The prophet
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29).
The secret things are revealed only to those with an eye single to the obedience and glory of God. Only those who have an ear to hear and eyes to see, who have not become trapped in the lure of idolatry and other gods. If we truly have laid everything on the altar to Jehovah, including our own body and mind and heart, then the Lord will make Himself known to us.
“Whereby 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.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Pet. 1:4-8).
The greatest blessing that man can know is the restoration of Eden in the soul—that character of Adam reclaimed for us by Christ, His life and death and His gift of the Holy Spirit. Only thus do we receive the knowledge of God.
“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that He may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1Cor. 2:6-16).
Yet, there are deeper mysteries than can be comprehended by the church of Christ, though it be filled with all the fullness of the Spirit. Those mysteries of God’s plans and of His Godhead can only be revealed and communicated by a prophet of God’s choosing, because if we try to delve into those mysteries we run into speculation which is an often used trap of Satan’s.
But when God lays His gift of prophecy on a man or woman, the effect cannot be mistaken. They accept the gift because they have come to love and trust God, and to know His mercy and righteousness. They lose control of themselves as they are caught up in vision. Power far beyond what man can ever produce fills them and drives them to speak of the pure righteousness they have seen in the Bible and longed to have in their nature.
The Holy Ghost—“the power of the Highest” moves them as it did Jesus. (Lk. 1:35). “Immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness.” (Mk. 1:12). Ezekiel’s experience was similar. “And He said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with My words unto them.…
Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.
As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, all My words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.
And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
Then the Spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place.
I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.
So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.
Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.” (Ez. 3:4,8-15).
Likewise, was Jeremiah’s commission. “Then the Lord put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put My words in thy mouth.
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” (Jer. 1:9,10).
The Spirit of God enlightens the mind and empowers the will. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” (1Cor. 9:16,17). The prophets know the same experience that each Christian has, only multiplied many times over.
When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. Desire of Ages. p. 324.
But what makes the difference between the false prophet and the true? If fulfilled prophecy is a test of the true prophet, even a true prophet can foretell an event in the distant future, in which case many ages pass before the church can call that prophet legitimate. The 1,260 day prophecy didn’t prove true for 2,400 years later; therefore, technically Daniel and John were false prophets for many hundred years.
So what makes the difference between the false and the true prophet? “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matt. 7:16). EllenWhite had a dream—Christ in the Holy Place surrounded by worshippers, most of whom were careless in their service to Him. Jesus moved into the Most Holy Place and the sincere worshippers followed Him in.
Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, “My Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace….Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Early Writings, p. 55.
The sweetness of Christ’s character perfumes those of His servants. Jeremiah wept bitterly over the demise of Israel. Samuel trembled to give the Lord’s message to Eli. God chooses His servants who sorrow to give the straight testimony for God. He can’t use anyone who loves to rebuke. They would “steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (Jn. 10:10). They would work to “destroy men's lives” not “save them.” (Lk. 9:56). “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (Jas. 2:13). He can use only those who feel it painful to rebuke, but obey the Lord because they must obey and trust His judgment.
So the prophet is filled with the Spirit like the house at Pentecost was filled with the mighty rushing wind. Ezekiel felt that very infilling. “Then the Spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place.
I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.” (Ez. 3:12,13). Jesus had this fullness of the Spirit every day. It was this “Spirit [not] by measure” that propelled Christ to walk a hundred miles in a day and never tire. (Jn. 3:34). It was His Father’s presence that had caused the priests and leaders to daily fear in His presence. And it was the loss of His Father’s Spirit that caused His great weakness in Gethsemane. He was as weak as Samson with his hair cut off.
“And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me.
And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” (Matt. 26:37-39).
Only the Spirit of God has the power of God—a power that drives us beyond our natural abilities—physically, mentally, and spiritually; swept up and moved with force in the body, soul, and spirit unknown in this mortal life.
The secret things are revealed only to those with an eye single to the obedience and glory of God. Only those who have an ear to hear and eyes to see, who have not become trapped in the lure of idolatry and other gods. If we truly have laid everything on the altar to Jehovah, including our own body and mind and heart, then the Lord will make Himself known to us.
“Whereby 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.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Pet. 1:4-8).
The greatest blessing that man can know is the restoration of Eden in the soul—that character of Adam reclaimed for us by Christ, His life and death and His gift of the Holy Spirit. Only thus do we receive the knowledge of God.
“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that He may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1Cor. 2:6-16).
Yet, there are deeper mysteries than can be comprehended by the church of Christ, though it be filled with all the fullness of the Spirit. Those mysteries of God’s plans and of His Godhead can only be revealed and communicated by a prophet of God’s choosing, because if we try to delve into those mysteries we run into speculation which is an often used trap of Satan’s.
But when God lays His gift of prophecy on a man or woman, the effect cannot be mistaken. They accept the gift because they have come to love and trust God, and to know His mercy and righteousness. They lose control of themselves as they are caught up in vision. Power far beyond what man can ever produce fills them and drives them to speak of the pure righteousness they have seen in the Bible and longed to have in their nature.
The Holy Ghost—“the power of the Highest” moves them as it did Jesus. (Lk. 1:35). “Immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness.” (Mk. 1:12). Ezekiel’s experience was similar. “And He said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with My words unto them.…
Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.
As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, all My words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.
And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
Then the Spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place.
I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.
So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.
Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.” (Ez. 3:4,8-15).
Likewise, was Jeremiah’s commission. “Then the Lord put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put My words in thy mouth.
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” (Jer. 1:9,10).
The Spirit of God enlightens the mind and empowers the will. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” (1Cor. 9:16,17). The prophets know the same experience that each Christian has, only multiplied many times over.
When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. Desire of Ages. p. 324.
But what makes the difference between the false prophet and the true? If fulfilled prophecy is a test of the true prophet, even a true prophet can foretell an event in the distant future, in which case many ages pass before the church can call that prophet legitimate. The 1,260 day prophecy didn’t prove true for 2,400 years later; therefore, technically Daniel and John were false prophets for many hundred years.
So what makes the difference between the false and the true prophet? “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matt. 7:16). EllenWhite had a dream—Christ in the Holy Place surrounded by worshippers, most of whom were careless in their service to Him. Jesus moved into the Most Holy Place and the sincere worshippers followed Him in.
Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, “My Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace….Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Early Writings, p. 55.
The sweetness of Christ’s character perfumes those of His servants. Jeremiah wept bitterly over the demise of Israel. Samuel trembled to give the Lord’s message to Eli. God chooses His servants who sorrow to give the straight testimony for God. He can’t use anyone who loves to rebuke. They would “steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (Jn. 10:10). They would work to “destroy men's lives” not “save them.” (Lk. 9:56). “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (Jas. 2:13). He can use only those who feel it painful to rebuke, but obey the Lord because they must obey and trust His judgment.
So the prophet is filled with the Spirit like the house at Pentecost was filled with the mighty rushing wind. Ezekiel felt that very infilling. “Then the Spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place.
I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.” (Ez. 3:12,13). Jesus had this fullness of the Spirit every day. It was this “Spirit [not] by measure” that propelled Christ to walk a hundred miles in a day and never tire. (Jn. 3:34). It was His Father’s presence that had caused the priests and leaders to daily fear in His presence. And it was the loss of His Father’s Spirit that caused His great weakness in Gethsemane. He was as weak as Samson with his hair cut off.
“And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me.
And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” (Matt. 26:37-39).
Only the Spirit of God has the power of God—a power that drives us beyond our natural abilities—physically, mentally, and spiritually; swept up and moved with force in the body, soul, and spirit unknown in this mortal life.
posted by David | 7:16 PM
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