CLEARING AWAY THE MISCONCEPTIONS CONCERNING INSPIRED MESSENGERS OF THE LORD: INTRODUCTION
Over the last few years, there has been some controversy raised amongst Seventh-day Adventists, and particularly with those who worship independently of the organized denomination, concerning the issue of the changing of the Spirit of Prophecy books. It is the purpose of this study document, to examine in detail this issue, and to put the true facts before the honest in heart reader.
It should be stated from the outset, that this is an issue, which will NOT die and go away. Every Sabbath-keeper who professes faith in the 3rd Angel’s Message will have to eventually face this issue. The world is becoming aware through various internet sites, which are trumpeting through the Wortd Wide Web, various mistakes and contradictions, which appear in some of the writings, which bear Mrs. White’s name. These mistakes and contradictions are NOT imagined, but very real. (Some of these mistakes and contradictions we shall show in CHAPTER 7 of our study document.) How does a believer answer these issues? How can we build an intelligent and reasonable faith in the Spirit of Prophecy writings, when confronted with these facts?
Unfortunately, many Sabbath-keepers who are hasty in reaching conclusions, and who are surface readers in their study of the Scriptures, have rejected the inspiration of Mrs. White when confronted with these facts. And they are now busy attacking Mrs. White as a “false prophet”.
Others, (and this by far is the largest group, being made up of conservative Seventh-day Adventists), blindly refuse to examine the issue of “BOOK CHANGES” fairly, and they accept everything that bears Mrs. White’s name as being her work, and defend the authenticity of all the writings, no matter what. They attack any one who raises this issue as being “of the devil”. Their’s is a blind and unreasoning faith, that wants to “sweep under the carpet” these mistakes and contradictions in the writings, and to defend their “traditional beliefs” which they have received through years of reading the “CHANGED BOOKS”.
After years of studying this issue, from Scripture and from the writings of Mrs. White herself, the compiler sees an inspiration in her original writings, which harmonizes with a careful searching of the Scriptures on so many subjects, that this weight of evidence convicts me, that this woman had to be inspired by the Holy Spirit to write these foundational books. But I am also aware of the very real CHANGES that have occurred in the later writings, and mistakes and contradictions that are contained within these later books, which were NOT found in the original writings. The only reasonable conclusion which I have come to, based on the evidence which I have available to me today, is that uninspired people -church workers and church leaders have manipulated the writings, making CHANGES in the books, which has resulted in these mistakes and contradictions appearing in the later books which bear Mrs. White’s name. I will be putting the documented evidence before the reader in this study document, to establish the truthfulness of this proposition.
In this document, I will outline the history of the book changes. I shall also outline the main characters behind the changing of the books. I will also produce evidence of document tampering. And finally, I will put before the reader, some detailed and important changes between the two sets of books (i. e. between the original “Spirit of Prophecy Volumes·, as compared with the compiled “Conflict of the Ages Series”), so that they will be able to see for themselves, the importance of this issue.
But before going to the history of the changing o f the books, I will outline some Biblical principles dealing with God’s Inspired Word, and How the Bible Prophets operated, in writing out their inspired messages. I shall now tum to this task, in the first two chapters of this document, and I pray that the Holy Spirit will bless and guide the honest in heart reader.
NOTE: In the controversy that is presently raging furiously over the issue of “Book Changes”, conservative or “historic” Seventh-day Adventists are vigorously defending the traditional SDA teaching of “thought inspiration”, and are attacking those who are teaching “dictated” or “verbal” inspiration of the Bible writers. This chapter has two purposes:
- To clear up some common misconceptions, which are held by Seventh-day Adventists concerning inspired messengers of the Lord; and some misconceptions that they hold concerning Mrs. White’s writings; And,
- To clearly establish the truthfulness of “dictated inspiration” of the Bible writers.
CLEARING AWAY THE MISCONCEPTIONS CONCERNING INSPIRED MESSENGERS OF THE LORD
True Proposition No.1: An inspired messenger whether a prophet or apostle, is not under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, 24 hours a day, seven days a week so to speak; but when the Lord wants to give them an inspired message or revelation, the Word of the Lord comes to them; or the Spirit of the Lord comes upon them. We shall give several Biblical examples of this proposition.
Example 1: – The prophet Gad.
2 Samuel 24:11, 12: – “For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three [things]; choose thee one of them, that I may [do it) unto thee.”
Example 2: – The prophet Isaiah.
2 Kings 20:4-6: – “And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Tum again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”
Example 3: – The inspired messenger Zechariah.
