Importance of Sound Doctrine--The Degrees of Authority in the Scriptures

Just how important is doctrine and how does it effect us as Christians? Is the Word of God our authority for doctrine?

Today I would like to take you into an area that perhaps we've not ventured into in a long time and I would like to introduce it as a topic for the sermon today. It's entitled: The Importance of Sound Doctrine or What are the Degrees of Authority in the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).? — Importance of Sound Doctrine or Degrees of Authority in the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)..

A quick study of the groups out there will quickly show you that there are fatal flaws with those groups. For example, those who make one doctrine their purpose in existing: some hold the calendar, some hold sacred names, some are called Pentecost groups, and I'll explain that a little bit later. Some are called Passover groups and then you have others who have the promotion of self. One calls himself an apostle, another one is one of the two witnesses. Another one is a prophet of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). or "that prophet."

These are serious issues and they should cause us to reject such groups. The Church is not a one-doctrine group nor is it into naming people into positions in the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ., but people all over the world seem to fall prey, brethren, to those purveyors of single doctrines or special positions.

Doctrine should be a solidifying force not a dividing force. Doctrine, again let me state, should be a solidifying force and not a dividing force. Doctrine was, probably most likely, the reason you became a member of the Church in the first place. You were attracted by what the Church taught and not necessarily a personality. Doctrine is extremely important to each of us in the Church of God. I believe it is essential that all of us have a clear understanding of our fundamental doctrines and understand, very importantly, the degrees of authority in the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)..

If you were asked about the doctrines of the Church, you would probably refer that individual to our Fundamental Beliefs booklet. Very likely, you would want to talk about our belief in God, our belief in Jesus Christ. We would talk about the Holy Spirit. We would talk about Sabbath. We would talk about tithing. We would talk about the Holy Days. We would talk about clean and unclean foods. We have discussed, as a Church, most of the doctrines of the Church over the past 15 years in an ongoing way because of what happened to us in our former association, but, today, I would like to look at doctrine in a different light. I would like to ask a couple of questions first of all.

If someone came to you and they asked the question, why is doctrine important, what would you say? If someone came to you and asked, what does the term doctrine mean, what would you say? If someone came to you and asked, is it important for all to speak, or shall we say live, the same doctrine, what would you say? These are answers that we must understand and come to. If someone came to you and asked, by what authority do you decide true doctrine, what would you say? These are things we want to examine in the sermon today.

First of all, let's define the word doctrine. Doctrine is defined as the codification of beliefs. To put it another way, it is the body of teachings; doctrine is instruction, doctrine is teaching the principles and the position of the Church, forming the belief system that we hold to. Doctrine is simply defined as that which is taught, according to the definition that you will find in a number of the Greek definitions that are found, so far as the word in the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation., that which is taught. It displays itself in the accent and the actions of the Church. Doctrine, in other words, defines both the individual member of the Church and it defines the Church as a body of believers, as well.

Now, if you go out and look at the websites out here of the many evangelical churches, you will begin to realize that over the past 20 or 30 years they have moved away from a real doctrinal foundation. They no longer hold doctrinal foundations as they did going back 30 years ago and the reason for that is because they are having to try to appeal to human beings in a way that is not biblically correct. They have even given up the belief or doctrine, in some of those churches, that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. If you don't believe me, check the websites. You will see for yourself. They have gone soft on the gay agenda. They've gone soft on simply those things that are important in the discipline of doctrine that they once held to, whether it was right or wrong, they have moved away from it. They have become a personality, known for missions, programs, and fundraisers. Take a look at it. Don't believe me. Go check it out for yourself. You will see that.

United Church of God is not a personality. It is a Church based on a solid foundation and we will see, if we base the solid foundation on the proper levels of authority, you can't go wrong. You can see from Acts, the second chapter, the Church that simply stood on sound doctrine. You see that through the book of Acts. You see it in the writings of Timothy and Titus, especially those individuals. You will see that the stand made the Church strong in the face of persecution. Let me repeat that, because this is going to become very important in the future to us. That particular stand made the Church strong, when it came to persecution. Doctrine was then, and must always be, a solidifying force, not a dividing force, as some have made it. But, regardless of the times and the circumstances, there are always those that deviate from sound doctrine and they preach their own message.

So, let's begin by looking at the admonition by the ApostleAn exclusive ecclesiastical role historically held by very few; literally "one sent," but for a particular purpose: to deliver a message. In the New Testament this refers to a special envoy or messenger of the gospel; a special messenger from God (Luke 11:49; Revelation 18:20); more specifically the original 12 (Peter, John, Andrew, etc.) plus Paul, Barnabas and a few others. Jesus Christ is called the Apostle (Hebrews 3:1). Paul, II Timothy, chapter 2, this is II Timothy, chapter 2, beginning in verse 16. This is II Timothy, chapter 2 and verse 16.

II Timothy 2:16-19, 23, 25-26

Vs. 16 — He said, "But shun profane and idle babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness."

Vs. 17 — "And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort;"

Vs. 18 — "Who have strayed concerning the truth" — already by the early 60's when Timothy was written — "they have strayed from the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they have overthrown the faith of some."

So, we see this occurring in the world of Paul and it will occur again in the world of the 21st Century, because you always have a spirit being who is there to stir the pot. He is to divide and conquer; that is his purpose behind what he believes, and it does say that we "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and wicked spirits in high places," and this is what the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. actually says here, as well, as we will see — going on in verse 19.

Vs. 19 — "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal. God knows those that are his. Let every one who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

Vs. 23 — "But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife."

