Just Another Book Lesson 1 1 The Scriptures

Just Another Book? Lesson 1 1

The Scriptures 2

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Isaiah 8: 20 --To the law and to the testimony. . . John 17: 17 --thy [the Father’s] word is truth. 2 Timothy 3: 16 --All scripture is given by. . . 4

Psalm 119: 11 --Thy word have I hid in mine heart. . . Psalm 119: 16 --I will not forget thy word. . . Psalm 119: 38 --Stablish thy word unto thy servant. . . Psalm 119: 42 --I trust in thy word. Psalm 119: 49 --the word. . . hath caused me to hope. Psalm 119: 50 --thy word hath quickened me. 5

Psalm 119: 67 --. . . now have I kept thy word. Psalm 119: 74 --. . . I have hoped in thy word. Psalm 119: 81, 114, 147 --. . . I hope(d) in thy word. Psalm 119: 89 --Forever. . . thy word is settled in heaven. . . Psalm 119: 105 --Thy word is a lamp unto. . . Psalm 119: 140 --Thy word is very pure. . . Psalm 119: 160 --Thy word is true from the beginning. . 6

Psalm 119: 161 --. . . I stand in awe of thy word. Psalm 119: 162 --I rejoice at thy word. . . Psalm 138: 2 --. . . thou has magnified thy word above all thy name. Revelation 3: 8 --. . . thou hast. . . kept my word. . . 7

A Safeguard 8

Against the influence of false teachers Against the delusive power of spirits of darkness 9

By the Holy Scriptures every statement and every miracle must be tested. (GC, page 593) 10

In order to endure the trial before us, we must understand the will of God as revealed in his word. We can honor him only as we have a right conception of his character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. ( See GC, page 593. ) 11

What is God’s character? 12

Love (1 John 4: 8) 13

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Justice (Psalm 89: 14) 15

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Truth (Deuteronomy 32: 4) 17

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Mercy, grace, patience, goodness, forgiveness. ( Exodus 34: 5 -7) 19

How Can We Learn about God’s Character? 20

“The things of nature an expression of God’s character; by them we may understand His love, His power, and His glory. . . ” (Counsels for the Church, p. 74). 21

“Christ’s life is a perfect revelation of God’s character” (UL, p. 363). 22

“The law reveals the attributes of God’s character, and not a jot or tittle of it could be changed to meet man in his fallen condition. God did not change His law, but He sacrificed Himself, in Christ, for man’s redemption” (DA, p. 762). 23

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“From the opening of the great controversy it has been Satan’s purpose to misrepresent God’s character and to excite rebellion against His law, and this work appears to be crowned with success” (PP, p. 382). 27

What is God’s government like? 28

“. . . the law of God. . . is the foundation of his government in heaven and earth” (GW 1892, p. 181). 29

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“. . . the government of God knows no compromise with evil” (CG, p. 236). 31

“The law of love being the foundation of the government of God. . . ” (PP, p. 33). 32

“. . . the principles of righteousness that are the very foundation of the government of God. . ” (CTr, p. 139). 33

As the bow in the cloud is formed by the union of the sunlight and the shower, so the rainbow encircling the throne represents the combined power of mercy and justice. (AG, p. 70) 34

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“Lucifer. . . rebelled against the government of God” (FLB, p. 66). 36

“Satan wished to change the government of God, to fix his own seal to the rules of God’s kingdom. ” (CTr, p. 208). 37

What are God’s purposes? 38

“The Word of God. . . presents to us His purposes, which embrace all the ages of human history, and which will reach their fulfillment only in the endless cycles of eternity” (Counsels for the Church, p. 88). 39

“The apostle [Peter] was well qualified to speak of the purposes of God concerning the human race; for during the earthly ministry of Christ he had seen and heard much that pertained to the kingdom of God” (AA, p. 534) 40

The kingdom of God is. . . is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14: 17). at hand (Mark 1: 15). within you (Luke 17: 21). like a grain of mustard seed (Luke 13: 18). like leaven. (Luke 13: 21). 41

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The purpose of God is to spread gospel to other nations can be revealed in visions (AA, p. 233). has an individual application (see AA, p. 130). for the individual is that all the [intellectual] faculties be well developed so that the mind is properly balanced (CG, p. 332). is that we constantly grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth (CTr, p. 364). 44

is that advanced science be taught in our schools as a preparation for the work that is to precede the closing scenes of earth’s history (CE, p. 83). is to glorify himself in his people (Ch. S, p. 27). is to test and prove the [fallen] race and give them an opportunity to develop character by bringing them frequently into trying positions to test their faith and confidence in his love and power (Con, p. 44). 45

