The Word of God: Examining Scripture's Weight of Evidence
The Word of God: Examining Scripture's Weight of Evidence
Today, more than ever before, Yahuwah's faithful believers are called upon to examine all new light with the Word of God. All can have confidence that Yahuwah will lead them into all truth, as long as they are willing to be taught of Him, and remain obedient to walk in the new light. All are held accountable to the faithful Berean model, to "study the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so." This means being willing to first hear the message, and secondly to compare it with rock solid Scriptural evidence. After all the evidence is gathered for and against, it must be decided upon which side lies the weight of evidence.
In a most profound and similar way, the Millerites in the 1840's, found themselves at the crossroads of much new light. As the intensity of the new light rose, William Miller was compelled to formulate a system whereby to compare each new light contestant, both fairly and thoroughly from Scripture. He created what is known as the "Rules of Interpretation." This set of rules has been used to this day by the S.D.A. Church, as an effective process for discovering and validating truth. (See the attachment of William Miller's "Rules of Interpretation" at end of article.)
By systematically adhering to these rules we demonstrate our willingness to be led by His Spirit. Only then, can we have confidence to follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth, and step onto the solid foundation of tried and true, Scripturally based, new light.
Men of piety and talent catch views of eternal realities, but often they fail of understanding, because the things that are seen eclipse the glory of the unseen. He who would seek successfully for the hidden treasure must rise to higher pursuits than the things of this world. His affections and all His capabilities must be consecrated to the search. Disobedience has closed the door to a vast amount of knowledge that might have been gained from the Scriptures. Understanding means obedience to God's commandments. The Scriptures are not to be adapted to meet the prejudice and jealousy of men. They can be understood only by those who are humbly seeking for a knowledge of the truth that they may obey it. Do you ask, what shall I do to be saved? You must lay your preconceived opinions, your hereditary and cultivated ideas, at the door of investigation. If you search the Scriptures to vindicate your own opinions, you will never reach the truth. Search in order to learn what the Lord says. If conviction comes as you search, if you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the truth, do not misinterpret the truth in order to suit your own belief, but accept the light given. Open mind and heart that you may behold wondrous things out of God's word. Christ's Object Lessons, p. 112.
Each individual is accountable to Yahuwah for their response to how they handle new light. Also, they are responsible to each other, as well as for those who are under their care and instruction, which includes all those who might be led or swayed by their example. We simply cannot underestimate our responsibility as to how we handle each contestant of new light. It is imperative that on our knees before Yahuwah, we lay our preconceived opinions, our hereditary and cultivated ideas, at the door of investigation.
In the mid 14th Century, John Wycliffe, the morning star of the Reformation, stood in the gap for truth, as he believed it must be firmly founded on the Rock of Scripture alone. In meeting the opposition of the day, he coined the phrase "Sola Scriptura", meaning that all doctrine must be based on Scripture alone. The Heavenly Father's ordained standard for all law and all units of time reckoning, is found in none other than Scripture.
Since the dark ages, as truth has progressed, men and women have at times been faithful to walk in new light, but usually only to a point. Once a new church was organized and a creed developed, they would stop seeking or receiving new light. This basic process has taken place over and over with each new truth. Generally, these organizations established a creed, and then built a wall around that creed to protect it from the darts of the enemy. However, in most cases this same wall has only made it nearly impossible to receive new light. Thus, we have many Protestant churches today with creeds cast in cement, with no "new light" considered necessary to sustain the life of their organized assemblies.
I saw that the Bible was the standard book, which will judge us at the last day." Ellen White, 16 Manuscript Release
In these last days the Lord Yahuwah continues to penetrate the hearts of those who would be faithful to His ever progressive new light on old truths. No matter what church organization or creed we are from, we have all been steeped in the darkness of error. For such a time as this, the Lord Yahuwah is calling His own to come out of error that has manifest itself in these organized churches and creeds, that He may equip them with His present truth. He is preparing a people that can stand alone with Him, unfettered by the errors and traditions of men.
The truth is not changing, rather it is being revealed.
This is simply the modern version, or anti-type, of the age old story of Yahuwah leading His people out of the captivity of Egypt, but instead this time He is leading them into the Heavenly Promised Land. It is the Lord Yahuwah's plan to restore all of His truths to a people who are willing to stand alone. "These are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." (Revelation 14:4)
Many have, as had Moses, very much to unlearn in order to learn the very lessons that they need to learn. Moses had need to be self-trained by severest mental and moral discipline, and God wrought with him before he could be fitted to train others in mind and heart. He had been instructed in the Egyptian courts. Nothing was left as unnecessary to train him to become a general of armies. The false theories of the idolatrous Egyptians had been instilled into his mind, and the influences surrounding him, and the things his eyes looked upon, could not be easily shaken off or corrected.
Thus it is with many who have had a false training in any line. All the idolatrous rubbish of heathen lore must be removedbit by bit, item by itemfrom Moses' mind. Jethro helped him in many things to a correct faith, as far as he himself understood. He was working upward toward the light where he could see God in singleness of heart. God Jehovah was revealed to him. This thorough intellectual training in Egypt, and as a shepherd among the mountains, in the pure air, made him a strong thinker and a strong doer of the Word of God. Manuscript 45, 1890 (Manuscript Releases, vol. 2, pp. 324-326). Christ Triumphant, p. 99.
Many have typically believed that it is the people in the other churches who "have many lessons to learn, and many more to unlearn." We simply have not believed this also applied to us, especially doctrinally. Yet, Ellen White states over and over that she did not have all the light that was to be given especially in regards to the true Sabbath. However, since that time, we have all but dismissed her statements regarding new light to come. We have assumed that these statements specifically refer how to be a better Christian, or the correct manner in which one must faithfully keep the Sabbath holy. Many people have gone to their graves believing this.