And this is what you're finding. You will find there are over 300 websites of independents, who were formerly members of the worldwide Radio Church of God. Right now, you can go and you will see that you have the splits, on the splits, on the splits, on the splits, on the splits. There are major organizations that have split four times and either they have split over an administration of something or doctrinal differences, but they're out there. They're all over the place and we have been shattered. It's like somebody grabbed a great big hammer and they hit this rock and split it into hundreds of pieces and so we see this happening.

Notice, going on, it tells us —

Vs. 25 — "In humility" — he said — "correcting those who are in opposition; if God peradventure will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth;"

Vs. 26 — "And that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who have been taken captive by him to do his will" — or as it says in the Old King James Version — "at his will."

So, we begin to understand. You've got human nature, you've got divisiveness, you've got all of these things and we in the Church of God have to understand it is easy to drift from sound doctrine. It is easy to drift from sound doctrine. So here in II Timothy, they were already preaching the resurrection had passed. They were preaching, simply, another spirit. You can go back to II Corinthians, chapter 11, and you will see "another Jesus," "another gospel" and "another spirit." All three of those were already found in 55 A.D. in the Church in Corinth, that's how quickly these things happen.

There are good examples of where religions of modern times were started or drastically altered from the visions of "special truths," like those of Muhammed, like Joseph Smith, like those of Ellen G. White and like we're going to talk about this afternoon, some people in the modern day who have their visions of what they say is "what God gave me." So, you have to understand this is going on all the time and you have to be very, very careful. It was no different in Paul's day; it's no different today. It continues to go on.

We have individuals today that claim they have special insights into the nature of God or prophecy. They feel compelled to preach those insights to others, but results are seldom positive and in the fifteen years of United we have seen splits on splits. It just goes on. It just never stops. The devil has a wonderful tool. He has a wonderful tool by which he is able to divide human beings.

We all know, we all believe, that God breathed the ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).; according to II Timothy 3:16 it says, "by inspiration of God." You remember the statement that is made? That word simply means "God breathed." And so we recognize the ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). as "God breathed," but it's very easy to conjure up your own interpretation of the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)., thereby creating your own personal doctrine. It's simple. It's easy. It's very quickly done by people.

Paul warned Timothy that the preaching of these personal revelations and doctrines to others was not a positive thing. It was not positive in the early New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. Church. It's not positive today. When those of the early Church began to drift from sound doctrine, they lost the armor of God, that's what II Timothy says. The devil was able to get at them and, therefore, that's where they had their problems. When the years passed, they began to receive persecutions and these two things, drifting from sound doctrine and persecution — they are a lethal combination — because without sound doctrine the believer cannot withstand persecution and, ultimately, the believer begins to weaken. Paul had many warnings of remaining true, sound, strong, in the doctrines of the Apostles.

It is of utmost importance that we have to consider consistent doctrines; that's why we have set our hand to try very hard to do that very thing. We came out of our former association. We went back to the actual documents of 1944 and 1946 and 1947 to see what we did believe, with what was written in the constitution and the bylaws, fourteen in 1944, sixteen in 1946, and then the realization that it went all the way up to eighteen and, then, finally, we looked at it and we said there are actually a total of twenty, and we've remained faithful to all of those that were given to us, going all the way back to 1944. Read them for yourself, if you want to go back to the documents and check them. It is very important.

Now, as a result of those thoughts, that foundation, I would like to discuss how you and I can maintain that consistency. How can we both, as an individual, in our personal study, in conversation with others, as an organization, maintain sound, consistent doctrine, in a world where "the very elect could be deceived"? How do we do that?

Let's go to Titus, chapter 1. Let's go to Titus, chapter 1, beginning in verse 9.

Titus 1:9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
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Notice what the ApostleAn exclusive ecclesiastical role historically held by very few; literally "one sent," but for a particular purpose: to deliver a message. In the New Testament this refers to a special envoy or messenger of the gospel; a special messenger from God (Luke 11:49; Revelation 18:20); more specifically the original 12 (Peter, John, Andrew, etc.) plus Paul, Barnabas and a few others. Jesus Christ is called the Apostle (Hebrews 3:1). Paul says, talking about people who are going to be elders, those who were going to be ordained to the office of elder, as Titus was given responsibility to do so, it says here in verse 9:

Vs. 9 — "Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convict those who contradict" — "Holding fast to the faithful word" so that he can "convict those who would contradict."

You can go down and read how there were the mouths of the Cretians that had to be silenced in verses 11 and 12, people "who subverted whole households, teaching things that they should not," and this is what you face in the present day in the history of the Church, right now, and, therefore reading the rest of the context shows you the importance of holding fast the faithful Word.

II Timothy 2:2. Just one more ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). in this regard, II Timothy 2 and verse 2.

II Timothy 2:2

Vs. 2 — He said, "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men."

So, Paul said, Timothy, you take what I have taught you, as I have received by direct revelation of Jesus Christ, and you pass them on to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You see the mentoring of the Levites here from the book of Numbers. You see, then, the mentoring of Barnabas, when he taught Paul; Paul taught Timothy, Titus, and others. You see how that works. It's a beautiful relationship, that when everybody remains faithful to true doctrine, you pass the baton of truth on. You don't let it go. You don't slide from it. You don't drop it along the way. This is what he is saying.

Vs. 2 — So, you hear this, "among many witnesses, commit them to faithful men, who will be able to teach others." As the old expression goes, pass it on. That's what we're doing.

But, let's ask a question here. How does a believer drift from the mooring of solid doctrine? How does he drift? How does she drift from the mooring of solid doctrine?

When studying the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ., there are six levels of authority in determining doctrine. Now, I have handed you a handout. I apologize — when I printed it out, some of the edge slipped off, as they say, when I expanded it. I make it for people like me who need 18 font print. That tells you what my age is becoming, but, nevertheless, I made it big enough so that you can see, hopefully you can, the colored box on the inside and what it does say. So, I would like to take you with this visual and take you through the six different levels.