2 Chronicles 24:20: – “And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.”
True Proposition No. 2: – When the inspired messenger of the Lord is not under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they are not infallible, but they can make mistakes like anyone else. We shall establish the truthfulness of this proposition from the Scriptures and from the writings of Mrs. White.
Inspired messengers of the Lord are subjected to “like passions” which plague all humanity. We have the examples of the apostles Paul and Barnabas, and the prophet Elijah.
Acts 14:14-15: – “[Which] when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard [of], they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.”
James 5:17: – “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”
Example 1: – The example of the prophet Nathan when he gave his approval to King David’s suggestion to build the Temple of the Lord. This initial counsel from Nathan was not based upon an inspired revelation from the Lord. He was giving his own judgment or opinion, which the Lord corrected that night through a Divine revelation.
1 Chronicles 17:1-4: – “Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD [remaineth] under curtains. Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that [is] in thine heart; for God [is] with thee. And It came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in.“
Example 2: – The example of the apostle James and the elders in Jerusalem, when they counselled the apostle Paul to sponsor the brethren who had a vow upon them in the Temple at Jerusalem. This led to Paul’s imprisonment. The Holy Spirit did not inspire this counsel. And the apostle Paul was not authorized by God to agree to this counsel.
Acts 21:18-25: – “And the [day] following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard [it], they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou sees!, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teaches! all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise [their] children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave [their] heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but [that] thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written [and] concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from [things] offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.”
Mrs. White has commented upon this incident that contains a very clear statement of this proposition that we are establishing concerning inspired messengers and inspiration.
Sketches from the Life of Paul. pp. 212-214: – “The brethren hoped that by this act Paul might give a decisive contradiction of the false reports concerning him. But while James assured Paul that the decision of the former council (Acts 15) concerning the Gentile converts and the ceremonial law still held good, the advice given was not consistent with that decision which had also been sanctioned by the Holy Spirit The Spirit of God did not prompt this advice. It was the fruit of cowardice. By non-conformity to the ceremonial law, Christians would bring upon themselves the hatred of the unbelieving Jews, and expose themselves to severe persecution …. The disciples themselves yet cherished a regard for the ceremonial law, and were too willing to make concessions, hoping by so doing to gain the confidence of their countrymen, remove their prejudice, and win them to faith in Christ as the world’s Redeemer. Paul’s great object in visiting Jerusalem was to conciliate the church of Palestine. So long as they continued to cherish prejudice against him, they were constantly working to counteract his influence. He felt that if he could by any lawful concession on his part win them to the truth, he would remove a very great obstacle to the success of the gospel in other places. But he was not authorized of God to concede so much as they had asked. This concession was not in harmony with his teachings, nor with the firm integrity of his character. His advisers were not infallible. Though some of these men wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, yet when not under its direct influence they sometimes erred. It will be remembered that on one occasion Paul withstood Peter to the face because he was acting a double part.“
NOTE: – The highlighted last four lines of this statement are very clear and to the point. Not every word uttered under every and all circumstances by an inspired messenger is an infallible Testimony from the Lord. And when not under the direct influence of the inspiration of the Spirit of God, they can make mistakes. These last four lines have been deleted from Acts of the Apostles. p. 405.
Example 3: – Paul had to rebuke Peter to the face, for Peter’s erroneous conduct towards the Gentile believers at Antioch.
Galatians 2:11-14:- “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”
True Proposition No. 3: – There are times when an inspired messenger of the Lord is giving their own judgment or opinion, and is not giving an inspired Testimony of the Lord. Such is the example of the apostle Paul, and this proposition also applies to Mrs. White’s ministry.
Example 1: – In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he does give his own judgment on various aspects of the subject of marriage, and acknowledges these statements to not be a commandment from the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:6: – “But I speak this by permission, [and] not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself.”
1 Corinthians 7:12: – “But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.”
1 Corinthians 7:25: – “Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.”
Example 2: – Mrs. White wrote a 16-page pamphlet on the subject of “Dress Reform”, which she advertised for her Christian sisters to get a copy of. She acknowledges that it is not a booklet based upon visions; but rather it is her own views
Original Testimony, No. 14, pp. 74, 75: – “THE DRESS REFORM.”
“This is the title of a tract of 16 pp., in which I have appealed to the people respecting the reform dress, in behalf of those who adopt it. The people have a right to know why we change our style of dress. It is not a book of visions. It is my views of the matter adapted to the condition of the public mind. My sisters everywhere will each want a package of 100. It is offered to them at the low price of $1.00 per hundred, post-paid. Address Ellen G. White, Greenville, Montcalm Co., Michigan. Sister Burgess will fill all orders in my absence. Those who can obtain this tract more conveniently at the Review Office, can do so at the same cost.” (1868.)
