BRANCH SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONS

That everyone who thirsteth for the truth may obtain it, these Lessons are, as a Christian service, mailed without charge. They levy but one exaction: the soul's obligation to itself to prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. The only strings attached to this free proffer are the golden strands of Eden and the crimson cords of Calvary – the ties that binds.

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Volume 7

Numbers 8-10

CONTENTS

All emphases and parentheses used throughout these Sabbath School Lessons are ours unless stated otherwise after the reference.

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HOLY CONVOCATIONS

(1976-1977)

* Each Feast Day begins at the going down of the sun on the day before.

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Question 1
How did God communicate with man in Eden? Gen. 2:16, 17; 3:9-21.

Note – "When Adam came from the Creator's hand, he bore, in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a likeness to his Maker....All his faculties were capable of development; their capacity and vigor were continually to increase. Vast was the scope offered for their exercise, glorious the field opened to their

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research....Face-to-face, heart-to-heart communion with his Maker was his high privilege. Had he remained loyal to God, all this would have been his forever. Throughout eternal ages he would have continued to gain new treasures of knowledge, to discover fresh springs of happiness, and to obtain clearer and yet clearer conceptions of the wisdom, the power, and the love of God. More and more fully would he have fulfilled the object of his creation, more and more fully have reflected the Creator's glory." Education, p. 15.

Question 2
What did Adam lose as a result of his sin? Gen. 3:22-24.

Note – "Before the entrance of sin, Adam enjoyed open communion with his Maker; but since man separated himself from God by transgression, the human race has been cut off from this high privilege." The Great Controversy, p. 5.

Question 3


By what means has God been known to communicate with man since the fall? Gen. 12:1-7; 15:12, 13; 16:7, 9; 17:1; 18:1, 2, 33; 26:1, 2; 28:10-16; 32:24-30; 37:5; Ex. 28:30; 33:11; Num. 22:30; Dan. 2:1, 29; Matt. 24:29.

Note – "God called Abraham by His voice. He also conversed with him through angels, dreams.…Jacob had the same experience....The great I AM spoke to His servant Moses from the burning bush....Israel heard the voice of God from the cloud on mount Sinai....The ten commandments were 'written with the finger of God'...Pharaoh king of Egypt and Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon were given dreams, but the Spirit of God, through Joseph and Daniel revealed the secrets...David and Solomon wrote the Psalms and Proverbs, not by visions, dreams, or angels, but by the silent voice of the Spirit of God imprinted in the minds of His servants. God spoke to Esther and Ruth by experiences through divine providence. John received the 'Revelation' by visions. God speaks to us also by types and anti-types – through the ceremonial law, by the patriarchs, and by the experiences of ancient Israel....God used the dead and the living, the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the land and water, sun, moon, and stars, to reveal His divine plan and to sustain His servants..." The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, p. 12.

"…by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets …These were Gods own appointed mediums of communication..." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 683.

Question 4
At Sinai, how did God communicate His law to Israel? Ex. 19:10-25; 20:1-17.

Note – "God desired to take His people apart from the world and prepare them to receive His word. From Egypt He led them to Mount Sinai, where He revealed to them His glory. Here was nothing to attract their senses or divert their minds from God; and as the vast multitude looked at the lofty mountains towering above them, they could realize their own nothingness in the sight of God. Beside these rocks, immovable except by the power of the divine will, God communicated with men. And that His word might ever be clear and distinct in their minds, He proclaimed amid thunder and lightning and with terrible majesty the law which He had given in Eden and which was the transcript of His character. And the words were written on tables of stone by the finger of God. Thus the will of the infinite God was revealed to a people who were called to make known to every nation, kindred, and tongue the principles of His government in heaven and in earth." Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 9, 10.

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Question 5

At the conclusion of this awesome demonstration, what did the people beg of Moses? Ex. 20:18, 19; Deut. 5:5, 23-33.

Note – "The proclamation of the law of ten commandments was a wonderful exhibition of the glory and majesty of God. How did this manifestation of power affect the people? – They were afraid. As they saw 'the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking,' they 'removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die' (Ex. 20:18, 19). They desired Moses to be their mediator. They did not understand that Christ was their appointed mediator, and that, deprived of His mediation, they would certainly have been consumed." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 238. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

"The people of Israel were overwhelmed with terror. The awful power of God's utterances seemed more than their trembling hearts could bear. For as God's great rule of right was presented before them, they realized as never before the offensive character of sin, and their own guilt in the sight of a holy God. They shrank away from the mountain in fear and awe. The multitude cried out to Moses, 'Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.' The leader answered, 'Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.' The people however, remained at a distance, gazing in terror upon the scene, while Moses 'drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.' The minds of the people, blinded and debased by slavery and heathenism, were not prepared to appreciate fully the far-reaching principles of God's ten precepts. That the obligations of the Decalogue might be more fully understood and enforced, additional precepts were given, illustrating and applying the principles of the Ten Commandments. These laws were called judgments, both because they were framed in infinite wisdom and equity and because the magistrates were to give judgment according to them. Unlike the Ten Commandments, they were delivered privately to Moses, who was to communicate them to the people." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 309, 310.

Question 6

Did God agree to this method of communication from then on? Deut. 18:15-19; 1 Sam. 9:9; Hos. 12:13, 10; Luke 1:70-75; Amos 3:7.

Note – "In these days few would follow the directions given through God's chosen servant as obediently as did the armies of Israel at the taking of Jericho. The Captain of the Lord's host did not reveal Himself to all the congregation. He communicated only with Joshua, who related the story of this interview to the Hebrews. It rested with them to believe or to doubt the words of Joshua, to follow the commands given by him in the name of the Captain of the Lord's host, or to rebel against his directions and deny his authority." Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 162, 163.

"The Lord gave Jeremiah a message of reproof to bear to his people, charging them with the continual rejection of God's counsel....In these days He has instituted no new plan to preserve the purity of His people. As of old, He entreats the erring ones who profess His name to repent and turn from their evil ways. Now, as then, by the mouth of His chosen servants He predicts the dangers before them." Ibid., p. 164, 165.

"Through patriarchs and prophets He revealed His truth to His people. Christ was the teacher of His ancient people as verily as He was when He came to the world

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clothed in the garments of humanity. Hiding His glory in human form, He often appeared to His people and talked with them 'face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.' He, their invisible Leader, was enshrouded in the pillar of fire and of cloud, and spoke to His people through Moses. The voice of God was heard by the prophets whom He had appointed to a special work and to bear a special message. He sent them to repeat the same words over and over again. He had a message prepared for them that was not after the ways and will of men, and this He put in their mouths and had them proclaim. He assured them the Holy Spirit would give them language and utterance. He who knew the heart would give them words with which to reach the people. The message might not please those to whom it was sent. They might not wish for anything new, but desire to go right on as they had been doing; but the Lord stirred them up with reproofs; He rebuked their course of action. He infused new life in those who were sleeping at their post of duty, who were not faithful sentinels. He showed them their responsibility, and that they would be held accountable for the safety of the people. They were watchmen who were not to sleep day nor night. They were to discern the enemy, and give the alarm to the people, that everyone might be at his post, that the watching foe might not obtain the least advantage." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 405.

Question 7

What was the ultimate way in which God tried to communicate with men? Matt. 21:33-39; Heb. 1:1, 2; John 1:1, 14; 3:16.

Note – "At the Saviour's baptism, Satan was among the witnesses. He saw the Father's glory overshadowing His Son. He heard the voice of Jehovah testifying to the divinity of Jesus. Ever since Adam's sin, the human race had been cut off from direct communion with God; the intercourse between heaven and earth had been through Christ; but now that Jesus had come 'in the likeness of sinful flesh'...the Father Himself spoke. He had before communicated with humanity through Christ; now He communicated with humanity in Christ. Satan had hoped that God's abhorrence of evil would bring an eternal separation between heaven and earth. But now it was manifest that the connection between God and man had been restored." The Desire of Ages, p. 116.

"With a father's heart, God bore with His people. He pleaded with them by mercies given and mercies withdrawn. Patiently He set their sins before them, and in forbearance waited for their acknowledgment. Prophets and messengers were sent to urge God's claim upon the husbandmen; but instead of being welcomed, they were treated as enemies. The husbandmen persecuted and killed them. God sent still other messengers, but they received the same treatment as the first, only that the husbandmen showed still more determined hatred. As a last resource, God sent His Son, saying, 'They will reverence My Son.' But their resistance had made them vindictive, and they said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill Him, and let us seize on His inheritance.' We shall then be left to enjoy the vineyard, and to do as we please with the fruit....Christ, the Beloved of God, came to assert the claims of the Owner of the vineyard; but the husbandmen treated Him with marked contempt, saying, We will not have this man to rule over us." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 293.

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Question 1
What things belong to God, and what to us? Deut. 29:29.

Note – "It is right to study closely the teaching of the Bible, and to search into 'the deep things of God,' so far as they are revealed in Scripture. While 'the secret things belong unto the Lord our God,' 'those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children.'" Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 701.

"Those human beings who seek to intrude into the secrets of the Most High show their ignorance of spiritual and eternal things. Far better might they, while mercy's voice is still heard, humble themselves in the dust and plead with God to teach them His ways." Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 279.

