The Divine Inspiration Of Scripture
G. Burnside
1. A PROPHET OF GOD IN VISION
Eye Witness Testify
DESCRIPTION OF MRS. WHITE’S CONDITION WHILE IN VISION
Before we trace further the thrilling account of this wonderful manifestation of the Spirit of God, I will state some facts relative to the visions. The first time, I saw Mrs. E. G. White (formerly Miss Harmon) was in October 1852. On that day I saw her in a vision that lasted over one hour. Since that time I have had the privilege of seeing her in vision about fifty times. I have been present when physicians have examined her while in this state and I esteem it a pleasure to bear testimony to what I have seen and know. I trust a narration of the facts in the case may not be carelessly cast aside for the random suppositions of those who have never seen her in this condition.
In passing into vision she gives three enrapturing shouts of “Glory!” which echo and re-echo, the second, and especially the third, fainter, but more thrilling than the first, the voice resembling that of one quite a distance from you, and just going out of hearing. For about four or five seconds she seems to drop down like a person in a swoon, or one having lost his strength: she then seems to be instantly filled with superhuman strength, sometimes rising at once to her feet and walking about the room. There are frequent movements of the hands and arms, pointing to the right or left as her head turns. All these movements are made in a most graceful manner. In whatever position the hand or arm may be placed, it is impossible for anyone to move it. Her eyes are always open, but she does not wink; her head is raised, and she is looking upward, not with a vacant stare, but with a pleasant expression, only differing from the normal in that she appears to be looking intently at some distant object. She does not breathe, yet her pulse beats regularly. Her Countenance is pleasant, and the color of her face as florid as in her natural state.
COMPARED TO THAT OF DANIEL
Her condition as to breathing, loss of strength, and being made strong as the angel of God touches her, all agree perfectly with the description given by the prophet Daniel of his own experience in vision, when he says: “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.” “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. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace he unto thee; be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my Lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. Daniel 10: 8, 17-19.
TESTIMONIALS OF EYE-WITNESSES
M. G. Kellogg, M. D.
As to Mrs. White’s condition while in vision, a few statements from eyewitnesses may be in place. The first is from M. G. Kellogg, M. D., who refers to the first vision given in Michigan, May 29, 1853, at a meeting held in Tyrone, Livingston County. He says: “Sister White was in vision about twenty minutes or half an hour. As she went into vision every one present seemed to feel the power and presence of God, and some of us did indeed feel the Spirit of God resting upon us mightily. We were engaged in prayer and social meeting Sabbath morning at about time o’clock. Brother White, my father, and Sister White had prayed and I was praying at the time. There had been no excitement, no demonstrations. We did plead earnestly with God, however, that He would bless the meeting with His presence, and that He would bless the work in Michigan. As Sister White gave that triumphant shout of ‘Glory! Glory! Glory!’ which you have heard her give so often as she goes into vision,
Brother White arose and informed the audience that his wife was in vision. After stating the manner of her visions, and that she did not breathe while in vision, he invited anyone who wished to do so to come forward and examine her. Dr. Drummond, a physician, who was also a First-day Adventist preacher, who (before he saw her in vision) had declared her visions to be of mesmeric origin, and that he could give her a vision, stepped forward, and after a thorough examination, turned very pale, and remarked, ‘She doesn’t breathe!’ “I am quite certain that she did not breathe at that time while in vision, nor in any of several others which she has had when I was present. The coming out of the vision was as marked as her going into it. The first indication we had that the vision was ended, was in her again beginning to breathe. She drew her first breath deep, long, and full, in a manner showing that her lungs had been entirely empty of air. After drawing the first breath, several minutes passed before she drew the second, which filled the lungs precisely as did the first: then a pause of two minutes, and a third inhalation, after which the breathing became natural.” Signed, “M. G. Kellogg, M. D., Battle Creek, Michigan, December 28, 1890.”
F. C. Castle
We give the following statement from an individual who witnessed a medical examination of Mrs. White while in vision at Stowe, Vermont, in the summer of 1853. He says: -
“A physician was present, and made such examination of her as his wisdom and learning dictated, to find the cause of the manifestation. A lighted candle was held close to her eyes, which were wide open; not a muscle of the eye moved. He then examined her in regard to her pulse, and also in regard to her breathing, and there was no respiration. The result was that he was satisfied that it could not be accounted for on natural or scientific principles.” Signed, F. C. Castle.
D. H. LAMSON
The following testimonials relate to an examination made while Mrs. White was in vision, in a meeting held in the home of Elder James White, on Monroe Street, Rochester, N.Y, June 26, 1854: -
“I was then seventeen years old. It seems to me I can almost hear those thrilling shouts of ‘Glory!’, which she uttered. Then she sank back to the floor, not falling, but sinking gently, and was supported in the arms of an attendant. Two physicians came in, an old man and a young man. Brother White was anxious that they should examine Sister White closely, which they did. A looking glass was brought, and one of them held it over her mouth while she talked; but very soon they gave this up, and said, ‘She doesn’t breathe.’ ‘Then they closely examined her sides, as she spoke, to find some evidence of deep breathing, but they did not find it. As they closed this part of the examination, she arose to her feet, still in vision, holding a Bible high up, turning from passage to passage, quoting correctly, although the eyes were looking upward and away from the book. “She had a view of the seven last plagues. Then she saw the triumph of the saints, and her shouts of triumph I can seem to hear even now. To these facts I freely testify.” Signed, “Elder D. H Lamson, Hillsdale, Michigan, February 8, 1893.”
