kinds. One of these was called "open visions," when the prophet could be seen while in the vision, and the people have opportunity to know something of the power that accompanied the vision. The other class was called "night visions."

In the case of the child Samuel, reference is made to the "open visions," in these words: "The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision." 1 Sam.3:1. There were prophets at that time who received instructions from the Lord, but their visions were not, it appears, given to them openly, before the people. In the chapter previous to that in which we have the record of Samuel's vision, at the same date, - 1165 B.C., - there came "a man of God" - a prophet - unto Eli, and told him his wrongs, and predicted the fate of his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, that they should both die in one day, etc. 1Sam.2:27,30,34. In the same chapter where it is said, "There was no open vision," is found the record of the vision given to the child Samuel. It was not an "open vision;" not even Eli saw Samuel in the vision. The Lord taught Samuel the tidings he must bear to Eli. The record of the next morning reads, "And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision". 1Sam.3:15. Samuel at that time had a vision from God, although it was not an "open vision." It must, then, have been of the character designated in the Scriptures as "night visions."

In the book of the prophet Ezekiel is an account of one of his visions which could well be called "an open vision." We read. "And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord God fell there upon me. Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the color of amber. And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the Spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain." Eze.8:1-4. This vision he said was in the presence of the elders -" an open vision."

According to the record, one of Daniel's visions began openly, before his associates, who might have seen him in the vision had not they in their fright run away to hide themselves. Of this vision we read, "I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision." Dan.10:7,8. The men over whom Daniel was placed were Chaldeans - heathens - idol worshipers. They knew not the Spirit of God. And when in mighty power it fell upon Daniel, in their presence, it filled them with terror, and they ran to hide themselves from this power unknown to them.

There were many cases of "night visions" recorded in the Bible. When Jacob was journeying from Canaan to Egypt, "God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation." Gen.46:2,3.

When the wise men of Babylon were sentenced to death for failing to tell the king, Nebuchadnezzar, his wonderful dream which he had forgotten, it is written, "Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision." Dan.2:19. He recognized this as direct instruction from the Lord. And, as he came in with all confidence before the king, he uttered these words: "The secret which the king hath demanded can not the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king; but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. . . . . The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." Dan.2:27,28,45.

Daniel's wonderful dream of the four beasts, recorded in the seventh chapter of his prophecy, is another instance of "night visions." The record reads, "Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea," etc. Again we read, "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came in the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom. Dan.7:1,2,13,14.

An account is given in the New Testament of the call for Paul to visit Macedonia, in these words: "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us." The apostle seemed to have all confidence that this was a heaven-sent call; for Luke in recording it says. "And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them." Acts 16:9,10.

When Paul had come to Corinth, and was laboring at his trade of tent making for his support, and preaching every Sabbath to the people, the Jews raised a tumult against him, so that he was obliged to adjourn his meetings to the house of Justus, close by the synagogue. It looked to outward appearance as if his way was hedged up. "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not they peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city." Acts.18:9,10. The efforts of the Jews, shortly after, to defeat the work of Paul, and how they were defeated by the speech and course of Gallio, as recorded in the same chapter, is a confirmation of what was told Paul in that "night vision."

Then, again, there is the account of that memorable night in Jerusalem, when the apostle was confined in the castle, and more than forty of the Jews had banded themselves together "under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul."   "The Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." Acts.23:11,12.

Shortly after this, at Caesarea, Paul was brought before Festus. There he appealed unto Caesar. This was no hasty move on the part of Paul, - not a move simply by which he thought to secure some personal favor; but rather the accomplishment of the instruction he had received concerning his preaching the gospel at Rome. He well knew that in order to have his case brought before Caesar, he must personally go to Rome. When there, he would improve the opportunities that might open up to fulfill the commission to preach the gospel in Rome.

When on his way to Rome, and when the ship was in the midst of that awful tempest, "and when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and . . . all hope that we should be saved was then taken away . . . Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." Acts.27:20-25.

Paul had "abundance of the revelations" from God. He had the prophetic gift. The Lord had said, "If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision and will speak unto him in a dream." Num.12:6. Such dreams and night visions are of a different character from those of which Solomon spoke when he said, "A dream cometh through the multitude of business" (Eccl.5:3); these are from as higher source; they are of a character entitling them to the highest credit as coming from God. From the instances cited, one is led to conclude that "night visions" should be regarded as having the same force and origin as the "open visions." RH June 30, 1903.

ACCEPTING AND REJECTING GOD'S PROPHETS

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

"THE wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?" Jer.8:9.

