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Heavenly Visions

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    THE PROPHETIC GIFT

    J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

    “EVEN as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:6, 7.HEVI 27.1

    This “testimony of Jesus,” as we have learned from Revelation 19, is “the spirit of prophecy;” and from the scripture just quoted, we see that the prophetic gift was to be with the people who were proclaiming and waiting for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.HEVI 27.2

    About 1833, but more especially since 1840, a message has been sounding through the earth proclaiming the coming of Christ near at hand, “even at the door.” In connection with this proclamation the Lord has been pleased to manifest the power of the Spirit in various ways, and in a marked manner. In many instances, not only in America, but in other lands, the Lord has been gracious to his people who have been engaged in heralding the glad tidings of our returning Lord, by speaking to them through the gift of prophecy. Attention is here called to some instances of this character in America.HEVI 27.3

    The first to be noticed is that of a godly man,-a well-educated and talented minister by the name of William Foy, who resided in Boston, Mass. At two different times during the year 1842, the Lord came so near to him that he was wrapped in holy vision. One of these occasions was on January 18, and the other was on February 4. By invitation he went from city to city to tell of the wonderful things he had seen; and in order to accommodate the vast crowds who assembled to hear him, large halls were secured, where he related to thousands what had been shown him of the heavenly world, the loveliness of the New Jerusalem and of the angelic hosts. When dwelling upon the tender, compassionate love of Christ for poor sinners, he exhorted the unconverted to seek God, and scores responded to his tender entreaties.HEVI 27.4

    Brother Foy’s work continued until the year 1844, near the close of the twenty-three hundred days. Then he was favored with another manifestation of the Holy Spirit,-a third vision was given,-one which he did not understand. In this he was shown the pathway of the people of God through to the heavenly city. He saw a great platform, on which multitudes of people gathered. Occasionally one would drop through his platform out of sight, and of such a one it was said to him, “Apostatized.” Then he saw the people rise to a second platform, and some of these also dropped through the platform out of sight; and finally a third platform appeared, which extended to the gates of the holy city. A great company gathered with those who had advanced to this platform. As he expected the Lord Jesus to come in a very short time, he failed to recognize the fact that a third message was to follow the first and second messages of Revelation 14. Consequently the vision, to him, was inexplicable, and he ceased public speaking. After the close of the prophetic period, in the year 1845, he heard another relate the same vision, with the explanation that “the first and second messages had been given, and that a third was to follow.” Soon after this, however, Brother Foy sickened and died.HEVI 27.5

    Another instance of the manifestation of the gift of prophecy is found in the case of a young man who resided in Poland, by the name of Hazen Foss. He was a man of fine appearance, pleasing address, with a good academic education. In the month of September, 1844, about six weeks before the close of the twenty-three hundred days, the Lord gave him a vision, in which he, like Brother Foy, was shown the “three platforms” in the heavenly pathway. Some messages of warning to individuals were also given him, which he was instructed to deliver. In connection with this he was shown the trials and persecutions that would follow if he was faithful in relating what had been shown to him. As he also was expecting the Lord to come “in a few more days” (as they then sang), he did not understand the third step (“platform”) in the journey; and shrinking from the cross, he refused to relate the vision. The view was repeated to him; and in addition to the first, he was told that if he still refused to tell what had been shown him, the burden would be taken from him, and given to one of the weakest of the Lord’s children, one who would faithfully narrate what God would reveal. Again he refused. A third vision was given him, a very short one, in which he was told that he was released, and was shown the person upon whom the Lord had laid the burden, “one of the WEAKEST of the weak, who would do the Lord’s bidding.”HEVI 27.6

    This startled the young man, who at once appointed a meeting on Mc Guire Hill, Poland, Me., for the purpose of relating what had been revealed to him. The people crowded together to see and hear him. He carefully related his experience,-how he had refused to relate what the Lord had shown him, and what would result from his refusal. “Now,” said he, “I will tell you the vision.” But, alas! it was too late. It had gone from him. Not a word could he recall. He wrung his hands in anguish, saying, “God has fulfilled his word. He has taken the vision from me. I am a lost man.” From that time the man lived without hope, and died in 1893. The Review and Herald, July 18, 1899.HEVI 27.7

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