"In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. Old truths are all essential. New truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it ... He who rejects or neglects the new does not really possess the old." (COL 127)
"The significance of the Jewish economy is not yet fully comprehended. Truths vast and profound are shadowed forth in its rites and symbols. The gospel is the key that unlocks its mysteries." (COL 133)
"We must not think, Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge." The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light." (CS 33)
"There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation." (CW 35)
"New light will ever be revealed on the word of God to him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the word of God. Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God." (CW 35)
"The time of Christ's coming, His anointing by the Holy Spirit, His death, and the giving of the gospel to the Gentiles, were definitely pointed out. It was the privilege of the Jewish people to understand these prophecies ... As the message of Christ's first advent announced the kingdom of His grace, so the message of His second advent announces the kingdom of His glory, and the second message, like the first, is based on the prophecies. The words of the angel to Daniel relating to the last days were to be understood in the time of the end." (DA 234)
"But most valuable teaching of the Bible is not to be gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the hasty or careless reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the surface and. can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort . . . When thus searched out and brought together, they will be found to be perfectly fitted to one another. Each Gospel is a supplement to the others, every prophecy an explanation of another, every truth a development of some other truth." (Ed 123-4)
"But most valuable teaching of the Bible is not to be gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the hasty or careless reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the surface and can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort . . . When thus searched out and brought together, they will be found to be perfectly fitted to one another. Each Gospel is a supplement to the others, every prophecy an explanation of another, every truth a development of some other truth." (Ed 123-4)
"Great truths that have lain unheeded and unseen since the day of Pentecost, are to shine from God's word in their native purity. To those who truly love God, the Holy Spirit will reveal truths that have faded from the mind and will reveal truths that are entirely new." (FCE 473)
"The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world's history...From that time to this, new light has been continually shining upon the Scriptures, and new truths have been constantly unfolding." (GC 148-149)
"There are many at the present day thus clinging to the customs and traditions of their fathers. When the Lord sends them additional light, they refuse to accept it, because, not having been granted to their fathers, it was not received by them. We are not placed where our fathers were; consequently our duties and responsibilities are not the same as theirs. We shall not be approved of God in looking to the example of our fathers to determine our duty instead of searching the word of truth for ourselves. Our responsibility is greater than was that of our ancestors. We are accountable for the light which they received, and which was handed down as an inheritance for us, and we are accountable also for the additional light which is now shining upon us from the word of God." (GC 164)
"Different periods in the history of the church have each been marked by the development of some special truth, adapted to the necessities of God's people at that time." (GC 609)
"No matter by whom light is sent, we should open our hearts to receive it with the meekness of Christ. But many do not do this. When a controverted point is presented, they pour in question after question, without admitting a point when it is well sustained. O, may we act as men who want light! May God give us His Holy Spirit day by day, and let the light of His countenance shine upon us, that we may be learners in the school of Christ." (GW 301, 1915)
"We must not for a moment think that there is no more light, no more truth, to be given us... While we must hold fast to the truths which we have already received, we must not look with suspicion upon any new light that God may send." (GW 310)
"When you gather up the rays of light which God has given in the past, then will He give an increase in light." (LS 200)
"The third angel's message reveals the great saving truth for this time. Its truths are constantly unfolding, and it is God's design that even the children and youth shall understand intelligently what God requires, that they may distinguish between righteousness and sin, between obedience and disobedience." (MR9 292)