The Scriptures contain a record of those "aforetime" who accepted, and those who rejected, the instruction which the Lord sent by his prophets. This, with the account of his dealing with them, is written for "our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."

One general statement of this fact is found in these words: "They served idols, whereof the Lord had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing, yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God. . .

"They left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. . . . They feared the Lord, and served their own gods. . . . These nations feared the Lord, and served their graven images." 2 Kings 17:12-41.

Another record of their course, which was made after their being carried into captivity under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, is found in 2 Chron. 36:14-20: "Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes ["continually," margin], and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy. Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword.. . . And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon."

After the people were scattered from Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah spoke of them on this wise: "They went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers. Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods. Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day." Jer.44:3-6.

The Israelites had become so blinded by the fascination of this idol worship that they were not prepared to acknowledge at once that their captivity was in consequence of their transgressions. Of this the Lord spoke by Jeremiah, as follows: "What thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee? Thy prophets [false prophets] have seen vain and foolish things for thee; and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment." Lam.2:13,14.

The manner in which the people received the instruction sent through Jeremiah is shown in these words: "As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine." Jer.44:16-18. Thus we see they had exactly reversed the matter in their explanation of the cause of their difficulty, claiming that it was because they had ceased to make offerings to the heavenly bodies that they lacked food, and were in bondage. The message sent to them from the Lord was, "Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the Lord, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day." Verse 23.

A few instances are recorded in which the reproofs sent by the Lord were accepted, and favorable results followed. The case of King Uzziah is one of that character: "Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. . .And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in the Gur-baal, and the Mehunims. And the Amonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly. . . . And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong."

In this instance is a striking illustration of self-confidence, which always draws one away from the Lord and his leadings. We read still further: "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense. And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honor from the Lord God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar. . . . And they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him. And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord; and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land." 2Chron.26:3-21.

Another striking instance of success attending the heeding of the Lord's counsel by his prophets is found in the days of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah. The Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir, "a great multitude," came against the king. In the straitened circumstances in which he and the people found themselves, the king sought the Lord, and pleaded thus with him: "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon thee. . . . Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah. . . . came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; and he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. . . . Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you."

As they rose in the morning, and went forth, "Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

As the Lord's people anciently regarded or disregarded prophetic instruction sent them by the Lord, and witnessed the result of obedience or disobedience, they could say with Solomon, "Where there is no vision, the people perish ["cast off restraint," R. V.]: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Prov.29:18. RH July 14, 1903.

MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

"THE manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he [the Spirit] will." 1Cor.12:7-11.

The "manifestations" above mentioned include what is called the "gifts of the Spirit." There is, however, a distinction to be observed between receiving the Spirit and receiving the "gifts of the Spirit." The scripture just quoted indicates that each individual receiving the Spirit does not have all these manifestations; but that the Spirit bestows them as he will. It is the good pleasure of the Lord to grant his Spirit to all who seek it. It is written, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Luke 11:13.

The Spirit comes to the sinner in his sins as a reprover; but after he yields to the Lord, and it leads his mind to the blessed assurance of God's promises, it is then to this believing penitent an approver. "In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Eph.1:13. Then it is, indeed, that "the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities." Rom.8:26.

Man, in his fallen state, is infirm, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in him, because of the blindness of his heart. Eph.4:18. "Alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works." Col.1:21. "Through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. . . .are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2Peter 1:3,4. After yielding to God and becoming partakers of the divine nature, we are recognized as "the sons of God," being "led by the Spirit of God." Rom.8:14. That Spirit dwelling in us shall also quicken (give life - even the life of God - to) our mortal bodies. Rom.8:11. It then "beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God," and seals us as his. Rom.8:16; 2Cor.1:22. When thus yielded to the life of God, we are strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith. Eph.3:16,17. It is then that we may say, in the language of the prophet Micah, "Truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord." Micah 3:8.

In "these last days" the Lord speaks by his Son through the Comforter - the Holy Spirit. He has founded his church as a place for the indwelling of the Spirit. The apostle says, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" 1Cor.3:16. To the individual members of the church he says, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" 1Cor.6:19. Again, "Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them." 2Cor.6:16. And once more, "In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Eph.2:21,22. Standing thus, we are "strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man." Eph.3:16. "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." Col.1:11. Thus we may labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in us mightily. Col.1:29.

Paul compares the church of Christ with a human body, representing the gifts of the Spirit, as members of the body, - the eyes, the ears, hands, etc., - saying: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body: is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye can not say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. . . Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." 1Cor.12:13-21,27.