NOTE: – This was deleted from the changed Testimonies – see 1st Testimony, p. 690.
True Proposition No.4: – It is possible that inspired messengers can be adversely influenced by false reports and misinformation by other people, when they are not under the direct inspiration of the Spirit of God.
Example 1: – Some of the apostles from the Church at Jerusalem had been prejudiced against the apostle Paul by the false reports they had received about him from the unbelieving Jews.
Sketches from the Life of Paul, p. 207: – “And he could not count upon the sympathy and support of even his own brethren in the faith. The unconverted Jews who had so closely followed upon his track, had not been slow to circulate the most unfavorable reports at Jerusalem, both personally and by letter, concerning him and his work, and some, even of the apostles and elders, had received these reports as truth, making no attempt to contradict them, and manifesting no desire to harmonize with him. Yet in the midst of discouragements, the apostle was not in despair. He trusted that the Voice which had spoken to his own heart would yet speak to the hearts of his countrymen, and that the Master whom his fellow-disciples loved and served would yet unite their hearts with his in the one work of the gospel.” {LP 207.1}
Example 2: – Mrs. White relied upon information which somebody supplied her to rebuke Elder E. P. Daniels for his alleged unchristian conduct while in the pulpit. The person who had given Mrs. White this information, had misinformed her, and given her the wrong name of the minister who deserved the rebuke, and also the wrong place where the incident had occurred which called forth this rebuke. (This establishes the truthfulness of this proposition.)
Review and Herald, August 14. 1883 – “Supplement”: – “The story is in circulation that at an audience granted me by Mrs. White, I was informed by her that in a temperance lecture given by me in the village of Parma, I had used language unbecoming a Christian minister, and deported myself in a manner disgraceful to the pulpit, and that God had shown this to her in vision, all of which I then and there denied. This story I deny publicly, as I have several times already done in private. Mrs. White never told me that she had ever seen anything of this kind in vision, either about me or any one else. Through a misunderstanding, I happened to be the person rebuked, in the place of the one for whom the rebuke was intended, and who justly merited it. Were all the facts known, it would leave no room for even the slightest disrespect for the motives that influenced her, as she had, as she supposed, the best of reasons for believing that her informant had told her the truth. And indeed he had, but had made a mistake in the name of the person; all that she had said was true of another, though the incident did not occur at Parma. More than this, Mrs. White told me plainly that this report came from a gentleman whose acquaintance they had formed when travelling in the West.” (By Elder E. P. Daniels.)
COMMON SDA MISCONCEPTION:
Conservative Seventh-day Adventists have been “educated” to believe that every letter, every diary entry and every manuscript which Mrs. White wrote; and every word or statement that she uttered under every and all circumstances which has been recorded, is an inspired Testimony from the Lord. Such is an erroneous belief that Mrs. White wrote against.
R. & H .. August 30. 1906: – “sanitarium, Cal., June 14, 1906.”
“Dear Brother: Your letter came to me while in southern California. For some weeks the consideration of matters connected with the development of our sanitarium work there, and the writing out of the views given me regarding the earthquake and its lessons, have taken my time and strength.” {RH, August 30, 1906 par. 1}
“But now I must respond to the letters received from you and others. In your letter, you speak of your early training to have implicit faith in the Testimonies, and say, “I was led to conclude and most firmly believe that every word that you ever spoke in public or private, that every letter you wrote under any and all circumstances, was as inspired as the ten commandments.” {RH, August 30, 1906 par. 2}
“My brother, you have studied my writings diligently, and you have never found that I have made any such claims. Neither will you find that the pioneers in our cause have made such claims.” {RH, August 30, 1906 par. 3}
PART 2:
THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE WRITERS:
I pose the following question for our readers: – How many Seventh-day Adventists correctly understand the Biblical teaching concerning “Inspiration”? Our answer: – Unfortunately, very few. Let me clarify this point further.
For over 110 years, the Seventh-day Adventist organization, has taught its members that God inspired the Bible prophet’s and apostle’s thoughts, and then they were left free to put those thoughts into their own words, when they wrote out the Scriptures. This teaching does not stand up to the test of some very plain Bible texts, which I shall now put before the reader.
ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION!
2 Timothy 3:16: – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
NOTE: – The Greek word for “INSPIRATION” is the word – θεόπνευστος;- “theopneustos”. It means, “divinely breathed in” – Strong’s Concordance: Greek; No. 2315. As we proceed in this study, it will become clear that the Holy Spirit spoke by the mouths of the prophets and apostles, and actually put God’s word into their mouths. That is what “Inspiration” means – “divinely breathed in.”
The prophets and apostles wrote as the Holy Spirit moved them.
