By John Thiel, mp3

As Christians, we are very keen as others in the past have expressed, even so come Lord Jesus. For us to be truly ready for His coming, is meant to be the uppermost force of ambition in our life to truly be ready to meet Jesus and to cross that heavenly border into the eternal kingdom.

I want to expand a little more upon the importance of God’s Word in this preparation. We should be very conscious of how God’s Word is applicable to my preparation, what I must do with God’s Word. We saw very clearly that to be fitted for a place with Jesus eternally, we are in desperate need to be equipped by a careful study of God’s Word. Each one of us individually cannot rely upon others to do the studying for us. Even after we have heard the Word, we are still not going to be saved unless we personally study the Word and researching it, apply it to our own individual case. The Spirit of Prophecy discusses the learning that is gained from much reading from many books.

What can the most learned in book lore know aright without a knowledge of the Word of God? Without the education found in the Bible, how shall we reach the next world, where we shall enter the presence of God and see His face? Nothing of this world’s wisdom, the knowledge gained from books, presents a true and sure foundation upon which we can build for eternity. Nothing but the bread that comes down from heaven satisfies spiritual hunger. “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” . . . The Words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:33, 63). . . . As we eat the Words of Christ we are eating the bread of life, which gives spiritual vitality. {HP 137.3}

We need to eat for ourselves.

The Word of the only true God is infallible. Infinite wisdom, holiness, power, and love are blended in pointing us to the standard by which God measures character. God’s Word so plainly defines the laws of His kingdom that none need to walk in darkness. His law is the transcript of His character. It is the standard that all must reach if they would enter the kingdom of God. {HP 137.4}

The reading of the Word of God and the simplicity of the will of God contained in that Word is that which is going to prepare us for the kingdom of God. We see without a personal knowledge of God’s Word and being well equipped by the searching of it and finding Jesus is the bread of life in it, we will not be ready for Jesus to come. Yet as we approach this great need of searching the Scriptures and making it our important study, there is an element which can frighten the searcher for truth, the one who really wants to be in tune with God. This mental exercise in my own research of God’s Word and in the sharing of God’s Word, puts a sense of awe and holy fear into my heart. I need the assurance that what I am studying is truly absolute truth because Apostle Peter refers to the Scriptures and to the writings of Apostle Paul that places us on a very, very a tentative approach.

2 Peter 3:15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.

What a frightening concept is here portrayed.

2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 18 but grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and forever. Amen.

Here is this current of concern. A reason to beware that those who are unlearned and unstable can wrest twist the Scriptures to our own destruction. I never lose that concern. I’m continually reassessing everything that I know already. Is truly that substantiated? Is it really true? Because there is this danger, this reality keeps us extremely humble never to think that, what I know I can assert and throw my weight around with because even in doing that, I’ m already beginning to twist Scripture. I need to walk very humbly with my God.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.

Here lies this concern that that we are in need of assuring that we are rightly dividing the Word of truth so that we will not end up in destruction but that we will be prepared to enter the kingdom of heaven. We need a terrible lot of help in reference to the reading of the Bible. We are in danger of deifying our reasoning here.

Yet we are to beware of deifying reason, which is subject to the weakness and infirmity of humanity. If we would not have the Scriptures clouded to our understanding, so that the plainest truths shall not be comprehended, we must have the simplicity and faith of a little child. {SC 109.3}

There are many things apparently difficult or obscure, which God will make plain and simple to those who thus seek an understanding of them. {SC 110.1}

We are in danger of twisting. There are apparently difficult and obscure things in the Word as we read but God needs to make it plain to us. Our human capacity is always in danger slipping up somewhere and twisting it.

But without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we shall be continually liable to wrest the Scriptures or to misinterpret them. There is much reading of the Bible that is without profit and in many cases a positive injury. When the Word of God is opened without reverence and without prayer; when the thoughts and affections are not fixed upon God, or in harmony with His will, the mind is clouded with doubts; and in the very study of the Bible, skepticism strengthens. {SC 110.1}

The enemy takes control of the thoughts, and he suggests interpretations that are not correct. Whenever men are not in Word and deed seeking to be in harmony with God, then, however learned they may be, they are liable to err in their understanding of Scripture, and it is not safe to trust to their explanations. Those who look to the Scriptures to find discrepancies, have not spiritual insight. {SC 110.1}

The danger of twisting is close to every one of us and unless my will, emotions, affections and thoughts are prepared to be subjected as a little child to what God is saying, even as we discuss God’s Word, we come face to face with a statement we relish and enjoy but there is another statement that counters it and balances it and we realise we have gone too far. This is the problem that we see continually.

The problem that we’re living under that we have been brought up in is a multiplicity of twist and turns and theories that have been exercised upon our minds. The worst is that this all comes from the reading of the Bible. All the different mental conclusions that people draw they claim, I’ve got that from the Bible. Yet they’re all different ideas that don’t harmonise together. This never ceases to get me deep down inside when I meet these different people brothers and sisters in Christ that we all claimed to be, yet differing with one another across the board of Adventism and independents and so on. I’m continually burdened with this because I love souls and I love those who are preaching and I think oh yeah, beautiful. The different ones that are not necessarily of our company I still respect them. I still like to see whether they are Godly people they claim to be. They claim to be teachers but just a moment, that’s not really what I’m reading and maybe I’m wrong. How can we know it? These are the perplexities that we are surrounded with today. The Spirit of Prophecy identifies this problem and gives us a very powerful guidance.