After making this illustration the apostle proceeds to the application, in these words: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts ["ye earnestly desire the best gifts" - Boothroyd]: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way." 1 Cor.12:28-31. The Revised Version reads, "Desire earnestly the greater gifts. And a still more excellent way show I unto you."

The more excellent way is not to have a church without these gifts of the Spirit; it is a more excellent way than simply to "covet" the gifts. That "more excellent way" is fully set forth in 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, in the apostle's discourse on charity - fervent love of God and our fellow men. Instead of simply coveting some particular gift for ourselves, it is better to seek entire consecration to the Lord, - to have his love in our hearts, to "follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." 1Cor.14:1. The Lord set these gifts in the church. We have no record that he ever set them out. What is said in the discourse on charity does not dispense with the gifts of the Spirit. We read: "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." 1Cor.13:8-10. By this it is understood that the gift of prophesy may be manifest, as it pleases the Lord, until the perfect state shall come. In that state, when the Lord is seen face to face, prophecy will no more be needed. "Now we see through a glass, darkly [like looking at the sun through a smoked glass; we see the outlines, but the glory of the scene is veiled]; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1Cor.13:12.

After dwelling upon the superior excellence of charity, the apostle says, "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." Again, "Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church." And, "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order." 1Cor.14:1,12,39,40. Hence we see our anxiety should be for the upbuilding of the church through the manifestation of the gifts. Especially does he show that it is desirable that the gift of Prophecy shall be manifest.

In meditating upon the comparison which the apostle makes of the gifts in the church to the members of the body, it would appear that the gift of prophecy might well be denominated "the eyes of the church." Its position is of counsel and advice for the upbuilding of the church, and as a counselor against the wiles and snares of the enemy. As the eyes are important in the real body to discern the dangers, and to reveal the right way, so the gift of prophecy in its counsels and cautions is eyes to the church of God. RH July 28,1903.

GIFTS IN THE EARLY CHURCH

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

"WHEREFORE he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. . . . And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in ["into," margin] the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Eph.4:8-16.

This scripture designates the gifts the Lord placed in his church, and in the Acts of the Apostles is a record of the manifestation of those gifts. There were in that time many sons and daughters who were favored with divine revelations. In chapter eleven is an account of Agabus, who predicted the great dearth that would come upon the land of Judea, which prediction moved the Lord's people to provide relief for the poor saints at Jerusalem. Verses 27-30. The exact fulfillment of this prophecy seems to have established faith in Agabus as a true prophet among them. When at Caesarea, nineteen years after, he told them what would be done to Paul in Jerusalem, there appears to have been no question as to the certainty of the fulfillment of his prediction; for at once they besought Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Acts 21:10,11. In the church at Antioch, four prophets are mentioned; namely, Barnabas, Simeon (Niger), Lucius, and Manaen. Acts 13:1. It appears also that Philip, the evangelist, who resided at Caesarea, "had four daughters, virgins," that were prophets. Acts 21:8,9.

The Lord placed these gifts in the church for the accomplishment of a certain purpose, - perfecting the saints, and edifying the body of Christ - the church. When there exists a necessity for such work to be accomplished, why should not the Lord's means for accomplishing it appear? His church is still in a world of imperfections, and is itself composed of stones quarried from the world, needing to be polished until they become "lively stones" in the Master's temple. The Lord set the gifts in his church. In no place in the Scriptures do we read that he set them out of his church, or that they would cease to be manifest, as occasion might require, until "that which is perfect is come." It must, then, be the course of his people, and their lack of consecration and faith, that would make the absence of the gifts conspicuous.

The manifestation of the gift of prophecy is closely allied with obedience to the law of God. When the people faithfully followed the Lord, he favored them with instruction through his prophets. As they fell into sin, and departed from his law, they had no visions from God, as stated in Eze.7:26. It was emphatically true, and is still, as expressed by Solomon, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Prov.29:18. Those who keep the law are happy; for as they fully obey the Lord's law, he is pleased to favor them with special instruction through his prophets.

The early church began its work with a manifestation of all the gifts of the Spirit, and with many prophets among them; but the apostle Paul predicted that there would come an apostasy. He said to the elders of the Ephesian church: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them", Acts 20:29,30. Also to the church in Thessalonica, he said that there should "come a falling away," and "that man of sin be revealed." And of him the apostle said that he should sit "in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 2 Thess.2:3,4.

It is a fact that, while the early church maintained their purity, the Lord manifested among them the gifts of his Spirit; but as the apostasy developed, their condition became more and more like that of ancient Israel, of whom he said: "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." Isa.59:2.