2 Peter 1:21: – “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.“
The following Bible texts are very plain on this point; namely, that God spoke by the mouth of his prophets. You cannot place the word “thoughts” into these passages, when they plainly use the word “words“. It was the “words” which the Lord put into the mouths of the inspired messengers.
2 Samuel 23:2: – “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.“
Jeremiah 1:9: – “Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.“
Acts 1:16: – “Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 2:13: – “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
The prophet Daniel while under divine inspiration, had no breath in his body, and yet he could speak while in vision.
Daniel 10:16, 17: – “And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have 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.“
NOTE: – It is a physical impossibility to be able to speak, when we are not breathing. Then how could Daniel speak while in vision? By the Holy Spirit using the vocal organs of the prophet Daniel while he was in vision. Thus establishing the truth that God’s Spirit gave the prophets and apostles the very words that they were to write or speak, while under divine inspiration.
The Example of the Patriarch Jacob: – The dying patriarch Jacob prophesied concerning his twelve sons which is recorded in Genesis 49:1-28. This message was spoken by Divine Inspiration. He had the spirit of prophecy upon him as he spoke, and the testimony of Jesus has recorded the fact that the words that he spoke to his sons were not his own. Thus establishing the truth that when under inspiration, an inspired messenger speaks the words God gives them.
Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 1. pp.154. 156: – “As Jacob was about to die, his children gathered about him to receive his blessing, and to listen to his last words of advice to them. He forgave his children for all their unfilial conduct, and for their wicked treatment of Joseph, which had caused him many years of grief as he had reflected upon his supposed dreadful death. As he spoke with his children for the last time, the Spirit of the Lord rested upon him, and he uttered prophecies concerning them, which reached far in the future. While under the spirit of inspiration, he laid open before them their past lives, and their future history, revealing the purposes of God in regard to them.…Jacob was an affectionate father. The words he uttered to his children were not his, spoken because he had retained an unforgiving spirit on account of their wrongs. He had forgiven them. He had loved them to the last. He mourned deeply at the loss of Joseph, and when Simeon was retained in Egypt, he manifested grief, and expressed his anxious wish that his children should return safely from Egypt with their brother Simeon. He had no resentful feeling toward his sorrowing children. But God, by the spirit of prophecy, elevated the mind of Jacob above his natural feelings. In his last hours, angels were all around him, and the power of the grace of God shone upon him. His paternal feelings would have fed him to utter, in his dying testimony, only expressions of love and tenderness. But under the influence of Inspiration he uttered truth, although painful.“
NOTE: – The important highlighted portions have been deleted from Patriarchs and Prophets. pp. 235-237.
The Example of Moses: – Moses wrote out for the children of Israel, the Judgments of the Lord as recorded in Exodus 21-23 from the mouth of the Lord. Christ dictated these Judgments to Moses as he wrote them out in Mount Sinai.
Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 1. p. 265: – “Moses wrote these judgments and statutes from the mouth of God while he was with him in the mount“
2nd Volume of Sermons and Talks. pp. 187. 188: – “The Lord gave many other statutes or judgments, which were to be strictly obeyed. These are recorded in the twenty-first, twenty-second, and twenty-third chapters of Exodus …. After God had given Moses various laws and ordinances, He directed him to go down to the people and acquaint them with these laws. Moses was instructed to read them to the people. While in the mount he had written them just as they had been spoken by the Son of God. “And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do” (Ex. 24:3). … Moses did not leave them to misconstrue the words of the Lord or to misapply His requirements. He wrote all the words of the Lord in a book, that they might be referred to afterward. In the mount he had written them as Christ Himself dictated them.“
In fact, the Lord spoke directly to Moses, face to face as a person speaks to a friend.
Exodus 33:11: – “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.”
Numbers 12:7, 8: – “My servant Moses [is] not so, who [is] faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”
The Lord spoke to Moses the words that he was to repeat and teach to the children of Israel. There is no room for “thought inspiration” in the writings of Moses! We shall give a few examples of this:
Exodus 19:3-7: – “And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and [how] I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.“
Exodus 24:3: – “And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.“
Exodus 35:1: – “And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These [are] the words which the LORD hath commanded, that [ye] should do them.”
Leviticus 1:1, 2: – “And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, [even] of the herd, and of the flock.”
Numbers 15:17. 18: – “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land whither I bring you.”
The Example of Aaron: – The Lord selected Aaron to be Moses’ spokesman to the people of Israel and to the Egyptians. God would be with Moses’ mouth; and Aaron would repeat the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses.
Exodus 4:14-16: – “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, [Is] not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, [even] he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.“
Exodus 4:28-30: – “And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him. And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.”
