Chapter 81—The Value of Bible Study
The study of the Bible is superior to all other study in strengthening
the intellect. What fields of thought the youth may find to
explore in the word of God! The mind may go deeper and still deeper
in its research, gathering strength with every effort to comprehend
truth; and yet there is an infinity beyond.
Those who profess to love God and reverence sacred things, and
yet allow the mind to come down to the superficial and unreal, are
placing themselves on Satan’s ground, and are doing his work. If
the young would study the glorious works of God in nature, and His
majesty and power as revealed in His word, they would come from
every such exercise with faculties quickened and elevated. A vigor
would be received, having no kin to arrogance. By a contemplation
of the marvels of divine power, the mind will learn that hardest but
most useful of all lessons, that human wisdom, unless connected
with the Infinite and sanctified by the grace of Christ, is foolishness.
The Mediatorial Work of Christ
The work of God’s dear Son in undertaking to link the created
with the Uncreated, the finite with the Infinite, in His own divine
person, is a subject that may well employ our thoughts for a lifetime.
This work of Christ was to confirm the beings of other worlds in
[254] their innocency and loyalty, as well as to save the lost and perishing
of this world. He opened a way for the disobedient to return to their
allegiance to God, while by the same act He placed a safeguard
around those who were already pure, that they might not become
polluted.
While we rejoice that there are worlds which have never fallen,
these worlds render praise and honor and glory to Jesus Christ for
the plan of redemption to save the fallen sons of Adam, as well as
to confirm themselves in their position and character of purity. The
arm that raised the human family from the ruin which Satan has
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Value of Bible Study 231
brought upon the race through his temptations, is the arm which
has preserved the inhabitants of other worlds from sin. Every world
throughout immensity engages the care and support of the Father
and the Son; and this care is constantly exercised for fallen humanity.
Christ is mediating in behalf of man, and the order of unseen worlds
also is preserved by His mediatorial work. Are not these themes of
sufficient magnitude and importance to engage our thoughts, and
call forth our gratitude and adoration to God?
Intellectual Development
Open the Bible to our youth, draw their attention to its hidden
treasures, teach them to search for its jewels of truth, and they will
gain a strength of intellect such as the study of all that philosophy
embraces could not impart. The grand subjects upon which the Bible
treats, the dignified simplicity of it inspired utterances, the elevated
themes which it presents to the mind, the light, sharp and clear, from
the throne of God, enlightening the understanding, will develop the [255]
powers of the mind to an extent that can scarcely be comprehended,
and never fully explained.
The Bible presents a boundless field for the imagination, as much
higher and more ennobling in character than the superficial creations
of the unsanctified intellect as the heavens are higher than the earth.
The inspired history of our race is placed in the hands of every
individual. All may now begin their research. They may become
acquainted with our first parents as they stood in Eden, in holy
innocency, enjoying communion with God and sinless angels. They
may trace the introduction of sin and its results upon the race, and
follow, step by step, down the track of sacred history, as it records
the disobedience and impenitence of man and the just retribution for
sin.
The Highest Culture
The reader may hold converse with patriarchs and prophets; he
may move through the most inspiring scenes; he may behold Christ,
who was Monarch in heaven, equal with God, coming down to
humanity, and working out the plan of redemption, breaking off
232 Messages to Young People
from man the chains wherewith Satan had bound him, and making it
possible for him to regain his godlike manhood. Christ taking upon
Himself humanity, and preserving the level of man for thirty years,
and then making His soul an offering for sin, that man might not
be left to perish, is a subject for the deepest thought and the most
concentrated study....
[256] Let the mind grasp the stupendous truths of revelation, and it will
never be content to employ its powers upon frivolous themes; it will
turn with disgust from the trashy literature and idle amusements that
are demoralizing the youth of today. Those who have communed
with the poets and sages of the Bible, and whose souls have been
stirred by the glorious deeds of the heroes of faith, will come from
the rich fields of thought far more pure in heart and elevated in
mind than if they had been occupied in studying the most celebrated
secular authors, or in contemplating and glorifying the exploits of
the Pharaohs and Herods and Caesars of the world.
The powers of the youth are mostly dormant, because they do
not make the fear of God the beginning of wisdom. The Lord gave
Daniel wisdom and knowledge, because he would not be influenced
by any power that would interfere with his religious principles. The
reason why we have so few men of mind, of stability and solid worth,
is that they think to find greatness while disconnecting from Heaven.
God is not feared, and loved, and honored, by the children of
men. Religion is not lived out, as well as professed. The Lord can do
but little for man, because he is so easily exalted, is so ready to think
himself of consequence. God would have us enlarge our capabilities,
and avail ourselves of every privilege to unfold, to cultivate, to
strengthen the understanding. Man was born for a higher, nobler life
than that which he develops. The period of our mortal existence is
[257] preparatory to the life which measures with the life of God.
The Bible the Greatest Teacher
What subjects are presented in the Sacred Scriptures for the mind
to dwell upon! Where can be found higher themes for contemplation?
Where are themes so intensely interesting? In what sense are
all the researches of human science comparable in sublimity and
Value of Bible Study 233
mystery with the science of the Bible? Where is anything that will
so call out the strength of the intellect in deep and earnest thought?
If we will let it speak to us, the Bible will teach us what nothing
else can teach. But alas! everything else is dwelt upon except the
word of God. Worthless literature, fictitious stories, are greedily
devoured, while the Bible, with all its treasures of sacred truth, lies
neglected upon our tables. The Sacred Word, if made the rule of life,
will refine, elevate, and sanctify. It is the voice of God to man. Will
we heed it?
“The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding
unto the simple.” Angels stand beside the searcher of the Scriptures,
to impress and illuminate the mind. The command of Christ comes to
us with the same force today as when addressed to the first disciples
eighteen hundred years ago: “Search the Scriptures; for in them
ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of
Me.”—The Review and Herald, January 11, 1881.
