This, say they, closes the canon of inspiration. If so, why did John write his gospel after his return from Patmos to Ephesus? In doing so did he add to the words of the prophecy of that book written in the isle of Patmos? It is evident from the text, that the caution against adding to or taking from, refers not to the Bible as we have the volume compiled, but to the separate book of Revelation, as it came from the hand of the Apostle. Yet no man has a right to add to or subtract from any other book written by inspiration of GOD. Did John, in writing the book of Revelation, add any thing to the book of Daniel's prophecy? Not at all. A prophet has no right to alter the word of GOD. But the visions of John corroborate those of Daniel, and give much additional light upon the subjects there introduced. I conclude then that the LORD has not bound himself to keep silence, but is still at liberty to speak. Ever be it the language of my heart, Speak, LORD, through whom thou wilt; thy servant heareth. p. 9, Para. 3, [1SG].
Thus the attempt to prove from Scripture the abolition of spiritual gifts, proves a total failure. And since the gates of hades have not prevailed against the church, but GOD still has a people on earth, we may look for the development of the gifts, in connection with the Third Angel's Message--a message which will bring back the church to apostolic ground, and make them indeed the light--not darkness--of the world. p. 10, Para. 1, [1SG].
Again, we are forewarned that there would be false prophets in the last days, and the Bible gives a test by which to try their teachings, in order that we may distinguish between the true and the false. The grand test is the law of GOD, which is applied both to the prophesyings and to the moral character of the prophets. If there were to be no true prophesyings in the last days, how much easier to have stated the fact, and thus cut off all chance for deception, than to give a test by which to try them, as though there would be the genuine as well as the false. In Isa. viii, 19, 20, is a prophesy of the familiar spirits of the present time, and the law is given as a test. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Why say, "if they speak not," if there was to be no true spiritual manifestation or prophesying at the same time? JESUS says, Beware of false prophets, ... ye shall know them by their fruits. Matt. vii, 15. This is a part of "the sermon on the mount," and all can see that this