This example concerning Moses and Aaron is an example of how God speaks to his prophets, and then the prophet repeats the words which God has given them to speak to the people.
Exodus 7:1, 2: – “And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.”
The Example of the Prophet Balaam: The story of Balaam is a very clear illustration of how inspiration works upon God’s prophets. God’s angel gave Balaam the very words that he was to speak to king Balak.
Numbers 22:35, 38: – “And the angel of the Lord said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. … And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say anything? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.“
Numbers 23:5, 11, 12, 16: – “And the Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, Return unto Balak, and thus thou shalt speak. … And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether. And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth? … And the Lord met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.”
The original Spirit of Prophecy Volume 1 account is in harmony with this Biblical example concerning inspiration and the prophet Balaam.
Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 1. pp. 322-324: – “Balaam answered, La, I am come unto thee. He then told him that he had no power to say anything. The word that God should give him, that could he speak, and could go no further. Balaam ordered the sacrifices according to the religious rites. God sent his angel to meet with Balaam, to give him words of utterance, as he had done on occasions when Balaam was wholly devoted to the service of God. … Again, at Zophim, at the top of Pisgah, Balaam offered burnt offerings, and then went by himself to commune with the angel of God. And the angel told Balaam what to say.”
NOTE: – These exact and very specific statements concerning the angel of the Lord giving the very words which Balaam was to speak to king Balak, have been deleted from Patriarchs and Prophets, in the chapter on “Balaam”.
The Example of King David: King David wrote out the minute and detailed pattern of the Temple and it’s various articles of furniture under the direct inspiration of the Spirit of God.
1 Chronicles 28:10-19: – “Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do [it]. Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things: Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD. [He gave] of gold by weight for [things] of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; [silver also] for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service: Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, [both] for the candlestick, and [also] for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick. And by weight [he gave] gold for the tables of shewbread, for every table; and [likewise] silver for the tables of silver: Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons [he gave gold] by weight for every bason; and [likewise silver] by weight for every bason of silver: And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out [their wings], and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. All [this, said David], the LORD made me understand in writing by [his] hand upon me, [even] all the works of this pattern.”
The original Spirit of Prophecy Volume 1 account of this incident indicates how the Lord’s hand was upon David, as he wrote out this pattern while under inspiration. An angel of the Lord instructed David and stood by his side as he wrote out all the minute and specific details of the pattern of the Temple.
Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 1. pp. 387, 388: – “The Lord, through his angel, instructed David, and gave him a pattern of the house which Solomon should build for him. An angel was commissioned to stand by David while he was writing out, for the benefit of Solomon, the important directions in regard to the arrangement of the house.“
NOTE: – The angel of the Lord stood by David’s side and instructed him, as he wrote out the pattern of the Temple. In other words, the angel told David what he was to write out in regards to the pattern. By the way, this specific fact that an angel stood by David’s side and instructed him as he wrote out the pattern of the Temple has been deleted from Patriarchs and Prophets. p. 751.
This pattern was given to David by Divine inspiration. (Thus putting these two statements together, we can see how Divine inspiration gave David the pattern of the Temple.)
Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 4, p. 23: – “The first temple had been erected during the most prosperous period of Israel’s history. Vast stores of treasure for this purpose had been collected by King David, and the plans for its construction were made by divine inspiration.”
The Example of Jeremiah: – The Lord gave Jeremiah the very words that he was to speak to the people of Jerusalem in the Temple of the Lord.
Jeremiah 26:1, 2: – “In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word.“
Jeremiah was commanded by the Lord to write out all the words that the Lord had spoken to him; Jeremiah then dictated the words that the Lord had given to him, to his scribe Baruch, who wrote them out in a book.
Jeremiah 36:1-4: – “And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, [that] this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.”
4th Testimony, p.177: – “The prophet Jeremiah, in obedience to the commands of God, dictated the words that the Lord gave him to Baruch, his scribe, who wrote them upon a roll. See Jeremiah 36:4.”
The Example of Jesus Christ: – Jesus Christ, who was “that Prophet” predicted by Moses spoke the words that his Father gave him. Deuteronomy 18:18: – “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”
John 12:49: – “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”
John 14:24: – “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.“
John 17:8: – “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”
The Example of the Disciples on the Day of Pentecost: – The first disciples, who were gathered together in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and spake with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. These disciples did not have any control over the words they were speaking. This was a miraculous manifestation of Divine Inspiration among the first Christians, who spoke the words the Holy Spirit put into their mouths.
Acts 2:3, 4: – “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.“
The Example of the Apostle John and the Book of the Revelation: – Throughout the book of Revelation, Christ commanded the inspired apostle to write the words that he was speaking to John. Such is the message to each of the seven churches.
