DIVINE LEADERSHIP
The Guiding Pillar. Exodus
13:21, 22; Nehemiah 9:12.
The pillar of cloud by day and fire by night was the outward and visible
sign of the divine leadership of the Exodus movement. It hovered over
the camp when they rested, and went before them when they marched.
Israel kept their eyes on the cloudy chariot and it indicated when they
should march and which way they should go. That Christ was the occupant
of the cloudy and fiery chariot is evident from several texts: 1
Corinthians 10:1-4; Isaiah 63:8, 9, 12; Nehemiah 9:6-15. It was Christ
who led and preserved the Exodus movement, and the pillar was the
visible sign of His presence and leadership. It was Christ who furnished
Israel with both physical and spiritual food; who gave the law and all
the instructions concerning the sanctuary and its services.
The Advent Movement
Christ is likewise the Leader of modern Israel in the Advent movement. 1
Corinthians 10:9, 11. Those who sin in this movement are tempting Christ
the Leader. God's remnant people are likewise guided and protected by a
pillar of cloud and fire, or light. Isaiah 4:5, 6; 49:1-12, 22, 23.
"I saw a covering that God was drawing over His people to protect
them in the time of trouble; and every soul that was decided on the
truth, and was pure in heart, was to be covered with the covering of the
Almighty." Early Writings, p. 43. What is the light that
guides, and the covering and shield that protects God's remnant people
on their journey to the heavenly Canaan? Psalm 91:1-4; 9-12; Psalm
119:105; Proverbs 6:22, 23; John 1:4, 9, 10. "I am the Light of the
world," said Jesus.
The Visible Sign
The outward and visible sign that modern Israel is under divine
leadership is their obedience to the Law and the Scriptures. Isaiah 20;
1 John 2:3, 4. The Sabbath as the seal of the law and the mark of
loyalty to the true God, is the sign of sanctification. Ezekiel 20:12,
20. "There is a great similarity between our history and that of
the children of Israel. God led His people from Egypt into the
wilderness, where they could keep His law and obey His voice.
So, at
this time, there is a people whom God has made the depositaries of His
law. To those who obey them, the commandments of God are as a pillar of
fire, lighting and leading the way to eternal salvation." Vol.
4:27. Christ is the living Law and Word.
"Every chapter and every verse of
the Bible is a communication from God to man.
If studied and obeyed,
it would lead God's people as the Israelites were led, by the pillar of
cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night." Patriarchs
and Prophets, p. 504.
The Human Agent. Hosea 12:13.
The Exodus movement was led and preserved by Christ through the human
instrumentality of Moses, His prophet and spokesman. Moses was assisted
by Aaron and Miriam. Psalm 77:20; Micah 6:4. The movement would have
gone to pieces on many different occasions had it not been for the
spirit of prophecy that held it together. Without this divine gift the
Israelites never would have left Egypt, and after leaving Egypt they
never could have reached Canaan but would have returned to Egyptian
bondage. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had the gift of prophecy, but this
gift was withdrawn during the time Israel was in bondage and darkness
because they had forgotten God and His law. Proverbs 29:18; Lamentations
2:9.
Character of Moses. Numbers
12:3.
Meekness is one of the chief qualifications for leadership and has
characterized all of God's prophets. Moses did not seek leadership.
Exodus 3:10, 11; 4:10-14. Esteeming others better and more qualified
than themselves has always been the attitude of those whom God chooses
to do special service for Him. But Moses did not shirk responsibility.
He was afraid that Israel would not believe him or accept him as their
prophet and leader. Exodus 4:1, 29-31. Israel was soon convinced that
Moses was chosen of God to be His spokesman and their leader. As the end
of the prophetic period was approaching, the Lord began to prepare His
agencies for the deliverance of His people. Moses was born on time and
trained for the task. Acts 7:17-22. The forty years as a shepherd in the
Land of Midian was an important part of his preparation to shepherd
Israel for forty years in the same wilderness.
