[Music] greetings friends in the Book of Revelation chapter 14 we read warnings so important that they are represented as being proclaimed by Three Holy Angels flying in the midst of Heaven you can read these messages for yourself in Revelation chapter 14: 6-2 but in summary these Special M messages called for worship of the true God and the rejection of false systems of worship it includes a fearful judgment against the worship of the Beast and His Image how important it is then that we diligently study the prophecies to learn what the mark of the beast is
and how to avoid receiving it unfortunately rather than studying the prophecies for themselves many people accept the opinion of others as to the meaning of these important messages we read in the book The Great controversy that Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God he leads the people to look to Bishops to pastors to professors of theology as their guides instead of searching the scriptures to learn their Duty for themselves then by controlling the minds of these leaders he can influence the multitudes according to his will but when Jesus
was on Earth the common people came to hear him and were blessed although he often spoke in Parables those who wanted to understand were able to grasp their meaning nevertheless the leaders of the time rejected Jesus and many people questioned why such Pious learned men would reject Jesus if his message was true inspiration tells us it was the influence of such teachers that led the Jewish Nation to reject their redeemer and the same is true today the inspired author continues the spirit which actuated those priests and rulers is still manifested by many who make a
High profession of piety they refused to examine the testimony of the scriptures concerning the special truths for this time they point to their own numbers wealth and popularity and look with contempt upon The Advocates of Truth as few poor and unpopular having a faith that separates them from the world friends let's remember that the Book of Revelation is as it says in its very first verse the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to show his servants things which must shortly take place now the word revelation means to reveal unveil or to make known
and the Bible assures us that these secret things belong to the Lord our God but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law so contrary to what some may say Revelation is not a sealed book it is open for all to read and understand with the guidance of the Holy Spirit comparing scripture with scripture after all God has given us his word so we can become acquainted with its teachings and know for ourselves what he requires of us so how should
we study the Bible in chapter 37 of the great controversy titled the scriptures a safeguard several important principles are given we're told it is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the scriptures what is truth and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his example secondly we should dayby day study the Bible diligently weighing every thought and comparing scripture with scripture with Divine help we are to form our opinions for ourselves as we are to answer for ourselves before God unfortunately there are some who teach that
the Bible has a mystical secret meaning that is not apparent in the language employed but inspiration tells us these men are false teachers it was to such a class that Jesus declared ye know not the scriptures neither the power of God thirdly and very importantly the language of the Bible should be explained according to it obvious meaning unless a symbol or figure is employed The Inspired author continues if men would but take the Bible as it reads if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds a work would be accomplished that would
make Angels glad and that would bring into the fold of Christ thousands upon thousands who are now wandering in error fourthly we should not be afraid to study the scriptures deeply but always humbly with the spirit of a learner difficult passages of scripture can never be Mastered by the same methods that are employed in grappling with philosophical problems we are warned not to engage in Bible study with the self-reliance with which so many enter the domains of science but with a prayerful dependence upon God and a sincere desire to learn his will we're told we
must come with a humble and teachable spirit to obtain Knowledge from The Great I Am otherwise evil angels will so blind our minds and Harden our hearts that we shall not be impressed by the truth and finally the Bible should never be studied without prayer the Holy Spirit alone can guide us in fully understanding the text and to prevent us from resting or changing or in some way misconstruing the scripture out of its true meaning furthermore those wishing to study God's word have this wonderful Assurance it is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the
heart so to comprehend God's word that we shall be Charmed with its beauty admonished by its warnings or animated and strengthened by its promises my dear friends as we consider the importance of Bible study let's make this beautiful prayer of the psalmist our own I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies as much as in all riches I will meditate on your precepts and contemplate your ways I will Delight myself in your statutes I will not forget your word I invite you to pray with me just now Father in Heaven thank you for the
marvelous revelation of Truth in the Bible and especially the prophecy in the Book of Revelation a book which is to reveal to us what the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit wish for us to know in these last days of Earth's history help us not to in some way make the Book of Revelation or the Book of Daniel or any of the Bible some mystical secret document help us to understand that we are to understand what you have said and to understand it in the plainest fashion thank you for the word of God thank
you for the clarity given to us in the Holy scriptures in Jesus name we ask it amen [Music]
