Dissecting the Word of God

Transcription

1 Dissecting the Word of God By LeRoy Jackson Jr. In the days of Christ the leaders and teachers of Israel were powerless to resist the work of Satan. They were neglecting the only means by which they could have withstood evil spirits. It was by the word of God that Christ overcame the wicked one. The leaders of Israel professed to be the expositors of God's word, but they had studied it only to sustain their traditions, and enforce their man made observances. By their interpretation they made it express sentiments that God had never given. Their mystical construction made indistinct that which He had made plain. They disputed over insignificant technicalities, and practically denied the most essential truths. Thus infidelity was sown broadcast. God's word was robbed of its power, and evil spirits worked their will. {DA 257.3} History is repeating. With the open Bible before them, and professing to reverence its teachings, many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in it as the word of God. They busy themselves with dissecting the word, and set their own opinions above its plainest statements. In their hands God's word loses its regenerating power. This is why infidelity runs riot, and iniquity is rife. {DA 258.1} Those who turn from the plain teaching of Scripture and the convicting power of God's Holy Spirit are inviting the control of demons. Criticism and speculation concerning the Scriptures have opened the way for spiritism and theosophy those modernized forms of ancient heathenism to gain a foothold even in the professed churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. {DA 258.2} 16 (1 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; see EGW on John 17:17). Beyond Finite Comprehension. There are some that may think they are fully capable with their finite judgment to take the Word of God, and to state what are the words of inspiration, and what are not the words of inspiration. I want to warn you off that ground, my brethren in the ministry. "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." There is no finite man that lives, I care not who he is or whatever is his position, that God has authorized to pick and choose in His Word. {7BC 919.2} How would finite man know anything about that matter? He is to take the Word of God as it reads, and then to appreciate it as it is, and to bring it into the life and to weave it into the character. There is everything plainly revealed in God's Word which concerns the salvation of men, and if we will take that Word and comprehend it to the very best of our ability, God will help us in its comprehension. {7BC 919.6} Human minds without the special assistance of the Spirit of God will see many things in the Bible very difficult to be understood, because they lack a divine enlightenment. It is not that men should come to the Word of God by setting up their own way, or their own will or their own ideas, but it is to come with a meek and humble and holy spirit. {7BC 919.7}

2 Never attempt to search the Scriptures unless you are ready to listen, unless you are ready to be a learner, unless you are ready to listen to the Word of God as though His voice were speaking directly to you from the living oracles. Never let mortal man sit in judgment upon the Word of God or pass sentence as to how much of this is inspired and how much is not inspired, and that this is more inspired than some other portions. God warns him off that ground. God has not given him any such work to do (MS 13, 1888). {7BC 919.8} (Ex. 3:5.) God's Word Not to Be Dissected. It takes all of eternity to unfold the glories and bring out the precious treasures of the Word of God. Do not let any living man come to you and begin to dissect God's Word, telling what is revelation, what is inspiration and what is not, without a rebuke. Tell all such they simply do not know. They simply are not able to comprehend the things of the mystery of God. What we want is to inspire faith. We want no one to say, "This I will reject, and this will I receive," but we want to have implicit faith in the Bible as a whole and as it is. {7BC 919.9} 20 We call on you to take your Bible, but do not put a sacrilegious hand upon it, and say, "That is not inspired," simply because somebody else has said so. Not a jot or tittle is ever to be taken from that Word. Hands off, brethren! Do not touch the ark. Do not lay your hand upon it, but let God move. It is with His own power, and He will work in such a manner that He will compass our salvation. We want God to have some room to work. We do not want man's ideas to bind Him about. {7BC 920.1} The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. Selected Messages, book 2, p Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan.... Some will go out from among us who will bear the ark no longer. But these cannot make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go onward and upward to the end. Last Day Events, p See also Selected Messages, book 3, p. 385; MR, vol. 7, p The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves. Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 89. As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them. {GC 608.2}