We have all been certain of this truth because Ellen White herself was given a direct revelation from Yahuwah that "the seventh-day is the Sabbath". As a result we have all assumed two things. The first assumption is that Saturday is the true seventh-day Sabbath. The second assumption is that any new light regarding the Sabbath would have nothing what ever to do with a change of the day, because that truth was previously nailed down, or so it appeared. Remember the assumptions of the ancient Hebrew people in regards to the Messiah. They assumed that the Messiah would come as a King in splendor and majesty and deliver them from their enemies. While it is true that Christ will one day come as a King, it was to be the third step, rather than the first step of the Saviors three fold ministry. It was in Christ Yahshua's life and death and resurrection that He fully disclosed to His faithful the first two of His three part system for the saving of souls.
Taking all things into consideration, is it possible that Yahuwah can give new light on a subject as only the first step toward a full disclosure, and still have it accomplish His timely purposes? Yes it is. As a result, an entire church organization sprang up over the new light of the seventh-day Sabbath, fully assuming it to be Saturday. This first step regarding the seventh-day being the Sabbath was indeed a huge revelation for its appointed time. This most assuredly accomplished a grand purpose for the Lord Yahuwah. However, if this was not His full disclosure to Ellen White and the S.D.A. people, wouldn't it be considered dishonest of Him to raise up an entire denomination, only for them to discover 160 years later that they have been wrong all along? Not at all. Isn't this exactly how we raise our own children? The first time they ask where babies come from, we begin with the first step of a full disclosure by giving them only as much as they can handle at that time. Later, as they grow and mature and demonstrate a readiness to understand, then and only then is an extended revelation given. As parents we do exactly what the heavenly Father does in giving our children the second step of a full disclosure, only when they demonstrate they are ready for it.
As you recall, in the 1880's Ellen White openly challenged and chastised the growing S.D.A. organization for not continuing on to follow the light and the leading of Yahuwah. She stated they would have already been in the kingdom had they remained faithful. Is it possible that their lack of faithfulness in walking in the previous light may have had an impact on Yahuwah's decision? Is it possible that the church simply did not meet the growing and maturing requirement for receiving the second step of new light? Do we believe the Heavenly Father would be any less wise in educating His children than us earthly parents? Heaven forbid. In fact, it is a Scriptural principle that "if we are faithful in little things, He will make us rulers of big things." This means that if we are faithful to the light He has given, growing and maturing in spiritual strength, then He will reward these faithful few with more light that will continually come in the form of step two, step three, and full disclosures? Is this not exactly what is to take place in the process of Sanctification?
When the truth regarding Scripture's calendar is revealed, most people will find it especially detestable, because they are more concerned with what others might think than in walking in the light that Yahuwah has revealed to them. Peer pressure and pride will be the most difficult obstacles. However, the final step of the full disclosure is divinely designed to be a most thorough revealer of the heart. Just as in the days immediately following October, 22, 1844, when Christ did not appear the heart of the truly sorrowful was revealed. Those who had prepared heart and soul and longed to see Christ Yahshua come in the clouds and take them to their heavenly home were bitterly disappointed. Most however, who had joined the "Advent Movement" were not nearly as disappointed as they were embarrassed by what others might think or say. Soon these very ones ridiculed those who had been truly disappointed.
SCRIPTURE'S WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE
There are no less than ten principles from Scripture which reveal that Yahuwah's time keeping is based on the principles of both sun and moon working together as ordained at creation (Genesis 1:14-18). The current Roman Gregorian calendar is reckoned based solely on the sun in direct defiance of the Creator's appointed dual action system. This pagan system of time keeping and worship was then named Sol, meaning one or only, and was the foundation of "sun worship" in antiquity. Any unit of time that is a fruit of this "single orb" time keeping system is, therefore, spurious and of false origin, making neither Saturday nor Sunday the true Sabbath of Scripture.
Scripture's ten calendar principles are revelations of Yahuwah's full disclosure to His faithful of His preordained calendar system. The sun and moon rotations, along with the lunar phases, have continued untouched since Creation. This is self evident in the fact that Yahuwah's luni-solar time keeping system of Genesis and Exodus is still in sync today with the visible calendation format that can be viewed in the heavens. With the precision of a Swiss clock, these signs in the heavens continue untouched, unaltered, and unmoved by man or beast since the first week of Creation. In opposition to Evolution's pompous theory, these heralds of ancient truth remain visibly observable to all upon earth, gallantly declaring that Yahuwah is the Creator of the Universe. No such Scriptural evidence for the unbroken chain of successive weeks continuing since Creation can be produced, demonstrated, or be visibly observable in the heavens. Simply no one on earth today was alive at Creation as a living witness. All we are left with is an assumption that the weekly cycle, as demonstrated in the Roman Gregorian calendar, has never changed. In contrast to this assumption, Yahuwah states that the moon is his faithful witness in the sky. So what does it testify to? It testifies that the Lord Yahuwah is the Creator as its lunar rotations and lunar phases remain unchanged after 6000 years. See example below of the luni-solar calendar as it continues to be seen in the heavens as a banner ever waving to declare Creation's story:
It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky. Psalms 89:37
And when the debate is, they shall stand in my (hemispherical) domes, and shall consider and believe my laws; and they shall keep my commandments in all my solemnities, and they shall hallow my Sabbaths. Ezekiel 44:24 Wycliffe Bible of 1382
Three Months in a Row, The Exodus, the Manna and the Mountain The story of the "manna" reveals that -- while Sunday is not the seventh-day Sabbath, neither is Saturday. Everyone knows that the Gregorian calendar will never have more than two identical sequential months in a row. The only time it can occur is at a leap year. Amazingly, Exodus 12, 16, and 19 outlines not just two, but three identical sequential months in a row. In addition, each of the months are refreshed with the appearance of the New Moon which is always day one of the month. Four seven-day weeks are then placed within each month following the New Moon. (Refer to article, "Sabbath Restoration: Three Months in a Row" and the corresponding e-course.)