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Question 2
Through whom does God reveal His purposes? Dan. 2:28; Amos 3:7.

Note – "From the earliest times, prophets had been recognized as teachers divinely appointed. In the highest sense the prophet was one who spoke by direct inspiration, communicating to the people the messages he had received from God." Education, p. 46.

"These heavenly messengers usually were men and women of a humble character; some could neither read nor write. Though not having the advantages that great men do, these instruments in the hand of Omnipotence, caused human knowledge and worldly greatness to sink into insignificance. Thus God sought by these methods to reveal His transforming power in the human machine; both in intellect and in character." The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, p. 15, 16.

Question 3

How were the Lord's words to the prophets preserved? Deut. 31:24-26; Isa. 30:8; Jer. 30:1, 2; Dan. 7:1; Rev. 1:10, 11.

Note – "The minds of the people, blinded and debased by slavery and heathenism, were not prepared to appreciate fully the far-reaching principles of God's ten precepts. That the obligations of the Decalogue might be more fully understood and enforced, additional precepts were given, illustrating and applying the principles of the Ten Commandments. These laws were called judgments....Unlike the Ten Commandments, they were delivered privately to Moses, who was to communicate them to the people....These laws were to be recorded by Moses ('in a book' p. 312), and carefully treasured as the foundation of the national law, and, with the ten precepts which they were given to illustrate, the condition of the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 310, 311.

"The preparation of the written word began in the time of Moses. Inspired revelations were then embodied in an inspired book. This work continued during the long period of sixteen hundred years – from Moses, the historian of creation and the law, to John, the recorder of the most sublime truths of the gospel." The Great Controversy, p. 5.

Question 4
What power enabled the prophets to write the Scriptures? 2 Peter 1:21.

Note – "The scribes of God wrote as they were dictated by the Holy Spirit, having no control of the work themselves. They penned the literal truth, and stern, forbidding facts are revealed for reasons that our finite minds cannot fully comprehend. It is one of the best evidences of the authenticity of the Scriptures that the truth is not glossed over nor the sins of its chief characters suppressed. Many will urge that it is an easy matter to relate what has occurred in an ordinary life. But it is a proved fact that it is a human impossibility to give an impartial history of a contemporary; and it is almost as difficult to narrate, without deviating from the exact truth, the story of any person or people with whose career we have become acquainted. The human mind is so subject to prejudice that it is almost impossible for it to treat the subject impartially. Either the faults of the person under review stand out in glaring relief, or his virtues shine with undimmed luster, just as the writer is prejudiced for or against him. However impartial the historian may design to be, all critics will agree that it is a very difficult matter to be truly so. But divine unction, lifted above the weaknesses of humanity, tells the simple, naked truth." Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 9, 10.

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Question 5


Were the prophets allowed to contaminate the Scriptures in any way by their own thoughts and ideas? 2 Tim. 3:16 first part; Ps. 12:6; 19:8; 119:140; 1 Cor. 14:32, 33; Prov. 30:5.

Note – "God has been pleased to communicate His truth to the world by human agencies, and He Himself, by His Holy Spirit, qualified men and enabled them to do this work. He guided the mind in the selection of what to speak and what to write. The treasure was entrusted to earthen vessels, yet it is, nonetheless, from Heaven. The testimony is conveyed through the imperfect expression of human language, yet it is the testimony of God....The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will." The Great Controversy, p. 6, 7.

"When God reveals truth, He is able to lead His servants in all truth, and does not allow such instruments to mix His truth with error. Though they may not understand all, yet the message they bear is the truth and nothing but the truth. Therefore, such truths are originally revealed by inspiration only. When the time divinely appointed is fulfilled, then God calls servants of His own choice, and by the Spirit of Truth reveals a portion of His Word to them. Usually in the form of a message which they must first bear to the church. By the same power God moved upon His numerous servants, the prophets, each writing a portion of the Bible; and when compiled it made a complete book, dealing with one main subject – salvation in Christ. Though some of these writers lived hundreds of years apart, yet each portion of Scripture perfectly harmonizes, – one throwing light upon another. Thus it proves that God was the overseer of the Scriptures and skillfully led His servants in all truth....As the Bible is free from error, even its interpretation under the same Spirit of Inspiration must also be correct." The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, p. 13.

Question 6

For what purpose were the Scriptures written? Ps. 119:105; Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; See Introduction.

Note – "Those who search the Scriptures will find explicit instruction as to what God requires of them on points of practical religious life." Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 88.

"God has ever been faithful to punish crime. He sent His prophets to warn the guilty, denounce their sins, and pronounce judgment upon them. Those who question why the word of God brings out the sins of His people in so plain a manner for scoffers to deride and saints to deplore, should consider that it was all written for their instruction, that they may avoid the evils recorded and imitate only the righteousness of those who served the Lord." Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 12.

"Affirmatively stated, all Scripture (not merely a part of It) is inspired. Negatively stated, none of It is privately interpreted, for the reason that It did not come of men but of God. And it can be interpreted by men only as and when God's Spirit decrees. Accordingly, every jot and tittle of Scripture and Its interpretation is of Inspiration, and thus wholly profitable to guide the man of God doctrinally, to reprove and to correct him, and righteously to instruct him, unto perfection of faith and works. Let us therefore covenant with the Lord that henceforth we shall neither accept nor advance as revealed truth any private interpretation of the Scriptures." The Answerer, Book 1, p. 39, 40. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

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Question 1

In speaking of John the Baptist, what statement did Jesus make? Matt. 11:7-15; Luke 16:16; Matt. 13:17.

Note – "The meaning here is not readily apparent. Perhaps the context is the best guide to interpreting this verse. Christ has just acclaimed John as the greatest of all the prophets....He was greatest in the sense that it was his privilege to announce the coming of Him to whom all the prophets had borne witness (see Luke 24:27; John 5:39, 46). In this sense the O.T. prophets all looked forward to the time of John and spoke of the Messiah who was then to appear (1 Peter 1:10, 11). Thus it could be said that the prophetic office of O.T. times reached a climax in John." S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, p. 384. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

Question 2

Does this statement mean that there were to be no more prophets after John the Baptist? Matt. 11:13.

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Note – "If the...scripture means that there were to be no more prophets after John, then there should have been none since that time. And were this the meaning, then the Scriptures would contradict themselves, for they bear evidence that while Christ was the Son of God, He was also 'a prophet.' Luke 24:19. And although John the Baptist never wrote a single prophetic utterance, yet he was rated by Christ with the greatest of the prophets (Luke 7:28). Also Matthew, Mark, and Luke, under the Spirit of Inspiration, wrote concerning Christ and His work. Likewise John, Peter, and Paul, and others contemporary with them, prophesied in their own right of many things to come. All these are Scripturally accorded the title 'prophet.' Jesus Himself testifies that the book of Revelation is a prophecy, for the angel 'who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw,' says: 'Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.' Rev. 1:2, 3. 'For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.' Rev. 22:18. Now the fact that this prophecy was written nearly a century after John the Baptist was beheaded, is historical acknowledgment that the prophets did not cease with him." Why Perish, Tract No. 6, p. 5, 6. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

Question 3

What New Testament Scriptures mention prophets after John the Baptist? Luke 7:28; Acts 11:25-28; 13:1; 15:32; Eph. 3:3-5; Rev. 22:9.

Note – "Thus, in misconstruing Matthew 11:13 so as to make John the last of the prophets, the opposition is attempting to substitute for the gift of prophecy in the Christian era, 'private' (uninspired) interpretations of the Scriptures. And in doing this, they are led either to ignore or to try to explain away the irrefutable statement of Paul: 'And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues' (1 Cor. 12:28) – absolute evidence that the second of the eight gifts to the church in the Christian era is prophets." Ibid., p.6. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

Question 4
What did Jesus forewarn us would be prevalent in the last days? Matt. 24:11, 24.

Note – "...we are forewarned that there would be false prophets in the last days, and the Bible gives a test by which to try their teachings in order that we may distinguish between the true and the false.…If there were to be no true prophesyings in the last days, how much easier to have stated the fact, and thus cut off all chance for deception, than to give a test by which to try them, as if there would be the genuine as well as the false. In Isaiah 8:19, 20, is a prophecy of the familiar spirits of the present time, and the law is given as a test: 'To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.' Why say, 'If they speak not,' if there was to be no true spiritual manifestation or prophesying at the same time?" Early Writings, p. 138.

"The design of a counterfeit is to imitate an existing reality. Therefore the present manifestation of the spirit of error is proof that God manifests Himself to His children by the power of the Holy Spirit…" Ibid., p. 6.

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Question 5

What prophecies in the Old Testament speak of prophets in the last days? Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17; Deut. 18:15, 18; Acts 3:22; Mal. 3:1; 4:5, 6.

Note – "This prophecy of Joel, which speaks of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days, was not all fulfilled at the beginning of the gospel dispensation. This is evident from the wonders in heaven and in earth, introduced in this text, which were to be precursors of 'the great and terrible day of the Lord.' Though we have had the signs, that terrible day is still in the future. The whole gospel dispensation may be called the last days, but to say that the last days are all 1800 years in the past, is absurd. They reach to the day of the Lord and to the deliverance of the remnant of God's people: 'For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the lord shall call." Ibid., p. 142.