Revelation 2:1, 8, 12: – ·unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; … And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; … And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges.”
See also: – Revelation 2:18; 3:1, 7, 14; 14:13; 21 :5. In each of these passages the Greek verb which is used for the word “write” is the verb – γράφω – “grapho” – See Strong’s Concordance; Greek. No. 1125. It means – “to write”. The Greek form of this verb in each of these passages is the Aorist, Active, Imperative – γράφω “grapson”. The Imperative form makes this verb into a command by Christ to John, to write the words that he was listening to, being spoken by Christ.
More Biblical examples could be given to establish the truth that God gives an inspired messenger the very words that they are to speak or to write out. The Biblical evidence already given is clear, plain and abundant. It should be more than sufficient to convict the honest in heart reader. And for the reader who is not honest in heart, no amount of evidence will convict them of the truth!
THE TESTIMONY OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY CONFIRMS THIS TRUTH:
The original Spirit of Prophecy books are in perfect harmony with the Bible’s teaching concerning inspiration.
One thing that we have found when researching the issue of the inspiration of the Bible writers from Mrs. White’s writings is:
Most of the plain and unambiguous statements that teach the “dictation of the Holy Spirit” concept of inspiration which we are listing throughout this chapter and which are found in the original Spirit of Prophecy Volumes, have been deleted from the “Conflict of the Ages” Series. That is very interesting in light of this present controversy concerning Inspiration and the “Changing of the Books”.
Spiritual Gifts, Volume 1, p. 176: – “He who is the father of lies, blinds and deceives the world by sending his angels forth to speak for the apostles, and make it appear that they contradict what they wrote when on earth, which was dictated by the Holy Ghost.”
Stephen’s defence found in Acts 7, was spoken at the dictation of the Holy Spirit.
Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 3, p. 297: – “When Stephen had reached this point there was a tumult among the people. The prisoner read his fate in the countenances before him. He perceived the resistance that met his words, which were spoken at the dictation of the Holy Ghost.“
NOTE: – In Acts 6:5 Luke has recorded the fact that the deacon Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit; and in Acts 7:55 when he spoke his defence as recorded in Acts Chapter 7, he was also full of the Holy Spirit. This defence before the Sanhedrin Council was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit as he spoke. The phrase “which were spoken at the dictation of the Holy Ghost has been deleted from the book Acts of the Apostles. p. 100.
R. & H., book 1, p. 216: – “The scribes of God wrote as they were dictated by the Holy Spirit, having no control of the work themselves.” (January 22, 1880.)
NOTE: – If the Bible writer’s thoughts were inspired, but then they had the freedom to choose the words they wrote out, then they had a large degree of control over the final content of the Scriptures. But to use the phrase – “having no control over the work themselves”, indicates exactly what it says – the Holy Spirit dictated the words that the inspired penmen were to write out, who had no control over what they wrote.
Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 4, p. 375: – “Moreover, the apostles, as personated by these lying spirits, are made to contradict what they wrote at the dictation of the Holy Spirit when on earth.”
NOTE: – The definition of the word “DICTATE” is: – “To put into words which are to be written down; to pronounce to a person (something which he is to write).” – The Oxford Universal Dictionary Illustrated; Volume 1. p. 504. 1970 edition.
The Holy Spirit dictated the Apostle John’s gospel.
Special Testimonies on Education. p. 5: – “In the record John was charged by the Holy Spirit to present, he says of Christ, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” This is the most precious unfolding of definite truth, flashing its divine light and glory upon all who will receive it. What more important knowledge can be received than that given in the Book which teaches of the fall of man and the consequence of that sin which opened the flood-gates of woe upon our world; which teaches also of the first advent of Christ, a helpless babe, born in a stable and cradled in a manger. The history of Christ is to be searched, comparing scripture with scripture, that we may learn the all-important lesson. What are the terms of salvation? As intelligent agents, invested with personal attributes and responsibilities, we can know in regard to our future, eternal destiny; for the Scripture record given by John, at the dictation of the Holy Spirit, contains no terms that cannot be easily comprehended, and that will not bear the most searching and critical investigation.” {SpTEd 5.1}
The Holy Spirit’s message, as recorded by the prophet Daniel, dictated the histories of the nations of Bible prophecy.
