DATE OF PUBLICATION: DECEMBER 2001

 

THE INFINITE WISDOM OF GOD!

THE GREAT I AM IS UNEXPLAINABLE—“In regard to the personality and prerogatives of God, where He is, and what He is, this is a subject which we are not to dare to touch. On this theme silence is eloquence. It is those who have no experimental knowledge of God who venture to speculate in regard to Him. Did they know more of Him, they would have less to say about what He is. The one who in the daily life holds closest communion with God, and who has the deepest knowledge of Him, realizes most keenly the utter inability of human beings to explain the Creator . .

“God always has been. He is the great I AM. The psalmist declares, ‘Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.’ He is the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity. ‘I am the Lord, I change not,’ He declares. With Him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. He is ‘the same yesterday, and today, and forever.’ He is infinite and omnipresent. No words of ours can describe His greatness and majesty.”—Medical Ministry, 92.

HUMANS CANNOT EXPLAIN DIVINE WISDOM—“Those are blessed with clearest light who are willing thus to accept the living oracles upon the authority of God. If asked to explain certain statements, they can only answer: ‘It is so presented in the Scriptures.’ They are obliged to acknowledge that they cannot explain the operation of divine power or the manifestation of divine wisdom. It is as the Lord intended it should be, that we find ourselves compelled to accept some things solely by faith. To acknowledge this, is only to admit that the finite mind is inadequate to grasp the infinite; that man, with his limited, human knowledge, cannot understand the purposes of Omniscience.”—5 Testimonies, 700-701.

THE OMNISCIENT ONE IS ABOVE DISCUSSION—“ ‘The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever.’ Deut­eronomy 29:29. The revelation of Himself that God has given in His Word is for our study. This we may seek to understand. But beyond this we are not to penetrate. The highest intellect may tax itself until it is wearied out in conjectures regarding the nature of God, but the effort will be fruitless. This problem has not been given us to solve. No human mind can comprehend God. None are to indulge in speculation regarding His nature. Here silence is eloquence. The Omniscient One is above discussion.

“Even the angels were not permitted to share the counsels between the Father and the Son when the plan of salvation was laid. And human beings are not to intrude into the secrets of the Most High. We are as ignorant of God as little children; but, as little children, we may love and obey Him. Instead of speculating in regard to His nature or His prerogatives, let us give heed to the words He has spoken.”—Ministry of Healing, 429-430.

FROM THE BEGINNING GOD AND CHRIST KNEW—“The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of ‘the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal.’ Romans 16:25, R.V. It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God’s throne. From the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. So great was His love for the world, that He covenanted to give His only-begotten Son, ‘that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16.”—Desire of Ages, 22 [1 Selected Messages, 250 is a little different].

INFINITE AND ALL-WISE, SEES END FROM THE BEGINNING—“God, the One infinite and all-wise, sees the end from the beginning, and in dealing with evil His plans were far-reaching and comprehensive. It was His purpose, not merely to put down the rebellion, but to demonstrate to all the universe the nature of the rebellion. God’s plan was unfolding, showing both His justice and His mercy, and fully vindicating His wisdom and righteousness in His dealings with evil.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 78.

THE OMNISCIENT ONE LOOKED DOWN THE AGES—“Hundreds of years before certain nations came upon the stage of action, the Omniscient One looked down the ages and predicted the rise and fall of the universal kingdoms. God declared to Nebuchadnezzar that the kingdom of Babylon should fall, and a second kingdom would arise, which also would have its period of trial. Failing to exalt the true God, its glory would fade, and a third kingdom would occupy its place. This also would pass away; and a fourth, strong as iron, would subdue the nations of the world . . In the history of nations the student of God’s Word may behold the literal fulfillment of divine prophecy. Babylon, shattered and broken at last, passed away because in prosperity its rulers had regarded themselves as independent of God, and had ascribed the glory of their kingdom to human achievement. The Medo-Persian realm was visited by the wrath of Heaven because in it God’s law had been trampled underfoot. The fear of the Lord had found no place in the hearts of the vast majority of the people. Wickedness, blasphemy, and corruption prevailed. The kingdoms that followed were even more base and corrupt; and these sank lower and still lower in the scale of moral worth.”—Prophets and Kings, 501-502.

