The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 478

The European Union in Prophecy
may be his convictions, however confident he may be that the minister knows what is
truth, this is not his foundation. He has a chart pointing out every waymark on the
heavenward journey, and he ought not to guess at anything.
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. We should day by 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. The truths most plainly
revealed in the Bible have been involved in doubt and darkness by learned men, who,
with a pretense of great wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a mystical, a secret,
spiritual meaning not apparent in the language employed. These men are false
teachers. It was to such a class that Jesus declared: "Ye know not the Scriptures,
neither the power of God." Mark 12:24. The language of the Bible should be explained
according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed. Christ has
given the promise: "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine." John
7:17. 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.
We should exert all the powers of the mind in the study of the Scriptures and
should task the understanding to comprehend, as far as mortals can, the deep things
of God; yet we must not forget that the docility and submission of a child is the true
spirit of the learner. Scriptural difficulties can never be mastered by the same
methods that are employed in grappling with philosophical problems. We should not
engage in the study of the Bible with that 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 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.
Many a portion of Scripture which learned men pronounce a mystery, or pass
over as unimportant, is full of comfort and instruction to him who has been taught in
the school of Christ. One reason why many theologians have no clearer understanding
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