We're starting at the top of the pyramid. I created a pyramid from the point of view of setting the top one as the least and the bottom one as the most, in the sense of the word of where we should be as a member of the Church. We should all operate in the bottom two. When you come down to the basic principle, we should operate in the bottom two and maybe, once in awhile, the third, on an occasion. Anything else causes deviations and those deviations cause confusion and those confusions cause division.

So, let's start out, let's define the six terms. Number one, the first one in the top part of the pyramid: outright speculation. Speculation is simply a guess. Speculation is a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence. Outright speculation is a theory that has been formed by speculating or conjuring, usually with little hard evidence. You can hear people say, I feel, I think. You can hear people say, I believe the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. indicates; things along that particular line. You don't want to go there. You do not want to go there as the basis upon which you stand as an individual.

We have had individuals tell us the date of Jesus' return; actually, over the last ten years. We have people who have set the date for fleeing to a place of safety. They have changed it twice in the last six years and they're working on the third one right now. I had the opportunity to see how it works with some of these people. There were some people that were invited to an area to visit and they were looking in a major department store and they saw this wonderful two-bedroom tent and they said, let's buy that because of the fact that we are fleeing, so they can take it to Petra. They also were looking for ninety-pound backpacks to, also, pack themselves up from going from one area to another and they were working on this and spending their money already and they weren't thinking about the fact that this individual had already changed the date twice.

Get your passports, folks, you know, get yourself ready to go and the sad part about it is they buy into it. They buy into it. Nobody has told them that all of their elders have resigned with the exception of the fulltime man that helps the individual. They're gone because they found out there's a flaw here somewhere, folks, and so the end result is that we have all these things. Dates of Jesus' return, dates of fleeing to a place of safety; even mentioning, specifically, the place and the date and everything, or, as one person said, I will be training the two witnesses.

Have you ever stopped to say, what kind of arrogance is that that, for somebody that calls themselves an apostle and says I'm going to be training the two witnesses? I don't think this individual can train himself out of a wet paper bag, to tell you the truth. It's disgusting because we listen to that and we say, oh, isn't this wonderful because supposedly we settle on Herbert W. Armstrong's teachings and I am the only one who teaches what he taught. Then, you have another fellow over in this other area of the South — he says, I'm only teaching what Herbert Armstrong taught, and then you have this fellow in another area of the United States in Oklahoma who says, I am the only one teaching what Herbert Armstrong taught and you have this confusion, and you wonder, what are you going to do with people like that?

ProphecyA prediction of events to come. "A discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp[ecially] by foretelling future events" (Revised Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, "Propheteia"). is often where most of these individuals go. This is where they stand. This is where they speculate. Individuals take on the meaning of biblical numbers. They add, subtract, they multiply together. They study trends, trying to read into the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). meanings so as to predict the time and date of Jesus Christ's return and, so, they work on 1,260, they work on 1,290, they work on 1,335.

You know what those are? Those are three different numbers in the Old TestamentThose books that make up the Hebrew Bible generally accepted by Christians, Jews and to some extent Muslims. It contains a threefold division: the Law (the five books of Moses), the Prophets and the Writings. and in the New. In the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. you have 1,260 days. In the Old TestamentThose books that make up the Hebrew Bible generally accepted by Christians, Jews and to some extent Muslims. It contains a threefold division: the Law (the five books of Moses), the Prophets and the Writings., in Daniel 12, you have 1,290 and 1,335 and, somehow, they can manipulate all these numbers and you say where do you begin with that? What proof do you have? And there is none and, yet, sad to say, people buy into it and I have to tell you that we simply have to understand that at the top of the list is outright speculation. We need to look at this for a few minutes and maybe we can understand why speculation has no authority in setting our doctrine or what we believe or what we should be preaching to each other.

Those that speculate take the numbers and make statements that often equate to doctrine and make it their all-consuming focus. That's a fact. I will not mention names, but all you got to do is take a look, and the sadness is, I watch people, gullibly, from my former association buy into it. One particular man refused to come to United because he said they won't let me preach my prophecy. Thank God he didn't come because he would have been stopped — zero. He wouldn't have moved anywhere because of the fact that's one of the things we are very, very careful of.

All kinds of dates for Jesus Christ's return have been arrived at over the years by taking meanings of numbers such as these that I have given, adding them up to an arrival year. We've had 1975, we had 1982, we've had Pentecost of 2008, we have had Trumpets of 2008, we have Trumpets of 2012, 2023, and on and on and on it goes. That's right. They're out there. They're out there and so, therefore, this is what happened.

People use verses like RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3:3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
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RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3:3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
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Vs. 3 — "Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you."

They use verses as these to justify their quest in second guessing the second coming of Jesus Christ. However, there are many ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). that warn us against this. One quotation: "But of that day and hour knows no one." And they say, well, probably not the day or the hour but, certainly, the week. Probably, surely, we won't miss the month and I often say the word, Lord, deliver us from the pro, you know, but when you read the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)., it does tell you, Luke 12, verses 36 through 40, let's go over there for just a moment and let's read that.

You know, sometimes you hear me get a little sarcastic. I'll tell you why. I spent fifteen years working in Ministerial Services, working on the Doctrine Committee the last three years, and I have to tell you that you sit there and you shake your head and you say, how in the world, how in the world, do people come up with such things? We've had a stack of articles that have been written by people that high — almost as tall as I am, and that's not too tall — but, nevertheless, it's about that tall and, literally, over the past fifteen years they came out of the woodwork when United started, and they came with their ideas and then they said to us, this is what you need to believe, you need to teach this, this is what needs to be said. And when we didn't agree with those papers, guess what, they walked away and the point was that we had so many that were hidden in the bushes until we all came out and then they came forward — sad, sad, state of affairs.