HE KNOWS THE END FROM THE BEGINNING—“God knows the end from the beginning. He knew, before the birth of Jacob and Esau, just what characters they would both develop. He knew that Esau would not have a heart to obey Him. He answered the troubled prayer of Rebekah and informed her that she would have two children, and the elder should serve the younger. He presented the future history of her two sons before her, that they would be two nations, the one greater than the other, and the elder should serve the younger. The first-born was entitled to peculiar advantages and special privileges, which belonged to no other members of the family.”—Story of Redemption, 87.

ALL THINGS OPEN TO HIS SURVEY—“The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, not in a state of inactivity, not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy beings, all waiting to do His will. Through these messengers He is in active communication with every part of His dominion. By His Spirit He is everywhere present. Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels He ministers to the children of men.

“Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best.”—Ministry of Healing, 417.

HIS KNOWLEDGE AS BROAD AS THE UNIVERSE—“The knowledge of God is as high as heaven and as broad as the universe.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, 42.

AN INFINITUDE OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM—“Let none think that there is no more knowledge for them to gain. The depth of human intellect may be measured; the works of human authors may be mastered; but the highest, deepest, broadest flight of the imagination cannot find out God. There is infinity beyond all that we can comprehend. We have seen only the glimmering of divine glory and of the infinitude of knowledge and wisdom; we have, as it were, been working on the surface of the mine, when rich, golden ore is beneath the surface, to reward the one who will dig for it. The shaft must be sunk deeper and yet deeper in the mine, and the result will be glorious treasure.”—My Life Today, 108.

THE EVENTS OF TOMORROW OPEN TO HIM—“He whose servant you are, knows the end from the beginning. The events of tomorrow, which are hidden from your view, are open to the eyes of Him who is omnipotent.”—Mount of Blessing, 100.

HOW DARE WE TRY TO EXPLAIN THE OMNISCIENT ONE—“God’s Word and His works contain the knowledge of Himself that He has seen fit to reveal to us. We may understand the revelation that He has thus given of Himself. But it is with fear and trembling, and with a sense of our own sinfulness, that we are to take up this study, not with a desire to try to explain God, but with a desire to gain that knowledge which will enable us to serve Him more acceptably.

“Let no one venture to explain God. Human beings cannot explain themselves, and how, then, dare they venture to explain the Omniscient One? Satan stands ready to give such ones false conceptions of God.

“To the curious I bear the message that God has instructed me not to frame answers to the questions of those who inquire in regard to the things that have not been revealed. The things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children. Beyond this, human beings are not to attempt to go. We are not to attempt to explain that which God has not revealed. We are to study the revelation that Christ, the Great Teacher, has given of the character of God, that in spirit and word and act we may represent Him to those who know Him not.”—Medical Ministry, 91-92.

OMNISCIENCE IS BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING—“To acknowledge that we cannot fully comprehend the great truths of the Bible is only to admit that the finite mind is inadequate to grasp the infinite; that man, with his limited, human knowledge, cannot understand the purposes of Omniscience.”—Steps to Christ, 108.

DIVINE WISDOM IS UNEXPLAINABLE—“Those are blessed with clearest light who are willing thus to accept the living oracles upon the authority of God. If asked to explain certain statements, they can only answer: ‘It is so presented in the Scriptures.’ They are obliged to acknowledge that they cannot explain the operation of divine power or the manifestation of divine wisdom. It is as the Lord intended it should be, that we find ourselves compelled to accept some things solely by faith.”—5 Testimonies, 700-701.

THE EVER WATCHFUL EYE OF OMNISCIENCE—“The ever watchful eye of Omniscience is upon all our works, and although He can marshal the armies of heaven to do His will, He condescends to accept the services of frail, erring mortals.”—3 Bible Commentary, 1153 (Signs, July 14, 1881).

GOD’S WISDOM ALL IN ALL—“My brother, you should consider the wisdom of God as all in all.”—4 Testimonies, 116.

HE HAS DIVINE FOREKNOWLEDGE—“Realize fully the importance of being just with Him who has divine foreknowledge. Let everyone search His heart diligently.”—Christian Stewardship, 74.

DIVINE WISDOM INEXHAUSTIBLE—“The supply of divine wisdom is inexhaustible, and the Lord encourages us to draw largely from it.”—3 Bible Commentary, 1147.