One-Prophet Movement
Not "by prophets", but "by a Prophet" was Israel led
and preserved during their journey from Egypt to the borders of the
promised land. Moses, the prophet of the Exodus movement, died a short
time before Israel entered Canaan. Before his death, Moses was given a
vision of the promised land including the new earth. Deuteronomy 34:1-4.
"And now a panoramic view of the land of promise was presented to
him. Every part of the country was spread out before him, not faint and
uncertain in the dim distance, but standing out clear, distinct, and
beautiful to his delighted vision. In this scene it was presented, not
as it then appeared, but as it would become, with God's blessing upon
it, in possession of Israel. He seemed to be looking upon a second
Eden." "Still another scene opens to his view, the earth freed
from the curse, lovelier than the fair land of promise so lately spread
out before him. There is no sin, and death cannot enter. There the
nations of the saved find their eternal home. With joy unutterable,
Moses looks upon the scene, the fulfillment of a more glorious
deliverance than his brightest hopes have ever pictured. Their earthly
wanderings forever past, the Israel of God have at last entered the
goodly land." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 472, 477. Moses
also saw the deliverance under the Advent movement in that last vision.
Burden of Moses
Moses was afraid that the younger generation who had not witnessed the
power of God in the beginning of the movement would fail to recognize
its divine leadership all along the way. "Before relinquishing his
position as the visible leader of Israel, Moses was directed to rehearse
to them the history of their deliverance from Egypt and their
journeyings in the wilderness, and also to recapitulate the law spoken
from Sinai. When the law was given, but few of the present generation
were old enough to comprehend the awful solemnity of the occasion."
"After the public rehearsal of the law, Moses completed the work of
writing all the laws, the statutes, and the judgments which God had
given him, and all the regulations concerning the sacrificial system.
The book containing these was placed in charge of the proper officers,
and was for safe-keeping deposited in the side of the ark. Still the
great leader was filled with fear that the people would depart from God.
In a most sublime and thrilling address he set before them the blessings
that would be theirs on condition of obedience, and the curses that
would follow upon transgression." Patriarchs and Prophets,
p. 463, 466. Before Moses died he was given all the instruction needed
to take the Children of Israel into the promised land and establish them
there. He wrote out this instruction and Joshua simply carried it out as
the appointed leader of Israel. Deuteronomy 34:9, 10.
Test of Prophetic Gift. Deut.
13:1-5.
The Lord told ancient Israel how to test the claim to the gift of
prophecy. The performing of a miracle or the fulfilling of a prediction
do not in themselves constitute sufficient evidence. The magicians of
Pharaoh performed signs and the Witch of Endor foretold the death of
Saul. Through conjecture based on his knowledge of the past, through the
wonders of modern science, and because of his ability to carry out his
own predictions or plans, Satan through his human mediums and false
prophets is able to perform wonders and reveal future events. God alone
can actually see the future. The only safe test is the life and
teachings of the prophet. Both must be in harmony with the word and
character of God. Isaiah 8:20. God chooses "holy men" to speak
for Him. And yet His prophets have all been human beings subject to all
the mistakes and frailties of mankind. They must get the victory and
develop characters in the same way that others do. James 5:17.
Deuteronomy 18:9-15 is a timely warning for both ancient and modern
Israel.
In Advent Movement. 1
Corinthians 1:6-8; 12:1-28; Ephesians 4:8-11; Revelation 12:17; 19:10.
The gift of prophecy played an important part in the apostolic church.
But during the "falling away" the spirit of prophecy with all
the gifts of the Spirit gradually diminished in their operations. During
the middle ages of darkness and apostasy the gift of prophecy was
divinely bestowed only occasionally and then temporarily. With the dawn
of the Reformation, spiritual gifts began to return. At times the Lord
gave visions and dreams to Savonarola, Wycliffe, Luther, Huss, Jerome,
John Wesley, and other godly reformers to help them through emergencies.