The Sacred Count to Pentecost The count to Pentecost reveals that Yahuwah's time keeping was based on the orchestration of the sun and moon. Among the identifying details for a correct count to Pentecost is the concept of "Sabbaths complete". If the Gregorian calendar were the calendar upon which one were to accurately count to Pentecost, there would have been no need of all the ambiguous terminology. After all, it would have been much simpler to simply state count 50 days. All the confusing language looses its ambiguity when the correct calendar is used for the counting. It is in the terms that have only seemed in disharmony that Yahuwah's true calendar is revealed. (Refer to articles, "Count to Pentecost Purpose and Parameters" and "Pentecost: The Sacred Count.")
The Time Frame Between Passover and Tabernacles Scripture's calendation model is the Creator's ordained standard for all other calendation and units of time. Whether or not one keeps the Holy appointed Festivals or not is irrelevant to the part they play in defining the true calendar of Scripture. The count of days and weeks from the spring Festivals to the fall Festivals expose weighty evidence that unbroken cycles of successive weeks have not existed since creation. In addition these revolving chains of weeks have never been a part of the Lord Yahuwah's ordained calendar of Scriptures. (Refer to article, "Passover to Tabernacles Calendar Challenge.")
The Value Scripture Places on New Moons The New Moon (according to Strong's Concordance: chodesh #2320, #3394, #3842, #7720, #4582, #3391, #3376) is given approximately 300 times between Genesis and Revelation as compared to the seventh-day Sabbath which is given approximately 150 times. New Moons beacon the beginning of each new month according to Scripture, and were designed at creation to designate by its changing phases exactly when the true seventh-day Sabbaths will fall. Among all the lunar phases, the New Moon, according to Scripture, is the most significant lunar phase and of great importance to Yahuwah's calendation principles. This is because it beacons that a new month is to begin the following morning at sunrise, and begins the count for the entire month, as well as for the entire year. The Creator's luni-solar month and its corresponding weeks has been the ongoing target of Lucifer's unending attacks. For, if the real truth were leaked out regarding the importance Yahuwah places on the New Moon, Lucifer's mask would fall off, exposing him and his masterminded calendar of deception. (Refer to article, "The New Moon, When is it?" and the corresponding e-course.)
Consistent Dates for All Scripture's New Moons and Sabbaths Every instance where dates are used in Scripture to identify Sabbaths, they are without exception located on the 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th of the month. If the Scriptures were in harmony with the Roman Gregorian calendar this would not be possible for more than two months in a row. This is possible only because the New Moon refreshes not only the cycle of days each lunation, but it also refreshes the cycle of weeks. (Refer to article, "The Creator's Calendar Year-At-A-Glance.")
The Principles that Rule in the Heavens Ellen White states, "The Sabbath question is to be final issue in the great final conflict". 6 Testimonies, p. 352. Scripture reveals that Satan's goal is to be as God and to be worshiped as God. His pompous declaration was that he would "sit on the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north". Here it is illustrated that Satan has indeed already accomplished this goal via a counterfeit calendar and man made units of time. Armageddon, as outlined in Scripture, appears to be a war of calendation, the Creator's Luni-solar calendar vs. the Roman Gregorian calendar. (Refer to theBattleOver Worship (E-Course))
Yahuwah's Rosetta Stone of Calendation as found in Ezekiel 46:1The Scriptures define a week as six work days followed by the seventh-day Sabbath. In Ezekiel 46:1, the Lord Yahuwah states that on Sabbaths and New Moons the gateway is opened, and that it is closed on the six working days of each week. In this manner, the text clarifies that there are three specific categories of days that never overlap. The New Moons can never be Sabbaths and neither can they ever be work days. This Scriptural verse sets the standard for days, by labeling them as either New Moon days, Sabbath days or work days. In other words, this is the standard by which to compare all calendars including the Roman Gregorian. If the days of any calendar week rotate causing them to float throughout the days of the month, it would cause a New Moon day to be counted as a mere work day, or a seventh-day Sabbath. This is yet another way to recognize a counterfeit calendar. This single verse in Ezekiel 46:1 defines the Creator's calendar for days, weeks, and months. Any calendar in which the weeks are defined as unbroken chains of successive weeks, simply is not in harmony with the standard set forth in Scripture.
The Twelve Criteria of the True Crucifixion Date There are twelve criteria that illustrate point by point the time centric details of Scripture's calendation at the time of the cross. Christ Yahshua as the lamb of God fulfilled the Passover, both as to the event and the time, perfectly. "A halo of light and glory clustered about the time of Jesus' death and resurrection, immortalizing the sacred facts that he was the Saviour of the world. Early Writings, p. 197. (Refer to article, "The Twelve Criteria of the True Crucifixion Date" and the corresponding e-course. Here you will be able to compare the Gregorian calendar overlaid with the Luni-solar calendar of Scripture.)
The Pure Woman of Revelation For centuries it has been taught that an unbroken chain of successive weeks has continued since Creation. It is taught as fact that this is the heavenly symbol of a divine Creator, in contrast to the theory of evolution. But was this unbroken chain of successive weeks ordained by the Creator and designated as His symbol of Creation? Scripture reveals that at the very end of time Yahuwah's faithful people will be symbolized by the revolving celestial bodies that beacon His true luni-solar calendar time system, rather than by an unbroken chain of successive weeks. This is strikingly illustrated by the pure woman of Revelation 12:1. She is clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and with twelve stars above her head. These heavenly symbols illustrate her faithfulness to the Creator and His ordained celestial time system. In contrast, it is the ungodly woman of Revelation 17 who rides the beast with seven heads. Is it possible that these seven heads or mountains, are mountains of a counterfeit time system, representative of unbroken cycles of successive weeks, and named after seven pagan deities?