Many will honestly search the Word for Light as those in the past have searched it; and they see light in the Word. But they did not pass over the ground in their experience, when these messages of warning were first proclaimed. Not having had this experience, some do not appreciate the value of the truths that have been to us as waymarks, and that have made us as a peculiar people what we are. {2SM 110.4}

These are people who are honestly searching the Word but they haven’t gone through the experience of the pioneers of the Advent faith.

They do not make a right application of the Scriptures, and thus they frame theories that are not correct. It is true that they quote an abundance of Scripture, and teach much that is true; but truth is so mixed with error as to lead to wrong conclusions. Yet because they can weave Scripture into their theories, they think that they have a straight chain of truth. Many who did not have an experience in the rise of the messages, accept these erroneous theories, and are led into false paths, backward instead of forward. This is the enemy’s design. {2SM 110.4}

This is the deception. I’ve got all the Bible texts together and it is all correct according to what I have seen the Scriptures telling me. Haven’t we been surrounded by it? Am I sure that I am right? This is an important understanding to hold onto. Can I be sure that I’ve got Scripture right so that I’m not studying the Word of God in such a way that I’m going to end up in false paths? I need to study the Bible so that it’s going to prepare me for heaven and it’s possible that we have not had the experience of the pioneers that we could be in that danger as well. I see this happening. It is just so rampant and notice the enemies design. Satan’s design is to so plunge us into this danger so that we will be in false paths and we are heading backwards instead of forwards. As we take this seriously, we need a very sound form of Bible study that will not lead us astray.

I implore you all to practise careful scrutiny of everything that is written so I am prepared to surrender myself to every statement even if it means opposite to what I feel and think and my affections and thoughts. Those affections and thoughts will be placed under the governing of what is plainly written there. That is where the problem comes from so I find my stability. We are to find my stability in the midst of these conflicting heartfelt teachings of so many of the Advent believers and I need to get some stability.

The Spirit of Prophecy gave us a very sound appreciation that it actually pointed to those who have been through the experience of the rising of the Three Angels Messages. Where do I find my stability in my careful research of the Word? I find it in the Spirit of Prophecy. As I seek to prepare myself for the heavenly kingdom and all who I share God’s Word with, I have to find a stability within myself that I know what I’m sharing is very much on the path forward not backwards.

1Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;] 5 That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and [in] all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, [that ye may be] blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In our preparation for the coming Jesus lays a very important guideline which is the testimony of Christ to be confirmed among us. What’s that? The Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy. He comes to make war with the remnant of her seed who have the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus – the Spirit of Prophecy in the very last generation.

These are the people that Satan is very angry with and they must have the commandments of God and the Spirit of Prophecy because of the terrible conflicts because of Biblical misinterpretation right amongst Adventist believers as well as other Christians. To ensure my arrival on the other side by correct Bible reading, I need the Testimony of Jesus. The Testimony of Jesus is needed for me to be confirmed and to be blameless at the coming of Jesus Christ.

Why Can’t I Just Read the Bible?

Why the Spirit of Prophecy? Why can’t I just depend on the Bible? As we have seen, it’s so easy to twist and so easy to put our own slant on it. The Testimony of Jesus being the Spirit of Prophecy is going to help me to arrive safely at the other end. Some people will suggest no, just the Word of God, not Ellen G White’s writings; and this comes to me time and time again. It comes to you too I’m sure, No, don’t rely on Ellen G. White to save you; it’s the Bible and the Bible only. It’s the Word of God. I want to ask you whether this Spirit of Prophecy is the Word of God:

My Saviour declared me to be His messenger. “Your work,” He instructed me, “is to bear My Word. {UL 160.5}

When we take the writings of Sr White, what are we taking? Jesus said my Word.

Strange things will arise; and in your youth I set you apart to bear the message to the erring ones, {UL 160.5}

The people that are going pick backwards instead of forwards because of their misinterpretation Scripture.

…to carry the Word before unbelievers, and with pen and voice to reprove from the Word actions that are not right. {UL 160.5}

To carry the Word before unbelievers and with pen and voice to reprove from the Word actions that are not right.

Exhort from the Word. I will make My Word open to you. . . . My Spirit and My power shall be with you. {UL 160.5}

Exhort from the Word, I will make my Word open to you, so if you are faulty in your mind over God’s Word, Jesus will make His Word open to us through Sr White. That’s what He said. It shall not be as a strange language. It’s not going to be difficult.

Exhort from the Word. I will make My Word open to you. It shall not be as a strange language. In the true eloquence of simplicity, with voice and pen, the messages that I give shall be heard from one who has never learned in the schools. My Spirit and My power shall be with you. {1SM 32.2}

“Be not afraid of man, for My shield shall protect you. {1SM 32.3}

What has He actually done with Ellen G. White? He has put a protection upon her so that no twists should take place. It says, it is not you that speaketh it is the Lord that giveth the message of warning and reproof. When we read Ellen G. White’s writings, are we reading the Word of God?

