Prophets in the End Times – How To Know the True from the False (20)

The inspired words of a true prophet is the testimony of Jesus Himself, but how can we know the difference between a false and a true prophet; and is there are biblical reasons for believing in the prophetic gift in our time? We will first establish what a prophet is.

How does God communicate to us? Hebrews 1:1
“1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,”

Where is this communication compiled? Matthew 26:56
“56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.” (See also 1 Samuel 9:9, which tells us prophets are called “seers” too, therefore we can walk by spiritual eyesight, or faith, 2 Corinthians 5:7.)

Who appoints people prophets? 1 Corinthians 12:11, 28
“11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. … 28 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.” (See also  1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28 for context, while Ephesians 4:11-13 confirms it.)

Can we expect prophets in the last days and can women be among them? Acts 2:16-17
“16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:” (See also Joel 2:28-32 .)

Can we reject God’s prophets without consequence? Hosea 12:13
“And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.” (See also Proverb 29:29, which declares that without prophets ministry, God’s people perish.)

What must we do with the prophet’s message instead of prejudiciously despising them?  1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
“20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

What is the eternal reward of being faithful to what God sends through His prophets? 2 Chronicles 20:20
“20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they 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.” (See also Numbers 11:29 and 1 Corinthians 14:39 which tell us that God desires all His people to receive His Spirit.)

What will God do concerning His servants the prophets? Amos 3:7
“7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

For what  purpose does God reveal His secrets to us through prophets? Deuteronomy 29:29
“29 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.”

How can you tell if God calls you to be a prophet? Numbers 12:6
“6 And he said, Hear now my words: 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.” (See also Ezekiel 8:3 and Daniel 8:2, which give two clear examples, while Daniel 2:1 shows that not all who have dreams are prophets.)

There are many examples in how God has clearly revealed His secretes to the prophets on behalf of His people, let us look at a few prophecies, following the Bible pattern below.

A – There is a proclaiming prophet, prior or around the commencement of a time prophecy, whose name corresponds to their work.
B – Their message is a life-or-death matter, depending on how it’s received.
C – There is a remnant or a portion of the people who embraces the message, while most reject it.
D – There is a gathering prophet, around or after the fulfilment of a prophecy, whose name corresponds to their work.

How many do we need to confirm the truth? 2 Corinthians 13:1
“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” (See also Hebrews 12:1 and John 8:17, which tell us they are many witness, but two examples will suffice.)

Two examples will be enough for our demonstration.

Example #1 – Abraham & Moses

A – What time prophecy is found in our first example and who was the proclaiming prophet associated with the prophecy? Genesis 15:13-15
“13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.”

What does Abraham’s name mean? Genesis 17:3-5
“3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.”

B – How was the message life-or-death depending on the decision made? Exodus 12:23, 26-27
“23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. .. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.”

C – Was there a remnant people who embraced the prophetic message? Exodus 12:36-38, 41-42
“36 And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. 37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. .. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.”

D – Who was the gathering prophet and what does their name mean? Exodus 2:10
“10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.” (See also Exodus 14:29-30, how God saved Moses and his people through the Red Sea.)

Example #2 – Jeremiah & Daniel

A – What time prophecy is found in our second example and who was the proclaiming prophet associated with the prophecy? Jeremiah 29:10
“10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.”

What does Jeremiah’s name mean? Jeremiah 1:4-5, 10
“4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. … 10 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.”

B – How was the message life-or-death depending on the decision made? Jeremiah 27:12-15
“12 I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. 13 Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? 14 Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you. 15 For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.”

C – Was there a remnant people who embraced the prophetic message? Ezra 2:1, 64; 7:10
“1 Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; … 64 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,” (See also Ezra 7:10, revealing how Ezra prepared himself to aid his people return to Jerusalem.)

D – Who was the gathering prophet associated with the prophecy and what does His name mean? Daniel 9:1-2; Genesis 49:16
“1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; 2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”

What does Daniels’s name mean? Genesis 49:16
“16 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.” (See also Genesis 30:6. Daniel means God’s judge or judged by God.)

With these two clear examples, let us look at who was ordained prophet near the end of time.

What prophecy relates to us livings in the end times? Daniel 8:13-14
“14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” (See more in Studies #14 – 16 for a reminder of the import of this prophecy and how to understand it.)

Who is the proclaiming prophet and what is Daniel’s name associated with? Daniel 7:9-10
“9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.” (See also Genesis 30:6, how Daniel’s name relates to God judging His people.)

How is the message is life-or-death, depending on the decision made?

The following four texts will help answer the question. Revelation 14:6-7; Revelation 3:14-16; Leviticus 16:29-30; Romans 6:23

What hour had come? Revelation 14:6-7
“6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

What is the risk involved if we continue in disobedience? Revelation 3:14-16
“14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

On the historical Day of Atonement, what happed to the sins of those who realised their disobedience and repented? Leviticus 16:29-30
“29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: 30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.”

Why is it important not to retain but to give our sins to Christ? Romans 6:23
“23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Therefore the judgment that was set involved those at that time and us who followed, to give our sins to Christ, lest they are rewarded with death.

Would there be a remnant? Revelation 12:17
“17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (See also Revelation 19:10, which reveal Jesus’ testimony is the Spirit of Prophecy, or the prophetic gift.)

The remnant are identified as embracing all God’s commandments by faith in Christ and having a prophet among them according to Bible order.

Who is the gathering prophet associated with the prophecy?

The time prophecy was fulfilled October 22, 1844. Because many were the apparent prophet candidates around that time, God has given us Bible keys to aid us distinguish between prophets, the true from the false. God’s prophet will harmonise with all requirements.