Following the Lamb Whithersoever He Goeth: According to Revelation 14:4, following the lamb whithersoever He goeth, is a manifestation of only one group of people on earth at the very end of time. This group is referred to as the 144,000. While it is well known among various Christian organizations that the "lamb" is a symbol of Christ Yahshua, it is not overtly clear to most, what is meant by following the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. This is a divine riddle that can only be understood in light of the sacred Sanctuary service model as instituted by Yahuwah with Moses and the Israelites in combination with His luni-solar calendar. This time ordained ceremonial system reveals in detail thru its daily, weekly, monthly and yearly services His divine plan of salvation. These truths are magnified as they are revealed in His holy and time centric seventh-day Sabbath and yearly appointed holy Feast days. It is these appointed and fixed holy Feast days, both weekly and yearly, that reveal to mankind the work of the living Christ and the calendar that defines His methodical system unto salvation. It is only in this paradigm that it can be understood that Christ is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. He yet lives as our High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary, and will soon come in the clouds of heaven as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, all according to this same methodical time centric system of salvation. Each ministry of Christ has its ordained and appointed event, occurring precisely on time and in harmony with Scriptures luni-solar calendar. Those who are following the Lamb, are those who diligently seek to be in harmony with these timely monumental events. By keeping His holy appointed, and fixed Feast days at their ordained times, they are declaring to God their faithfulness. This is diametrically impossible to do simultaneously while wondering after the beast and her Gregorian calendar.
These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. Revelation 14:4
Unfamiliar is no more synonymous with wrong than familiar is synonymous with right.
Shocking as these concepts may first appear to be, those who truly desire to know the truth, must check it out for themselves, "laying at the door of investigation all preconceived ideas". If knowing the truth is vital; if faithfully keeping the Lord Yahuwah's true and Holy seventh-day Sabbath is imperative, then please take the time to prayerfully read for yourself the articles with support details from Scripture.
Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they should make by diligently studying the word of God, and striving to conform their lives to its precepts. . . . God calls for a revival and a reformation. Prophets and Kings, p. 626.
What could be a more "overwhelming surprise" to S.D.A.'s than to discover that Saturday is, after all, not the true seventh-day Sabbath? What could be a more "overwhelming surprise" than for the whole world to discover that for the past 1700 years they have all been wondering after the beast by following through choice and action the Papal counterfeit calendar? I ask you, what could be a more "overwhelming surprise?"
ELLEN G. WHITE QUOTES TO PONDER:
Different periods in the history of the church have each been marked by the development of some special truth, adapted to the necessities of God's people at that time. Every new truth has made its way against hatred and opposition. . . . The Lord gives a special truth for the people in an emergency. Who dare refuse to publish it? He commands His servants to present the last invitation of mercy to the world. They cannot remain silent, except at the peril of their souls. Christ's ambassadors have nothing to do with the consequences. They must perform their duty and leave the results with God. Great Controversy, p. 609.
The laws of God and the time of God were to be changed by this antichristian power . . . In the prophecy it is plainly shown that this papal power would with deliberate intention change the law of God . . . . Ellen White, Signs of the Times, 11/19/1894.
I saw that God had children, who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They had not rejected the light on it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth [Hosea. 6:2, 3.] and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. This enraged the church, and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time, God's chosen, all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us. Word to the Little Flock, p. 18.
There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation. Councils to Writers and Editors, p. 35.
In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from heaven. As the people go to their former teachers with eager inquiry, Are these things so? The ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears and quiet the awakened conscience. But since many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men and demand a plain "Thus saith the Lord," the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will denounce the message as of Satan and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it. Great Controversy, p. 606.
It is to the thirsting soul that the fountain of living waters is open. God declares: "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground." To souls that are earnestly seeking for light and that accept with gladness every ray of divine illumination from His holy word, to such alone light will be given. It is through these souls that God will reveal that light and power which will lighten the whole earth with His glory. Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 729.
In conclusion, it is imperative that none of Yahuwah's faithful become confused by the many side issues that can be formulated to attack or undermine what is clearly and definitively written in Scripture. Under the guise of being a faithful Berean, multiple smoke screens can be readily created to muddy the truths of Scripture as they shine forth from Yahuwah's Word purely and clearly.
Ellen White defines the qualifications that the Spirit of Yahuwah will use at the very end:
The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. Great Controversy, p. 606.
Let any man or woman who determines that the above revelations are false, demonstrate from Scripture alone that all of the points listed above are in error. Let all be faithful to take their stand upon the solid Rock of "Sola Scriptura."
Whether a person keeps the holy Feast days at their appointed times or not, does not negate the time centric application they make in demonstrating the true luni-solar calendation principles that rule in the heavens. The count of each Scriptural month begins at New Moon and locates all the Lord Yahuwah's Holy appointed festivals, which according to Genesis 1, Exodus 12 and 16, and Leviticus 23, include His seventh-day Sabbaths as well.
At the close of earth's history, Yahuwah's faithful will recognize that it was Moses who recorded all three of these vitally important accounts in Scripture. These are they who will discover that it is the pivotal record of the "Exodus" that reveals the time centric key that unlocks Creator's calendation principles of both Genesis and Leviticus. It is in Moses' record of Exodus 12; 16; and 19 that the application of Yahuwah's "seven-day week" is made with regards to His months and years. It is only in the restoring of Yahuwah's calendation truths to Israel at the Exodus that the full calendation picture was given. This full disclosure presents the details of exactly how the Creator placed the seven-day week directly within the framework of His ordained luni-solar calendar month at Creation. The same is true today at the closing of earth's history that Yahuwah is calling all of His faithful to come out of the counterfeit religions of spiritual Egypt and Babylon. He is restoring to spiritual Israel all His Laws, statutes and calendation principles, just as He did in Exodus 12, 16, and 19. Our role in preparation is that we fully partake of the bread of life, His heavenly manna, and stand clothed in His garments, with staff in hand.
It is necessary that our unity today be of a character that will bear the test of trial. . . . We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and Heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed.
