Further Study: The Word: The Foundation of Revival
“‘To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is 
because there is no light in them.’ Isaiah 8:20 . The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions. At every revival of God’s work the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.
“Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.”-Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 593, 594.
Discussion Questions:
- Read carefully the Ellen G. White references in Friday’s Further Study. What role does she give to the Word of God, especially in the context of the last days and the final deceptions? Dwell on the implications of this line: “So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures.” What does this tell us about how we need to be careful about judging truth based only on personal experience or on the way that we feel?
- During the week we read James 1:22, where we are told to be “doers of the Word.” What does that mean, and why is that so essential for us if we are to have any kind of true spiritual revival in our lives? Why is reading about faith and teaching about faith and talking about faith so much easier than living it? Think through your week: how much of a “doer of the Word” were you?
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There seems to me to be several parallel passages to the quotes given in today's lesson. For instance the Great Controversy quote, "they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them" is basically the same as, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (Jn. 17:3 NKJV; see also 2 Cor 3:18).
“So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures” is saying something very similar to, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matt. 24:24 NKJV). We have already seen some twisting of scripture over the years. Some of it is very hard to detect but the direction those teachings go in is not a good one and usually leads to further error.
Further, it is not good enough for us to simply memorize text although it can be helpful; we need to know what those texts are saying. Most often they also need to be taken in the context of the immediate discussion, chapter, or book and even the entire great controversy if we are to properly understand them. We also as a people who accept the prophetic gift of Ellen White need to understand how inspiration works, what it does and doesn't do. In that sense we need to see scripture as both literal and as spiritual. There are times when scripture is obviously literal but there is also a lot of symbolism in the Bible that we tend to bypass and because of that we miss out on valuable instruction.
On these things we need to be careful and heed the counsel, "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority" (Jn. 7:17 NKJV; see also Jn 8:31,32). We also need to test what we are being told (1 Jn 4:1).
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I have learned over and over in my life that my feelings may be real, but I must choose to place my focus on the Truth of God's Word. For instance, fear is a big deal for me. Still, I have learned that I can remember God's Love is greater and He is on my side! I can obey Him through His Power when I know I have none of my own.
I like the picture of the Children of Israel standing before the waters of the Jordan and God commanded that the priests step into the water. As they did, the waters parted and they walked on dry ground.
Additionally, Jesus told Peter to come out to Him walking on the water, and Peter could walk on the tossing waves as long as his eyes remained on Jesus!