Bible Training School, December 1. 1912: – “Hundreds of years before a people had come upon the stage of action, the prophetic pen, under the dictation of the Holy Spirit had traced its history. The prophet Daniel described the kingdoms that would rise and fall.” {BTS, December 1, 1912 par. 3}
SOME EXAMPLES IN THE ADVENT MOVEMENT OF 1840-1844:
The Example of Little Children In Giving the 1st Angel’s Message In the 1840·44 Advent Movement in Some Parts of Europe:
Spirit of Prophecy. Volume 4. p. 222: – “Wherever missionaries had penetrated, were sent the glad tidings of Christ’s speedy return. In different lands were found isolated bodies of Christians, who, solely by the study of the Scriptures, had arrived at the belief that the Saviour’s advent was near. In some portions of Europe, where the laws were so oppressive as to forbid the preaching of the Advent doctrine, little children were impelled to declare it, and many listened to the solemn warning.” {4SP 222.2}
The following from the pen of Sr. White gives us more details concerning these child preachers in Europe who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to give the 1st Angel’s message. It makes a very interesting reading.
Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists. pp. 205 & 206: – “In many places where the power of the clergy was exercised to prevent the preaching of the advent truth, the Lord was pleased to send the message through little children. As they were under age, the law of the State could not restrain them, and they were permitted to speak freely and unmolested. Thus the warning of the soon-coming Judgment was given to the people. This continued about nine months. After that, the influence upon the children was declared by the authorities to be a disease, and some of them were taken to the hospitals; but their mouths were not stopped; for they preached as long as God chose to use them as witnesses. {HS 205.4}
“The movement began in the fall of 1842, and continued through the winter of 1843. An eye witness, speaking of the work accomplished through these children, says: “The weather was providentially very favorable that winter. There was little snow, but the marshes, lakes, and rivers were frozen over so that they could be used as a high-road, and the people went in masses to the places where these child-preachers were, who were mostly poor cottagers. A little girl began preaching but a few miles from the place where I lived, and as the news of the wonderful movement was noised about, I went with my wife to see and hear for myself. When we arrived at the cottage, it was filled with people. The child, who was six or eight years old, moved around among them, and they asked her questions, which she answered as a child usually does. The people flocked together, till the house was surrounded by a great number. When the last had arrived, her manner changed entirely, both in boldness and movements, clearly indicating that she was moved by an invisible power, and not by her own natural gifts. When she commenced speaking, her voice also changed. She said, ‘Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment is come.’ She reproved sins, such as drinking, theft, adultery, swearing, and backbiting, and also reproved churchgoers for attending church with worldly business in view, instead of listening to God’s word and conforming their lives to it. Her voice and words were impressive. Many were weeping and sighing. They were told that time was given them to repent, but they must do it immediately, and not put it off.” {HS 205.5}
“We went home with stricken and trembling hearts. I felt that I must take my Bible, which I thought I had carefully studied, and search it yet deeper. I could hardly work the following week. My thoughts were constantly running on God’s word, and the sharp reproofs and expositions I had heard from that little child, who probably had not even learned to read.” {HS 206.1}
“A great awakening commenced among the people. Many drunkards became sober men; thieves returned stolen property, and confessed their sins; forgiveness was asked for wrongs done. A work was accomplished such as no preacher with learning and great talent could have effected.” {HS 206.2}
The following from the pen of Elder J. N. Lougborough gives us more detail regarding how these little children actually acted and spoken when they were impelled by the Spirit of God to give this message.
Rise and Progress of the Seventh-Day Adventists with Tokens of God’s Hand in the Movement and a Brief Sketch of the Advent Cause from 1834 to 1844 – By J. N. Lougborough. 1892, pp. 21, 22: – “The law of Sweden, in the years 1843 and 1844, forbade the preaching of any doctrine contrary to the established church. Here the hand of God in the Advent movement was apparent from the fact that out of the mouths of children the doctrine was proclaimed. This fact was first brought to my knowledge by a Swede, Peter Palmabla, of La Porte, Indiana, in the spring of 1858. In 1843, while living in Sweden, he heard the report that children were moved upon in a remarkable manner to sing and preach with great power, and that under this preaching sinners were being converted to God. He took his son, a little lad of about four years of age, and went to a place of meeting about twenty miles from where he lived. As he entered the house, a large company of people were assembled, and were singing a Lutheran hymn, in which a little girl, some four years of age, joined. Soon she was moved upon to talk. She was put upon a table, where she preached the doctrine of the near coming of Christ and the Judgment. A mighty power accompanied her words, and although unable to read a word, she quoted scriptures correctly, and exhorted for nearly an hour. When this influence passed off from her, she played around just like any other child until the people met again. A few days after Mr. P. returned home, his own boy began to sing a Lutheran hymn, and the same power came upon him, and he began to preach and exhort in the same manner. For some weeks the house of Mr. P. was a place of large assemblies of people, gathered there to hear the little boy preach. This same boy I saw in 1858. He was then about nineteen years of age.”