When a brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his position, and every minister should search the Scriptures with the spirit of candor to see if the points presented can be substantiated by the inspired word. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." 2 Timothy 2:24, 25.
Again and again I have been shown that the people of God in these last days could not be safe in trusting in men, and making flesh their arm. The mighty cleaver of truth has taken them out of the world as rough stones that are to be hewed and squared and polished for the heavenly building. They must be hewed by the prophets with reproof, warning, admonition, and advice, that they may be fashioned after the divine Pattern; this specified work of the Comforter --to transform heart and character, that men may keep the way of the Lord. Ellen White, Home Missionary, Nov. 1, 1893
In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored. Prophets and Kings, p. 678.
And they that shall be of thee, shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58:12
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14
For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 37:32 NIV
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RULES OF INTERPRETATION
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William Miller
In studying the Bible, I have found the following rules to be of great service to myself, and now give them to the public by special request. Every rule should be well studied, in connection with the scripture references, if the Bible student would be at all benefited by them.
I.
Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible.
Matt. v. 18.
II.
All scripture is necessary, and may be understood by a diligent application and study.
2Tim. iii. 15,16,17.
III.
Nothing revealed in the scripture can or will be hid from those who ask in faith, not wavering.
Deut. xxix. 29. Matt. x. 26,27. 1Cor. ii. 10. Phil. iii. 15. Isa. xiv. 11. Matt. xxi. 22. John xiv. 13,14. xv. 7. James i. 5,6. 1John v. 13,14,15.
IV.
To understand doctrine, bring all the scriptures together on the subject you wish to know; then let every word have its proper influence, and if you can form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in an error.
Isa. xxviii. 7-29. xxxv. 8. Prov. xix. 27. Luke xxiv. 27,44,45. Rom. xvi. 26. James v. 19. 2Pet. i. 19,20.
V.
Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound it to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule, not the Bible.
Ps. xix. 7,8,9,10,11. cxix. 97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105. Matt. xxiii. 8,9,10. 1Cor. ii. 12,13,14,15,16. Eze. xxxiv. 18,19. Luke xi. 52. Mal. ii. 7,8.
VI.
God has revealed things to come, by visions, in figures and parables, and in this way the same things are often time revealed again and again, by different visions, or in different figures, and parables. If you wish to understand them, you must combine them all in one.
Ps. lxxxix. 19. Hos. xii. 10. Hab. ii. 2. Acts ii. 17. 1Cor. x. 6. Heb. ix. 9,24. Ps. lxxviii. 2. Matt. xiii. 13,34. Gen. xli. 1-32. Dan. ii. vii. and viii. Acts x. 9-16.
VII.
Visions are always mentioned as such.
2Cor. xii. 1.
VIII.
Figures always have a figurative meaning, and are used much in prophecy, to represent future things, times and events; such as mountains, meaning governments; beasts, meaning kingdoms. Waters, meaning people. Lamp, meaning Word of God. Day, meaning year.
Dan. ii. 35,44. vii. 8,17. Rev. xvii. 1,15. Ps. cxix. 105. Ezek. iv. 6.
IX.
Parables are used as comparisons to illustrate subjects, and must be explained in the same way as figures by the subject and Bible. Mark iv. 13. See explanation of the ten virgins, Miller's Lectures, No. xvi.
X.
Figures sometimes have two or more different significations, as day is used in a figurative sense to represent three diferent periods of time. 1. Indefinite. 2. Definite, a day for a year. 3. Day for a thousand years. If you put on the right construction it will harmonize with the Bible and make good sense, otherwise it will not.
Eccles. vii. 14. Ezek. iv. 6. 2Pet. iii. 8.
XI.
How to know when a word is used figuratively. If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally, if not, figuratively.
Rev. xii. 1,2. xvii. 3-7.
XII.
To learn the true meaning of figures, trace your figurative word through your Bible, and where you find it explained, put it on your figure, and if it makes good sense you need look no further, if not, look again.
XIII.
To know whether we have the true historical event for the fulfillment of a prophecy. If you find every word of the prophecy (after the figures are understood) is literally fulfilled, then you may know that your history is the true event. But if one word lacks a fulfillment, then you must look for another event, or wait its future development. For God takes care that history and prophecy doth agree, so that the true believing children of God may never be ashamed.
Ps. xxii. 5. Isa. xiv. 17,18,19. 1Pet. ii. 6. Rev. xvii. 17. Acts iii. 18.
XIV.
The most important rule of all is, that you must have faith. It must be a faith that requires a sacrifice, and if tried, would give up the dearest object on earth, the world and all its desires, character, living, occupation, friends, home, comforts, and worldly honors. If any of these should hinder our believing any part of God's word, it would show our faith to be vain. Nor can we ever believe so long as one of these motives lies lurking in our hearts. We must believe that God will never forfeit his word. And we can have confidence that he that takes notice of the sparrow, and numbers the hairs of our head, will guard the translation of his own word, and throw a barrier around it, and prevent those who sincerely trust in God, and put implicit confidence in his word, from erring far from the truth, though they may not understand Hebrew or Greek. These are some of the most important rules which I find the word of God warrants me to adopt and follow, in order for system and regularity. And if I am not greatly deceived, in so doing, I have found the Bible, as a whole, one of the most simple, plain, and intelligible books ever written, containing proof in itself of its divine origin, and full of all knowledge that our hearts could wish to know or enjoy. I have found it a treasure which the world cannot purchase. It gives a calm peace in believing, and a firm hope in the future. It sustains the mind in adversity, and teaches us to be humble in prosperity. It prepares us to love and do good to others, and to realize the value of the soul. It makes us bold and valiant for the truth, and nerves the arm to oppose error. It gives us a powerful weapon to break down Infidelity, and makes known the only antidote for sin. It instructs us how death will be conquered, and how the bonds of death will be conquered, and how the bonds of the tomb must be broken. It tells us of future events, and shows the preparation necessary to meet them. It gives us an opportunity to hold conversation with the King of kings, and reveals the best code of laws ever enacted. This is but a faint view of its value; yet how many perishing souls treat it with neglect, or, what is equally as bad, treat it as a hidden mystery which cannot be known. Oh, my dear reader, make it your chief study. Try it well, and you will find it to be all I have said. Yes, like the Queen of Sheba, you will say the half was not told you. The divinity taught in our schools is always founded on some sectarian creed. It may do to take a blank mind and impress it with this kind, but it will always end in bigotry. A free mind will never be satisfied with the views of others. Were I a teacher of youth in divinity, I would first learn their capacity and mind. If these were good, I would make them study the Bible for themselves, and send them out free to do the world good. But if they had no mind, I would stamp them with another's mind, write bigot on their forehead, and send them out as slaves!
