Sunday morning the weather was still cloudy, but before it was time for the people to assemble the sun shone forth. Boats and trains poured their living freight upon the ground, as was the case last year. Elder Smith spoke in the morning upon the Eastern question. The subject was of special interest, and the people listened with the most earnest attention. It seemed to be just what they wanted to hear. {RH September 6, 1877, par. 11}
Confine Public Efforts to Important Lines of Truth We Are United Upon
Let us confine our public efforts to the presentation of the important lines of truth on which we are united, and on which we have clear light. {1SM 167.2}
No Time for Study on Subjects Unnecessary for Perfection of Faith
There are many questions treated upon that are not necessary for the perfection of the faith. We have no time for their study. {1SM 163.2}
We are Not to Search Into Matters on Which God has Been Silent
Matters of vital importance have been plainly revealed in the Word of God. These subjects are worthy of our deepest thought. But we are not to search into matters on which God has been silent. {1SM 173.5}
Elder Smith United with Us on the Eastern Question
Elder [Uriah] Smith spoke on the Sabbath question to a large congregation this morning, and this evening he speaks on the Eastern question. I feel so grateful that Brother Smith is not lost to the cause. He seems fully and thoroughly united with us; seems like Brother Smith of old. Oh, thank the Lord! Praise His Holy Name, that His love, His wondrous love has been exercised toward the children of men. It is so dark, I must stop. Will write you tomorrow. {Lt55-1884.6}
Aug. 25, 11:00 a.m
The first two pages were written Sunday after I had spoken to the crowd. The evening meeting was largely attended. Elder Smith spoke with great clearness, and many listened with open eyes, ears, and mouths. The outsiders seemed to be intensely interested in the Eastern question. He closed with a very solemn address to those who had not been preparing for these great events in the near future. {Lt55-1884.7}
Eastern Question is Truth
Elder Daniells speaks this evening upon the Eastern Question. May the Lord give His Holy Spirit to inspire the hearts to make the truth plain. {Ms189-1898.9}
Daniel 11:44-45
44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
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Miller’s Rules of Bible Interpretation
Those who are engaged in proclaiming the third angel’s message are searching the Scriptures upon the same plan that Father Miller adopted. In the little book entitled “Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology,” Father Miller gives the following simple but intelligent and important Rules for Bible study and interpretation: {RH November 25, 1884, par. 23}
“1. Every word must have its proper bearing on the subject presented in the Bible; 2. All Scripture is necessary, and may be understood by diligent application and study; 3. Nothing revealed in Scripture can or will be hid from those who ask in faith, not wavering; 4. To understand doctrine, bring all the scriptures together on the subject you wish to know, then let every word have its proper influence; and if you can form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in error; 5. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule, and not the Bible.” {RH November 25, 1884, par. 24}
The above is a portion of these rules; and in our study of the Bible we shall all do well to heed the principles set forth. {RH November 25, 1884, par. 25}
Criterion by which Prophecies fulfilled in the Past
Taking the manner in which the prophecies had been fulfilled in the past as a criterion by which to judge of the fulfillment of those which were still future… {GC 321.1}
King of the South
Daniel 11:40
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
Everyone in Adventism agrees that the King of the South mentioned in verse 40 of Daniel 11 is Napoleon Bonaparte, because at the time he was the ruler over the kingdom of the south which is, and will always remain, Egypt. Now if we use “the manner in which the prophesies had been fulfilled in the past as a criterion by which to judge of the fulfillment of those which are still future,” {GC 321.1} then we must conclude that Turkey is the kingdom of the North, and He whom rules over the nation of Turkey is the king of the North.
We cannot interpret that Napoleon Bonaparte is the king of the south by one rule, and then use a different rule when we determine who the king of the north is. If we use one rule to determine Napoleon Bonaparte was the king of the south in 1798 when the Pope was taken captive, then we must use the same rule to determine who the king of the north is today. Otherwise our interpretation of Napoleon being the king of the south, and all our Bible interpretations, fall apart and we have nothing but slippery sand to stand upon.