3 Soon God s people will be tested by fiery trials, and the great proportion of those who now appear to be genuine and true will prove to be base metal. Testimonies, vol. 5, p These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us. The members of the church will individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be forced to bear witness for the truth. Many will be called to speak before councils and in courts of justice, perhaps separately and alone. The experience which would have helped them in this emergency they have neglected to obtain, and their souls are burdened with remorse for wasted opportunities and neglected privileges. {5T 463.2} Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness. Prophets and Kings, p Many will show that they are not one with Christ, that they are not dead to the world, that they may live with Him; and frequent will be the apostasies of men who have occupied responsible positions. Review and Herald, Sept. 11, See also MR, vol. 13, pp. 379, 381. When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when His law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage and firmness the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few this will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason. Testimonies, vol. 5, p One thing is certain: Those Seventh day Adventists who take their stand under Satan s banner will first give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God s Spirit. Selected Messages, book 3, p. 84. See also Ibid., pp. 48, 83; Testimonies, vol., 4, p The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith. Evangelism, p See Ibid., pp ; The Great Controversy, pp. 423, 488; Review and Herald, Jan. 21, 1890; Testimonies, vol. 5, p I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this will cause a shaking among God s people. Testimonies, vol. 1, p Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils and will depart from the faith. Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 401.

4 When the shaking comes, by the introduction of false theories, these surface readers, anchored nowhere, are like shifting sand. They slide into any position to suit the tenor of their feelings of bitterness. Testimonies to Ministers, p We are in the shaking time, the time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. The Lord will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not in word and deed obey His commands. Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 332 (1900). Ellen White knew from experience and from divine instruction how Satan s tactics affected her ministry, and how he would operate in the future. In 1890 she wrote two letters: Satan is... constantly pressing in the spurious to lead away from the truth. The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. Where there is no vision, the people perish (Prov. 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God s remnant people in the true testimony. Selected Messages, book 2, p. 78. There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic. The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason: Satan cannot have so clear a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are heeded. Letter 40, 1890, in Selected Messages, book 1, p. 48. Another Church to Follow? In the early 1900s, when certain forces within the church were attempting to deflect the church s message and mission, she steadied those who listened with courage and optimism: We cannot now step off the foundation that God has established. We cannot now enter into any new organization, for this would mean apostasy from the truth. Manuscript 129, 1905, cited in Selected Messages, book 2, p With a further look into the future, she wrote in 1908: I am instructed to say to Seventh day Adventists the world over, God has called us as a people to be a peculiar treasure unto Himself. He has appointed that His church on earth shall stand perfectly united in the Spirit and counsel of the Lord of hosts to the end of time. Selected Messages, book 2, p. 397 Messenger and Message Inseparable Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.... that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them (Rev. 14:13). "Men will arise with interpretations of scripture which are to them truth, but which are not truth. The truth for this time, God has given us as a foundation for our faith. He Himself has taught us what is truth. One will arise, and still another, with new light which contradicts the light God has given under the

5 demonstration of His Holy Spirit... We are not to receive the words of those who come with a message that contradicts the special points of our faith." Counsels to Writers and Editors, p 32. WHAT ARE THE PILLARS OF OUR FAITH? "The passing of time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God's people upon the earth, (also) the first and second angels' messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed, 'The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.' One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressor of God's law. The non immortality of the wicked is an old landmark." {The State of the Dead.} Counsels to Writers and Editors, p 30. (For further study: Proverbs 9:1; Hebrews 6:2; 1888 Materials, p 518; Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 258, 313, 377, 399; Testimonies, vol 6, p 91, 144; Evangelism, p 273; Early Writings, p 63, 87, 258; Great Controversy, p 409; Life Sketches, p 278). right now. These include: 1. The Investigative Judgment 2. The Sabbath 3. The Ten Commandments 4. The State of the Dead 5. The Inspiration of Ellen White All the doctrines of the Adventist Church are under constant attack 6. The sanctioning of the Ordination of Women as Elders and Pastors, which there is no Biblical or S.O.P. support. 7. True Worship Style. Among every other point of faith that can be exclusive to ADVENTIST. WHY ARE THEY NEEDED? "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalms 11:3.