History shows that the gifts were manifest more or less in the church, even down into the second century, and that they ceased only as the church fell away from her primeval consecration and steadfastness. Neander, in his "Church History," thus speaks of the Montanists of the second century: "The Montanists looked upon it expressly as something characteristic of the development of the kingdom of God that, according to the prophecies of Joel then in course of fulfillment, the gifts of the Spirit should indifferently be shed abroad over all classes of Christians of both sexes." "It appears also to have been the doctrine of the Montanists that the season of the last and richest outpouring of the Holy Spirit would form the last age of the church, and precede the second coming of Christ, and be the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel." - Rose's Neander, pages 330,332.

John Wesley, in speaking of the Montanists, says: "By reflecting on an odd book which I read in this journey (`The General Delusion of Christians with Regard to Prophecy'), I was fully convinced of what I had long suspected; (1) That the Montanists, in the second and third centuries, were real, Scriptural Christians; and (2) that the grand reason why the miraculous gifts were so soon withdrawn, was not only that faith and holiness were well-nigh lost, but that dry, formal, orthodox men began even then to ridicule whatever gifts they had not themselves, and to decry them all as either madness or imposture." - "Wesley's Journal," Vol.III, page 496.

To the question, "If you allow miracles before the empire became Christian, why not afterward too?" Mr. Wesley answers: "Because after the empire became Christian, a general corruption both of faith and morals infested the Christian church, which, by that revolution, as St. Jerome says, `lost as much of her virtue as it had gained of wealth and power.'" - "Wesley's Works," page 706.

The New Testament instruction continues on the supposition that the gifts were still to continue. It contained cautions against false prophets, and rules by which we may discern the true from the false. Our Saviour said: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits." Matt.7:15,16. If there were to be no true prophets through the gospel age, it would have been a much shorter way to dispose of the subject to say, Beware of prophets. Instead, there is set before us the characteristics of true and of false prophets, the kind of fruit borne being the strongest proof of the character of the prophet.

Our Saviour taught that, as we near the end, false prophets would "show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert: go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt.24:24-27. This working of false prophets is to be manifest especially near the time of Christ's second coming. In that same time Satan is to work with "all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thess.2:9,10. But the Lord has said, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord." Isa.59:19,20.

As to how the Lord will raise up a standard against the enemy in the "perilous times" of the "last days," the apostle says, "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses [with counterfeit miracles], so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was." 2 Tim.3:8,9. Jannes and Jambres were among the chief magicians of Pharaoh. They sought to resist Moses and Aaron's work by counterfeit miracles. Their folly was checked by the Lord's miraculous working, of which they were compelled to say, "This is the finger of God." Ex. 8:17-19. Surely this indicates the mighty working of the Lord's power through the gifts in the closing work in this world's history. RH August 4, 1903.

THE PROMISED REFRESHING

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

"REPENT ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:19-21.

Here is brought to view a time of refreshing. This is spoken of in close connection with Christ's second coming. This undoubtedly refers to the same time as that mentioned by the apostle James: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5:7,8.

The early and latter rain is also mentioned by the prophet Joel in connection with the description of the last days. The coming of the "former rain moderately" is called in the margin of the text, "A teacher of righteousness, according to righteousness." Joel 2:23. The outpouring of the Spirit of God on the day of Pentecost - the coming of the Comforter as a teacher - was comparable to the "former rain," which caused the newly sown seed of the husbandman to take root and grow. So in the ripening of the harvest of the earth, just before the end, the husbandman - our Heavenly father (John 15:1) - is waiting for the "latter rain," the "refreshing," to aid in ripening the harvest of the earth. The Lord says by his prophet, "Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field." Zech.10:1. And thus will be fulfilled his promise: "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord; his going forth is prepared as the morning, and he shall come unto us as the rain, and the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6:3.

In the prophecy of Ezekiel is given a description of the preparation for, and the final deliverance of, God's people: "I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant." Eze.20:35-37. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and their entrance into Canaan, is typical of the final deliverance of God's people into the heavenly Canaan. Israel passed through a literal wilderness, but these through "the wilderness of the people." So we find, in the Revelation, an account of the people of God going into the wilderness for twelve hundred and sixty years of the Dark Ages. Rev.12:6,14. In the Song of Solomon we have a reference to the church coming out of the wilderness. He says, "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved?" Song of Solomon 8:5. Again he speaks of her as "she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." Song of Solomon 6:10.

