1. The Uniqueness of the Bible
March 28-April 3
We enter into a new pace of enlightenment from the scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy as we dive into the mine of truth which is in the Bible. Our SSL this quarter focuses on the word of God - the Bible. This week , our Lesson , entitled, "The Uniqueness of the Bible". In this lesson, we will discuss and focus on 5 main subtopics, namely,
1. The Main Theme of the Bible.
2. The Origin of the Bible.
. The predictions set Forth in the Bible.
4. The Historical Setting of the Bible.
5. The Transforming Power of the Bible.
Memory Text:
"Thy WORD is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" Ps. 119:105
Prayer Thought:
"Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures, and who have received the love of the truth, will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony [not by hers], these will detect the deceiver in his disguise.... Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible, and the Bible only?"--The Great Controversy, p. 625.
1. The Main Theme of the Bible - Deut. 32:47; SC 88
The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is:
a. the redemption plan,
Only the Holy Spirit could enable them to appreciate the significance of the plan of redemption. The lessons of Christ, coming to the world through the inspired testimony of the disciples, have a significance and value far beyond that which the casual reader of the Scriptures gives them. Christ sought to make plain his lessons by means of illustrations and parables. He spoke of the truths of the Bible as a treasure hid in a field, which, when a man had found, he went and sold all that he had, and bought the field. He represents the gems of truth, not as lying directly upon the surface, but as buried deep in the ground; as hidden treasures that must be searched for. We must dig for the precious jewels of truth, as a man would dig in a mine. {RH, October 14, 1890 par. 4}
b. the restoration in the human soul of the image of God.
From the first intimation of hope in the sentence pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, "They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads" (Revelation 22:4), the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of this wondrous theme,--man's uplifting,--the power of God, "which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57. {Ed 125.2}
c. the guide of the daily life.
Bible rules are to be the guide of the daily life. The cross of Christ is to be the theme, revealing the lessons we must learn and practice. Christ must be brought into all the studies, that students may drink in the knowledge of God and may represent Him in character. His excellence is to be our study in time as well as in eternity. The word of God, spoken by Christ in the Old and New Testaments, is the bread from heaven; but much that is called science is as dishes of human invention, adulterated food; it is not the true manna. {6T 132.1}
d. the eternal life offered.
"The excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it." "The words that I speak unto you," said Jesus, "they are spirit, and they are life." "This is life eternal, that they should know Thee the only true God, and Him whom Thou didst send." Ecclesiastes 7:12; John 6:63; 17:3, R.V. {Ed 126.3}
Only Bible truth and Bible religion will stand the test of the judgment. We are not to pervert the word of God to suit our convenience, and worldly interests, but to honestly inquire, "What wilt Thou have me to do?" "Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price." And what a price! Not "with corruptible things, as silver and gold, . . . but with the precious blood of Christ." When man was lost, the Son of God said, I will redeem him, I will become his surety and substitute. He laid aside His royal robes, clothed His divinity with humanity, stepped down from the royal throne, that He might reach the very depth of human woe and temptation, lift up our fallen natures, and make it possible for us to be overcomers, the sons of God, the heirs of the eternal kingdom. Shall we then allow any consideration of earth to turn us away from the path of truth? Shall we not challenge every doctrine and theory, and put it to the test of God's word? {FE 127.1}
2. The Origin of the Bible - 2 Pet. 1:21
a. The Divine Author
The Word of God, like the character of its divine Author, presents mysteries that can never be fully comprehended by finite beings. The entrance of sin into the world, the incarnation of Christ, regeneration, the resurrection, and many other subjects presented in the Bible, are mysteries too deep for the human mind to explain, or even fully to comprehend. But we have no reason to doubt God’s Word because we cannot understand the mysteries of His providence. In the natural world we are constantly surrounded with mysteries that we cannot fathom. The very humblest forms of life present a problem that the wisest of philosophers is powerless to explain. Everywhere are wonders beyond our ken. Should we then be surprised to find that in the spiritual world also there are mysteries that we cannot fathom? . . . {CSA 46.3}
b. The Mode of Inspiration - The Golden Bowl
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 church. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." God's servants can obtain victories only by inward purity, by cleanness of heart, by holiness. It is of the utmost importance that ministers set a right example. If they follow lax, loose principles, their example is quoted by those who are doing wrong as a vindication of their course. The whole synagogue of Satan is watching for defects in the lives of God's representatives, and the most is made of every defect.-- Review and Herald, December 22, 1904. {TM 188.2}
