Chapter XXXVII- The Scriptures a Safeguard
“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. 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,
[Revelation14:9-11.] 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 or 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 encased 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.
The Romish 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 self-same 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.
Not with standing
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 moulded by the faith. If light and truth are
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 travelling, and comes to a place where there are several roads,
and a guide-board indicating where each one leads. If he disregards the
guide-board, 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, or 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 its 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 way-mark 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. I t 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.
An 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. 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 wrestling
truths difficult of comprehension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare
the heart to so 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, 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.
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,
depends 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
false-hearted 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 half-hearted 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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