NOTE: – That a four year old girl who could not even read, could preach so powerfully the 2nd Coming of Jesus and the Judgment, and could quote the Scriptures correctly, while under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and then when this influence passed off from her, she acted like any other four year old, is truly amazing. No doubt the Holy Spirit gave this young child the words she preached to the people, and NOT just the thoughts.
Reading the above accounts of how the Holy Spirit worked through these little children, and to see the complete change of manner and even their voices when the Spirit of God came upon them as they preached the 1st Angel’s message, from when they were not under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, can not but lead a person to conclude that the Holy Spirit gave them the words they were to preach, and NOT just the thoughts.
The Example of Joseph Bates during the Midnight Cry of 1844: – Elder Joseph Bates relates an experience that happened to him during the Midnight Cry of 1844, when the Spirit of God gave him such a flow of words in his testimony before his Advent brethren, that the words flowed like water.
The Early Life and Later Experience and Labors of Elder Joseph Bates, edited by Elder James White, pp. 301 & 302: – “After an absence of five days, I returned home to Fairhaven in season for an evening meeting. My brethren were slow to believe our report respecting the new light. They believed they were right thus far, but the midnight cry was a strange doctrine to connect with Advent history. Sunday morning I attended the Advent meeting in New Bedford, some two miles distant. Bro. Hutchinson, from Canada, was preaching. He appeared much confused, and sat down, saying, “I can’t preach.” Eld. E. Macomber, who had returned with me from the camp-meeting, was in the desk with him. He arose, apparently much excited, saying, “Oh! I wish I could tell you what I have seen and heard, but I cannot,” and down he sat also. I then arose from my seat in the congregation, saying, “I can!” and never do I remember of having such freedom and flow of words, in all my religious experience. Words came like flowing water.“
NOTE: – The words came flowing like water to Joseph Bates, NOT the thoughts.
THE EXAMPLE OF ELDER A. T. JONES IN HIS PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO SUNDAY LEGISLATION:
The Example of Elder A. T. Jones in his public testimony before a Committee of the United States Congress in opposing Sunday Legislation: – Elder A. T. Jones in his public testimony before a committee of the United States Congress, in opposition to proposed Sunday legislation, claimed that the sentences that he was to speak were shown to him as if written on a wall.
From 1888 to Apostasy: The Case of A. T. Jones. by George R. Knight. p. 77: – “The House Committee on the District of Columbia heard the Breckenridge bill on February 18, 1890. Once again, Jones was a key witness, not only in arguing the bill’s unconstitutionality, but also in using its religious arguments against its authors. Always at his best when under pressure, he later claimed that “it seemed as though the sentences he should speak were written on the wall, or suspended in the air before him.“
NOTE: – The sentences which he was to speak were given to A. T. Jones, NOT just the thoughts.
Because the Holy Spirit dictated the words which the prophets and apostles wrote, while under inspiration, the following fundamental principle applies to God’s Inspired writings:
MANKIND HAS NO AUTHORITY TO CHANGE GOD’S INSPIRED WRITINGS, IN ANY PARTICULAR. NO MATTER HOW SMALL!
Deuteronomy 4:2: – “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”
Special Testimony. Series B. No. 3a. pp. 10, 11: ·”Moses continued: “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” There was a tendency to add to the law by making human restrictions; and the Lord guarded against the adding of man-made tests, which would bring in confusion. And He guarded, too, against the taking away of any of His precepts. Never are we to put our words in the place of God’s words; for thus we would be taking away from His law.” {SpTB03a 10.7}
Deuteronomy 12:32: – “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.“
Psalm 89:34: – “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.“
Proverbs 30:5, 6: – “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.“
NOTE: – If we add to God’s word, we are liars, and we know what is the fate of all liars – the Lake of Fire – See Revelation 21 :8; 22:15.
Jeremiah 26:2: – “Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word.“
NOTE: – Even God’s prophet, in this case Jeremiah, cannot delete one word which God has given him to speak or write, while under inspiration.
Revelation 22:18, 19 – “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
NOTE: – This passage of Scripture makes the sin of tampering with God’s inspired writings a salvation issue.
One final point dealing with changing God’s inspired writings: – When Satan came to Christ in the wilderness of temptation, he misquoted Scripture to Jesus, from the book of Psalms.
Matthew 4:6: – “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
Psalm 91:11, 12: – “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
NOTE: – The part highlighted in Matthew 4:6 shows that Satan deleted a portion from the original Scripture passage in Psalm 91, to try and deceive Christ. Clearly, any attempt to change God’s inspired writings, is NOT from God, but is inspired by Satan!