No one, say the Scriptures, can privately (without Inspiration) unfold the prophecies, for, reasons the Apostle, as prophecy came not by private effort -- not by the will of men, but by holy men and the Spirit -- neither can it therefore be of private interpretation, but only by holy men led by the Holy Spirit. Moreover, even after prophecy is thus interpreted, only to the righteous (the penitent) is given the gift of understanding it (Dan. 12:10). (2TG 44.31)
(1) https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/11-the-golden-bowl-zec-4?authuser=0
c. The Source of Inspiration
It is for the fact of this union -- the Spirit in the messengers that the Word says, "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Pet. 1:21.) Briefly summarized, the words, "messenger of the covenant," mean nothing more or less than to say, The Holy Spirit in Heaven's visible representative, or the invisible Christ in the message. (1SC 4.6)
d. The Tube/Channel of Inspiration
The writers of the Scriptures:
Old Testament Writers:
Moses: A political and military leader
Samuel and Jeremiah: Young men and priests
David and Solomon: kings
Jesus began with the first book written by Moses, and traced down through all the prophets the inspired proof in regard to his life, his mission, his suffering, death, and resurrection. He did not deem it necessary to work a miracle to evidence that he was the risen Redeemer of the world; but he went back to the prophecies, and gave a full and clear explanation of them to settle the question of his identity, and the fact that all which had occurred to him was foretold by the inspired writers. Jesus ever carried the minds of his hearers back to the precious mine of truth found in the Old-Testament Scriptures. (3SP 209-210)
New Testament Writers:
Matthew: Tax Collector
Paul: Pharisee and tireless traveler
John: AN elderly man imprisoned at an Island
Luke: Doctor, pagan, and historian
Peter: Fisherman
Why do we need a Matthew, a Mark, a Luke, a John, a Paul, and all these other writers who have borne their testimony in regard to the life of the Saviour during His earthly ministry? Why could not one of the disciples have written a complete record, and thus have given us a connected account of Christ's life and work? The Gospels differ. One writer brings in points that another does not bring in. If these points are essential, why did not all these writers mention them? It is because the minds of men differ, and do not comprehend all things in exactly the same way. Some Scripture truths appeal much more strongly to the minds of certain persons than to others; some points appear to be much more important to some than to others. The same principle applies to speakers. Some speakers dwell at considerable length on points that others would pass by quickly, or not mention at all. Thus the whole truth is presented more clearly by several than by one. In the Gospels the records blend in one harmonious whole. {2SAT 241.3}
3. The Predictions Set Forth of the Bible - Amos 3:7
a. Unbelief to Prediction: Noah's correct prediction -Gen. 9:11
One would think that after the deluge, the world would have had great respect for religion and for the prophets of God. But that was not the case. The antediluvian did not believe Noah's prediction that there was to be a flood, so they refused to go into the ark! But the flood came and they perished. The postdiluvian did not believe his prediction that there was not to be another flood so they set about to build the tower of Babel! But when God saw the tower sky-rocketing, He blasted the top of it, and confounded the builders' language. That is, He blotted their own language from their minds and carved into them the languages of today. Thus he caused the birth of various races and languages which we today find even in the remotest parts of the earth. (1TG 50:15)
b. All Predictions were Inspired and Should be Interpreted by Inspiration
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; that is, as the Spirit of God dictated to men the Scriptures, so the Spirit of God must interpret the Scriptures to men, that no man privately (without Inspiration) is capable of disclosing the sealed prophecies or interpreting any part of them or even capable of understanding their importance after they are interpreted except it be by the gift of the Spirit of Truth "None of the wicked," therefore, "shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Dan. 12:10. (1TG 14)
c. The Prediction of the Coming Messiah: Gen. 49:8-12; Ps. 22:12-18; Isa. 53:3-7; Dan. 9:24-27; Mic. 5:2; Mic. 3:1; Zech 9:9
There are at least 65 direct, Messianic predictions in thhe Old Testament and many more if we added the typological studies and application as EGWhite put it this way, and I quote, "The whole system of types and symbols was a compacted prophecy of the gospel, a presentation in which were bound up the promises of redemption." {AA 14.1}
d. The Prediction of Wars: Daniel 11
e. The Prediction of the Pre-Millennial Kingdom: Dan. 2:35, 44-45 The Kingdom of Glory - Isa. 11
(2) https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/6-the-establishment-of-the-kingdom-of-glory?authuser=0
(3) https://sites.google.com/view/meatindueseason/discourses-on-pre-millennial-kingdom?authuser=0
Some of the prophecies were about to be fulfilled; he would search diligently for the light that had been obscured. He sought this knowledge that he might educate the people how to bring into their practical life the principles of the Word of God. . . . {CTr 185.4}
