Chapter 3 Highlights

This chapter reviewed importance the of prophets and prophetesses to encourage and guide God's people and bless the world. These were people that God specifically choose to speak for Him. As we look through the Biblical record we see that prophets were often persecuted, derided, and even killed.

As we read Matthew 24 we read about the danger of "false prophets" deceiving many people. We should be careful when someone claims to be a prophet but the Bible is clear that in the last days God is going to revive the gift of prophecy.

Joel 2:28-23 says:

And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
your young men shall see visions:
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids
in those days will I pour out my spirit.
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth,
blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered:
for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance,
as the LORD hath said,
and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

With that in mind the Apostle Paul gives us some very important counsel in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22:

Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

This chapter shares with us 5 Biblical tests that we need to apply to anyone who claims to be a prophet or prophetess and gives a brief introduction to the life and work of Ellen White.

I really appreciate the Practical application of this chapter:

As mentioned in the previous chapter, there are many inspirational books that we can read with benefit. But we should not be content to read only inspirational books when we could be reading inspired books. Seventh-day Adventists recognize Ellen White’s writings as an end-time manifestation of the biblical “spirit of prophecy.” These writings are a product of divine inspiration. God has given them specially to His church in these last days to help prepare us for the second coming of Christ. They expose the enemy’s deceptive snares and establish the reader in the truths of Scripture. Yet “many are going directly contrary to the light which God has given to His people, because they do not read the books which contain the light and knowledge in cautions, reproofs, and warnings” ( Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 681). Recommit to spending at least 30 minutes a day in prayer and study, using the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy reading plan in the back of this handbook. Read the writings of Ellen G. White alongside your Bible, and discover for yourself how they illuminate your understanding of the Bible, establish you in the truth, and deepen your walk with God. “Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper” (2 Chronicles 20:20).

Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department, General Conference,Howard, Jim,DeVasher, Kameron,Howard, Mark,Ringstaff, Justin,Schefka, Staci. Discipleship Handbook (GROW Series) (p. 25). Review and Herald Publishing Association. Kindle Edition.

https://ellenwhite.org/
https://egwwritings.org/
https://www.adventist.org/who-was-ellen-g-white/