"Brethren, it will grieve the Spirit of God if you close your understanding to the light which God sends you. Truth will loose nothing by investigation. If he [Brother Waggoner] is in error, you should in a calm, rational, Christlike manner seek to show him from the word of God where he's out of harmony with its teachings. If you cannot do this, you have no right as Christians to pick flaws, to criticize, to work in the dark, to prejudice minds with your objections. This is Satan's way of working. The fact that he [Dr. Waggoner] honestly holds some views of scripture differing from yours or mine [EGW] is no reason why we should treat him as an offender or as a dangerous man and make him the subject of unjust criticism. We should not raise a voice of censure against him or his teachings unless we can present weighty reasons for so doing and show him that he is in error. No one should feel at liberty to give loose reign to the combative spirit. Is it not possible, brethren, that through earnest, prayerful searching of the scriptures he has seen still greater light on some points? It is perilous to make decisions upon any controverted point without dispassionately considering all sides of the question. If there are any among us who become stirred up because ideas contrary from what they have believed are presented in this meeting, then stop your unsanctified criticisms and candidly investigate the subject. It will sanctify the soul. The debating spirit is come into the ranks of sabbath keepers to take the place of the spirit of God. Our greatest fear should be that we may be found rebelling against God's word which is to be our guide amid all the perils of the last days. There's too little dependence upon God, too much dependence on men. There's too little dependence upon God when God would have a special work done for the advancement of the truth. He will impress men to work in the mines of truth with prayerful earnestness to discover the precious ore. These men will have Christlike perseverance. They will not fail or be discouraged. They will sink self out of sight. Men will go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way for the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is their work to make crooked things straight. Some things must be torn down, some things must be built up. The old treasures must be reset in a framework of truth. They are to preach God's word. Their testimony must not be molded by the opinions and ideas that have been regarded as sound but by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever. They are to lift up Christ and call sinners to repentance. Those who've educated themselves as debaters have so increased their spirit of combativeness that they are ready to cavil over the word of God. To resist and oppose everything that disagrees with their ideas or opinions. They are in their element when an opportunity is offered to them to question and criticize. They are ready to battle at any time. They will play upon words, misinterpret, misstate because this has become a settled habit with them, a second nature.
When the Jews took the first step in the rejection of Christ they took a dangerous step. When afterward, evidence accumulated that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah they were too proud to acknowledge that they had erred. So with the people of our day who reject truth, they do not take time to investigate candidly with earnest prayer the evidences of the truth and they oppose that which they do not understand. Just like the Jews, they take it for granted they have all the truth and feel a sort of contempt for anyone who should suppose they had more correct ideas than themselves of what is truth. All the evidence produced, they decide, shall not weigh a straw with them and they tell others that the doctrine is not true and afterward, when they see as light evidence that they were so forward to condemn, they have too much pride to say "I was wrong". They still cherish doubt and unbelief, they're too proud to acknowledge their convictions. Because of this they take steps that lead to results of which they have never dreamed. They resist the truth without going to the scriptures for themselves to learn what is truth. Because those in whom they have had confidence oppose the light, they oppose it not knowing they are rejecting the council of God against themselves. When God unfolds truth to His people and it does not come in harmony with their ideas many are ready to despise and reject it. Brethren, who should give your authority to the people from God's word. You should not believe any doctrine simply because another says it is truth." (MS 15, 1888, A letter to the brethren assembled at the General Conference.)
"When the mind is kept open and is constantly searching the fields of revelation, we shall find rich deposits of truth. Old truths will be revealed in new aspects, and truths will appear which have been overlooked in the search." (MS 75, 1897)
"Those who will devote their powers to the study of God's word, and especially to prophecies referring to these last days, will be rewarded by the discovery of important truths." (MS 75, 1899)
"Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood. But the promise is plain that special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies. "The wise shall understand" (vs 10), was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be unsealed in the latter days." (PK 547-8)
"A careful study of the working out of God's purpose in the history of nations and in the revelation of things to come, will help us to estimate at their true value things seen and things unseen, and to learn what is the true aim of life." (PK 548)
"This is what we shall see if we are connected with God. God wants us to depend upon him, and not upon man. He desires us to have a new heart; he would give us revealings of light from the throne of God. We should wrestle with every difficulty, but when some controverted point is presented, are you to go to man to find out his opinion, and then shape your conclusions from his?--No, go to God. Tell him what you want; take your Bible and search as for hidden treasures." (3RH, 1890, How to Meet a Controverted Point of Doctrine)
"Amid the confusing cries, "Lo, here is Christ! Lo, there is Christ!" will be borne a special testimony, a special message of truth appropriate for this time, which message is to be received, believed, and acted upon." (5RH 83)
