Inspired Men After Malachi
The records of history mention no more great prophets in this higher sense and sphere, until the advent of John the Baptist. That there were prophetic men and women who kept alive the work of teaching the will of Jehovah during this time is, however, certain. With the absence of the national prophets, more heed was given to the multiplication of the writings of the former prophets. Synagogues were established, in which were read fromAGP 158.6
Sabbath to Sabbath the words of inspiration that had been preserved through the centuries. Ample instruction had been given them in the writings of the Old Testament prophets, until another crisis should arise, when God would again visit them with remarkable manifestations of the prophetic gift.AGP 159.1
Before we leave this Old Testament division, and face the dreary gap between Malachi and John the Baptist, let us note these marvelous words recorded for our learning and admonition:AGP 159.2
“As the Jews had departed from God, faith had grown dim, and hope had well-nigh ceased to illuminate the future. The words of the prophets were uncomprehended. To the masses of the people, death was a dread mystery; beyond was uncertainty and gloom.”
“In ‘the region and shadow of death,’ men sat unsolaced. With longing eyes they looked for the coming of the Deliverer, when the darkness should be dispelled, and the mystery of the future should be made plain.
“Outside of the Jewish nation there were men who foretold the appearance of a divine instructor. These men were seeking for truth, and to them the Spirit of inspiration was imparted. One after another, like stars in the darkened heavens, such teachers had arisen. Their words of prophecy had kindled hope in the hearts of thousands of the Gentile world.
“For hundreds of years the Scriptures had been translated into the Greek language, then widely spoken throughout the Roman Empire…. Among those whom the Jews styled heathen, were men who had a better understanding of the Scripture prophecies concerning the Messiah than had the teachers in Israel. There were some who hoped for His coming as a deliverer from sin. Philosophers endeavored to study into the mystery of the Hebrew economy…. The true Interpreter must come.” (Italics mine.)—The Desire of Ages, 32, 33, Mrs. E. G. White.
“It is true that in every generation God had His agencies. Even among the heathen there were men through whom Christ was working to uplift the people from their sin and degradation. But these men were despised and hated. Many of them suffered a violent death.” (Italics mine.)—The Desire of Ages, 35.
Truly these are significant words! They sustain the premise maintained throughout this work; namely, that the prophetic gift bestowed upon the race after the fall of man was never permanently withdrawn. This continuing gift was not limited toAGP 159.3
the indicated Hebrew prophets, and did not cease with Malachi. Let these words be engraved as with a pen of steel upon the tablets of the mind, never to be forgotten:AGP 160.1
“Outside of the Jewish nation” there were men who “foretold” the coming of Christ, and to whom “the Spirit of inspiration [mark it!] was imparted.” Such were denominated “teachers,” of whom it is soberly declared, “Their words of prophecy [again note it!] had kindled hope in the hearts of thousands in the Gentile world.”AGP 160.2
Without doubt, the “wise men from the East,” whose visit to the Babe in the manger is recorded in the Scriptures, came from this class of teachers in the Gentile world to whom “the Spirit of inspiration was imparted.” They knew the time of Jesus’ birth. They were guided by a heavenly star to Bethlehem. They were warned in a dream to return home by another route than Jerusalem, to avoid the wicked Herod.AGP 160.3
Of such a class of men it is said that they “had a better understanding of the Scripture prophecies concerning the Messiah than had the teachers in Israel.” This being true, how tragic! Yet how miraculous, and how gracious of the Lord!AGP 160.4
Here is enunciated a profound truth and a mighty covering principle: Every generation has had its inspired witnesses, could we only find them, and could we but read the records as does our heavenly Father. This great truth we are to remember and to apply as we pass into and through the Christian era, wherein the apostle-prophets called by Christ Himself cease with John. But the spiritual gifts that God “gave” to men in the fullest, highest, and newest sense, passed not from the world, but truly appear through the passing centuries to guide and to instruct, to warn and to comfort, the people of God in times of unparalleled spiritual peril and apostasy. These will be found if we but diligently seek them.AGP 160.5