Question 6

What is the difference between the prophets of the Old Testament and those of the New Testament? 2 Peter 1:20, 21.

Note – "In the light of these facts, Jesus' statement that 'all the prophets and the law prophesied until John,' obviously has a wholly different meaning from what has been taught by uninspired men. When it is illuminated by the same Spirit Who indited it, the resultant interpretation is trouble-free, revealing that Christ separated the prophets into a twofold classification – those until John and those after him. Sacred history shows that the prophets in the first division received the Word directly from God through the medium of His Spirit. They were not obliged to prove any part of their prophecies by the writings of the preceding prophets. Whereas the prophets in the second division are appointed by the unction of the Spirit to interpret the writings of the prophets of the first division. This all-important distinction and division shows that the Old Testament Scriptures contain the light of our salvation for both periods – Jewish and Christian." Why Perish, Tract No. 6, p. 9.

"...there is a difference between the prophets of the Old Testament and the ones of the New; the latter being under the authority of the former; in other words, he may be an interpreter or revealer of the Bible: 'For all the prophets and the law [ceremonial in type] prophesied until John.'...Interpretation is correct only when inspired by the same Spirit, thus timely utterances are revealed." The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, p. 78. [Brackets belong to quotation]

Question 7
What council is given us by Paul? 1 Thess. 5:19-21.

Note – "The truth is the principle that sanctifies, and therefore it becomes us to know what is truth. We must compare spiritual things with spiritual. We must prove all things, but hold fast only that which is good, that bears the divine credentials, which lays before us the true motives and principles which should prompt us to action." Letter 12, 1890. See Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 56.

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Question 1

What did Jesus promise His disciples just before His crucifixion? John 14:16; 16:1-7.

Note – "'Let not your heart be troubled,' He said; 'ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.' For your sake I came into the world. I am working in your behalf. When I go away, I shall still work earnestly for you. I came into the world to reveal Myself to you, that you might believe. I go to the Father to co-operate with Him in your behalf. The object of Christ's departure was the opposite of what the disciples feared. It did not mean a final separation. He was going to prepare

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a place for them, that He might come again, and receive them unto Himself. While He was building mansions for them, they were to build characters after the divine similitude....Before offering Himself as the sacrificial victim, Christ sought for the most essential and complete gift to bestow upon His followers, a gift that would bring within their reach the boundless resources of grace. 'I will pray the Father,' He said, 'and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever..." The Desire of Ages, p. 663, 668, 669.

Question 2

Who was this Comforter of whom Jesus spoke and by what other title did Jesus refer to Him? John 14:16, 17, 26 first part; 15:26; 16:13 first part.

Note – "The Holy Spirit is Christ's representative, but divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally. Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the Father, and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth. No one could then have any advantage because of his location or his personal contact with Christ. By the Spirit the Saviour would be accessible to all. In this sense He would be nearer to them than if He had not ascended on high." Ibid., p. 669.

"It is not essential for us to be able to define just what the Holy Spirit is. Christ tells us that the Spirit is the Comforter, 'the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father.'" The Acts of the Apostles, p. 51.

Question 3
Why was the Comforter called the Spirit of Truth? 1 John 5:6; John 16:13.

Question 4

What has been the work of the Spirit down through the ages? Job 32:8; John 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:10-16; Eph. 3:5; Acts 2:4; 2 Peter 1:21.

Note – "From the beginning, God has been working by His Holy Spirit through human instrumentalities for the accomplishment of His purpose in behalf of the fallen race. This was manifest in the lives of the patriarchs. To the church in the wilderness also, in the time of Moses, God gave His 'good Spirit to instruct them.' Nehemiah 9:20. And in the days of the apostles He wrought mightily for His church through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The same power that sustained the patriarchs, that gave Caleb and Joshua faith and courage, and that made the work of the apostolic church affective, has upheld God's faithful children in every succeeding age." Ibid., p. 53.

"Outside of the Jewish nation there were men who foretold the appearance of a divine instructor. These men were seeking for truth, and to them the Spirit of Inspiration was imparted." The Desire of Ages, p. 33.

Question 5
How many different manifestations of the Spirit are there? 1 Cor. 12:1-27.

Note – "The talents that Christ entrusts to His church represent especially the gifts and blessings imparted by the Holy Spirit....1 Corinthians 12:8-11. All men do not receive the same gifts, but to every servant of the Master some gift of the Spirit is promised." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 327.

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Question 6

What special gifts did the Spirit set in motion in the organizing of the Christian Church? 1 Cor. 12:28-31; Eph. 4: 11-15.

Note – "This scripture presents a large program of work that may be brought into our camp meetings. All these gifts are to be in exercise. Every faithful worker will minister for the perfecting of the saints." Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 48.

"The fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians contains lessons given us by God. In this chapter one speaks under the inspiration of God, one to whom in holy vision God had given instruction. He describes the distribution of God's gifts to His workers....Here we are shown that God gives to every man his work, and in doing this work man is fulfilling his part of God's great plan." Ibid., p. 243.

"…while most of these gifts, especially those of tongues and of governments, are zealously sought after by the churches, the one that was despised by the Jews – the gift of 'prophets' – is wholly rejected by almost all Christendom....As the gift of prophets is, according to the Scriptures, second in order of the gifts to the church, and the gift of governments and that of diversity of tongues are last, obviously, then, those who despise the gift of prophecy but exalt the gift of governments and the gift of tongues, are pulling the cart from its rear end, and are going in the wrong direction." The Great Paradox of the Ages, Tract No. 2, p. 5, 7.

"Every branch of the work of God is to have recognition....Ephesians 4:11, 12. This scripture shows that there are to be different workers, different instrumentalities. Each has a different work. No one is required to lay hold of another's work, and, though untrained, try to do it. God has given to each according to his ability. One man may think that his position gives him authority to dictate to other workers, but this is not so. Ignorant of their work, he would enlarge where he should retrench, and retrench where he should enlarge, because he can see only the part of the vineyard where he is working." Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 170, 171.

Question 7
What is the Christian admonished to put on? Eph. 6:13-17.

Question 8

In view of all this what should we be careful not to do? 1 Thess. 5:19; Matt. 12:32; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 6:3 first part.

Note – "Light comes to the soul through God's word, through His servants, or by the direct agency of His Spirit; but when one ray of light is disregarded, there is a partial benumbing of the spiritual perceptions, and the second revealing of light is less clearly discerned. So the darkness increases, until it is night in the soul....It is dangerous to utter a word of doubt, dangerous to question and criticize divine light....Many a man indulging this habit has gone on unconscious of danger, until he was ready to criticize and reject the work of the Holy Spirit." The Desire of Ages, p. 322, 323.

"It is through the agency of the Holy Spirit that God communicates with man; and those who deliberately reject this agency as satanic, have cut off the channel of communication between the soul and Heaven." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 405.

"Every ray of light rejected, every warning despised or unheeded, every passion indulged, every transgression of the law of God, is a seed sown which yields its unfailing harvest. The Spirit of God, persistently resisted ('has been insulted' – Testimonies to Ministers, p. 393), is at last withdrawn..." The Great Controversy, p. 36.

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Question 1

What did John say would be the identifying marks of God's Church in the last days? Rev. 12:17; 19:10 last part.

Note – "God has a distinct people, a church on earth, second to none, but superior to all in their facilities to teach the truth, to vindicate the law of God. God has divinely appointed agencies – men whom He is leading...who are cooperating with heavenly instrumentalities to advance the kingdom of Christ in our world. Let all unite with

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these chosen agents, and be found at last among those who have the patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 58.

Question 2

Which is the only Church, since the Apostolic, that has been organized on these two fundamentals? Rev. 3:14.

Note – "Laodicea may be infallibly recognized amidst the many 'isms' of Christendom by the work she is doing – declaring the judgment. Indeed, this mark of identification is pointed out by the very name Laodicea, compounded of the two Greek words lao and dekei, the one meaning 'people,' also 'speak,' the other meaning 'judgment,' the two in one meaning the people declaring judgment. The church, therefore, which declares, 'Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come'...is evidently the one called Laodicea. And it is almost as well known outside Seventh-day Adventist circles as within, that the Seventh-day Adventist church is endeavoring to carry the judgment message of Revelation 14:7, and is therefore unchallenged in her claim to the title, Laodicea." The Answerer, Book 1, p. 11.

"The Seventh-day Adventist Church meets the standard of the true church since it observes the moral law of God (Ten Commandments) with the seventh-day Sabbath....The Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only one since the apostles...to be organized with the Spirit of Prophecy – a living prophet." A Great and Dreadful Day, p. 3, 4. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

Question 3

Who did God raise up to be His messenger for the Seventh-day Adventist Church?

ANSWER -- "I have had no claims to make, only that I am instructed that I am the Lord's messenger; that He called me in my youth to be His messenger, to receive His word, and to give a clear and decided message in the name of the Lord Jesus....When this work was first given me, I begged the Lord to lay the burden on someone else. The work was so large and broad and deep that I feared I could not do it. But by His Holy Spirit the Lord has enabled me to perform the work which He gave me to do." Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 32, 33.

Question 4

In what way did the Lord convey His message to Ellen G. White? Num. 12:6; Hos. 12:10.