EXPLANATION OF
PROPHETIC FIGURES.
_______
ADULTERY. Idolatry. Jer. iii. 9. Eze. xxiii. 37.
AIR. Spirit of piety - false theories. Eph. ii. 2.
ALTAR. Christ. Ps. xliii. 4. Heb. xiii. 10.
AMON. A people, or son of my people.
ANCIENT OF DAYS. God. Dan. vii. 9.
ANGEL. Christ, or messenger of God. Ex. xxiii. 20. Rev. i, 1. xx. 1.
ARK. Christ. Ps. cxxxii. 8. Num. x. 33.
ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN. Dignity and honor. John vi. 62. Isa. xiv. 13,14. Rev. xi. 12.
ASLEEP. Death. Acts vii. 60. 2Pet. iii. 4. 1Cor. xv. 18.
AWAKE. Resurrection. Job xiv. 12. Ps. xvii. 15. John xi. 11. Dan. xii. 2.
BABYLON. Confusion, mixture, worldly.
BALAAM. Their destruction without the prophet.
BALANCE. Justice. Daniel v. 27. Worldly mind. Rev. vi. 5.
BANNER. Gospel ensign, love. Cant. ii. 4.
BEASTS. Kingdoms, or powers. Dan. vii. 3,17. Rev. iv. 6-8. v. 8,9.
BEHELD or BEHOLDING. Joy, or grief, according to the circumstances. Ps. cxix. 158. Rev. xi. 12.
BED. A place of confinement. Rev. ii. 22. Isa. xxviii. 20.
BELLY. Practical part. Rom. xvi. 18. Job xv. 35. Rev. x. 9,10. Luke xv. 16. John vii. 38.
BIND. To judge and condemn. Matt. xii. 30. xxii. 13.
BIRD or FOWL. Warriors and conquerors. Isa. xlvi. 11. Jer. xii. 9. Rev. xviii. 2.
BIRTH. Deliverance from heavy judgments. Isa. xxxvii. 3-20. lxvi. 9.
BLACK. Error, cruelty, death. Jer. iv. 28. Rev. vi. 5-12.
BLASPHEMY. Idolatry. Isa. lxv. 7. Eze. xx. 24-27.
BLESS or BLESSED. Saved from sin and from death. Ps. xxviii. 9. xxxvii. 22. Isa. lxi. 9. Rev. xiv. 13.
BLIND. Self-righteousness. Matt. xv. 14. xxiii. 16 to 26.
BLOOD. Death, war and slaughter. Matt. xxvii. 24. Isa. xv. 9. xxxiv. 3. Rev. vi. 10. viii. 8. xi. 6. xiv. 20.
BLOWING OF THE WIND. The Holy Spirit doing its office in regeneration. Cant. iv. 16. John iii. 8. Rev. vii. 1.
BOOK. God's designs, knowledge and counsel. Ps. cxxxix. 16. Is. xxxiv. 16. Reading, is to make his designs known. To Seal, is to shut up, or make sure.
BOW AND ARROWS. Victory over enemies. Isa. xli. 2. Rev. vi. 2.
BRASS, is used for impudence and sin, warlike. Isa. xlviii. 4. Jer. vi. 28. Mic. iv. 13.
BRANCH. A descendant, or offspring. Isa. xi. 1. Jer. xxiii. 5. Dan. xi. 7.
BREAD. Doctrine of life. Amos viii. 11. Matt. iv. 4.
BREAST-PLATE. Defence, or armor. Isa. lix. 17. Rev. ix. 9.
BREASTS. Consolation, word of God. Isa. lxvi. 11.
BRIDLE. The restraining power of God. Isa. xxx. 28.
BRIMSTONE. Curse of God. Isa. xxx. 33. xi. 4.
BURNING WITH FIRE, is to destroy, or change their state completely. Mal. iv. 1-3. 2Pet. iii. 10,11. Rev. xx. 9.
BUY, or BUYING, is used as an act of giving or receiving religious instruction. Isa. lv. 1. Rev. iii. 18. xiii. 17.
CANDLE, is light. Jer. xxv. 10. Matt. v. 15. Luke xi. 36. xv. 8.
CANDLESTICKS. The means of light; as the kingdom of Christ, the two witnesses, and seven churches, are called candlesticks. Dan. v. 5. Zech. iv. 2, 11. Rev. ii. 5. xi. 4.
CARMEL. The vineyard of God. Mich. vii. 14.
CHAIN, signifies the laws of God; or man, in prophecy. Ps. cxlix. 8. Acts xxviii. 20. Jude 6.
CHITTEM. Those that bruise. Dan. xi. 30.
CITY OF GOD. New Jerusalem. Heb. xii. 22. Rev. iii. 12.
CITY OF NATIONS. Antichrist, or Babylon. Rev. xvi. 19. xvii. 18. The streets of the great city are the ten kings. Rev. xi. 8, 13.
CLOUD, or TO RIDE ON A CLOUD, is an emblem of power and great glory. Matt. xxiv. 30. Sometimes it means heavy judgments, as in Joel ii. 2. Zeph. i. 15.
