The Gift of Prophecy
Image © Pacific Press
Neuroscientists have begun to understand the marvelous facility of human infants for language acquisition. At 6 months, a baby can understand the sounds that comprise English words, or words from any of the other 7,000-plus spoken languages. If exposed to a second language, they can acquire that language, as well. During this period a mysterious mental door opens, allowing infants to distinguish the 40 or so sounds that generally make up a native language from the 800 different sounds that they can perceive at birth. But there is one catch: babies must be spoken to. You might call it voice lessons for newborns.
Why would God create us with this wonderful capacity for speech recognition and language acquisition if He never intended to speak to us? The question is rhetorical, of course—for the Bible declares, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Heb. 1:1-2, NKJV).
When sin shattered Adam’s and Eve’s communion with God, He did not wash His hands of them and leave the fallen pair to self-destruct. He came looking for them both, asking Adam, ” ‘Where are you?’ ” (Gen. 3:9, NKJV). He went on to prophesy about the birth of One who would save the world from sin (Gen. 3:15). From its inception, right there in Eden after the Fall, prophecy has uplifted Jesus and pointed sinners to Him, their only hope.
This quarter we will study the gift of prophecy, God’s ingenious innovation for communicating His will and way to fallen human beings, who can no longer commune face-to-face with Him. This special gift of the Holy Spirit is mentioned prominently in 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 14, Ephesians 4, and Romans 12. The Holy Spirit is the Great Dispenser of this and all other spiritual gifts, “distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Cor. 12:11, NKJV). Throughout time, spiritually gifted spokespersons have delivered divine messages to restore and renew our relationship with God, just as God did in Eden after the Fall.
We will learn how God calls prophets and how we can test their authenticity. We will see the similarities and differences between Old and New Testament prophets, as well as gain a working understanding of how revelation and inspiration function in their lives. While some prophets spoke, others wrote; some did both. We will examine these and other modes of divine discourse, their implications, and the blessings of obeying the messages that these prophets delivered.
God uses the gift of prophecy for five crucial purposes: 1. To reveal Himself, His truth, and His will for fallen humanity. 2. To give insight and counsel regarding important events and happenings. 3. To equip the body of Christ—the church—for mission. 4. To provide spiritual encouragement to His followers. 5. To awaken sinners and call them to repentance. In addition, “the spirit of prophecy” is one of two distinguishing marks of God’s end-time remnant church (Rev. 12:17, Rev. 19:10).
So invested is God in guiding the lost safely home that the gift of prophecy is provided for the last days as well (Joel 2:28-31). Seventh-day Adventists believe—with very good reasons—that Ellen G. White, cofounder of the church, exercised a modern manifestation of the prophetic gift.
This is why, along with our study of the gift of prophecy in Scripture, each Friday we will explore the dynamics of Ellen G. White’s call to prophetic ministry. We, as a church, have been given this wonderful gift. How do we best use it?
Yes, from infancy onward, we have been wired to be spoken to. How important, then, that we listen to what God’s prophets tell us!
This Adult Bible Study Guide was produced by the ministry team of the White Estate office, in Silver Spring, Maryland. By sharing Ellen White’s prophetic ministry and writings throughout the world, the Ellen G. White Estate, Inc., supports the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in uplifting Jesus Christ and His Word.
I at times facilitate the Sabbath School on a conference line. I’m looking forward to the lesson study for this final quarter of 2026
I moderate the Sabbath School lesson upfront and discuss from the Sabbath School students seat when not teaching. In the distant past I went into a large church as a new member to that city, yet not a new member to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and choose a class that was not too large. No one was answering the teachers question, except me. I was ushered down stairs where there was a large class several weeks later. The guy that took me by the arm did not tell me why I was ushered elsewhere to the know it much class. I figured that he thought I was embarrassing the ones who seem to not have studied their lessons. Sometimes we slip into a class and haven’t done our homework. My current class helps me teach superbly, in an impressively splendid manner. They all seem to have done their homework. What is your experience?
It definitely helps when people study their lessons. However, when I teach (or more accurately facilitate), I try to do so in a way that is accessible to everyone, even those who haven’t studied. The key to doing so is to focus on Bible passages rather than Sunday’s lesson, Tuesday’s lesson and so on. I have someone from the class read a part of the passage and then ask questions that relate. Even those who haven’t studied can draw conclusions based on reading the passage at that time.
This is a little harder in a topical study such as this quarter, but I still try my best to identify the central passages and begin there.
How much is missed when we neglect the daily study. We must also ask for the power of the Holy Spirit for greater clarity.