Note – "...when the Lord sees fit to give a vision, I am taken into the presence of Jesus and angels, and am entirely lost to earthly things, I can see no farther than the angel directs me. My attention is often directed to scenes transpiring upon earth. At times I am carried far ahead into the future and shown what is to take place. Then again I am shown things as they have occurred in the past. After I come out of vision I do not at once remember all that I have seen, and the matter is not so clear before me until I write, then the scene rises before me as was presented in vision, and I can write with freedom. Sometimes the things which I have seen are hid from me after I come out of vision, and I cannot call them to mind until I am brought before a company where that vision applies, then the things which I have seen come to my mind with force. I am just as dependent upon the Spirit of the Lord in relating or writing a vision, as in having the vision. It is impossible for me to call up things which have been shown me unless the Lord brings them before me at the time that he is pleased to have me relate or write them." Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 2, p. 292, 293.

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Question 5

What are some of the things shown Ellen G. White while she was in vision? Rev. 11:18, 19; 14:9-11.

Note – "The Lord gave me the following view in 1847, while the brethren were assembled on the Sabbath, at Topsham, Maine....as we prayed the Holy Ghost fell upon us....Soon I was lost to earthly things and was wrapped in a vision of God's glory. I saw an angel flying swiftly to me. He quickly carried me from the earth to the Holy City. In the city I saw a temple, which I entered....After viewing the glory of the holy, Jesus raised the second veil and I passed into the holy of holies. In the holiest I saw an ark....In the ark was the golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of stone....Jesus opened them, and I saw the ten commandments written on them with the finger of God...the fourth, the Sabbath commandment, shone above them all; for the Sabbath was set apart to be kept in honor of God's holy name. The holy Sabbath looked glorious – a halo of glory was all around it. I saw that the Sabbath commandment was not nailed to the cross....I saw that God had not changed the Sabbath, for He never changes. But the pope had changed it from the seventh to the first day of the week; for he was to change times and laws." Early Writings, p. 32, 33. (See Index to Ellen G. White's Writings for other visions given to her.)

"Through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the scenes of the long-continued conflict between good and evil have been opened to the writer of these pages (Ellen G. White). From time to time I have been permitted to behold the working, in different ages, of the great controversy between Christ, the Prince of life, the Author of our salvation, and Satan, the prince of evil, the author of sin, the first transgressor of God's holy law." The Great Controversy, p. 10.

Question 6

How were points of truth established in the beginning of this movement? Amos 3:7; Eph. 3:5; 1 Cor. 2:10, 13.

Note – "Let none seek to tear away the foundations of our faith – the foundations that were laid at the beginning of our work by prayerful study of the word and by revelation." Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 297.

"In 1844, when anything came to our attention that we did not understand, we kneeled down and asked God to help us take the right position; and then we were able to come to a right understanding and see eye to eye. There was no dissension, no enmity, no evil-surmising, no misjudging of our brethren....At that time one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to searching the Scriptures, and earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted men and women assembled for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error. As the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me." Gospel Workers, p. 302.

"Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder [Hiram] Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the Word. Again

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and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power. When they came to the point in their study where they said, 'We can do nothing more,' the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 206, 207.

Question 7
Did Ellen G. White teach that she had all the light for God's people? Prov. 4:18.

Note – "We must not for a moment think that there is no more light, no more truth, to be given us. We are in danger of becoming careless, by our indifference losing the sanctifying power of truth, and composing ourselves with the thought, 'I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.' While we must hold fast to the truths which we have already received, we must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send." Gospel Workers, p. 310.

"For His church in every generation God has a special truth and a special work." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 78.

"In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are all essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it." Ibid., p. 128.

"New light will ever be revealed on the Word of God to him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed." Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, p. 53.

"God has precious light to come to His people at this very time….They are not to make up their minds that the whole truth has been unfolded, and that the Infinite One has no more light for His people." Ibid., p. 60.

"There is yet much precious truth to be revealed to the people in this time of peril and darkness....Precious truths that have long been in obscurity are to be revealed in a light that will make manifest their sacred worth; for God will glorify His Word, that it may appear in a light in which we have never before beheld it." Ibid., p. 62.

"The question has been asked me, 'Do you think that the Lord has any more light for us as a people?' I answer that He has light that is new to us, and yet it is precious old light that is to shine forth from the Word of truth. We have only the glimmerings of the rays of the light that is yet to come to us." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 401.

Question 8

In view of the fact that Ellen G. White has been dead for over 60 years, what is needed by the Church today? Rev. 19:10; Hos. 12:13.

Note – "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us (by a prophet), and His teaching in our past history." Life Sketches, p. 196.

"I was shown that the pointed testimony must live in the church. This alone will answer to the message to the Laodiceans." Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 260.

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"God designs that His people shall be a unit, that they shall see eye to eye and be of the same mind and of the same judgment. This cannot be accomplished without a clear, pointed, living testimony in the church." Ibid., p. 361.

"…the ever-unfolding, Inspired interpretation of the Scriptures (by a prophet) is the ever-living Spirit of Prophecy, the eyes of the church at work..." Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 45, p. 8.

"…there is no doubt that since the Church from creation till today has been led and preserved by a prophet, she can continue in no other way from here on." Ibid., Vol. 2, No. 26 (1948 Edition), p. 25.

"How long shall the spirit of prophecy serve the church? When will it be done away? Answer: 'But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.' This should settle the question of the perpetuity of the gifts in the Christian church....Here we have the clearest proof that the gifts (including prophets) were not to be done away until the second appearing of Christ." Life Sketches, Chap. 10. (Not found in any reprints since the First Edition)

Question 1
In what condition do we find the Church today? Rev. 3:13-17.

Note – "The message to the church of the Laodiceans is a startling denunciation, and is applicable to the people of God at the present time....What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and His testimony must be correct." Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 252, 253.

"God has appointed the church as a watchman...as a sentinel to see the approach of the enemy and give warning of danger. But the church does not realize the situation. She is sleeping on guard." Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 165.

Question 2
What is the only answer to the Church's need? Rev. 19:10.

Note – "I was shown that the pointed testimony must live in the church. This alone will answer to the message to the Laodiceans." Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 260.

"God designs that there shall ever be a living testimony in the church." Ibid., p. 360.

"…God had a message for the church that was sacred and important. If received, it would make a thorough reformation in the church, revive the living testimony that would purge out hypocrites and sinners, and bring the church again into favor with God." Early Writings, p. 228.

"…without the living Spirit of Prophecy in our midst, there can be no success …" Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 10 (Revised), p. 27.

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Question 3

What example is given in the Bible of the Spirit of Prophecy at work? Ezra 4:24; 6:14, 15.

Note – "You remember that those ancient Jews were by Cyrus, king of Persia, released from their captivity as soon as Babylon fell. He made a decree that they should go back to their homeland to rebuild the desolations and the ruins. The king especially decreed that the rebuilding of the temple and the re-establishing of the worship of the God of Heaven should be done faithfully and speedily....But according to Ezra 4: 24, Cyrus's decree and also another that was issued a few years later, were both frustrated, and...the work completely ceased...Then it was that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were called to their prophetic office and commissioned to revive and to reorganize the builders for the deserted temple project....within four short years the stately spiritual edifice was quickly finished....Let us now realistically consider why the builders' efforts and the king's decrees at first failed, and why at last they succeeded: Before Haggai and Zechariah were called to the prophetic office, many of the Jews returned from Babylon to Jerusalem...that is, the builders voluntarily went to build only because the captivity had ended, and because the king had decreed that the temple of God should be built. But both the builders' and the king's efforts were a complete failure – all came to naught. Then it was that through His prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, God directed the work, and then it was that they quickly finished. In other words, not before the Lord took the reins in His Own hands through the Spirit of Prophecy did the work prosper. In fact, sacred history proves that nothing has ever prospered in God's work without the living Spirit of Prophecy in its midst." Ibid., p. 19, 20.

Question 4
What do many mistakenly think the Spirit of Prophecy to be?

ANSWER -- "Not long ago a certain minister said: 'My conception of the Spirit of Prophecy is different from yours; the prophecies in the Bible are my Spirit of Prophecy'...But what is still worse, this same minister in later speaking to his congregation, made...Mrs. White's writings...the 'Spirit of Prophecy'! Yes, it is hard to believe that ministers in whom multitudes place confidence, would be so inconsistent, and that these multitudes would be so blind and so ignorant about them!" Why Perish, Tract No. 6, p. 46.

Question 5
What is Inspiration's answer to this theory? Amos 3:7.

Note – "Let now no one deceive himself by thinking that the Bible Itself is the active Spirit of Prophecy. Let us be God's real people, logical thinkers, not bait hunters. The Bible, you know, without the human channel, is as inactive as though It were but ink and paper. Moreover the Spirit, too, apart from man, is also inactive: He, too, works through the human agent. Hence, without an inspired interpreter the concealed prophecies and the Spirit that unfolds them are inactive." Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 24 (1948 Edition), p. 23, 24.