CROWN. Dignity and honor. Prov. xvi. 31. Isa. xxviii. 1-5. lxii. 3.
CRY or CRIED. To be sensible of want. Prayers and petitions for relief; or forerunner of war. 2Kings iv. 40. Ps. xxx. 2-8. Rev. xiv. 18.
DARKNESS. Ignorance, unbelief, and every evil work, confusion, and horror. Prov. iv. 19. Isa. lx. 2. Eph. v. 11.
DAY, is one year - revolution of the earth in its orbit. Num. xiv. 34. Eze. iv. 5,6. Dan. ix. 24.
DAY OF THE LORD. Judgment day, or 1000 years. 1Thes. v. 2. 2Pet. iii. 8-10. Rev. xx. 4-7.
DEATH. Separation from body, from holiness, from God; inactive, separate from former state. This is the proper sense.
DESERT or WILDERNESS. paganism, or away from the force of the laws of the Romish Church. Isa. xl. 3. Eze. xlvii. 8. Rev. xii. 6.
DEVIL. Roman government; pagan and papal, when used as a symbol. Rev. ii. 10. xii. 9. xx. 2.
DEW AND RAIN, signify the pouring out of the Spirit and heavenly blessing. Ps. cxxxiii. 3. Prov. xix. 12. Hosea xiv. 5.
DOGS. Wicked men and teachers. Isa. lvi. 10. Rev. xxii. 15. Phil. iii. 2. Ps. lix. 6-14.
DRAGON. Rome pagan. Rev. xvii. 8. Afterwards papal. Persecuting governments.
DRUNKENNESS. Intoxicated with worldly riches, pleasures and honors. Isa. xxix. 9. Matt. xxiv. 49. Luke xxi. 34.
EAGLE, denotes a people hid, or out of sight. Rev. xii. 14. iv. 7. Matt. xxiv. 28.
EARTH. The Roman kingdom. Rev. xiii. 12, and xix. 2.
EARTHQUAKE. Revolutions. Hag. ii. 21,22. Rev. vi. 12. xvi. 18.
EAT. To consume or destroy. Rev. xvii. 16. James v. 3. Rev. xix. 18.
ELDERS, TWENTY-FOUR, denote the whole priesthood, taken from twenty-four courses. 1Chron. xxiv.
FIRE, is used to denote destruction, and justice of God. Ps. lxviii. 2. Heb. xii. 29. Word of God. Jer. v. 14.
FLESH. Riches and honors of the world. 2Pet. ii. 10-18. 1John ii. 15,16. Rev. xix. 18.
FLOOD. Great numbers. Isa. lix. 19. Dan. ix. 26. Rev. xii. 15,16.
FOREHEAD. Public profession, or character. Jer. iii. 3. Eze. ix. 4. Rev. vii. 3. xiii. 16.
FROGS. The symbolic meaning of frogs (say some) is flatterers or impostors. See Rev. xvi. 13.
GARMENTS, denote the character, as white denotes purity or righteousness; rags, filthy; sackcloth, mourning. Dan. vii. 9. Zec. iii. 3,4. Rev. xvi. 15.
GOD, when used as a symbol, denotes a prince, ruler, or magistrate. 1Cor. viii. 5. Gal. iv. 8.
GRAVE. To hide in secret; put out of memory. Job xiv. 13.
GRASS, means people, as green the righteous, dry or stubble the wicked. Isa. xl. 6,7,8. 1Pet. i. 24. Rev. viii. 7. ix. 4.
HAIL, denotes wars, slaughter and desolation, by some Northern government. Isa. xxviii. 2,17. xxx. 30,32. Rev. viii. 7.
HAND. Symbol of action and labor. Isa. x. 13. xlviii. 13. Rev. xx. 1. Dan. viii. 25.
HARLOT. An idolatrous community, or church. Isa. i. 21. Jer. iii. 1-8. Rev. xvii. 5.
HARVEST. The gathering of men to their final destiny. Matt. xiii. 39. Jer. li. 33. Joel iii. 13.
HEAD. The supreme power of the object. Dan. ii. 38. Eph. i. 22. Rev. xix. 12.
HEAT. Anger, calamity. Deut. xxix. 24. Ezek. iii. 14. Rev. xvi. 9.
HEAVEN. Government of God with his people. Deut. xi. 21. Isa. xlix. 13. Matt. xvi. 19. xxv. 1,14. Dan. vii. 18, 22.
HILL. Kingdoms. Isa. ii. 2. v. 25. Mic. vi. 1,2.
HORN. Kings. Dan. vii. 24. viii. 20, 21. Rev. xvii. 12,16.
HORSE. War and conquest. prov. xxi. 31. Jer. viii. 6.
White, victory. Rev. vi. 2. xix. 11.
Black, distress and calamity. Rev. vi. 5.
Red, war and hostility. Rev. vi. 4.
Pale, death and destruction. Rev. vi. 8.
IRON. Strength. Dan. ii. 33-41. Rev. ii. 27.
ISRAEL. Christian church. Isa. xlv. 4-25. Gal. vi. 16.
ISLANDS. Small governments in Roman states. Ezek. xxvi. 15,16. Zeph. ii. 11. Rev. x. 20. vi. 14.
JERUSALEM. The church of God. Isa. lii. 9. Gal. iv. 26.
JEZEBEL. Antichrist. 1Kings xviii. 19. Rev. ii. 20. viii. 36. Rev. vi. 4. xi. 7.
KILLING. Depriving of power. Ps. xliv. 22. Rom. viii. 36. Rev. vi. 4. xi. 7.
KING. Forms of government or power. Dan. viii. 23. Rev. ix. 11. xvii. 10.
LAMB. Messiah. Isa. xvi. 1. John i. 29. Rev. v. 12.
LAMP. Word of God or Mahometan Bible. Ps. cxix. 105. Rev. viii. 10.
