Christ’s Counsel
We began this book with Christ and we want to end it with Him. Jesus speaks specifically about how to get ready for the crises related to the Word and to doctrine. Some of His illustrations and parables have influenced us since we were children. Who doesn’t remember the song that our Sabbath School teachers taught us about the wise man and the foolish man? That parable’s purpose was to remind us that the only ones who have assurance are those who build on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-27). The Rock, of course, in both the Old and the New Testaments represents Christ. In the particular case of this parable, it also represents Christ’s words (v. 24). Christ’s words, the testimony of Jesus, are a firm rock on which we can anchor ourselves with security.
VOTS 111.5
Another parable in which Jesus speaks specifically about preparation for the crisis revolving around the Bible and its doctrines is the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-9). The Lord Himself interpreted this parable for His disciples, so we have no doubts about the original meaning and Jesus’ intentions when He narrated it (Matthew 13:18-23). The security of the “plant” in time of crisis depends on the depth of its roots. If someone does not understand the Word, the Lord says, that believer is a likely victim of the deceits and stratagems of Satan and his cohorts (v. 19). If someone does not dig deep into the Word, he or she is likely to be pulled up by the roots when affliction comes (vss. 20, 21). If a person is so preoccupied with the “worries of this life” that he does not have time to devote to the Word, his situation is extremely dangerous (v. 21). The only security is in understanding the Word and allowing it to produce fruit (v. 23).
VOTS 112.1
It is important to note that the Lord specifically places emphasis on understanding or not understanding the Word. Those who are perfectly happy to listen to it, but who are not concerned with understanding it, become easy prey for those who come with “new, strange doctrines,” or for those who present something extraordinary and sensational that attracts attention. For these reasons, it is extremely important that we are sure we understand the doctrines of the church, made up of biblical teachings based on the testimony of Jesus.
VOTS 112.2
While it is true that there is a crisis just ahead that will revolve around the interpretation of doctrine, we need not fear. Christ assures us the victory if we take His hand and accept His counsel. The voice of the Spirit has no other purpose than to make us victors in Christ. Let us listen, then, to “what the Spirit says to the churches.” Let us accept the voice of the “faithful and true witness” and His promise of victory. “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:13, 14, 21).
VOTS 113.1
655
VOTS
The Voice of The Spirit
[{"para_id":"655.2","title":"The Voice of The Spirit","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0000_eng_f_how_god_has_led_his_people_through_the_gift_of_prophecy_655_2.mp3#duration=10&size=192274"},{"para_id":"655.12","title":"Prologue","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0001_eng_f_prologue_655_12.mp3#duration=76&size=587836"},{"para_id":"655.15","title":"Jesus Christ, The Epitome Of Divine Communication","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0002_eng_f_jesus_christ_the_epitome_of_divine_communication_655_15.mp3#duration=116&size=825216"},{"para_id":"655.19","title":"The Human Instrument","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0003_eng_f_the_human_instrument_655_19.mp3#duration=142&size=983533"},{"para_id":"655.25","title":"Chapter 1\u2014 The Divine Instrument","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0004_eng_f_chapter_1_the_divine_instrument_655_25.mp3#duration=66&size=529556"},{"para_id":"655.28","title":"Christ, Head Of The Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0005_eng_f_christ_head_of_the_church_655_28.mp3#duration=194&size=1297279"},{"para_id":"655.36","title":"The Holy Spirit: The Person Of The Divinity In Charge Of Communication","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0006_eng_f_the_holy_spirit_the_person_of_the_divinity_in_charge_of_communication_655_36.mp3#duration=81&size=617049"},{"para_id":"655.40","title":"\u201cHe Will Testify About Me\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0007_eng_f_he_will_testify_about_me_655_40.mp3#duration=95&size=701333"},{"para_id":"655.45","title":"\u201cThe