But not until the Advent message started and began to bring a people all
the way back to the faith once delivered to the saints, including
obedience to all the commandments of God, did the Lord place the gift
upon a permanent prophet in the Church.
The Instrument Chosen
In 1842 the gift of prophecy was given to J.B. Finley, a godly young man
who believed the advent message. He was given a vision to prepare the
church for the disappointment, and because he did not understand its
meaning he refused to follow instructions to relate it. Later in the
same year the same vision was given to William Foy, a young Baptist who
was preparing for the ministry. For the same reason he refused to relate
it to the Advent people. The vision was contrary to their teachings and
expectations regarding the future and he was sure they would not believe
him. Early in 1844 the same vision was given to Hazen Foss who was
instructed to relate it so as to prepare the Adventists for the bitter
disappointment soon to take place. He too refused and the Lord told him
that the gift would be given to "the weakest of the weak." It
was bestowed upon Ellen G. Harmon, who at the age of 17 was given the
same vision which she faithfully related.
Her Experience
"After I came out of this vision, I was exceedingly troubled. My
health was very poor, and I was but seventeen years old. I knew that
many had fallen through exaltation, and I knew that if I in any way
became exalted, God would leave me, and I should surely be lost. I went
to the Lord in prayer and begged Him to lay the burden on someone else.
It seemed to me that I could not bear it. I lay upon my face a long
time, and all the light I could get was, 'Make known to others what I
have revealed to you.' In my next vision I earnestly begged of the Lord,
that, if I must go and relate what He had shown me, He would keep me
from exaltation. Then He showed me that my prayer was answered, and if I
should be in danger of exaltation His hand should be laid upon me, and I
should be afflicted with sickness." Early Writings, pp.
20, 21. The prophet of the Advent movement was as meek and humble as
Moses. Just as Moses was afraid to tell Israel that the Lord had
appeared to him, so the instrument chosen to be God's spokesman in these
days hesitated to relate her vision to modern Israel.
But One Prophet
"By a prophet" has modern Israel been led and preserved, not
by "prophets". Mrs. Ellen G. White was the prophet of the
advent movement for 71 years and still is through her written
testimonies. In harmony with the type there will doubtless be no other
regular prophet and indeed there is no need of one. Like Moses she died
on the borders of the heavenly Canaan without enjoying the privilege of
translation, but before her death all the instruction for the entire
journey of the advent people was written out in detail. While the gift
will doubtless be temporarily given to various persons during the very
closing days to help God's people through emergencies and crises, there
is really no need for another regular prophet. See Joel 2:28-30. The
duty of the leaders now is to carry out the instruction given in such
abundance. Before her death God's servant was given visions of the
heavenly Canaan to cheer on the Advent people to the end of their
pilgrimage. She was promised a part in the inheritance.
Led and Preserved
This movement would have gone to pieces long ago had it not been for the
guidance of God through the gift of prophecy. Through this means the
plans of Satan for the disrupting of the movement have been disclosed,
and his false doctrines and deceptions have been revealed. In times of
crisis, instruction has come to guide the church safely through, and
time has abundantly demonstrated that the instruction was of divine
origin. Through this gift perplexing problems have been solved and
hidden truths revealed. Our success or failure as individuals or as a
church depends upon our attitude toward the instruction given through
this medium.
Satan's Anger. Revelation 12:17.
"Furiously angry." Wey. From Satans viewpoint there is
every reason why he should hate the gift of prophecy in the church and
persecute the prophet. He always has. Through this means the Lord
reveals his most secret plans against the church. See 2 Kings 6:8-17.
Through this gift the Lord leads and preserves His church, and obedience
to the instruction of God through His prophets brings prosperity. 2
Chronicles 20:20. The bitterest attacks made against the Advent movement
have been and will continue to be against the Spirit of Prophecy. These
attacks will grow more frequent and fierce as we near the end. Every
effort will be made to undermine faith and confidence in this gift and
the instruction given through it.