A SPIRIT MEDIUM DOCTOR TESTING THE VISION
I will mention another medical examination that I witnessed at Parkville, St. Joseph County, Michigan, January 12, 1861.
At the close of an exhortation given by Mrs. White to a large congregation that had assembled at the Adventist meetinghouse, the blessing of God rested upon her in a remarkable degree, and she was taken off in vision while seated in her chair. There was present a Doctor Brown, a hale, strong man physically, a spirit medium He had said that her visions were the same as spirit mediumship, and that if she had one where he was, he could bring her out of it in one minute. An invitation was given for anyone who desired to do so to come forward and by examination satisfy themselves as to her condition while in vision. The doctor came forward, but before he had half completed his examination, he turned deathly pale, and shook like an aspen leaf. Elder White said, “Will the doctor report her condition?” He replied, “She does not breathe,” and rapidly made his way to the door. Those at the door who knew of his boasting said,” Go back, and do as you said you would; bring that woman out of vision.” In great agitation, he grasped the knob of the door, but was not permitted to open it until inquiry was made by those near the door, “Doctor, what is it?” He replied, “God only knows; let me out of this house;” and out he went.
It was evident that the spirit that influenced him as a medium was no more at rest in the presence of the power that controlled Mrs. White in vision than were the demoniacs in the days of the Savior, who inquired, “Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” Matthew 8: 29.
A similarity is seen in this circumstance to that recorded in the experience of Daniel the prophet. As he went into vision by the Spirit of the Lord, the Chaldeans who were present -- heathens who knew not that Spirit -- were greatly terrified, and “fled to hide themselves.” Daniel 10: 7 From “The Great Second Advent Movement pages 204-211
2. AGE-OLD OPPOSITION AND PERSECUTION
WHY WAS NO PROPHET ACCEPTED AS CANONICAL
Isaiah 8: 20 “To the Law and to the Testimony”.
PROPHETS WERE REJECTED
Jeremiah 1: 1, 2, 5 “Jeremiah ... to whom the word of the Lord came... I ordained thee a prophet.”
Jeremiah 1: 19 “They shall fight against thee: but they shall not prevail against thee.”
Jeremiah 18:18 “Let us not give heed to any of his words.
Jeremiah 20: 1 “Chief governor in the house of the Lord.”
Jeremiah 20: 2 “Smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks.”
Jeremiah 20: 7 “I am in derision daily.”
Jeremiah 26: 9 “All the people were gathered against Jeremiah.”
Jeremiah 26: 11 “This man is worthy to die, for he prophesied.”
A living prophet has always been a problem. They are known as a real person. We are inclined to think of past prophets as supermen and looked on with a kind of awe.
Matthew 23: 29, 30 The present prophet has always been opposed, even by those who professed great faith in the prophets of bygone years.
The Pharisees professed faith and great love for the old prophets, while they rejected and planned the murder of the greatest prophet. Every prophet was rejected by the people of his day.
Numbers 16: 3 “They gathered themselves together against Moses.”
Numbers 16: 41, 47, and 48 They were saved by the prophet they condemned.
Paul - Flogged and stoned.
Jesus - called Beelzebub.
Isaiah - “sawn asunder”.
HOW THE APOSTLES DIED
All the apostles were insulted by the enemies of their Master. They were called to seal their doctrines with their blood, and nobly did they bear the trial.
Schumacher says:
Matthew suffered martyrdom by being slain with a sword in a distant city of Ethiopia.
Mark expired at Alexandria after having been cruelly dragged through the streets of that city.
Luke was hanged upon an olive tree in the classic land of Greece.
John was put in a cauldron of boiling oil, but escaped death in a miraculous manner, and was after banished to Patmos.
Peter was crucified with his head downward.
James the Great was beheaded at Jerusalem.
James the Less was thrown from a lofty pinnacle of the temple, and then beaten to death with a fuller’s club.
Bartholomew was flayed alive.
Andrew was bound to a cross, whence he preached to his persecutors until he died.
Thomas was run through the body with a lance at Coromandel, in the East Indies.
Jude was shot to death with arrows.
Paul, after various tortures and persecutions, was at length beheaded at Rome by the Emperor Nero.
Revelation 1: 9 “For the Word of God, and for the Testimony of Jesus.”
WHY THE DEVIL HATES THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY
Revelation 12: 17 The devil hates it because it is “The Testimony of Jesus.”
Revelation 12: 7 The devil hates Jesus.
Revelation 12: 13 The devil hates the church because it is composed of Christ’s people.
Revelation 1: 9 The Revelator was imprisoned for the “Testimony of Jesus.”
1 Peter 1:11 The devil hates the Bible because it is the “Testimony of Jesus.”
Revelation 12:12 The devil believes the “Testimony of Jesus” and hates it. He studies and knows that his time is short. This verse gives us the sanest explanation for the world’s distress. The devil is working with the fury of
desperation.
The present attack on the Spirit of Prophecy shows:
“Satan is ... constantly pressing in the spurious ... to lead away from the truth. The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the Testimony of the Spirit of God ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ Proverbs 29: 18. Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God’s remnant people in the true testimony.” Letter 12, 1890.
WHAT A WONDERFUL GIFT!
IT IS OURS TO ACCEPT AND USE
DID BIBLE WRITERS COPY?