"To those who would continue to insist that 'the writings of the prophets' are the living Spirit of Prophecy, let them now tell us how the writings could be the living Spirit of Prophecy. Did the writings dictate themselves? Brethren, make sure you differentiate between the product of the Spirit (the Bible, Sr. White's and Bro. Houteff's writings) and the dictating SPIRIT OF PROPHECY ITSELF. To make a mistake in this matter is to deify the ink and paper upon which the product of the Spirit is written and to steal away the office of the Holy Prophesying Spirit. None

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wish to be guilty of this. Even Catholics realize that they must have a living connection with Heaven and that is why they always keep a pope on the throne. Think this over, Brethren, and take a lesson even from them. Though wrong in application they are right in the principle itself." Inspiration's Cure for the Davidian Dilemma, p. 3, 4. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

"Although all Christians have the truths that the Prophesying Spirit (or the Spirit of Prophecy) brought, and some, such as the Seventh-day Adventists and the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists have very recent truths brought by the Spirit, yet none of them have the living Spirit Prophesying (Spirit of Prophecy) in their midst, for their prophets are dead." Ibid., p. 3. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

"Upon the death of Sister White, in 1915, the gift of Inspiration, the active Spirit of Prophecy, became quiescent, no longer manifesting Itself for a time. With the church thus cut off from the very source of its life...how could it maintain its vitality and growth? Hence, now as then, there has followed the same inevitable spiritual malnutrition and deformity, accompanied with a long train of woes." The Answerer, Book 3, p. 60.

Question 6
To what is the living Spirit of Prophecy likened by Inspiration?

ANSWER -- "Since it now is clear as sunlight that the ever-unfolding Inspired interpretation of the Scriptures is the ever-living Spirit of Prophecy, the eyes of the church at work (1 Sam. 9:9), then to be without these spiritual eyes is to try to walk, as it were, in dense darkness. The science of the process finds close analogy in that of the universally used electric current. Electricity goes into action only when the live wire (the positive) comes in contact with the ground wire (the negative). So it is that the church's contact with God's chosen instrument (the ground wire) fused to the Spirit of God (the live wire) which together represent the positive and the negative – is what electrifies the church, and thus opens the line of communication between the church and Heaven....(Rev. 18:1)." Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 45, p.8. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

Question 7

According to John the Revelator, at what particular time is the Church to have the living Spirit of Prophecy? Rev. 12:15-17.

Note – "Will the Church forever remain in her self-deception, or will she awake to her great need? We shall have these questions answered if we turn to the Revelation....Here is the Bible's own answer, which says that there is to be a people who will have the Testimony of Jesus Christ at the time the earth swallows up the flood, the hypocrites. And since this incident is yet future, it shows that there is to be a prophet in the Church, for the Bible's own interpretation of 'the Testimony of Jesus Christ,' is 'the Spirit of Prophecy',...The first part of chapter 19 you will note explains that the Spirit of Prophecy is brought to them by a man, a 'fellow servant,'…" Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 24 (1948 Edition), p. 22, 23.

Summary

"Mark these points with care unto your salvation: The living Spirit of Prophecy is not just the Truth. The living Spirit of Prophecy is not just the Holy Spirit. The living Spirit of Prophecy is not just the human agent. The living Spirit of Prophecy IS a Truth-producing, Holy Spirit-filled human agent (at work, not dead in a grave)....God + Jesus + Holy Spirit + human agent = Heaven's Powerhouse....Are you connected with Heaven's Powerhouse, Brother, Sister?" Inspiration's Cure for the Davidian Dilemma, p. 5. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

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Question 1
What did the angel show Zechariah? Zech. 4:1-3; See Introduction.

Question 2
What was this symbolism given to illustrate? Zech. 4:6.

Note – "The continued communication of the Holy Spirit to the church." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 509.

"'This is the Word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel.' Zech. 4:6. The method which God is to

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use now, in the time of the end, in communicating with Zerubbabel – the governors or ministers of His people – is laid down in the symbolism. So let us carefully decipher it symbol by symbol. When we understand the meaning of the 'olive trees,' the 'candlestick,' the 'golden bowl,' and the 'tubes,' then the symbolism itself will without controversy explain how the Scriptures, by which God communicates with His servants, are to be interpreted." Why Perish, Tract No. 6, p. 19, 20.

Question 3
What did the candlestick represent? Zech. 4:2; Matt. 5:14-16; Rev. 2:5; 1:20.

Note – "It will be noticed that the message to the seven churches are not addressed to the candlesticks (the church as a body), but to the angels, saying, 'And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write.'...It is this angel who has charge of the candlestick (church). Therefore, the seven angels denote the leadership of the seven churches, and the candlesticks are the symbols of the seven churches. Thus, the churches in this instance are symbolized by candlesticks. Therefore, the candlestick in Zechariah's vision denotes the church as a body." The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, p. 184. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

Question 4

What were the two olive trees? Zech.4:3, 11-14; Rev. 11:3, 4; Great Controversy, p. 287.

Note – "These olive trees are called 'witnesses,' 'anointed ones,' 'prophets.' They were to prophesy in sackcloth for the space of forty-two months....The fact that nothing but the Bible Itself did prophesy for the duration of the 1260 year period – the Dark Ages of religion, – automatically shows that the two 'olive trees,' which the angel said are the Word of God (Zech. 4:6), are figurative of the Old and New Testament Scriptures....And from these two trees (Testaments), as Zechariah saw, the golden oil runs through 'two golden pipes,' which empty themselves into the 'golden bowl.' Then from the bowl, the 'seven pipes,' or 'tubes,' in turn supply the golden 'candlesticks' with the 'golden oil.'" Why Perish, Tract No. 6, p. 20-22. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

Question 5
What does the two golden pipes and the golden bowl represent? Zech. 4:2, 12.

Note – "True then, the candlestick represents the church, and the two olive trees the Old and New Testament Scriptures. Now, 'What be these two golden pipes,' which 'empty the golden oil out of themselves?' We quote from 'Testimonies for the Church,' Vol. 7, p. 249: 'The inner lamp must be supplied with the oil that flows from the messengers of heaven through the golden tubes into the golden bowl. The Lord's communication never comes to man in vain.' Therefore, the two golden pipes...are God's messengers of inspiration through whom present truth is revealed, and the only true interpreters of the Scriptures. The oil represents the revealed Word of God from the Bible as it is explained through His appointed servants, and the bowl describes the publications into which these revelations are compiled. This is the 'Testimony of Jesus.'...Therefore, the testimony of Jesus is also the Spirit of Prophecy, because his testimony is revealed only by the Holy Spirit through a human channel." The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, p. 285.

"Clearly, then, the bowl in which the golden oil is stored, symbolizes the storehouse of Present Truth – the Word interpreted. The only 'storehouse' that contains inspired comments on both Testaments is the books of the Spirit of Prophecy. They, therefore,

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are the 'golden bowl.'....The two pipes through which the oil is carried into the bowl, can represent only the channels (prophets) through whom the oil is transferred from the Bible into the bowl, in the period during which both olive trees (Old and New Testaments) live – the Christian era." Why Perish, Tract No. 6, p. 23, 24. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

Question 6
What are the seven golden pipes from the bowl to the lamps? Zech. 4:2.

Note – "Read and study the fourth chapter of Zechariah. The two olive trees empty the golden oil out of themselves through the golden pipes into the golden bowl from which the lamps of the sanctuary are fed. The golden oil represents the Holy Spirit. With this oil God's ministers are to be constantly supplied, that they, in turn, may impart it to the church." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 188.

"Let the reader take a searching look at the visual illustration...and he will see the utter impossibility of the candlestick's (the church membership's) and of the tubes' (ministers') themselves extracting oil directly from the olive trees. The interpretation of the Scriptures, therefore, being entrusted to the two pipes (prophets) in the Christian era, it shows that 'no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation,' but is of inspiration only." Why Perish, Tract No. 6, p. 24. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

"If the 'golden bowl' is that which contains the inspired interpretation of the Scriptures or the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, and the lamps or churches are supplied with oil from the bowl through the seven golden tubes, then the ministry is represented by the tubes, whose duty is to feed the entire church with the inspired Word of God only....Note, the seven tubes (Ministry) draw the oil from the golden bowl, not direct from the olive trees (Scriptures). This divinely illustrated lesson is too plain to be misunderstood, or its meaning misconstrued. The only safe way by which God's servants and His church can be free from error, full of faith, without guile in their mouth (all speak the same thing), is the never erring guide – 'The Spirit of Prophecy.'" The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, p. 285, 286. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

Question 7

What sort of sermons are being given by ministers who do not get their oil from the golden bowl? Isa. 56:10-12; Eze. 34:2, 3; Matt. 15:8, 9.

Note – "There are men who stand in the pulpits as shepherds, professing to feed the flock, while the sheep are starving for the bread of life. There are long-drawn-out discourses, largely made up of the relation of anecdotes; but the hearts of the hearers are not touched. The feelings of some may be moved, they may shed a few tears, but their hearts are not broken. The Lord Jesus has been present when they have been presenting that which was called sermons, but their words were destitute of the dew and rain of heaven. They evidenced that the anointed ones described by Zechariah (see chapter 4) had not ministered to them that they might minister to others....There is cheap, very cheap fodder placed before the people." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 336, 337. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

"When the free gift of Christ's righteousness is not presented, the discourses are dry and spiritless; the sheep and lambs are not fed." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 158.

