Luke 21:8

Christian, Be Not Deceived!

FOREWORD.

"We have not followed cunningly devised fables" (2 Pet. 1:16)–the Third Angel's Message as taught by the Spirit of Prophecy is, indeed, the truth of God. This is not a dogmatic assertion based upon the blind acceptance or acquiescence of statements made by men, but is a belief definitely established upon inspired principles of interpretation revealed in the Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy. God desires that His people know the truth for themselves. He says: "Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth?" Prov. 22:20, 21. In the introduction to his Gospel, the Apostle Luke states the reason for writing his book: "That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed." Luke 1:4. One is impressed with the frequent use of the word "know" by the New Testament writers. For instance, John uses the word over thirty times in his First Epistle. It is the privilege of every believer to know his personal relationship to God as well as to know what is the truth concerning Christian doctrines and prophecies. Whatever privileges have been for believers in the past, the time is coming when it will be imperative that God's children know positively for themselves what is the truth, for the last days. God's servant has written:

"The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions ... he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us . . . In order to endure the trial before them, they [Commandment keepers] must understand the will of God as revealed in His Word.... None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict." G.C. 593.

"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." G.C. 625.

Through a study of the Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy, the writer, having in a measure sensed the greatness of the struggle which lies before the people of God, desires to strengthen the foundations of the faith of God's people. My efforts have been to point out by Biblical laws of interpretation why the message of God which has been entrusted to our care is truly established upon the Word of God. Many of God's people do not know how wonderfully strong are the walls of Zion, nor how impervious to the assaults of the enemy are the deep, broad, and irrefragable foundations of "the faith of Jesus." The writer is burdened with a desire that all of the members of spiritual Israel know for themselves the laws governing the interpretation of Scripture so that their faith will not depend upon another's word, but upon their own intelligent understanding of the Word of God.

As we study the Bible laws of interpretation proving the certainty of the Third Angel's Message we are also led, by those same principles, to see that the teaching of a military-Palestinian "Armageddon" is entirely out of alignment with the principles forming the basis of the Third Angel's Message. One of Satan's devices in the interpretation of prophecy is to create misunderstanding concerning the importance of the issues involved, or to belittle the subject. Would that all could say with Paul: "We are not ignorant of his devices." 2 Cor. 2:11. God's servant has written: "There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall become acquainted with his devices."' G. C. 516.

If verses 12-16, of Rev. 16 [Rev. 16:12-16], merely predicted national events to occur after probation has closed and our eternal destinies have been decided, and if they could be isolated in their interpretation from other portions of the Scripture, then the subject of Armageddon could be dismissed with a shrug of the shoulders or some impatient mood which thrusts it aside as unimportant. However, a logical study of the underlying principles shows that the understanding of "Armageddon" is of far greater consequence than many have hitherto thought–what is involved is the principle of interpretation applied in our understanding of the Third Angel's Message as taught by the Spirit of Prophecy.

Nearly twenty years ago the writer realized that, in order to positively know the Message for themselves, and to provide an adequate answer to false theories based upon erroneous interpretations of last-day prophecies, believers in the Third Angel's Message would need to have a definite and a clear cut understanding of the fixed, PRINCIPLES of the Biblical laws of interpretation which are the foundations of the Third Angel's Message. These definite laws of interpretation form the immovable basis for the great Message which God has commanded us to give to the world. They are the proof positive that our denominational interpretation of the Third Angel's Message is correct.

As the days of peril thicken around the remnant church its members must "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [them] a reason of the hope that is in them" (1 Pet. 3:15).

"The members of the church will individually be tested and proved. They will be placed in circumstances where they will be, forced to bear witness for the truth. Many will be called to speak before councils and courts of justice, perhaps separately and alone. The experience which would have helped them in this emergency they have neglected to obtain, and their souls are burdened with remorse for wasted opportunities and neglected privileges." 5T. 463.

"You will be brought before councils, and every position of truth which you hold will be severely criticised." 5T. 717.

"Our ministers will have to defend the truth against base apostates, as well as to measure Scripture evidence with those who advocate specious errors." 5T. 528.

"I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth, know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others, who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested, they knew not their great ignorance ... And there are many in the church who . . . will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they accepted as truth." 5T. 707.

"Not all our ministers who are giving the Third Angel's Message really understand what constitutes that message." 5T. 715.

"I have been shown that but a small number of people in our churches know for themselves what constitutes the Third Angel's Message."

"The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect." 5T. 80. "Fearful tests and trials await the people of God." 9T. 17. "The conflict that is right upon us will be the most terrible ever witnessed." 6T. 407.

These, and other statements from the pen of the servant of the Lord, point out the necessity for all believers in the Message, preachers and church members, to thoroughly understand the essential principles of the Message.

The following pages set forth some of the principles of prophetic interpretation which are necessary to a proper grasp of present truth. May the dear Lord guide and keep our hearts and minds as we study His Holy Word in preparation 'to endure the coming time of trial, and finally stand before His eternal throne clad in the perfect robe of the righteousness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

LOUIS F. WERE.

Melbourne,

October 25, 1945.