Divine Inspiration does not maintain originality, but truth. This has been recognized. For instance Dr. Adam Clarke. The well known and respected Methodist Bible Commentator, in his introduction to the book of Proverbs writes: Page 698.
“There has scarcely been any dispute concerning either the author or Divine authority of this book, either in the Jewish or Christian Church: all allow that it was written by Solomon; and the general belief is, that he wrote the book by Divine inspiration.
“It has, indeed, been supposed that Solomon collected the major part of these proverbs from those who had preceded him, whether Hebrews or heathens; but the latter opinion has been controverted, as derogating from the authority of the book. But this supposition has very little weight; for, whatever of truth is found in or among men, came originally from God; and if he employed an inspired man to collect those rays of light, and embody them for the use of his Church, he had a right so to do, and to claim his own where so ever found, and, by giving it a new authentication, to render it more useful in reference to the end for which it was originally communicated. God is the Father of lights, and from Him came all true wisdom, not only in its discursive teachings, but in all its detached maxims for the government and regulation of life. I think it very likely that Solomon did not compose them all; but he collected everything of this kind within his reach, and what was according to the Spirit of truth, by which he was inspired, he condensed in this book; and as the Divine Spirit gave it, so the providence of God has preserved it, for the use of his Church.”
4. DID E. G. WHITE MERELY COPY FROM OTHERS?
Christ warned of false prophets. “False” shows that there must be true. Counterfeits are only made because there are genuine. There is no need to be deceived.
GOD GAVE THE TESTS
1 John 4:1 “Try the spirits”.
1 Thessalonians 5: 20, 21 “Despise not prophesying. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
LIVING PROPHETS ARE NEVER REGARDED AS CANONICAL
We speak of the canon of Scripture. Canonical means they are God inspired. People are willing to accept past
prophets but not those of their own day.
Hebrews 1: 1 “God” spoke in “divers manners”.
Luke 1: 1-4 To write “in order”.
God revealed the truth. They wrote the truth. They selected the true and rejected error.
COMMENTS OF THE INVESTIGATORS
Owing to a revival of criticism against the Spirit of Prophecy and the claim that Mrs. E. G. White largely just copied from other writers a committee appointed various scholars to carefully examine and compare her writings with the books from which she was supposed to have copied. Dr. Raymond Cottrell was asked to check ‘Desire of Ages’, chapters 1-45 and Dr. Walter F. Specht of the Loma Linda University to deal with chapters 46-87. Here are a sample of their comments as they compared ‘Desire of Ages’ with the ‘Life of Christ’ by Scottish Theologian, William Hanna.
RAYMOND COTTRELL
THE LITERARY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ‘THE DESIRE OF
AGES, BY ELLEN G. WHITE AND
THE LIFE OF CHRIST, BY WILLIAM HANNA.
“Among the works on the life of Christ in Ellen G. White’s 1ibrary was ‘The Life of Our Lord” by Wil1iam Hanna, of which ‘Our Lord’s Life on Earth’ (1869) was the definitive six-volume edition. This study of the literary relationship between Ellen White’s ‘The Desire of Ages’ (Hereafter DA) and William Hanna’s ‘Life of Christ’ (Hereafter LC) covers the first half of the former (chapters 1-45, pages 19-418). The second half is being reported separately by Dr. Walter Specht.”
“Dr. Specht and I conferred together several times during the course of our study, as to method and to the preparation of our reports. We considered making a joint report in which our individual reports would be blended and unified, but decided that two separate reports - - each approaching the subject from slightly different perspective and with slightly different procedures - - would provide a more adequate conspectus of degree and kind of literary relationship.”
“We, began with a paragraph-by- paragraph, sentence-by-sentence, word-by-word comparison of the two works, marking identical or similar words and phraseology.
We also noted thought sequences and Bible quotations. We noted different types of literary relationship, and distinctive characteristics of each writer.
Dr. Specht and I both accepted the request of the Trustees of the Ellen G. White Estate to make this study, with the explicit understanding that no restrictions or limitations of any kind were being imposed or implied either upon our study of the literary relatedness or on the reports we would make of our study. This agreement has been fully adhered to. Dr. Specht and I entered upon the assignment in a spirit of complete objectivity, with the purpose of reporting exactly what we might find. In preparing our reports we purpose to be scrupulously fair to both authors. Omissions, if any, have been inadvertent. To the best of our knowledge our reports present the full truth and nothing but the truth.
As Part 4 of this report will point out, literary borrowing from secular sources by an inspired writer is altogether compatible with the fact and the quality of inspiration, as repeatedly demonstrated by the Bible itself. Originality is not a test of inspiration. The Holy Spirit is fully as able to guide in the selection of material from existing sources as He is to reveal new information.”
“Her abundant use of Bible phraseology”.
“DA Chapter 1-3 In these chapters there is no parallel in Hanna”.
“In 13 chapters word count, 3.6%”.
“In no instance did either Dr. Specht or I find even one sentence in DA identical with LC or even substantially so”. p. 5
“There is not one DA passage where words, phrases, ideas, or sequences would raise the least question of copyright infringement.” p.6
“Probably 2.6% 1iterary relationship”. p. 9
“Lengthy sections without any similarity whatsoever.” p. 13.
DA (chapter 15) “At the Wedding Feast. Highest concentration of literary relationship.” p. 13.
