You are, in my opinion, still making the mistake of assuming that "line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" was a method. You can only analyse its use as a method if in fact it was a method (at least if it ever was a method before the late 19th century when Ellen devised a method based on this phrase). You have to begin by establishing that Isaiah intended it as a method and further that he employed it as a method in this verse or anywhere else before analysing this verse or any other verse by a method based on this phrase can make any kind of sense.

Perhaps process is better than method?

Ok, replace "method" with "process" in my post above and proceed with replying towards my concern shown there. :P

If not a method or a process - what then? What does it mean?

Mike, you previously gave biblical examples which you think parallel this chapter. Let me try doing the same.

God told Israel, I will feed you. And God gave Israel manna to eat.
But Israel said, we dont like manna, we want chicken like we ate in Egypt.
God replied, lets try it your way, and gave them chicken.
Many in Israel died from overeating on chicken.

God told Israel, I will be your king. And God put Samuel as His PM.
But Israel said, Your PM Samuel is old and his sons are no fit replacements, we want a king like our neighbours have.
And God said, lets try it your way, and gave them a king.
And Israel was alternately oppressed and lead astray by kings to their own demise.

God told Israel, "Come now, let us reason together," (Isa 1)
But Israel said, Your words are "bla, bla, bla" ("precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." )
And God said, lets do it your way, and let them hear only "bla, bla, bla", (precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.)
And Israel went into Babylon for 70 years of captivity to learn that the words of the Lord are indeed meant for reasoning together and not a divine form of "bla, bla, bla" (precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.)

Okay, so I hear you saying, "Precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" is a type of expression or colloquialism that basically is the same thing as saying, "Blah, blah, blah". Now, since we're from two different parts of the world, what does "blah, blah, blah" mean to you? To me it's a verbal ellipse (...). Rather than taking the time to repeat everything someone said you rather rudely truncate it indicating you are bored and disapproving.

Your understanding of the phrase "bla, bla, bla" is a good summary of the reaction some people have towards God and His communication with humans.
This is indeed one side to the use of this phrase as found in Isaiah 28. Other sides have been (apparently unsuccessfully) presented in some of my previous posts. The general idea remains the same throughout them all, the drunk priests expressing their disapproval with God and His prophet Isaiah.

Note again that it is the rebellious people who bring this attitude to the discussion.

In terms of what you are saying Isaiah meant, this would be the same prophet speaking the same words over and over again in a simple way. However, the "line upon line, precept upon precept" method (as we commonly understand it) applies to something altogether different, which is to take little bits of verses and phrases from many different authors, and piece them together.

Still trying to wrap my mind around what you're saying. So, "precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" is an expression in the Bible that represents "the drunk priests expressing their disapproval with God and His prophet Isaiah" - is that what you're saying? It's akin to saying, "blah, blah, blah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yadi yadi yada, whatever."

PS - I understand you disagree it means gathering everything the Bible has to say on a certain topic and then arriving at a theological conclusion. I also understand you disagree it means gingerly, gradually indoctrinating young people and non-SDAs in the 28 fundamental beliefs.

Yep, thats exactly what I am saying. Now the topical study of the scriptures is a biblical concept (For instance this: 11Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.), it just isnt an Isaiah 28 concept.

And your second example is most likely the meaning given the sentence by Ellen, wherefore it is within its context if you specify that you are quoting her and not Isaiah.