Luke 12:36-40 [36] And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
[37] Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
[38] And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
[39] And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
[40] Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

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Vs. 36 — He said, "And you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding; and when he comes and knocks, they may open unto him immediately."

Vs. 37 — "Blessed are those servants, who when the master comes will find watching." And then he drops down —

Vs. 38 — "And if he comes in the second or third watch, blessed are those servants who are watching."

Vs. 39 — "And know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into."

Vs. 40 — "Therefore you also be ready for the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."

And so, the principle here, the verses do not give us license to speculate on the date but, rather, tell us to be ready. Don't sleep, you know, don't sleep, be ready. Don't be like the Laodiceans who are "rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing" and, yet, they are blind to the reality of what is going on. Sleeping on the watch is the sleep of sin, of sinful false security, a false sense of security.

A person is not apprehensive of what is going on, their duties, and they are aware of the dangers that they live in and that is another side of the problem that we have to face. The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. tells us, simply, "Remember Lot's wife" because she didn't recognize what was going on in Sodom and Gomorrah. She didn't recognize that. You have to be aware of those things.

At no time should we be overtaken aware. He is not serious, moderate and diligent, who cannot be watchful. You just simply have to be that way and he that is not watchful can never be ready for Christ's coming, as Paul said, "Let us therefore watch and be sober," so it simply means keep your eyes open, be perceptive, be discerning of the things that you see going on at that particular time.

The big danger of speculation is that it takes our mind off of what really is important to God and to Jesus Christ. It is not speculating on dates or even knowing the exact date, if that is possible, that prepares us for Christ's return, but being spiritually ready when the event does, in fact, spring upon the world. I keep telling people in the classes on leadership, I say, keep doing your disciplines. Keep doing your disciplines every day. Fasting, prayer, study, meditation: continue faithfully in those basic principles that you've learned. Step on those. Stand on those everyday, day after day, day after day.

Another concern that the Church and Jesus Christ have about speculation is that, when those speculations turn out to be error, they damage the credibility of the true GospelThe good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament .. People get let down. People get discouraged and, years ago, getting to a place of safety was equal to getting into the Kingdom of God. In fact, it seemed almost to take more precedence in the minds of people and, then, when it didn't happen, you just found this let down. It's kind of like letting air out of the balloon and the sad part about it is, that you have to understand the principle is that you don't set your heart on a date, but you set your heart on the Kingdom of God. You don't set your heart on a place to go, but the Kingdom of God.

Besides, if you look at the time of the end and you see a great work that's going to be done, and thousands of people are going to be converted in the last few years of the Church, what do you want to be doing sitting off somewhere and not be able to be protected and taking care of people that are going to come? They have to be baptized, they have to be taught, they have to be comforted, the people that are going to have to come into an environment that Christ has to build and a lot of people don't think about it that particular way.

I'm not worried about saving your hide or mine. I'm concerned about what we're going to do about taking care of those people, more than anything in the world; that becomes an extremely important thing.

II Peter, chapter 1, verse 20 and verse 21. It says the following statement — why is it that people forget this ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).?

II Peter 1:20-21

Vs. 20 — "Knowing this, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."

You can't sit down and say that 1,260, that 1,290 and that 1,335 mean this. This and this and this and this is going to happen at Pentecost, this is going to happen at Trumpets, because it's foolish to have a private interpretation of the prophecy. You let the prophecies of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. interpret themselves by other things. "Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little." The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. is written in principles, from Genesis to RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25)..

Vs. 21 — ProphecyA prediction of events to come. "A discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp[ecially] by foretelling future events" (Revised Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, "Propheteia"). is written in principles, from the time that the early former prophets all through till the end-time prophets prophesied. That is important for you to understand and everything is not in one place and you can't just sit there with some numbers and try to manipulate and work them. It does not work.

This ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). says, it's "not of any private interpretation" and, therefore, this presents a problem.

II Peter, chapter 2, let's notice over there for just a moment. II Peter, chapter 2, let's read another example here of a prophecy that God said would occur.

II Peter 2:1-3

Vs. 1 — "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false prophets among you, who secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

Vs. 2 — It's hard to believe this, but this is what it says. "Many will follow their destructive ways; because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed."

Vs. 3 — "By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words" — and I have to tell you that, boy, isn't that the truth today? Isn't that the truth today?

It says they "make merchandise" in the Old King James Version. "They make merchandise of you." You know what I am talking about. You know what I'm talking about.

So, we have a warning about false doctrine, including speculation. We can't put our own spin on the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ., so speculating on prophecy or anything else, for that matter, is not how we determine doctrine and has no authority in the preaching of the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ..

Point number two. The second one down on the pyramid: Conclusions inferred from general revelation. General revelation can refer to a man's knowledge of God via observing the physical universe. It can be a conclusion based on a leader's dream outside the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. You will find that there are many, many people who have dreams and visions that they have been given. You will find that men are able to generally look out into a universe and they can come to some conclusions, if they are honest with themselves and the creation.

General revelation is a theological term to describe a knowledge of God, which is plainly available to all mankind. In essence, in its basic meaning, it refers to the universal aspect of God; that is, the knowledge of God. It has to do with a matter of discovering through natural means, such as the observance of nature or the physical universe, certain things. Through general revelation, God is revealed to man by general or encompassing events that occur in creation and history, not through specific words of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. or actions of God in the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ., but you will find that people will tell you, I know there is a God.

I hear people say there has to be a God. There's someone out there. There's something there, that's what they will say to you, but do they know Him? Do they know Jesus Christ? Do they know what the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says and the answer is no, but it's this general revelation that we see. Now, let's just talk a little bit about that.

