FIRST QUARTER January – March 2009 Gerhard Pfandl - Principal Contributor John the Baptist was called by Jesus to be the greatest of all the prophets. But “the prophetic gift involved something other than writing the books of the Bible.” This Sabbath School Bible Study Guide not only introduces God’s messengers through out the ages but the also Source of all true prophecy, the ‘Gift-Giver.’

FIRST QUARTER 2009 This Sabbath School lesson help was produced for the glory of God. It is being distributed through the internet media for you to use as you teach our Sabbath School classes. Please do not alter the way it was arranged. Thanks and God bless. Yours–in-Christ, Pastor N. V. Macatiag

February 28, 2009 Memory Text: “As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak” (2 Chronicles 18:13, NKJV).

February 28, 2009 A. Introduction There is no question that God uses prophets as His messenger to this sinful world. Despite hindrances, whether manmade or Satan-made, prophets echo what God commanded them to proclaim. As Paul put it, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

February 28, 2009 True prophets got their commission from God to carry divine messages for His people. Messages written in the Bible reverberates through our times. Yet, God has chosen a present day messenger, a prophetess for His remnant church in the person of Mrs. E G White.

February 28, 2009 B. Integrity 1. Scriptural Prophets – a. How the prophets gave the messages. i. The prophets were determined to spoke the truth. ii. They spoke messages from God with no regards to their safety.

February 28, 2009 b. The Message they received. “Thus says the Lord” i. It carries divine authority ii. The prophets received it directly from God. iii. They knew the message personally

February 28, 2009 c. The prophets responsibility: i. To bring the message before the people. ii. To apply them to the receivers situation. d. The gradual reception of Truth i. They did not receive God’s light in one time. ii. The prophets only knew what God revealed to them.

February 28, 2009 e. The time of no enlightenment. i. Nathan’s advise to David about a temple for God’s Ark of the Covenant. This was later rescinded by Nathan himself and advised David what God wanted to be done.

February 28, Ellen G. White i. Like prophets of old her integrity was also questioned because of the presuppositions of what should be a prophet.

February 28, 2009 b. Regarding plagiarism: In The Great Controversy she stated that she had used other books: “In some cases where a historian has so grouped together events as to afford, in brief, a comprehensive view of the subject, or has summarized details in a convenient manner, his words have been quoted.... In narrating the experience and views of those carrying forward the work of reform in our own time, similar use has been made of their published works.”—Page 14.

February 28, 2009 c. Regarding her writings: “I take the Bible just as it is, as the Inspired Word,” she said.—Selected Messages, book 1, p. 17. At the same time, she also claimed divine inspiration for her writings: “In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me.... It is true concerning the articles in our papers and in the many volumes of my books.”— Page 29.

February 28, 2009 d. About Progressive Revelation: It was the same with Ellen White: “For sixty years I have been in communication with heavenly messengers, and I have been constantly learning in reference to divine things, and in reference to the way in which God is constantly working to bring souls from the error of their ways to the light in God’s light.”— Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 3, p. 71.

February 28, 2009 e. Regarding infallibility: Ellen White was not infallible, and she never claimed infallibility. She grew, changed her mind on issues, and was constantly open for more light.

February 28, 2009 C. Reaction 1. Questions: a. Do you believe that EG White is God’s prophet for today’s time? b. How will you receive her messages found in her writings? 2. Commitment: a. Will you commit yourself to God and believe his prophet? i.e. EG White

February 28, 2009 God bless and a Happy Sabbath!