THE EYE OF OMNISCIENCE—“Men in their blindness boast of wonderful progress and enlightenment; but to the eye of Omniscience are revealed the inward guilt and depravity.”—6 Testimonies, 14-15.

THE INFINITE, OMNISCIENT ONE—“To love Him, the Infinite, the Omniscient One, with the whole strength and mind and heart, means the highest development of every power. It means that in the whole being—the body, the mind, as well as the soul—the image of God is to be restored.”—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, 32.

“Only under the direction of the Omniscient One shall we, in the study of His works, be enabled to think His thoughts after Him.”—Education, 134.

“Too late they are made to see that the Omniscient One is jealous of His law and that He will in no wise clear the guilty. They learn now that Christ identifies His interest with that of His suffering people.”—Great Controversy, 668.

 THE INFINITE EYE—“The infinite Eye can search the heart, and read every defect in the character.”—Sons and Daughters of God, 130.

THE FOUNTAIN OF ALL WISDOM—“Those who teach the Word must themselves live in hourly contact, in conscious, living communion with God. The principles of truth and righteousness and mercy must be within them. They must draw from the Fountain of all wisdom.”—6 Testimonies, 48.

THE ALL-SEEING JUDGE—“The all-seeing Judge weighs motives, and He will reward as the works have been.”—4 Testimonies, 334.

THE INFINITE MIND—“In all His teaching, Christ brought the minds of men in contact with the Infinite Mind. He did not direct the people to study men’s theories about God, His Word, or His works. He taught them to behold God as manifested in His works, in His Word, and by His provi­dences.”—8 Testimonies, 201.

INFINITE IN WISDOM—“From time to time the unseen hand that holds the scepter of government is stretched out to restrain iniquity. Unmistakable evidence is given that the Creator of the universe, the One infinite in wisdom and love and truth, is the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, and that none can with impunity defy His power.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 123.

THE WISEST MEN CANNOT COMPREHEND HIS WISDOM OR POWER—“God is the source of all wisdom. He is infinitely wise and just and good. Apart from Christ, the wisest men that ever lived cannot comprehend Him. They may profess to be wise; they may glory in their attainments; but mere intellectual knowledge, aside from the great truths that center in Christ, is as nothingness. ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom . . but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth.’ Jeremiah 9:23, 24.

“If men could see for a moment beyond the range of finite vision, if they could catch a glimpse of the Eternal, every mouth would be stopped in its boasting. Men living in this little atom of a world are finite; God has unnumbered worlds that are obedient to His laws and are conducted with reference to His glory. When men have gone as far in scientific research as their limited powers will permit, there is still an infinity beyond what they can apprehend.

“Before men can be truly wise, they must realize their dependence upon God, and be filled with His wisdom. God is the source of intellectual as well as spiritual power. The greatest men who have reached what the world regards as wonderful heights in science are not to be compared with the beloved John or the apostle Paul. It is when intellectual and spiritual power are combined that the highest standard of manhood is attained. Those who do this, God will accept as workers together with Him in the training of minds.”—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, 66.

OMNISCIENT AND OMNIPOTENT—“The silent petition that he [Nehemiah] sent up to heaven was the same that he had offered for many weeks, that God would prosper his request. And now, taking courage at the thought that he had a Friend, omniscient and omnipotent, to work in his behalf, the man of God made known to the king his desire for release for a time from his office at the court, and for authority to build up the waste places of Jerusalem, and make it once more a strong and defensed city. Momentous results to the Jewish city and nation hung upon this request. ‘And,’ says Nehemiah, ‘the king granted me according to the good hand of my God upon me.’ ”—Christian Service, 172 (South­­ern Watchman, March 8, 1904).

A GOD OF INFINITE KNOWLEDGE—“Men sometimes suppose that they discover new scientific truths; but they cannot teach God anything. Our God is a God of infinite knowledge.”—4 Bible Commentary, 1145 (Manuscript 116, 1902).

HIS KNOWLEDGE IS INFINITE—“If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase and deepen. But if we come to God, feeling helpless and dependent, as we really are, and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in creation, and who governs everything by His will and word, He can and will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts. Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness.”—Steps to Christ, 96-97.

GOD GIVES SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE—“God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make shipwreck of faith.”—5 Testimonies, 675-676.

Continue- God Knows the Future!

 

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