“Basic idea is the same, but the wording and phraseology are almost entirely different.” p. 15
“Conflict of the Ages”. “First 3 chapters deal with this. There is no parallel in Hanna.”
Sets DA apart as “greatest masterpiece of all time on the life and ministry of Christ.“ p. 30.
“It would be inaccurate to describe this literary relationship as ‘literary borrowing’ or literary dependence. Such terms can appropriately be applied only to a literary relationship that goes far beyond that.” p.31.
“There is not one instance in DA where either ethical considerations or copyright laws, even the US copyright
laws of 1977, would require her to give credit.” p.31.
Great Controversy p. VI The Holy Spirit “guided in the selection of what to speak and what to write.”
WALTER F. SPECHT. (DA CH 46-87)
of Loma Linda University
THE LITERARY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DESIRE OF AGES, BY ELLEN G. WHITE AND THE LIFE OF CHRIST, BY WILLIAM HANNA. PART II
‘We have not found a single sentence in DA that corresponds verbatim with LC” “Hanna used long and involved sentences”.
E G.W. used shorter sentences and apparently aims at clarity and simplicity.
“It appears doubtful that Ellen White had Hanna’s LC before her as she wrote.” P.18
MY OBSERVATIONS
All who knew Mrs. E. G. White admitted that she had a remarkable memory. When she preached she never used notes of any kind. Hundreds of her sermons were taken down and printed just as she gave them. No doubt phrases and words from various writers were fixed in her mind and used. She had also exceptional God-given literary gifts. This is confirmed from a report appearing in the Battle Creek Journal, October 5 1887. The occasion was a Temperance Lecture she presented to the residents of her former town shortly after her return home a two-year stay in Europe. The reporter stated:
“This lady gave her audience a most eloquent discourse, which was listened to with marked interest and attention. Her talk was interspersed with instructive facts, which she had gathered in her recent visit to foreign lands, and demonstrated that this gifted lady has, in addition to her many other rare qualifications, a great faculty for attentive, careful observation, and a remarkable memory of details. This, together with her fine delivery and her faculty of clothing her ideas in choice, beautiful and appropriate language, made her lecture one of the best that has ever been delivered by any lady in our city. That she may soon favor our community with another address, is the earnest wish of all who attended last evening; and should she do so, there will be a
large attendance. Quoted in RH October 11, 1887, p. 640”.
BIBLE WRITERS COPIED
1 Kings 11:41 These writings were no doubt the source of selecting records.
1 Chronicles 9: 1 Divine inspiration led in this selection.
2 Chronicles 9: 29; See B.C. on Exodus 21.
2 Chronicles 20:34; 2 Chronicles 27:7.
In the New Testament we have hundreds of quotes from the Old Testament, with and without credit.
THESE TWO CHAPTERS ARE IDENTICAL
Isaiah 37 and 2 Kings 19. Who copied?
SOME FACTS WORTHY OF REMEMBERING
E. G. White’s wording was always an improvement over any author from whom she is supposed to have copied. She cannot be called a copyist when she rewrites, rephrases and improves on the supposed original. From an old poem we quote:
“Though old the thought and oft expressed.
Is his last who says it best.”
She made no attempt to hide her borrowing. She wrote: “The life of St. Paul by Conybeare and Howson I
regard as a book of great merit, and one of rare usefulness to the earnest student of the New Testament History”.
S.T. February 22, 1883.
This was just four Months before her book on the Life of Paul was published.
E. G. White opposed many of their teachings:
Sunday Sacredness.
Immortal Soul.
Eternal torment.
Predestination.
Original sin.
Election.
Their Churches - Babylon. Called (“Come out”).
WE MUST NOT GO BACKWARDS
Isaiah 28: 13 Not “backwards” to Luther and Augustine. We do well to remember that God has given to this
“Remnant” the clearest light the world has ever known. The writings of the “Spirit of Prophecy” are
authoritative in a sense above that of Reformers or theologians of the past.
The Bible or the Spirit of prophecy never claimed originality, but truth.
Daniel 10:21 “The Scripture of truth” = “Writings of truth”.
Proverbs 30: 5 “Every word of God is pure”
Proverbs 22: 20, 21 “Words of truth”.
Proverbs 13: 13-15 It is God’s word. Receive it or be lost.
Reject it and perish.
05. GOD’S INSPIRATION “WONDERED AT”
“Every modern specialist in nutrition... must be impressed by the writings and leadership of Ellen G. White. In the first place, her basic concepts about the relation between diet and health have been verified to an unusual degree by scientific advances of the past decades. Someone may attempt to explain this remarkable fact by saying ‘Mrs. White simply borrowed her ideas from others’. But how would she know which ideas to borrow and which to reject out of the bewildering array of theories and health teachings current in the nineteenth century? She would have had to be a most amazing person, with knowledge beyond her times, in order to do this successfully.”
“In spite of the fact that the works of Mrs. White were written long before the advent of modern scientific nutrition, no better over-all guide is available today.” The writer of this statement is no less an authority than Dr. Clive M. McCay Ph.D. Professor of Nutrition, Cornell University, U.S.A.
He came into possession of one of Mrs. Ellen G. White’s books on the subject of health. He was impressed with what he read, particularly as the history of foods and nutrition was his special study. Later he acquired more of her books and was increasingly impressed. On being invited to give a talk to a men’s club of the local church he attended, he chose as his subject “an Unusual Nineteenth Century Woman, Mrs. E. G. White”. A copy of his talk finally reached the desk of the Editor of the Review and Herald. The question that was uppermost in his mind, and which he often repeated. “How do you explain the fact that Mrs. White, with very little education and no special training in nutrition, so accurately set forth nutrition principles that are only now scientifically established?”