"We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed." (RH July 26, 1892)
"We are not safe if we neglect to search the Scriptures daily for light and knowledge." (1SM 259-60)
"If we come to the Word of God with a teachable, humble spirit, the rubbish of error will be swept away, and gems of truth, long hidden from our eyes, will be discovered." (1SM 360)
"We have only the glimmerings of the rays of the light that is yet to come to us." (1SM 401)
"The truth is constantly unfolding and presenting new features to different minds. All who dig in the mines of truth, will constantly discover rich and precious gems." (1SM 404)
"God wants us to depend upon Him, and not upon man. He desires us to have a new heart; He would give us revealings of light from the throne of God. We should wrestle with every difficulty, but when some controverted point is presented, are you to go to man to find out his opinion, and then shape your conclusion from his? - No, go to God." (1SM 415)
"The truths that have been unfolding in their order, as we have advanced along the line of prophecy revealed in the Word of God, are the truths, sacred, eternal truth today. Those who passed over the ground step by step in the past history of our experience, seeing the chain of truth in the prophecies, were prepared to accept and obey every ray of light. They were praying, fasting, searching, digging for the truths as for hidden treasures, and the Holy Spirit, we know, was teaching and guiding us." (2SM 103)
"Even truth cannot be presented in its fullness before minds that are in no preparation spiritually to receive it. I have many things to say, but persons to whom the messages apply cannot in their present unconsecrated state bear them." (3SM 57)
"When the time shall come, in the providence of God, for the world to be tested upon the truth for that time, minds will be exercised by His Spirit to search the Scriptures, even with fasting and with prayer, until link after link is searched out and united in a perfect chain. Every fact which immediately concerns the salvation of souls will be made so clear that none need err or walk in darkness." (2T 692)
"The time for the unfolding of special truth in relation to the closing scenes of this earth's history is during the last generations that shall live upon the earth." (2T 692-3)
"Mental culture is what we as a people need, and what we must have in order to meet the demands of the time... Search, study, and pray . . . and then dig more earnestly till the gem of truth lies before you, plain and beautiful, all the more precious because of the difficulties involved in finding it... Thus mystery after mystery will be unfolded to your comprehension... The key found to unlock one mystery may develop also other precious gems of knowledge heretofore undiscovered." (4T 414)
"All the light does not burst upon us at once, but it comes as we can bear it." (4T 446)
"There are mines of truth yet to be discovered by the earnest seeker. Christ represented the truth as treasure hid in a field. It does not lie right upon the surface; we must dig for it. But our success in finding it does not depend so much on our intellectual ability as on our humility of heart and the faith which will lay hold upon divine aid." (5T 704)
"Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end." (5T 706)
"Whatever may be man's intellectual advancement, let him not for a moment think that there is no need of thorough and continuous searching of the scriptures for greater light. As a people we are called individually to be students of prophecy. We must watch with earnestness that we may discern any ray of light which God shall present to us. We are to catch the first gleams of truth; and through prayerful study clearer light may be obtained, which can be brought before others." (5T 708)
"Mysteries into which angels desire to look, which prophets and kings and righteous men desired to understand, the remnant church will carry in messages from God to the World. The prophets prophesied of these things, and they longed to understand that which they foretold; but to them this privilege was not given." (6T 19)
"Those who think they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change a cherished opinion, will be disappointed. When a brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his position and every minister should search the Scriptures with the spirit of candor to see if the points presented can be substantiated by the inspired word." (TM 30)
"When we as a people understand what this book means to us, (Revelation) there will be seen among us a great revival. We do not understand fully the lessons that it teaches, notwithstanding the injunction given us to search and study it." (TM 113)
"When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart." (TM 114)
"Light and grace will be given to those who thus obey God. They will behold wondrous things out of his law. Great truths that have lain unheeded and unseen since the day of Pentecost, are to shine from God's word in their native purity. To those who truly love God the Holy Spirit will reveal truths that have faded from the mind, and will also reveal truths that are entirely new. Those who eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God will bring from the books of Daniel and Revelation truth that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. They will start into action forces that cannot be repressed. The lips of children will be opened to proclaim the mysteries that have been hidden from the minds of men. The Lord has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the mighty." (TM 116, RH Aug. 17, 1897)
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