You may have a friend, an uncle or an aunt or a cousin, that will tell you, I believe in God. The question is, really, believe in what and how? By answering that question, I think we will see that general revelation really has no authority in setting our doctrine. It simply doesn't have any authority in setting our doctrine. There are many people who, in our country, believe in God. You will find that. Now, it's dropping down. It's getting less and less, but, I think, "since the creation of the world, God's invisible attributes are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made," so let's go over to a Psalm, Psalm 19, and let's break it down, just for a few moments, here, to show you what I mean. This is Psalm 19, beginning in verse 1.

Here, the Psalmist, in this particular case, DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical., made a comment here. Verses 1 through 6. Most of us have experienced this sense of God's presence through nature, at one time or another, perhaps in viewing the mountains or walking through the woods or breathing the salt spray of the ocean; it's only obvious that there is a revelation of God in the creation. I think we understand that.

Psalm 19, verses 1 through 6, focuses on God's creation and how God's creation shows His glory, so how is it, that man can know God through His creation? Well, notice verses 1 and 2.

Psalm 19:1-6 [1] (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical..) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
[2] Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
[3] There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
[4] Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
[5] Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
[6] His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

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Vs. 1 — "The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament shows his handiwork" — and I think, in a sense, His mind.

Vs. 2 — "Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge."

So, we recognize that God is the Eternal One. God has always been and always will be. He is and always has been perfect love, perfect power, perfect wisdom, and we ask the question, God has always been glorious, but when God created the heavens and the earth, then there was, suddenly, a new vehicle declaring the eternal glory of God. We see that man has been able, then, to not have to conjure up in his mind some idea of this invisible Spirit Being, but he could look out at the creation and see the handiwork of this great Being.

How, can we ask, does the creation declare the glory of God? Well, first of all, Psalm 19 says that the heavens speak forth the praise of God, that's what verse 1 tells us; so, we recognize that the heavens speak forth the praise of God, the heavens reveal the knowledge of God to man and the heavens not only speak of God's praises, they reveal the knowledge of God to man, because "Day after day" it says in verse 2, it simply tells us that it pours forth "speech night after night," but the creation does not tell you everything you can know about God, but it tells you some key things. Can we understand that?

The creation can tell you some things about God, but it cannot tell you some key things. God may be a Spirit, but He is invisible to our eyes, but the creation reveals some of God's invisible qualities. The size, the complexity of the creation, especially as seen in the heavens, contains the sun, moon, and stars. It shows us things about God's eternal power. The beauty, the order, the design of creation, shows us God's divine nature. Why, then, does general revelation through creation have no authority in setting doctrine? Because that's all it is; it is a general perception, it's a general revelation of what we're willing to see and look at.

Listen to the statement by Albert Einstein. He was not a Christian believer, yet he looked at the wonders of the universe. He knew there must be a God. When asked by an interviewer if he was an atheist, he replied no and explained his answer in this way. He said, "I am not an atheist. The problem is too vast for our limited minds. We are in a position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangement of the books, but does know what it is." This is Einstein speaking now. Going on, he said, "That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God. We see the universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws, but dimly understand these laws."

Albert Einstein, in basic essence, understood the eternal power and the divine nature of God from what was made. Why? Because all of the creation, especially the heavens, reveal the knowledge of God to all men; but, that's a general revelation, that is a general revelation.

Now, verses 3 and 4 of Psalm 19.

Vs. 3 — God's creation speaks to all people everywhere. Notice what it says. "There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."

Vs. 4 — "Their line is gone out through all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In them he has set a tabernacle for the sun."

So, this is a universal aspect of God's testimony. God's creation speaks to people everywhere. We need to learn to enjoy, we need to learn to know God through His creation. I think that's a very, very important principle, but it doesn't get down to some specific things, that can only be learned by the divine revelation of God's Word. The creation should cause us to worship God the Creator, not His creation.

What did they do in pantheism back in the days of the children of Israel? They worshipped the heavens. They worshipped the sun, moon and stars. They didn't worship the One behind them and, so, the point is, that you cannot learn that unless you go directly to divine revelation, unless you come to the doctrine, the foundational principles of God.

You, secondly, do not mistake the nature of the world, the nature of the universe, for Christ. Some people feel that nature brings them closer to God. They speak of communing with God through nature, but only Christ can bring you closer to God. We miss the point. Only Christ can bring you closer to God. There's only one Mediator between God and man — that's not nature — that's Jesus Christ.

I think it's important to remember that the present creation also is distorted by sin. Sometimes we forget that the whole of the creation has been distorted by sin. God created all things good, but man's sin has effected God's good creation, so not everything you see in creation will be a true reflection of God — the example of disease, the example of viruses, all kinds of things like that. You see the present creation is distorted by sin, so we must look further than general revelation.

A person can look at creation and understand that God exists, but knowing that God, and know that that God exists, does not save a person. A person can understand from the creation that God is all powerful, wise and holy, but knowing God's attributes does not save them either.

A person may even understand through his own consciousness that he — or his own conscience, I guess, is the better word — that he is a sinner and under God's judgment, but even knowing that you are a sinner is not enough to be saved. You need Jesus Christ. You need His Word, the foundation of all right knowledge.

So, you see, if you stick at one or you stick at two, you make a terrible mistake, because you're not down to specifics that require you to go beyond the point of the creation, as we see. In fact, the only way we learn of God is from this Book and its reality. The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. is the only way we can truly begin to read the Book of creation as God intended, so you have to spend sufficient time in the Book. Oh! Creation is wonderful. It is very helpful. Richard has not said there is anything wrong with it.