Meets the Test
The most modern of all of God's prophets meets all the tests of a true
prophet. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-23. This shows that there will be
prophesying in the remnant of God's church that will stand the test of
proof and investigation, and that this gift will be instrumental in
perfecting a people for translation. Wherever there is the false there
must be the true. Satan never counterfeits what does not exist. There
will be many false prophets in the last days. Matthew 24:24; 2
Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 13:13, 14; 16:14. The test of a true
prophet is not on the basis of appearance or miracles, or even the
fulfillment of predictions. The important questions are, first, does the
life of the prophet harmonize with the Scriptures? And second, are the
instructions in harmony with the law and the testimony of the other
prophets? When Canright was making his attacks against Sister White and
her writings he was publicly asked if he thought anyone would be saved
who followed the example of her life and obeyed the instructions of her
writings. His answer was, "Yes".
A Human Being
No prophet of God was ever fully accepted as a prophet by all the
members of the church to whom they ministered. It always has been true
that, "a prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and
among his own kin, and in his own house." Mark 6:4. The great
prophet Elijah "was a man subject to like passions as we are"
and so were all the other prophets including Sister White. The bestowing
of the gift of prophecy or any of the other spiritual gifts does not
insure perfection. A prophet, like an apostle, pastor, teacher, or
evangelist, must develop character in the same way as the humblest
member of the church. Having a gift of the Spirit does not insure
perfection or victory over sin. It does add to one's responsibility to
live a careful Christian life. When the Lord selected Ellen G. Harmon,
she was "the weakest of the weak," both physically and
intellectually and then He demonstrated what He could do through such a
weak instrument. See 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. We must learn to take our
eyes off of the weak human instrument and fix them upon the divine gift.
The human instrument was subject to the mistakes and frailties of human
flesh, but the gift itself is divine and therefore infallible.
Reason Necessary
"If man had kept the law of God, as given to Adam after his fall,
preserved by Noah, and observed by Abraham, there would have been no
necessity for the ordinance of circumcision. And if the descendants of
Abraham had kept the covenant, of which circumcision was a sign, they
would never have been seduced into idolatry, nor would it have been
necessary for them to suffer a life of bondage in Egypt; they would have
kept God's law in mind, and there would have been no necessity for it to
be proclaimed from Sinai, or graven upon tables of stone. And had the
people practiced the principles of the ten commandments, there would
have been no need of the additional directions given to Moses." P.P.
364. In other words, most of the instruction to ancient Israel through
the gift of prophecy would have been unnecessary if they had faithfully
obeyed the law and the instructions previously given.
In Advent Movement
The same is true today. The Spirit of Prophecy among God's remnant
people does not reveal additional light but calls us back to the
neglected Scriptures. "If you had made God's word your study, with
a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection,
you would not have needed the Testimonies.
The written Testimonies
are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the
truths of inspiration already revealed.
Additional truth is not
brought out; but God has through the Testimonies simplified the great
truths already given, and in His own chosen way brought them before the
people, to awaken and impress the mind with them, that all may be left
without excuse." Life Sketches, p.198, 199.
Further Testimony
"I referred them to ancient Israel. God gave them His law; but they
would not obey it. He then gave them ceremonies and ordinances, that in
the performance of these, God might be kept in remembrance. They were so
prone to forget Him and His claims upon them, that it was necessary to
keep their minds stirred up to realize their obligations to obey and
honor their Creator. Had they been obedient, and loved to keep Gods
commandments, the multitude of ceremonies and ordinances would not have
been required. If the people who now profess to be God's peculiar
treasure would obey His requirements, as specified in His word, special
testimonies would not be given to awaken them to their duty, and impress
upon them their sinfulness and fearful danger in neglecting to obey the
word of God. Consciences have been blunted, because light has been set
aside, neglected and despised." Ibid., pp. 200, 201. |
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