Dear Cathy,

Thank you for those encouraging words. It really makes me happy to know how you feel about studying with other people. I'm the same way. I'd rather discuss the things we have already read for ourselves and during our time together refer to those thoughts as we seek to expand our understanding of them. Long quotations are usually not helpful since I have already studied them.

I know what is written, but what I really want to know is how other people apply those principles to new situations or scenarios. I believe that's how God shares new light with us. But we have to be willing to go beyond what has already been clearly revealed.

And we can't be afraid to be open minded. Just don't let your brain fall out, eh? We are bound to discover things that Ellen did not write about. But does that mean it's wrong? I hope not. She herself said she isn't the final word, that new light would be the reward of those who dig deep.

New light may come by applying familiar passages in unfamiliar ways. As long as it doesn't contradict or unsettle the truth then it shouldn't matter if our discoveries expose new veins of truth. If our study habits and principles are valid, and we're not twisting scripture unnaturally to make a point, then we might well entertain the thought that God has shared new light. If it passes the scrutiny of other faithful souls and serious students of the Word then we can even feel better about it being new light.

What do you think?

Mike

Just for the record:

My husband and I are two separate people with two separate thought processes and two different ways of viewing things. Please don't assume that when one of us speaks that we are automatically speaking for the other. Ed speaks his mind, I speak mine. We may or may not be in agreement on any given topic.

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For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
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Linda

[This message has been edited by Linda Sutton (edited March 03, 2001).]

I don't want to get this topic too far off track, but wanted to avoid any misunderstandings that might arise from my previous post, which was composed while I was also busily engage in an online chat - I don't multi-task very well.

The limited time I have available to spend online makes it impossible for me to give proper attention to in-depth studies of the Bible or SOP when visiting this forum - I prefer to do my studying offline, during my private devotional time. If I want to do a thorough investigation of the context of some quote I find posted here, I prefer to do it then also. However, I understand that Ed & Linda want to include as much of the context of the quotes they use as possible for the benefit of those who do not have the resources to study further on their own, and I appreciate their consideration in doing this and would never want to discourage them from continuing.

I do understand, Linda, that you have a mind of your own, independent of your husband, which is why I said "perhaps" your husband speaks for yourself as well. Either way, he is not speaking for the entire membership of the forum.

I also find it difficult at this time in my life to maintain an interest in discussions of topics that will have no effect whatever on my standing with God or on the workings of my day-to-day life. There are too many things demanding my limited mental and physical energies right now to allow me to take the time to even think much about my own views of this topic, let alone try to put them into words. So, while I will continue to read whatever is posted here, I must decline comment at this time. Perhaps if the topic is still active if & when things change for me, I might get involved a bit more.

I hope that enough about this matter has been said now, so that this topic can get back on course.
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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.

[This message has been edited by Cathy Sears (edited March 03, 2001).]

Brother Mike

I didn't realize this thread was in existence till now.
I really appreciate your thoughts as post here.

To All

I think we can begin to ignite this topic with a little more hope by thinking of prophecy in it's overall, intended context: "HIS - STORY."

There is a second very exciting aspect to prophecy which I will not yet post. I would like to see a little discussion develop first with this initial comment I have made.

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"The desert will rejoice and bloom as the rose...it shall bloom abundantly!"
(Isa.35:1-2)

Your brother in Christ

David T. Battler

Hello Everyone,

David, thank you for the excellent suggestion. That's a first rate way of studying. The rewards are beyond this world.

What does everyone think about this idea - when we study the Bible, and prophecy especially, are we learning about the character of God when we discover the truth about good and evil?

What do we learn about God when we learn the truth about evil? when we learn the truth about apostasy? when we learn the truth about corruption?

What can we learn about God when we learn the truth about the nature of prophecy?

Knowing that God is in control of the great controversy what can we learn about Him when we learn the truth about the way history has and will play out?

Mike