The Irresistible Conclusion

Only a few, as this statement declares, of the most prominent are mentioned in the Scriptures. The prophetic gift was as clearly imparted, and as prominent and active during the patriarchal dispensation, as it was in the Mosaic dispensation that immediately followed. The patriarchal age was the beginning of man’s career after his separation from God. The battle between Christ and Satan for the domination of the human family was initiated, and must have been as intensive and determined as it has ever been. Satan’s influence and power were tremendous, for the degradation of the race was so swift and complete that in a comparatively short time after the fall, the whole race, with the exception of eight persons, was justly swept from the face of the earth. In this first contest for the control of man, Christ left nothing undone to instruct, warn, influence, and save the race He had brought into existence by creative power.AGP 44.2

The testimony assembled in this study leads, therefore, to the irresistible conclusion that the prophetic gift was imparted to Adam without delay after he and his companion were sentAGP 44.3

forth from the Garden of Eden. Through this gracious provision, Adam was kept in communication with God, and the gift was manifested just as effectively throughout the patriarchal period as it has been at any subsequent time. The evidence shows that the prophetic gift was used as fully and as widely as was necessary to meet the situation as it then existed.AGP 45.1

What a wonderful blessing this abiding gift was to the people of that dispensation! But more, what an inestimable blessing its service in that age has been to all succeeding generations!AGP 45.2

From the established fact that the prophetic gift is the method chosen by the Lord to make known the gospel message to mankind, it is evident that its operation must parallel the gospel movement from its beginning to its close.AGP 45.3

“As religion is the binding together of God and man, there must not only be the approach of man to God in adoration and worship, but also the approach of God to man, making known His will.” “The Temple Dictionary of the Bible,” Ewing and Thomson, art., “Prophet, Prophecy,” p. 624.AGP 45.4

Or, as stated by another writer whose words are appropriate: “The prophet was the mouthpiece of God, His ambassador to man, informing him what the divine will was in cases not met by the morality of custom.AGP 45.5