CONFIDENCE IN THE PROPHETIC GIFT Lesson 13 for March 28, 2009

THE APOSTLES DISAPPOINTMENT 1st step: They studied the Scriptures (“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39) 2nd step: They understood them defectively, partially or erroneusly (“we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israelwe were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.” Luke 24:21) 3rd step: Jesus helped them understand (“And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45) 4th step: They studied the Scriptures with that new understanding, from another perspective (Acts 1:13-20; 2:16-36)

THE MILLERITES DISAPPOINTMENT 1st step: William Miller studied the Scriptures and discovered the 2,300 years prophecy. 2nd step: He understood them defectively, partially or erroneusly (he thought the Sanctuary in Daniel 8:14 was the Earth) 3rd step: After the disappointment, God helped those who kept studying understand the truth about the Heavenly Sanctuary. 4th step: They studied the Scriptures with that new understanding, from another perspective and the prophetic gift.

After both disappointments, God sent a prophet─Jesus in the first case and Ellen White in the second─to bring new understanding. As they trusted the prophetic gift, they could better understand the truth.

THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETIC GIFT STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES “My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you… Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:1, 5)

THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETIC GIFT STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES “Search from the book of the Lord, and read.” (Isaiah 34:16)

THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETIC GIFT STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETIC GIFT “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it.” (Revelation 1:3) STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES

THE MESSAGE OF THE PROPHETIC GIFT “As the mine has rich veins of gold and silver hidden beneath the surface, so that all must dig who would discover its precious stores, so the Holy Scriptures have treasures of truth that are revealed only to the earnest, humble, prayerful seeker… The study of the Scriptures is the means divinely ordained to bring men into closer connection with their Creator and to give them a clearer knowledge of His will. It is the medium of communication between God and man.” (Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 69) STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES

THE MAIN MESSAGE JESUS All the prophets from Moses (Genesis) to John (Revelation) pointed their audience to Jesus. He would come to save His people from their sins and would come again to set them free from sin.

THE MAIN MESSAGE JESUS “look constantly to Jesus, the true and perfect Pattern, and seek to imitate His example, not in one or two points merely, but in all things. We shall then be prepared for any and every emergency.” Ellen G. White, That I may know Him, August 22

SUPPORTING THE PROPHETIC GIFT MIRACLES God has given miracles and signs to support the prophetic gift, although we shouldn’t base our trust only in them. We should believe in the prophetic gift only because it’s based on God’s Word.

RESPONDING TO THE PROPHETIC GIFT REJECTION “He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord, but they would not listen” (2 Chronicles 24:19)

RESPONDING TO THE PROPHETIC GIFT TRUST “And when Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and removed the abominable idols… he restored the altar of the Lord… Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who dwelt with them from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon… Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.” (2 Chronicles 15:8-13)

RESPONDING TO THE PROPHETIC GIFT “I know your danger. If you lose confidence in the testimonies you will drift away from Bible truth. I have been fearful that many would take a questioning, doubting position, and in my distress for your souls I would warn you. How many will heed the warning? As you now hold the testimonies, should one be given crossing your track, correcting your errors, would you feel at perfect liberty to accept or reject any part or the whole? That which you will be least inclined to receive is the very part most needed. God and Satan never work in copartnership. The testimonies either bear the signet of God or that of Satan. A good tree cannot bring forth corrupt fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. By their fruit ye shall know them. God has spoken. Who has trembled at His word?” Ellen G. White, Testimony Treasures, vol. 2, p. 25

Although we study the Bible, we may experience disappointments. God sends the prophetic gift in those moments to bring new light. He gives us evidence to trust the prophetic gift: The prophetic message moves us to studying the Bible. It points to Jesus. There are miracles that support that trust. If we don’t trust the prophetic gift and reject the prophet, we will miss the blessings he or she can bring.

Let’s ask God for understanding so we can understand and believe the truth He wants to give us throught the Bible and the prophetic gift.