Testimony Of Jesus\u201d In The Last Days","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0008_eng_f_the_testimony_of_jesus_in_the_last_days_655_45.mp3#duration=87&size=650365"},{"para_id":"655.49","title":"\u201cHe Will Teach You All Things\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0009_eng_f_he_will_teach_you_all_things_655_49.mp3#duration=64&size=513369"},{"para_id":"655.51","title":"Whom Does The Spirit Teach?","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0010_eng_f_whom_does_the_spirit_teach_655_51.mp3#duration=189&size=1262642"},{"para_id":"655.59","title":"Whom Does The Spirit Illuminate?","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0011_eng_f_whom_does_the_spirit_illuminate_655_59.mp3#duration=185&size=1240523"},{"para_id":"655.70","title":"The Authority Of The Spirit","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0012_eng_f_the_authority_of_the_spirit_655_70.mp3#duration=212&size=1400656"},{"para_id":"655.80","title":"\u201cHe Will Guide You Into All Truth\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0013_eng_f_he_will_guide_you_into_all_truth_655_80.mp3#duration=213&size=1410158"},{"para_id":"655.91","title":"Conclusion","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0014_eng_f_conclusion_655_91.mp3#duration=51&size=435762"},{"para_id":"655.97","title":"Chapter 2\u2014 The Human Instrument","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0015_eng_f_chapter_2_the_human_instrument_655_97.mp3#duration=106&size=765221"},{"para_id":"655.104","title":"An Imperfect Messenger","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0016_eng_f_an_imperfect_messenger_655_104.mp3#duration=130&size=913131"},{"para_id":"655.110","title":"Mistaken Prophets?","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0017_eng_f_mistaken_prophets_655_110.mp3#duration=62&size=505412"},{"para_id":"655.114","title":"Preconceived Ideas In The Prophet\u2019s Mind","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0018_eng_f_preconceived_ideas_in_the_prophet_s_mind_655_114.mp3#duration=162&size=1102957"},{"para_id":"655.120","title":"Prophets Who Run Ahead Of God\u2019s Plans","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0019_eng_f_prophets_who_run_ahead_of_god_s_plans_655_120.mp3#duration=78&size=600572"},{"para_id":"655.125","title":"Prophets Anxious For The Return Of The Lord","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0020_eng_f_prophets_anxious_for_the_return_of_the_lord_655_125.mp3#duration=247&size=1613583"},{"para_id":"655.136","title":"An Imperfect Language","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0021_eng_f_an_imperfect_language_655_136.mp3#duration=375&size=2379754"},{"para_id":"655.156","title":"Help In The Selection Of The Words And Expressions","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0022_eng_f_help_in_the_selection_of_the_words_and_expressions_655_156.mp3#duration=91&size=674498"},{"para_id":"655.163","title":"Conclusion","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0023_eng_f_conclusion_655_163.mp3#duration=75&size=579383"},{"para_id":"655.169","title":"Chapter 3\u2014 The Divine Presence","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0024_eng_f_chapter_3_the_divine_presence_655_169.mp3#duration=79&size=607774"},{"para_id":"655.173","title":"Theophanies, The Real And Visible Presence Of A Divine Being","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0025_eng_f_theophanies_the_real_and_visible_presence_of_a_divine_being_655_173.mp3#duration=267&size=1734960"},{"para_id":"655.185","title":"The Angels As Representatives Of Divinity","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0026_eng_f_the_angels_as_representatives_of_divinity_655_185.mp3#duration=275&size=1779121"},{"para_id":"655.202","title":"The Divine Presence In Visions And Prophetic Dreams","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0027_eng_f_the_divine_presence_in_visions_and_prophetic_dreams_655_202.mp3#duration=225&size=1479488"},{"para_id":"655.211","title":"Supernatural Phenomena That Accompany A Vision","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0028_eng_f_supernatural_phenomena_that_accompany_a_vision_655_211.mp3#duration=263&size=1710917"},{"para_id":"655.222","title":"The Divine Presence In The Prophetic Message","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0029_eng_f_the_divine_presence_in_the_prophetic_message_655_222.mp3#duration=320&size=2052626"},{"para_id":"655.242","title":"Conclusion","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0030_eng_f_conclusion_655_242.mp3#duration=31&size=316649"},{"para_id":"655.245","title":"Chapter 