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| Event 3 - Probation Closes |
| The Scriptures a Safeguard |
Key Text
"To
the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah
8:20 |
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak
not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah
8:20. The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard
against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of
spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent
men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances
reveal his deceptions. At every revival of God's work the prince of
evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth
his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers.
The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to
perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit
resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between
them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement
and every miracle must be tested.
Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided.
They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must
understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as
they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and
act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with
the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great
conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather
than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the
rock of God's immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the
commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?
Before His crucifixion the Saviour explained to His disciples that He was to
be put to death and to rise again from the tomb, and angels were present to impress
His words on minds and hearts. But the disciples were looking for temporal deliverance
from the Roman yoke, and they could not tolerate the thought that He in whom
all their hopes centered should suffer an ignominious death. The words which
they needed to remember were banished from their minds; and when the time of
trial came, it found them unprepared. The death of Jesus as fully destroyed their
hopes as if He had not forewarned them. So in the prophecies the future is opened
before us as plainly as it was opened to the disciples by the words of Christ.
The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation
for the time of trouble, are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding
of these important truths than if they had never been revealed. Satan watches
to catch away every impression that would make them wise unto salvation, and
the time of trouble will find them unready.
Key Text
"And the
third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship
the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in
his hand,
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out
without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with
fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of
the Lamb:” Revelation 14:9-10 |
When God sends to men warnings so important that they are represented as proclaimed
by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven, He requires every person endowed
with reasoning powers to heed the message. The fearful judgments denounced against
the worship of the beast and his image (Revelation 14:9-11), should lead all
to a diligent study of the prophecies to learn what the mark of the beast is,
and how they are to avoid receiving it. But the masses of the people turn away
their ears from hearing the truth and are turned unto fables. The apostle Paul
declared, looking down to the last days: "The time will come when they will
not
endure sound doctrine." 2 Timothy 4:3. That time has fully come. The multitudes
do not want Bible truth, because it interferes with the desires of the sinful,
world-loving heart; and Satan supplies the deceptions which they love.
But God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible
only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms. The opinions
of learned men, the deductions of science, the creeds or decisions of ecclesiastical
councils, as numerous and discordant as are the churches which they represent,
the voice of the majority--not one nor all of these should be regarded as evidence
for or against any point of religious faith. Before accepting any doctrine or
precept, we should demand a plain "Thus saith the Lord" in its support.
Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God.
He leads the people to look to bishops, to pastors, to professors of theology,
as their guides, instead of searching the Scriptures to learn their duty for
themselves. Then, by controlling the minds of these leaders, he can influence
the multitudes according to his will.
When Christ came to speak the words of life, the common people heard Him gladly;
and many, even of the priests and rulers, believed on Him. But the chief of the
priesthood and the leading men of the nation were determined to condemn and repudiate
His teachings. Though they were baffled in all their efforts to find accusations
against Him, though they could not but feel the influence of the divine power
and wisdom attending His words, yet they incased themselves in prejudice; they
rejected the clearest evidence of His Messiahship, lest they should be forced
to become His disciples. These opponents of Jesus were men whom the people had
been taught from infancy to reverence, to whose authority they had been accustomed
implicitly to bow. "How is it," they asked, "that our rulers and
learned scribes do not believe on Jesus? Would not these pious men receive Him
if He were
the Christ?" It was the influence of such teachers that led the Jewish nation
to reject their Redeemer.
The spirit which actuated those priests and rulers is still manifested by many
who make a high profession of piety. They refuse to examine the testimony of
the Scriptures concerning the special truths for this time. They point to their
own numbers, wealth, and popularity, and look with contempt upon the advocates
of truth as few, poor, and unpopular, having a faith that separates them from
the world.
Christ foresaw that the undue assumption of authority indulged by the scribes
and Pharisees would not cease with the dispersion of the Jews. He had a prophetic
view of the work of exalting human authority to rule the conscience, which has
been so terrible a curse to the church in all ages. And His fearful denunciations
of the scribes and Pharisees, and His warnings to the people not to follow these
blind leaders, were placed on record as an admonition to future generations.
Key Text
"But Peter
and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight
of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” Acts
4:19
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought
to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29 |
The Roman Church reserves to the clergy the right to interpret the Scriptures.