"Men and women are in the last hours of probation, and yet are careless and stupid,

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and ministers have no power to arouse them; they are asleep themselves. Sleeping preachers preaching to a sleeping people!" Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 337.

Question 8

If the ministry get their truth from the golden bowl, what will be the result? Matt. 24:45, 46.

Note – "If the Christian minister receives the golden oil, he has life; and where there is life, there is no stagnation, no dwarfed experience. There is constant growth to the full stature of Christ Jesus....We cannot be shepherds of the flock unless we are divested of our own peculiar habits, manners, and customs, and come into Christ's likeness. When we eat His flesh and drink His blood, then the element of eternal life will be found in the ministry. There will not be a fund of stale, oft-repeated ideas. There will be a new perception of truth....The word is the preacher's light, and as the golden oil flows from the heavenly olive tree into the bowl, it makes the lamp of life flash with a clearness and power that all will discern. Those who have the privilege of sitting under such a ministry, if their hearts are susceptible to the Holy Spirit's influence, will feel an inner life. The fire of God's love will be kindled within them. The Bible, the word of God, is the bread of life. He who feeds the flock of God must himself first eat of the bread which came down from heaven. He will see the truth on every side. He will not venture to come before the people until he has first communed with God. Then he is led to work as Christ worked. He respects the varied minds that compose his audience. He has a word that touches the case of all, not worldly, confusing ideas. He has no right to introduce the worldly perplexities. The bread of life will satisfy every soul hunger." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 338-340.

Question 9

To what specific time does this prophecy apply? Zech. 3:1-10; 4:1-14; Matt. 13:30; See Chart.

Note – "I entreat of you to read the third and fourth chapters of Zechariah. If these chapters are understood, if they are received, a work will be done for those who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness, a work that means to the church: 'Go forward and upward.'" Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 296.

"Zechariah's vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God's people in the closing up of the great day of atonement." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 472.

"In revealing through Zechariah's symbolism the inspired method of interpretation of the Scriptures, God has graphically prescribed, for the present-day multifarious religious ills, Heaven's Specific Remedy." Why Perish, Tract No. 6, p. 25.

"Inspiration, Truth, The Testimony of Jesus, Ministry and the Church in the Time of Harvest." The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, p. 270. See Chart.

"This prophetic symbol unmistakably points forward to a heavenly agency absorbing human weakness and imperfection into everlasting glory. 'A glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.'...A church that keeps 'the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.' 'Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. 'Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners, she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer.' Prophets and Kings,' p. 725. (Song of Sol. 6:10) To this 'candlestick' is the promise: 'Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the

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mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.' (Isa. 41:15.) The 'one stone'– the church – shall have complete vision of heavenly glory: 'For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree'…To the servants of God (the church) is granted to possess the earth, and restore the land to the saints, to whom it originally belonged." Ibid., pp. 286, 287. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

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Question 1
Can we look for any new light to be revealed to God's people today? Prov. 4:18.

Note – "We must not think, 'Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.' The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light....We must have living faith in our hearts, and reach out for larger knowledge and more advanced light." Evangelism, p. 296, 297.

"There is yet much precious truth to be revealed to the people in this time of peril and darkness…" Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, p. 62.

"New light will ever be revealed on the Word of God to him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the Word of God. Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God." Ibid., p. 53, 54.

"Just before us is the closing struggle of the great controversy when...Satan is to work to...'seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.' If there was ever a people in need of constantly increasing light from heaven, it is the people that, in this time of peril, God has called to be the depositaries of His holy law…." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 746.

"The question has been asked me, 'Do you think that the Lord has any more light for us as a people?' I answered that He has light that is new to us, and yet it is precious old light that is to shine forth from the Word of truth. We have only the glimmerings of the rays of the light that is yet to come to us." Review and Herald, June 3, 1890.

Question 2
How have we learned this light will come to God's people? Amos 3:7.

Note – "I was shown that God had given light through the gifts placed in the church…." Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 93.

"God has His appointed channels of light..." Ibid., Vol. 5, p. 726.

Question 3

What test has been given in the Scriptures by which to measure new light? Isa. 8:20.

Note – "I warn the Seventh-day Adventist Church to be careful how you receive every new notion and those who claim to have great light....The messengers the Lord sends bear the divine credentials." Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 69.

Question 4

How does Ellen G. White counsel those who think they have light for God's Church? Prov. 11:14.

Note – "God has not passed His people by and chosen one solitary man here and another there as the only ones worthy to be entrusted with His truth. He does not give one man new light contrary to the established faith of the body....The greatest harm to God's people comes through those who go out from among them speaking perverse things....There are a thousand temptations in disguise prepared for those who have the light of truth; and the only safety for any of us is in receiving no new

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doctrine, no new interpretation of the Scriptures, without first submitting it to brethren of experience. Lay it before them in a humble, teachable spirit, with earnest prayer; and if they see no light in it, yield to their judgment; for 'in the multitude of counselors there is safety.'" Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 291, 293.

Question 5

Is this an unerring rule to go by in the case of God actually sending a message through a prophet? Jer. 17:5.

Note – "The Lord has shown me that men in responsible positions are standing directly in the way of His work because they think the work must be done and the blessing must come in a certain way, and they will not recognize that which comes in any other way. My brethren, may the Lord place this matter before you as it is. God does not work as men plan, or as they wish; He 'moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.' Why reject the Lord's methods of working, because they do not coincide with our ideas? God has His appointed channels of light, but these are not necessarily the minds of any particular set of men. When all shall take their appointed places in God's work, earnestly seeking wisdom and guidance from Him, then a great advance will have been made toward letting light shine upon the world. When men shall cease to place themselves in the way, God will work among us as never before." Ibid., p. 726.

"We must study the truth for ourselves. No living man should be relied upon to think for us. No matter who it is, or in what position he may be placed, we are not to look upon any man as a perfect criterion for us. We are to counsel together, and to be subject to one another; but at the same time we are to exercise the ability God has given us to learn what is truth." Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 45.

"The Lord often works where we least expect Him; He surprises us by revealing His power through instruments of His own choice, while He passes by the men to whom we have looked as those through whom light should come. God desires us to receive the truth upon its own merits – because it is truth....But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men and accept the decisions they make; and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if their leading brethren do not accept them....Even if all our leading men should refuse light and truth, that door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up men who will give the people the message for this time." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 106, 107.

"He will use men for the accomplishment of His purpose whom some of the brethren would reject as unfit to engage in the work." Review and Herald, Feb. 9, 1895.

Question 6

In view of these statements, who would be the "multitude of counselors" referred to by Ellen G. White, upon whom we could rely? (Example, Num. 11:16, 17)

Note – "At times, when a small group of men entrusted with the general management of the work have, in the name of the General Conference, sought to carry out unwise plans and to restrict God's work, I have said that I could no longer regard the voice of the General Conference, represented by these few men, as the voice of God. But this is not saying that the decisions of a General Conference composed of an assembly of duly appointed, representative men from all parts of the field should

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not be respected. God has ordained that the representatives of His church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a General Conference, shall have authority." Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. 260, 261.

"The General Conference is to be composed of men who are to be 'respected,' and who are to have authority when they are 'duly appointed.' The Bible explains the instructions Sister White was given by Inspiration for the church in her day and for God's people at this time and for all time. (Num. 11:16, 17 quoted)....The remnant church 'which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ' Rev. 12:17, is to follow Bible order. God's chosen instrument appoints to the executive offices men whom God names, and to whom His Spirit is given. This is what Inspiration means by men 'duly appointed.' A General Conference organized after this pattern is Divinely called and chosen (by Inspiration and not by a majority vote of any committee or body of people)." The Man on the White Horse, p. 14, 15.

Question 7

Does new light always fit in with the doctrines and ideas that we, as a people, have taught for years? Matt. 15:9.

Note – "As a people we are to stand firm on the platform of eternal truth that has withstood test and trial. We are to hold to the sure pillars of our faith. The principles of truth that God has revealed to us are our only true foundation. They have made us what we are. The lapse of time has not lessened their value." Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 52.

"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." Ibid., p. 37.

"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." Ibid., p. 35.

"We see here that the men in authority are not always to be obeyed, even though they may profess to be teachers of Bible doctrine. There are many today who feel indignant and aggrieved that any voice should be raised presenting ideas that differ from their own in regard to points of religious belief. Have they not long advocated their ideas as truth? So the priests and rabbis reasoned in apostolic days: What mean these men who are unlearned...who are presenting ideas contrary to the doctrines which the learned priests and rulers are teaching the people? They have no right to meddle with the fundamental principles of our faith. But we see that the God of heaven sometimes commissions men to teach that which is regarded as contrary to the established doctrines. Because those who were once the depositaries of truth became unfaithful to their sacred trust, the Lord chose others who would receive the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and would advocate truths that were not in accordance with the ideas of the religious leaders. And then these leaders, in the blindness of their minds, give full sway to what is supposed to be righteous indignation against the ones who have set aside cherished fables. They act like men who have lost their reason. They do not consider the possibility that they themselves have not rightly understood the word. They will not open their eyes to discern the fact that they have

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misinterpreted and misapplied the Scriptures, and have built up false theories, calling them fundamental doctrines of the faith. But the Holy Spirit will, from time to time, reveal the truth through its own chosen agencies; and no man, not even a priest or ruler, has a right to say, You shall not give publicity to your opinions, because I do not believe them....God impressed His servants to speak the truth irrespective of what men had taken for granted as truth." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 69, 70.

