The prophetic gift has been God's chosen method of revealing Himself to the human race after man had been ruined through sin. Before being estranged from God by this blighting, alien curse, he had free and open access to the presence of his Creator. But after the fall this open way was closed. Since then, an obscuring veil has separated man from the presence of God.

The prophetic gift bestowed was to abide with the church from Adam to the second advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, when He comes to take His redeemed people to Paradise. It did no cease with the apostles, but is traceable through the centuries to the last days of human history, just before the return of our Lord. When that supreme event of the ages shall occur, then-and not until then- shall come to pass that which is spoken of by the apostle Paul:

"Love never faileth, but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (1Corinthians 13: 8-10, ASV).