On the ground that ecclesiastics alone are competent to explain God's word, it
is withheld from the common people. Though
the Reformation gave the Scriptures to all, yet the selfsame principle which
was maintained by Rome prevents multitudes in Protestant churches from searching
the Bible for themselves. They are taught to accept its teachings as interpreted
by the church; and there are thousands who dare receive nothing, however plainly
revealed in Scripture, that is contrary to their creed or the established teaching
of their church.
Notwithstanding the Bible is full of warnings against false teachers, many are
ready thus to commit the keeping of their souls to the clergy. There are today
thousands of professors of religion who can give no other reason for points of
faith which they hold than that they were so instructed by their religious leaders.
They pass by the Saviour's teachings almost
unnoticed, and place implicit confidence in the words of the ministers. But are
ministers infallible? How can we trust our souls to their guidance unless we
know from God's word that they are light bearers? A lack of moral courage to
step aside from the beaten track of the world leads many to follow in the steps
of learned men; and by their reluctance to investigate for themselves, they are
becoming hopelessly fastened in the chains of error. They see that the truth
for this time is plainly brought to view in the Bible; and they feel the power
of the Holy Spirit attending its proclamation; yet they allow the opposition
of the clergy to turn them from the light. Though reason and conscience are convinced,
these deluded souls dare not think differently from the minister; and their individual
judgment, their eternal interests, are sacrificed to the unbelief, the pride
and prejudice, of another.
Many are the ways by which Satan works through human influence to bind his captives.
He secures multitudes to himself by attaching them by the silken cords of affection
to those who are enemies of the cross of Christ. Whatever this attachment may
be, parental, filial, conjugal, or social, the effect is the same; the opposers
of truth exert their power to control the conscience, and the souls held under
their sway have not sufficient courage or independence to obey their own convictions
of duty.
The truth and the glory of God are inseparable; it is impossible for us, with
the Bible within our reach, to honor God by erroneous opinions. Many claim that
it matters not what one believes, if his life is only right. But the life is
molded by the faith. If light and truth is within our reach, and we neglect to
improve the privilege of hearing and seeing it, we virtually reject it; we are
choosing darkness rather than light.
"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the
ways of death." Proverbs 16:25. Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin,
when there is every opportunity
to know the will of God. A man is traveling and comes to a place where there
are several roads and a guideboard indicating where each one leads. If he disregards
the guideboard, and takes whichever road seems to him to be right, he may be
ever so sincere, but will in all probability find himself on the wrong road.
God has given us His word that we may become acquainted with its teachings and
know for ourselves what He requires of us. When the lawyer came to Jesus with
the inquiry, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" the Saviour
referred him to the Scriptures, saying: "What is written in the law? how
readest thou?" Ignorance will not excuse young or old, nor release them
from the punishment due for the transgression of God's law; because there is
in their hands a faithful presentation of that law and of its principles and
claims. It is not enough to have good intentions; it is not enough to do what
a man thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right. His soul's salvation
is at stake, and he should search the Scriptures for himself. However strong
may be his convictions, however confident he may be that the minister knows what
is truth, this is not his foundation. He has a chart pointing out every waymark
on the heavenward journey, and he ought not to guess at anything.
It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures
what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his
example. We should day by day study the Bible diligently, weighing every thought
and comparing scripture with scripture. With divine help we are to form our opinions
for ourselves as we are to answer for ourselves before God.
The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt and
darkness by learned men, who, with a pretense of great wisdom, teach that the
Scriptures have a mystical, a secret, spiritual meaning not apparent in the language
employed. These men are false teachers. It was to
such a class that Jesus declared: "Ye know not the Scriptures, neither the
power of God." Mark 12:24. The language of the Bible should be explained
according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed. Christ
has given the promise: "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the
doctrine." John 7:17. If men would but take the Bible as it reads, if there
were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds, a work would be accomplished
that would make angels glad and that would bring into the fold of Christ thousands
upon thousands who are now wandering in error.
We should exert all the powers of the mind in the study of the Scriptures and
should task the understanding to comprehend, as far as mortals can, the deep
things of God; yet we must not forget that the docility and submission of a child
is the true spirit of the learner. Scriptural difficulties can never be mastered
by the same methods that are employed in grappling with philosophical problems.
We should not engage in the study of the Bible with that self-reliance with which
so many enter the domains of science, but with a prayerful dependence upon God
and a sincere desire to learn His will. We must come with a humble and teachable
spirit to obtain knowledge from the great I AM. Otherwise, evil angels will so
blind our minds and harden our hearts that we shall not be impressed by the truth.