I went up into Banff, when we went up to Calgary. Had a wonderful time; spent the day there. I asked Mr. Wasilkoff to take us up there. Why? That was my stomping grounds back when I was pastor of the Calgary church. Wonderful place to go. You get up high on the cliffs and you look down and you see the beautiful creation that it is, and they've kept it that way since I've been gone, and it's wonderful to see that they've tried to do that; but, the point is that you have to spend sufficient time in this Book, otherwise we will be no different from our friends, our relatives, or Albert Einstein, that say they believe in a God. That's just the fact of life. We have to grab hold of that and make sure we understand.

Point number three. We come down the pyramid. Inductive conclusions from the ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. Inductive conclusions are conclusions that are arrived at by going beyond the boundaries of knowledge, beyond evidence, because in inductive conclusions we are going beyond any true knowledge, beyond any sound evidence. Our conclusions are probable, at best, rather than certain. At the heart of inductive thinking is what I call the inductive leap — the stretch of imagination that causes you to feel that you have a reasonable conclusion from the available information — and we have to realize that an inductive approach is simply drawing a general conclusion from a number of known facts, that's all it is.

Some of the more famous beliefs that were adopted according to inductive reasoning were that the earth was flat. Secondly, that the earth was the center of the universe. These kinds of beliefs were later proven to be false through evidence.

Let's take a couple of more inductive thoughts. A married woman goes to a single man's place two nights of every week for three hours. Your inductive conclusion is? Why are you laughing? Because you know where your mind started to slide? No, it's a fact of life. This is what happens. Number two. Two police officers visit your neighbor next door, at your neighbor-next-door's house, a number of times in the last week, and you say, hmm, hmm, hmm, and that's a fact of life, because your mind begins to go that way. When you get home, you find your brother's car has been caved in on the right side, you conclude what? Inductive reasoning and, so, the point is we can see that inductive conclusions have no doctrinal authority either.

It may not be that you're wrong in some of those things such as a married woman going, two police officers visiting, or something along that line, but the point is that you don't base your life on those things. You don't base your life on those things.

We may fall into the same trap of using inductive reasoning when we approach the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. It is easy to begin working from a foregone conclusion, such as we need to use sacred names. Why? God didn't say use sacred names — nowhere — but people have conjured up and they have looked at certain things about God's name and, therefore, they say He must be called by this or He must be called by that. You got, probably, a dozen different pronunciations of different sacred names that you see out there today. So, they begin to build evidence and explanation built upon that assumption.

Now, there's something else that happens. It's very interesting. I have a book here. It's called The Plain Truth About Malachi's Message and That Prophet — uh, yeah — heh, heh, heh — you can't have it — it's all mine — but, I got that back about ten years ago from a member of the Church in Chicago who had their dealings with this particular group and he went through and he took everything apart. There's a whole lot more that can be said, other than that, but we found that by looking at Malachi's message that they were proof texting. Now what does that mean? Proof texting? It means you come up with an idea or a personal conviction and then you go for the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). to back it up. You come up with a preconceived belief and you have to go find something that will fit with that.

Now, we pastors sometimes do the same — I got this idea — and then we go try to find some ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). that agree with it and you've got to be very careful. You have to be very careful, but in proof texting we have found a number of times in our former association and, if you have a chance to read something like this, you will see that it does come up. That's why we recognize that there are two things wrong. One, you can't name yourself that prophet and, number two, Malachi's message is proof texted. It doesn't come from the actual ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. You make them read what your preconceived idea is then evidence is sometimes dismissed because it doesn't suit our preconceived notions.

We wrote about that particular topic in 1991 to the deaf ears of many, many people. So, the end result was almost inevitably what you find, evidence for such incorrect views can be put forward, but it usually isn't valid evidence and we see that it's either out of context, misunderstood, or founded on popular human traditions, so, we find that on a regular basis.

Let me give you another example of this. Let's go over to RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 11. I hope I have enough time. I am going very slowly today, but that's because I'm trying to make sure I cover everything here. This is RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 11. We have the two witnesses here. I want to talk just a second about this.

RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 11:3-5 [3] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
[4] These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
[5] And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

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Vs. 3 — It talks about how He "will give power to the two witnesses and they will prophesy 1,260 days." There's that 1,260.

Vs. 4 —"These are two olive trees and two lampstands standing before God."

Vs. 5 — "If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth, and devours their enemies." And, they have power to overcome the nations of the world, they have power over prophecy, they have power over the physical things of this particular earth.

When using inductive reasoning, we have to decide if these verses are literal or symbolic. We have to decide that. Now, what do we do? Well, if you go to Jeremiah 5 and verse 14 for just a moment — I will read it to you — you don't have to necessarily turn there.

Jeremiah 5:14Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
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Vs. 14 — "Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, Because you speak this word, behold, I will make my words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them."

So, what you do is you say, okay, what is this fire? Is this fire real fire or is this fire the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.? What is this, what RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 11 and verse 5 mean, is this what it means in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). and verse 5 when it says they will issue fire?

The purpose here is not to set new doctrine, but to only show how inductive reasoning works and, so, people will say that it's literal fire and other people will say that it's the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. and, so, the end result is we draw conclusions from beyond our level of specific, clear knowledge, and it can present you with a problem and it can present you with some difficulties, because people who use inductive reasoning are very difficult to reason with. It's almost impossible to get them to rethink their method of reasoning, since it appears they have Scriptural support for their particular view, but as you can see when you look at some of these things, inductive conclusions can be, notice the word I just used, they can be flawed and sometimes, perhaps, even contrary to the truth.

Now, when you go back and you look at the world that we've come out of, you will find that a number of doctrines are set by inductive reasonings: the Trinity, Sunday worship, Christmas. These are all a part of inductive reasoning.