4\u2014 Human History","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0031_eng_f_chapter_4_human_history_655_245.mp3#duration=169&size=1146716"},{"para_id":"655.252","title":"The Story Of An Eyewitness","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0032_eng_f_the_story_of_an_eyewitness_655_252.mp3#duration=125&size=879641"},{"para_id":"655.260","title":"Witness To The Great Acts Of God","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0033_eng_f_witness_to_the_great_acts_of_god_655_260.mp3#duration=217&size=1436210"},{"para_id":"655.267","title":"Eyewitness To The Birth Of The Last Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0034_eng_f_eyewitness_to_the_birth_of_the_last_church_655_267.mp3#duration=124&size=873026"},{"para_id":"655.275","title":"Prophets As Historians","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0035_eng_f_prophets_as_historians_655_275.mp3#duration=121&size=860248"},{"para_id":"655.283","title":"Noninspired References In Inspired Writings","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0036_eng_f_noninspired_references_in_inspired_writings_655_283.mp3#duration=263&size=1711072"},{"para_id":"655.295","title":"Conclusion","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0037_eng_f_conclusion_655_295.mp3#duration=35&size=340786"},{"para_id":"655.298","title":"Chapter 5\u2014 Divine Counsel","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0038_eng_f_chapter_5_divine_counsel_655_298.mp3#duration=46&size=410081"},{"para_id":"655.301","title":"Correction And Counsel In The Old Testament","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0039_eng_f_correction_and_counsel_in_the_old_testament_655_301.mp3#duration=55&size=461552"},{"para_id":"655.305","title":"Oral And Written Messages","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0040_eng_f_oral_and_written_messages_655_305.mp3#duration=234&size=1536450"},{"para_id":"655.315","title":"Divine Counsel In The New Testament","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0041_eng_f_divine_counsel_in_the_new_testament_655_315.mp3#duration=86&size=649783"},{"para_id":"655.320","title":"The Apostolic Letters","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0042_eng_f_the_apostolic_letters_655_320.mp3#duration=107&size=774419"},{"para_id":"655.326","title":"The First Letter To The Corinthians: A Case Study","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0043_eng_f_the_first_letter_to_the_corinthians_a_case_study_655_326.mp3#duration=143&size=989597"},{"para_id":"655.331","title":"The Authority Of A Letter","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0044_eng_f_the_authority_of_a_letter_655_331.mp3#duration=108&size=776571"},{"para_id":"655.336","title":"\u201cOnly A Letter\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0045_eng_f_only_a_letter_655_336.mp3#duration=148&size=1018343"},{"para_id":"655.345","title":"Divine Counsel","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0046_eng_f_divine_counsel_655_345.mp3#duration=179&size=1207517"},{"para_id":"655.352","title":"\u201cI Was Shown\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0047_eng_f_i_was_shown_655_352.mp3#duration=85&size=640047"},{"para_id":"655.357","title":"Conclusion","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0048_eng_f_conclusion_655_357.mp3#duration=68&size=538899"},{"para_id":"655.363","title":"Chapter 6\u2014 Human Writings","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0049_eng_f_chapter_6_human_writings_655_363.mp3#duration=146&size=1008006"},{"para_id":"655.370","title":"The Great Controversy : A Case Study","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0050_eng_f_the_great_controversy_a_case_study_655_370.mp3#duration=64&size=515149"},{"para_id":"655.375","title":"Origin Of The Book: Revelations And Visions","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0051_eng_f_origin_of_the_book_revelations_and_visions_655_375.mp3#duration=107&size=775225"},{"para_id":"655.381","title":"First Surprise: The Book Grows From 200 To 3500 Pages","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0052_eng_f_first_surprise_the_book_grows_from_200_to_3500_pages_655_381.mp3#duration=142&size=983268"},{"para_id":"655.388","title":"Second Surprise: The Prophet\u2019s Uses Of Other Author\u2019s