6 "As a people we are to stand firm on the platform of eternal truth that has withstood test and trial. We are to hold to the sure pillars of our faith. The principles of truth that God has revealed to us are our only true foundation. They have made us what we are. The lapse of time has not lessened their value." Counsels to Writers and Editors, pg. 5 There will be counterfeit messages coming from persons in all directions. One after another will rise up, appearing to be inspired, when they have not the inspiration of heaven, but are under the deception of the enemy. All who receive their messages will be led astray. (3 Selected Messages 404.4) "Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson, and others... were among those who after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly... "But the waymarks which have made us what we are, are to be preserved, and they will be preserved, as God has signified through His Word and the testimony of His Spirit. He calls upon us to hold firmly with the grip of faith to the fundamental principles that are based on unquestionable authority." Series B#2, p (For further study: Isaiah 49:22, 62:10; Jeremiah 6:16, 50:2; Ephesians 4:14 15; 1 Timothy 4:1 2, 16; Hebrews 10:23; SDA Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 985; Selected Messages, book 1, p 161; Evangelism, p 121; Life Sketches, p 430, 448; Upward Look, p 152; Testimonies, vol 4, p 211; vol 5, p 31, 295; vol 6, p 17; Review and Herald, August 20, 1903.) Every conceivable message is coming to counterfeit the work of God, and always bearing the inscription of truth upon its banner. (Selected Messages Vol. 2, p. 92.3) What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right, when they are all wrong? The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. (Review and Herald, September 16, 1873 paragraph 5) Attempts to Make Testimony of Jesus of None Effect Because of the nature of the great controversy, Satan hates the truth about God and how He plans to rescue men and women from Planet Earth. Consequently, he will do all his brilliant mind can devise to make the testimony of Jesus Christ of no effect. That should be expected. At the same time, she said very clearly that God has invested His church with special authority and power which no one can be justified in disregarding and despising; for in so doing he despises the voice of God. Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 417 (1875). Human Probation Closes When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death. Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. {Mar 263.1}

7 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Rev. 22:11. A Time of Trouble Such as Never Was Dan. 12:1. Dan. 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. When the third angel's message closes, mercy no longer pleads for the guilty inhabitants of the earth. The people of God have accomplished their work. They have received "the latter rain," "the... refreshing... from the presence of the Lord," and they are prepared for the trying hour before them. Then Jesus ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with a loud voice says, "It is done."... {Mar 265.1} The Four Winds Loosed The angels of God do His bidding, holding back the winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree, until the servants of God should be sealed in their foreheads. {Mar 266.2} Seven Last Plagues Begin to Fall And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. Rev. 16:1. When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9, 10), will be poured out. The plagues upon Egypt when God was about to deliver Israel were similar in character to those more terrible and extensive judgments which are to fall upon the world just before the final deliverance of God's people. {Mar The Death Decree Issued I saw the leading men of the earth consulting together, and Satan and his angels busy around them. I saw a writing, copies of which were scattered in different parts of the land, giving orders that unless the saints should yield their peculiar faith, give up the Sabbath, and observe the first day of the week, the people were at liberty after a certain time to put them to death. {Mar 268.3} Marked for Death

8 The decree will go forth that they must disregard the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and honor the first day, or lose their lives; but they will not yield, and trample under their feet the Sabbath of the Lord, and honor an institution of papacy. Satan's host and wicked men will surround them, and exult over them, because there will seem to be no way of escape for them. {Mar 269.3} Angelic Protection in the Time of Trouble I saw the saints leaving the cities and villages, and associating together in companies, and living in the most solitary places. Angels provided them food and water, while the wicked were suffering from hunger and thirst. {Mar 270.2} The Wicked During the Plagues Many of the wicked were greatly enraged as they suffered the effects of the plagues. It was a scene of fearful agony. Parents were bitterly reproaching their children, and children their parents, brothers their sisters, and sisters their brothers.... The people turned upon their ministers with bitter hate and reproached them, saying, "You have not warned us. You told us that all the world was to be converted, and cried, Peace, peace, to quiet every fear that was aroused. You have not told us of this hour; and those who warned us of it you declared to be fanatics and evil men, who would ruin us." But I saw that the ministers did not escape the wrath of God. Their suffering was tenfold greater than that of their people. {Mar 271.4} The Time of Jacob's Trouble I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus' work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble. {Mar 272.1} Why the Time of Trouble They lay hold of the strength of God as Jacob laid hold of the Angel; and the language of their souls is: "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." {Mar 273.3} The time of trouble is the crucible that is to bring out Christlike characters. It is designed to lead the people of God to renounce Satan and his temptations. {Mar 273.4} Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Luke 18:7, 8. The Great Time of Trouble

