I may be well to consider just here some of the things that have been written through the special gift of God for the edification of His people at this time. Much has been said in the Spirit of prophecy concerning diligent Bible study. These extracts which follow, emphasize the need of such study:
"The Bible contains all the principles that men need in order to be fitted either for this life or for the life to come. And these principles may be understood by all. No one with a spirit to appreciate its teachings can read a single passage from the Bible without gaining from it some helpful thought. But the most valuable teaching of the Bible is not gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the careless or hasty reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the surface, and can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort. The truths that go to make up a great whole must be searched out and gathered up 'here a little and there a little.' "Mrs. E. G. White, in the Signs of the Times, Sept. 19, 1906.
Every sentence in this passage is worthy of study. Note, however, these points: The Bible contains a "great system of truth;" not only truth in general, but a system of truth. Much of this truth lies "far beneath the surface." It "can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort."
"Salvation depends upon our knowledge of God's will as contained in His Word. Never cease asking and searching for truth. It is God's will that you shall know what He has said to you. But you must exercise faith. As you search the Scriptures, you must believe that God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
"Search, O search the Bible with a heart hungry for spiritual food. Dig into the Word as the miner digs into the earth to find the veins of gold. Do not give up your search till you have ascertained your relation to God and His will concerning you.
" 'Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.' To search means to look diligently for something. Search for the hidden treasures in God's Word. You cannot afford to be without them. Study the difficult passages, comparing verse with verse, and you will find that scripture is the key which unlocks scripture. Those who prayerfully study the Bible go from each search wiser than they were before."—Id., Sept. 5, 1906.
Note that our salvation depends upon a "knowledge of God's will." Note further that "it is God's will that you shall know." This knowledge will come by digging "into the Word as the miner digs into the earth." We are even to "study the difficult passages."
"True, earnest, self-sacrificing Christians will understand more and more of the mystery of godliness. The Spirit of Christ abides with them. They are colaborers with Christ, and to them the Saviour reveals His purposes. There is seen in them none of the surface work which leaves the character dwarfed, feeble, and sickly. Daily they grow in grace and in the knowledge of God. They recognize the mercy which administers reproof and reaches out the hand to restrain evil. In word and deed they say, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.' "—Id., May 15, 1901.
This is a most encouraging passage. The true Christian "will understand more and more of the mystery of godliness." "The Saviour reveals His purposes" to them. They are not doing "surface work."
"God intends that to the earnest seeker the truths of His Word shall be ever unfolding. While 'the secret things belong unto the Lord our God, those things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children.' The idea that certain portions of the Bible cannot be understood has led to neglect of some of its most important truths. The fact needs to be emphasized, and often repeated, that the mysteries of the Bible are not such because God has sought to conceal truth, but because our own weakness or ignorance makes us incapable of comprehending or appropriating truth. The limitation is not in His purpose, but in our capacity. Of these very portions of Scripture so often passed by as impossible to be understood, God desires us to understand as much as our minds are capable of receiving. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' that we may be 'thoroughly furnished unto all good works.' "—Id., April 25, 1906.
These statements are really solemn ones. The apparent mysteries in the Bible "are not such because God has sought to conceal truth, but because our own weakness or ignorance makes us incapable of comprehending or appropriating truth." "The limitation is not in His purpose, but in our capacity."
What are some of the things we should study?
The following quotation will give some light on the subject:
"In the study of the Scriptures there is large scope for the employment of every faculty that God has given us. We should dwell on the law and the gospel, showing the relation of Christ to the great standard of righteousness. The mediatorial work of Christ, the grand and holy mysteries of redemption, are not studied or comprehended by the people who claim to have light in advance of every other people on the face of the earth."—Review and Herald, Feb. 4, 1890.
Here are mentioned the law and the gospel, the mediatorial work of Christ, and the grand and holy mysteries of redemption. The following extract adds a few more specific subjects:
"This earth has been honored and blessed with the presence of the Son of God. In the Scriptures we read of His incarnation, His teaching, His miracles, His death, and His resurrection. The effort to understand these wonderful subjects puts to the tax the highest powers of the mind, and then there is an infinity beyond, which cannot be exhausted. The oftener the mind is called to this study, the stronger and clearer it will become. In the daily life will be revealed the mysteries of godliness, which may be experienced, but cannot be explained. Throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity the redeemed will study these subjects, ever gaining from them a deeper and clearer knowledge of God and of Christ."—Signs of the Times, April 26, 1905.
Can anything be known of the character and attributes of God, or are these subjects among the prohibited ones?
"At no period of time has man learned all that can be learned of the Word of God. There are yet new views of truth to be seen, and much to be understood of the character and attributes of God,—His benevolence, His mercy, His long forbearance, His example of perfect obedience. 'And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.' This is a most valuable study, taxing the intellect, and giving strength to the mental ability."—"Fundamentals of Christian Education," p. 444.
In the following quotation note the seven subjects which we are to seek to understand:
"Everyone should seek to understand the great truths of the plan of salvation, that he may be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks the reason of his hope. You should know what caused the fall of Adam, so that you may not commit the same error, and lose heaven as he lost Paradise. You should study the lives of patriarchs and prophets, and the history of God's dealing with men in the past; for these things were 'written for our admonition, upon. whom the ends of the world are come.' We should study the divine precepts, and seek to comprehend their depth. We should meditate upon them until we discern their importance and immutability. We should study the life of our Redeemer, for He is the only perfect example for men. We should contemplate the infinite sacrifice of Calvary, and behold the exceeding sinfulness of sin and the righteousness of the law. You will come from a concentrated study of the theme of redemption strengthened and ennobled. Your comprehension of the character of God will be deepened; and with the whole plan of salvation clearly defined in your mind, you will be better able to fulfill your divine commission." —Review and Herald, April 24, 1888.