#1. What must the prophet confess? 1 John 4:1-3
“1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

#2. What must the prophet’s words harmonise with? Isaiah 8:20
“20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (See also 1 Corinthians 14:32-33, which tells us that the prophet’s word must be in line with previous prophets; while 1 John 4:6 tells use how to distinguish truth from error.)

#3. Whom must the prophet lead us to love and obey? Deuteronomy 13:1-4
“1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” (See also Acts 5:32, which teaches us that God gives the Holy Spirit to those that obey.)

#4. What does it mean most of the time when the prophet’s message is not fulfilled? Deuteronomy 18:21, 22
“21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? 22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” (See also Jeremiah 28:9 which confirms this, while Jonah 3:10 and Matthew 12:41  reveal that prophetic messages can be conditional too.)

#5. What sort fruit should they bear in their ministry and life? Matthew 7:15-16
“15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (See also 1 Timothy 6:10;  2 Peter 2:15-16 and Numbers 22-24, which describe how the prophet Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness instead of God.)

#6. Are the prophet’s visions received in private only, or must there be public ones also? Daniel 10:7-8, 16-18
“7 And 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. 8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. …17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.” (See also Daniel 10:7-8, 16-18, and another example in Acts 9:7-8, while Daniel 7:1 too, tells us that the visions and dreams were made public.)

#7. What does the prophet’s testimony establish and direct? Acts 16:4, 5, 6-10

“4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. 6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9 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. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” (See also Isaiah 63:11-12, which tells us that God lead Israel by the hand of Moses, while Ephesians 4:11-13 expands on that purpose.)

Who among the potential prophets fulfilled all the requirements?

• Josef Smith – Mormons (December 23, 1805 – June 27, 1844). Practiced the error of baptism for the dead etc.
• Andrew Jackson Davis – Spiritualism (11 August 1826 – January 13, 1910). Practiced the error of talking to the dead.
• Charles Taze Russell – Jehovah Witness ”Watchtower society” (February 16, 1852 – October 31, 1916). Practiced the error of demoting Christ from His divinity to a creature.
• Mary Baker Eddy – Christian Science (July 16, 1821 – December 3, 1910). Practiced the error of not believing God to have created everything, i.e. matter.
• Ellen Gould White – Millerite Adventist (November 26, 1827 – July 16, 1915). Fulfilled all the requirements of a prophet.
• Edgar Cayce – New Age (1877 – January 3, 1945). Practiced the error of enchanting, or communicating with evil angels.
• Alice Ann Bailey – Satanism (June 16, 1880 – December 15, 1949). Practiced the error of mixing Christianity with occultism.

Out of all the candidates, only Ellen Gould White met the Bible requirements of prophet. Daniel ministered at the beginning of 2300 year prophecy, Ellen Gould White ministered at the end of it.

What does her name, Ellen Gould White (fmr. Harmon) mean?

• Ellen
  It is name of  name of Greek origin, meaning Sun ray or Shining light. (See http://tiny.cc/ellenw)
  Light of the Everlasting gospel. (See Malachi 4:2; Matthew 5:14-15; John 1:4, 9 and Revelation 14:6-7)
• Harmon
  It is name of German origin, meaning  Army Man, in other words, Soldier.  (See http://tiny.cc/eharmon)
  Soldier of the gospel. (See Ephesians 6:13 and 2 Timothy 2:3-4)
• Gould
  It is name of English origin akin to Gold, was often used as an Endearment. (See http://tiny.cc/egould)Gold tried in fire. (See 1 Peter 1:7 and Job 23:10)
• White
  It is name of French origin akin to the English word Hwit, meaning White. (See http://tiny.cc/ewhite)
  White raiment, which is Christ righteousness. (See Revelation 19:8 and Jeremiah 23:6)

Ellen Gould (Harmon) White  accepted God’s call to be a prophet. As a soldier for Christ, her faith was tried as gold that is tried in the fire to remove her own impurities.

She shared far and wide the light that God gave her, especially in relation to Daniel 8:13; upholding the pure and blameless white garment of Christ’s righteousness, a gift that all who overcome must personally embrace.

Ellen G. White had 2000+ visions and dreams many attended with supernatural signs, wrote 100’000 pages resulting in  books, which are translated in many languages. Since her death many more compilations from her written material are being produced. (See https://whiteestate.org/resources/pioneers/ewhite)

Does Scriptures make reference to the meaning of her name and the experience that we all must have? Revelation 3:15-18
“15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” (See also Acts 10:38; Psalms 119:105 and John 16:13, which inform us that  our eyes are anointed by the Holy Spirit through the light of God’s word.)

Who were the remnant people who embraced the prophetic message associated with time?

Those who correctly understood and faithfully embraced the prophetic message of Daniel 8:14 where organised into the Seventh Day Adventist denomination.

“In 1860, in connection with the organizing of the publishing work, a name was chosen. Some thought that “Church of God” would be appropriate, but the sentiment prevailed that the name should reflect the distinctive teachings of the church. They adopted “Seventh-day Adventist” as their name.” (Early Writings 31, paragraph 2)

What, among other messages, would be echoed in Ellen White’s writings for over 60 years of service as God’s prophet?  Revelation 14:6-7
“6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (See also of Daniel 8:14; 7:9-10; Revelation 3:14-22, verses that all are a perfectly fulfilled in the judgment hour announcement.)

Friend,

Can you see that there are good reasons for why I and the SDA Church believe that Ellen G. White had the prophetic gift? Is it your desire to be led by Jesus’ prophets including Ellen G. White? Are you willing to investigate her writings and honestly test to see if they are in accordance with God’s Word?

These are recommended books to start with: Steps to Christ (791 downloads ) , The Great Controversy (220 downloads ) and The Ministry of Healing (225 downloads ) .