When you come back to what does the ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). actually say, when they reason around what the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). do say, by putting their interpretation on it, and they deduce the following: sacred names and new moons, that's, again, an inductive reasoning.

Saints will be trained on the sea of glass after being raptured away on Pentecost and then return with Christ on Trumpets. Did you know that we have a Church of that particular group of people here in Cincinnati? Did you know that they actually believe that they're going to be raptured away? There are two particular groups that are there. Both of them, one from California and one of them from Washington, and they both believe that on Pentecost, whatever year they decide, it's going to be. One says it's going to be this year. Some say no it can't be, because Pentecost is already past and we're still here, so we have to set it up for next year, or maybe, 2012. You know, that sort of thing. I'm not being sarcastic. I'm being honest this time with you. So, on Pentecost, after being raptured away on Pentecost, they will go up to the sea of glass, they will be trained for this period of time, and then they will come back with Christ, I Thessalonians, chapter 4, on Trumpets, and the question is, this is the most interesting one from the present day, how had the Church used inductive conclusions to set beliefs in the past?

Just take a look at birthday parties. We looked at Matthew 14, verses 6 through 8, where it said that Herod had his birthday and the lady danced before him and he said he would give her up to half of the kingdom. She went to her mother and said what shall I ask? She said I want John the Baptist's head on a charger and so she came back to Herod and said this is what I want. On your birthday I want his head and Herod was very sad. So, we came to the conclusion that, simply, birthdays have bad things that happen on them.

Then, we came to the second one in Job, chapter 1. We had assumed by inductive conclusions that the sons and daughters of Job were killed because they were celebrating birthdays and only evil people observed birthdays. That's a fact. You know. I'm telling you the truth, when you go back years ago. This is inductive reasoning. This is inductive reasoning.

Now, we understand that sometimes there is self involved. There are things that are wrong in some of these things. I understand that, but the point is, I am simply trying to show you how we get ourselves in trouble, we get ourselves in trouble, and on the Doctrine Committee we have all kinds of papers that come in and people have these leaps of inductive reasoning and it just hurts them terribly, so we recognize we can reason in ourselves on points of interest that go beyond the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).; actually saying that these things are so and we must not use inductive conclusions to set our doctrines, beliefs, or having some kind of doctrinal authority. You can't use that. It's just not right.

There are principles, yes, that we abide by. There are principles that we use, but I think you have to be extremely careful when you get beyond a certain point, that's why I encourage everybody to remember this as a very important thing.

Point number four. Probable implications of ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)., as you come down the line, probable implications of ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. The definition of implication is meaning that is not expressly stated, but can be inferred. The reasoning involves drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions, rather than on the basis of direct observation. So, we have circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions. And, probable implication means that because of an understood characteristic we can make the conclusion that something is likely to happen or to be true.

This is especially true when you have suggestions given with hidden, significant meanings and indirect indications, or suggestions and implied meanings. Hints, inklings, suspicions, assumptions and guesses. And, one of the favorite ones that I hear is — I feel. We live in a feel-y society right now, as Century 21 comes due. I feel. And so, you have that particular statement. We hear it in our statements all the time. We can argue that all of these probable implications are likely to happen or be true.

After all, war seemed probable in 1938. The home team far ahead is the probable winner, except when Baltimore played the Yankees this week and Baltimore was losing ten to nothing and they won the game, or they were losing nine to nothing and they lost the game after a rain delay, ten to nine, or something like that, but, normally, you know, that's so. The world is in an economic downturn. We're heading for a deep recession, or, perhaps, a depression next year. So, these can be probable implications that might be likely to happen. Probable implications may be likely and I think we can say the modern nations that represent the ten tribes, we believe they probably are in Western Europe and that sort of thing. The prophecies for Israel include North America. We believe that that is basically, probably, true.

And there will be a place of safety for the faithful and verses that we use to back that up are places like RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 12, verses 13 and 14, where it says,

RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 12:14And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
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Vs. 14 — "The woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, to her place, where she is nourished."

And then, we read a second ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)., RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3 and verse 10,

RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3:10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
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Vs. 10 — "I will also keep you from the hour of trial, to come upon all the earth."

These verses do not state a place of safety, but we can assume that it is probable because she is going to be taken to "her place" and that we will be kept "from the hour of trial that's going to come upon the earth."

But, you have to be careful to get as specific as dates and you have to be careful as specifically as to where you go, because we've said, very simply, that you simply have to have the evidence before you decide where you're going to plant your feet.

Now, that particular group of people I talked about the other day are going to Petra. They are planning. They've got their passports. They've got their equipment that they're buying right now and, so, I'm sorry because I know them very well. I baptized them some years ago. I'm sorry about that sort of thing, but we do not base our twenty fundamentals of belief on probable implications of the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. We can and do, however, base minor ideas or belief on possible implications.

We should consider probable implications as needing more study — not necessarily so. The key is the hints, the inklings, the suspicions, are drawn from undercurrents or undertones of what we hear, see, or read, and are they of more substantial value? Are those of more substantial value than the written, delivered Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.? The answer is no. No. You have to be careful.

You see, all I'm doing today is trying to show you some of the difficulties that we have faced and why people have been flying into, you know, three hundred different directions, and people don't pay attention to some of the most important things that we need to look at and that is what is our value?

Number five. Number five. Direct implications of the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. Again, the definition of implication is a meaning that is not expressly stated, but can be inferred. At this level, we are dealing with direct implications rather probable. We often read ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). that does not directly state the meaning, but the ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). is straight forward, candid, frank, giving a direct response to a situation or question, enabling us to make truthful conclusions. Let me show you what I mean.

