This is such a wonderful chapter out of the writings and begins cch 91.1, I found a great bit to rev up your interest in that Holy Word!
The stressing point she is presenting is to get the people into the Bible! She seeks and desires to attract us to that Wonderful Holy Word!
To Point Men to the Bible
"The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. Man's duty to God and to his fellow man has been distinctly specified in God's word, yet but few of you are obedient to the light given. Additional truth is not brought out; but God has through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given and in His own chosen way brought them before the people to awaken and impress the mind with them, that all may be left without excuse. The Testimonies are not to belittle the word of God, but to exalt it and attract minds to it, that the beautiful simplicity of truth may impress all. 117 {CCh 92.1}
The Spirit was not givennor can it ever be bestowedto supersede the Bible; for the Scriptures explicitly state that the word of God is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. Says the apostle John, "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1. And Isaiah declares, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20. 118 {CCh 92.2}
Truer words could never be spoken!
Her writings are better than all the commentaries of men. You will find too she did not always agree with all that was taught of some of the leading men.
When we truly have the Same Spirit by which that Wonderful Holy Word was given, then we can be guided into all truth as He gives us promise, plus show us things to come!
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
It is sorely needed again that the Spirit that The Holy came by will be poured out again and surely is soon coming.
Then again the straight truth and especially of the salvation issue will go forth and backed up by that precious Word. We need to pray for it!
"On the day of Pentecost Christ gave His disciples the Holy Spirit as their Comforter. It was ever to abide with His church. During the whole Jewish economy the influence of this Spirit has often been revealed in a marked manner, but not in full. The Spirit had been waiting for the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. For ages prayers had been offered for the fulfillment of the promise, for the impartation of the Spirit; and not one of these earnest supplications had been forgotten. Now for ten days the disciples sent up their petitions, and Christ in heaven added His intercession. He claimed the gift of the Spirit, that He might pour it out upon His people. . . . [Christ] having reached His throne, the Spirit was given as He had promised, and like a rushing, mighty wind, it fell upon those assembled, filling the whole house. It came with a fullness and power, as if for ages it had been restrained, but was now poured forth upon the church, to be communicated to the world. What followed this outpouring? Thousands were converted in a day.Manuscript 44, 1898. {CTr 301.5}
The Power That Shook The World
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Acts 2:17. {CTr 302.1}
After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples, clothed with the divine panoply, went forth as witnesses to tell the wonderful story of the manger and the cross. They were humble men, but they went forth with the truth. After the death of their Lord, they were a helpless, disappointed, discouraged companyas sheep without a shepherd; but now they go forth as witnesses for the truth, with no weapons but the Word and the Spirit of God, to triumph over all opposition. . . .They were transformed in character and united in the bonds of Christian love. . . . From their lips came words of divine eloquence and power that shook the world. {CTr 302.2}
We all must be desiring to be of that actually small number. Will that number actually come down to 144,000? If so each would need to reach close to 50,000.
Something to think on as only eight were saved of the antediluvian world. So it came down to eight then.
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