Many a portion of Scripture which learned men pronounce a mystery, or pass over
as unimportant, is full of comfort and instruction to him who has been taught
in the school of Christ. One reason why many theologians have no clearer understanding
of God's word is, they close their eyes to truths which they do not wish to practice.
As understanding of Bible truth depends not so much on the power of intellect
brought to the search as on the singleness of purpose, the earnest longing after
righteousness.
Key Text
"Open Thou
mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." Psalm
119:18 |
The Bible should never be studied without prayer. The Holy Spirit alone can cause
us to feel the importance of those
things easy to be understood, or prevent us from wresting truths difficult of
comprehension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart so to
comprehend God's word that we shall be charmed with its beauty, admonished by
its warnings, or animated and strengthened by its promises. We should make the
psalmist's petition our own: "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous
things out of Thy law." Psalm 119:18. Temptations often appear irresistible
because, through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one
cannot readily remember God's promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons.
But angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things;
and in the time of great necessity they will bring to their remembrance the very
truths which are needed. Thus "when the enemy shall come in like a flood,
the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." Isaiah 59:19.
Jesus promised His disciples: "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom
the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26.
But the teachings of Christ must previously have been stored in the mind in order
for the Spirit of God to bring them to our remembrance in the time of peril. "Thy
word have I hid in mine heart," said David, "that I might not sin against
Thee." Psalm 119:11.
All who value their eternal interests should be on their guard against the inroads
of skepticism. The very pillars of truth will be assailed. It is impossible to
keep beyond the reach of the sarcasms and sophisms, the insidious and pestilent
teachings, of modern infidelity. Satan adapts his temptations to all classes.
He assails the illiterate with a jest or sneer, while he meets the educated with
scientific objections and philosophical reasoning, alike calculated to excite
distrust or contempt of the Scriptures. Even youth of little experience presume
to insinuate doubts concerning the fundamental
principles of Christianity. And this youthful infidelity, shallow as it is, has
its influence. Many are thus led to jest at the faith of their fathers and to
do despite to the Spirit of grace. Hebrews 10:29. Many a life that promised to
be an honor to God and a blessing to the world has been blighted by the foul
breath of infidelity. All who trust to the boastful decisions of human reason
and imagine that they can explain divine mysteries and arrive at truth unaided
by the wisdom of God are entangled in the snare of Satan.
Key Text
"Wherefore,
my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now
much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians
2:12 |
We are living in the most solemn period of this world's history. The destiny
of earth's teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own future well-being
and also the salvation of other souls depend upon the course which we now pursue.
We need to be guided by the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ should
earnestly inquire: "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" We need to
humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much
upon His word, especially upon the scenes of the judgment. We should now seek
a deep and living experience in the things of God. We have not a moment to lose.
Events of vital importance are taking place around us; we are on Satan's enchanted
ground. Sleep not, sentinels of God; the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment,
should you become lax and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey.
Many are deceived as to their true condition before God. They congratulate themselves
upon the wrong acts which they do not commit, and forget to enumerate the good
and noble deeds which God requires of them, but which they have neglected to
perform. It is not enough that they are trees in the garden of God. They are
to answer His expectation by bearing fruit. He holds them accountable for their
failure to accomplish all the good which they could have done, through His grace
strengthening them. In the books of heaven they are registered as cumberers of
the ground. Yet the case of even this class is not utterly hopeless. With those
who have slighted God's mercy and abused His grace, the heart of
long-suffering love yet pleads. "Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest,
and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk
circumspectly, . . . redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians
5:14-16.
When the testing time shall come, those who have made God's word their rule of
life will be revealed. In summer there is no noticeable difference between evergreens
and other trees; but when the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain unchanged,
while other trees are stripped of their foliage. So the falsehearted professor
may not now be distinguished from the real Christian, but the time is just upon
us when the difference will be apparent. Let opposition arise, let bigotry and
intolerance again bear sway, let persecution be kindled, and the halfhearted
and hypocritical will waver and yield the faith; but the true Christian will
stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, than in days of
prosperity.
Says the psalmist: "Thy testimonies are my meditation." "Through
Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." Psalm
119:99, 104.
"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom." "He shall be as a tree
planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall
not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful
in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." Proverbs
3:13; Jeremiah 17:8. |
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