He ruled out the answer often given “Mrs. White copied from others.” To Dr. McCay this answer is but the clap-trap of nonsense and it simply raised another question. “How did Mrs. White know what to accept and what to reject out of the bewildering array of theories, ideas and health teaching that were current in her day?”
I SEE HERE THE GUIDING HAND OF GOD
As Our God gave King Ahasuerus a sleepless night, (“For on that night could not the king sleep” Esther 6:1) he opens “the book of records” at the right page, and “found written” the overlooked reward. He saw the right thing at the right time, to accomplish the right event.
As King Nebuchadnezzar “was troubled” (Daniel 2:1) over his forgotten but worrying dream, again the hand of providence is seen. The right thing happens at the right time to accomplish a series of right events. So God impresses a king of learning, in the right subject to meet the present situation.
Nutrition is a subject that has come under close scientific study. It deals with facts. It is a subject that can be tested. The man selected was a non-Adventist scientific professor, a man who was well informed and recognized in his field. A man who cannot be accused of being biased. Providence chose the right subject, the right man at the right time. How clear this makes truth. For instance:
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 “Quench not the Spirit.” The Spirit has given us inspired writings, for “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit”, hence their writings were the Spirit of prophecy. “Despise not prophesying”. “For prophecy came not at any time by the will of man” but as men were moved by God’s Spirit.
“Prove all things, hold fast that which is good”. In inspiration, in prophesying therefore, there will be a proving; all things will be looked into and God-inspired guidance will be given to select the true from the false. “All things” can be there before the proving begins. Thus originality is not the vital question. From the “all things” the true is separated from the false. This can only be done by the Guidance of our God and by His Spirit. Not originality, but truth, is the test. What is proved, is what is to be held fast.
INSPIRATION ILLUSTRATED AND CONFIRMED
Who gave Mrs. E. G. White the ability to separate the good from the bad, the true from the false, the facts from the fables of healthful living? This ability amazed Professor Clive M. McCay. It would amaze any fair and honest investigator. How did Mrs. E. G. White know how to “hold fast to that which is good” and leave aside the fables and fads of diet. Divine prophecy answers. The “Remnant” would have “the testimony of Jesus which is the spirit of prophecy”. Gad has given the amazing evidence. Evidence that is making the scientific minds wonder. God is making “men wondered at”. Zechariah 3:8.
06. HOW WE GOT OUR BIBLE?
THE BIBLE IS UNIQUE
It is the most loved, the most hated and the most feared. Get out your Bible and most people will get out. It is the oldest book in existence and yet the most read. It is a case of the “Survival of the Fittest.” Homer has been translated into 20 languages. Shakespeare has been translated into 40 languages. Pilgrims Progress has been translated into 118 languages. The Bible has been translated into 1050 languages. It was the First book printed.
Since then thousands of millions of copies have been printed. There are 3,000,000 books in the Paris Library and there are more in the British Library. It has thirty-nine miles of shelving. Of all these books it is the only book called “The Book” - “Bible”. A Jewish scholar asked me: -
WHY DO YOU ACCEPT THE NEW TESTAMENT?
I replied “For the same reason as I accept the Old Testament”.
“Why is that?”
My reply was “Because of the Old Testament’s amazing, uncanny prophecies. No mere human could foretell the future, as did those ancient prophets. I find the same amazing accuracy in the New Testament.”
THE SAME WRITER WAS BEHIND BOTH TESTAMENTS
1 Peter 1:11 In both great divisions of the Bible we have the same writer, the same spirit and the same teaching.
“I AM THE LORD, I CHANGE NOT.”
It is absurd to think that Jesus taught in the Old Testament that it was wrong to steal and in the New Testament that it was alright. It is absurd to think that Jesus taught in the Old Testament that it was wrong to kill, worship images, and lie, and then to tell people today that it is alright.
If 4, 000 years ago He sent to Hell those who stole, will He now take to Heaven those who do? Would He tell people 4,000 years ago not to work on the Sabbath, and today to do so? Time never changed, wrong or right. The Bible deals with Eternal principles. John 5:39 “Scriptures” - There was a Bible in Christ’s day. The Old Testament was the Bible of Our Lord and His disciples. In the New Testament the Old Testament is quoted over 600 times.
HOW WAS IT DECIDED WHAT WRITINGS WOULD GO INTO THE
NEW TESTAMENT
Isaiah 8: 20 “To the Law and to the Testimony. “ This was the guiding principle-.
THE OLD TESTAMENT WAS THE SAME.
2 Kings 17:13 Writings were admitted into the canon of Scripture as they agreed with the Ten Commandments.
Malachi 3:6 “I am the Lord I change not.”
THIS PRINCIPLE WAS NOT LEFT TO MAN.
Exodus 24: 12 God wrote the first chapter of the Bible. This became the Infallible Standard. There was no Bible before Moses. With what God wrote all writings must agree.
WHY DID GOD NOT START THE BIBLE BEFORE MOSES?
Adam and Methuselah reached to the Flood. Noah lived 600 years before the Flood and 350 years after. Abraham was born about the time of Noah’s death. There was no need of a written record. (See G. Burnside’s paper “The Ages of the Patriarchs.)