9 In the midst of the time of trouble trouble such as has not been since there was a nation His [God's] chosen ones will stand unmoved. Satan with all the hosts of evil cannot destroy the weakest of God's saints. {Mar 275.3} The Crowning Act of Deception As the second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ draws near, satanic agencies are moved from beneath. Satan will not only appear as a human being, but he will personate Jesus Christ; and the world who has rejected the truth will receive him as the Lord of lords and King of kings. {Mar 276.1} No Martyrs After Probation Closes "They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Malachi 3:17. God's People Delivered The people of God some in prison cells, some hidden in solitary retreats in the forests and the mountains still plead for divine protection, while in every quarter companies of armed men, urged on by hosts of evil angels, are preparing for the work of death. It is now, in the hour of utmost extremity, that the God of Israel will interpose for the deliverance of His chosen.... {Mar 278.2} Midnight Deliverance He [God] has always chosen extremities, when there seemed no possible chance for deliverance from Satan's workings, for the manifestation of His power. It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people... "It is done." Revelation 16:17. {Mar 279.2} God Overturns Nature And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. Rev. 16:17, 18. We need to study the pouring out of the seventh vial. The powers of evil will not yield up the conflict without a struggle. {Mar 280.1} The Special Resurrection And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Dan. 12:2.

10 Those who sleep in Jesus will be called from their prison house... to a glorious immortality.... He has risen, dear friends, and in your despondency you may know... that Jesus is by your side to give you peace. {Mar 281.2} The Special Resurrection of the Unjust "They also which pierced him" (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient. {Mar 282.1} The Elements Melt with Fervent Heat The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and be removed as a cottage. The elements shall be in flames, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. (See 2 Peter 3:10) {Mar 283.2} A Graphic Illustration of the Seventh Plague The largest officially recognized hailstone on record to have been captured in the U.S, on July 23 rd It measured 8.0 in diameter, 18 ½ in circumference, and weighed in at pounds. A Greek talent was 57 lb, Roman talent was 71 lb, and Egyptian talent was 60 lb. Babylonian talent was 67 lb. The heavy common talent, used in New Testament times, was 130 lb. The Earth Flees from its Maker Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up. Isa. 13:13, 14. God's Law Appears in the Heavens.appears against the sky a hand holding two tables of stone folded together. Says the prophet: "The heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself." Psalm 50:6. That holy law, God's righteousness, that amid thunder and flame was proclaimed from Sinai as the guide of life, is now revealed to men as the rule of judgment. The hand opens the tables, and there are seen the precepts of the Decalogue, traced as with a pen of fire. The words are so plain that all can read them. {Mar 286.4} It is impossible to describe the horror and despair of those who have trampled upon God's holy requirements.... {Mar 286.5} The Day and Hour of Christ's Coming Announced Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. The atmosphere parted and rolled back. Then we could look up through the open space in Orion, whence came the voice of God. EW 41 (1851). {LDE 272.1}

11 The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus' coming, and delivering everlasting covenant to His people. Like peals of loudest thunder His words roll through the earth. {Mar 287.1} The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. {Mar 287.3} In 2012, an international team of astrophysicists says the famous Orion Nebula has a black hole at its heart, who s mass is some 200 times the mass of our sun. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness.. Acts 17:30, 31