Never deviate from the truth under any circumstances. Give the light I shall give you. The messages for these last days shall be written in books, and shall stand immortalized, to testify against those who have once rejoiced in the light, but who have been led to give it up because of the seductive influences of evil.” {1SM 32.3}

What has Satan been doing? He’s been twisting the Word amongst Advent people. He has been contorting the minds of people to read Scriptures and twist them to their own destruction. God who loves us, Jesus who gave His life to all His people, says, Right, I’ve already had it written down in the Scriptures, but in the last days this is going to be the Spirit of Prophecy to establish us to come safe on the other side. He says, Okay, now here it is; and He says to Sr White, It’s not you that speaks, it’s Me. If people have difficulty because they twist the Scriptures, then it will be in such simplicity that they will not be able to err. This is going to be written in books so that those who have been led by Satan to come off the rails who have once rejoiced in their life but who have been led to give it up because of the seductive influences of evil will have a testimony to point out to them that they’re wrong.

This quote I first discovered when I was only 21. I consolidated myself that I am going to rely on God’s Word in the Spirit of Prophecy. Whenever I am thrown into this terrible fear that I have laid out before you, I gain a personal assurance that I’m not going to rely upon my own endangered conclusion. I’m going to become dependent upon the conclusions that Jesus Himself makes out of His work. I will arrive at the other side to take all the counsel that is given to me of God.

Another Twist

Here comes another twist even in the Spirit of Prophecy confusion arises. Don’t you hear it; Adventists quoting Spirit of Prophecy and contradicting each other? Then I think how am I going to get through this one? This dilemma that still comes up because Satan is hard at work to make a simple understanding of Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy difficult.

Human minds vary. The minds of different education and thought receive different impressions of the same words, and it is difficult for one mind to give to one of a different temperament, education, and habits of thought by language exactly the same idea as that which is clear and distinct in his own mind. Yet to honest men, right-minded men, he can be so simple and plain as to convey his meaning for all practical purposes. {1SM 19.1}

If the man he communicates with is not honest and will not want to see and understand the truth, he will turn his words and language to suit his own purpose. This is even with Ellen G. White if you don’t really want to see it the way that it is written, your own thoughts can twist it. Even the simplicity of what is written there.

He will misconstrue his words, play upon his imagination, wrest them from their true meaning, and then entrench himself in unbelief, claiming that the sentiments are all wrong. {1SM 19.1}

This is the way my writings are treated by those who wish to misunderstand and pervert them. They turn the truth of God into a lie. In the very same way that they treat the writings in my published articles and in my books, so do skeptics and infidels treat the Bible. They read it according to their desire to pervert, to misapply, to willfully wrest the utterances from their true meaning. They declare that the Bible can prove anything and everything, that every sect proves their doctrines right, and that the most diverse doctrines are proved from the Bible. {1SM 19.2}

The writers of the Bible had to express their ideas in human language. It was written by human men. These men were inspired of the Holy Spirit. Because of the imperfections of human understanding of language, or the perversity of the human mind, ingenious in evading truth, many read and understand the Bible to please themselves. It is not that the difficulty is in the Bible. Opposing politicians argue points of law in the statute book, and take opposite views in their application and in these laws. {1SM 19.3}

The Scriptures were given to men, not in a continuous chain of unbroken utterances, but piece by piece through successive generations, as God in His providence saw a fitting opportunity to impress man at sundry times and divers places. Men wrote as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. There is “first the bud, then the blossom, and next the fruit,” “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” This is exactly what the Bible utterances are to us. {1SM 19.4}

My mind has been very carefully tuned to listen to every different thoughts that are conveyed as I read and I discover that what is written in the Spirit of Prophecy may cut across certain lines of internal convictions and then I see people hook in on a certain statements that suit them and reject statements that don’t suit them. As I have observed over the time, is that when you put all the statements together, then you get the correct meaning. Because what the person intended to say, what Sr White intended to say, doesn’t quiet come out of one statement on its own either because I can put a twist to that so I’ve got to bear in mind what she says all across the board on a particular subject. Then I can see how it all fits together and that is only as she says honest men, right-minded men, will study and absorb it all in clear practical purposes.

If they’re not honest, they will not want to see and understand the truth and they will turn the words and language in everything to suit their own purposes and misconstrue. That’s the reason here according to that statement why we are in dilemma with Ellen G. White’s writings as well. Because of that, I want to conduct the next time I preach, preparation for heaven by the Spirit of Prophecy so we can get a very clear revelation from the Spirit of Prophecy itself as to correctly reading and pursuing it so we don’t become destructed by all the different false applications of the Spirit of Prophecy.

May God help us to see the danger and take seriously the kind of line up that I have conveyed to you here and see whether we cannot appreciate what God really wants us to do as we prepare ourselves by the reading of the Word of God, the Commandments of God, and the Testimonies of Jesus. God bless us as we pursue this. Amen.

Further reading: http://sabbathsermons.com/category/the-spirit-of-prophecy/