COPIES OF THE ACCEPTED SCRIPTURES
The Scribes were particular. They would count the number of letters in each book. Before writing a word they would pronounce it. They knew the middle letter in the Bible and in each book. There were no corrections. If a mistake was discovered the manuscript was destroyed and they would start again. Before they would write the word “God” they would wipe their pen. Before they would write “Jehovah” they would bath and wash completely.
JESUS FOUND THE SCRIPTURES CORRECT IN HIS DAY
He set His approval on the Scriptures. “Search the Scriptures.”
THE SCRIPTURES WERE COPIED BY THOUSANDS.
They were copied in Europe, Asia and Africa for 1,500 years. Copies were made in Greek, Latin, Armenian, Ethiopian, Arabic, Persian, Coptic, Syriac and Gothic. By careful comparison it is clear that there has not been a single doctrine changed. . No writing has had the careful, critical examination as has the Scriptures. We have the original Scriptures.
Psalms 12:6,7 “Thou shall keep them O Lord, Thou shall preserve them.... forever.
THE PRESERVATION OF THE SCRIPTURES IS REMARKABLE
Diocletian searched out and destroyed thousands of Manuscripts. The Dead Sea “Isaiah” Scroll “as far as the Authorized Version is concerned, it is word for word.” This is the testimony of the Supervisor of the Jerusalem Museum, to me, regarding the Isaiah Scroll.
God has preserved His Word. His word is “pure”. The Water of Life is unsullied. Europe Used the Latin Version by Jerome 400 AD. The church opposed the Bible in the language of the people. The first English Translation came in 1382 by Wycliffe. In 1582 Tyndale’s translation was printed. Then the Authorized Version in 1611, translated by 47 of the best Greek and Hebrew scholars.
TODAY IT IS TRANSLATED INTO OVER 1000 LANGUAGES
It can be read by nearly all people on earth. Over 10 million copies are printed annually. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 Jesus taught and lived the Scriptures. He conquered by the Word. Follow the Bible and it will lead you to Glory.
07. MODERN PROPHETS AND THEIR VISIONS ARE THEY OF GOD?
Revelation 12: 17 There are two features that make the Remnant Church unique or different.
OUR LORD WARNED OF FALSE PROPHETS
Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets.”
Matthew 24:24 False prophets - special sign of latter days.
Matthew 24:5 False Prophets - “in My Name”. They claim to be Christian. Jeremiah 23:25 False Prophets have visions. Therefore all visions are not of God.
FALSE PROPHETS PROVE THERE MUST BE TRUE PROPHETS
Therefore we must not reject all prophets.
1 Thessalonians 5: 20, 27 “Despise not prophesying, prove all things, hold fast to that which is good.”
“THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS” IS WHAT JESUS TESTIFIES
Revelation 22: 16 “I, Jesus. . testify unto you”. Revelation 22: 18 For I testify.
Revelation 22: 20 “He which testifies”. Therefore the testimony of Jesus is what He testifies. Thus “Revelation” is given by the Testimony of Jesus.
JESUS USED A PROPHET IN GIVING “REVELATION”
Revelation 1:1, 2 From Jesus to “His servant John”. Therefore “the Testimony of Jesus” implies the existence of a prophet. The Spirit of Prophecy comes through a true prophet. God commands us to “try” or “prove” and not to despise prophets.
GOD-GIVEN TESTS
If a prophet meets the tests, we are to hold fast that which is good and reject the false.
Daniel 10:17 Does not breathe.
Daniel 10: 18,19 Supernaturally strengthened.
Revelation 12:17 God says His Remnant Church would have a prophet.
This prophet meets all the God-given tests. Thus we must hold fast to that which is good. For it is the
Testimony of Jesus, through His servant. We must “despise not”, but “hold fast”.
SHOULD A WOMAN SPEAK IN THE CHURCH?
1 Timothy 2: 11, 12 It is clear that women are not to be 1eaders and rulers in the church. Men must lead out. Society in general recognized this.
1 Corinthians 14: 34, 35 Note “your women”, Corinth - wicked, heathen city. In heathenism women were counted as nothing.
In Corinth it would not be recognized as decent or in order for women to speak. Hence the reference “your women” keep silence. “Ask their husbands”. Not to whisper and ask questions in church.
“Learn”. It was not a question of their teaching, but learning.
Galatians 3: 28 Neither male nor female in Christ. All are one and on equal standing.
WOULD GOD USE A WOMAN AS A PROPHETESS?
Judges 4: 4 In Old Testament, God used prophetesses. Recent Jewish work states, “There were as many prophetesses as prophets in Israel.” The Talmudic Authology, p. 347
Luke 2:36-38 “Anna a Prophetess”. In the New Testament times, there were prophetesses. Acts 21:9 “Four daughters... which did prophecy”. Since the cross, there were prophetesses. Acts 2: 17, 18 In the “last days” “Daughters” “handmaidens” “Shall prophesy” Therefore God does use women as prophetesses.
WHY WAS THE GIFT OF PROPHECY NOT MENTIONED FROM
NEW TESTAMENT TIMES UNTIL THE TIME OF THE REMNANT
CHURCH?
Ezekiel 7: 26 “No vision. . . law perish”.
Proverbs 29: 18 “Vision” “Law”.
Lamentations 2: 9 “Law no more”. . “Prophets also find no vision.” Note how the law and visions are
linked when the law goes, so do God-given visions.
