DO NOT DISCARD THE BIBLE

I appeal to you: Do not abandon either! You need both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy in order to stay on the pathway to eternal life! Do not abandon the clear teaching of God’s books, in order to please these false teachers!

"Satan summoned all his forces, and at every step contested the work of Christ. So it will be in the great final conflict of the controversy between righteousness and sin.

"While new life and light and power are descending from on high upon the disciples of Christ, a new life is springing up from beneath, and energizing the agencies of Satan. Intensity is taking possession of every earthly element. With a subtlety gained through centuries of conflict, the prince of evil works under a disguise. He appears clothed as an angel of light, and multitudes are ‘giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.’ 1 Timothy 4:1.

"In the days of Christ the leaders were powerless to resist the work of Satan. They were neglecting the only means by which they could have withstood evil spirits. It was by the Word of God that Christ overcame the wicked one."—Desire of Ages, 257.

That is clear enough, is it not? But there is more to that passage:

"By their interpretation they made it [the Bible] express sentiments that God had never given. Their mystical construction made indistinct that which He had made plain. They disputed over insignificant technicalities, and practically denied the most essential truths. Thus infidelity was sown broadcast. God’s Word was robbed of its power, and evil spirits worked their will.

"History is repeating. With the open Bible before them, and professing to reverence its teachings, many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in it as the Word of God. They busy themselves with dissecting the Word, and set their own opinions above its plainest statements. In their hands God’s Word loses its regenerating power. This is why infidelity runs riot, and iniquity is rife.

"When Satan has undermined faith in the Bible, he directs men to other sources for light and power. Thus he insinuates himself. Those who turn from the plain teaching of Scripture and the convicting power of God’s Holy Spirit are inviting the control of demons."—Desire of Ages, 257-258.

These false teachers are trying to get you to place your highest faith in their words instead of the plain teachings of the Bible. If you are willing to do it, you invite the control of demons.

"Too wise in their own conceit to search the Scriptures with contrition of soul and earnest prayer for divine guidance, they have no shield from delusion. Satan is ready to supply the heart’s desire, and he palms off his deceptions in the place of truth. It was thus that the papacy gained its power over the minds of men . . Every conceivable form of error will be accepted by those who willfully reject the truth."—Great Controversy, 523.

Do you see? This is exactly how Rome gained control of men’s minds! It sent out false teachers with beguiling fables. Once believed, the minds of the hearers were locked into an enchanted mind control. It is dangerous to toy with error. Flee from it! Get away, and take your loved ones with you! Do not attend the meetings of those traveling preachers!

How important it is that we stay close to God’s Word! Please, my friend, do not forsake it!

Just as you should not discard the Bible, you dare not set aside the precious Spirit of Prophecy writings.

"What is it to lose life? It is when the truth is clearly set before us and we refuse to accept because a cross is involved."—3 Manuscript Release, 95 (Manuscript #44, October 22, 1886).

"The devil may lock arms with the sinner, and say, ‘Better let things go as they are. If you confess, your dignity will be hurt, your influence lost.’ Thus he has gained the victory over and over again."—Series B, No. 7, 23.

"It is Satan’s plan to weaken the faith of God’s people in the Testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction."—4 Testimonies, 211.

"When the power of God testifies as to what is truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truth. No after suppositions contrary to the light God has given are to be entertained. Men will arise with interpretations of Scripture which are to them truth, but which are not truth . . One will arise, and still another, with new light, which contradicts the light that God has given under the demonstration of His Holy Spirit."—1 Selected Messages, 161.

"The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ "—1 Selected Messages, 48.

"It will be one of the great evils that will come to our people to have the Scriptures taken out of their true place and so interpreted as to substantiate error that contradicts the light and the testimonies that God has been giving us for the past half century."—Review, August 14, 1894 (Manuscript 760).

"My brethren seem to judge me as taking positions that are not necessary. They do not see that God in His own wisdom has made revelations to me which cannot successfully be contradicted or disputed. All the oppositions or gain-sayings to make my testimony of none effect only compels from me, by the urgency of the Spirit of God, a more decided repetition, and to stand on the light revealed with all the force of the strength God has given me. All the arguments of men, all their opposing influence, is of no force to me. Whatever may be the position or the doctrines of these men, and however firm may have been my confidence in them heretofore, when they take false positions all their arguments against what I know the Lord has shown me to be truth are vain . . Let God be true and every man a liar.

"Every word spoken is in harmony with the living Oracles, and it is only wresting the Scriptures from their true meaning, by misapplying and misinterpreting them and the Testimonies which God has given me, that this can be gainsaid. Those who do this are like the impenitent Jews, who had eyes, but saw not, ears they had, but they heard not, neither would they understand. Why? Lest they should be converted and have to acknowledge that not all their ideas were correct. This they were too proud to do, and therefore persisted in rejecting God’s counsel and the light and evidence which had been given. Thus they deluded their own souls and the souls of others."—Manuscript 13, 239).

"When strong minded men once set their will against God’s will, it is not easy for them to admit that they have erred in judgment. It is very difficult for such men to come fully into the light by honestly confessing their sins; for Satan has great power over minds of many to whom God has granted evidence sufficient to encourage faith and inspire confidence. Many will not be convinced, because they are not inclined to confess. To resist and reject even one ray of light from heaven because of pride and stubbornness of heart, makes it easier to refuse the light the second time. Thus men form the habit of rejecting light . .

"The light of truth is constantly shining, but many men and women comprehend it not, and why?—Because selfishness, egotism, pride blind their spiritual eyesight. Standing between them and the true light, is the idol of their own opinion."—Manuscript Releases 9, 298.

"Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud—for the Lord hath spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God, before He cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, He turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive."—Jeremiah 13:15-17.

"There are some in these last days who will cry: ‘Speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.’ But this is not my work. God has set me as a reprover of His people; and just so surely as He has laid upon me the heavy burden, He will make those to whom this message is given responsible for the manner in which they treat it. God will not be trifled with, and those who despise His work will receive according to their deeds."—4 Testimonies, 231-232.

"Let ministers and people remember that gospel truth ruins when it does not save. ‘The soul that refuses to listen to the invitations of mercy from day to day can soon listen to the most urgent appeals without an emotion stirring his soul. As laborers with God we need more fervent piety and less self-exaltation. The more self is exalted, the more will faith in the Testimonies of the Spirit of God be lessened . . Those who trust wholly in themselves will see less and less of God in the Testimonies of His Spirit.’ "—5 Testimonies, 134.

"Those who have treated the light that the Lord has given as a common thing will not be benefited by the instruction presented.

"There are those who will misinterpret the messages that God has given, in accordance with their spiritual blindness.

"Some will yield their faith, and will deny the truth of the messages, pointing to them as falsehoods.

"Some will hold them up to ridicule, working against the light that God has been giving for years, and some who are weak in the faith will thus be led astray.

"But others will be greatly helped by the messages. Though not personally addressed, they will be corrected, and will be led to shun the evils specified . . The Spirit of the Lord will be in the instruction, and doubts existing in many minds will be swept away. The testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given, as scripture is explained by scripture. Many will read with eagerness the messages reproving wrong, that they may learn what they may do to be saved . . Light will dawn upon the understanding, and the Spirit will make an impression on minds, as Bible truth is clearly and simply presented in the messages that since 1846 God has been sending His people. These messages are to find their place in hearts, and transformations will take place."—1 Selected Messages, 41-42.

"In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue."—4 Testimonies, 147-148.

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