4. The Historical Setting of the Bible - Amos 3:7
The Bible is unique when compared to other books because it constituted history as the prophecies were being fulfilled. This means that the Bible is not merely the philosophical thoughts of a human being (like Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, etc.) It records the progress of God's act in the human history as they progress toward there fulfillment as it was given in Amos 3:7 - that God will not do anything unless He will reveal them to His prophets. In this case, the Bible has goals to be expected:
the promise of a Messiah
the investigative Judgment for the dead (JOD) and the Living (JOL)
the Sealing of the Saints (the first and the second fruit of the living)
the establishment of His Pre-millennial Kingdom
the National Sunday Law
the Seven Last Plagues
The signs of His Second Coming
Ezra was impressed by the Spirit of God to search the historical and poetical books of the Bible, and by this means he became familiar with the sense and understanding of the law. During the captivity the knowledge of God’s will had to some extent been lost. Ezra gathered all the copies of the law that he could find. He published copies of these among God’s people and became a teacher of the law and the prophecies in the schools of the prophets. The pure Word, thus diligently taught by Ezra, gave knowledge that was invaluable at that time. . . . {CTr 185.3}
5. The Transforming Power of the Bible - 1 Cor. 15:4
a. Restore the image of God
A great work is to be accomplished by the setting forth of the saving truths of the Bible. This is the means ordained of God to stem the tide of moral corruption in the earth. Christ gave His life to make it possible for man to be restored to the image of God. It is the power of His grace that draws men together in obedience to the truth. Those who would experience more of the sanctification of the truth in their own souls should present this truth to those who are ignorant of it. Never will they find a more elevating, ennobling work. . . . {LHU 171.3}
b. Reform our Characters
In the messages that have been sent us from time to time, we have truths that will accomplish a wonderful work of reform in our characters if we will give them place. They will prepare us for entrance into the city of God. It is our privilege to make continual advancement to a higher grade of Christian living. . . . {LHU 171.5}
We need to be converted from our faulty lives to the faith of the gospel. Christ's followers have no need to try to shine. If they will behold constantly the life of Christ they will be changed in mind and heart into the same image. Then they will shine without any superficial attempt. The Lord asks for no display of goodness. In the gift of His Son He has made provision that our inward lives may be imbued with the principles of heaven. It is the appropriation of this provision that will lead to a manifestation of Christ to the world. When the people of God experience the new birth, their honesty, their uprightness, their fidelity, their steadfast principles, will unfailingly reveal it (Counsels to Parents and Teachers, pp. 249-251).
c. Converting and Transforming Power
The truth of the Bible may be read, and we may think that a form of words will accomplish that which only the Spirit of God can accomplish by its converting, transforming power. We may hold certain points of truth firmly and yet refuse to let in any fresh rays of light which God may send to show us the beauty of the truth. It is dangerous for us to take a step in uncertainty. We should not reject or oppose the views of our fellow laborers because they do not agree with our ideas until we have used every means in our power to find out whether or not they are truth, comparing scripture with scripture. {1888 171.2}
d. Transforming the Character
The danger that lies before those living in these last days, is the absence of pure religion, the absence of heart holiness. The converting power of God has not wrought in transforming their characters. They profess to believe sacred truths as did the Jewish nation; but in their failing to practice the truth, they are ignorant both of the Scriptures and the power of God. The power and influence of God's law are around about, but not within the soul, renewing it in true holiness. Therefore the Lord sends his appeals to them to urge upon them the practice of what is right. The appeals of his Spirit are neglected and rejected. The barriers are broken down, and the soul is weak, and for want of moral force to overcome, is polluted and debased. They are binding themselves in bundles as fagots, ready to be consumed at the last day. {RH, May 17, 1887 par. 3}
e. Transforming Power of the Holy Scriptures
The character of Wycliffe is a testimony to the educating, transforming power of the Holy Scriptures. It was the Bible that made him what he was. The effort to grasp the great truths of revelation imparts freshness and vigor to all the faculties. It expands the mind, sharpens the perceptions, and ripens the judgment. The study of the Bible will ennoble every thought, feeling, and aspiration as no other study can. It gives stability of purpose, patience, courage, and fortitude; it refines the character, and sanctifies the soul. An earnest, reverent study of the Scriptures—bringing the mind of the student in direct contact with the infinite mind —would give to the world men of stronger and more active intellect, as well as of nobler principle, than has ever resulted from the ablest training that human philosophy affords. “The entrance of Thy words,” says the psalmist, “giveth light; it giveth understanding.” [Psalm 119:130.] {GC88 93.3}