Ezekiel 20: 1-3 God said, “I will not be enquired of thee.” There was no vision from God.
Ezekiel 20: 16 The Sabbath was polluted, hence the reason for no vision.
THE CHURCH DID LOSE GOD’S LAW
2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4 “Man of sin” “This is the same apostasy as described in Daniel 7:25 when God’s times
and laws were changed.
Daniel 8: 13, 14 God’s truth restored in 1844.
Revelations 14: 6, 12 Commandments restored.
Revelations 12: 17 When Law restored, the Gift of Prophecy was restored.
WHY ARE THE WRITINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY
NOT INCLUDED IN THE BIBLE?
Joshua 10: 13 These writings were inspired but they are not in the Bible.
1 Chronicles 29: 29 Probably they were for that special time.
2 Chronicles 9: 29 So the Spirit of Prophecy is for these last days.
1 Corinthians 14: 22 Gift of Prophecy is for the church (Therefore if people do not accept the Bible and the Commandments, do not present the Spirit of Prophecy). The gift of prophecy in the Remnant church fulfills the prophecy of Christ.
Revelations 12: 17.
8. THE ANGEL AND THE IRISH POLICEMAN
D. A. Delafield
How the people liked to hear Sister White preach! At the Brighton camp meeting in Australia she preached a number of times. Her subjects: The Ten Commandments, Sabbath-keeping, the Second Coming of Christ, and the signs of the times. The year was 1894. This was the first camp meeting ever held in Australia. The ready-minded Australian believers reacted adventurously to the camp-meeting idea and came with enthusiasm to the meetings.
Sister White was there with her helpers - all camped in tents on the grounds. There was quite an interest, and the people were stirred to prepare for Christ’s coming. But the devil was angry. The mighty adversary of souls was determined to interfere with the preaching of the ministers, and especially with Sister White’s powerful preaching. In the city nearby lived a gang of juvenile delinquents. These teen-age trouble-makers attacked the little tent city with stones and pulled down a tent. In the quiet of the night faithful Adventist youth overheard these rebel youth lay plans for the following night-they would pull down Sister White’s tent.
This alarming news reached those in charge of the camp and they appealed for police protection from the city. Police headquarters sent out a big Irish policeman -a Roman Catholic-to protect Sister White. When she learned of the threats she did not become frightened. Time and again her guardian angel had delivered her from the enemies of the Lord and His work. After the meeting that night, she peacefully went to her tent and to bed and fell asleep in perfect peace. Outside the tent was the big policeman, stationed there to keep vigil and to watch for the troublemakers.
Not long after midnight, when the little tent city was still, the watchful policeman was startled and his eyes fairly popped as he saw a light suddenly appear over Sister White’s tent. He watched, spellbound, as an angel of God took shape in the silvery spectacle. He was deeply impressed. The impression made on his mind must have been similar to that which came to the guards watching over the tomb of Jesus at Calvary when the angels came to summon the Lord Jesus from the grave on the resurrection morning. The policeman, deeply impressed by his discovery of the heavenly watchman, decided that his services were no longer required. Returning to police headquarters he explained why he had left his post of duty. He said that Mrs. White was in safer hands than his because the angel of the Lord was there. The police sergeant and officers agreed with him and he was not sent back.
But the policeman came back on his own. He wanted to hear this woman speak - this woman honored by God and the visiting angel. At the main services of the camp meeting he was to be found every night. And do you know what happened? He was converted and accepted the Advent message. Later on he gave up his police work and moved to the country. He became a faithful church worker.
09. THE APOCRYPHA
WHY I REJECT THE APOCRYPHA
The Apocrypha is a series of writings from the period between the close of the Old Testament and the New Testament. There was no prophet during this period.
1 Mac. 9:27 “And there was a great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the day that there was no prophet seen in Israel.”
2 Mac.15: 38 “I also will here make an end of my narration.”
The writer claims it is his narration and not the Word of God. Although not inspired the historical books 1st and 2nd Esdras, 1st and 2nd Maccabees, as the others are of no doctrinal value, give us an historical idea of the state of affairs in Judea during the 392 years between Malachi and Matthew. Encyclopedia Britannica Article “Apocrypha”.
“In use these writings were of course, like the doctrines they contained, private and secret; they were not read in general meetings, and did not belong to the publicly recognized books of the system. And naturally the same secrecy, which hung over their use generally also, shrouded their origin. In some cases this might be a real mystery and their authorship unknown. But often, the mystery was fictitious, created for the purpose of securing respect for the doctrines inculcated in the writings, which themselves were forgeries of very recent times. Works of this kind were of very common occurrence in the East during the centuries immediately preceding and following the birth of Christ. In order successfully to float them and to give them impulse, they were generally launched under some ancient and famous name; and books existed, bearing to be the production of almost every renowned patriarch and sage from Adam downwards”.
2 Timothy 4:4; Psalms 119:140;
Isaiah 30:8-10.
10. THE DEVIL HATES THE “TESTIMONIES”
R.E. CASH
Minister, Texas Conference
“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.” Revelations 12:17.
The word here rendered “wroth” is translated “furious” in “The New English Bible”, and enraged in Schoenfield’s “Authentic New Testament,” The idea is one of anger born of hatred toward God’s remnant.
Ellen White wrote that “there will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic.” is satanic,” (“Selected Messages” Book 1 page 48) This hatred against the testimony of Jesus in the remnant church will be felt in pressures from without as well as within.