The Lord says that he will plead as he pleaded when he brought his people out of Egypt. He pleaded with them respecting his law and his Sabbath, saying, "How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath." Ex.16:28,20. In this latter pleading the Lord says he will bring his people "into the bond of the covenant." The bond of the covenant must be its confirmatory seal, or sign of its authority. The sign of God's covenant (this covenant commanded, he declares, is the ten commandments, Deut.4:13) is the seventh-day Sabbath. That Sabbath, four times in the Scriptures, is said to be his sign. Ex.31:13, 16, 17; Eze.20:12,20. We see, therefore, that in the preparation for the final deliverance there is to be an agitation of the law of God, and a restoration of the seal to that law, and that seal is the Sabbath of the Lord.

There is still another feature that was connected with the deliverance of Israel, which is mentioned by the prophet Hosea when he says, "By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved." Hosea 12:13. As there is a similarity in the last deliverance to that from Egypt, we may look for the gift of prophecy to be connected with the preparation for the deliverance.

The prophet Isaiah refers to the last days in these words: "Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come forever and ever ["Heb. the latter day," margin]: that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophecy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophecy deceits: get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us." Isa.30:8-11. By reference to Sam.9:9, we learn that a seer and a prophet mean one and the same; for there we read that "he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer" - one who had visions from God and prophesied. The force, then, of the scripture is that the gift of prophecy will be connected with the proclamation of God's law in the last days. This the masses will reject because they do not like reproof, preferring a smooth path.

The apostle Paul, when speaking of the people who would be waiting for Christ's second coming, says: "The testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Cor.1:6-8.

From this we see that all the gifts are to be manifest among the people who shall meet Christ in peace at his coming. One gift is especially singled out, the confirmation of which prepares the way for all the gifts to be developed in the church. That one gift he calls the testimony of Jesus. What is the testimony of Jesus? In Revelation 12, after the persecution of the Dark Ages, we find the apostle speaking thus of the last of the church in her probationary state: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman [a symbol of the church], and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Verse 17. By a remnant we understand the last of that of which we speak. The remnant of cloth is the last of the bolt. So the remnant of the church is the last of the church in its probation here. In Joel's prophecy, just before the great and terrible day of the Lord, he says, Salvation shall be "in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." Joel 2:32. This remnant will have war made on them for keeping all of God's commandments, and for having manifested among them the testimony of Jesus. The testimony of those who were taught in vision by the Spirit of God is called the Testimony of Jesus. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2Peter 1:21. When speaking of those ancient prophets, Peter said, "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." 1Peter 1:11. The instruction of those prophets in holy vision was the "testimony of Jesus."

In Revelation, chapter 19, is a scripture definition of the "testimony of Jesus." When John was about to worship the angel, he said to him, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev.19:10.

When we have a scriptural definition of a word or phrase, it is proper to substitute the definition in the text. In doing this, 1Cor.1:6,7, would read, "The spirit of prophecy was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." And in Rev.12:17 it would read that the dragon went to make war with the remnant who "keep the commandments of God, and have the spirit of prophecy." We see, then, that the remnant church, the members of which will be keeping all of God's commandments, are to have the gift of prophecy among them, and that that gift is to lead out in preparing the way so that all the gifts will at last be manifested among the people who are waiting for Christ's coming.

So, then, as the Lord's people return to the keeping of all his commandments, the gift of prophecy is restored to them.

In Paul's letter to the Thessalonians he speaks of Christ's second coming, and of a people prepared to meet him, in these words: "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." He exhorts as follows: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1Thess.5:4, 16-21. From this we learn that the gift of prophecy will be among the people waiting for Christ's second coming.

What could be more consistent than to expect the Lord directly to teach his people who are to pass through the perils of the last days, and be prepared to meet the Saviour in peace at his coming? It is that point of time to which the patriarchs, and the true prophets of all past time, have looked with intense interest, when the conflict of ages - the controversy between sin and righteousness - is to close, - the time when the age for which all other ages were made is to be brought in. It can not be that God, who is abundant in mercy, will refrain from specially instructing his people. Thanks be to God, he has not left this as a matter of mere supposition; for he will guide his people by the spirit of prophecy, as the Scriptures clearly teach. Such a manifestation of all the gifts in the church will be indeed a "time of refreshing" as is meet to herald the coming of the Master. RH September 10, 1903.

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Heavenly Visions 7

JOHN NORTON LOUGHBOROUGH

THE LORD INSTRUCTS HIS PEOPLE

HOW THE LORD INSTRUCTS HIS PEOPLE

ACCEPTING AND REJECTING GOD'S PROPHETS

MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT

GIFTS IN THE EARLY CHURCH

THE PROMISED REFRESHING

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ALTAMONT, TN 37301 USA