LEOPARD. A cruel, fierce, and quick conqueror. Hosea xiii. 7. Hab. i. 8. Rev. xiii. 2.
LION. Valiant, strong, courageous. Prov. xxviii. i. xxx. 30. Rev. x. 3. xiii. 2.
LOCUSTS. Great armies. Isa. xxxiii. 4. Nah. iii. 15,17. Rev. ix. 3-7.
MARK. To profess allegiance. The Roman soldiers had marked foreheads and hands. Ezek. ix. 4. Rev. xiii. 16,17. xiv. 9,11.
MEASURE. Completed, finished. Ps. xxix. 4. Jer. li. 13. Matt. xxiii. 32. Rev. xi. 1.
MERCHANTS. Professed ministers of Christ. Isa. xxiii. 8,18. Jer. xiv. 18. Rev. xviii. 11,12,23.
MOON. Gospel. Isa. xxx. 26. Rev. xii. 1. or church. Cant. vi. 10.
MOUNTAIN. Governments. Isa. ii. 2. Dan. ii. 35.
MOUNTAIN, HOLY. The gospel kingdom. Isa. xi. 9. The seat of Antichrist. Ezek. xxviii. 14. Dan. xi. 45.
MORNING. Resurrection of the just. Ps. xlix. 14.
MOUTH. Commands, or laws. Dan. vii. 8. Rev. xiii. 5. xvi. 13. 1Thes. ii. 8.
NAKED. Shame and disgrace. Mic. i. 8,11. Rev. iii. 18. xvi. 15. xvii. 16.
NIGHT. Moral darkness or wickedness. Isa. xxi. 8. Rom. xiii. 12. 1Thes. v. 5. Rev. xxi. 25.
NUMBER or NUMBERED. Finished - end. Ps. xc. 12. Dan. v. 26. Ezek. iv. 4-6. Rev. xiii. 17,18.
OIL. Faith. Matt. xxv. 8. Cant. i. 3. Heb. iv. 2.
OX, denotes a people for slaughter. Prov. vii. 22. Jer. xi. 19. Num. xxiii. 1.
RAIN. Reformation, grace, refreshing. Deut. xxxii. 2. Hosea vi. 3. James v. 7.
RED. Persecuting, bloody. Rev. vi. 4. xii. 3.
RIVERS. People living on the rivers, mentioned Isa. viii. 7. Rev. viii. 10. xvi. 4.
ROD OF IRON. Power of Christ. Ps. ii. 9. Isa. xi. 1. Rev. ii. 27.
SCARLET. Bloody, cruel. Rev. xvii. 3,4.
SEA. A large body of people. Isa. lvii. 20. Dan. vii. 3. Rev. vii. 2,3.
SHIELD AND BUCKLER. Ps. xci. 4.
STARS. Ministers in the church, or rulers in the world. Rev. xii. 1. Dan. viii. 10. xii. 3. Jude 13.
SUN. As in the natural, so in the moral world, source of all light, Christ or his word. Gen. xxxvii. 9. Ps. lxxxiv. 11. Mal. iv. 2.
SWORD. Slaughter. Jer. xv. 3. Ezek. xxi. 28.
SWORD, TWO-EDGED. Word of God. Ps. cxlix. 6. Heb. iv. 12. Rev. i. 16. ii. 12.
TAIL. Subordinate officers or provinces. Isa. ix. 14,15. Rev. xii. 4.
TEETH, LARGE IRON. Strong devouring enemy. Dan. vii. 7,19. Rev. ix. 8.
TEMPLE. The church professedly of Christ or Antichrist. Mal. iii. 1. 2Cor. vi. 16. Rev. vii. 15.
THUNDER. Sudden dispersion of armies or kingdoms. 1Sam. ii. 10. Isa. xxix. 5,6. Ps. xviii. 13.
TREE OF LIFE. Jesus Christ. Rev. ii. 7. xxii. 2.
VINE. A class of people, as wicked or righteous. Hosea x. 1. Rev. xiv. 18.
VOICES. Many people engaged in the same cry to be eased of burdens, or rejoicing. Luke xxiii. 23. Rev. viii. 5. xi. 15,19.
WALK WITH GOD, is to live with and be in communion with him. 2Cor. vi. 16. Rev. iii. 4.
WATERS. Flesh, or people. Num. xxiv. 7. Isa. xlviii. 1. viii. 7. John v. 8. Rev. xvii. 15.
WHIRLWIND. Heavy judgments of God. Ps. lviii. 9. Prov. i. 27. Isa. lxvi. 15.
WILDERNESS. Outlawed from the great city. Deut. xxxii. 10. Jer. xii. 10. Rev. xii. 6.
WIND. Doctrine, good and bad. Cant. iv. 16. Isa. xxvi. 18. Eph. iv. 14.
WINE, is consolation, and anger, and justice. Cant. v. 1. Isa. lv. 1. Rev. xvi. 19. xvii. 2.
WINGS. Protection, defence. Exod. xix. 4. Ps. xvii. 8. xxxvi. 7. Rev. ix. 9. xii. 14.
WITNESS. Christ, prophets and apostles. Isa. xliii. 10. Acts i. 8,22. Rev. i. 5. iii. 14. xx. 4.
WITNESSES, TWO. Two testaments, scriptures, figured by the two cherubims. Rev. xi. 3, 4. Zach. iv. 3-6. John v. 39. 1John v. 9. Exod. xxxi. 18.
WOMAN. The true church and anti-christian church. Isa. liv. 6. Jer. vi. 2. Rev. xii. 1. xvii. 3,7.
WOOD. People. Jer. v. 14.
WORDS OF GOD. Fire. Jer. v. 14.
WRATH, DAY OF. Judgment day. Job xxi. 30. Ps. cx. 5. Zeph. i. 15. Rom. ii. 5. Rev. vi. 17.
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