I Corinthians, chapter 5, let's go over there for a moment. This is I Corinthians, chapter 5. We believe in the Holy Days. We practice the Holy Days as we see them, through both the Old and the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation., but their meaning, for each one of them is found and it is identified in the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. and, therefore, the direct implications of these things are definite. Now, notice what it says in verse 7.

I Corinthians 5:7-8

Vs. 7 — "Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened."

So now, Paul is talking about the fact that when we observe the Days of Unleavened Bread we recognize that you are physically unleavened in order to depict what you are to become spiritually and, so, our definition, by direct implication of the ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)., is that leaven equals sin, unleavened equals putting sin out. It's a simple analogy that we see. We see that in several places in both the Old and the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation..

Now notice that it says, "For Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us." So we see Passover, then we see the Days of Unleavened Bread. We see Christ forgives us, now we have to go on beyond sin.

By reading this ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)., it is obvious what the Days of Unleavened Bread mean to a believer, because it says:

Vs. 8 — "Let us therefore keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness: but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

So, he takes the physical and he then begins to apply it to the spiritual and it becomes an implication, a direct implication, of ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)..

Now, we can do the same thing with other areas. For instance, we talk about the trump of God. We understand when we come to the Feast of Trumpets that it pictures to us the return of Jesus Christ. We recognize that there are a number of ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). that tell us that, at "the trump of God, the dead in Christ will rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up with him."

Putting these verses together with others, it is directly implying that the Feast of Trumpets pictures that Jesus Christ will visibly return to the earth at the end of the age. At that time, He will resurrect the saints to immortal life, but the key ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). is the one in I Corinthians 15 and verse 52. Now, what does it say there? It simply says,

I Corinthians 15:52

Vs. 52 — "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump."

Now he takes that ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). and he brings it over to RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25)., chapter 8 through 11, which shows us that there are seven trumpets; the seventh one culminating in Christ taking power and control, chapter 11 and verse 15.

RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
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Vs. 15 — "The kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord, and his Christ."

So we, then, begin to see how we understand the Feast of Trumpets and the seventh trump and the return of Christ and we see how those things, by direct implication of ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18)., help us understand the meaning of the Holy Days. Now, that's just one particular area.

Now, we saw at the beginning, that speculation about prophecy has little value in a Christian's life; however, one can direct prophecy at this level of authority, as well as the final level of direct statements. Understanding prophecy is proof of Jesus Christ, it is proof of God. Understanding that prophecy at this level also gives us the assurance of God's protection in difficult times, but, you see, you're not dealing in speculative, you're not in general revelation, you're not dealing in any one of those four areas, you are dealing, right now, as you come down to direct implications.

And, now, point number six, the last one that I have for the sermon, and that is direct statements of ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. The definition of direct is the same straightforward, frank answer to what we have to look at. In this last level, we have a straightforward, frank expression of the words of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. We can never be more sure of true doctrine, as when the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. is searched positively by direct statements and positive commands.

We have twenty fundamentals of belief. Within those twenty fundamentals of belief, there are many things about how to keep the Sabbath, how to keep the Holy Days. It talks about the principles of tithing. It talks about all of God's law. I think you come to recognize that you also have something very important and that is, you and I looked at the creation and we said, by reason of a creation, there was a Creator. By reason of law, there was a Lawgiver. By reason of design, there is a Designer.

But now, when you come to the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ., you read about God the Father, who He is. You read about Jesus Christ, who He is, and you learn only about God through direct implications and direct statements of the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. The only way to learn about Jesus Christ, in true reality, is through those particular ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18).. The relationship of Jesus Christ to the Father — they're all found in the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ..

Direct statements validate the Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. and you know what it says in John 10? Let's turn there. I want you to turn there, because we're almost to the end of the sermon and I think this is a powerful, powerful statement.

John 10:34-35 [34] Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
[35] If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

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Vs. 34 — "Jesus said, ‘Is it not written in your law, "I said, ‘You are gods?'"'"

Vs. 35 — "If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken."

So, we recognize that when you stand on foundation number one, direct statements and direct implications, you're in good shape folks. You're not going to go flying out after these guys who believe in 1,260, 1,290 and 1,335 and getting your passports and heading out. Or, telling you that the place of safety is Utah and you ought to get some property and come up there, deceiving wonderful widows by the dozens. You know, it just makes me mad sometimes. You know how you do. You get a little frustrated with that sort of thing, but the point is — the ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). as expressed is the expressed will of the unchangeable God. It is unchangeable and it is not done away with in any manner, shape or form.

Jesus said, John 17:17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
See All..., you don't need to turn there: "Thy word is truth."

So, the only real way to be certain about doctrine is to search the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. for direct statements. This is the strongest authority, for this is where solid foundation, solid doctrine, will find itself. This is what we should be preaching. This is what we should be teaching. This is what we should be living and when they start telling you some things from point one, two, three, and four, on that particular pyramid, run as fast as your little legs can take you the opposite way.

I will tell you that if you pay close attention to yourself and to your teachings and you persevere in these things, you will assure, you will assure salvation for yourself and those of your family, those that are with you.

You and I have to be a good example. We have to be sound in our doctrine. We have to be sound in our speech. We have to be irreproachable, so that we can put the opponent to shame. This what the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says. Let us not forget that, if you don't stand on level one and level two, you may find yourself, when times of persecution and difficulties come, you may not find yourself as solidly entrenched in the truth of God.

God help you understand what I said, when I say, when you hear these things at that particular level, run for your life, because the spirit of this world is going to work by dividing it. He's going to work by trying to divide the sheep and I do believe that, in the 21st Century, that's what he has been doing.

God help you understand what I've tried to say today, in the short time that I've had, but I think you will see the importance of that understanding about that particular pyramid.