“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.” Great Controversy 1888, p. 598.3 {GC 598.3} {DD 38.4}
“A great work can be done by presenting to the people THE BIBLE JUST AS IT READS. Carry the Word of God to every man’s door, urge its plain statements upon every man’s conscience, repeat to all the Saviour’s command, “Search the Scriptures.” Admonish them TO TAKE THE BIBLE AS IT IS, to implore divine enlightenment, and then, when the light shines, to gladly accept each precious ray, and fearlessly abide the consequences.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:388. {ChS 144.2}
“Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be wrested from their true meaning. The papal leaders select such portions of Scripture as best serve their purpose, interpret to suit themselves, and then present these to the people, while they deny them the privilege of studying the Bible and understanding its sacred truths for themselves. THE WHOLE BIBLE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE JUST AS IT READS. IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR THEM NOT TO HAVE BIBLE INSTRUCTION AT ALL THAN TO HAVE THE TEACHING OF THE SCRIPTURES THUS GROSSLY MISREPRESENTED.”—Darkness Before Dawn p. 7.4 {DD 7.4}
“THE BIBLE, JUST AS IT READS, IS TO BE OUR GUIDE. Nothing is so calculated to enlarge the mind and strengthen the intellect as the study of the Bible. No other study will so elevate the soul and give vigor to the faculties as the study of the living oracles. The minds of thousands of ministers of the gospel are dwarfed because they are permitted to dwell upon commonplace things, and are not exercised in searching for the hidden treasure of the Word of God. As the mind is brought to the study of God’s Word, the understanding will enlarge and the higher powers will develop for the comprehension of high and ennobling truth.”—Review and Herald, Sept 28, 1897; Mind, Character, and Personality vol.1 p. 93.2 {1MCP 93.2}
“God sends them light to undeceive them, but they refuse to take the Word of God AS IT READS. They accept error, choosing the lies of Satan rather than a ‘Thus saith the Lord.’” – Manuscript 19, 1894; Evangelism p. 239
“The word of God, just AS IT READS, contains the very essence of truth.” – Medical Evangelist, Oct 1, 1909
“We are to take the Word of God AS IT READS, the words of Christ as He has spoken them.” – Signs of the Times, Aug. 18, 1887
we shall all do well to heed the principles set forth in the counsel below of Miller’s rules for bible interpretation.
“Those who are engaged in proclaiming the third angel’s message are searching the Scriptures upon the same plan that Father Miller adopted. In the little book entitled ‘Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology,’ Father Miller gives the following simple but intelligent and important rules for Bible study and interpretation: {RH November 25, 1884, par. 23}
“1. Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible; 2. All Scripture is necessary, and may be understood by diligent application and study; 3. Nothing revealed in Scripture can or will be hid from those who ask in faith, not wavering; 4. To understand doctrine, bring all the scriptures together on the subject you wish to know, then let every word have its proper influence; and if you can form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in error; 5. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule, and not the Bible.” {RH November 25, 1884, par. 24}
“The above is a portion of these rules; and in our study of the Bible we shall all do well to heed the principles set forth {RH November 25, 1884, par. 25}