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Commentary on "The Integrity of the Prophetic Gift"
Day 5: Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Today’s study is titled “Growth and Understanding,” continuing the idea that “prophets did not receive all of God’s light at one time.” Over time, their walk with the Lord in faith allows more light to be given to them. The texts referenced give an illustration of how God revealed more and more information to the prophets over time. The main way this spiritual growth occurred, according to the chosen texts in the study, is through the diligent study of the scriptures. (Daniel 8:27, 9:2, Galatians 2:11-16, 1 Peter 1:10)
The study then presents a picture of true progressive revelation, or the unfolding of God’s prophetic message over time. “The possession of the prophetic gift in biblical times did not imply immediate, full, and complete knowledge of spiritual and other matters.” As the study of Daniel 8 and 9 shows, Daniel did not understand the vision given to him by God, but later in his life it was explained to him. This is a correct view of progressive revelation.
The study writer then quotes Ellen White, “For sixty years I have been in communication with heavenly messengers, and I have been constantly learning in reference to divine things, and in reference to the way in which God is constantly working to bring souls from the error of their ways to the light in God’s light.” This quote is used to explain why her later works sometimes modified her earlier works (which is not progressive revelation).
In the teacher’s comments section, the reader is asked to consider what happens when our own plans and dreams run counter to the Lord’s will? Further down the page the writer also asks about where our standards come from; either from the world or from the Bible.
Problems
In the Bible the message does not change. The entire OT is a shadow of the future, fully revealed in Christ Jesus. Everything that is said or done points to the cross. This message is never changed or altered as new insight is given to the prophets. In other words, the new message given NEVER contradicts the old message given.
The attacks on Ellen White’s prophetic status that focus on her personality, her character, her use of literature, or her lack of immediate and complete understanding are foolish. Any accurate view of the Bible would show that prophets are human, are sinners, are flawed, are not perfect, and do not know everything all at once. God on the other hand does know everything and is perfect, and so is His word. This includes the messages He gave to prophets.
Ellen White and the SDA church try and bring the Bible down to the level of flawed humans giving a flawed message that changes over time. With time and study new light is revealed, bringing new truth, almost totally removing God and His sovereignty from the equation completely. This provides the Adventist church a method of explanation for the modifications (contradictions) in her writings. The SDA church claims the Bible to be the truth and the ultimate authority, but actions speak louder than words. The church’s actions of looking to Ellen for new and contradictory prophecy speak volumes about who they see as the greater light.
Summary
- New prophecy NEVER contradicts previously given prophecy.
- True prophetic messages are given by God and the explanation of them is also given by God.
- The Bible is our ultimate authority as Christ followers.
Copyright 2009 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised February 24, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.
Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 9
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 9