Question 8


What are we counseled to do when new light from God is presented to us? 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 John 4:1; Eph. 5:10; 1 Thess. 5:21; (Example, Acts 17:11) John 7:17; See introduction.

Note – "When new light is presented to the church, it is perilous to shut yourselves away from it. Refusing to hear because you are prejudiced against the message or the messenger will not make your case excusable before God. To condemn that which you have not heard and do not understand will not exalt your wisdom in the eyes of those who are candid in their investigations of truth. And to speak with contempt of those whom God has sent with a message of truth, is folly and madness." Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 51.

"We should take the Bible, and investigate it closely for ourselves. We should dig in the mine of God's word for truth." Ibid., p. 34.

"No matter by whom light is sent, we should open our hearts to receive it with the meekness of Christ. But many do not do this. When a controverted point is presented, they pour in question after question, without admitting a point when it is well sustained....When a doctrine is presented that does not meet our minds, we should go to the word of God, seek the Lord in prayer, and give no place for the enemy to come in with suspicion and prejudice." Gospel Workers, p. 301.

"When a message comes in the name of the Lord to His people, no one may excuse himself from an investigation of its claims. No one can afford to stand back in an attitude of indifference and self-confidence, and say: 'I know what is truth. I am satisfied with my position. I have set my stakes, and I will not be moved away from my position, whatever may come. I will not listen to the message of this messenger; for I know that it can not be the truth.' It was from pursuing this very course that the popular churches were left in partial darkness, and that is why the messages of heaven have not reached them." Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, p. 65.

"...when a point in one's writings is not clear, then only the writer himself should be consulted concerning it, if he is living. Otherwise, only the same Spirit of Inspiration, the original Author of the writings, can clarify whatever is involved. Indeed, 'if a message comes,' as Inspiration says, 'that you do not understand, take pains that you may hear the reasons the messenger may give, that you may know whether or not it is sustained by the Word of God.' Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, p. 65, 66; Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 29." The Answerer, Book 1, p. 47, 48.

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Question 1
What promise of the Messiah do we find given in the book of Isaiah? Isa. 7:14.

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Note – "Surely all of us agree that this passage of Scripture is a forecast of the Emmanuel of Matthew 1:23 – Christ at His first advent." Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 45, p. 3.

Question 2
What peculiar diet was Immanuel to eat? Isa. 7:15.

Note – "It is agreed that the child here spoken of prophetically, is Christ. And according to these verses, He was prescribed a special diet, as was John the Baptist (Luke 1:15; Matt. 3:4). Yet there is no record showing that Christ's diet was ever of literal 'butter and honey.' There is record, though, that He did eat of all the sanctified foods that were commonly used by the Jews in His time. And 'John came,' said Christ, 'neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.' Matt. 11:18. Thus on the word of the Lord Himself, John did not eat everything that the Jews ate. As a matter of fact, he lived on 'locusts and wild honey.' Mark 1:6. Nevertheless, the Jews found fault, and accused him of being fanatical and out of his mind. On the other hand, 'the Son of man,' says the Lord of Himself, 'came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.' Matt. 11:19. In these words, showing that He ate whatever lawful food was set before Him, Christ makes clear that He did not confine His diet to literal Butter and Honey." Why Perish, Tract No. 6, p. 27, 28. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

Question 3

From where was Immanuel to get the butter that He was to eat? Isa. 7:22; 55:1; Prov. 30:33.

Question 4
Where did the milk come from? Isa. 7:21; Deut. 32:14 first part.

Question 5
What does the young cow, the two sheep and the milk represent? Isa. 7:21.

Note – "As aforestated, there is no record showing that Jesus ate actual butter and honey. But as the prophet's utterance must be correct, the only conclusion possible is that the 'butter and honey' are symbolical of something which Christ freely used, and which made Him wise and able to discriminate between good and evil. Inasmuch, moreover, as these two literal articles of food – butter and honey – can never in themselves enable anyone to know the difference between good and bad, it therefore becomes doubly settled that they are symbolical." Ibid., p. 28.

"Manifestly, therefore, this butter and honey symbolism infallibly tells us that Immanuel, Christ, was enabled to discern and to overcome sin by His study of the Bible – by digesting Its contents and allowing them to become a part of Him. This was His sweetest delight, as the symbolical honey reveals. Thus it was that 'He said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of' (John 4:32), and, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' Matt. 4:4." Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 45, p. 4.

"As butter is churned from milk, and as the milk from which this spiritual 'butter' is made, comes from the 'two sheep' and the 'young cow,' the truth flows forth that these three milk-producing creatures symbolize three different sources from which the Word of the Lord (butter) is obtained. The cow is young; the sheep are not. Accordingly, the source of the butter, God's Word, represented by the young cow, is of later origin than the sources represented by the two sheep. The two-of-a-kind therefore can only represent the Old and New Testament Scriptures; whereas the cow, being larger

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and younger than the sheep, represents sacred volumes of correspondingly larger proportions and of later origin than the Bible. These volumes manifestly are the latter-day writings of the 'Spirit of Prophecy' (Rev. 19:10), which enable their patrons to 'refuse the evil, and choose the good,'…" Why Perish, Tract No. 6, p. 29, 30. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

"Hence it is none other than the published works of the ever-living Spirit of Prophecy – the inspired interpretations of the Scriptures." Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 20, p. 24.

Question 6

In view of this, does the prophecy of Isaiah reach beyond Christ's first advent and perhaps have a latter-day fulfillment? Isa. 7:14-16, 22.

Note – In Isaiah chapter 7 "is mentioned the history of ancient Israel's unsuccessfully confederating with Syria against Judah, for they could not prevail against her. Instead, both were taken by Assyria. Then follows the prophecy of the birth of Immanuel. Since, however, Christ was born long after the kings of Israel and Syria were taken, it is obvious from verse 16 of chapter 7 that a circumstance was to occur at sometime that would be the antitype of the confederacy which took place anciently between Israel and Syria against Judah, and that in this antitypical period both kings represented by Syria and Israel would be taken by a power represented by Assyria before 'Immanuel' would know the difference between good and evil. Since, as has already been pointed out, Christ ('Immanuel') did not live in the time of such a confederacy, it must be that not only Israel, Syria, and Assyria are types, but Christ Himself is also a type. We learned that Immanuel (meaning, 'God with us') could represent only His true followers, the born-again Christians." The Symbolic Code, Vol. 12, No. 1, p. 5, 6. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

"Accordingly, the truth is evident that Christianity is a spiritual plant, feeding on the Word of God as unfolded by the sweet Spirit of Truth. Consequently if Christ our Example thuswise 'increased in wisdom....and in favor with God and man' (Luke 2:52), then it is even more essential that we, His followers, live on the same Word, on the same butter and honey, if we are to possess true, life-sustaining, life-preserving Christianity." Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 45, p. 4. (Parenthesis belongs to quote)

"It is now obvious that the product of these three creatures necessarily must become our spiritual diet is we expect to be 'left' and permitted to live in the Holy Land, and that there is no use of our thinking to abide the judgment in some other way." Ibid., p. 7.

"Those that are left in the land, therefore, when Christ takes His scepter to reign, are those who live on the butter and honey which only the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy can supply. All others are to perish with the modern Edomites and Moabites." Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 20, p. 24.

"Obviously, those who do not eat this spiritual butter and honey shall be taken out of the way, shall not be left in the land. 'Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.' Isa. 24:6." Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 19, p. 4, 5.

Question 7
Where are we to look for this life-giving food today? Isa. 7:21.

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Note – "Here the Lord tells us that the milking of the two sheep and the young cow (the unfolding of the heaven-sent scrolls) is not entrusted to all, but to 'a man' (prophet). This means that the one through whom the light is revealed, nourishes these sources of supply by arousing widespread interest in them, thus keeping them alive and producing." Why Perish?, Tract No. 6, p. 44. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

"These noble creatures give such a volume of milk that we are compelled to separate the cream, and are able to dispense only it. The milk we preserve. This plenitude bespeaks our being blessed with such a fullness of truth (milk) that all we can do is to send out the high points – the butter or cream. Revealed truth never before having amassed itself into such an inexhaustible store as it has today, completes the evidence that the interpretation of this prophecy is correct, and that The Shepherd's Rod…contains the truth…" Ibid., p. 31, 32. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

"'...this very restricted representation (the Rod) of the 'additional message'...(White House Recruiter 39:1) coupled with the declaration that Elijah (who never dies) is 'imminent', meaning future, (Jezreel Letter #9:1:6), shows that the 'butter' of the Rod was limited – restricted, and that more 'butter' would come with the future appearing of Elijah. Tract #8:1, states that God will 'continue to speak (give butter) to her (His church)' until she is purified, thus: A man, V.T.H. [Victor Houteff], gave us 'very restricted' 'butter', leaving much 'cream' to be yet made into 'butter'. Another man, The Branch messenger, shakes -- interprets, the 'cream' of the Rod and now we have the 'butter' that gives us our spiritual maturity." Signs and Wonders in Modern Israel – The Confederacy, Part 1, p. 5. (Parentheses belong to quotation, brackets added)

Question 8

In order to reach spiritual maturity what must we allow to happen? 1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:2; Isa. 28:9-18.

