Luke 21:8

Christian, Be Not Deceived!

CHAPTER II.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRINCIPLES REVEALED IN NATURE AND REVELATION.

Everything in nature is governed by laws or principles. Chemists, scientists working in all branches of natural research, horticulturists, botanists, etc., spend time and energy discovering the laws with which God has endowed nature: the principles by which the Creator sustains His vast and complicated creation. Success comes as they discover and use the laws of God in the natural world: failure comes through a disregard of these laws.

God appointed the sun, moon, stars, planets, comets, etc., to move according to definite laws. These heavenly bodies act as mighty hands in the heavenly chronometer, moving with faultless precision, across the vaulted dome, following the path planned by their Almighty Creator and Sustainer. Law and order are fixed in the mighty expanse of the stellar regions, and on earth–except in the rebellious hearts of men. We know the times for the rising and setting of the sun, moon, and stars; the tides are governed by certain principles; the seasons come and go; and the whole course of nature is governed by definite laws. Horticulturists know that the growth of leaves and branches on plants and trees is governed by definite mathematical laws. The gardener knows when to plant his seeds, and when they should grow to maturity. By the shooting of the buds, flowers, and leaves of the trees, we know that summer is at hand. From this simple fact Jesus made His remark that we can know with the same certainty the time for the harvest of the world. See Matt. 24:32, 33. The ornithologist knows the various times it will take for different species of eggs to hatch; but all are governed by the septenary law which governs so much of insect, bird, and animal life.

The law of resonance, or vibration, to which the ears and eyes are adapted by the Creator, governs all the lovely and wonderful things men see and hear, as well as the rays invisible and inaudible to man.

As never before, men now see that everything in nature is controlled by certain laws or principles. Seventh-day Adventists maintain that the law of God uttered from the rugged heights of Mt. Sinai is as unalterable as the other laws by which God controls His illimitable universe; and that man's happiness and usefulness depend upon his strict obedience to the spirit, as well as to the letter, of that law. Everything the Creator– "Palmoni, the wonderful Numberer" (see Dan. 8:13, margin)–has made is subject to definite laws. As the Bible has been inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; etc.), is it not reasonable to believe that the Scriptures are based upon definite laws which we must study and follow if we would obtain a true understanding of the Word of God?

How are the laws of nature discovered? In his patient research the scientist constantly tabulates isolated facts until many such facts prove that a certain law operates throughout nature. Until the law is positively established, theories are advanced to try to explain why the facts exist. Theories are not facts—they are the attempts to explain how or why certain facts are as they are. When enough proof has been gathered to demonstrate that the theory is true, then that theory becomes a law. Similarly, he who patiently and prayerfully searches the Scriptures, learns from his "study" that there are laws which govern in "rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15.

Especially in the study of the prophecies, one needs to apply all the laws of interpretation. The failure to learn and to apply these laws is responsible for a great amount of theological confusion and false teaching regarding last-day events.

The Bible is scientifically constructed; there are certain principles upon which it was written, and those who interpret it without regard to these principles do injustice to its Divine Author. Only when these principles are recognised and applied will a beautiful harmony be found to exist in all its parts. The Holy Spirit reveals the true meaning of prophetic imagery after much prayer and patient Spirit-led research, which leads to the knowledge of the laws of interpretation. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him." Ps. 25:14.