Statements","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0053_eng_f_second_surprise_the_prophet_s_uses_of_other_author_s_statements_655_388.mp3#duration=214&size=1413457"},{"para_id":"655.399","title":"Third Surprise: There Are Several Versions Of The Great Controversy","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0054_eng_f_third_surprise_there_are_several_versions_of_the_great_controversy_655_399.mp3#duration=88&size=661303"},{"para_id":"655.405","title":"Offensive Expressions About Other Religions","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0055_eng_f_offensive_expressions_about_other_religions_655_405.mp3#duration=162&size=1103568"},{"para_id":"655.414","title":"The Church And Governmental Rulings","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0056_eng_f_the_church_and_governmental_rulings_655_414.mp3#duration=232&size=1524736"},{"para_id":"655.430","title":"Fourth Surprise: An Additional Chapter Exists In The Spanish Editions","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0057_eng_f_fourth_surprise_an_additional_chapter_exists_in_the_spanish_editions_655_430.mp3#duration=215&size=1421608"},{"para_id":"655.442","title":"Conclusion","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0058_eng_f_conclusion_655_442.mp3#duration=74&size=572644"},{"para_id":"655.446","title":"Chapter 7\u2014 Human Interpretation","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0059_eng_f_chapter_7_human_interpretation_655_446.mp3#duration=69&size=547903"},{"para_id":"655.450","title":"Jesus Christ: The Model Of Interpretation","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0060_eng_f_jesus_christ_the_model_of_interpretation_655_450.mp3#duration=187&size=1256132"},{"para_id":"655.459","title":"The Place Of The \u201cBody Of Christ\u201d In Interpretation","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0061_eng_f_the_place_of_the_body_of_christ_in_interpretation_655_459.mp3#duration=204&size=1353932"},{"para_id":"655.471","title":"Toward The Unity Of The Faith","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0062_eng_f_toward_the_unity_of_the_faith_655_471.mp3#duration=94&size=693349"},{"para_id":"655.476","title":"Threats To The Unity Of The Faith","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0063_eng_f_threats_to_the_unity_of_the_faith_655_476.mp3#duration=74&size=577995"},{"para_id":"655.479","title":"Basic Principles Of Interpretation","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0064_eng_f_basic_principles_of_interpretation_655_479.mp3#duration=84&size=633481"},{"para_id":"655.484","title":"The Original Meaning And The Author\u2019s Intentions","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0065_eng_f_the_original_meaning_and_the_author_s_intentions_655_484.mp3#duration=158&size=1081759"},{"para_id":"655.490","title":"The \u201c6000 Year\u201d Age Of The Earth And The Author\u2019s Intention","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0066_eng_f_the_6000_year_age_of_the_earth_and_the_author_s_intention_655_490.mp3#duration=131&size=917515"},{"para_id":"655.495","title":"The Historical Context And Circumstances","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0067_eng_f_the_historical_context_and_circumstances_655_495.mp3#duration=124&size=875109"},{"para_id":"655.501","title":"Time And Circumstances In The Days Of Ellen White","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0068_eng_f_time_and_circumstances_in_the_days_of_ellen_white_655_501.mp3#duration=246&size=1605547"},{"para_id":"655.511","title":"How To Apply The Writings Of The Past To Today","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0069_eng_f_how_to_apply_the_writings_of_the_past_to_today_655_511.mp3#duration=99&size=726327"},{"para_id":"655.517","title":"Warnings For The Future","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0070_eng_f_warnings_for_the_future_655_517.mp3#duration=139&size=966184"},{"para_id":"655.528","title":"Christ\u2019s Counsel","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0071_eng_f_christ_s_counsel_655_528.mp3#duration=177&size=1194826"},{"para_id":"655.538","title":"Conclusion","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0072_eng_f_conclusion_655_538.mp3#duration=50&size=429185"},{"para_id":"655.541","title":"Epilogue","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0073_eng_f_epilogue_655_541.mp3#duration=188&size=1261835"},{"para_id":"655.551","title":"A Personal Testimony","mp3":"\/mp3\/655\/0074_eng_f_a_personal_testimony_655_551.mp3#duration=283&size=1826842"}]