Note – "Having fed on 'milk' only – on the simple, elementary revelations of the Word – through the long years of her infancy and childhood, the church has finally come to the stage where she must take 'strong meat' also – the advanced, latter day revelations of the Word....Unquestionably the time has come for all church members to realize that they are now passing from Christian childhood into Christian maturity, and should, therefore, no longer try to reach the stature of the full grown by continuing to feed on the food of babes....Truth, is what brings life eternal. And as each assimilates the 'strong meat,' he will thereby become wise and strong 'to refuse the evil and choose the good.'…Hence, the Christian who would truly know his God and his church in order to be emptied of evil and be filled with the good, must now feed on Present Truth, – the progressive Truth of the living Word revealed through Inspiration." War News Forecast, Tract No. 14, p. 37-39.

"Unless the church, which is now being leavened with her own backsliding, shall repent and be converted, she will eat of the fruit of her own doing, until she shall abhor herself. When she resists the evil and chooses the good, when she seeks God with all humility and reaches her high calling in Christ, standing on the platform of eternal truth and by faith laying hold upon the attainments prepared for her, she will be healed....The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place. When this reformation begins, the spirit of prayer will actuate every believer....The barriers separating believer from believer will be broken down, and God's servants will speak the same things. The Lord will co-operate with His servants. And all will pray understandingly the prayer that Christ taught His servants: 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.' Matthew 6:10." Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 250, 251.

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Question 1
What are we instructed to pray for by Inspiration? Zech. 10:1.

Note – '"Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain.' Do not rest satisfied that in the ordinary course of the season, rain will fall. Ask for it. The growth and perfection of the seed rests not with the husbandman. God alone can ripen the harvest." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 508.

Question 2
When is the latter rain to be poured out? Deut. 11:14; Jer. 5:24; Joel 2:23.

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Note – "In the East the former rain falls at the sowing time. It is necessary in order that the seed may germinate. Under the influence of the fertilizing showers, the tender shoot springs up. The latter rain, falling near the close of the season, ripens the grain and prepares it for the sickle." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 506.

Question 3

What spiritual significance does this "latter rain" have? Deut. 32:1; Joel 2:23 margin.

Note – "These figures of speech, you know, are not used by Inspiration promiscuously, the term 'latter rain' must have its special and accurate significance. Inspiration chose to use the term 'rain,' because rain makes things grow and brings abundant harvest. The term 'latter' denotes the last rain before the harvest, the rain that completes maturity and that ripens the grain." Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 17, p. 3.

"The Lord employs these operations of nature to represent the work of the Holy Spirit. As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God's grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 506.

"As one sinks the shaft deeper into the mine of Truth, he finds that when Inspiration makes grass figurative of the people, It accordingly makes 'rain' figurative of their spiritual nourishment, timely Truth. Thus when the terms grass, wheat, or corn are employed to designate the people in the latter days, then the spiritual food necessary to bring them to their full Christian stature is appropriately termed 'latter rain' (Zech. 10:1). And to show that it is for the uplifting of humanity, Joel gives it personification in the term, 'teacher of righteousness' (Joel 2:23, margin)." War News Forecast, Tract No. 14, p. 39, 40. (Parentheses belong to quotation)

"…in the spiritual realm, 'the former rain' must denote a heaven-sent message to germinate the spiritual seed, and 'the latter rain,' a subsequent message to ripen the grain for the spiritual harvest. In thus bringing the receiver to full maturity of righteousness, the former and the latter rains represent two teachers of righteousness....Thus only (with the former rain being the writings of Sister White, and the 'latter rain' being the Rod) can both former and latter fall at the same time, as required by Joel 2:23." The Answerer, Book 1, p. 86-88. (Parenthesis belongs to quotation)

Question 4

What two latter day events are quite often confused by Bible students as being one and the same? Joel 2:23, 28.

Note – "What is symbolized by the 'latter rain'? Is it miracle-working Truth, or is it miracle-working power? – The prophet Joel explains that the miracle-working power comes after both the 'former and the latter rain.' Says he: 'And it shall come to pass afterward [after the former and the latter rain – Joel 2:23], that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh...' Joel 2:28, 29. Plainly then, the 'latter rain' is miracle-working Truth that causes the saints to mature for the harvest of which the 144,000 are the first fruits (Rev. 14:4). Then, in order to quickly gather the second fruits, God pours His Spirit upon every first fruits saint, (upon 'every one grass') old or young, boy or girl – not upon one here and upon another there." Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 17, p. 4. (Parentheses and brackets belong to quotation)

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"Accordingly, these two manifestations of the Holy Spirit are seen to be inseparable. The first develops a people by teaching them in righteousness; the second fully matures them, and clothes them with power to proclaim the truth in righteousness. In consequence, there is given in the first phase of the work 'a teacher of righteousness' who trains an army of under-teachers of righteousness for the carrying out of the second phase." The Answerer, Book 1, p. 87.

Question 5

To what is this outpouring of the Holy Spirit in power likened by Inspiration? Joel 2:28; Acts 2:1-4.

Note – "The work will be similar to that of the Day of Pentecost. As the 'former rain' was given, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, to cause the up-springing of the precious seed, so the 'latter rain' will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest." Great Controversy, p. 611.

Question 6

In order to understand these two "latter rains" what must we know? Eccl. 3:1; Joel 2:23, 28; Lev. 23:15-17.

Note – "...the types relating to the first advent of Christ had been fulfilled....not only as to the event, but as to the time....In like manner the types which relate to the second advent must be fulfilled at the time pointed out in the symbolic service. Under the Mosaic system …" Ibid., p. 399, 400.

"Notice in Joel 2:23 and 28: '...and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the FORMER RAIN, and the LATTER RAIN, in the FIRST MONTH...and it shall come to pass AFTERWARD, that I will pour out MY SPIRIT...' NOTICE BRETHREN! The LATTER RAIN OF TRUTH (marginal, teacher of righteousness...) comes in the FIRST MONTH, then A-F-T-E-R-W-A-R-D (50 days after waving the wave-sheaf) COMES THE PENTECOSTAL POWER. Check the Ceremonial Law, Brethren. Did Pentecost come in the first month or 50 days later, in the third month? Do you say, this makes no difference or do you see that there is a difference between the 'Latter rain of truth' and the 'Latter rain of power'?" Pentecost Fire, p. 4. (Parentheses and emphases belong to quotation)

Let us compare some statements from Sister White to show the difference between these two manifestations of the latter rain.

LATTER RAIN OF TRUTH "We must not wait for the latter rain. It is coming upon all who will recognize and appropriate the dew and showers of grace that fall upon us. When we gather up the fragments of light, when we appreciate the sure mercies of God, who loves to have us trust Him, then every promise will be fulfilled." E.G. White, Letter 151, 1897. See S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol. 7a, p. 428. "Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain. They have not obtained all the benefits that God

LATTER RAIN OF POWER "It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall on us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 214. "The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening…Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration,

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has thus provided for them. They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain. When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it. They are making a terrible mistake…Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 507. "I saw those who had been bound; some wives had been bound by their husbands, and some children had been bound by their parents. The honest who had been held or prevented from hearing the truth, now eagerly laid hold of it….The truth alone was exalted to them. It was dearer and more precious than life. They had been hungering and thirsting for the truth. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered: 'It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord..." Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 182, 183.

will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers." Great Controversy, p. 611, 612. "It is with an earnest longing that I look forward to the time when the events of the day of Pentecost shall be repeated with even greater power than on that occasion. John says, 'I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.' Then, as at the Pentecostal season, the people will hear the truth spoken to them, every man in his own tongue....Thousands of voices will be imbued with the power to speak forth the wonderful truths of God's Word. The stammering tongue will be unloosed, and the timid will be made strong to bear the courageous testimony to the truth." Review and Herald, July 20, 1886. See S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol. 7a, p. 279.

Question 7
What do we need to learn from this lesson? James 4:3.

Note – "The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God." Review and Herald, July 21, 1896.

"From time to time many zealous individuals and group Christian Movements have launched impressive prayer-marathons in a determined, persevering effort to bring about the fulfillment of the promised out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, even the 'latter rain.' Because, though, these periodic efforts have invariably ended in heart-breaking disappointment and frustration, thousands of souls have become confused and bewildered, given up their faith completely, and perhaps sunk into infidelity....Then the answer to the question, Why do we not now receive It? inescapably is, Because the conditions for receiving it have not as yet been met. When they are met, this sure promise of God will be instantaneously fulfilled, even as it was with the apostles....(Read Isa. 66:19, 20; 4:3-6) Only after this great purge in the church (described also in the ninth chapter of Ezekiel), will the remnant be equipped to carry their fully blazing, lighted torch of Truth to all the Gentile world. Out of Zion will then go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. The work will then be finished, 'cut short in

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righteousness,'…" The Answerer, Book 1, p. 88, 89, 92. (Second parenthesis belongs to quotation)

"Then a multitude not of their faith, seeing that God is with His people, will unite with them in serving the Redeemer." R