Purpose of the Divine Revelation

This aspect of the question can be dealt with but briefly, but God has a divine purpose in giving to His church this wonderful revelation of His will. Had sin never entered His fair domain, the Bible as we know it would never have been necessary. But sin came, and with it all the weakness and tragedy of the human race. Iniquity has blinded the minds of men; their perceptions of right and wrong have been warped, and, unaided by the Spirit of God, men cannot discern between good and evil. But, thank God, in His mercy and loving-kindness the Lord sent messages of warning and entreaty to the hearts of men. These we find incorporated in the writings of the Holy Bible, God’s blessed gift to all mankind. If we ask why this word was given, we find a fairly complete answer in Paul’s letter to Timothy, his own son in the faith. 2 Timothy 3:15-17.BSPC 21.2

The statements in this passage of Scripture indicate God’s divine purpose in the gift of His Holy Word, and it is evident that the dealings of God with His people in past generations are meant as a warning and a guide to us today. We read:BSPC 21.3

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4.BSPC 22.1

We might profitably meditate also on the following important counsel from the Spirit of prophecy:BSPC 22.2

“Wonderful possibilities are open to those who lay hold of the divine assurances of God’s word. There are glorious truths to come before the people of God. Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be laid open before them. As they follow on in the path of humble obedience, doing His will, they will know more and more of the oracles of God.BSPC 22.3

“Let the student take the Bible as his guide and stand like a rock for principle, and he may aspire to any height of attainment.”—Testimonies for the Church 8:322, 323.BSPC 22.4

“The truths of the Bible, received, will uplift the mind from its earthliness and debasement. If the word of God were appreciated as it should be, both young and old would possess an inward rectitude, a strength of principle, that would enable them to resist temptation.”—Testimonies for the Church 8:319.BSPC 22.5