While working in the interior of British Guiana years ago we had an experience in which we actually heard the voices of evil spirits denouncing the testimonies and clearly registering their intense hatred.
A little Indian girl was possessed with demons. While under the influence of the evil spirits she was unconscious of her surroundings. When she spoke she did not say “I” but “we”. I asked her whether she wanted to be a Christian. The devils used her lips and replied, “A Christian? We hate Christians. You think you are talking to this girl, but you are mistaken. What you hear is the voice of the devil, and we are going to break this girl’s neck before we get through with her.”
On one occasion the evil spirit in her said to me, “Do you know what is doing the most to humbug our work along the British Guiana?” I answered that I would like to know what was causing the trouble and interfering with the work of demons.
The answer came clearly, “The thing that is humbugging our work the most is those testimonies that are read in the mission on the Sabbath. If we could get hold of those testimonies we would tear them into a thousand pieces.”
George Burnside
THE CHURCH OF THE LAST DAYS
Revelation 12: 17 “Remnant” would:
“TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST.”
Revelation 19: 10 “The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.
Ephesians 4: 11-13 NOTE: “Till we all come in the unity of faith...unto a perfect man.”
The “gifts” to continue “till”: “unto perfect manhood”. Cunnington.
1 Corinthians 1: 5-7 “Waiting for the coming of out Lord Jesus Christ”. “Even as the testimony of Christ.” The “remnant” even have “the testimony of Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 12: 31 “Covet earnestly the best gifts”. Here is one thing we can covet.
1 Corinthians 14:1 “But rather that ye may prophesy”.
“Prophecy is the best gift.
Revelation 19:10 “Testimony of Jesus.”
Revelation 12:17 “The testimony of Jesus.”
Revelation 20:4 “Witness of Jesus.” (Same Greek Word). Only found in Revelation
Revelation 19:10 “The Angel”.
Revelation 1:1 “His Angel” = It is Christ’s Angel that gives the definition: - “The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy”
It is not John’s explanation or any man’s; it is Christ’s angel’s explanation.
“Most English translations reproduce this genitive by an ‘of’ construction in Revelation 19: 10, as can be seen by consulting the following: Authorized, Revised, Weymouth, The Greek English New Testament (interlinear), Emphatic Diaglott, Murdock’s translation from the Syriac, Douay, Moulton, Goodsep, Montgomery, Verkuyl, Tyndale, Cranmer, Geneva, Rheims, Cunnington, Rothermar, Wycliffe, and Fenton.
“There is but one of these translations of the New Testament to which we have access that uses the word ‘to’ in Revelation 19:10, and that is the Twentieth Century New Testament. One not listed above, but which uses neither the word ‘of’ nor ‘to’, is the translation by Moffatt, and it is very definite. His rendering is, The testimony borne ‘by’ Jesus”.” – Testimony of Jesus – The Spirit of Prophecy. – By W. E. Read.
It is not man’s testimony regarding Jesus.
MANY CORRUPT THE BIBLE
2 Corinthians 2: 17
2 Corinthians 4: 2 As a result of corrupting Scripture they lost the truth and the “gifts”.
W. Robertson Nicol comments: “‘For the testimony or witness of (i.e. borne by) Jesus is (i.e. constitutes) the spirit of prophecy.’ This specifically defines the brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus as possessors of prophetic inspiration. The testimony of Jesus is practically equivalent to Jesus’ testifying (xxii.20). It is the self-revelation of Jesus which moves the Christian prophets. He forms at once the impulse and subject of the spirit of prophecy in its final phase as a revelation of Jesus Christ. Even the Old testament prophetic books, with which the Apocalypse claims rank, were inspired by the spirit of the pre-existent Christ.” – The Revelation of St. John the Divine in The Expositor’s Geek Testament (New York: Dodd, Mead and Company), volume 5, page 465.
SPIRIT OF PROPHECY
This phrase is used but once in Scripture. It was often used by Jewish Rabbi.
ANCIENT JEWISH AUTHORITIES CONFIRM:
The Testimony of Jesus - The Spirit of Prophecy. By W. E. Read:
The term “spirit of prophecy” with reference to the prophetic gift is found in the ancient Jewish writings. The expression occurs in The Targums on the Book of Genesis. Both the Onkelos and the Jerusalem Targum on Genesis 41:38 read the same as follows: “And Pharaoh said to his servants, Can we find a man like this, in whom is the spirit of prophecy from the Lord?” See The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan ben Ussiel on the Pentateuch; With the Fragments of the Jerusalem Targum, translated by J.W. Etheridge (London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1862), volume 1, pp. 131, 303. Also Edward Lewis Curtis says that the Targum or paraphrase on Chronicles “explains somewhat similarly, except that the Sucathites are those ‘covered’ with a spirit of prophecy.” - International Critical Commentary (on Chronicles) (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1910), volume 10, page 98.
The Targum of Jonathan on 2 Samuel 23:2 reads:
“David said, By the Spirit of prophecy of Jehovah, I speak these things.” - Quoted as Appendix
Note IV, Samuel 11, Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge: University Press, 1903) The Pulpit Commentary remarks:
“David, in his last days, like Jacob and Moses, received the spirit of prophecy.” - Pulpit commentary on 2d Samuel.
THUS THE DIVINE EXPLANATION STANDS SECURE “The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.”