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The Lesser Light and The Greater Light Explained
The Lesser Light and The Greater Light Explained
The Lesser Light and The Greater Light Explained
Created: 11 Aug 2013 / Modified: 08 Sep 2013 For one reason or another, there are many who believe that the writings of Ellen G. White are a lesser light as compared with the Bible, which is said to be the greater light.
------In other words, God's servants, of which John the Baptist was the primary example, are the lesser light. And God's Son is the Greater Light. Now, lets see if these definitions correspond to the biblical definitions of the same terms. Here we have an utterance of John the Baptist as recorded by the Apostle John:
John 1:6-9 KJV There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
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------When you find men questioning the testimonies, finding fault with them, and seeking to draw away the people from their influence, be assured that God is not at work through them. It is another spirit. Doubt and unbelief are cherished by those who do not walk circumspectly. They have a painful consciousness that their life will not abide the test of the Spirit of God, whether speaking through His Word or through the testimonies of His Spirit that would bring them to His Word. Instead of beginning with their own hearts, and coming into harmony with the pure principles of the gospel, they find fault, and condemn the very means that God has chosen to fit up a people to stand in the day of the Lord. {1SM 45.1} -- Selected Messages Book 1 Men may get up scheme after scheme, and the enemy will seek to seduce souls from the truth, but all who believe that the Lord has spoken through Sister White, and has given her a message, will be safe from the many delusions that will come in these last days.Letter 50, 1906. {3SM 83.5} -- Selected Messages Book 3 The Holy Ghost is the author of the Scriptures and of the Spirit of Prophecy. These are not to be twisted and turned to mean what man may want them to mean, to carry out mans ideas and sentiments, to carry forward mans schemes at all hazards.Letter 92, 1900. {3SM 30.3} -- Selected Messages Book 3
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At that time [after the 1844 disappointment] one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to searching the Scriptures and earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted men and women assembled for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error. {3SM 31.4} As the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me. I was given illustrations of heavenly things, and of the sanctuary, so that we were placed where light was shining on us in clear, distinct rays.Gospel Works, p. 302. {3SM 32.1} -- Selected Messages Book 3
------We therefore conclude that God's writings through Ellen G. White are every bit as authoritative for His people as His words through any of His other servants throughout time, although the Bible remains the standard by which we judge all doctrine and instruction and revelation.
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