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is not that poverty should ever leave the world. The ranks of society were never to be equalized; for the diversity of conditions which characterizes our race is one of the means by which God has designed to prove and develop character (CH, p. 230). 48

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“None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict” (GC, p. 593). 51

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“We should day by day study the Bible diligently. . . The Bible should never be studied without prayer” (GC 599). 60

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“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” (GC 595). 69

70 Council of Trent

“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” (GC 595). 71

72 John Knox

“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” (GC, p. 597) 73

“Ignorance will not excuse young or old, nor release them from the punishment due for the transgression of God’s law. . . 74

“. . . 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” (GC 598). 75

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The law, its principles, and its claims. 77

We know what the law is--Exodus 20. 78

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Its principles-- 80

“As the word of God is meditated upon and practiced, the whole man will be ennobled. In righteous and merciful dealing, the hands will reveal, as a signet, the principles of God’s law. They will be kept clean from bribes, and from all that is corrupt and deceptive. They will be active in works of love and compassion. The eyes, directed toward a noble purpose, will be clear and true. The expressive countenance, the speaking eye, will testify to the blameless character of him who loves and honors the word of God. But by the Jews of Christ’s day all this was undiscerned” (DA, p. 612). 81

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“Three nights before the Review office burned, I was in an agony that words cannot describe. I could not sleep. I walked the room, praying to God to have mercy upon His people. Then I seemed to be in the Review office with the men who have the management of the institution. I was trying to speak to them and thus to help them. One of authority arose and said, ‘You say, The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we; therefore, we have authority to do this thing and that thing and the other thing. But the word of God forbids many of the things that you propose to do’” (Publishing Ministry, p. 170). 89

“The principles of God’s law were presented, and I heard the question asked, ‘How much of the law have you obeyed? ’ Then the word was spoken, ‘God will cleanse and purify His temple in His displeasure. ’ In the visions of the night I saw a sword of fire hung out over Battle Creek” (PM, pp. 170, 171). 90

“In the Saviour’s life the principles of God’s law--love to God and man--were perfectly exemplified. Benevolence, unselfish love, was the life of His soul” (SC, p. 28). 91

“Beholding Christ for the purpose of becoming like Him, the seeker after truth sees the perfection of the principles of God’s law, and he becomes dissatisfied with everything but perfection. Hiding his life in the life of Christ, he sees that the holiness of the divine law is revealed in the character of Christ, and more earnestly he strives to be like Him. A warfare may be expected at any time, for the tempter sees that he is losing one of his subjects. A battle must be fought with the attributes which Satan has been strengthening for his own use. The human agent sees what he has to contend with--a strange power opposed to the idea of attaining the perfection that Christ holds out. But with Christ there is saving power that will gain for him victory in the conflict. The Saviour will strengthen and help him as he comes pleading for grace and efficiency (MS 89, 1903)” (6 BC 1098. 2). 92

“The apostle Paul describes the fruit which the Christian is to bear. He says that it ‘is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. ’ And again, ‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. ’ These precious graces are but the principles of God’s law carried out in the life” (RH, April 26, 1881, par. 3). 93

Its claims-- 94

“‘Verily I say unto you’--making the assertion as emphatic as possible--‘Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. ’ Matthew 5: 17, 18. Here He teaches, not merely what the claims of God’s law had been, and were then, but that these claims should hold as long as the heavens and the earth remain. The law of God is as immutable as His throne. It will maintain its claims upon mankind in all ages” (PP, p. 365). 95

Heavenly angels prepare the heart to comprehend God’s word so that. . . we shall be charmed with its beauty, admonished by its warnings, and animated and strengthened by its promises. (GC, p. 600) 96

“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’” (GC, p. 600). 97

“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” (GC, p. 600). 98

“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” (GC 601). 99

“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” (GC 602). 100

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Remember, we have a “chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey, ” and we “ought not to guess at anything” (GC 598). 103

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Look for the waymarks as you journey on, Look for the waymarks, passing one by one; Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four -Where are we standing? Look the waymarks o’er. 105

First the Assyrian kingdom ruled the world, Then Medo-Persia’s banners were unfurled; And after Greece held universal sway, Rome seized the scepter--Where are we today? 106

Down in the feet of iron and of clay, Weak and divided, soon to pass away; What will the next great, glorious drama be? Christ and his coming, and eternity. 107

Look for the waymarks, the great prophetic waymarks, Down through the ages, past the kingdoms four. Look for the waymarks, the great prophetic waymarks. The journey’s almost o’er. F. E. Belden 108